Category Archives: Gratitude

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Sunday Evening Rewind!

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. -1 Peter 3:15

Today has been another wonderful Sunday in my life and in the life of the congregation that I am blessed with being a shepherd to. I really do love Sundays. I love getting up, getting ready, putting on my “Sunday Best”, going to church, singing the songs, praying the prayers, getting into the Scriptures and enjoying the smiles, hugs, loves and fellowship.

We began our service this morning with Baptism, which is always a very special time of remembering just what it means to be in relationship with God through Jesus. Our sins are forgiven, washed away and we are cleansed from all unrighteousness. What made it even more special this morning was that it was a Mom and her Son.

We then had a great time of worship and let me just say that I really enjoyed myself preaching this morning. I was so excited and fired up in a good way. I was a little discouraged at the end of the service to realize that we are still having sound issues with our videos, but I’m learning I’ve got to do what I can and then let that go.

One of the things that I have been missing on Sundays is getting to eat lunch and have some fellowship with our extended family. We have all gotten too busy, sick or just distracted from making that a priority. I like when our whole family is able to worship together, enjoy a meal together and just let Sunday be Sunday. The older I get, the more I appreciate the small things and realize they were big things.

This evening I had a great time at our Saluda Baptist Association Annual Meeting and got to spend some time before our worship time visiting with some of the ministry leaders from all across the upstate. It was great visiting with some ole friends and getting to make some new ones. The worship was inspirational and the message was challenging.

This morning we talked about BEING AN ON PURPOSE CHRISTIAN/CHURCH and how ENCOURAGING EVANGELISM is the first step in the right direction. To practice encouraging evangelism, we need to always be ready to give an answer to every person that might ask us about the hope that is in us. This week, I will try to bring us some challenge via video, blog and social media to help us to grow in this area of our life and living.

Thanks so much for being my family and my friends. I love you guys and pray that something I say or do is a blessing and encouragement to you! 👣

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Magic Words! (Video)

appreciation, Blogroll, Gratitude, Growing, influence, intentional, life

Activate Appreciation!

My word for today is appreciation and it’s one of those words you actually have to think about a little bit. When we think of appreciation, we often think of someone else appreciating us or our appreciating someone else, but appreciation is so much more. Appreciation is an attitude of gratitude, an acknowledgement of action and an admiration of accomplishment.

When we think of the word appreciation, it is usually attached to something that you have done for someone or something that someone has done for you to help make life a little better and/or easier. It really is a beautiful thing and the truth is, we need a lot more of it in our world today. The cold hard reality is that many people that should be appreciated, never are and many that reap appreciation are really getting someone else’s reward. The other sad thing is that many of us have allowed ourselves to become to busy and distracted, which leads to our missing the opportunity to live in the power of appreciation.

As I was thinking of appreciation today, it was not so much from the stand point of wanting it for myself, but to try and make sure that I do better at expressing it, offering it and sharing it with others. In my own life, I have found that appreciation received, motivates me to want to do more and better. I believe this is true for almost any of us. We want to know that what we do matters.

Appreciation Is An Attitude Of Gratitude! It is a small way of saying “thank you”. An expression of appreciation spoken or written is one way of counting our blessings. Taking the time to think about who and what we appreciate helps to fix and shape up our attitude and a good attitude is key to living the blessed life.

Appreciation Is An Acknowledgement Of Action! When we let someone know that we appreciate them or we let others know what we appreciate, then it is an acknowledgement of appreciation for whatever action touched us enough to motivate us to say this is something that matters to me and has made a difference in my life.

Appreciation Is An Admiration Of Accomplishment! Taking the time to in some way express appreciation shows that we admire and value the person or thing we are appreciating. When we admire something, we are giving it value and making it matter even more in the grand scheme of things.

I encourage you to take some time to think about the people, places and things you appreciate and let it be known. You will be amazed at the difference it will make in your life and in the lives of others…