Thanksgiving is just a great holiday. Retail is trying like mad to make it as insignificant as possible, but Thanksgiving is still a great holiday.
It is about food, fun, conversation, family, and friends. No gifts. No big music tied to the holiday. Just joy.
Stop.
Pause.
Breathe.
Take a nap.
Enjoy the conversation.
And give thanks. Our God is great. All we have needed his hand has provided. Great is his faithfulness.
Happy Thanksgiving.
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;– for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;– for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;– and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;– to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed) G. Washington
I cannot resist posting this again!
This has been one amazing year. I have faced financial ruin, watched things go to the very brink of disaster in many ways, yet I find myself more thankful this year than ever. The presence of Jesus is real. In the midst of turmoil I have found his steady hand. In the midst of darkness I have held close to him. This has been a year of growing faith. It’s not a time to give up.
For what I am truly grateful for this year, please read my post from earlier this week on “Carl and Ellie.”
I am thankful for the nation in which I live. While it is obvious I have deep concerns about the issues, I remain grateful for our nation. More than that, I remain grateful for the Church. Back in 2001, after 9/11, I felt the Lord was going to teach the Church in America how to truly be the Church. We have not learned that lesson very well. The days ahead will teach us more lessons. Yet, we will find our way as the TRUE body of Christ. We need this time to understand who we truly are in Christ. For that, I am grateful.
Giving thanks on this day… and truly every day… Many Blessings!
Thanksgiving
I couldn’t resist putting this yummy link somewhere!
Also, fitting for this week is an annual reflection I like to do. Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation is a good piece for reflection in our country and in our lives as believers.
This is a year where thankful reflection is needed. The economy stinks, the world is in upheaval, and there are a myriad of reasons to think about anything OTHER than Thanksgiving. I happen to think this is the BEST time to think about Thanksgiving.
I am so grateful to God for my family. Joshua is heading off to college in a couple of months and I am so incredibly proud of him. Josiah and Jared are doing well, they love God and I am so proud of what they do day in and day out. Terri is home a little more and I am so thankful for 20 years of marriage. Her love and patience are monumental!
This is a year where I find myself still on a journey. What started out as a year where I thought I was headed in one direction for a “career” has ended with me back mostly full time at my church. The lesson is wonderful: Just do what you love. Watch God take care of the rest.
I am grateful for my church. This fall has been incredible. Our Wednesday night programs are doing extremely well, we are seeing families touched, and our worship services are powerful. The people of Columbia Heights Assembly of God are the best. I am blessed.
So, if my 401k is now so small it could be called a 201k, and if the economy is in the tank, and if my guy didn’t win the election…so what? I am blessed! I know in whom I believe and am fully persuaded he is able!
The Abundance of Obedience
I am beginning to study some OT passages on offerings to the Lord. This is a preparation I am going through for Thanksgiving. One thing is so clear through the laws of God: OBEDIENCE WILL LEAD TO ABUNDANCE.
When God’s people were living in obedience EVERYONE had provision. Those who owned land would have good crops. They could then offer the firstfruits to the priest, which provided for the priests since they had no land. The corners of the fields would be left so the poor could harvest. EVERYONE had provision.
When we are living in obedience there are certain Kingdom principles in operation and we should sense the incredible provision of God.
The Abundance of Obedience
I am beginning to study some OT passages on offerings to the Lord. This is a preparation I am going through for Thanksgiving. One thing is so clear through the laws of God: OBEDIENCE WILL LEAD TO ABUNDANCE.
When God’s people were living in obedience EVERYONE had provision. Those who owned land would have good crops. They could then offer the firstfruits to the priest, which provided for the priests since they had no land. The corners of the fields would be left so the poor could harvest. EVERYONE had provision.
When we are living in obedience there are certain Kingdom principles in operation and we should sense the incredible provision of God.
