To say this has been a tough year for a great country would be an understatement. With the greed and corruption on Wall Street, the collapse of our financial infrastructure, the divisiveness of a political marathon, and the loss of scores of American jobs, this has proven to be the most financially uncertain time since the Great Depression.

If the church were to follow suit we could become very depressed and faithless. But that is not what God has called us to be. We are His bride, "His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works." As far as the world is concerned, their identity seems to be wrapped up in their 401 K plans as part of this great American dream. Many of us have lost any hope of retiring when we thought we would or could. Yet, God has not called us to ever retire from kingdom business. For the true believer there is no such thing as retirement even after we die. Did God not promise - "well done thou good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over little and now I will make you ruler over much." Simply put, there is no retirement even after death.

This is the season to think through the meaning of the word Thanksgiving. In this past year some of you have lost a loved one. Others have lost their jobs. Many have lost their health. Still others have lost their friends. All of these things can be and are very painful. And we certainly cannot be thankful FOR these things. But we are called to give thanks IN all things. That is a key word. The Bible commands us to give thanks IN all things, but as far as I know, it never tells us to be thankful FOR all things.

Thus, I am not thankful FOR death. But I am thankful that IN death Christ has secured my eternal victory so that death no longer masters me. I am not thankful FOR disease but I am thankful that IN my disease I learn how to endure hardship as a faithful soldier and lean more on Christ who has conquered all of my sins and sicknesses. I am not thankful FOR the brokenness of my relationships I once called my good friends. But I am thankful FOR the fact that I have a friend in Jesus who has promised to never abandon me. I am not thankful FOR the struggles of my flesh that war against me. But I am thankful IN the fact that there is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. Do you catch my drift?

So in that spirit, on behalf of Sharon and my family, from my heart to your heart, may you have a blessed Thanksgiving IN every way.

In His Grip,
PB