Thanksgiving 2006

What a Thanksgiving day today was for me. I have lots to be grateful for no matter what else.

I got up to another significant "dump" of snow. As much of a pain snow can be to drive in and shovel, God sure blessed us with the beauty of these winter blankets dropped upon us. I went to Bible Study Fellowship at the Chinese Christian Church on Edmonton's South Side. Unfortunately, I missed my 7:51 a.m. bus, so I had to wait an hour to catch the next one. I hopped on the 150 to Northgate, then the 16 to Downtown, then the 81 to the South Side. It takes about and hour this way. Anyway, I had great drivers on the Edmonton Transit System (ETS) today. They drove conservatively and patiently and I was grateful as the traffic can be rough here.

So, I was at least able to catch the lecture portion of the study today, and as usual was not disappointed -- Romans is a great study. Today, we focused on Romans 6:1-11. Ah, so many reminders. A couple of things really struck me. Firstly, that it is important to remember that as a Christian, I died to sin. But that does not mean that sin died in me. Dying to sin as it was discussed today means that we are no longer slaves to sin. We no longer have to sin. Sin is no longer comfortable. So, I died to sin. I only died once to sin -- that's it. It is not a daily practice. Jesus Christ died for my sins, and upon my baptism with Christ, I died. He owns me and He won't let me go back to the old ways.

The daily practice / challenge is dying to self. Dying to my desires that aren't what God would have for me. Oh and there are plenty of those, I'm sure.

Anyway, it was great to see the ladies again. I climbed on the bus to go back home and the roads were significantly worse. But it was sure beautiful. So pristine and clean looking and the large pines look beautiful when iced with snow!

I got a bit of work done, then Gloria brought lasagna for dinner. It was very good -- we have another one for tomorrow! Woo Hoo!

My friend Simon came over and he, Adam & I watched much of Season II of "The Office". Oh my!

I talked with my family and that was fun, too!

A great Thanksgiving.