In Everything Give Thanks

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” –  Colossians 3:15-17

It is Thanksgiving 2015, 395 years since the first one in 1621. There are a lot of things I like about the Thanksgiving holiday and there are a lot of things I am thankful for. Number one on the list is I am thankful for a God who loves me and a Savior who came to die in my place and rise again for my salvation.  I am nothing without Him. 

I am thankful for the woman God put in my life.  Angela continues to be an incredible blessing from God. I am thankful for my son, Andrew and my daughter Ashleigh. Nothing prepares you for being a father, but there are few things better than being a dad.  

I am thankful I have the opportunity to be a pastor. I thank God for blessing my life with a church family filled with compassion and love; giving me the honor of serving as your Pastor, walking alongside you, working together, laughing together, crying together, in ministry and mission that transforms lives with the good news of Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t trade the Northstar family for the world.  

I am thankful for the church staff. These men and women have dedicated their lives to serve people. Thank you for going to God on our behalf and praying for us daily. 

I am also thankful for our campus pastors. Thank you for walking with us through tragedy, marital troubles, raising children and life’s great challenges. Thank you for the periodic phone calls, texts and emails just to see how we are doing. And most of all, thank you for not quitting each Monday.

I am thankful for all our volunteers. Many of the tasks that need to be done in a church setting happen behind the scenes; in a place where you will not get noticed or applauded. Your love of God shows in your willingness to get involved and in your willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

I am thankful to live in America. To enjoy the freedoms we have is an incredible blessing which all too often I have taken for granted.

If you have a second you may also want to read Psalm 136 which starts out, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever…”

This Thanksgiving, let us give thanks as we reflect upon all of God’s blessings in the past, present, and future.