Thankful greetings in the name of Jesus Christ!

 

Thankful is the operative word for this newsletter. As believers, we will celebrate Thanksgiving this month, and we have much to celebrate.

 

As Christians, we are thankful for the gospel, the “good news,” that God the Father loves us unconditionally. As a result, He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. By simply choosing to believe Jesus is God the Son, we “will not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16). And, because we also choose to believe Jesus was raised from the dead, “we too may walk in newness of life…we will certainly also be in the likeness of His resurrection.” (Romans 6:4-5) These divine truths inspire us to be thankful for everything the gospel promises.

 

Each of us are also thankful for how God has provided for our individual needs. For me, this means family. I am grateful for Berlinda. You likely do not know that I was a bachelor until I was 36! Yep, I was lonely, alone, and generally speaking, incomplete, until she married me in 1989. Together, we have been blessed with three grown children, Helen, Emma and Luke, and one granddaughter, Sage. Looking back over our 35+ years together, God has faithfully provided for all of our needs as well as more than a few of our wants. I am guessing each of you have personal histories replete with God’s faithfulness for which you are grateful.

 

Regarding our relationship, that is, you and me, I am thankful to be your pastor. At a time in life when many are enjoying well-deserved retirements, I am energized to still be preaching. The gift of biblical preaching and teaching is not a vocation I sought as a young man. However, God put it in my heart in my early 30’s, and He has faithfully provided opportunities to preach for over 30 years, right up to the present. I am thankful to God for calling me to share Bible messages with you. I am also thankful to you for allowing me to be your pastor.

 

We can be thankful together for what God is about to do in us and through us as the congregation of First Baptist Church of Payette (FBP). I believe we are embarking on an exciting journey, a Spirit-led adventure, into the next chapter of the storied life of FBP. For more than 130 years