Peace and Thanksgiving

 

Scripture Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body: and be thankful.

Observation/ Application Let God’s peace rule your heart and be thankful.

Prayer Thank You, Father, for Your peace, may it rule in and fill my heart.

Reason to be Thankful

Teach me the secret of living in Christ-for in Him are hidden ALL the eternal, infinite, invaluable, treasures of God-ALL the treasures of wisdom and understanding. I am in Christ and Christ is in me, I have this treasure in me, an earthen vessel, a jar of clay-mud, dirt, water, plain, dull, ordinary on the outside appearance, but perfect/complete in Christ, through Christ, because of Christ. Since I am in Christ and Christ in me, I should be seeking, pursuing, focusing on things eternal, having an eternal focus, an eternal vision-Colossians 3…bearing eternal fruit, the fruit of the Spirit, glorifying God, my forever Father, living for eternity, living the gift of God, the eternal/abundant life through Jesus Christ my Lord, Savior, Brother, forever Friend, Who paid the price with His own blood/life for me, for my adoption into this, His, God’s, Abba Father’s forever eternal family.Jesus, Who came for me, Who gave me the right to be a child/son of God. Jesus Who lived, loved/loves, died, resurrected, ascended, lives forever seated at the right hand of God. This Christ is in me and I in Him. I have been given a living, forever, eternal hope that will never fade away but will only grow greater/brighter.
Reason to be thankful/give thanks? Reason to praise God? Infinitely beyond what I can think or imagine.
I am not an orphan, I am a child of God, I have a forever Father and family. I would keep this focus, this mindset…I am complete in Christ Who loved/loves me and gave Himself for me…I have the mind of Christ, direct access to the Father, to the very throne of God forever, the Holy Spirit of God living/abiding in me, the Spirit of Truth, my body is His temple/dwelling place. The Holy Spirit my constant companion, comforter, counselor, helper, guide, leading me and teaching me, revealing to me the mind, will of God.
Reason be thankful/give thanks? Reason to praise God? Infinitely beyond what I can think or imagine.
The One Who loves me most is that close…closer than my next heartbeat or breath of my next prayer. We are one, we are family, His very blood flows in me, gives me life abundant/eternal. He abides in me and I in Him.
Reason to be thankful/give thanks? Reason to praise God? Infinitely beyond what I can think or imagine.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear, for I am not alone, for You are with me…comforting me, protecting me, providing for me, giving me strength in my weakness, grace all-sufficient, and peace surpassing understanding. All I need, now and forever, I find in You.
Reason to be thankful/give thanks? Reason to praise God? Infinetly beyod what I can think or imagine.

Thanksgiving Proclamation

As Thanksgiving fast approaches I cannot begin to count the blessings God has given, so much more to be thankful for than space to write or breath to speak.I came across George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation, it was his first official proclamation after becoming the first president of the United States in 1789. Give special attention to what our duty as a nation is, what Thanksgiving Day is suppose to be devoted to, how it was intended to be observed, for what and to Whom we are to be thankful, to remember Who is the source and bestower of our blessings, and to be good stewards of and share those blessings. How much attention to or awareness of this proclamation is there in our society today? How many know the true origins, history, and foundations of our country and the holidays we celebrate and why we celebrate and have reason to give thanks?
I would encourage you to read and reread over and again this proclamation. Share it with as many people as possible; forward it, print copies and give them out, read them to your family and children as you gather to give thanks, if you teach share it with your students and parents-it is well within your protected rights. So many today are trying to rewrite history and outright lie about the Godly foundation and heritage of our country. Who better than George Washington to remind us all? "In God we trust" and to Him should we be thankful individually and as a nation! God bless you this Thanksgiving and throughout the upcoming Christmas season!

George Washington's1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation
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 favor; 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 public 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 26th 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 favors 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 public 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 show kindness to 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 3rd day of October, A.D. 1789.(signed) G. Washington


1621

Pilgrims and Native Americans enjoyed a harvest feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This feast may have become the model for today's American celebration.
1630
Settlers and colonists from many continents brought customs of days of prayer and thanksgiving, especially in New England, where the first Thanksgiving of the Massachusetts Bay Colony was observed on July 8, 1630.
1777
The first Thanksgiving of the new United States of America occurred in 1777 when General George Washington and his army, as instructed by the Continental Congress, stopped in bitter weather in the open fields on their way to Valley Forge to mark the occasion.
1789
Washington's first proclamation after his inauguration as the nation's first president in 1789 declared November 26, 1789, as a national day of "thanksgiving and prayer

MEMORIAL DAY

REMEMBERING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE

THANK YOU!

First Thanksgiving

Still, quiet…I sit here at the house looking out the front window at a leaf (shades of brown) covered ground and mostly barren trees though the big oak is still holding quite a few brown leaves. This year I have spent so much time here (at my parent’s home) and watched the seasons change. I watch as the barrenness of winter transformed into a beautiful spring with very early warm, pleasant days. Soon the summer heat was blistering with record highs and drought conditions. Such picturesque fall colors have now mostly faded, fallen away, as winter makes its return. So much I have seen and experienced in this year, so many changes, so much has changed…and I sit here by myself on this day after Thanksgiving with so many thoughts flooding my mind. In a year with so many firsts, this first Thanksgiving without Dad just added to the list. We had talked about who would sit at the head of the table, whether or not to leave the chair empty, but as we approached the table it became clear that the youngest (sixteen month old), Sean Michael (my grand nephew), should do the honors. Although he will not remember, he will see the pictures, and as he grows I (we) will share with him and let him know, tell him about his Papa. So it was also fitting that I say, offer up the blessing and giving of thanks. When I said “Amen”, to a chorus of others, my sister Tina spoke Dad’s words, as he always remembered to pray for “those less fortunate than us”. To that I added “and those in nursing homes and hospitals”. How many time I heard you pray for these, Pop…you always remembered but also reached out and ministered to them. Always expressing thanks for God’s grace, for where would we be without it? So blessed, so much to be thankful for, such abundance, so much…and you always remembered and expressed sincere thanks.

My Pop, you always remembered where you came from, your roots deep down in such humble beginnings, “if my Daddy could see me now…he would think me rich”. So I sit here now reaping the benefits, the blessings…thank you, Pop! Thank You, Abba! The only son of my Father (an only son) who was fatherless at age nine, I am. Today I remember and give thanks for the time we had together here and for the eternity we will spend together when I, too, cross that river to join you. As I prayed and remembered so many out there without family, food, shelter, a place to call home I’m reminded of the call to reach out, minister to them, to share the blessings You, my Father, have so richly lavished upon me, Your precious gift of grace.

So much we ate, so much extra…so many with so little, so many without, so many hungry, and yet so many with such abundance…why am I so fortunate? Why do I have so much? It kind of made my stomach churn…so much food and yet so many hungry…Oh Father, help me, show me what to do, how to share the blessing, to share Your grace.
(excerpted from my personal journal 11-23-07)

Why Thanksgiving?

Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? For what are we to give thanks? To Whom are we to give thanks? May the proclamation of our first president, establishing this holiday (holy day), help us to focus in on it's true meaning. Take time to remember, share, and give thanks!


George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation
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 favor;
WHEREAS, Both the houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public 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 26th 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 favors 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 public 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 show kindness to 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.
--George Washington - October 3, 1789

Family Thanksgiving 2006