|
November 2006 |
|
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 NAS
|
|
Dear Friends: Greetings in Jesus’ mighty name! An interesting thing happened the other day. I was walking and one of my neighbors asked how I was—I gave the usual answer –alive and kicking! She then commented— “well I can see you have not won the lottery because you are still here.” This comment took a bit of time to sink in—then I got it– she thought no one who had the ability to live somewhere else would live here. Wow! I laughed and said I guess I like it here. I am content. I really have no great desire to be somewhere else or have something else. I want to be more content—like the apostle Paul I want to be well content in all things—good and bad. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9,10 NAS This is the time we set aside to thank a beneficent God for all we have and are. Thanksgiving is more than a day –it is a life style. To be truly thankful we must fully realize that the Lord owns everything and anything we have is due to His provision not ours. True thankfulness is acknowledging God’s presence and beneficence in our lives. Who we are, what we are, where we are is all due to His provision. If we have eyes to see, ears to hear, legs to walk and even the ability to read and understand this letter, it is due to Him. I am thankful that I have a safe place to live—that I have sufficient food to eat. Many in the world are not assured these simple things. I am thankful that my Lord has allowed me to serve Him—to be part of His plan for this nation and others. "Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the nations, And I will sing praises to Your name. 2 Samual 22:50 NAS Have you ever thought about how God has guided every step you have made. Even before I was a Christian, He guided my path. He had a plan for me. Sometimes when I look back at milestones in my life I can catch a glimpse of His plan. I can see how things I thought were unimportant or even sad were leading to where I am now. Even things I thought were tragedies had a purpose. It is easier to see tragedies as purposeful after time has intervened. It makes it easier to live in thanksgiving. I am thankful that He has allowed me to be part of the Pro-life movement. What an awesome thing to play a part in the saving of human life. I am not so foolish to think I chose this ministry or that I possess any special qualifications, yet He chose me. Awesome!!! I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones. Psalm 52:9 NAS Think about that—God chose us to work in this most vital ministry where everyday lives are in the balance. We do not always see the fruits of our service but we know that we are in a service that makes a difference. What a most wonderful gift. The opportunity for ministry and the strength to do it is a most wonderful gift. I know you are thanking God for many things this year, family, friends, your church and, most of all, salvation. We in the U.S. are so blessed in many material ways and we need to remember it is by God’s grace that we have so much. We are also blessed to live in a country where we can practice our faith without fear of persecution. This is not true for many Christians. In the area of India where we minister pastors were severely beaten within a week of our visit. In many middle Eastern nations becoming a Christian carries a death sentence. That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:12 NAS In addition, this year, I hope you take time to thank God for the opportunity He has given you to be part of the pro-life, pro-family movement. We sometimes think we chose this path but in reality we were chosen. God opened the door and we simply walked through it. We did nothing to deserve it or earn it but God allowed it. There are children alive because we served in this ministry. There are people, men and women, who know the Lord because they heard the gospel from us at the very gates of hell. Right now, I am thanking the Lord for family, friends, and you. You have chosen to support Life Coalition International with your donations and prayers when you have many worthy causes and ministries to choose from. Thank you!!
A servant,
Pat McEwen |
|
GO
T O |
|
From the desk of Pat McEwen, 11/14/06
|