Happy Thanksgiving Week! In this episode, we talk about Angela's pet turkeys and their latest adventures, Black Friday shopping, all the ways we are getting holly and jolly, plus a few Christmas gift ideas you will love. Then we transition into a sweet conversation about gratitude from both a mental health standpoint and also a biblical perspective. We hope and pray this episode encourages you and makes you smile because we sure are thankful for each of you!

Connect with Renee Hall, our new facebook friend who created the elephant ornaments

Upon Waking by Jackie Hill Perry - an awesome new devotional! Short but powerful!

Tony Evans Bible Commentary - this is the one Sarah Roberts recommended & we love it!

In case you missed our conversation with Sarah Roberts on Episode 128, click here to listen

"You cannot lead people to Christ if you are not following Christ." Sarah Roberts

"If we want to be effective followers of Christ who then lead people to Christ, we have to make an effort, and that will only come by spending time with the Lord." Fran Thomas

Gratitude: the quality of being thankful

Philippians 2:14 in The Message: Do everything readily and cheerfully - no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society.

In scripture, the Greek word "χάριτι" "phi-ti" refers to the quality of showing appreciation and returning kindness

Once you realize that God is working in your life, you'll show gratefulness in how you live.

The Bible mentions the word "gratitude" (χάριτι and other variations in Greek) 157 times. It does not appear as frequently as "fear not" (which is said 365 times), but it appears more than "thanks" or "thanksgiving" (mentioned 72 times).

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

If you want to learn more about Union University, check out the website www.uu.edu or email Fran at [email protected] - we also have a fee waiver fee if you plan to apply! Simply use the word TALK on the application.

Proverbs 16:24: "Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."

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