Pastor Dewey Note: We are so very blessed to have this post from Diana Navarre, the wife of Pastor Leonard Navarre of Lubbock, Texas. Diana and Leonard have been such wonderful friends and mentors over the past several years. I am so thankful for the time they served our Lord in New Mexico at Valley View Christian Church in Edgewood. What a timely post as we approach Thanksgiving Day! Amen! But, everyday should be Thanksgiving Day!
Give Thanks
By Diana Navarre
Ever had a time when you gave of yourself to someone and they failed to thank you? Or you gave someone something very meaningful and never received a thank you? It happens to all of us and/or we all are guilty of lack of thankfulness.
Recently when it happened to me, it made the rest of my day really stink. I kept dwelling on it and thinking how I was not appreciated and I was taken for granted.
Then I realized that I do that to God almost every day. I fail to thank Him for the million things He gives me every day. And it is not just neglect on my part but actually disobedience. God has asked us to
“Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught, and always be thankful.” Colossians 2:7 (NCV)
And… “give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NCV)
God doesn’t have a bad day when I am not thankful, He doesn’t look down at me and wish I was like someone else that does give thanks. He just continues to love me and then He leads me to realize how much better my life would be if I were continually thankful… to Him, for all that He does and gives me every day, and also to others who give to me and love me when I don’t deserve it. Thankfulness changes me. It is not for God. It is not for those that I thank. But, God knows that it changes me. It makes me more aware of what I have and all those who help me every day to have what I could never have completely on my own.
“Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (NCV)
And thankfulness activates peacefulness in my life, the peace and contentment that can only come from trusting God for everything and everyone in my life. When I am thankful I am acknowledging the one or ones that have contributed to my life. I am acknowledging that I would have nothing without God…He is the source of everything that comes to me, even those things that I don’t see as the best – He has allowed then for a reason.
And we certainly aren’t thankful just to get more, but, are you much more willing to give to others when they acknowledge your gift to them?
We know it pleases God for we are thankful to Him because He is always pleased with our obedience.
I hope it doesn’t take you a whole day or more, like it did me, to realize what God wants. As we stay connected to Him and His Word, we KNOW what He wants and He takes down the blinders that we have put up because of our own pride. Our pride makes us only think of ourselves and the thanks we think we deserve. But, God’s Spirit makes us aware of the thanks that ONLY HE deserves for every blessing in our lives and even the ways that we can bless others. He deserves all the THANKS and ALL THE PRAISE.
Thanking HIM and giving HIM praise,
Diana Navarre
Leonard Navarre
love people, help meet their needs and show them Jesus
Last night Valley View Christian Church in Edgewood, NM held its 5th annual “Heroes Appreciation Dinner” Jen Burns of Valley View tells me 186 guests were served! What a wonderful event to honor these men and women and their families. The food was so very awesome! Turkey, Jen’s famous dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and dessert!
I got to meet many of my friends last night at Valley View. Pictured above to the right is my Dear Friend Jerry Fisher of Edgewood who served in Vietnam and on the left is my new friend Andy Anderson of McIntosh who also served our Country in Vietnam. 
My long time Friend Chuck Ring is pictured here, listening to one of Jerry’s war stories. Chuck served in the Marines. Chuck also serves at Valley View as a volunteer and is a Town Council member. Chuck also served New Mexico as a State Police Officer. What a servant! I tell you, Jerry, Andy and Chuck had some great stories to tell that belong in a book!
I have a deep appreciation for the Vietnam War Veterans, as they were not welcomed home, they were spit upon, beat upon, just plain hate. I am thankful that has changed in our Country over the last several years, where now America as a whole, treats our Vietnam Vets with deep respect. My best friend Roger Carey of Windom, Minnesota, my hometown, was killed in the Vietnam War.
I am very concerned about the hate being put forth in America at this time toward our Police Officers. One Officer told me last night, it is very hard for him to encourage a young person to become an Officer, because of the danger.
We all should be very concerned about that!
This is why the Heroes Appreciation Dinner at Valley View last night had extra meaning.
What kind future are we paving for our Military, law Enforcement, Firefighters, EMS???
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
My take away from last night is…….Live a life that counts for God.
Take time today to think about how you are living your life.
Thanks to all the folks at Valley View Christian Church for being a shining light for Jesus!
Thanks to all the volunteers who put on the dinner! God Bless you all!
I pray that more Churches hold a “Heroes Appreciation Dinner”
