Bob Dannals, in his daily eDevotions (see the link at http://www.donaldfishburne.net/partners/ ) encourages us to encourage others as we give thanks to God.

As I give thanks, I see the French word coeur. The heart in Scripture is the seat of will and courage as well as love and affection. May we pray for the brave heart of France these days, and for the people and ministries of our American Cathedral in Paris, including the Dean and her preaching of God’s mercy, justice and hope.

And as I give thanks for God’s gift of creation, and for life and love and family and friends, I am mindful of people and ministries who give me strength in a troubled world. They include:

Rob Voyle of The Appreciative Way Rob teaches me how to find and put to use those things that are life-giving.

Scott Stoner and Living Compass Ministries that help me in a journey into wholeness, wellness and wellbeing.

The Rev. Austin Rios and the people of Saint Paul's Within the Walls, Rome and their ministries, including refugee ministries, and for The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe .

Cynthia Cannon of The Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes in this country and beyond which continues to grow as a resource to all congregations including new expressions of “being church.”

Bob Leopold of Southside Abbey Chattanooga and Robert Hartmans ofProject CanterburyChattanooga and other emerging ministries.

John Runkle and the team at Saint Mary's Sewanee: The Ayres Center for Spiritual Development , a place of refreshment apart from our busy world.

My dear friend Persis Laverack and all the people of The (Episcopal) Church of the Redeemer, Sorrento, Maine, and for the year-round care of the people of that summer worshipping community.

All the lay people, together with the present and former seminarians and clergy with whom I was privileged to serve at St. Paul's Chattanooga and in other parishes, now including St. John's, Downtown Tallahassee.

Bob Dannals reminded me last week in writing of the abundance of a pecan tree of such trees in my childhood – now a metaphor in my adulthood for the wild, free abundance of God’s gifts of love to us – including the gifts shared so freely by the people I name here, and countless others.

I give thanks for the sunrise over the water, and for the dawning of the love of Jesus each day.

May we give thanks for the abundance of the fruit of God’s love in us and through us, and in the lives of those who love us more and more into Christ’s Kingdom. And may we be faithful stewards of the riches of God’s grace and great bounty as we anticipate the advent of even greater things than these.

God’s blessings upon you and those you love and serve.

* Paul (Silas/Silvanus and Timothy) to the Church of the Thessalonians (I, 3:9).