November 19th-26th, 2021
It’s Thanksgiving season in the USA. We think of “Thanksgiving” initially being celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in 1621. Since then various declarations by our government for official days of Thanksgiving have been set. In 1863 Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November to be a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” Subsequently Thanksgiving has been amended to the fourth Thursday of November.
Think about that for a minute. President Lincoln decided to issue this decree of gratitude in the middle of the bloodiest war ever fought in the history of our nation; a war known as “The Civil War,” which was anything but civil. It was a time when arms and legs were severed from soldiers; and families, marriages and friendships were severed by conflicting convictions. Homes and barns as well as dreams and aspirations were leveled in the course of battle as the breath of over 600,000 lives was snuffed out in the course of the war. How could a time when people were called to the table in gratitude and feasting occur when people couldn’t come to the table to iron out differences and end the war? Can you imagine the ridicule some must have thrown at the President for thinking thanksgiving was appropriate at that time?!
But it was appropriate…and still is today even as we battle COVID, political chaos, barbaric terrorism, and Satan’s unrelenting assault on humanity. You see…the door of gratitude is not hinged on happiness or thinking all in life is perfect. It goes much deeper.
Gratitude has eyes. It is not blinded by the circumstances of the moment, good or bad. Gratitude exists because it operates with perfect vision. Oh…granted…sometimes we need corrective lens on our eyes of gratitude, and that comes as we seek to see life through the eyes of God. He enables us to gain perspective. Perspective does not necessarily mean understanding. Perspective is gaining our bearings in life and finding direction through Christ. Understanding may not come immediately, and about some things never on this earth. However, I do have assurance God has not abandoned me nor the events that confuse and trouble me. The assurance of His presence and guidance ignites my gratitude.
Gratitude has ears. It listens to life, and more importantly to God. When we allow gratitude to live in us, we hear more clearly the voice of God. An ungrateful spirit tends to blind us and deafens us to lessons the Lord wants us to learn.
Gratitude takes on feet. It moves from gra“attitude” to thanks”giving:” from a state of mind to an action. Thanksgiving is more than offering words; it’s a giving of self. It staggers me that Christ is thankful for me. So much so that he gave His life so I can live…and I am grateful beyond expression.
Here’s a stanza from one of my favorite hymns. Don’t just read it, climb into the words and sit in them. Let your thoughts marinate in the substance of what is stated. Wrap the phrases around your mind and let them settle in, flavoring your gratitude with perspective.
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!--
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17
Happy Thanksgiving,
Dr. Tom Kinnan
Think about that for a minute. President Lincoln decided to issue this decree of gratitude in the middle of the bloodiest war ever fought in the history of our nation; a war known as “The Civil War,” which was anything but civil. It was a time when arms and legs were severed from soldiers; and families, marriages and friendships were severed by conflicting convictions. Homes and barns as well as dreams and aspirations were leveled in the course of battle as the breath of over 600,000 lives was snuffed out in the course of the war. How could a time when people were called to the table in gratitude and feasting occur when people couldn’t come to the table to iron out differences and end the war? Can you imagine the ridicule some must have thrown at the President for thinking thanksgiving was appropriate at that time?!
But it was appropriate…and still is today even as we battle COVID, political chaos, barbaric terrorism, and Satan’s unrelenting assault on humanity. You see…the door of gratitude is not hinged on happiness or thinking all in life is perfect. It goes much deeper.
Gratitude has eyes. It is not blinded by the circumstances of the moment, good or bad. Gratitude exists because it operates with perfect vision. Oh…granted…sometimes we need corrective lens on our eyes of gratitude, and that comes as we seek to see life through the eyes of God. He enables us to gain perspective. Perspective does not necessarily mean understanding. Perspective is gaining our bearings in life and finding direction through Christ. Understanding may not come immediately, and about some things never on this earth. However, I do have assurance God has not abandoned me nor the events that confuse and trouble me. The assurance of His presence and guidance ignites my gratitude.
Gratitude has ears. It listens to life, and more importantly to God. When we allow gratitude to live in us, we hear more clearly the voice of God. An ungrateful spirit tends to blind us and deafens us to lessons the Lord wants us to learn.
Gratitude takes on feet. It moves from gra“attitude” to thanks”giving:” from a state of mind to an action. Thanksgiving is more than offering words; it’s a giving of self. It staggers me that Christ is thankful for me. So much so that he gave His life so I can live…and I am grateful beyond expression.
Here’s a stanza from one of my favorite hymns. Don’t just read it, climb into the words and sit in them. Let your thoughts marinate in the substance of what is stated. Wrap the phrases around your mind and let them settle in, flavoring your gratitude with perspective.
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!--
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17
Happy Thanksgiving,
Dr. Tom Kinnan
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COLLECTION WEEK IS HERE!
Don't forget those filled shoeboxes on Sunday! Click here for all the details of to "fill" a box online |
November is a great time to reflect on the many blessings God has given us. Family Give Back Month is all about challenging us to let God's love shines through us so we might be a blessing to others. Click here to check it out!
Dear Missions Lovers! God has blessed us in awesome ways and YOU have continue being faithful in your Faith Promises! Here are the huge steps the Lord, and our Faith Promises to missions, are making:
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We donated $1400 to help Pastor Tee Latahn build this radio station that will reach an estimated 500,000 in Karnplay, Nimba, Liberia!
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Our VBS this summer raised over $2200! We purchased this motorcycle for a pastor in Zimbabwe who has had to walk 14 miles each way to/from his church to preach! SUPPORTING FINANCIALLY!
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NOW TO THE FUTURE...This may be, "The Great Giveaway, Part II"!
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We are able to send $1000 to start an After School Day Care for these children in Mpumalanga, South Africa by Pastor Lawrence Khulekane, a deeply dedicated and effective pastor!
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Faith Promise is donating $5000 to finish and furnish this class building and administration rooms for the school at Goshen Farm in Harare, Zimbabwe. This will allow all students to be tested at the farm so they can go to High Schol, AND will bring other students for testing and for the government to pay for them, thus allowing Goshen Farm to be self-supporting!
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We are praying God will open doors for our Work and Witness Team to return to Zimbabwe to paint and furnish the Orphanage at Goshen Farm… perhaps next Summer! What is needed includes painting the interior and exterior, flooring, and the appliances and furniture. Pastor Mutatu reports that the total to do all this is $6000!
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Dr. Musa Kunene, a powerful Nazarene Pastor from Swaziland has been appointed Field Strategy Coordinator for the East Africa Field. He is a gifted leader with a great vision for evangelism. Sadly, funding for the East Africa Field has been lowered 63% the past few years. This reduced budget greatly limited training for new pastors like these pictured here. One district has 8 pastors ready for ordination, but can not get Systematic Theology taught. David and Kathy Slamp have been invited to go in February and March to provide this training and already have the funds for their travel. However, printed literature, books, and financial assistance to these pastors is still urgently needed. There are typically 50 pastors on each district. We can support 4 or 5 districts with Faith Promises already received! The Missions Team committed $1000 to each district for their pastors. This wonderful gift will help train 250 pastors to preach and evangelize! To God be the glory!
Plans have been made to transport a Jesus Film that has already been donated to Africa in February! AND … Our namesake Liberty Bible church in Rwanda has just been told by the Government that they need upgrades and equipment to protect people from COVID. Our Faith Promise is helping meet this need!
To all of this we say, “Praise God!” We have more than enough Faith Promises to do all these projects totaling less than $25,000! Thank you and may God TRULY bless you for your faithfulness.
To God be the glory!
Dave
Dr. David Slamp,
Liberty Bible NMI President
To all of this we say, “Praise God!” We have more than enough Faith Promises to do all these projects totaling less than $25,000! Thank you and may God TRULY bless you for your faithfulness.
To God be the glory!
Dave
Dr. David Slamp,
Liberty Bible NMI President
WE WANT TO KNOW YOU'RE HERE!
The importance of staying connected with our church family is crucial, especially during this time of transition. It really helps the staff if you can stop and check in with the greeters at the desks located at either entrance when you come to church. The greeters love the opportunity to put a face with a name! If you are one of our online attenders, take a moment and fill out the online connection card. This is also very helpful for the staff as we strive to keep in touch with everyone and take care of the family. You are very important to us and we want to be there for you, pray for you and do life with you. Thanks for helping us with this.
The importance of staying connected with our church family is crucial, especially during this time of transition. It really helps the staff if you can stop and check in with the greeters at the desks located at either entrance when you come to church. The greeters love the opportunity to put a face with a name! If you are one of our online attenders, take a moment and fill out the online connection card. This is also very helpful for the staff as we strive to keep in touch with everyone and take care of the family. You are very important to us and we want to be there for you, pray for you and do life with you. Thanks for helping us with this.
LBC Family Photo - August 1, 2021
If you missed the farewell video for Pastor Larry, you can watch it here
If you missed the farewell video for Pastor Larry, you can watch it here
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Sharing the life changing message of Jesus Christ and helping people grow in their relationship with the Father, Son & Holy Spirit |
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What is your sunday schedule?
What is the Worship Service Like?
We believe worship encompasses singing, music, giving, service, fellowship, prayer and biblical teaching. Our Sunday morning worship services includes elements of all these. Do you have Mid-Week Activities?
We do!
Note : During the COVID shutdown, many of our ministries have limited or adjusted schedules. Please contact the church office for more information on specific ministries.
Is there a dress code?
Come as you are. The folks at Liberty Bible come from a variety of backgrounds, so you will see people dressed in jeans and t-shirts and others in business casual. Wear what you are comfortable in, we just want you to come! What else is going on during the week?
We have ministries, classes and activities for everyone in the family. To check out what we have to offer, please go to the ministries menu at the top of the page. Is There Anything Else I Need to Know?
Not really. We just hope you’ll come join us on a Sunday morning, enjoy a cup of coffee and worship with us. And don’t worry, we promise not to embarrass you. See you soon! |
