Attitude of Gratitude

This is a warm part of the year, despite the approaching winter season. I'm referring instead to the Holiday Season, when we take the time to warm up to those near and far from us. It is so appropriate that it begins in earnest with Thanksgiving. How important it is to recognize our gifts and give thanks. 

Being grateful is more than an obligation or an opportunity to repay kindnesses, however. It is an opportunity to re-align ourselves with God's grace. Of course, God's love is always flowing to us and through us, but so many times we are oblivious, even hostile. An attitude of gratitude keeps us turned to the light, open to participate fully in the flow of love and life around and in us. Rather than miss it, we are then aware of the good that is coming to us.

“Today is the perfect day to appreciate the many blessings in my life. I pray a prayer of thanksgiving, expressing gratitude... I stop for a moment to give thanks... I am blessed beyond measure.” Daily Word — November 26, 2009

So stop for a moment. Notice your heart beat is like the beat of the sacred drum which gives thanks for all that we have, for all that we are. Your heart beats out “thank you, thank you, thank you...” 

Mike McGuire, Prayer Team
Summary of Rev. David's sermon

The Power of Thanksgiving

You know this amazing power because you have used it many times. You have felt the transforming experience of your deep gratitude for something in your life. It may have been your heart recognizing the beauty in a moment with a special friend, or receiving the blessing of a break-through that you had long desired. It may have been as simple as feeling the warm sun on a crisp fall morning, or the touch of a little one’s hand in yours.

When your heart opened to that very special feeling of thanksgiving, you felt uplifted, blessed, renewed and filled with hope. Even if it was a dark rainy day, you felt an inner glow.

The power that lifts us, opens us and blesses us is the presence of Divine Love. When we experience true thankfulness, the power of Spirit flows into our lives. In that sacred moment we have opened to consciously perceive God’s goodness. That goodness desires to pour itself through our lives in every moment. The feelings of thanksgiving have the power to open our lives to this unlimited goodness.

Rev. David McArthur