Skip to main content

Anchor House Week 11- Filled with Gratitude

On the Friday of my eleventh week, I found myself filled with gratitude.  

Thankful for West Bradenton Baptist Church for allowing us to use their fellowship hall.  

Thankful for Max with Sir Speedy who went above and beyond to fill my order.  

Thankful for Trish and Pam’s flawless control of the check in and check out process at the banquet.  

Thankful for Del Monte and the numerous pineapple we were able to share with our Anchor House family. 

Thankful for my wife Julie and her vision for the baskets and help putting together a concept for centerpieces.  

Thankful for Dotty and Helen for helping to set tablecloths, decorating tables, making punch, and creating a great environment. 

Thankful for Tim’s comedy and the word God put on Mark's heart. 

Thankful for the volunteers who serve in the center and/or driving the van (Michael, Dennis, Keith, Nancy, Pam, Bernie, Pam, Ron, Jan, Anita, Matthew, Calli, Dotty, and Sam), the Anchor House Board (Ron, Troy, Helen, Keith, Bill, and Eric), the numerous saints who sew ditty bags and knit watchcaps, and the hundreds who donate items so we can build our ditty bags. 

Thankful for the sponsors - SeaPort Manatee, Friends of Anchor House, Ash Grove, Carver Maritime Manatee, and Federal Marine Terminals

Thankful for everyone who bought a table, paid for a ticket, or invited friends. 

Thankful for all who said "yes" when an invitation was extended.

Thankful for the generosity of the countless silent auction donors.

Thankful for the competitiveness and generosity of all of the silent auction bidders.

Thankful for the seafarers, truck drivers, longshoreman, stevedores, port employees, dock workers, security officers, and port community whom we get to serve. 

Most of all, THANKFUL for a God who promises to provide (Matt 6:25-34), a God who is faithful (Heb 10:23), a God who loves each of us (Rom 5:8), a God who bring us together with different abilities to serve Him and His people (1 Cor 12:12-31), a God who is the one true God and provides each of us salvation through His son Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2:5).

Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Right In Front of Me

There is one character in the story of the night of Jesus' arrest that sticks out. He seems insignificant to what is happening. He’s almost an interruption in the story. He is only mentioned by name in one of the four gospels, even though the description of what occurred is in all four gospels.  Malchus is his name. He works for the people who want Jesus dead. His job, with his compadres, is to seize Jesus and bring him back to the high priest. There he would be subject to questioning, a trial of sorts.  As Malchus and his posse are approaching, Peter takes action to protect Jesus. “With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear” (Matthew 26:51). Jesus immediately tells Peter and the rest of his disciples to stop with the violence.  I wonder what Malchus thought at this point. I imagine his was in shock, I would guess he was surprised. He had just been attacked and surely is bleeding ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Glow Differently

I saw this quote recently, “You glow differently when your confidence is fueled by belief in yourself instead of validation from others.” I found myself wrestling with it. I completely agree with the concept that the validation of my worth is not established by the thoughts of others. While I think a positive self image is important, I do not think that it is what really makes me “glow differently.” I hope I glow differently because of whom I believe in, rather than what I believe of myself.  The author of Titus says, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7) . Love and kindness entered the world in the form of a m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Grits

This past Saturday I got the chance to catch up with my friend at breakfast. We connected months ago over grits, of all things. I learned he really didn't care for grits. Turns out his parents used to make him eat them quite often and in many forms. As he has grown older he's made the conscious decision, he's had enough grits for a lifetime. On the other hand, I really enjoy grits. They are a wonderful breakfast food with butter, salt, and pepper. For dinner, you can't beat some good shrimp and grits. I have a recipe for jambalaya grits that will put a smile on anyone's face. It is like jambalaya meets cheese grits. Yum! My friend and I joke about grits everytime we see each other. I offer him some and he politely refuses. Of course, I respect his wishes and don't give him any grits. How do you offer someone grits? Do you insist they eat and like them because you eat them? Do you put them on their plate anyway? Do you treat them differently bec...
Post a Comment
Read more