Happy Black Friday!  I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday.  We have so much to be thankful for this year.  Let me just briefly share with you 10 things I am thankful for this year, in no particular order.

1. My wife.  I am thankful that when I am weak, she is strong.  When I am discouraged, she is there to encourage me.
2. Chick-fil-a.  Do I really need to explain this?
3. My mother.  The kindness and love she demonstrates to those around her is without equal.  She continues to show kindness even to those who are unkind to her.  She is a wonderful example to me.
4. My church.  Our church is not perfect – far from it!  Nonetheless, I am so thankful for our church.  I have been a member of FBC for over 20 years.  The men and women of FBC are such an encouragement and blessing to me.
5. My fountain pen.  There is nothing quite like writing with a fountain pen.
6. A debt-free church.  I hope I never lose my excitement over our church being debt free.  I am thankful for the sacrifice and vision of FBC to save and to live within our means.  There is such joy and freedom where there is no debt!
7. Evernote.  This truly has become my ‘digital brain.’  I use it almost every day and do not know what I would do without it.
8. Birds.  I have learned from Lee Dusing to enjoy going outside and watching the wide variety of birds that God has created.  I am thankful for the many beautiful places in Polk County where we can enjoy God’s creation.
9. My new office furniture.  Wow.  It is amazing.  I am so thankful for it.
10. For the friends and church members who went to Heaven in 2013.  Jeanne Campbell, Kent Sawders, Jean Ann Long, Karen Mulford, Marilyn Schwabauer, Jean Armstrong, Loren Ogborn, Richard Gregory,  Hester Hart, Christa Barber, Mary Madden, Pete Obgartel, Jack Simmers, George Durham, Al Sollenne, and many more.  I am thankful for their faithfulness to their God.

That’s all for today.  I hope you have a great today.  Remember, just because Thanksgiving is over, you do not have to stop being thankful.

Stephen

PS – The Deacons have asked me to include the following announcement in this week’s Window:

We are collecting a Love Offering for the staff of Faith Baptist Church over the next few Sundays.  This offering will used to provide each of the Pastors and staff a monetary gift this Christmas.  If you would like to participate, you can put a note on either your giving envelope or your check that says “Staff Gift.”  The gift will be presented before Christmas.