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Thought for the Day by Stephen Demetriou (Youth Minister)Philippians 2:14-15 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. With the postponement of the Olympics; I wonder whether they are taking any new event ideas for the rescheduled Olympics? I’ve got a great idea for our medal chances – The 200m Grumble or the 4x100m Moan. I think Great Britain are in with a big shout for golds across the board?! We who live in England are moaning masters, groaning giants so it’s almost like Philippians 2:14 was written for us! I think this is more important than ever for us to hear. Isn’t it easy to slip into patterns of moaning and complaining? About food shortages? About technology disruption? About the lack of fresh air? And yet Paul says “Do everything without grumbling or arguing…” What challenging words for us now, we who are good at focusing on the negatives of life. “Do life in lockdown without grumbling or arguing…” Our God is good and there are ALWAYS reasons for us to be thankful, even in dark and difficult times. If you are a Christian trusting Jesus, don’t we have the greatest reason for thankfulness? We KNOW our living God, we are saved through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, isn’t that fuel for thankful fires even in dark times? So Let’s get good at being thankful, cultivating an attitude of gratitude for ourselves. It’s amazing the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of being grateful ESPECIALLY in times like this. (try it!) Later on in Philippians 4 Paul talks about thankfulness helping us have peace because thankfulness lifts our minds to all those things we do have and the one who gives them to us. Challenge yourself today, why not start a Thankful journal? Writing 5 things that you are grateful each day before bed? Why not say thank you for the small things like showers (!) and exercise and sun and food? Why not make your prayers TODAY all prayers of thanks? That attitude of gratitude is infectious and it enables us to “shine among them like stars in the sky…” I’m thankful for the taste of mayonnaise and BBQ sauce! I’m thankful for the young people of this church and seeing their faces on Zoom! I’m thankful for carrots from the garden. I’m thankful for friends around the globe. I’m thankful for books lifting my mind up higher. I’m thankful that I can wear shorts every day, even on a Sunday (!) I’m thankful for my Slanket (a blanket with sleeves…) that I wear in the morning. I’m thankful for a cracking staff team to work with. I’m thankful that this list is the tip of the thankful iceberg… Cos most of all, I’m thankful for a God who doesn’t change. What are you thankful for? Have you remembered!!A gentle reminder that the clocks Go Forward on Sunday morning. Prayer by Anne Graham LotzPlease find at the link below a helpful prayer by Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter). It comes from the States but it is good and helpful National-day-of-prayer-march-15-2020 Sunday ServicesJoin us on line Sunday 10:00 and 18:30
2 Comments
Liz Barrows
27/3/2020 09:44:04 am
Thank you Stephen! Great message! Very thankful for many things! Thankful we’re all currently well! Thankful that my family are all together under one roof! Thankful that we have food in the cupboards, thankful that the sun is shining and thankful that I will get to do some more gardening today!
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Valerie Farthing
27/3/2020 11:18:59 am
Well said Stephen .I am thankful for the bulletin every day it really is nourishing!!! It also makes you feel loved and belonging to the church family. Love to you and Lizzie I hope you are both well .
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