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<v SPEAKER_00>This week's devotional is practicing gratitude.

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<v SPEAKER_00>As always, these devotionals are meant to just uh encourage you through our Bible reading plan.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's not an invitation to do more, it's an invitation to do what matters most.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This week, one of the scriptures that we're lifting up comes from Psalm 100.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And it says, Enter God's gates with thanksgiving.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I think there's much that we have to be thankful for, but I think sometimes life can knock us down.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And we have a hard time saying out loud, I'm thankful that I have breath today.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I'm thankful that I have what I have, the relationships, the possessions, the relationship of my creator.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In our home, as parents, my wife and I aren't perfect at all.

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<v SPEAKER_00>By the way, you don't become a perfect parent by becoming a pastor.

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<v SPEAKER_00>If anything, it's maybe a little harder.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But in our home, we do have some practices.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And I call them practices because they require some discipline.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's something that we had to make a regular practice.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I didn't grow up having dinner around a table with my family.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Maybe many of you did.

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<v SPEAKER_00>My wife did.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And it was something that was important to her in our home.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And if I'm honest, it took a while for me to accept that rhythm.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And then once I did, I just realized the immense benefit from sitting around a table with the ones that you love the most, looking them in their eyes and hearing about their day.

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<v SPEAKER_00>One of the practices that we started last year, we would always pray and have what we would call our highs and lows, or what's taking joy from you, what's giving you joy.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But we changed this about a year ago.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And now every time we gather, we go around the table, and everybody lifts up something they're thankful for today.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You can't copy the person that went before you, and you can't say the same thing every day.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's been life-giving to see through my kids' eyes the things that they're thankful for, to be encouraged as a parent that they understand thankfulness, to listen to my wife, and I hope for them to listen to me, share those things that we give thanks to God for.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's a great practice, and it's also a form of prayer and worship.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Being thankful, being a thankful people is something that's very important to Pastor Ryan and I, and we believe should be very important to this congregation.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We have much to be thankful for here at Resurrection.

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<v SPEAKER_00>New members, baptisms, it seems like every week, new ministries sprouting up.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And we want the community of Racine to know about these things.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So, Church, I'm encouraging you, in what way can you be thankful?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Can you share the good news of Jesus Christ in your life or the ways that God has blessed you so that you can be a blessing to others?

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<v SPEAKER_00>I encourage you this week to sit down and just offer a prayer of thanks to God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Even if you're in the midst of a trial, even if you're in the midst of a low season or a valley, because remember the valley of the shadow of death has a shadow because the light has not been erased and you are not alone.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And that's a reason to be thankful.

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<v SPEAKER_00>As always, we're praying for you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Love and peace.