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


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Anchor House: Week 6 Buried Treasure

When I started at Anchor House I committed to write at least one blog per week. Writing is something I enjoy and a way I get to interact with God. I can recall wanting to write about Anchor House in the days before I started, but my knowledge was limited..  To be honest I felt like I knew three things before I joined Anchor House. First,  Anchor House was a mission at Port Manatee (the Seaport, not the jail) Second, I knew it was a mission that my church, Westside Christian Church, supported with our Show Love funds.  Third, I knew God was calling me to serve Him there. However, what happened at Anchor House day to day was something of a mystery to me.   After being here for a few weeks I have learned quite a bit. I know where to look to find out when ships are coming in or departing.  I have learned that I am just tall enough to hit my head where most seafarers don’t. I have learned that flexibility is the key to serving at a seaport. One of th...

Bold Like Stephen

I've always admired people who aren't afraid to be bold in their convictions.  It is the kind of boldness that allows them to stand out in the crowd. There is just something different about how these people view and engage the world around them.  The movie “Hacksaw Ridge” portrays a man that exemplifies what I mean by bold.  He was drafted to serve in World War II but refused to bear arms because of religious reasons. Yet, he still managed to receive the Congressional Medal of honor. Without a weapon in his hand, he saved 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite his objection to violence, he still served his country. Despite his objection to war he found a way to love his neighbor. He was bold.  When I think of bold in the Bible, I think of Stephen. Acts 6:8 says, "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Stephen faced opposition to his teachings. Those that opposed his teachings couldn't ...

Anchor House Week 10: I Love It

This past week was week 10 at Anchor House. When I run into friends who I used to work with at State College of Florida or friends I haven't seen in a while, the first question is, "How do you like it?" I typically reply, "I love it." This week I've been challenged about that answer. It just won't do. It is too generic of an answer to truly describe what I am experiencing. It's too simple to describe the blessing of God working through you. It is too plain to explain the feeling of knowing you are right where God has planned for you to be.  I always thought I had purpose in my career. I know we are to worship God through the work He has provided for us to do. At times, however, the work I previously did seemed mundane and lacking purpose. I felt like I could do God's work where I was, but I had this feeling as if there was something more.  A week or so ago I was with one of our partner churches sharing how God works through Anchor H...