Dear Friends and Family!
I have said for many years that every day should be Thanksgiving to us because our hearts should always be overflowing with thanks, gratitude and remembrance for all that God continually does for us, His children.
Almost all of David's Psalms express thanksgiving and some are all about it. Psalm 136 starts with:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
The next 23 verses continue with thanks and remembrance for some of the many, many things God has done for his people. A Psalm well worth reading.
Recently Sara and I were "purging papers" as we call it. We had ministry related records, receipts and check stubs dating back to 1993. As I was going through them and thinking of God's supply, the wonderful people who have been supporting the ministry for so many years and all of the souls saved and people we led to the Lord, some of who are now themselves missionaries, pastors, worship leaders and rehab center overseers, the Lord started speaking to me about my Mom. My Mom's handwriting and fingerprints are on the foundation of our ministry. When it started out very small, she was the secretary handling the incoming correspondence and depositing the support checks. As I purused the stacks of papers she handled and the financial information she diligently recorded, He reminded me of her faithfulness and her love. She was faithful with her work and took it seriously, and the Lord wanted to make sure I remembered it and was thankful for it.
I am ashamed to say it, but I had forgotten that she had volunteered to do that, and I had forgotten how helpful, willing and instrumental she had been for the successful launch of our work into Russia. Without her even knowing the Lord yet, which would take another 20+ years, she put her heart into helping her son and by helping her son, giving to the Lord and helping many other people.
I simply wanted to take this opportunity to share this story which is really about the Lord wanting me to remember my Mom and to be thankful for her, which led to a swell of remembrance and thanksgiving for all that He has and continues to do through all of you. Thank you very, very much!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Love,
John, Sara, Katya, Imre, Dasha, Natasha and Lana
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