Christians, it is that season of the year when you can expect your pastor to ask your congregation, “What are you thankful for?” The question ignites your organic search engine to launch a scan of your recent history for any events or circumstances that rise to the level of thanks-worthiness. Pastors always hope that the question will open a floodgate of thanksgiving, and sometimes it does. When it doesn’t, we resort to coaxing, restating the question again and again into the uncomfortable silence. Of course, we pastors could break the silence with our own expressions of thanks.
Sometimes we focus on what we don’t have, or situations we aren’t in, and we lose sight of what we do have and where we are. I know I have a lot to be thankful for – at all times – even when I’m wrapped up in the day-to-day busy-ness of life. I gathered these versus to remind me of what true thanksgiving is and what my gratitude should be focused on. I hope you enjoy them during this time that we take a break from our routines and focus on being thankful for all of our many blessings – or as we set out to purposefully be a blessing to others.
Books By the Bay, Northwest Florida’s outdoor book festival, is seeking authors, poets, editors, graphic designers, cover artists, illustrators, agents, literary professionals, and new and used book vendors to participate in its 2025 festival.
Lulu Gribbin, a 15-year-old shark attack survivor, came back to the Emerald Coast to meet some of the people who helped save her life this past June.
Okaloosa MedFlight’s emergency air medical crew was reunited with their former patient on Nov. 21 in Niceville. Gribbin has defied the odds with her remarkable recovery after she lost her right leg and left hand in the shark attack off Walton County.
The University of West Florida women’s soccer team has advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division II tournament after beating Nova Southeastern 2-1 on Sunday.
The Gulf Breeze Zoo is excited to announce the birth of not one, not two but three baby giraffes just in time for the holidays.
Park Director Cassidy Mazzone, along with Animal Care Staff, had been anticipating the births for the past 15 months which is the typical gestation period for giraffes. On Oct. 22 Artemis gave birth to a female calf named Arrow. The other two quickly followed with Sophia giving birth to a male calf named Salem on Oct. 25 and on Oct. 27 Kaliape, a female calf, was born to Kelly.
Dogs are known as “man’s best friend.” While the saying regards how an owner feels about their own dog, there are a group of dogs who extend that friendship to complete strangers.
