FEW THOUGHTS 11-21-2018
LOS ANGELES DISTRICT
Happy Thanksgiving!
 
May the Lord bless you and your family as you take some time together to reflect on the many reasons we all have to be thankful! The list of thanks should be lengthy and detailed for all that the Lord has done for us. I am so blessed today! One of my favorite songs from the 1980s is a song from Petra:

“I have a thankful heart that You have given me, and it can only come from You.  There is no way to begin to tell You how I feel; There are no words to express how You've become so real; Jesus You've given me, so much I can't repay, I have no offering. I have a thankful heart that You have given me and it can only come from You. I have a thankful heart, Word's don't come easily, But I am sure you can see my thankful heart… Help me be a man of God, A man who's after Your own heart. Help me show my gratitude, and keep in me a thankful heart.”  
ENCOURAGEMENT:  
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved by the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our Gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  
(II Thessalonians 2:13-14) 

May the words of the Apostle Paul speak for themselves! We celebrate today the 162 world areas (countries) we, as members of the Church of the Nazarene are in today. I thank the Lord for the many lives that are being transformed throughout this globe. I praise the name of Jesus for those who have gone, for the church that has sent them, for the many who have given so that we might send them and they
might go. To God be the Glory. 
 
The Family of God is big. Our family is huge. We have brothers and sisters in our own local churches. They are also throughout the Los Angeles District and beyond. And as we read John 3:16, we recognize the truth that God has chosen everyone because  “whosoever believeth in Him”  means EVERYONE who believes. We are all invited to become members in His family, but we must accepts Him and our Savior and seek His forgiveness. Even in John 1:12, John wrote that  “all who receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”   
 
I am so thankful for the saving grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I’m forever grateful to Him for His sanctifying work through the Holy Spirit. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And on this Thanksgiving weekend I give thanks to the Lord for washing away my sin and for letting me have a piece in His family. His promises are real and He is ever present in our time of need. He is our peace that tears down the dividing wall. He is our power because He is the transforming One in our lives. And He has a plan for you and me. Are you joining Him in the work He has called you to minister? Remember, we are all called to ministry, not just the clergy. All of us are called to be witnesses. That causes me to give Him thanks today. May Jesus use you in ministry today! And as He uses you, do not hesitate to give Him thanks!
Church Ministries:
Santa Paula Vida Nueva:   I was privileged to worship and preach in our Spanish speaking church this past Sunday there in Vida Nueva. I am so thankful for the foundation laid by the Lord under the ministries of Pastor Ismael and Susanna Joaquin. The Lord was present as we sang, worshipped, prayed, and shared together in His Word! 
May the Lord continue to guide this church in the days to follow. 
Altadena Fountain of Life:   Immediately following a board meeting with my brothers and sisters in Santa Paula, I bolted over to Altadena to be with our church family there. What a special joy and treat for me to share around the meal table with them. Thank you, Pastor Jonathan and Sandra Lewis for the invitation to come and join. I was blessed to be with you there. They were inviting anyone and everyone from the community to come in and join them. What a wonderful Thanksgiving gesture to the community!
District Matters:
District Christmas Dinner:  I am looking forward to our time together in Temple City on Monday night, December 3 for our annual Christmas Dinner. I want to express my thanks and appreciation, in advance, to Pastor Jeff Lin & the Temple City Immanuel Church, the DAB for organizing the event, and all who will participate in the evening together.   
Mrs. Roma Gates Memorial Service: Last Friday several of us gathered together at PazNaz for the service to remember Aunt Roma Gates and to thank the Lord for this wonderful and godly lady who pioneered the work with her husband, Dr. Charles Gates in Brazil. We thank the Lord for this family and pray for the Lord’s comforting care to be upon them this Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
Leslie and I will be taking off on Monday, November 26, along with our daughter Aubree, for Peru. Leslie will be away for 5 days while Aubree and I will be gone for 7 days. It seems we have crammed about as much into this schedule as we possibly could with two concerts and three services along with two Seminary Graduation Ceremonies. All of this will take place in 4 different locations. I’m excited to be sharing in these special events but we do covet your prayers as we hit the air, ground, and trails running. We will be back in time for the District Christmas Dinner on Monday, December 3, as our flight arrives on that same morning. 
 
On a different note, as I am writing these Few Thoughts on Wednesday… the day before Thanksgiving, I am also looking forward to an early morning Thanksgiving 5K race in Burbank. These are always great opportunities to get out and enjoy the cool air. Although, it may be cooooold, I do hope to have a good solid race. Then it will be “turkey time” with my family. 
 
I love you all and I look forward to seeing you. 

Greg A. Garman
Los Angeles District Superintendent
Church of the Nazarene