About 6 years ago, I was walking through the local mall in Springfield, Missouri. (That's where I went to college.) I went there initially to get a receipt from Sears Optical. After I was finished, I decided to take a stroll. As I walked, I began to notice all of the decorations for Christmas that were already up all over the place. This would have been fine, or at least, nothing unusual, except for the following fact - it was only November 2nd.
A thought came to me, as I passed by the "Meet Santa" station that, in my entire life, I had never once seen an advertisement for Thanksgiving. No signs for "get your turkey early" or "turkey-shaped-chocolate-candies". And, wouldn't it be neat if at the mall, you could "Meet A Pilgrim...Or An Indian...Or A Turkey"? *I realize that the mall would have to find an actual Indian...not just "make" one*.
As I drove home, I began to think more and more about how it's so strange that we advertise so much for just about everything else, every other holiday, and the one thing you don't see many advertisements for (if any)...is gratitude.
Gratitude, in my opinion, is one of the things we (as a society) need most. All of us. It's easy to take so much of life for granted. I, myself, am no exception. For Christians, gratitude is not only important; it's essential to the faith. So much so that the Apostle Paul even calls it one of the“Fruits of the Spirit”.
And so it was, that 6 years ago, I decided to make a Facebook event called, “Advertise Thanksgiving –
the Gratitude Challenge”.
It started with the simple act of stating 3 things one is grateful for every day – preferably both in the morning as one is waking up, and also at night as one is going to sleep. I then started posting them on my Facebook wall, from the month of November up until Christmas (because the reality is, we take Christmas for granted too). As the years have gone by, Advertise Thanksgiving has started earlier and earlier - as advertisements for Christmas have started earlier and earlier - and lasts up until the New Year. Finally, as a new years resolution, I decided this year to post “3 things I'm grateful for”every single day...for the entire year. Hoping that somehow, by the end of it, some light might actually shine through.
I encourage every person reading this to join me. See if it doesn't make a difference in your life. (You don't have to do it every day for a year, just for the next two months.)
The things we are grateful for may be small and simple, or they may be large and extravagant. The only real requirement...is they have to have integrity behind them. Your gratitude must be honest, and genuine. (That's what makes this a challenge - gratitude takes effort, sometimes.) Let us celebrate the beauty of one another, and recognize the gifts that we so often overlook. Let us recognize and celebrate the things we already have...before going out to gather more.
Advertise giving thanks.
Advertise Thanksgiving.
You belong here,
Ben J
*Note: This event is far more about the idea of celebrating gratitude than celebrating the actual holiday of Thanksgiving, itself.*
Scripture(s):
“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy [which is having gratitude in all circumstances], peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.”- Galatians 5:22-23
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”- Colossians 3:14-17
Upcoming:
11/2 Fellowship (ShareYourGifts/TalentNight) 5:15-7:15pm
Come sing a song, read a poem, tell a cool story, or just listen to others! 5:15-7:15 pm
11/9 Fellowship (Bowling) 5:15-7:45 pm ($10)
11/16 Fellowship (Movie Night) 5:15-7:15 pm
Bruce Almighty – A guy complains about God, and then becomes God, only to realize it's a much harder job than it seems. Come laugh, and eat popcorn and candy!
11/23 - Children's Home Society Scavenger Hunt. Come run around the mall with us as we gather toys and presents for children in need. Last year, this was a great success! 5:15-8pm
11/30 Advent Workshop Sunday (No YGF) – No fellowship because of Thanksgiving weekend, but DNPC's annual Advent Workshop will be happening right after church and could use some helpers!
A thought came to me, as I passed by the "Meet Santa" station that, in my entire life, I had never once seen an advertisement for Thanksgiving. No signs for "get your turkey early" or "turkey-shaped-chocolate-candies". And, wouldn't it be neat if at the mall, you could "Meet A Pilgrim...Or An Indian...Or A Turkey"? *I realize that the mall would have to find an actual Indian...not just "make" one*.
As I drove home, I began to think more and more about how it's so strange that we advertise so much for just about everything else, every other holiday, and the one thing you don't see many advertisements for (if any)...is gratitude.
Gratitude, in my opinion, is one of the things we (as a society) need most. All of us. It's easy to take so much of life for granted. I, myself, am no exception. For Christians, gratitude is not only important; it's essential to the faith. So much so that the Apostle Paul even calls it one of the“Fruits of the Spirit”.
And so it was, that 6 years ago, I decided to make a Facebook event called, “Advertise Thanksgiving –
the Gratitude Challenge”.
It started with the simple act of stating 3 things one is grateful for every day – preferably both in the morning as one is waking up, and also at night as one is going to sleep. I then started posting them on my Facebook wall, from the month of November up until Christmas (because the reality is, we take Christmas for granted too). As the years have gone by, Advertise Thanksgiving has started earlier and earlier - as advertisements for Christmas have started earlier and earlier - and lasts up until the New Year. Finally, as a new years resolution, I decided this year to post “3 things I'm grateful for”every single day...for the entire year. Hoping that somehow, by the end of it, some light might actually shine through.
I encourage every person reading this to join me. See if it doesn't make a difference in your life. (You don't have to do it every day for a year, just for the next two months.)
The things we are grateful for may be small and simple, or they may be large and extravagant. The only real requirement...is they have to have integrity behind them. Your gratitude must be honest, and genuine. (That's what makes this a challenge - gratitude takes effort, sometimes.) Let us celebrate the beauty of one another, and recognize the gifts that we so often overlook. Let us recognize and celebrate the things we already have...before going out to gather more.
Advertise giving thanks.
Advertise Thanksgiving.
You belong here,
Ben J
*Note: This event is far more about the idea of celebrating gratitude than celebrating the actual holiday of Thanksgiving, itself.*
Scripture(s):
“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy [which is having gratitude in all circumstances], peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.”- Galatians 5:22-23
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”- Colossians 3:14-17
Upcoming:
11/2 Fellowship (ShareYourGifts/TalentNight) 5:15-7:15pm
Come sing a song, read a poem, tell a cool story, or just listen to others! 5:15-7:15 pm
11/9 Fellowship (Bowling) 5:15-7:45 pm ($10)
11/16 Fellowship (Movie Night) 5:15-7:15 pm
Bruce Almighty – A guy complains about God, and then becomes God, only to realize it's a much harder job than it seems. Come laugh, and eat popcorn and candy!
11/23 - Children's Home Society Scavenger Hunt. Come run around the mall with us as we gather toys and presents for children in need. Last year, this was a great success! 5:15-8pm
11/30 Advent Workshop Sunday (No YGF) – No fellowship because of Thanksgiving weekend, but DNPC's annual Advent Workshop will be happening right after church and could use some helpers!