A Voice in the Wilderness

2020-01-15

Morning by morning...

I woke up this morning with an “ear worm.” You know…a tune stuck in your head. Today it was “Great is thy faithfulness” and it has been with me throughout the day. And thinking about God’s faithfulness has turned my heart towards gratitude and thanksgiving.

 "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others." ~Cicero
 "O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness." ~William Shakespeare

For centuries societies recognized a grateful heart as a prized character trait. This was true for beggars and kings alike (and everyone in-between). Today, we live in a culture that emphasizes entitlement rather than gratitude. Our consumer driven society seems focused on getting what we need or don't have rather than the gifts we have been given. We might ask if our overabundance gets in the way of being thankful. Are we so blessed that we take our blessings for granted and forget to give thanks? To live a life of gratitude and thanksgiving today is to live counter-culturally.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5

Thanksgiving is the heart of our worship. The scriptures are full of thanksgiving to God for his saving deeds, and his steadfast love. And God Himself recognizes true worship as a grateful heart: “Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me.” (Psalm 50:23) As Christians we celebrate the Eucharist each week as a “sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving” expressing our gratitude for our redemption through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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What are we thankful for, and how do we claim or reclaim ground lost when it comes to living a thankful life? How do we give and show thanks in practical ways that honor God? The first step as the apostle Paul says above to the church in Thessalonica is to give thanks in all things. Begin by making it a practice to give thanks to God in your prayers.

Before laying out the “asking” list, speak out the “thanking” list. Make a list of thanksgivings and post it on your refrigerator. Add to it daily and recount God’s faithfulness. Give thanks where thanks are due...even for small things: to your family and friends, the clerk at the store, the person who waits on you at the restaurant, and most especially to our good and faithful God.

“Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Blessings,

Matthew+

Coming up...

Annual Meeting

Our Annual Parish meeting will take place after the service on February 2nd. Mark your calendar and make plans to attend.We will have a potluck brunch as part of our celebration together. You can sign up for Main dishes or sides on the bulletin board outside the kitchen.

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Epiphany Celebration

On Sunday January 5th, the congregations of St. John's in Granby and Trinity in Kremmling joined together for a shared service at Trinity Church in Kremmling. Members of all three congregations of the Episcopal Church in Grand County from Granby, Winter Park and Kremmling joined in a gathered service to celebrate Epiphany, and share community time with one another in the beautiful Trinity Church. All attending agreed that we should do this more often!

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