One of my fondest memories as a teenager was playing fall football as a Rockdale County High School Bulldog. That weighs heavily in my being such a devoted Georgia Bulldog fan. Sometimes, when the evening air turns autumn cool, and there is a smell of wild onions and ballfield cut grass, I can almost feel that red and black football helmet on my head again. Our Coach was a fine Christian man named Tom Jones, and he was built like Mr. Universe with muscles that put all of us tough teen boys to shame. Before every Friday night game, we would gather in the middle of the football field and say “The Lord’s Prayer” together as a team.
Mathew 6:9-13 will forever bring me joy, comfort, strength, and thankfulness for the way God has always provided for me and my loved ones:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil, for Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”
This Thanksgiving season, please remember that it is God Almighty that “gives us our daily bread.” Without His permission we don’t draw another breath. Without His blessing us we cannot enjoy the good health that most of us enjoy. It is our Lord Jehovah that provides the clothes on our backs, shoes on our feet, and food on our tables. We are a tremendously blessed people in America to enjoy the many freedoms, provisions, and liberties that other nations will never know.
Maybe, if we as a church body, decided to live daily being grateful for the way our cups run over from God’s gracious hands; maybe if we stopped trying to dig and scratch for another dollar to store in our bank savings account, and looked for ways to outgive one another to bless those we know truly need help, perhaps then, God would wave His mighty hand across our congregation and we would see a revival the likes of which none of us has ever experienced.
For Carole, Lydia, and I, the love and support you have shown us during our three years here at GFBC is an immeasurable blessing, and our hearts rejoice that God has called us to serve here. Also, Pastor John and I want to say how grateful we are for the generous gifts we received, and the church-wide Pastor Appreciation Lunch you blessed us with during October. THANK YOU!
Your servant, Phillip
