I was encouraged in the sermon yesterday by Aubrey McGowan to “be diligent in filling up your well with hope.” This week of Advent reminds us that enduring hope only comes through Jesus.
The Monday after Thanksgiving is a tough day to get back into rhythm, so we need to pay attention to our emotions to remain in hope. Move slow and steady, and focus on Jesus the best way you can. Better days are ahead!
In this digital revolution, it is still exciting to see an article you wrote in the paper. I am honored the Hendersonville Standard included my Thanksgiving message in Wednesday’s edition. The irony for this post, the article is not posted on line, yet. :-). But, I put it in this blog for those who want to read on a holiday. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
This year may be the most significant Thanksgiving you have ever experienced. Like many observers of culture, I have been alarmed how the original intent of the Thanksgiving holiday has digressed in recent decades. The consumerism of Black Friday has demanded fathers, grandmothers, teenagers, and all types of people work retail on Thanksgiving night. Movie theatres debuted holiday blockbusters that packed theatres. Sports continue to fill up television each hour of the holiday. While I admit that I have participated in these activities and enjoyed the freedom to do so, too much of these indulgences felt untrue to the holiday’s purpose.
Thanksgiving holiday originated out of terrible pain. The Pilgrims left England on August 5, 1620. After one ship malfunctioned and others changed their mind, 102 Pilgrims crowded on one ship, the Mayflower. After several delays in England, they had seven weeks of difficult sailing. November 9, 1620, they first spotted land, which is now Cape Cod. The exploration crew found abandoned corn (even though they had never eaten corn before). This corn would sustain them that first winter. God had providentially provided this corn to help the Pilgrims survive. Still, it was a brutal winter. When the worst was over, 47 had died, almost half the original number. Our American Thanksgiving is a story of survival, provision, destiny, loss, grace and miracles.
From that group of pilgrims, the American Experiment’s genesis began, and we are still benefiting from this ideal today. Over the decades, the prosperity of our nation gave options for travel, entertainment, and leisure. This pursuit of happiness is a way of life we enjoy and indulge in on Thanksgiving. Then, 2020 occurred.
Thanksgiving is different this year than any in recent memory. Theatres are closed, retail stores are pick-up only, and sports stadiums have vastly empty spaces – if any fans are allowed at all. Who would have imagined we would consider mitigation protocols when planning a family dinner?
Amidst our current national challenge, this is an appropriate time to give thanks to God. Being thankful does not mean your life is ideal. You may have experienced an unexpected loss this year. You may have altered holiday plans that have left you feeling discouraged and disappointed. Still, we do not give thanks to circumstances; we give thanks to someone. We give thanks to our God, who gives us the strength to endure any grief or trial. We thank our friends and family who stand with us on tough days to get us to better days. Remember the Pilgrims and reflect on God’s plan for your life. This may be a hard Thanksgiving in 2020, but a heart of gratitude will point us to better days.
Dr. Aaron Allison
CIL Church (Hendersonville)
This Saturday (November 21) is CIL’s annual Thanksgiving Blessing! We will give out fresh turkeys and sides to cook while supplies last.
NEW LOCATION. This year’s event is on the CIL CHURCH CAMPUS for a drive-thru distribution. The free giveaway starts at 9 AM.
Spread the word!
I recognize discouragement is not far from any of us. When that shadow starts to lurk, try to take a step into the light of something life-giving. Often a nudge in a different direction can keep us from sliding into the murk of discouragement. These are tough days, but the goodness of God is still all around us. We will see Him when we look for Him. And on the darkest days, remember that you will laugh again.
Many of you are aware the spread of COVID 19 has increased locally. In response to this, Sumner County Schools has decided to return our students to a hybrid schedule. We believe it is important to support our local schools and families in their efforts to minimize the spread of this virus. We want our students to return to a traditional schedule as quickly as possible, which can only be done by taking steps to reduce the spread.
That being said, we will not be meeting Wednesday, November 18th, for our youth service. Additionally, we do not have youth service November 25th because it is Thanksgiving week. We will resume service on December 2nd while reevaluating along with the school board.
We will miss gathering for these next couple of weeks, but we are acting toward, and praying for, the safety of our students and their families.
With respect and appreciation,
Pastor Aaron Allison
Pastor Josh Sakis
| Todd Hunter is a respected and proven voice in the American church. I have met Todd, and we have some mutual friends. Be blessed by his carefully written call to a Christian perspective during our current political crisis. __________________________________ Dear Friends, We voted separately—in little, individual booths. This is one of the great political gifts of a democratic republic. Without fear of reprisal, with no one looking over our shoulder, we get to speak our mind regarding who we wish to lead us. This was a stress-filled election cycle, and we’re experiencing additional anxiety as we wait for the election results. In the days to come, we must learn to live together. This is true if your candidate appears to be winning or losing. It is true if the election results bring you relief and joy, or anxiety and depression. This morning, the path to unity is not obvious. Many Americans, fearing our fractures are too deep, no longer believe it is possible for us to jell or mesh together. That same scenario is now, sorrowfully, playing out in the Church. If the terms for unity are set by the leaders and maneuverings of political parties, there is little hope. But we have another place to look for optimism, for a rationale and practices for the human flourishing implicit in social unity. That place is in the person of Jesus and the kingdom movement he fomented. Jesus said of himself: I am gentle and humble in heart (Mt. 11:29). Paul picks up on Christlikeness as the way of being for his followers: In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others (Phil. 2:3,4). Jesus further said: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27,28). Paul says of himself: I am not seeking my own good but the good of many…(1 Cor. 10:33). James encourages us to humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord (James 4:10). Peter urges us to be clothed with humility (1 Peter 5:5). These bits of scripture represent the relational vision and social ethic of the New Testament. It is rarely attempted. But we, participants in the Jesus-movement, are called to live into it. There are opportunities to do so every day in our families, churches and communities. Let’s start today, regardless of continued election uncertainty. Maybe our modest obedience can create a snowball effect that catches up into it all the people and events of our lives. May we live our lives for the sake of others, and especially for the most vulnerable—those whose agency wanes or is challenged, and who therefore need someone to labor, humbly and selflessly, for their good. Grace and peace,  Bishop Todd Hunter |
Aaron's Angle 