Thanks-living is Thanksgiving

When you are thankful for what you have instead of concentrating on what you do not have, you are content. Being content is a state of mind. To live content is freeing. You have more room in your heart for love, joy, and peace. You can be happy because you are concentrating on positives not 'what if' or 'if only.' Too often we make things about ourselves instead of looking for ways to be a blessing to others. If you have something you do not need, give it to someone who does need it. If you have more than enough, share with someone who does not have any. Spend time with people. Time is valuable and there are people who want you to share time with them; a short conversation at the grocery store, a kind word at the gas station, a shared meal, a phone call, a text, a visit. You can ease someone's burden. You can ease someone's pain. You can be a light in the darkness. We are to love one another the way Christ loves the church. We are his bride adorned in beauty. Share that beauty with others and show them the reason for your joy and peace. God is our everything and everyone to us. Be thankful, and share his gift of love, his kindness, and his gentleness.

Lisa C

No One Should Be All Alone

I heard a story about a woman who hired a private investigator to find her biological father. She felt all alone. She didn't have any family. The private investigator found out that her dad was deceased but that she had a brother and sister. The woman was very excited to find out that she had siblings and hired the private investigator to find them. He called to let her know he'd found them and made arrangements to meet her to give her the information. She wondered how she would pay him. She went to meet him and was so happy to find out about her siblings. And that the private detective wasn't charging her anything. He said he was usually hired by lawyers to destroy family's but in this case was able to bring family together. I wonder how many people wouldn't be lonely if they realized that their family in Christ is just as legitimate as their blood relatives. Jesus commanded us to love one another and that by our love for one another, people would know that we are God's children. No one should be without. No one should be lonely. No one should go through anything alone. Not only is your heavenly Father in Christ in you, and you are filled or can be filled with the Holy Spirit; you have family in Christ all over the world. What if we looked for each other with hopes of a relationship and fellowship with one another? If you're not in church, find a good church. Find a Christian forum where you can talk to other Christians. Find Christian groups on Facebook to be a part of. There are people out there just like you who are good people, who love God and put him first, who need someone, a friend. It is our duty and privilege to be family and a friend to our family in Christ. What can you do to be a blessing to someone today? Jesus said, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
John 15:12 KJV

Lisa C