Preparing for Thanksgiving!
Dear Foothills Family,
Can you believe it is the middle of November?! Thanksgiving is right around the corner. My heart is already being strongly drawn toward a deeper experience and lifestyle of thankfulness. I believe yours is too. I'm planning a 2-week sermon mini-series entitled: "Thanksgiving 365."
The basic premise is that people with a cheerful heart have Thanksgiving 365 days a year!
Proverbs 15:15 contains these words of Solomon: "All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast."
I love that last phrase: "the cheerful heart has a continual feast." What is the secret?
I'll teach this week on the two qualities that Solomon says produce a cheerful heart--a heart that enjoys a continual feast! These attitudes of the heart are within the reach of all of us because they do not depend on income, position, reputation, education, the size of our bank account, the power of our communal influence, or any sort of worldly achievement.
In Proverbs 15:16-17 Solomon these two qualities or attitudes of the heart. He generously shares with us the truth of how to have a cheerful hearth that enjoys a continual feast:
1. Fill Your Heart with FAITH.
2. Fill Your Relationships with LOVE.
As we examine Solomon's wisdom exhibited in this text, we will see he is saying some things are "better" than other things. Some realities matter more than others. Solomon was the richest man in the world, and he wrote: "Better a little, with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil" (v. 16).
And he says: "Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred" (v. 17). He is depicting a family or group of friends so poor that they are vegetarian by necessity, not by choice. They're just preparing the meal with what they can grow in their garden. Their food is not extravagant, but it tastes good and the experience is beautiful because the people love each other!
The attitudes of our heart are impacted by our choice. Thanksgiving is a choice! This is such great news! God gives us the opportunity to be "Thanksgiving 365" people! He provides all we need for filling our hearts with FAITH, and our relationships with LOVE.
I'm thankful for you and our Foothills Community. Can't wait to see you Sabbath!
With much love,
Pastor Duff
