Thanksgiving Reflections

I wrote the following thoughts on motives to be thankful as an article for our upcoming church newsletter, the Views.  If you're a member of FBCLS and see it here first before reading it there next week, consider yourself ahead of the game and an overachiever.

As 2015 rushes forward towards its conclusion, I'd like to take this opportunity in the spirit of Thanksgiving to express my gratitude for many things that I count as blessings from God.  I'm grateful for both my immediate family and my church family here at FBCLS.  I count it a high privilege to be able to serve among you.  I'm thankful for countless hours that volunteers have invested this year in many different ministry settings--teaching God's word; caring for children; providing lunches this summer at two apartment complexes; reaching out to Lee's Summit via Downtown Days, Oktoberfest, and Trunk or Treat; and serving the poor, hungry, and ill in Guatemala to highlight just a few areas of service.  I'm grateful for the generosity of our members that make all of these ministries possible.  I'm thankful too for new folks that the Lord has led to join our fellowship this year and for the gifts and talents they bring.  Finally, I'm extremely grateful to serve alongside a wonderful church staff. I am blessed.

A Memorable Night

This photo was taken in the bottom of the 14th inning of the opening game of the 2015 World Series.  I had the awesome opportunity to attend this series opener with my son Jonathan and we were treated to an epic battle between the Royals and the Mets.  Eric Hosmer hit a sacrifice fly during this at bat to score Alcides Escobar from 3rd.  It was an incredible moment to conclude a game that lasted more than 5 hours.  Very few fans left as the picture can attest.

Unless you've been living on a remote island in the Pacific the past couple of weeks, you know that the Royals went on to win the series 4-1.  These comeback, cardiac kids never gave up, even when trailing in 7 of the postseason games and often very late in those contests.  The city celebrated in grand fashion yesterday with a parade and rally at the Liberty Memorial/Union Station.  An estimated 800,000 people turned out to cheer our hometown heroes and did so in an incredibly orderly fashion.

Those of us who closely followed the Royals all season will undoubtedly be experiencing withdrawal symptoms from baseball until next spring, but for now, we get to bask in the glory of a world championship during this off-season.  Well done, guys!