Giving Thanks Like The Pilgrims

Several years ago, my wife and I had the opportunity to take a three day "American History" tour for college credit through Massachusetts.  That kindled a deep respect and ongoing appreciation for the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620.

Since then, Thanksgiving has become my favorite national holiday.  No surprise there!  I love to eat, gather with family, nap through football games and watch advertisers attempt to commercialize a holiday meant to focus on giving thanks, not acquiring more.  And I always love to review the history of the Pilgrims and Plymouth Plantation.

COEXIST? Yes and No

 

It's a popular bumper sticker these days.  Spelled out with the symbols of a number of different - often conflicting - religions and groups, it sometimes seems like a desperate plea: "Can't all you folks just get along?!?"  Or maybe an authoritative command from someone who knows better than those conflicting adherents do?  It's hard to tell.

So can people from all these different faith commitments really coexist?  Should they?  I think the Gospel of Grace answers with both a "Yes" and a "No."

Beautiful, Art and the Gospel of Grace

Conservative Evangelicals like me are typically not known for their "artsy" orientation to life.  I'm thankful that the Gospel of Grace is setting me free from that.

Circles of Relationship

Years ago a pattern from the life of Jesus was pointed out to me.  My life and ministry have been shaped by it ever since.  It is key to our vision for community and care here at Christ Covenant.  It is based on three "circles of relationship" that can be seen in the life of Jesus.