Many of us were taught, from an early age, "our manners", which included saying "Please" when asking for something, and, especially, "Thank you" when we received it.

Sending a card or a letter expressing thanks is appropriate for gifts or kindnesses received on special occasions. Grandparents, particularly, are pleased to receive such notes or cards from their grandchildren.

Far better, though, is it for the one who has given the gift to see it in use, and to see the one who has received it showing obvious delight or satisfaction.

One may says "thanks" for a new shirt or tie, or a set of golf clubs, and send an eloquent note to the giver expressing gratitude and pleasure, but if the garment sits unworn in the closet month after month, or the golf clubs lie in their bag collecting dust in the garage, the gifts are essentially unused, and the giver may well think that the gifts are under-valued and unappreciated. A VCR capable of recording TV shows or a computer able to write CDs and play DVD movies are great gifts, but if the VCR never even displays the correct time and if the computer is used once a month to send an e-mail message or two, the capabilities of both machines lie largely unused, and the intention of the giver to bring pleasure to the recipient goes mostly unrealised.

God has given us many wonderful gifts. Rather than confining our "thanks" to a brief "note" in a prayer of thanksgiving -- even once a week at worship or once a day in family or private devotion -- what about giving God the joy of seeing our delight and satisfaction in His gifts?

The first of God’s many great gifts is the gift of life itself. Rather than simply saying "thanks", let us consider how we can give God the greatest delight by using the gift of life as He designed it. Let us resolve to live life to the fullest extent, using all the faculties given us to discover and explore the world which he has made for our enjoyment.

The greatest of God’s gifts is the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. That God should adopt back into his own family guilty, rebellious sinners is a miracle, made possible only because God has a heart of love and Jesus was willing to give up His life for us. If we truly accept and and appreciate this miracle, we will be moved to show our gratitude by offering all our powers in joyful service, seeking to share God’s love with others.

As we approach the season of harvest Thanksgiving, let us pause and examine what kind of thanks is being conveyed to others by the way in which we are living.

Paul, in thinking of the Christians at Thessalonica, asks, "How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?" (I Thessalonians 3: 9, NIV)

"Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ His Son."

Thankfully, and eager to find ways to show it,

Your pastor,

James T. Hurd.