November, 2004 Here's My Heart... REFLECTION! It means "to think back", "to remember what has happened before". During this time of year, as we approach Thanksgiving Day, it is good to "reflect", and I have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful to serve a God Who loves me unconditionally. I am thankful He sent His Son to die for my sin and give me a home in heaven. I am thankful He called me to preach His precious Word. And, I am thankful He brought Anita and me to this church. I am thankful for a loving wife, a "lady" in every sense of the word, who gently corrects me when I am wrong, and who loves me in spite of my flaws. I am thankful for her love for Jesus and her boldness in sharing that love with others. I am thankful for our three sons, our daughters-in-law, and seven precious, loving children who know me as "Papaw". I am thankful that they share their love with me unconditionally, and that their hugs are not for anything in return, but only because of who I am. I am thankful for my heritage, that I was carried to church, taught the Bible, and influenced by Godly people. And I am thankful that when I "veered off course", they didn't disown me, or reject me. They just loved me more. It seems the older I get, the more I "reflect". Will this Thanksgiving be any different from those in my recent past? In many ways, probably not. But, Anita and I do have two new "blessings" to be thankful for this year, "blessings" we didn't have a year ago. So, "Welcome to your first Thanksgiving, Katherine McKenna, and welcome to this big world, Emma Alexandra. We are happy you are here!" "Papaw, I love you!" Yep, I sure like the sound of those words! From the Clayton family to your family....Happy Thanksgiving! And, during this time, go ahead and do some "reflecting". It will do your heart good. Jim Clayton, Senior Pastor