Giving thanks can be hard for us to do. Fortunately we have in the Psalms some beautiful encouragement and reminders of what giving thanks to God is really all about.

In Psalm 3 we hear David cry out as a desperate father over the brokenness that exists between himself and his son. Fortunately he knows who to cry to, a Heavenly Father who hears and answer the cries of his people with shouts of deliverance and rescue!

Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!

The LORD rescues them when they are in trouble.

The Psalms are filled with some of the highest highs and lowest lows of life in which we hear many of our own emotions and feelings be brought to light. In Psalm 30 King David responds to a tragedy of his leadership with words of sorrow and reliance on the faithfulness of God who can transform even the saddest part of our lives into a dance.

Thinking about the nature of God especially the Trinity can be quite confusing! Yet the way God feels about us and what he has done for us is clear thanks to the person and work of Jesus Christ!

The buildings, programs, and people may change but the church of Jesus Christ mission does not change! The same Holy Spirit that was poured out on the apostles is that same Spirit that continues to be given to the church today to carry out the same mission! The church are those who have been joyfully sent by Jesus to continue his work with confidence that the best is yet to come!

On Mother's Day we remember there are no perfect moms and only one perfect child. The key ingredient of love is found in forgiveness. And no one shows forgiveness quite like Jesus does as he teaches and as he shows that love especially at the cross.

What incredibly great news it is to know that Jesus has chosen us! As the Confirmation Class of 2018 shares their faith as the beloved, chosen children of God we are reminded that as we live in the love of Jesus we have the awesome opportunity to share that love with others.

God is Love! What an incredible reality that when it comes to love God at his essence is love! This love is deeper than any feeling or emotion but is an event of history shown in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! When by faith we live in that kind of love it naturally overflows to the people around us therefore if we want to improve the way we love it is all about abiding in Christ Jesus!

When by faith we realize the depth of the love that God has for us in Christ Jesus, we realize the change our identity has gone through to become a child of God which then changes the way that we love other people. You are a beloved child of God in spite of everything you have done and not because of anything you have done!