Friends: Thankfulness isn’t something we owe, it is a gift that buoys our soul. Happy Thanksgiving! - Bob

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Spirituality Column #993

November 25, 2025

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

Spirit of Thanks

By Bob Walters

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” – Philippians 1:3

Twenty-four years ago last week, I, at age 47, was baptized into the Spirit of God through Jesus Christ in the water at East 91^st Street Christian Church in the Castleton area of northeast Indianapolis, Indiana.

My great mentor, minister Russ Blowers, who passed November 10, 2007, once told me in a random conversation, probably over lunch at the old King Chef restaurant near the church, about not saying, “I baptize you …” when performing baptisms. His view was that people don’t baptize people; the Holy Spirit baptizes people.

Very thoughtful, and I wonder how many hundreds or thousands of baptisms Russ either performed or inspired in his 56-year ministry. And while he performed the baptisms of both my sons, John in 2004 and then Eric in 2005, he didn’t perform my baptism. That was Dave Faust, then senior minister at E91, who on Sunday evening, November 18, 2001, after the last session of his four-week “Walking with Christ” class, put out the invitation.  I stood up with two others, and off to the baptistry we went.

I don’t remember anything Dave said in the baptism; I only remember him pulling me out of the water and my profound, smiling peace knowing something new was in my life.  I wrote Dave a thank-you email the next day, and have sent a thank you letter / faith inventory to him every November 18^th since: 24 years, 25 total letters, infinite thanks.  Here’s a lightly edited piece of the letter I sent to Dave last week:

“Dave … your spirit, ministry, and presence have been precious in so many lives.  My own gratitude for the direction you’ve guided in me I know is not merely a memory; it is and always will be at the core of my Christian being.

“If I need to explain that, I’m well aware you are not Jesus, but you reflect and inveigh the Spirit, and give a good name to the saints of this earth. I know my thoughts and appreciation for you are shared by many, many others. … I know a person can only be thanked so much before it gets embarrassing, but the true Kingdom gift isn’t for you to know you are appreciated; it is the appreciation we are privileged to bestow. Thankfulness is a great gift to pour onto others; it buoys our own souls.

“That leads me to a doctrinal comment about the value of gratefulness, obedience, loving others, loving our enemies, perseverance in trial, humility in abundance, courage amid dread, and confidence while overcoming doubts. These, and many other actions and thoughts, are too often seen primarily as that which pleases God.  Follow the Ten Commandments! Go to church! Help your neighbor! Read the Bible! Tithe!

“Yet as we imagine we do these or other things to please God, God is already as good as He can get. Exhibiting our Christian character indeed honors God, but these varied obediences are actually gifts that God bestows on us; the source of our joy.

“I am not bribing or impressing God with my good works; my works are the happy outpouring of purpose and of knowing the truth of a loving God.  We don’t impress God; we imitate Him.  We imitate Jesus. We imitate the Spirit. 

“I do not recall ending a day at Mission Christian Academy hoping I had somehow impressed God with my teaching.  I end every day grateful for God sharing these kids with me and praying that they learn something about truth and love and faithfulness.

There is joy in those efforts, and thankfulness for a God who provides the opportunity. I have no idea whether I am a good and faithful servant, but life is brightened by the opportunity to try.”

Walters (rlwcom@aol,com) violates no confidences; Dave has mentioned Bob’s letters in various open church settings over the years. ’Tis the season of thankfulness; remember the Spirit this week. Btw, I met my wife Pam at Russ’s funeral.