VICAR

Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust that You are well and enjoying the bank holiday weekend.

It is often not our default mode to be thankful. There are people complaining all the time. Without whining social media would be less successful, newspaper columns less interesting and the service sector would not be able to improve by reacting to complaints.

Still, it is important to show gratitude. As Christians We are reminded in the Bible to do just that:

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
EPHESIANS 5:18-20
… but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father.

Too often We forget to thank God for the food on our plate or for our comfortable surroundings, for the powerful cars that We drive around in and the wealth of clothes and jewellery that We store in huge cupboards and wardrobes. Compared to our fellow human beings across the world We are very well off. We live very well indeed.

Please give thanks in prayer for everything. Think about what You should feel grateful for this day, whether it is Your family, Your wealth, Your life or Your health.

Have a lovely week ahead and a peaceful Sunday. God Bless You All.

Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth. The heights of the hills and the birds are His also. Amen