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Men's No Leftovers Breakfast

Being Thankful in Advance
DECEMBER 7, 2008
by PEDRO PEREZ

Over 40 men participated in this year's post-Thanksgiving "No Leftovers" Breakfast on Saturday, November 29. Assisting us in leading our opening praise and worship were Pastor Rick Santiago, Leland Parkinson, and Robert Grable who helped motivate those in attendance to get up on our feet and thank the Lord for His never-ending love towards us. A highlight of this event was the recognition award presented to Kevin Armstrong for his service as part of the LifeBuilders Leadership Team. Kevin has left that role to focus his efforts in our Sports Ministry and as one of our Youth Ministry leaders.
Don Stedge presents Kevin Armstrong with a service award.
Pastor Rick opened with a group discussion and asked the men to give examples of situations when we express gratitude or thanks. Of course, many of the examples shared were instances where a "thank you" was prompted by a service or deed. However, one of our cooks, Ricky LaGuerre, stated "These are all good examples, but it's easy to say thanks after something was done for us…shouldn't we be thankful everyday regardless of our need?"

Ricky's comment was the perfect segue to the point of Pastor Rick's message entitled "Thanks in Advance". "You see we are wired to express thanks after or prompted by an action. Gratitude is always expressed at the end of a fulfilled need." Pastor Rick explained. Psalm 100:4-5 begins with "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." The bible teaches us to have a heart of Thanksgiving first…before we have received any good thing. Philippians 4:4-6 reads "Rejoice in the Lord always. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." These verses give us clear instruction that our thanks is to come "in advance"… long before our petitions are ever answered.

So how can we, who have been programmed as children to say "please" and "thank you" after an act or gift, be thankful in advance? The answer is faith. Take a look at 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 or 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 where we are challenged to be thankful in all circumstances. Pastor Rick closed with the story of Lazarus found in John 11. "You see, like Lazarus, your situation may be dead in the water and you may feel that God has not heard your cry. But if Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead after four days, why can't the same be done for your situation?" Pastor Rick explained.

Jesus could have run to Lazarus' side before his death, but instead he chose to remain where he was. Why did Jesus delay? Jesus told them "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" When they took the stone away from the place where Lazarus was laid, Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me…". The story of Lazarus has always been one that was used to illustrate the miracle of God's power over death, however, if we look deeper, you'll see that more a lesson in faith and gratitude. Jesus had the confidence in relationship with His Father to thank Him in advance! So should we.

The event concluded with small groups discussions at each table and a closing prayer for those in need. Let our walk with Christ be with an attitude of gratitude. Why worry?

Article reviewed and approved for posting by Don Stedge. For comments or feedback on this article, click here>>

Men's "No Leftovers" Breakfast 2008

Over 40 men participated in this year's post-Thanksgiving "No Leftovers" Breakfast on Saturday, November 29. Assisting us in leading our opening praise and worship were Pastor Rick Santiago, Leland Parkinson, and Robert Grable who helped motivate those in attendance to get up on our feet and thank the Lord for His never-ending love towards us. A highlight of this event was the recognition award presented to Kevin Armstrong for his service as part of the LifeBuilders Leadership Team. Kevin has left that role to focus his efforts in our Sports Ministry and as one of our Youth Ministry leaders.

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