Sunday Message: "Gratitude"
     It was a thoughtless move only a couple 7-year old boys would attempt. My buddy Scott and I came to the thoughtless and cruel conclusion one day that we would no longer be friends with David, our 6-year old neighbor who lived next door. Next few days we did everything to implement our plan: ran and hid when he saw us playing, didn't invite him out hiking, intentionally didn't call when we played baseball. We were punishingly thorough in making sure David was not welcome.
     All was going according to plan until one morning when we walked into the kitchen and who should be having coffee with my mother but David's mother, who asked us, "Where have you two been? David's been looking for you!" Busted. They knew.
     Staring at the floor - the only safe place in the room - we quickly replied, "We were just looking for him," and off we ran. Seconds later we found David in the back yard and we all went on as if nothing had happened.
     Ever have an experience like that? Someone or some thing who followed you around; a friend, a co-worker...an attitude, a feeling...a habit? And one day you decided, 'That's it. I've had enough. Time for some separation.' Were you successful? How long did it last?
     This weekend as we join the millions across our country who will be loading grocery carts for the feast of Thanksgiving, we'll be taking a few minutes to examine the place of gratitude. Sunday's preaching theme: "Constant Companion: Gratitude".

Ruby's Pantry - This Saturday, 11/18
Each year there is one distribution where your church needs a little extra 'boost' when it comes to successfully unloading, processing and loading up 20,000-30,000 of groceries for our guests. With many families occupied in the woods for deer hunting we need, 'all hands on deck' this Saturday morning! Come around 8am, bring your family, friends and neighbors, and join us in having an awesome time together, lifting, laughing, & loving...all of us together, serving others through Christ. Thanks.