Thankful - and I hope it shows

Looking back over the past year, there is so much in my life for which I am thankful.  Yes, there are many things that could have caused me to look back with a sense of agony, but God has taken that which was meant for evil and turned it all into something good (the testimony of Joseph in Genesis).  He has worked all things together for good (Romans 8:28).  I cannot help but praise the name of JESUS no matter what my circumstances are or will be; God is worthy of my praise.

As I prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I look forward to the splenda pumpkin pie, the world's best dressing and dumplings (my mouth is watering, how about yours); but the focus of my mind and heart right now is "what am I most thankful for this year?"  This question stumps me every year, for my list is so long.

I have learned to take one day at a time and to never take any day for granted.  I celebrate the year that God has given me with my family and friends.  Following a life change experience like I had last January, I now desire for my life to have maximum impact every day, every month, every year.  I cannot and will not take any time I have left for granted, but will treasure it all with the joy the Lord brings to my life.

I am thankful for my loving wife, my amazing children, and for the greatest church family in the whole world; but this year, I am most thankful for this moment of time, for this breath, for this thought, for . . . now!  

And I give all my "nows" to the Lord for HIS glory.  This is how I express my thankfulness, not just praying over a meal once a year, but all year long.

What are you doing with your "nows?"

Thankful for all the "nows" God gives me each day.

Bro. Wade

One Nation Under God

Now we know WHO to pray for as our national leaders.

Following an historical vote, our nation once again expressed a division that runs through every community and state.  However, once the vote is over, it is time for the people of our nation, especially the people of God, to come together and pray passionately for our leaders.  We may or may not agree with who was elected, we may or may not agree with the direction they have declared for our nation, but we must unite in order to pray for our leaders.

I am so thankful that I serve a God who reigns over all of us; democrats, republican, independents, texans, americans, all of us.  Now let us show it by our willingness to pray for our leaders as ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

Proverbs 29:25-26

²⁵      Fear of man will prove to be a snare,

      but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

²⁶      Many seek an audience with a ruler,

      but it is from the LORD that man gets justice.

Revelation 1:4 -6 

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, 

and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before 

his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful 

witness the firstborn from the dead, 

and the ruler of the kings of the earth. 

To him who loves us and has freed us from 

our sins by his blood, ⁶ and has made us to be a kingdom 

and priests to serve his God and Father

—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

May we all pray for God to Bless America,

Bro. Wade

Fall Festival - Fun and Exciting

Halloween may have been celebrated by many in our nation, but at First Baptist Church Harlingen, we were celebrating the love of God.  On the night when many focus on evil, we were blessed to be a part of something great that focused on the love and grace of God as it is expressed in this world through the church.

It was so good to see several churches hosting special events to minister to our community.  Every year the family at First Baptist Harlingen uses the evening of Halloween to host our Fall Festival for the families of our community.  Our driving passion is to love the people of our community, and the Fall Festival was one of the many opportunities we have to show it.  

I was so thankful to hear from so many who shared that they truly felt loved by God and the FBC family.  So many were thankful for the event, for the church to offer something of such great quality for their children.  From all that I heard, there is no doubt that the community saw and felt the real love of God through the family of First Baptist Church Harlingen.

Thank you - to all the leaders and servants who gave up so much time and who worked so hard to be sure Harlingen was loved.

a witness of God's love,

Bro. Wade