FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

By Garry Lovette, Senior Editor

Having a Heart of Gratitude

Here we are again at the busiest time of the year. Does it seem to you that we celebrated the joyous season of Christmas a full year ago? The time really has flown.

In remembering Christmases past and present, I’m reminded of just how blessed that I am and have been. Every time that I turn around, God heaps another wonderful blessing upon my family and me.

I was privileged a few days ago to speak at a little country Baptist church. The pastor had asked that I “fill” his pulpit so that he and his wife could take a well-deserved vacation. As we began to sing the wonderful worship songs that morning, I was overwhelmed by a sense of just how much God really loves me, and just how blessed that I was. My sermon that morning was “What Am I Thankful For?” It is a subject that I am an expert in.

When I was praying and preparing the sermon, I decided that I would make a list of all the things that I should be thankful for. I couldn’t end the list. It was never-ending. I stopped at (10) things just for the sake of time. Once again, time and space will not allow me to share with you all of the things that I am thankful for. I will name just a few.

I am thankful for Jesus…for His birth in a lowly manger to bring hope and peace to a lost and dying world. I am most thankful for Jesus and the salvation that he brought to my life.
I am thankful for my family. I am so blessed to have a beautiful wife and (3) wonderful boys. (They are all miracles since I am not supposed to be able to have children.)
I am thankful for all my friends. (Yes, even my “fair-weather” friends). Many of you have been a source of comfort and strength in some very dark, challenging times over the years. We love all of you.
I am thankful for the ministry of “Common Ground Christian News”. We have been so privileged over these last (11) years to be involved in a ministry that has made a real difference in each community that we are distributed in. To God Be The Glory!
I am thankful for you, the reader. Without you and your faithful support, this ministry would cease to exist. God has used thousands and thousands of you over the years to support this ministry with your prayers and financial support. May God continue to bless you for blessing us.
We are thankful for the past…for the honest mistakes that we have made, and for what we’ve learned from them. Those mistakes and “trial by fire” times have made it possible for us to go national and someday international.
We are thankful for the future. We know that God has much in store for CGCN. Please continue to pray that we will walk according to the perfect Will of God. He has a roadmap for us, and we want to follow it.

So, it is with a heart of gratitude that I say, “God bless each of you. We wish you a blessed, happy, and peaceful Christmas, and a safe and prosperous new year!”