Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18,NIV).

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To all my American friends........

Solving Our Nations Problems

I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  Romans 12:1

Nearly every week, you can pick up a newspaper or magazine, or watch a television show, focusing on the distressing social problems we face in our nation. CBS devotes an entire evening of prime-time television to a look at violence in America...Newsweek magazine runs a cover story on battered wives...Time reports that nearly half of Americans are worried "a lot" about our economy, and 89 percent think the crime problem is getting worse.

But let me ask you this: How often do you hear about workable solutions to these problems?

I think the apostle Paul hints at the most practical solution of all in Romans 12:1 when he urges us to "present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God."

Large social problems will end when they are solved, not in the halls of government, but in the hallways of homes across America. In short, change will occur when Christians get serious about their relationship with God and live out their values and priorities in the family.

Change will come when dads get down on their knees and ask their wives and children to forgive them when they make an error. It will come when men take responsibility for their families and don't expect the Church to do it for them. It will come when men say, "I will lead my home."

Change will come when more women decide to make motherhood a greater priority than careers. It will come when more children are raised with godly character by parents who are involved in their lives.

We have been called to proclaim Christ, to obey Him as we make an imprint on our society. To give ourselves as a "living and holy sacrifice" to God means we will allow nothing to come between us and Him--that we will live in obedience to His will no matter what the cost.

And if enough families begin living holy lives, making right choices, loving one another--America will experience a family reformation.

Prayer:   How would it affect your family if you began to get serious about living for Christ?

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48b (NIV)

Okay, I'll admit I'm no spring chicken, but I'm still full of life; so I decided that I would spend this year doing 57 things I've never done before (yes, that's one thing for every birthday I've had). I wanted to do things I've always talked about doing, but somehow just never got around to doing.

It's been fun to use the good china & crystal everyday, as well as the nice towels. I light my favorite candle each evening when I get home from work and I even drove a Jet Ski in the Atlantic Ocean while dolphins raced beside me. I've checked off many things from my list this year but there are still things to do before the year is done. Not to give the impression that I've only been doing things for myself this year, I also have a few items on my list that will allow me to "give back" to our community. For instance, I've always wanted to make dinner for the firemen at our local fire station.

When a neighbor's home recently caught fire I was so impressed with the firemen who put out the fire and the care they gave to the gentleman living in the home who needed some minor medical attention. After the hoses were rolled up and the ladders stowed I spoke to the shift captain and volunteered to cook dinner for the men of the fire station. He replied "Thank you mam, people are always dropping off cookies; but no one has ever volunteered to feed all thirty-one of us".

Thirty-one hungry firemen, oh my goodness! What have I gotten myself into? Oh well... numbers aside I said I wanted to do this and do it I will. I think a Thanksgiving dinner would be an appropriate way to say thanks and one way to give back to the men and women who serve my community.

As Thanksgiving approaches and thoughts turn to the food and the whirlwind of details associated with that holiday, I'm reminded that my blessings are too numerous to count or even measure. So this year as the turkey roasts and the marshmallows melt on top of the yams I will rejoice in this new Thanksgiving tradition. I indeed have been given so very much and now I want to find ways to give thanks to those who give of themselves everyday. I hope my list of fifty-one things to do will inspire you to find a way to give thanks to those who serve your community. I can't think of a better time of year to do just that.

Dear Lord, You continue to lavish your blessings upon me and I am grateful. Help me to find ways to give thanks to those who serve and protect my community. Bless them and their families with Your grace and protection. In Jesus' Name, Amen.