As I said last week, there’s power in prayers. Don’t ever give up praying. God hears our prayers. You may not always get what you want when you pray when you want it; but it doesn’t mean God doesn’t hear your prayers. Sometimes it’s the unanswered prayers that is heard. We should be rejoicing at all times for the answered and unanswered prayers. Sometimes, though, you may not feel like rejoicing though.

There are some who can be rejoiceful despite of the situation they may be facing. I’ve seen it first hands. People who are disabled is prime example of those who is able to rejoice. I knew a pastor’s daughter, who was in a wheelchair and I have seen some disabled people really get into worshiping and praising the Lord. It’s amazing how they can still do that.

Have you ever been in a church with colored people in and seen how they actually worshiped?

Usually it’s more down South in the Baptist or Pentecostal churches. I have seen it in the Nazarene church I’m a member of as well. The church I belong to is a multinational church. Believe me, the people of color can really worshiped. They get all excited during worship time.

Up in North Dakota and Minnesota, it”s more Catholic and Lutheran upbringing. One time, my mother came to the Nazarene church I belong to and she was uncomfortable in how vibrant the people get when it comes to worshiping. She wasn’t used to it; since in the Catholic and Lutheran churches, they are more somber. She saw it as disrespectful.

In 1 Thessalonian 5:16, “Be joyful always; 1 Thessalonian 5:17, “Pray continually;” 1 Thessalonian 5:18, ” give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” These are rules to how we should worship. It’s not always easy to be joyful, to pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. Sometimes you may not feel like doing it.

Even though Thanksgiving is this coming Thursday, a day to be thankful; we should be thankful all year long.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. If you remain steadfast in your faith, may your blessing be on your people and may the Lord bless you. The devil will tremble as you continue rejoicing in the Lord.

I don’t know about you but I think that sometimes we lose the remembrance of a celebration in all the hype surrounding the observation. It seems that holidays, celebrations, and observances have grown exponentially in size, grandeur, and cost. All that drives this expansion isn’t necessarily bad, but also doesn’t always point us back to the reason we are celebrating. We get lost in the plans, decorations, food, and need to impress others that we can lose sight of the most important part of the celebration.

Thanksgiving and Christmas get lost in translation because of people seems to forget the real reason for celebrating Thanksgiving.

What amazing, miraculous deeds have happened in your life? How has God shown up in your world? What are you doing to honor God?

As autumn continues the journey toward winter, a variety of holidays and celebrations show up on our calendars and in our homes. While there are certain cultural considerations and conformities for holidays, we all have our own unique imprints on our celebrations. Families may listen to certain Christmas songs while decorating. Perhaps the celebration of Thanksgiving includes invitations to foreign exchange students for the special meal. Celebrations are our reminders of past events, achievements and special relationships. What observances do you have to remind you of God’s great mercy?

Thanksgiving and Christmas used to be a big thing in my family while growing up. The idea of family getting together to celebrate the year.

Now it seems that more and more people do not want to get together to celebrate Thanksgiving anymore. They don’t want to deal with all the drama that comes with certain family. Sure my family may be dysfunctional; but out of respect for my mother who loves seeing the family get together, we suck it up and get together.

Now politics have become one of the reasons that families doesn’t get together anymore. Politics can really divide many family, and that’s a crying shame.

That was never a big issues years ago. I came from a big family and my mother came from a big family. I was closed to most of my cousins growing up. I even was closed to some of my 2nd cousins as well, those that was closed to my age.

Since this election, I have been hearing that there are some who doesn’t want to get together for Thanksgiving because of the way they voted or didn’t vote for. The family dynamic unit is disintegrating. Part of the reason is because the parents may no longer be with us. My mother was the glue that held the family together. She loved her family and getting together with them no matter of the family drama.

We need to get past our differences over who we voted for. We need to go back to the days when people actually got along no matter what. We need to stop crying and getting upset because you may not like who you voted for. We must learn to deal with it in a more respectful way like we did in the past. We must learn to rejoice anyway no matter what your circumstances may be.

Be thankful for what you do have and rejoice in that.

I remembered back in 1999/2000, my sister noticed the joy I had and asked about it. I shared my testimony and the reason for the joy I had.

You may be facing a bad situation due to your health or lost of a home or a job; but you can still rejoice that you are still alive. You live another day.

Instead of being hateful because you do not like who was elected, rejoice that you are still alive. if you are a Christian but still have hate in your heart for someone, you are not showing Christ to others. Just accept the fact and rejoice anyway. Rejoice that you are still alive!

This Thanksgiving instead of crying over spilled and getting all upset, try a little rejoicing instead. Don’t let others bring you down. Deal with it and accept what is given to you! Be thankful for what you have and rejoice always. Count your blessing!