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Polite Manners, Hallmark Cards, and Weapons

Alive Youth Church Weekly


Happy Thanksgiving week AYC!!


There is no better way to start this out than by saying…

I am so thankful for you. YOU. Not what you do, the things you accomplish or events you attend, for what you can say, be, or whatever else. I am truly thankful for YOU.

Let’s be a little more thankful for each other. Cause let’s just be honest here, we are all pretty cool.


AYC has been such a blessing the last few weeks. Students meeting Jesus, some for the first time. Tons of new faces showing up, real problems getting addressed, small groups flourishing, Jesus present through it all, fun had, food eaten, laughs laughed. Oh what a good time to be apart of Alive Youth Church. 

REMINDER: Enjoy your holiday week. No AYC Sunday November 31st! But told you worry, we are so back the following Sunday! Don’t miss it. 


As you go into the big week, here is what scripture says, and a few thoughts to go along with it.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Read that one more time. Take a closer look at the words Paul chooses. 

What’s wild is that Paul doesn’t say give thanks for ALL circumstances, he says IN them.

That means you don’t need a perfect family gathering, flawless conversations, or a drama-free dinner table to be grateful.

You’re not thankful because everything is good.

Don’t let your thankfulness rely on anything other than God. Cause everything else other than God will let you down. 

You’re thankful because God is good, and God is in everything.


Gratitude:

Gratitude isn’t just polite manners.

It’s not a warm feeling or a Hallmark card.

It’s a weapon.


When you choose thankfulness, you are:

  • Pushing back against anxiety.
  • Fighting the lie that you don’t have enough.
  • Declaring that God is active in your life right now.
  • Choosing joy even when you don’t feel it. 

Philippians 4:6–7 says it this way:

“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… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”


Your thanksgiving brings God’s peace, even when nothing around the table is peaceful.


Give yourself a few minutes to think. 

Clear distractions.

Ask yourself this:

What are you intentionally inviting into your life this week?

I understand the circumstances that often come with Thanksgiving. Some things truly are out of our control. But how we respond, and more importantly how we prepare our hearts is completely in our control. 


Choose gratitude. Invite in a thankful heart and mind.

And then watch as things go wrong around you, your response is better, you continue to love, you don’t lash out in anger, and your peace is untouched; provided and protected by Jesus. 

A grateful heart changes how we see things, changes our temperament, and most importantly, better displays the person of Jesus. 

Take Jesus with you this week. I’ll see you soon. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out. 

-Isaac Fehlen
Youth Pastor

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