Thanks Giving and Living

 

"It's not what we say

about our blessings,

but how we use them,

that is the true measure

of our thanksgiving.”

~ W.T. Purkiser

 

 

“Give thanks not just on

Thanksgiving Day, but every day

of your life. Appreciate and

never take for granted all

that you have.”

~ Catherine Pulsifer

 

 

“BE KIND,

BE THOUGHTFUL,

BE GENUINE,

BUT MOST OF ALL,

BE THANKFUL.”

~ Toby Mac

 

 

“Gratitude is awesome to carry

but can really be contagious

when it’s communicated.

Let’s not just savor our thanks…

let’s also express it.”

~ Unknown

 

 

“The more

thankful we are,

the more

blessings we see.”

~ Mary Davis

 

 

“Thanksgiving is a

spiritual exercise

necessary to the building

of a healthy soul.”

~ Elisabeth Elliot

 

 

“When we realize we aren’t

entitled to anything, we become

grateful for everything.”

~ John Cena

 

 

“May our lives and the words we speak

and the work we do for him [G0d]

be a living expression of our gratitude

for all he has done for us.

Let’s say our thanks in prayer

and live our thankfulness in practice.”

~ Kirk Lewis

 

 

Especially during these days, may our gratitude be expressed in words and deeds.

 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

 

More Than Just a Game

On Saturday, November 8, 2025, #8 ranked Brigham Young Cougars and #9 Texas Tech Red Raiders competed in a football game in Lubbock, Texas.  The matchup was chosen to be featured on College GameDay. Although the hype was big for the game, there were two other events that highlighted fans at their best.

In 2019, BYU started “Cougs Care.” For every away football game, they support a non-profit in the city hosting the game. Last week, both BYU and Texas Tech joined together to support Literacy Lubbock, which teaches people to read and offers classes and tutoring. Andy Reid played football for Brigham Young University and Patrick Mahomes was quarterback for Texas Tech. Before the rival game, they made a commercial to encourage fans to join with Texas Tech fans in bringing new or gently used books to the game to donate to Literacy Lubbock. More than 6,350 books have been donated.

 

Although it is usually considered “hate the other school week,” something happened to change the focus of the rivalry. Ivan Ortiz is the team barber for the Red Raiders. A few weeks ago, his wife, Maddie, was critically injured in a drunk driver accident.  She has serious injuries and a long road to recovery. Being with his wife in ICU and taking care of their three-year-old son, Ivan was not able to work for a few weeks. To help with mounting bills, a GoFundMe page, “Help Support Maddie’s Road to Recovery,” was set up to raise $25,000. On Tuesday of game week, Devin Payne, a BYU fan, shared about the fundraiser with Cougar Nation and asked the Brigham Young fans to participate. After his invitation, the fund jumped significantly overnight! ESPN analyst, Kirk Herbstreit, who was in Lubbock to call the game, gave $5,000. An anonymous donor matched the $5,ooo. In honor of BYU’s 1984 national championship team, Travis Kimball, co-founder of Quick Quack Car Wash donated $1984. As of Friday, with both teams’ fans contributing, $192,431 has been raised! Ivan has been overwhelmed with the response. He commented, “God is good. I’m lost for words, seeing how far our story has touched others during this difficult time. We’re not prepared for trauma, nor do we know how to handle the situation. I appreciate everyone for the continued prayers and helping us during this time.” Joey McGuire, Texas Tech head coach, along with other Tech fans, have also expressed thanks to the generosity, compassion, and thoughtfulness of the Brigham Young and Texas Tech fans.

 

One fan summed it up, “We talk a lot in sports about rivalries, competition, and passion. But every now and then, a moment like this reminds us that the heart of sports isn’t just about who wins or loses on Saturday. It’s about community. It’s about showing up for each other, even – and especially – when the jersey colors don’t match. BYU fans didn’t just support a family in need. They reminded us all what the spirit of college football can be at its best.”

 

Whatever sport, event, or activity, may we also find ways to help, encourage, and bless others.                  

 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 

Caring Responses

The highly competitive Texas State UIL State Marching Contest Championships were held November 3-5, in San Antonio, at the Alamodome. At 2:30 pm, on the way to the competition, Vandergrift’s equipment trailer was involved in an accident with a train. There was significant damage to the contents. Within five hours, the band was on the field to warm up, due to the generosity and support from several programs who donated equipment, electronics, and instruments.

Mr. Fisher was a 7th grade math teacher. He was known for being funny, strict, and always fair. Before he passed away, Mr. Fisher asked that there be no flowers or cards at his funeral. Instead, he requested that people bring school supplies for the students who couldn’t afford them. At his service, the aisles were lined with full backpacks to be given to those who needed them. On his tombstone it states:

                        MR. FISHER

                        BE KIND. IT COUNTS

                        MORE THAN NUMBERS.

Even though it has been several years since his passing, every September former students, teachers, and people who have heard about the request take school supplies to leave at Mr. Fisher’s grave. One student commented, “Standing here, I realize one thing: Mr. Fisher is still teaching us. Only now, the lesson is kindness.”  

 

Morgan McClain is a cheerleader for the Indianapolis Colts. At a recent game, she noticed Mark Braster III, an 8-year-old deaf fan. Morgan knelt down and began communicating with Mark in American Sign Language (ASL).        

 

On his 59^th birthday, Bob Blackley, of North Carolina, stood at an intersection holding up a sign that read:

                        I HAVE A JOB

                        I HAVE A HOME

                        COULD YOU USE

                        AN EXTRA $5.00?

Bob has done this for the past three years, on his birthday, and has given out over $2,000.

 

May our responses show that we also care. 

 

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12 

Doing Something

Lydia, 78, lives across the street from one of the city bus stops. It’s the stop with a broken bench and no walls or covering to block the rain, snow, wind, or hot sun. Most days, Lydia sits by the window, drinks her hot tea, and watches the people as they wait for the bus. With the first snow coming early, she noticed a young man blowing on his hands and rubbing them together to try to keep warm. Lydia thought about that scene all day long. That evening she went to her stash of yarn and knitted a pair of gloves. Early the next morning she left the gloves on the bench with a note that said, “If your hands are cold, these are for you. No need to return them.” By that afternoon they were gone. The next day another pair was left. Soon Lydia was also knitting scarves and hats to leave on the bench. One day she noticed a student leaving a pair of socks. The delivery driver left two new pairs of gloves. Another person left a thermos of coffee, with disposable cups beside it. Notes soon appeared on the bench.

“Stay warm, friend.”

“You matter.”

“Take what you need. Leave what you can.”

 

The city even replaced the broken bench. Lydia continued to knit, even when her hands were sore, reminding herself she was part of something bigger than herself. She noted the lesson she learned: “You don’t need to change the whole world to make a difference. You just need to warm one person’s hands, one heart, one moment. Because kindness – like a thread – travels further than you’ll ever see.”

 

While Asunka Kumara was attending a veteran’s funeral in Texas, it began to rain. He noticed a uniformed soldier standing at attention in the downpour. Immediately, 14-year-old Moises Sauceda stepped over to the soldier and respectfully held an umbrella over his head. Tears and drops from the rain were running down Moises’ face.  When asked why he did it, Moises commented, “It reminded me of my dad. I needed to do something.” Kumara reflected, “And he did – showing all of us what quiet, genuine respect truly looks like.”

 

Every day, may we also choose to do something to benefit and encourage others.

 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 1:22