Lately I have found myself doing a lot of reflecting. And as I have reflected, I have reviewed the things in my life for which I am most thankful. First on the list, is my family —my immediate family, my extended family, and those who have kinda just been absorbed into our family, though not related by blood. Second on my list is Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church! I am so thankful for this church and those who are part of its loving community.

This church has been here for over 100 years and has been a faithful witness to the love of Christ in the community of Charlotte. The reason this church has been so faithful is because, as a church, we have taken seriously the command of Jesus to "Follow Him" (i.e. put into practice his teachings and faith) and then to encourage others to become followers. Lawrence Avenue has taken seriously the understanding that the church exists to serve God and the world.

Sometimes we forget that and think that the church is "all about us." We fall into the trap of thinking that the church exists only to meet our needs and serve us, but that isn't quite what Jesus had in mind. He called his disciples to "follow," not "sit and absorb". Jesus sincerely wants us to actively "practice" what he preached and do what he calls us to do as well.

Scott W. Alexander, in his book Salted with Fire, points out the dangers of being a "self-serving" congregation, when he writes: "The congregation that primarily looks inward for the discovery of meaning; wholeness and service, and spirituality (and does not move out beyond its walls to visibly, live its faith in the wider community) will not experience growth and depth....An inward-looking church that does not encourage its ministers and laity to take their faith to the streets in service to others, is a church that cannot grow in numbers, responsibility, or depth." In other words, if the world doesn't see the difference our faith makes in our lives, they will never be attracted to it.

I am thankful that LAUMC takes seriously its mission to really live the faith, and not just give lip-service to it! I rejoice whenever I see the love we share in the name of Christ, to all of those in the community, not just our church friends and family!

I rejoice when I see this church practice the Golden Rule of, "Do unto others as we would have them do unto us!", i.e. treat people the way you would like them to treat you!

In this season of thanksgiving, let us give thanks for the ways in which we can live our faith and show Christ's love, and in so doing, give thanks for the love of God, which caused him to send his son to show us The Way.