Inadequate Thanksgiving

Good morning, Loved Ones,

Here's praying that this season of Advent finds you with your heads up, standing tall and paying attention. Live into hope!
Today's scripture for your reflection:

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (The Message)

^9-10What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you? We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters.

^11-13May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

Today I give thanks for . . .

. . . Alexander Jeffery Dean, our nephew, who today is undergoing an extensive surgery on his legs. He's a brave trooper. Please pray for him today and for his mom, Amy, and dad, Greg.

. . . Pastor Alfonso Tot, my partner in ministry, for his steadfast commitment to building a community of faith, justice, peace and hope. His head is up, he stands tall and he pays attention while struggling with the incredible challenge of Parkinson's. Keep him in your prayers every day. I know you are in his.

. . . Sam, my son, who has chosen to spend his next semester in a border studies program rather than an exotic semester in Argentine. He'll be studying immigration issues and working with justice ministries and programs along the border. Keep him in your prayers.

. . . Lucas, my son, who has chosen the difficult IB studies program and continues to be committed to the life of his church and his music, soccer and swimming. He is growing into a fine young man. Please pray for Lucas.

. . . the ministries of Grandview Park Presbyterian Church, the justice work of IJAM (Immigrant Justice Advocacy Movement) and the neighborhood development work of AQUI (Affiliated Quality Urban Initiatives). All of this work is about the love of God filling our lives and splashing over on everyone around us. Pray for these efforts.

We are full of hope and the thanksgiving we share is insufficient for all the blessings we experience daily.

Pastor Rick
http://gimmecinco.blogspot.com/

Today we welcome Ingrid and Maria to our sharing of gratitude.