Newsletter

October 2010 Newsletter

Thanksgiving by Eleanor Lewis

As the owners of a vacation home on a beautiful mountain lake we have lots of houseguests. Most all are gracious and responsive to our efforts to provide comfort and enjoyment. They eat what we serve and say 'yumm!' They praise the coffee, the comfortable beds, and exult over their lake experience. And you know what? I want them to come back! They don't HAVE to thank us but it is such fun knowing our hard work has been enjoyed and appreciated.

We had one guest that wasn't so gracious. She 'plopped' herself on the sofa with an attitude that said, 'wait on me'. We tried, but nothing seemed to satisfy. The soup was too hot, there was too much, and we did not perform her extra requests properly. You know, I wasn't at all anxious to invite her back!

Think of how the Lord must appreciate our gratitude and be disappointed by our grumbling:

• The Psalmist said we are to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. We are to give thanks to Him. (Psalm 110:4)
• He says that thanksgiving is a sacrifice. I guess that must mean it doesn't come naturally or even easily. He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving, honors Me. (Psalm 50:23)
• Thanksgiving has the idea of a heart full of gratefulness and singing. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving, sing praises to our God... (Psalm 147:7)

Have you given God a 'thank offering' lately. Do you have a grumbling heart or a thankful heart that sings to the Lord? The last time "thanksgiving' is used in the Bible is Revelation 7:12. We glimpse into the throne room in heaven and those before the throne are saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen." If we're going to spend eternity praising and thanking God, let's get into practice by starting today.