Pastor’s November Message
Dear Friends and Family of Hilton Baptist Church,
G.K. Chesterton was a philosopher and an intellectual defender of the Christian faith. He once said, “When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”
You may have never heard of G.K. Chesterton, but I am guessing you know a man by the name of Willie Nelson. have no knowledge of the faith that Mr. Nelson has but he stated, “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”
November is one of my favorite months. One reason for this is that November reminds me to consider all that I am thankful for. I certainly realize this should be a year-round practice, but November (for me) brings my blessings into greater clarity and focus. I think both G.K. Chesterton and Willie Nelson gave us much wisdom in regards to having a thankful heart.
With that in mind, let me share with you some things about HBC that I am thankful for. These are not in any order of importance.
- I am thankful for Dawn Allen. She works hard, is thorough and does more than most people know. It’s nice having her just on the other side of my wall.
- I am thankful for those who have renovated the church offices. Especially Dave and Dan Lloyd who sacrificed much time and commitment toward this project.
- I am thankful for those who participated in my recent “Beatitudes” study. Their participation and reflections challenged me to give greater consideration to my faith and how to apply it in my own life.
- I am thankful for all who continue to financially support the church, her staff and her ministries. Without blood, our physical bodies would not survive. In a similar way your financial commitment is the blood in the body of our church.
- I am thankful to every ministry department of HBC and those who chair them. Each department faces their own challenges, but you continue to press on and find a way to make it work.
- I am thankful to those who are nervous about trying something new, but they do it anyway. Their faith encourages them to take a risk and their heart moves them to step bravely into the unknown. • I am thankful for encouraging words given at just the right moment.
- I am thankful for children who keep me on my toes every Sunday during the children’s moment and for the one person who always tells me a funny joke after every service.
- I am thankful for all those who “work behind the scenes” to keep the church functioning and to serve our Lord.
The challenge with making a list such as this is that once it is started, one begins to see there are many more items or people that can and should be added.
Let me simply say I am grateful for all who are committed to serving and supporting the church as each of us play and important and unique part in the body of Christ called Hilton Baptist Church.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Dan
Categories: Pastors Message