“Thank you!”

“Thank you!” By Pastor Joe

Let me be the first to non-verbally express my gratitude and thankfulness for this congregation that is stepping up during this transition time for my mother and father. Thank you, Thank you and thank you! Sometimes, people think we say these things for the sake of flattery, but it is truly the expression of my heart towards this fellowship. Growing up I was taught and often reminded to say thank you and to say it with a sense of sincerity. In my teenage era no one called adults by their first name it was Mr. and Mrs. So-and-so. Respect for elders required yes ma’am/no ma’am and yes sir/no sir. Part of my experience is in relationship to a military upbringing. Yet this is quite typical throughout most of the United States. If you have spent any time in a southern state, it is very evident children, even today, say yes ma’am and yes sir quite often and are very polite and respectful of their elders. Especially when we are out in the public it is important for us, as followers of the Lord Jesus, to respond correctly.

When sincerity is attached to gratefulness, saying thank you often as possible never gets old! Many of you have been involved during the time Janet and I have been traveling to Willmar. With sincere redundancy let me repeat again, thank you! Thank You to everyone who is involved with Mid-Week service. Every Wednesday night at 6:30pm is adult Bible Study. The Rairdons are doing a great job! Thank You to everyone who is involved with Sunday School. Thank you to everyone who is involved with corporate prayer, every Tuesday at 10 am. Thank You to everyone who keeps the church building and grounds tidy and clean. Thank You with sincere redundancy! During the construction phase of the church in Northfield Minnesota when people would complain or their attitude seemed poor. All volunteers present heard the next statement, “in all things…” then came a slight pause waiting for someone to respond back…give thanks! Throughout the scriptures we see the command to give thanks, to audibly if capable express our gratitude to God first and others. The following passage has great perspective on how we can remain thankful. “Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 NLT

Thanks for taking the time to read this article!