Dear Friends in Christ,
Dr. Davis Chappell
Thanks. It's one of the most significant words in the English language. When a person says thanks, its an acknowledgment that he is indebted in some way to another. It's an indication that she is grateful for something received. Thanks. What a beautiful word! It's one of the first words we teach our children.
Gratitude is a mark of spiritual maturity. It's the realization that the good we experience in our lives is not a means of entitlement, it's an act of grace. This is why when we sit down to a meal we offer a blessing. We return thanks. It's a simple, but profound way to recognize that even the bread on our table is an expression of grace provided by the One who has given us life. Paul counseled the flock in Thessalonica to give thanks in all circumstances (I Thessalonians 5:18). It's interesting, he didn't say, "give thanks for all circumstances;" he said, "in all circumstances." Gratitude is not something that happens to you, but in you. Luke once told a story of Jesus healing ten men who suffered from leprosy. All ten received healing, but only one returned to say thanks. I can't help but think that the one who returned to say thanks after he'd been healed, had learned to be thankful even while he was sick. Gratitude is not conditioned by external circumstances. Gratitude is an attitude of the heart. G.K. Chesterton was once asked if he said grace before meals. "Yes," he replied. "But I also say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming,
fencing, boxing, walking, working, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink." Chesterton understood that divine grace could be experienced in every facet of our lives. And for that, he was grateful. Finally, it was good to welcome new members Stephen, Sarah, William, and Adam Jaser. Welcome to our church community. I, too, am grateful for God's grace and our partnership. Davis PS If you haven't yet had a chance to turn in your commitment card, please consider doing so. You can bring your pledge card with you to worship this weekend or pledge on-line here. Also, some of you have asked about our response to the situation in the Philippines. Please click here for a video of UMCOR's relief efforts in the Philippines as well as ways to donate via UMCOR or Brentwood UMC. The BUMC Adoption Support, Foster and Orphan Care Committee has designed a survey and wants your feedback! It is our hope that through this survey we will better understand the needs of our church members related to adoption support, foster and orphan care. Your answers will only be shared within our committee and the ministers at BUMC. Your interest and honesty will open the doors of communication for God's work in this area. Take the Online Survey. Click here to view the Imagine - Week 4 Video If you were not in worship last weekend, here's the video that was shared.