I am thankful for…

Life, family and friends!

God, Jesus and Holy Spirit!

Church, ministry and my Bible!

Home, food and clothes!

Ideas, creativity and sharing!

I am thankful for time, work and play!

I am thankful for you, you and you!

TAKE TIME TODAY TO SAY THANK YOU TO GOD AND HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  G3!

There are some things in life that you get to make the choice about!  You can choose to:

1.  LOVE, rather than hate! Your Creator loves you and He created you to love too!  Don’t waste your time and energy in hate, instead make the time to love.  It will make a difference in your life and through your life in the lives of others!

2.  SMILE, rather than frown! They say it takes less muscles to smile than to frown!  I say:  Even if it takes more muscles to smile – smile anyway.  It makes people think you know something they don’t!

3.  BUILD, rather than destroy! You can make life better or bitter!  Too many people walk through this life on a mission of tearing down, instead make sure that you use your energy to build up.  At first you may go to people, but eventually they will come to you!

4.  PERSEVERE, rather than quit! You have not lost as long as you keep on going!  Don’t give up!  If it does not kill you, then it is making you stronger.  Face whatever it is that you have to face and get ready to enjoy the victory that is ultimately coming your way.  Even if you can’t see it, stay after it – you will get there!

5.  PRAISE, rather than gossip! You can focus on the good or get stuck in the bad and often untrue!  Don’t waste your energy and talents on talking about other people.  Look for the good in everyone and talk about that good to them and others!

6.  HEAL, rather than hurt! You can make it better or you can make it worse!  In life, you will encounter situations and people.  You will have the opportunity to either add to or take away from the joy of their living.  Always seek to heal by adding to their joy and growing their blessing!

7.  GIVE, rather than take! You have something to add, figure that out and everybody wins!  What has your Creator given you, that you can give to others?  Always think about the value that you add when you walk into the picture!

8.  ACT, rather than do nothing! Don’t just watch life pass you by, jump in and get involved.  Get off the couch, out of the recliner and do something to make life better for you and for others!  Everybody has something to give.  What is your something?

9.  FORGIVE, rather than grudge! You can can make the choice to be controlled or to take control.  When we forgive, we are in control and life for everybody is better.  You will never ever be truly happy, until you get rid of the resentment that holds you back and ties you down!

10.  PRAY, rather than worry! There is a lot that you will face in life, that you will have absolutely no control over.  Make sure that you talk to and believe in the ability of your Creator to do what you cannot!  Pray and talk with Him.  Just getting it out, helps more than we can know.  And it also begins the process for miracles to happen!

“Grace Place” is a place where the church can share the grace of God by giving to others!  It is a ministry that God placed in my heart and that fellow Christ followers with loving hearts helped to get started.

The concept is fairly simple:  People take new or gently used items that they are no longer using and donate them to Grace Place, who puts them out for people to come and purchase.  The only catch is that people cannot purchase with money, they can only purchase with grace!

We will give out $50.00 GP Gift Cards and people can use these to come to the Grace Place store to shop for clothes, household items, toys, furniture, decorations and etc. as long as supplies last!  (Only one card per person please!)

This exciting new ministry is located at the Ridgewood Multi-Site Campus located at 407 Ridgewood Drive.  On Sunday November 28th we will have a drop-in from 2pm – 4pm for folks to come by for a tour of Grace Place and receive information about how the ministry will work.  And on Saturday December 4th we will officially open Grace Place for the first time from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

If you have items that you would like to donate, please give us a call to make arrangements to drop them off at Grace Place.  If you are interested in volunteering to help get Grace Place ready or to actually help with running the store on 12/4, then please give us a call.  (Northwood Main Campus = 864-877-5417)

We are very thankful for this opportunity that God has given us to reach out to our community with His love and grace.  We appreciate your prayers and continued support!  God Bless, Press On and G3!

Added On 12/6/2010:  Our opening went great!  Thanks so much to all who helped to make it happen, thanks for your continued support and thanks for all who participated!  We will be open this Saturday December 11th, 2010 for anyone that did not get to take advantage of Grace this past Saturday!  We are always in need of donations, so if you have any please feel free to give us a call and we will arrange a time to meet you and help you unload!