Whenever we turn to our calendars, there are times when two events seem to clash and force us to pick one over the other. This sometimes happens because we dropped the ball and double booked a day; because our spouse was not aware that we had committed to something or because we realize something else has come along that we really want to be part of. Sometimes, you must disappoint someone by canceling and are torn as to what to pick while other times the decision to pick one thing over the other is not so diffi-cult. For instance, November has several observances that we are asked to commemorate, celebrate or recognize by way of participation. November is Vegan month and the first of the month is World Vegan Day. As much as I would like to honor what I consider well-intentioned but misguided individuals, my observance of National Nacho Day on the sixth takes precedence, therefore, I must forego any observance related to vegan things.
three days that are related occur at the beginning of the month. All Saints Day and Dia de Los Muertos are celebrated on the first and All Souls Day is observed on the sec-ond. All three days deal with commemorating departed folks, either loved ones or saints in the church. The general idea is to remember their lives and participate in observances that proclaim we have not forgotten them. As I thought about these days in particular, I pondered the things that died in me that give me cause to celebrate. When I turned my life over to Jesus Christ and confessed Him as my Lord and Savior there were things in my life that died that give me reason to rejoice. these include, but are not limited to: Hope-lessness...dead; despair...departed; lack of direction...deceased; condemnation...defunct. While I don’t remember such things with fondness, I do celebrate the things they were re-placed with. They were replaced with forgiveness; purpose; eternal security; a global spir-itual family; and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Can anyone reading this relate?
Many of us gather in November with friends and loved ones to celebrate Thanks-giving and we often speak of the things we are grateful for. Some of us include the things we are grateful for that we found in Jesus Christ. But is simply saying “I’m grateful” enough? When we prepare a meal for a loved one, the evidence that he/she liked it is how they eat it. When we give a gift to someone we care about, the evidence of their feelings about it is how they use it. If someone receives a gift and then it sits in the closet, we real-ly wonder if they truly appreciate it. As we sit around the table this month, remembering reasons to be thankful and we start to list off the things we are grateful for that have been given to us by God; let’s also ask ourselves if our gratitude is demonstrated by how we use what He has given us.
Have a blessed November,
Vic
P.S. Something I am grateful for and thank God on a regular basis for is each and every one of you. being the pastor of SLCC is a tremendous blessing.
three days that are related occur at the beginning of the month. All Saints Day and Dia de Los Muertos are celebrated on the first and All Souls Day is observed on the sec-ond. All three days deal with commemorating departed folks, either loved ones or saints in the church. The general idea is to remember their lives and participate in observances that proclaim we have not forgotten them. As I thought about these days in particular, I pondered the things that died in me that give me cause to celebrate. When I turned my life over to Jesus Christ and confessed Him as my Lord and Savior there were things in my life that died that give me reason to rejoice. these include, but are not limited to: Hope-lessness...dead; despair...departed; lack of direction...deceased; condemnation...defunct. While I don’t remember such things with fondness, I do celebrate the things they were re-placed with. They were replaced with forgiveness; purpose; eternal security; a global spir-itual family; and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Can anyone reading this relate?
Many of us gather in November with friends and loved ones to celebrate Thanks-giving and we often speak of the things we are grateful for. Some of us include the things we are grateful for that we found in Jesus Christ. But is simply saying “I’m grateful” enough? When we prepare a meal for a loved one, the evidence that he/she liked it is how they eat it. When we give a gift to someone we care about, the evidence of their feelings about it is how they use it. If someone receives a gift and then it sits in the closet, we real-ly wonder if they truly appreciate it. As we sit around the table this month, remembering reasons to be thankful and we start to list off the things we are grateful for that have been given to us by God; let’s also ask ourselves if our gratitude is demonstrated by how we use what He has given us.
Have a blessed November,
Vic
P.S. Something I am grateful for and thank God on a regular basis for is each and every one of you. being the pastor of SLCC is a tremendous blessing.
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