{"id":1666,"date":"2016-11-24T12:05:57","date_gmt":"2016-11-24T11:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/jcstoker\/?p=1666"},"modified":"2016-11-24T12:05:57","modified_gmt":"2016-11-24T11:05:57","slug":"giving-thanks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/jcstoker\/2016\/11\/24\/giving-thanks\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving Thanks"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the United States it is Thanksgiving Day. \u00a0In Cameroon we have just ended the season of Thanksgiving in the church. \u00a0On Sunday we will show our thanks to our pastor with a special offering.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Our<\/a>

Our pastor and his young son listening while his wife leads the choir.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Indeed Jeff and I find we have much to be thankful for this year. \u00a0But what about those in places filled with fear and fighting, loss of life and pain? \u00a0Can they find reason for thanks in the midst of life that is not filled with family, food and fellowship? \u00a0Would I be able to give thanks if I was in their place?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Since I am not living that hard life I look to those who are – and despite the pain I have seen many give thanks despite their hardship. \u00a0I recall scenes of worship by those living without many “essentials” in the Democratic Republic of Congo. \u00a0I have been the recipient of their food and care as have moved among them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"luyada-and-other-church-people\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This year we will celebrate God’s goodness to us in Cameroon, even while there is pain and fighting in other parts of this country. \u00a0I will be thankful for the good health that I have been given while I remember in prayer those who fight illness and hardship. \u00a0I will remember that all I have has come from the hand of God and it is by His hand we are sustained.<\/p>\n

May your heart be filled with thanksgiving this year wherever you are.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Report This Post<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the United States it is Thanksgiving Day. \u00a0In Cameroon we have just ended the season of Thanksgiving in the church. \u00a0On Sunday we will show our thanks to our pastor with a special offering.     Indeed Jeff and … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":100,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1666","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nGiving Thanks - Stoker Stories<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/jcstoker\/2016\/11\/24\/giving-thanks\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Giving Thanks - 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