The Turkey Conspiracy

Today my wife and I started a new Thanksgiving tradition. Being that our family is just getting started, we wanted to get those famous traditions going. You know, the ones our kids will talk about when they get older. Today’s wasn’t the most original, but was, in my opinion, a great one nonetheless.

We all know there’s so much to be thankful for. And it’s one thing to just say it, but it’s another to put a tangible, specific list together. Really think about some specific things you’re thankful for. It puts it in a whole new light. So my wife and I made a top ten list. I know a lot of people already do stuff like this, but it was our first time and it was most definitely fruitful and fulfilling. Here’s my top ten things I’m thankful for this year:

1. God, His grace, His provision, and direction in our lives

2. My amazing wife. She loves me so much and is always showing it. I love everything about her. She get’s more interesting, better looking, funnier, and cuter to me every day. I couldn’t do life without her.

3. My new baby boy. I’m already obssesed and in love with him.

4. The incredible house God gave us. 

5. My ministry, my team, my whole church family. They have literally been a second family to me. The people I work with every day are some of the biggest role models in my life.

6. Our silly animals. Our dog and cat bring so much life to our house.

7. Technology. Especially the iPhone. Just sayin’.

8. Art. The ability to express creativity and use it for God’s glory.

9. Music. What would life be without music and the ability to create it?

10. Last but not least, clean water to drink and good food to eat. We are so blessed where we live.

You know that new outlook on life you get when you go on a missions trip to some impoverished area of the world? Well, this is the miniature version of that. It’s a great thing to practice, and not just on Thanksgiving. We should be rejoicing always, just as 1 Thessalonians 5:16 commands.

That’s the verse Pastor Pedro preached on last night at our Calvary Kendall Thanksgiving service. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says:

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Perfect passage for today’s holiday. Oh, and that was out of the NLT, which I’ve been super into this year. But I think the key word in this passage, for our church, during this time, would be “circumstances.” There are tons in our church, and in plenty of other churches as well, that are in or are going through tough circumstances. I guess that’s also why my set list for the night worked so well.

For the set list, the theme leaned more towards deliverance than thanksgiving. At first, I was a bit nervous as to how this would turn out. I mean, I wasn’t sure if people were expecting to have a thanksgiving worship fest. If they were, they were going to be most likely disappointed and saddened by the theme of deliverance. Well, that wasn’t the case at all. The songs sung last night were just what the church needed to be singing during this season. Here’s the set:

Marvelous Light B/115
Desert Song D/108
Jesus You Are Worthy D/70
None But Jesus B/70 (acoustic)
You Never Let Go B/76
closer: Glorious C/108

In case you’re wondering, after each song I have the key it’s in and the tempo. And not only was the set great thematically, but it also had great flow. Notice how Desert Song and Jesus You Are Worthy are in the same key. The next two are in the same tempo, and the last two in the same key again. This made for smooth and easy transitions (which is something we’re currently working on).

But all in all, this has been a God-centered holiday season for us, and I pray and hope it continues to be. And I hope it is for you as well. Our desire this year is to not just let the holidays hurricane through our lives leaving us dazed and confused as always, but to look for ways we can be more Christ-centered and Christ-like in the way we celebrate.

So, yes, have fun gorging yourself with meat and pumpkin flavored things, but most of all, try to pause for a bit in the midst of the chaos, tell God you love Him, thank Him you’re alive, and ask Him how you can make this holiday season different. Different in a kingdom effecting sort of way. I think in doing so, you’ll be truly living in the moment, truly enjoying the holidays.