Local Pastor Talks About Thanksgiving

As the holiday season approaches, and Americans express their gratitude by spending time with family, one local pastor points out that even in tough times, thankfulness is important.

"Thankfulness keeps you grounded in reality, that there is good in life in spite of the difficulties we face," says Mike McAvoy, Pastor of Open Arms Community Church.

McAvoy says that taking the time to be thankful helps adjust perspective, "Thankfulness is taking a big picture perspective on life, enjoying the good as well as accepting there will be bad, rather than being imprisoned to a little picture perspective that life is all bad because of your current situation."

As many are facing economic woes, personal and relational struggles, and a number of situations, he says it is important not to address those issues head on, without becoming a victim, "Thankfulness is not ignoring or pretending that you don't have problems, it's not allowing the pain of your problems rob you of the joy of all your blessings."

McAvoy also says that while it's good to be thankful, it's better to direct that thanks in the right direction, "Thankfulness reminds us that God is faithful and he is bigger, smarter, and stronger than whatever we face in life."

The Open Arms facebook page is encouraging the community to share sentiments of gratitude as a comment on their wall.

Open Arms Community Church is wrapping up their series entitled dotGov this Sunday, and next week will launch a series of holiday messages entitled, "Give: The Key to Greater Blessing" which addresses generosity.

For more information about Open Arms Community Church, visit http://www.openarmsbradford.org

Picture of the McAvoy family taken from Facebook, hoping they don't mind.

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