Newspaper Article

Sorry for the long absence. So...recently I was asked to write a series of articles for our local newspaper. The basic theme is Worship in relation to Thanksgiving. So I thought I'd post them here since I don't think many who might read this get the Liberal paper.

Hello. My name is Jeremy Harris, and I am relatively new here in Liberal. I am the Worship and Community Pastor at First Southern Baptist Church, and have been here for almost 7 months. I’m married and have two children (ages 3 and 1) who keep me on my toes.

When my Pastor asked me if I would be interested in writing a series of articles for the newspaper I said yes immediately. Not because I think I am an amazing writer (I’m not), but because I want to take any opportunity to share with others the love of Jesus, and what He means to me. So starting today I will be writing a four part series on “Thanksgiving and Worship.”

Week 1: More than Family and Turkey

            Why do we have a national holiday set aside for thankfulness? Why do we close our banks, businesses, and government offices for the day (or a couple of days?) Is it truly for the purpose of being thankful? Obviously we are glad for the paid time off and the chance to see family, but is there anything more to the day?

 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
   his love endures forever. 1 Chron. 16:34

He is good. He is right in all He does. We can trust that. His love endures forever. This love that caused God to send His Son to die is directed towards you and me. We have been offered a way to freedom rather than condemnation. Should this not cause us to thank Him each and every day?

 I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;
   I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

            Whether we remember God’s deeds as recorded in the Bible, or simply remember the way He has acted for our own good in our lives, it should lead us to give thanks.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:16-17

            Do you have anything good in your life? Do you have a place to live, food to eat, family around you? Do you have a job, a car, some money in the bank? Did you wake up this morning? Is the sun still giving light and warmth to the world? How could we not be thankful?

            This Thanksgiving, let us not forget that God had provided us with all we need and more. He has blessed us in so many ways. Not only that, but He has blessed my life in more ways than I have room to enumerate within this article. When I choose to thank Him for all he has blessed me with, I worship Him. It might sound simply, but look in the Psalms and see how many times Israel’s worship leaders used the words “Give thanks.” I pray that as we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday that each of us will examine our lives and look for the blessings we have been given. Then let’s worship together by thanking the Father of heavenly lights who has given us every good and perfect gift. God Bless.