Thanksgiving Collage

by David Shannon

For several years in November we have been challenged as a church to list 100 things for which we are grateful. Amy Bass has kept her first list of 100 in her Bible and adds to it all the time. The following are just a few things several have mentioned.
I am thankful that I get to help my children with their homework, daisies, Madison - who hugged me Sunday, I'm thankful for a family of Christians at Mt. Juliet who are determined to build each other up, tears, I'm thankful for my mom who showed me by her life's example how to live a life of a servant for the Lord, music, my family dog - I had to put down our companion of 14 years just recently, U.S. Soldiers, some family problems this past couple of years -- crisis times that seemed terrible at the time -- but which have made us closer as a family and closer to God, eyesight to see all God's color, a Christian husband who guided me to the Lord, a surprise I Love You from your child, I am thankful for men like Buddy Pickler, Christian friends who listen and offer Christian counsel, I am thankful for state employee discounts at Tennessee state park campgrounds, cabins and inns, strong supportive Christian wife, for foggy mornings when you can see the intricate detail of a spider's web and know that God designed it, a warm dry bed, hope in God, The smell of bacon cooking on a cold morning, my Bible, People who give to me the opportunity to serve God in a special way, family oriented job, Time alone in prayer, heartfelt preaching of God's Word, fresh air, hard times-because they help me see the grace and mercy of God, porch swings, friends who are closer than family, young families at church raising their children in the Lord, hotdogs over a campfire, sons who love me, partners in arms here @ MJ, I am thankful that I get to tuck my children in bed at night, Brad Willits and family who have devoted their whole lives to mission work, the enormous vastness and diversity of this earth and its inhabitants, I'm thankful for a daughter who is thoughtful, kind, and loves God, I am thankful that our congregation has scripturally sound elders, my wedding ring and all that comes with it, the smell of rain, I am thankful for God's truth being spoken from the pulpit at MJCOC, for all those who have come into my life and taken the time to encourage me to grow stronger in the Lord, I am thankful that our Tuesday-Thursday School offers an opportunity for children in the community to hear God's Word, that our daughter & son have married Christians and are faithful, I'm thankful for a loving wife who supports me and looks at me through rose colored glasses, I am thankful for Griff, who told me he loved me Sunday. Your turn.

• Thank You God, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! -Nov 30, 2003
• Being Thankful -Jan 14, 2003
• Avenues of Gratitude from the Great Command! -Nov 25, 2001
• From Moses to Mothers about Thanksgiving -Nov 28, 1999