When Thanksgiving Day rolls around, we may be grateful for our houses, cars, and paychecks, but I’m guessing that few of us spend much time focusing on those things. Most of us recognize that true value is in the people God has brought into our lives. We know that people mean more than things, so we thank Him for our loved ones, our acquaintances—and perhaps even the strangers who cross our paths.
Some of us may thank God for gifts—not necessarily just the material kinds, but the spiritual gifts that allow us to share in a holy partnership with the Creator of the universe and to witness God’s work in humans made of dust. He allows us to participate in blessing others, looking after His creation, and glorifying Him. When He has accomplished something through us that we simply couldn’t have done apart from Him, we know He did it and we were privileged to be a part of the experience. We understand that we have joined God in a divine adventure.
As I read this month’s feature article by Dr. Henry Morris III, “Finding the Fullness of God,” I was reminded of the blessing of the Lord’s moment-by-moment presence. Dr. Morris says it this way: “We can come directly into the presence of the living God with confidence,” and “we have the opportunity to know ‘all the fullness of God.’” That’s something to be thankful for every single day!
Only God, the original Creator, is the source of life. 
Those of us who know the Lord can’t help but also be thankful for His promise of eternal life. In Brian Thomas’ article on the possibility of resurrecting extinct species, he notes that only God, the original Creator, is the source of life. “[Our] Creator left good news for those who like the idea of living forever. Anyone anywhere who believes—‘whoever desires’—can turn from sin and trust in the One who rose from the dead to forgive those offenses. Then in addition to forgiveness, ‘whoever believes in Him [shall] not perish but have everlasting life.’” Eternal life is indeed a gracious—and costly—gift.
And what is ICR thankful for at this time of year? We are thankful for you, our faithful readers and supporters. For the encouraging messages you send to let us know how God is using this ministry to build your faith and witness. For the creation advocates you are to your family and friends. And for the sacrificial gifts you offer that enable ICR to conduct scientific research from a biblical worldview.
With your help, we’ve raised $29 million toward the completion of the ICR Discovery Center for Science and Earth History. This facility will allow us to reach even more people with the creation message. In this issue, you’ll find the story of one man who is thankful for how God used creation ministry to uniquely touch his life. Douglas Ell says, “I am grateful to ICR and all who work to spread the truth of creation and the Bible. With their help, my journey has led me back to God.”
As believers and partners together in ministry, we have the privilege of impacting others by proclaiming creation truth. We get to see God work in and through us. We get to enjoy His presence here and look forward to seeing Him face to face in eternity. We could never recount every single way God has graciously blessed us, but during this time of Thanksgiving these gifts are a good place to start.
* Jayme Durant is Director of Communications at the Institute for Creation Research.
