What a year! What a change! What a church! What a God!!!
Don't you love this time of year? I grew up loving this time of the year and still do! Traditions, changing leaves, family. All reason to love the change in season. I'm sure you could add to that list. Today I want to add to my list. As thankful as I am for traditions, my family, and a beautiful place to live, today I am thankful for what God is doing in His church!
Today my heart is rejoicing over what is happening in the life of the church I serve. When we moved to Green Bay last August, I remember thinking, "well we are coming to a church of 40 people, I'll bet its a dying church, but lets see what God can do." When we walked in for our interview, the church was full of life! It was full of welcoming people and it was full of people who were ready to move forward in reaching people for the Kingdom! I was excited!
And guess what? A year later, I'm even more excited! As I sit here excited though, I'm thankful! Extremely thankful.
I'm thankful for for a loving church family. I'm thankful for new families who I consider to be friends. I'm thankful for 5 people accepting Christ in the last three weeks for the first time! I'm thankful for the folks who have been at Grace Harbor during the last 10 years. I'm thankful for people who are starting to step out of their comfort areas to reach and disciple people. I'm thankful that our church is meeting every night of the week but one! I'm thankful for a clothes closet which has reached dozen of families with a basic need. I'm thankful for a leadership team who is willing to take risks for the sake of the Kingdom. I'm thankful for a God who has given us the privilege of being on the front lines of a church that He is growing.
And I'm also thankful for YOU!
For your willingness to get involved. For you commitment to Christ. I'm thankful you are getting involved in ministries of the church. I'm thankful for your faithful giving. I'm thankful you are forgiving and willing to put up with a pastor and family who are not perfect. I'm thankful the days ahead are extremely bright!
These are wonderful days to be part of Grace Harbor Church of Nazarene.
Lord today we thank you for what you are doing in our lives. We are thankful you sent your Son Jesus to die for me. Lord, thank you for loving us when we were unlovable and thank you for allowing us to be part of your work here in Green Bay. We continue to look ahead at what we will be thankful for tomorrow as you add to our number, it seems daily! Lord give us the wisdom and the discernment to be good stewards of your generosity. Help us to always give you the glory and credit for all that takes place within the life of the church. In Jesus name...Amen!
