O Give Thanks! For I Just Want To Thank You SIR!
By Delanda S. Johnson
Special to the News
“O Give thanks unto the LORD, for HE is good; for HIS mercy endureth forever.” Psalm107: 1
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, this statement should be the basis of your lives year around.
At Allen Chapel AME Church in Athens, Texas on Sunday, November 18, this was the morning message extended to all by Rev. Mary Miller.
Rev. Miller was excited about being at Allen Chapel following a weeklong meeting held by Presiding Prelate Rt. Rev. Gregory Ingram in Dallas.
Bishop Ingram’s planning meeting was the final stage of appointments to all Pastors until next year 2008.
As the morning service opened with songs of praise and worship, everyone was happy to have their Pastor back. Sis. Marva Jo Barker stated, “ It was a long road, for you see we could have been welcoming a new Pastor, but I’m pleased to announce that we have our Pastor Rev. Mary Miller back with us. You just don’t know all that she has been through, but I tell each of you, we are pleased that she is back with us. We love Rev. Miller.”
As the choir sang, you could feel the presence of the Lord throughout the sanctuary.
Rev. Miller stated to the congregation the GOD is faithful forever.
Miller wanted to let each of her members know that no matter how long or want the problem is Jesus is faithful and will be with you at your time of need.
“No matter what is going on in your life, if you are without a job, friends have turned their backs on you, etc., you will live again,” said Miller.
If you look at the woman in the bible with the issue of blood, she was a woman with a problem for twelve long years. However, she never let that get to her, for she knew that if she could just touch the hem of HIS garment, she would be made whole. Miller wanted her congregation to know that this is the way it is today. No matter how you have to way, Jesus is a problem solver.
“We must turn our eyes to Jesus which cometh your help. We must be like that woman with the issue of blood, have that healing power experience. This in turn was a “I Thank You Sir” experience,” said Miller.
Miller asked the question, “When was the last time you have had a “I Thank You Sir” experience?” We may feel that all is lost, you have no where to turn, forgiveness is not at hand, but have a “I Thank You Sir” experience and know your trust and faith comes from the LORD.
“When you look back over your life and your good days out weigh your bad days, all you can to is just say “I Thank You Sir,” said Miller.
This is the Thanksgiving season, so we must count your blessings one by one and say “I Thank You Sir.” This poses another question, “What should the redeemed do?”
Miller stated, “that the redeemed need to sacrifice to the Lord.” We must be about God’s business, doing the things that God wants us to do. We should enter HIS gates with Thanksgiving and know that this is the day that the Lord had made and rejoice in it. Have an attitude of “I Thank You Sir.”
“Can’t nobody do you like Jesus, that’s why you need to have an “I Thank You Sir” experience,” said Miller.
(NOTE: Following Bishop Ingram’s planning meeting, Johnson Chapel AME Church in Malakoff was left in the care of Presiding Elder James Ford until they receive a new Pastor. Ex-Pastor Cynthia Cole was moved to Metropolitan AME Church in Dallas. Cole was assigned to Johnson Chapel in 2005, which also made her the first female Pastor.).