A famous English Bible scholar named Matthew Henry was once attacked by thieves and robbed of his purse. He wrote these words in his diary: "Let me be thankful. First, I was never robbed before. Second, although they took my purse, they didn't take my life. Third, although they took my all, it was not much. Fourth, let me be thankful because it was I who was robbed and not I who did the robbing." There is a great lesson in his words - no matter what difficulty with which we might be struggling, there is always a reason to be thankful.

The past few weeks have been trying times for our nation. The effects from what transpired September 11, 2001 and the days that followed have been far reaching. Young men and women from our community may be on foreign soil this holiday season - standing in the gap- willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for us that we may continue to enjoy the freedoms of the past. Young men and women who will not be eating Thanksgiving dinners with their families that you and I might be with ours. When I give thanks for the meal which we will enjoy Thanksgiving day I will also give thanks for these young men and women and the sacrifice they are making on our behalf.

In the weeks ahead, the thoughts of many will begin to focus upon another young man who sacrificed greatly for others. This young man was Jesus from the city of Nazareth. His sacrifice is even more significant because Jesus was more than man, He is the Christ, the anointed savior, deity manifested in the flesh. John tells us that the Word was God and was in the beginning with God and that this Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1-3,14). He, too, was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of others. His sacrifice was not for social or political freedoms but for spiritual freedoms - freedom from the bondage of sin (Revelation 1:5). How could one not express thankfulness to God for such a sacrifice?

Even during the most difficult of times there is plenty for which to be thankful. It is my prayer that each of you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving day and that you will be surrounded by friends and loved ones, but, most importantly, may you be surrounded by the love of our savior, Jesus Christ.