​Another kind of Thanksgiving
 
Thanking God after he gives you something is gratitude. Thanking him before it occurs is faith.  Since we are celebrating Thanksgiving (a little differently this year) and we will be celebrating all that God has done for us and all of the blessings great and small He has given us, let’s talk about another kind of Thanksgiving.  Praising God in advance is a way of thanking Him and showing our faith that He will provide.  He is a good God and wants to give us good things.  He will honor our faith and expectation as we pray for His will in our lives and as we honor Him by thanking Him in advance for what He will do! 
 
“Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.”  Mark 11:24
 
This verse demonstrates faith and expectation. It shows not that we have magical powers, but that God honors our faith. It does not mean that everything we ask for will be granted like a genie in a bottle, but it does show that if we are in line with God’s will, He may put desires and things in our hearts that we pray for and they may come to pass. 
 
When my son was younger, we were in a Doctor’s office and the resident that day was asking him if he’s been good- If he behaves and listens to his parents.  When the DR asked him this, he responded that he does behave and he showed great pride in the fact that he listens to his parents.  The doctor proceeded to tell him that he must have the “obey me bone. I don’t know why, but that phrase always stuck with me. As I think about faith and how this is also praising God in advance through our expectation, sometimes I think it’s like we have that phantom “obey me bone”.  God puts something on our heart and He wants us to ask Him. He wants us to come to Him and put ourselves in a little child’s position and petition for this thing. He also wants us to know that He will provide a way. When we pray we are actually exercising this.  The more we do this, the easier it becomes to believe that God really will provide a way.  We can take pride in the fact that we are listening to our Father as he tells us that we are to Ask, seek, and knock. He will answer. It may be exactly as you envisioned it or it may be in an unexpected way. Either way, be ready to be blown away by His great mercy and gifts. 
 
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  Psalm 100:4

Hebrews 13:8 (CEV)
       Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
 

​Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.
― Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Frankenstein
 
Has this year seemed to be an odd sci-fi story to you? These are timely words, right ? We can be such creatures of habit. Let our ‘norm’ and our standard of living change and human beings get a little grumpy.  The Bible talks about this at various points, but the verse I want to focus on is that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  So, we have had a significant change in our lifestyles, political climate, work lives, school lives, parenting (add in your change as it’s probably happened this year for others as well) and have had to adapt, but we find that Jesus is never- changing. He is always the same and is ALWAYS in it for our good.  You can trust Him with your fears and your struggles.  How has your life changed this year and have you been able to give it to Him? 

​I've shared a bit about my testimony in growing up in a household where my father, though a good man, was a heavy drinker, and I was witness to things a child never should be witness to. I was never really a child as I had to grow up very early on.  I can remember standing between my mother and my father because I knew he would not harm me because I was his little girl. There was an odd sense of warrior that I carried. However, I was raised in the church and we went Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. I had that exposure to God and His people.  EVERY Sunday there was an “altar call” where if you felt you needed prayer, you could go up and someone would pray with you. EVERY Sunday this little warrior went up and prayed for a “friend” who was dealing with this issue or that.  How no one guessed (or admitted) that I was that Friend is beyond me. The adults in my life missed the signs even though I was asking for help in a veiled way. No one really reached out, though they likely didn’t know how things were in our home and therefore didn’t want to interfere.  I learned that we don’t talk about certain things and we don’t share certain things. I am now very open about things most don’t like to talk about because honestly this is refreshing and it is REAL and tangible.  
 
I felt alone and isolated - are you feeling this way?  Sad and unable to look forward to the future- is this something you deal with?  This is not what God wants---He wants us to seek out people who are good for us so they can lift us in times that are hard. THESE times are hard.  Have you been connecting with others in a real way? Are you staying in touch with your support system? Do you have a support system? If you don’t let’s talk about some ways you can build one.  
 
Reach out to church leaders to talk about getting connected.  It’s definitely different in these days, but we can try to find ways to connect with one another. 
We are not meant to do life alone. 
 
Do you need support for substance use that may have gotten out of hand? We have an AA meeting on Monday nights that my friend Tim runs and it may be just the right thing for you to find the support and healing you need.  
 
Ultimately, we don’t want others to feel alone or isolated. If you are craving connection with others, but don’t really know how to do this, please reach out to me or someone in leadership. Again, if you need help getting information on mental health or alcohol or drug treatment, get with me. I will gladly help you navigate this. Likewise, do the same for others. Help them when you know they need a call or text just to brighten their day.  Let’s be the church to one another and the world around us during these uncertain times.  

John 10:10 GNB
 10 The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life — life in all its fullness.

Pastor Vicky asked me to talk a bit about mental health a few weeks ago and I wanted to include this info this week in our devotional. Self care is so important and it's an issue close to my heart. If you have any questions, please contact Meghan DeGregory.

I have been a psychiatric nurse for 17 years and have worked in the mental health field for nearly 25 years. When I was asked to speak about mental health and faith and how they may blend together, I was all for it. 
 
We are all broken in some way. The Bible teaches it. That’s why we need Jesus.  A lot of what mental health treatment is simply acknowledging it and allowing people who have been trained to help us.  
 
According to a study conducted by Harvard Medical School one in four adults in the United States deals with clinical depression. It’s not as uncommon as you’d think.
 
Mental health conditions can be linked with  a variety of  things including depression, anxiety, suicide, PTSD and alcohol and drug issues and other conditions 
 
Depression and anxiety are the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders in the US and it has become a more prevalent issue in this past year.  
 
Have you noticed that you have been experiencing low mood, irritability, changes in sleep and appetite patterns (too much or too little), suicidal thoughts, or poor focus- or a loss of interest in things you normally enjoy?  
 
During this time of year often people report having a sad mood and feeling “down”.  Often we talk about this as seasonal depression or the blues, but it can be linked with the holidays as well.  This year has been exceptionally taxing on our wellbeing as we have dealt with multiple stressors as a nation and even worldwide. Feeling isolated and fearful can contribute to potential for depressive episode.

Have you felt sad or uncertain, melancholy?  
 
Or have you noticed a racing heart, fearfulness, feelings or of impending doom, shortness of breath or chest tightness at times? This can be related to anxiety….If so, you may want to consider seeking out professional help 

PTSD can be connected to any traumatic event such as a childhood of abuse, an isolated incident of violence or witnessing a traumatic event.  Military personnel can be affected by this as well, but it’s not only related to military.  PTSD can lead to drug or alcohol abuse or poor functioning.  

Mental health and alcohol and drug abuse can be triggered by genetic predisposition, trauma, and stressors. Those pre- disposed to and conditions can develop abuse or addiction in a manner that others who are not predisposed would not. 
 
​How many opioid abusers started as someone who had an injury and were prescribed treatment in a legitimate fashion ?  How many alcoholics started drinking alcohol as a coping skill, but then it got out of hand?
 
If you are struggling with mental health issues or find yourself using substances excessively to help you cope with life, we encourage you to go to your church leadership or a therapist to “unpack” these things.  To learn coping skills which are so beneficial in dealing with life and all of the things it brings. 

If you are not sure if you need mental health treatment, but are even thinking about it, do it!  Odds are if you are thinking about it, you may need to at least explore this as an option.  

If you have a history of trauma, abuse, depression or anxiety, did not learn coping skills or could brush up on coping skills, you should consider getting professional help.  If you need to have an unbiased discussion on topics that you need to explore, you should consider it as well. 

Suicide is the 10th most common cause of death in the US and this year the prevalence of suicide has increased due to isolation and loneliness and depressive episodes. 
 
If you are having suicidal thoughts, it is imperative that you seek treatment. If you have suicidal thoughts with a plan or intention on acting on these thoughts, you should call your medical provider or go to the Emergency room to ensure safety.  Likewise if someone you love is experiencing these as well.  
 
Do not be fearful of talking about these things, we all need a safe place to Process things and I’m a firm believer that everyone would benefit from therapy at some point in their life.  

Finally, we will talk a bit more about this in the coming weeks, but know that Jesus says He came to give us life abundant. God does not want us to suffer and He does not want us to feel alone or isolated. 

Please consider talking to church leadership if you are at all concerned about anxiety or depression or any of the other issues we discussed today. 

​Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there , for he always tenderly cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 TPT

Joyce Miller is sharing the devotion today

I seem to have Thanksgiving on my mind these last few weeks and its not just about the holiday.  Just recently we've shared the Communion Table and I hold that as a very important "timeout" in my life.  There was a time in my life when I felt that I wasn't worthy of the sharing of the Blood and Body of Christ.  But, my wonderful Aunt stepped in and questioned my reasons for the doubt.  We had the best conversation about "why" we need this event in our lives.  Why we MUST participate.  Christ has already taken all our unworthiness unto Himself. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that we don't have to.  We've already been forgiven for things we've done, for things we've left undone and for our future mistakes.  Our price for that is very minimal.  All He asks is that we thank Him. That's right. Its very simple.  Yes, He wants us to be His Disciples, but He just asks that we remember what He has given us by sharing His Thanksgiving.  Before, after, during your time of Thanksgiving, you need to take time to say Thank You.  He does so much for us.  You don't realize how much He does.  Taking that communion is your chance to show Him how grateful you really are.  Thanksgiving is upon us. Most of us may not be with family this year.  But, God will be at your table. You won't be totally alone. For those that have family at home, don't forget that it may not be the communion table at church, but God has put the many blessings on your table.  Make sure we take some time to reflect on what we're thankful for.  Reach deep inside and share that thought with your family.  You may feel that its too emotional to do that.  I know I struggle with sharing deep emotional things.  Tears are the raindrops that wash away the pain.  Write something that can be put on paper and given at each place setting.  "We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known. The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing. Sing praises to His name, He forgets not His own." Amen to that.

Philippians 4:8 CEV
Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.

 I was raised around some close family members who really pushed me to believe that there was a lot in this world that was wrong and sinful.  I was told that playing cards was something that was not allowed and it was implied that things like wearing pants were on the border for women.  Those strict rules were always attached to the above verse. I have a confession:  My more progressive self tended to then dismiss this verse as antiquated and out of date.  I now realize that what Paul was talking about was our thought lives.  Being that I spend a lot of time in the field of psychology and how our minds work, this was quite a revelation.  When I read this verse now, I see that it’s being taught that we should monitor our thoughts as they really can affect the rest of your life. If I wake in the morning and have angry thoughts toward my neighbor, or even negative thoughts, I am likely to have a day that is not quite as good as if I woke and was consciously aware of using positive thinking.  I now realize that Paul is talking about the power of good thoughts and how it really changes your life.  Thinking on good  and Godly things is a process and one that takes time, but beginning to focus on the positive will also change your life. Give it a try.  
 

​Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 
Philippians 4:8 CEV