A Thanksgiving Thought

As a minister was addressing a group of men, he took a large piece of paper and made a black spot in the center of it with a marking pen.  Then he held the paper up before the group and asked them what they saw.  One person quickly replied, “I see a black mark.”

“Right,” the preacher replied.  “What else do you see?”  Complete silence prevailed.  “Don’t you see anything other than the black spot?” he asked.  A chorus of “no” came from the audience.  “I’m surprised,” the speaker commented.  “You have overlooked the most important thing of all – the sheet of paper.”

Then he made the application.  In life we are often distracted by small disappointments, and we forget the innumerable blessings we receive from the Lord.  But, like the sheet of paper, the good things in life are overwhelmed by the adversities that monopolize our attention.

Rather than concentrating on the trials of life during this Thanksgiving season, and every day of the year, let's fix our attention on its blessings.  Let us say with the psalmist, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits” (Psalm 68:19). 

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR STAFF LEADERSHIP: GBACE Annual Conference, January 24, 2013 at Mabel White Baptist Church, Macon - http://www.gbace.org/

FOR EDUCATION LEADER TRAINING: Go Forward Conference, March 14-15, 2013, FBC/Woodstock - http://sundayschoolinhd.org/

FOR VBS: Colossal Coaster World Sampler (to be available in December) - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/vbs-2013-colossal-coaster-world-sampler-p005487573

FOR VBS: Colossal Coaster World Super Sampler (to be available in December) - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/vbs-2013-colossal-coaster-world-super-sampler-P005487652?intcmp=LWMain-Best3-VBSSuperSampler-20121105

FOR COMMUNITY BACKYARD KIDS CLUB: Colossal Coaster Backyard Kids Club Kit - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/vbs-2013-colossal-coaster-world-backyard-kids-club-p005532691

FOR DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY: Transformational Discipleship assessment tool to chart where you are in your spiritual walk and suggestions of ‘next steps’ toward growth - http://tda.lifeway.com/

FOR DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY: Faith Limps by Michael Kelley, trusting God in a broken world – http://www.lifeway.com/Product/faith-limps-trusting-a-good-god-in-a-broken-world-dvd-leader-kit-P005471379

FOR CUSTOMIZED CURRICULUM: Discipleship in Context can provide a short term or ongoing Bible studies that are customized to your church’s culture and focus - http://discipleshipincontext.com/

FOR MEN'S MINISTRY: All Pro Dad simulcast, January 26, 2013 with Tony Dungy, Clark Kellogg, Tommy Bowden - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Adult-Event-All-Pro-Dad-Simulcast

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Missing Pieces by Jennifer Rothschild, for those asking the hard questions of life - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/missing-pieces-real-hope-when-life-doesnt-make-sense-leader-kit-P005371622

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: The Law of Love (study of Deuteronomy) by Beth Moore - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-law-of-love-dvd-kit-p005537128