Thankful for friends

This Sunday, November 17, we are focusing on being thankful for friendship.  As we do, we will take a look at David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18-20.  David and Jonathan's relationship is a great example of loyalty, integrity, and friendship.  In their relationship we notice at least three qualities of friendship.  First, they were willing to sacrifice for one another (see 1 Samuel 18:4).  Second, we learn of Jonathan's loyalty to David in 1 Samuel 19:1-3.  And third we notice Jonathan and David's strong emotion towards each other (1 Samuel 20).  Each characteristic reminds us of the great value of a good friend.

The best way I can relate with the friendship of David and Jonathan is to compare it to the relationship between brothers or men who have fought together in the military or played on a sports team at a high level.  Perhaps you have another example in your life of true friendship which helps you relate to David and Jonathan.

The truth is we all need at leas tone good friend.  I know I am thankful for the friendship I have with my spouse, my brothers, and my church family.  How about you?  What are the friendships in your life for which you can be thankful?

Good to give thanks

Psalm 92:1 encourages us with these words, "It is good to praise the Lord."  On Sunday, November 24th at New life you are encouraged to join with us as we give thanks to God for all of our blessings.  We will have a "Parade of Thanks" during the gathering followed by a RISE & BAKE Luncheon.

It's good to give thanks.  See you Sunday.  Pastor Tom

30 Days of Thanksgiving - gratefulness and contentment

Some people are too quickly satisfied with God's blessings, others are never satisfied with God's blessings.  I came across two humorous stories about gratefulness and contentment that might make you laugh.  Michael Hodgin shares them in a book entitled, 1001 Humorous Illustrations.  The first story goes something like this --- A food editor of the local newspaper received a telephone call from a woman inquiring how long to cook a 22-pound turkey.  'Just a minute,' said the food editor.  'Thank you very much,' replied the novice cook, and hung up!    The second story follows ---  In a region of Mexico hot and cold springs are found side by side. Because of the convenience of this natural phenomenon the women often bring their laundry, boil their clothes in the hot spring and then rinse them in the cold spring. A tourist watching this procedure commented to his Mexican guide, 'They must think mother nature is generous to freely supply such ample clean hot and cold water.' The guide replied, 'No, señor, there is much grumbling because she does not supply the soap.'  Some of us are satisfied too quickly and others are seemingly never satisfied.  So what's the point?

First, it's important to understand that God takes ungratefulness very seriously.  when God gives us a blessing, we should be quick to give thanks.  Consider King Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 32:24-25.  The Bible says, "In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death.  He prayed to the LORD, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign.  But Hezekiah's heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the LORD's wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.”  The New Testament provides another example in Romans 1.  Paul connects ungratefulness with "darkened minds" (Romans 1).  Wow!  Being thankful is really important.  

Second, gratefulness can produce an attitude of contentment in your life.  It works, really!  Next time you feel like complaining or reciting all the negatives in your life, take a deep breathe and begin counting all your blessings!  Repeat until your attitude changes!  Plus gratefulness is contagious.

Third, gratefulness can balance out your expectations in life.  Remember, some of us are too easily satisfied, while others seem to never be satisfied.  Gratefulness can produce patience and perseverance in your life.  We when focus on the good things in our lives rather than the troubles, we are reminded of God's grace and we gain hope for more of the same. 

Practice gratefulness and contentment this week as you walk with the Lord.  Pastor Tom

Truly Thankful

Thanksgiving season is upon us!  At New Life, we are celebrating with 30 Days of Thanksgiving.  I will probably blog a Bible verse each day on thanksgiving.  We have so many things for which to be thankful.  So count your blessings and watch as a positive attitude and better health begins to take hold in your life.  The Bible tells us that an attitude of gratitude can defeat such negative attitudes as envy, jealousy, pride, and cynicism.  Join us in November at the ARC!  Stay tuned for more information.  Pastor Tom

Messiah is coming!

This Christmas season, we will focus on the first advent of Christ and His soon return.  I've been looking forward to this series for some time.  The Bible has a lot to say about end times events.  I am planning on three sermons - "Signs of the Second Coming", "The Rapture of the Church", and "The New Heavens and the New Earth."  

Without a doubt, the Bible teaches us to believe in a beginning and ending to human history as we know it.  How close are we to the end?  Is Jesus planning to return soon?  Get ready in December for the sermon series "Messiah is Coming!"  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says,  "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." 

Check out current or future sermons online at http://www.newlifecolumbia.org/new_life_media.aspx