A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

I remember recently seeing part of the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and when they prayed over their food it made my heart happy.  Not because simply the prayer but knowing- these are suppose to be kids and they are praying like little adults, all gathered round. Why can't it be that simple anymore?

Why can't things be simple and pure and real like the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Christmas. Such a great little show. Growing up I must say it was not my favorite. I liked some of the other shows, Rudolph and anything magical and mysterious, but to me the Charlie Brown series was about some kids that did not appeal to me, but Oh how it does now. I questioned is it the memories that it brings back, the nostalgia or is it because of the pure, wholesome show that it is? I am not sure, but I just love it now. I can see clips online or on social media and it just warms my heart to a simpler time.


I want to challenge you to be Thankful. Gratitude will change your attitude !

Have a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, you know you might not have the best spread, or even the best table, didn't they throw everything out on a ping pong table(don't sweat the small stuff) and enjoy the day!! Ask God to give you a content, thankful, merry heart.

A Thankful heart is a merry heart.

I want to Challenge you this Thanksgiving if your heart is not merry and you live in an oppressed discontent way, go and bless someone else.  Whether it be with food, or time or even money- pay it forward this year, and see your heart difference.

If you have to work, celebrate it another day. Have a day of Thanksgiving and rest !

Often we go through this life, working, going along in our own world, busy, busy, busy, but there are these holidays during the year, where we may get to stop, take a deep breath and enjoy life. I cherish this and I so cherish Thanksgiving. I used to love it more when I was younger, it was my favorite holiday because all my family got together and it was just a day of Thanksgiving, rest and fellowship.

I still love it now for some of those same reasons... oh and food, I forgot to mention the amazing food!

We are blessed and live in a blessed Country !! Don't take anything for granted, Be Thankful, Be Blessed !!

Millennials: Is it really all about the Journey?

Recently, I had someone tell me that the millennial generation likes a church that gives them an experience, and how it's all about the journey or experience for them.  I have read articles about getting millennials into the church and engaging them etc... but it isn't just about the millennial generation, all people are looking for an experience or a journey to make their life complete.

The age we live in teaches us to want to depend on others to give us that experience, or journey that we are looking for.  We live in an entitled, narcissistic world and it really is all about "what can you do for me" "what are you going to do for me" and "pastor, this is what I need".

Some might even argue, as far as church goes, it's always been this way, each person in the congregation is a little inward, searching for what best suits them,  and that JOURNEY that they want to experience. It is a carnal,  human condition to try and take care of #1 - SELF,
and has been for ages.

But, is it really all about the Journey?  What about the Destination?

In Hosea 7:14, the Bible talks about Israel, but couldn't it be anyone who is not following him the way that he wants?
 God wants all of you, not just the part of you that you give him on Sunday morning while you look for that experience or journey to suit you and make your life complete. Israel could not just be happy following God, they were looking, searching, and trying to experience more. It was hard for them to be still and recognize God, and that their destiny was their destination, that all they had to do was look up.

"They do not cry out to me with sincere hearts, Instead, they sit on their couches and wail. They cut themselves begging foreign gods for bread and new wine, and they turn away from me" Hosea 7:14 NLT

What about the destination? The destination is that you don't have to keep searching for that perfect group, that perfect church.

The truth is that you have it, if you are a child of God, you have reached your destination........
You are the church, you are the missing piece of the puzzle to make right where you are awesome and great.   

Now I ask you what are YOU going to do to make the world a better place?
Stop searching for your destiny, stop looking for some magical journey to fill the void in you, that void, that desire is God speaking to you, to tell you to live in the moment.  Stop searching and start doing.
Work for him, where you are.  Embrace your destination, seek God and he will show you what you need to be doing, right where you are.

If you look for me whole heartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13