THANKSGIVING SERVICE

For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you. Luke 6:38, Living Bible

Last night, our family attended Destiny Foursquare's annual Thanksgiving Service. I was blown away by the spirit of joy and thankfulness that was present; especially since there has been some pretty "tough stuff" going on in a lot of people's lives as of recent. But, then again, I think it was an awesome picture of God's grace and mercy. I teared up so many times, there was no reason to try and hide it. God is so amazing!

I also read the following today; it impacted me more than the other times I had read it in the past:

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish motives. Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest anyway.

The biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

People really need help but may turn against you if you help them. Help them anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you may get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you've got anyway.*

I really saw a clear picture of what I believe is a healthy, "servant-hearted" church last night. There were so many people there that, as I looked out across the audience, I know were world-changers. Not just in title, but in reward. They have sown and they have reaped. What a blessed life it is to serve with a bunch of people like those at Destiny.