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Good afternoon everyone!\u00a0 I cannot believe how fast the summertime is going!\u00a0 I enjoy all of the seasons here in Pittsburgh, but I seem to want the summer to last a little longer.\u00a0 Probably the reason the summer is going by for me so quickly is because I was so busy in June.\u00a0 During that month I attended the United Methodist Annual Conference for Western PA, I served at my church\u2019s VBS, and I helped lead 28 adults and high schoolers on a mission trip to Beverly Kentucky.\u00a0 That shot June. I hope July will slow down a little although it is already almost half over!\u00a0 I do not regret my schedule in June.\u00a0 Each of those opportunities gave me the opportunity to serve others.\u00a0 I am truly grateful for those experiences.\u00a0 Those experiences were unique, and I have enjoyed telling others around me the stories that happened at each of those events.\u00a0\u00a0 The stories that I have been able to share have been meaningful for me and seemed to impact those that I shared it with.\u00a0 During each conversation I was able to share my gratitude for what the Holy Spirit brought into my life.\u00a0 I love telling the stories from our youth mission trip.\u00a0 These stories mention the transformation of our kids during the week, learning more about their faith, learning self-confidence, forming new friendships, impacting the residents that we served.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We need to find opportunities that we can share with others our journey and what we are grateful for.\u00a0 By focusing on these positive stories, by showing gratitude we can respond to grace.\u00a0 This will do several things.\u00a0 1. We can push aside the negativity that others around us want to focus on, and 2. By demonstrating gratitude we can actually make ourselves healthier!\u00a0 Many medical studies show the dozens of positive health benefits that happen in our body when we have an attitude of gratitude!\u00a0 Isn\u2019t it amazing that by following the New Testament examples we can live a happier and healthier life!\u00a0 This is on purpose; it is not an accident! Show your gratitude for what God has done for you, share your story with others, and listen to their stories.\u00a0 This sharing brings the people of God closer together and becomes a magnet for those that don\u2019t know Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God has done and is doing something unique in your life. Has God answered a prayer, provided help, or blessed you?\u00a0 Share it. Ask God for opportunities to share your faith in Christ by words and deeds.\u00a0 Although my June was busy, God gave me so many wonderful opportunities to be able to share stories for months to come!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.\u201d So he went all through the town proclaiming the<\/em><\/strong> great things Jesus had done for him. <\/em><\/strong>(Luke 8: 39)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/em>Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.\u201d <\/em><\/strong>(Psalm 107: 2)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/em>But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me<\/em><\/strong> everywhere \u2013 in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.\u201d <\/em><\/strong>(Acts 1: 8)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ideas for Action: <\/strong>At the start of each morning this week, think about one thing you\u2019re grateful to God for from the previous 24<\/p>\n\n\n\n hours. Got it? Now share it with someone else in the course of today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n