Change your perspective

Finally, brothers,

whatever is true,

whatever is honorable,

whatever is just,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is commendable,

if there is any excellence,

if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Phil. 4:8-9)

people are about as happy as they choose to be

people are about as content as they choose to be

people are about as optimistic as they choose to be

My friend Charles Williams wrote in his bulletin today:

Historians say the first “Thanksgiving” was when the Pilgrims gave a great feast and invited the local native Indians to participate in a peaceful feast and the offering of thanks to God. Whenever the early Pilgrims worshiped, they did so in the face of constant danger, but on that day, they celebrated the blessings of peace and plenty.

In their services, they prayed for their safety and that the dangers would one day be removed. Their primary purpose was to thank Him for the blessings they had already received. They had traveled thousands of miles; endured untold hardships for the right to worship Him in freedom. The religious persecution in Europe taught them just how precious that freedom was.

We live in a great country. She is not perfect, but she is a beacon to the world for freedom of speech and religion, blessings we too often take for granted. As we celebrate Thanksgiving as a part of this great country’s customs, let us not forget the fact that our freedom to worship safely is one of the greatest gifts we enjoy.

Perhaps today is a good day to change our perspectives, to make a friend, to say "thank you" not only to God but to those who bless our lives daily, to forgive, to make peace, and to think the best about others.

Let us be done with lipservice, low goals, sight-walking, and appearance judging. Let us grow in grace and knowledge. Let us take God serioiusly.

kindly,
Phil