Are You Sober This Morning?

Are You Sober This Morning?

1 Thessalonians 5:18

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In all things give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. Oakey Mountain is a place of many personalities. People have come and gone and mostly stayed. It is a place where people come and find a home. A place where they just don’t fit in any where else. Among these many personalities is our oldest member of the Church, Mrs. Annabelle Dean. Annabelle is now 87 years old and that’s how many years she has been coming to Oakey. Always a joyous smile on her face and always laughing. I remember one Sunday morning as I was greeting the people before service, she stepped up on the porch and asked me a life changing question, “Preacher, you sober this morning?”. I stood there for a minute not knowing what to say. If I said yes, that meant there were times when I wasn’t. If I said no, well, you know what that meant. I know that it was all a joke and Miss Annabelle was going on with me, but it made me think about myself. Am I really sober? Or do I live in some fantasy world? The sobering thoughts of life came back to me this morning as I was studying God’s wonderful Words. I came across a prayer written by Cindi McMenamin that set me back for a moment. A prayer that we all need to read and think about every word. Our Scripture today tells us that we need to be thankful at all times, whether they be good or bad. It is easy for us to be thankful when everything is at it’s best, but it is a sobering thought to be thankful for the bad. In all things God works for our good. We may not realize it at the time, but He is a Master at transforming trash into treasure. I hope and pray that these simple words from man will open a insight to a new world of “sobering” thoughts. God bless you all, thanks for reading and have a great day. Love you lots……Pastor Brion
Thank you, God, for this food we are about to eat. And thank You for Your many blessings on us this past year...the ones we've seen, as well as the ones we haven't seen.
Thank you, God for the times You have said "no." They have helped us depend on You so much more.
Thank you, God, for unanswered prayer. It reminds us that You know what's best for us, even when our opinion differs.
Thank You for the things you have withheld. You have protected us from what we may never realize.
Thank You, God, for the doors You have closed. They have prevented us from going where You would rather not have us go.
Thank you, Lord, for the physical pain You've allowed in our lives. It has helped us more closely relate to Your sufferings on our behalf.
Thank you, Lord, for the alone times in our lives. Those times have forced us to lean in closer to You.
Thank you, God, for the uncertainties we've experienced. They have deepened our trust in You.
Thank You, Lord, for the times You came through for us when we didn't even know we needed a rescue.
Thank You, Lord, for the losses we have experienced. They have been a reminder that You are our greatest gain.
Thank You, God, for the tears we have shed. They have kept our hearts soft and moldable.
Thank You, God, for the times we haven't been able to control our circumstances. They have reminded us that You are sovereign and on the throne.
Thank You, God, for Your ability to take what we consider 'tragedy' and turn it into a treasure.
Thank You, God, for those You have called home to be with You. Their absence from this earth reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on heaven.
The last one really got me….Peace to you all………Pastor Brion
　
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