​Starting December 1st, we are starting a new series called “What’s Your PERSPECTIVE of Christmas?” I was talking with someone the other day who did not grow up in church. This is the story they told me about their Christmas.

​It is not always easy to give thanks, but this is the very thing we must do to see God's will accomplished in our lives. This is how we move into higher realms of faith for ourselves, for our city, and for our nation.

​The definition of gratitude is “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for.” It is not about our circumstances, our season, our day, our attitude, or our mood. It is a readiness to show appreciation or gratefulness anyway, regardless of our feelings. Gratitude is a mindset. It is a habit. It is ready to be thankful even when we do not feel like it. I would say that Thanksgiving is a foundational pillar of Christianity.

​Can I ask you a question? Have you ever led a person to Jesus? Or were you a part of helping someone to come to Jesus Christ? I have discovered something that helped me change my mind on this subject.

​I want to invite you to church this coming Sunday. I am going to share a message called “Share Your Story.” I want to just start by saying everything starts with a story. The Bible says in Matthew 13:34 (NLT), “Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, He never spoke to them without using such parables.”