First Steps – November 22, 2017

Ready or not, this week points us towards Thanksgiving.  Almost certainly, you will gather with friends and family to give thanks with food and fellowship. Though this day harkens back to courageous men and women seeking a new world and new life.  For Christians, every day should be Thanksgiving. Gratitude isn’t limited to a time of the year or to a certain country’s history.  It should be everywhere and at all times.

With that in mind, if you were tasked with a top-ten list of things/people that you are thankful for, what would they be?  (Make the list)

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Gratitude also has a multiplying effect.  When you express your gratitude to another, it causes them to be thankful as well.  So, spread your gratitude—express it and watch what happens.  One of my favorite hymns expresses it this way:
For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon and starts of light,
Lord of all, to these we raise this our grateful hymn of praise.
For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above, pleasure pure and undefiled,
Lord of all, to these we raise this our grateful hymn of praise.

This week’s reading:

Monday – Acts 17, 18
Tuesday – Acts 19, 20
Wednesday – Acts 21-23
Thursday – Acts 24-26
Friday – Acts 27, 28

Prayer Requests:

For all those who have influenced your life – Give thanks.
For the St. Paul Community and the loss of many loved ones.