EDMOND—Philadelphia Church of God members have more to be thankful for than most. As the American national holiday of Thanksgiving approaches, many have shared the blessings that they are thankful for. Many said they were thankful for their calling, for revelation, and for other blessings all Church members share in common. Others added more specific blessings that they have experienced over the past year.
Heading into the Thanksgiving season, several members said that this year’s Feast of Tabernacles was a blessing that was on their minds. Illinois member Jesse Frederick said, “I am thankful specifically this year for the opportunity to have spent great travel and road-trip time with my wife and three boys. We were able to drive to North Dakota this summer (to visit some of our physical and spiritual family), and to Florida for the Feast this year (to visit some of our spiritual family).” Frederick said that the trip educated his sons in geography, topography, culture and history as his eldest kept a journal noting lakes in Minnesota, wind turbines in Iowa, the Appalachian Mountains and other notable sites. He said that the experience helped bind the family more tightly together.
Matt Hawks, a member from South Carolina, said he was thankful for the opportunity for his family to travel long distances for the Feast to meet brethren from around the world. He and his wife and children “had the tremendous blessing of going to the Philippines,” he said. “It is a true testament to the Church of God and a great faith builder to see that no matter how many miles, oceans and continents separate us, that we truly are a family and of like mind!”
Texas member Bob Grenchik said that during the Feast this year at headquarters, Pastor General Gerald Flurry said that Edmond was the best place to keep the Feast. He recalled Mr. Flurry saying something similar a few years ago, “sounding like a proud papa. It was wonderful,” Grenchik said, I couldn’t agree more. The fellowship in God’s House is like in the stratosphere.” He went on to say that the recorded special featuring Herbert W. Armstrong’s prayer rock and youth musicians “brought a childhood memory that hung on my wall growing up. It was a picture with Psalm 100 and children playing instruments all around. I was planning to send a picture of it to Mr. Flurry personally thanking him for any part he had in that special music video.”
In addition to mentioning spiritual blessings, some members said that unique blessings from God that they have experienced recently have been miraculous financial open doors. “A couple of months ago, I found out that my entire department at work was being outsourced,” said New Jersey member Nate Barkei. “I prepared myself to be jobless when I returned from the Feast this year. Instead I was the only employee retained by the new company that took over, and currently sit in the same office as I did before, with a significant pay increase. This year I am overwhelmingly thankful to God for his promises to provide and the ability to support my family and the Work”.
“It’s incredible what God will do for us when we put total faith in Him,” said Ohio member Ryan Adams. “Late last year, I prayed for a job that would push and challenge me. I wanted a job that would make me grow.” His new job has been exactly that, he said. “As soon I walked in the door late last year my new employer has thought very highly of me, viewing things in me that I didn’t see myself,” a blessing that he said it’s hard to place a value on the favor the new boss has shown him, going out of his way to remove unclean meats from company events and showing him other kindness. The new position has brought a sizeable increase not only in pay but also in work-life balance. “I’m home with my family more and we can afford activities/lessons for our children that we otherwise couldn’t,” he said. “Before this job I thought I would only find a job that would pay enough to support my family and not sacrifice time with them and I would never exceed that level. Now I see that was limiting God and He can provide situations we would never dream possible.”
Larry Graham, a local church elder in North Carolina, said that a recent blessing that has surfaced for him revolves around his business. Since he is self-employed, he said, income is uncertain since the flow of projects can slow down or sometimes speed up and be hard to manage; both situations cause a great deal of stress. Events in 2017 have made me realize to a much greater degree that it is God who is in control of our lives;” he said. “He knows what we need even before we ask. It has been a great blessing to learn to more directly depend on God to fight my battles, and that relaxed faith has been a great comfort and a welcome blessing.”
Illinois youth Reagan Anderson said one of the blessings he’s thankful for this year is the opportunity for his family to share the special meal by hosting extended family that he, his siblings and his parents have not seen for years. “It’s going to make this Thanksgiving Day extra special,” he said.
Teri Bailey, a member in Virginia said that one of the blessings she has been thinking about lately also has to do with food; healthy food. “I am thankful that easy access to organic foods and grass-fed meat has become available in the area that I live in,” she said, adding that she was developing food allergies, educated herself, asked God to bless her efforts, and then found healthier alternatives available in her community and through vendors online.
California member Kofi Appiah experienced a different kind of health blessing. “About a week before the Feast, I injured my left arm,” he said. “I couldn’t raise it above my shoulder.” The inury might have torn ligaments, he said. “At the same time I pulled a muscle in my back that made it difficult to move without pain. Even sleeping was tough.I requested an anointed cloth. By the time the Feast arrived, I had full mobility, with only a slight soreness in the back, which now is completely gone.”
North Carolina member Kelly Graham said that in 2015 health problems began to prevent her from being able to work in her career field. “This year I’m especially thankful for renewed good health,” she said. “God made it possible through his promise of healing and leading me to better eating habits so that I am now healthy enough to work and support His Work.”
Marc Szabo, a member in Connecticut, said one blessing he’s been grateful for recently is KPCG.fm radio. “I can listen for just an hour or so in the morning, while I’m at work, and I am up to date on all the pertinent news, in relation to prophecy, that is going on in the world and it cuts through all the nonsense that is so pervasive in the media,” he said. In that context, he added, “I’m very thankful for my family: I’m very blessed to have a God-centered family that I could share and discuss news of the day and how it is advancing prophecy.
Ministerial trainee Abraham Blondeau, who moved from Edmond to Ohio said that this year he has been especially thankful for God’s guidance. “Many people in this world make big decisions without ever realizing that there is an Almighty God to help us make the right choice,” he said. “This year involved a lot of change and decisions; moving to a different state, first year of marriage, and changing job responsibilities, and so I am very grateful for God’s guidance. It was not mistake free, but it is of great comfort to know that we can ask God for help and He will provide it. I am also more grateful for God’s government, and for the wisdom of God’s ministry in counsel.”
Texas member Jeffrey Miller said, “I am most grateful for three things this year: First, the additional responsibility with work, family, and the congregation because it has forced me to depend on God more. Second, the choices God affords my family and me: We able to choose where we want to live, what we want to eat, and where we want to go. This may seem simple, but I know it is easy to take for granted in this declining society. Lastly, I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue and complete my doctorate this year. It was truly a dream and the fact that God allowed it and even helped me through it was a huge blessing.”
South African member Bernard Wakelin has been especially thinking about spiritual family. “If we were to look for the top blessing that we are thankful for this year, it is the love and prayers of the brethren for us during what has been a very
difficult year indeed,” he said, saying that the encouragement of the brethren has boosted the spirits of himself and his wife.
“I think the thing I’m most thankful for this year is being able to develop some friendships with people I never really knew before,” said Edmond member David Brandon. “Feels like God’s been trying to teach me more about the importance of having solid friends you can count on for advice and iron sharpening iron.”
Texas member David Block said, “I am especially thankful for my spiritual family: God’s Church.” He said that his wife of 34 years and two of his three sons have turned their backs, but God has given me brothers and sisters who stand by me, help me when I need help, overlook my shortcomings, and encourage me to carry on and grow.” He added, “God has also blessed me with a very specific fulfillment of the deep desire of my heart. I have no natural grandchildren of my own, but this year, at the Feast in England, and again in Jerusalem immediately thereafter, God blessed me with the love and affection of a beautiful bevy of children, some of whom wanted to refer to me as their ‘grandfather in Texas.’ Our heavenly Father created family not only to teach us about His master plan, but to share with us even now the most precious possession any person can have: a whole and loving Family led by God the Father. That’s a lot for which to be thankful!”