Hello Everyone, This is Chaplain Sung Kim. I am Deputy CMD CH in the 63d Readiness Division. I pray you are well.

It is that time of year when giving thanks is top of mind. The holiday season, and Christmas, Hanukkah and happy New Year in particular, causes us to think about all of the special things in our lives and express gratitude for them. This is a favorite time of year for many, in large part because we are surrounded by loved ones and visibly reminded of all that we have to be grateful for.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  

What is it that makes people content? It all depends on how you look at life. Contentment comes when you learn that this world can never satisfy you, but that satisfaction can be found in a relationship with God and your people. It is that relationship which provides us with meaning and security in this life.

In an article entitled "What Good Is a Tree?," an author in Reader’s Digest explained that when the roots of trees in a forest touch, there is a substance created which makes it possible for all of the trees to survive. A special fungus grows which helps link the roots of different trees—even of dissimilar species. A whole forest may be linked together in this way. If one tree has access to water, another to nutrients, and a third to sunlight, the trees have the means to share with one another. That is a picture of what we should be like as we experience our life together here on earth — mutual support and sharing.

Having an attitude of gratitude is an act of faith. It means you are unafraid to live and be happy because you have faith in a God who cares for you and provides for you. He is faithful and his promises are true. He never fails. And because you have a relationship with this wonderful God you have contentment, joy and a desire to pass on some of what God has blessed you with. To trust is to thank. It creates an attitude of gratitude.

Here are practical ways to express your gratitude:

  1. Wake up every day and express to yourself what you are grateful for.
  2. Tell whoever you are with right now the one thing that you are most grateful for in this moment.
  3. Start a gratitude journal - Express gratitude in this journal every night by noting the things that you are grateful for, proud of, and excited about.
  4. Acknowledge yourself for what you have done and accomplished in the last month and year.
  5. Acknowledge other people and thank them for inspiring, helping, supporting you.

Today’s Prayer: Faithful Father, thank you that you can satisfy my every desire and need. You satisfy the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things. Remind me that I lack nothing as your beloved child. Fill my heart with gratitude. Amen.

 

Have a blessed day! Blood and Fire!

Here is the direct email and phone number for anyone requesting support

From the 63d RD Chaplain office,

usarmy.usarc.63-rsc.list.chaplain-all-users@mail.mil

650-526-9668

 

Very Respectfully,

 

Sung N. Kim

LTC, Chaplain

Deputy Command CH

CH Personnel Manager

Office: 650-526-9214

Govt Mobile: 650-636-3393

Email: sung.n.kim.mil@mail.mil