Years ago, a book entitled "Simple Abundance" was listed on the non-fiction best seller list for two years. It spurred a second book, the "Gratitude Journal" which became a top seller as well. The premise was simple. If you practice an "attitude of gratitude" your life will become richer, fuller and more enjoyable. The journal suggested that readers simply write down five things each day for which they are grateful. I don't know whether the author of these books realized it or not but giving thanks, especially giving thanks to God, is a very powerful Biblical principle.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thess 5:18)
I read a story of an elementary school teacher who was trying to teach thankfulness to her students. She asked them to make a list of the things for which they were thankful. She walked up and down the aisles peering over the children's shoulders as they made their lists. She was intrigued when she came to Chad's desk. Number one on his list was "Glasses." She said, "Chad, I'm so happy to see you are thankful for your glasses. Why are you thankful for them?" He said, "Well, they keep the boys from hitting me and the girls from kissing me." Not a bad reason to be thankful.
Helen Keller, who was both blind and deaf said, "I have often thought that it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days at some time early in their adult life. The darkness would make them more appreciative of sight; silence would teach them the joys of sound."
Dear Abby, the former newspaper columnist, had a Thanksgiving prayer she published every fall: "Our heavenly Father, we thank you for the food and remember the hungry. We thank you for health and remember the sick. We thank you for friends and remember the friendless. We
thank you for freedom and remember the enslaved. May these remembrances stir us to service that your gifts to us may be used for others."
The Bible takes us deeper into thankfulness than just the surface thankfulness of superficial material blessings. It goes beyond lists of things and admonishes us to be thankful to have God in our lives. When all of the lists have been crossed off, and all of the blessings have been withdrawn, and all of the prosperity vanishes, there's only one hope left. This hope is found in the words of the Psalmist David (Ps 22:24), “For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.”
In other words, be thankful for our great God who is always present because that is where faith begins, not where it ends. Only the grateful believe, and faith itself, which seems to soar in times of prosperity, needs the strength of thankfulness to carry it through the dark night of the soul.
Mission Louisiana
WOW! What an extraordinary district. What an amazing group of pastors, ministers, and congregations. Our Mission Louisiana fund is up to $706,944.93! Since March of this year, over $3,000,000 has been pledged for the next three years by our wonderful pastors and congregations. We are now at 35% of what we need to begin construction.
Considering that our district just received “record” offerings for NAM, Ladies Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Children’s Ministry, and Youth Ministry, this is most remarkable. I understand that many churches are in building or remodeling programs this year. I understand that our state is struggling economically. But here we are, the Louisiana District UNITED Pentecostal Church! We have united under the banner of our great commission. Churches of different sizes, dialects, and cultures have given to this great cause of Mission Louisiana.
For those who made a monthly pledge, the giving calendar began in July during Camp Meeting. Please continue to be faithful to your commitment, whether monthly or annually. If you have not been a part of giving to Mission Louisiana, please ask God what He would desire you or your church to give. We owe it to the next generation to make our campgrounds a place which continues to be a haven for miracles, Holy Ghost infillings, and life-changing events.
Important Announcement: District Calendar
As you well know, in planning events for an entire year there are times when changes are needed throughout the year to accommodate schedules and resources. Additionally, printing individual annual calendars for all ministers and churches in Louisiana is a great expense when those calendars become obsolete almost as soon as they are printed.
The district calendar of events with descriptive information is available to you at ladistupc.com/events and is always current. Feel free to also share that link with your church secretary, treasurer, and leaders for their convenience in planning events and meeting offering deadlines.
We will only print a limited number of district calendars for 2024. They will not be mailed but, if you desire the printed calendar, you may obtain one, as long as they are available, by contacting Erin Windham at the office (318-640-9657, ext. 104).