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Highlands Today

Real Meaning Of Thanksgiving Is Service To Others

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 16, 2008

Since graduating from college and starting a family my life has been filled with many experiences. I have been blessed with personal and professional accomplishments that many dream of, and I equally have experienced enough failures and heartache to last a lifetime. Through it all my spiritual maturity and relationship with my Father God have continued to grow experiencing the abundance of his Grace in good times and in bad.

Our country's political, financial, and social environment have become alarming. The collapsed U.S. housing market ushered in through poor fiscal policies and minimal lending oversight has led our country into a recession.

Our soldiers continue to sacrifice their lives as we funnel billions overseas in the war effort. At the same time our government has allocated $700 billion to bail out Wall Street financial institutions, insurance companies, and now the proposed automotive industry. All the while people across our country are hurting and searching for hope.

My parents and I are small business owners. We have recently struggled to keep our businesses afloat experiencing more months in the red than in the black. These tough economic times have forced the layoff of staff, reduced pay and benefits to employees, and as of late we have been forced to borrow money as well as reach into personal savings and retirement funds to keep the doors open.

Recently I was talking with my father about these harsh realities and we each confessed concern for our families, our worsening economy, and the aftermath left behind one of the most divisive elections ever seen. I have begun to worry about how I am going to provide for my family as a lack of customers have left us hanging at the end of a rope. No government lifelines are being thrown our way.

In the midst of my personal fear and anxiety God began to deal with me. I was being faced with questions that I did not want to answer. Is my faith only exhibited in good times? Is God's grace not always sufficient? Are my works for the benefit of God's kingdom or that of my own?

As I began looking over my shoulder I began to see many less fortunate people whose most basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter were not being met. Others are dealing with physical infirmities and death. Many have never experienced the true love of Jesus Christ. All of a sudden I began to realize how truly blessed my circumstances are. I was reminded that faith exhibited through the expression of love has the ability to move mountains.

At that moment I made a commitment that I was no longer going to be moved by my personal circumstances, nor that which the world is facing. Instead it was time for me to walk out my faith in God and join him in his work. Without faith it is impossible to please God. You see, I like many other Christians have been waiting for Heaven's rain to bring a quenching to the earth; when in reality we are God's rain which he wants to pour out for the harvest.

So in a spirit of Thanksgiving my family has chosen to make a difference this holiday season through an expression of Jesus Christ's true love. We are not going to spend any money to purchase gifts this year. Instead we are going to sow that money locally to support the efforts of Rev. Mike and Pat Karl at the New Testament Church and Mission.

For 32 years they have helped feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe those in need and provide some peace and comfort to the sick and dying. We will do this to the greatest extent that our resources will allow.

Also, on Saturday, Dec. 20, we will bless Rev. and Mrs. Karl, their staff and volunteers, and all of the hungry who frequent the mission daily by cooking and serving a barbecue dinner. We are also starting a drive to collect items such as underwear, socks, blankets, deodorant, tooth brushes, toothpaste and other essentials which will go to those in need the day of the barbecue.

God has poured this into my heart and I know these works are for his purpose. My family is committed to making a small difference this holiday season. I would like to offer an invitation for any church or individual that has a similar calling to join us. The more support this movement gains, whether it be through finances or labor, the more people's lives that can be touched.

Anyone wishing to join our effort can e-mail me at mikebrown@htn.net or call 443-4780. What a difference we could make together! May God receive all of the praise, honor, and glory.

Mike Brown lives in Sebring.

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