Dear Faith Family, 

I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world, (Romans 1:8). 

Dust off the cobwebs.  Access a file somewhere in the recesses of your mind titled “Mean Joe Greene”.  Do you remember his Coke commercial?  Limping down the tunnel toward the locker room, “Mr. Greene” is offered a coke from a young fan.  As Joe drinks the coke, the boy says, “See ya around,” and walks off.  And then?  “Mr. Greene” says, “hey kid” and throws his jersey to the kid. 

It's a great commercial.  But that’s not the end of it!  If you keep listening you’ll hear the boy say, “Wow!  Thanks, Mean Joe!” 

Tomorrow is a day of giving thanks.  Many of us have shared around the table things that we’re thankful for – family, turkey, pie, friends….  You get the picture.  Often we take for granted the gifts that God gives us. 

And then there’s Paul.  He wrote to the church in Rome and prioritized thanksgiving at the beginning of his letter.  But what, exactly, was Paul thankful for?  Paul was thankful that their faith was being proclaimed throughout the whole world. 

For you, my family and friends, I am thankful.  Your faith is showing.  It shows when you serve the Lord by serving His bride, the church.  It shows when you sing the praises of Him who called you out of the darkness and into His marvelous light.  It shows when you pray for your waiter / waitress.  It shows when you speak words of kindness to your neighbor. 

Your faith is showing when you demonstrate patience to the retail clerk.  It shows when you share what you have with those who have less.  It even shows up in shoe boxes around the globe. 

Here’s two opportunities.  One.  Do give thanks.  Thank God for the faith of another.  Two.  Let your faith shine.  Your faith is a gift from God.  Exercise it that others might see your faith and give thanks to God. 

Giving thanks for you, 

Pastor Karl