Scripture readings:

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know the Lord is God!
It is he that made us and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!

For the Lord is good:
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

(Psalms 100)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. Let all know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-9)

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

What are your thanks and praises?

I’m thankful to be back in college after doing the work thing for a number of years. Completing a college has been a life-long dream of mine. I’m also thankful for my health, and for God sending encouragement and help my way when I’m feeling down. Oh, and I’m very thankful for Candace’s hard work in creating and maintaining this excellent site! Candace, may God renew your strength like the eagles and send you help so you don’t have to do it all by yourself.

Marcus Stringer

I am dating a non-Christian and I finally got him to go with me to church he loved how enthusiastic I was and he was raised Catholic. He had never been to a Baptist church before but I saw God opening him up to me and that next day I dropped to my knees and thanked God that He gave me such a wonderful man to share my life with. I am not the most extraverted person on earth but with him I feel I can say or do anything something I can’t say about anyone else. What I’m trying to say is that God is both working in my life and his and He is bringing us closer together meanwhile God and I are becoming closer also because I know God provided someone I can talk to when everyone else does not want to listen and I am proud to call myself a Christian, because God knew what I needed and provided it. Too often we forget that God does care.

Daniel Brice

Praise the Lord Our God for leading me out of strife… that I might regain life! He led me out of the darkest part of my life and allowed me to rebuild my life and relationships (one in particular).

Daisy Diaz

I am thankful this year that I found a church home after over 10 years, at Broadway United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN. Broadway is very sincere about their mission statement of being “A multi-cultural Christian community that seeks, welcomes, and values all people.” There are many gay and lesbian people at Broadway as well as many straight folks, but it’s never an “us-and-them” feeling there — gay or straight, at Broadway it truly doesn’t matter. We are all there for the same reason — to praise God.

F. Wempen