Nevertheless, Give Thanks [Updates]

The entire time that the BHO campaign made such a stink about "rich people not paying their fair share," and "spreading the wealth around," I had an uneasy feeling about it all.  Pitting the poor against the rich, blacks against whites, Hispanics against whites, women against men, liberal (a.k.a. pro-abortion and pro-homosexual "marriage") women against conservative (a.k.a pro-life and pro-traditional family) women made for the most divisive and attack-filled campaign that I have ever seen in my lifetime.  I'm not really sure which one of the aforementioned battles was more damaging.  They were all terribly disgusting, in my mind.

I know a man, a Christian and honorable man, who never earned a college degree.  Nevertheless,  he excelled in the business world via a fast food company that originally hired him as a retail planning engineer.  Over his twenty-two year career, he worked his tail off to reach the level of a corporate vice president.  This man experienced poverty in the early years of his life.  However, his parents would not take any handouts of government money.  Back then, it was considered embarrassing and shameful to do so.  Right or wrong, most Americans back then had the attitude of "pulling their own weight" and the handouts were just for the very poor, ill, desperate, old and disabled.  [Please note:  I am not telling this story to disparage the unemployed or those on food stamps.  I'm just stating a fact that people back in the 50's,  60's and 70's often thought this way.]


[Update: How's THIS for a lesson in irony?

Excerpt:

Thanks to Major Wood for the outstanding idea.

A great lesson in irony, honest and profound.

The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is proud to be distributing this year the greatest amount of free Meals and Food Stamps ever, to 46 million people. Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, asks us “Please Do Not Feed the Animals.”

Their stated reason for the policy is because “The animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves.”

This ends today’s lesson in irony.]
 

We need to ask the question about exactly why this government would be "proud to be distributing this year the greatest amount of free Meals and Food Stamps ever, to 46 million people?"  Answer:  DEPENDENCY= votes for the Marxist Democrats.

Back to the original post.

This man, in his younger years, worked every kind of job he could in order to help out his family. He started with a paper route when he was 13 years old.  He took odd jobs over the years that included roof work, painting, bar bouncer, bartender;  just to name a few.   He even took a job that he absolutely hated - as a collection agent.  It was a job that he got through a connection with his father.  He quit that job just a month later because he finally told his dad that he could not stand it.  Knocking on doors of people who owed money but could not pay was too much of a burden on his conscience.  It wasn't a job that he would ever had taken if he knew beforehand what it required him to do.  He didn't want to disappoint his dad, but there were so many reasons why he needed to leave that job and move on.

Back when he was growing up, the family moved a lot and both his dad (when he wasn't ill) and mom worked really hard to keep the family going.  This man attended a trade school and that is what got him into several jobs leading up to his 22 year career with a fast food company.

He once told me the story that when his dad was ill and unable to work, his aunt and uncle took the family in.  The relatives did not have a big house, so his bedroom was his sister's small, walk-in closet.

This man isn't rich today - but you might consider him to be more well-off than many others.  However, if the Democrats had their way, he would be forced to pay huge amounts in taxes that will come out of his retirement money*. 

I haven't even included any of the details about how his work helped "save" the company over the years he worked there.  I haven't included all the individuals he has hired over the years to do work for him, or about the charitable giving, or about the generosity towards his family.

It really bothers me to hear the BHO people continue to attack the so-called "rich" and blather on about them "paying their fair share"  and "spreading the wealth around."  That is a Marxist (a.k.a. communism) mindset, people!  Clear, plain, and simple!  However, the few liberals who visit this blog deny that label (of Marxist/communist* accusations against BHO - even Russia sees it)  and want to continue to demonize me - a member of the "other side."

Remember, dear people, that when it comes to Marxist ideology, there are the "elites" who run everything, dictate, and lord-it-over the plebeian who, (whether given up voluntarily, gradually or  suddenly because of dependency on government rather than God) end up having their rights, liberties, religious freedom, and general freedoms taken away by a dictatorial-type government.

I get scolded by some who come to visit this blog and claim that "I'm not very Christian" when I reply to their odd-ball comments in a harsh (but truthful) way.  Well, Jesus was harsh with those who would do harm to others; those who would lie, cheat, sin, steal and do evil (especially to children - but that's another topic) in order to get their political way.  This is what happens (and, did happen in the  Nov. 6, 2012 election) when government is taken over by reprobates and unrepentant types.  What they sell to the plebeian (whom they really only use to get elected) sounds good; until the common people realize what it will cost them in the end.  That cost is loss of freedom, liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness.

The first words that Jesus uttered when he began his 3-year ministry on earth were, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Mat 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

The liberal, progressive, socialist, Marxist, communist, anti-colonialists mock, disparage, debase, insult, ridicule, and demonize the opposition in such a way that I'm sure is not of God. 

Why? 

Because it is not only wrong in the eyes of most discerning people, but it is also not biblical!!   It is opposed to God's Word!   I knew this intuitively, but I didn't realize at what a profound degree this was true until I listened to Dr. David Jeremiah's message.  Then, it all made perfect sense!  Those who had fallen for the hype and chains of BHO's message [Update: by even labeling him as "their messiah???"**] were brought along by methods that included free stuff; but it was lumped in with class warfare, division, hatred, lies, and envy.  The "free stuff" was the hook, while the added vices of warfare, division, hatred, lies, and envy was the sinker.  Time will tell how these people will feel once they realize how badly they were duped.

Back to the main topic.

Please go to the link below to view and listen to the message.  Then come back to share your thoughts in the comment section here at Talk Wisdom.



David Jeremiah.org: Nevertheless, Give Thanks


[Note: To immediately get to the message portion, fast forward the cursor (at bottom of video screen) to 19:00 minutes ahead.]

Life is seldom without challenges, but one thing remains constant, and that is the blessing and guidance of Almighty God. In every situation we can and should give thanks.***
 

Outline:

THANKSGIVING MESSAGE

Dr. David Jeremiah

“Nevertheless, Give Thanks”
Daniel 6:10

November 25, 2012

Daniel 6:10

I. Be Thankful in Spite of the Pressure Against You

Daniel 6:5-9
Esther 8:8
Acts 13:28
Daniel 6:10
1 Kings 8:44, 48-49
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Daniel 6:10

II. Be Thankful in Spite of the Problems That Affect You

Daniel 6:10
Ephesians 5:20
Philippians 4:6
1 Thessalonians 5:18

III. Be Thankful in Spite of the Pain That Is Around You

***That quote from the video sermon page is a very tame description compared to what Dr. Jeremiah discusses in the message. Even the outline seems innocuous. But I guarantee that every person who would take the time to listen to the message that Dr. Jeremiah brings forth in his sermon would squirm in their seats at several points!  It's THAT GOOD in exposing what (and who) is behind the "rich vs. poor" mantra and the jealously and/or guilt that permeates us to the core regarding such disparagement.

I will tell you that there is nothing outwardly political in the video message. There is no mention of the election, or the two campaigns, or what transpired over the months leading up to the election on November 6, 2012.

But what I learned via the message can be directly applied against all the attacks that the BHO campaign used (apparently, successfully) against the Mitt Romney campaign, supporters and voters during the 2012 election campaign.

And guess what?   If you didn't already know or understand this:

Their tactics were opposed to what the Bible teaches!!!

I realize that most thinking and discerning people might already have realized this.  But the fact that Dr. Jeremiah shared Scripture and human interest stories that deeply counter the tactics used by that particular political group added a measure of proof about the truth of what I'm sharing today.

In order to hear the proof of my observation, you will need to view or listen to the sermon message.

The final portion of the sermon message - "Be Thankful in Spite of the Pain That Is Around You" is such a powerful, relevant, and at the same time both humbling and encouraging one!  That's the Bible - the humbling and encouraging book of the ages!!   I must admit that  I will never forget it!!!

The message is exceedingly helpful to all of us - rich or poor (and everyone in between), liberal or conservative, woman or man, black, white, Hispanic or any other race, color or creed. If you take the time to watch and listen to the entire message - you will be astonished at the end! You will also come away with a more thankful attitude despite the chaos going on all around us and the pain that we all go through individually, and even the pain experienced by groups of people at certain times on this earth.

Every person alive has pain.  There is no escape from it!  There are all different types of pain.  Some are excruciating to go through (been there, done that!); while others turn out to be mild disappointments (had them too).  But even in the midst of such pain, God is there to get us through it!! And...the secret is...ONLY GOD CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS FOR US!

There is nothing more important in this life than knowing God through His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord!! His forgiveness, mercy, grace and love surpasses all understanding; and if more individuals would seek God via His Word and find and accept His Living Word - Jesus Christ, our grief would be turned to joy in every circumstance on this earth as we wait in joyful hope of the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

May your Thanksgiving blessings continue on throughout the rest of this year,  in the year to come, and during all the days of your lives.

~  Christine

Hat tips to all links.

*******

*  A comment from the WND site gives us a horrible history lesson:

OldRockerguy
                     

In 1917 the Bolsheviks won the Russian Revolution and communism began in Russia. Vladimir Lenin became the Premier. Lenin died in 1924 and a power struggle for leadership followed between Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky. In 1927 Stalin won the struggle and took control. Leon Trotsky was thrown out of the party and forced into exile. Trotsky was later hunted down and killed by Stalin's agents in 1940 in Mexico. By 1928 Joseph Stalin was solidly in control of Russia and he began his "5-year-plans" for the collectivization of the country and the removal of all political opposition. The Ukraine area of Russia was the "breadbasket" of the country. It was inhabited by tribal groups of farmers that wanted to maintain their independence and identity. Stalin raised the quotas of wheat that were to be taken from these farmers by the state and thus engineered a famine in the Ukraine which resulted in the deaths of nearly 7 million Ukrainians by starvation. Other 5-year-plans resulted in the removal of many opposition factory workers that wound up in gulag slave labor camps that were scattered all across Russia. Most occupants of these gulags were overworked and under fed resulting in millions of deaths. Those of us that are over 50 are a problem for Obama. We are the ones that had the highest percentage of voters that opposed him. We remember the atrocities of communism. We remember the communist control over the eastern European nations after World War 2. We remember the Hungarian Revolution in the 50's, the Berlin Wall, and the uprisings and fight for freedom in Poland. We must be gotten rid of. Obamacare will deny us proper medical care and shorten our life span and the inability to control our retirement funds will undoubtedly result in substandard living conditions and permature deaths for many. Read your history books folks. History always seems to repeat itself. Those that don't will get screwed. Do not underestimate the evil in Barack Obama and his cohorts.
 

*******


**

#12 November 26, 2012 at 1:38 am

 

Bigkahuna commented:

 

Wow the sh@t is getting deep. These people are insane. Please tell me again how 9% unemployment and 15% in black Americans [unemployment] and 50% of black youth unemployed and a crappy economy with little hope in sight and massive debt and debt along with record foodstamps and welfare make him a god, a savior or anything else but a massive fraud and failure?
 

*******
Ultimately, we need to keep what Marcie says here in mind:

#48 November 26, 2012 at 9:22 am
Marcy commented:
It’s O.K. folks…we know how this story ends. Have faith in the one true God.

Thanksgiving 2012

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessings...*

Just one phrase from a famous song that was typically sung at Thanksgiving celebrations.  Now, more than ever, we need to ask the Lord to continue to bless us and hold our beloved nation together.  With so many challenges ahead, and the divisions that have been wreaked upon us by nefarious individuals in our government, in the media, in our educational system, and internationally (that have their sights on killing us and Israel); we need such protection from God now, more than ever.

America has been THE most blessed nation in the history of the world!

Why is this so? 

Because our Founders believed in God, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  Thus, they wrote documents that reflected such beliefs which had their origin in the Bible, and applied them to create a new and unique kind of government - designed to be of the people, for the people, and by the people.

Over my lifetime, I have seen the escalation of anti-American ideology permeate the government, media, Hollyweird, education, and unfortunately in many homes.  But I thank God that my family, being raised in a Biblical Christian environment, has not fallen for such ideology.  We can still live our lives and celebrate the joy of the Lord, rejecting what the secular world would like to inflict upon us.  I am so grateful to God that our family can adhere to Proverbs 2:2-5.

Proverbs 2:2-5

"Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the LORD, and discover the knowledge of God."

Ronald Reagan warned America - back in the 1980's - that freedom is just one generation away from the destruction of our Constitutional Republic.  Here is the exact quote:

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

― Ronald Reagan

Why am I discussing this on Thanksgiving?  Because I think that we could be on the brink of such a generation now, in 2012 and beyond.  The socialist agenda is being touted as better than America's Constitutional Republic, and the college generation is, unfortunately, buying into that myth.

The horrors of the communist (Soviet Union)  and national socialist (Nazi Germany) and totalitarian oppression (Imperialist Japan) that the Greatest Generation fought so hard against in World War II to fend off and destroy is just a shoulder shrug of history to the Gen X and Millennials.  I wonder how many in those generations have actually seen the awful films of Jewish people, Polish Christians,  homosexuals, and any other kind of peoples deemed "unworthy" by the Aryans being killed and pushed into mass graves at the concentration camps of Nazi Germany during history class in either high school or college?

BTW, I recently learned that the name (Iran) given to the former country of Persia by the Ayatollahs who took over there actually means "Aryan" in the Persian language!  Is this just a coincidence?  Of course not.

I know.  Not pleasant images or subjects to discuss during Thanksgiving Day.  But I think that while we enjoy the food on our tables today, we also would do well to keep in mind such horrors as food-for-thought as we enter into another four years of a BHO BADministration.  I don't need to list all the terrible things that will continue to happen under this would-be dictator (Recall he stated he wishes he could bypass Congress and make all the decisions??  Recall that he also told our nation that when push comes to shove, he would side with the Muslims??) to transform America into what the Greatest Generation opposed in the 1940's.  It is sad that history tends to repeat itself - to the detriment of all - by the apparent ignorance of those who didn't learn about  (or choose to ignore) such devastingly horrible history in the first place.

Last night, I shared a post that describes the current dark times that we will continue to face here in America as we race towards the End Times. However, our TRUE HOPE in this world does not live here - because Christians are "not of this world." Jesus told us that his kingdom is not of this world:


John 8:23   And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

John 18:36   Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

No matter WHAT this world tries to heap upon us, we need not fear.  We may not know what the future holds, but we do know Who holds the future!  God's Word hasn't told us everything, of course, but it has told us all that we need to know, for now.  And we can experience peace, joy and love through Him; despite all the turmoil going on around us.

However, we are  also admonished to recognize the "spirits of false prophets all around us," expose them, confront them, and share the TRUTH.  We are called to discern the difference between the "spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

1Jo 4:1   Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1Jo 4:2   By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

1Jo 4:3   and every spirit that does not confess that [fn] Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the [spirit] of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

1Jo 4:4   You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1Jo 4:5  they are of the world. Therefore they speak [as] of the world, and the world hears them.

1Jo 4:6   We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.


The promises of Christ make foolish the spirit of error in this world.


1Jo 4:14   And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son [as] Savior of the world.

1Jo 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

1Jo 4:17  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

1Jo 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

1Jo 4:19  We love Him [fn] because He first loved us.


We know where love originally came from.  It came from God Himself!  Therefore, we know what genuine love means and can celebrate and share it with those whom we love.

Thanksgiving is a time to thank the Lord for all he has done for us!  It is a time to celebrate our lives with loved ones and enjoy our time together on this special day.  Keeping the love, joy, forgiveness, mercy and grace given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ in mind on this day, and every day,  helps us keep our focus on what truly matters!



Eph 1:13   In Him you also [trusted], after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 1:14   who [fn] is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Eph 1:15   Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

Eph 1:16   do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

Eph 1:17   that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

Eph 1:18   the eyes of your understanding [fn] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Eph 1:19   and what [is] the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

Eph 1:20   which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated [Him] at His right hand in the heavenly [places],

Eph 1:21   far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Eph 1:22   And He put all [things] under His feet, and gave Him [to be] head over all [things] to the church,

Eph 1:23   which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Remember to pray and do not cease to give thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

~  Christine

*******

*  Complete lyrics of song:

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
he chastens and hastens his will to make known;
the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing:
sing praise to his Name, he forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
so from the beginning the fight we were winning:
thou, Lord, wast at our side: all glory be thine!

We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
and pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation:
thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

---

Words: Nederlandtsche Gedenckclanck, 1626;
trans. Theodore Baker (1851-1934), 1894.
Music: Kremser (Nederlandtsche Gedenckclank, 1626)

Thanksgiving: It Is Right To Give Him Thanks and Praise

Many of my readers who know my background will recall that I have done several blog posts that told stories about my Catholic upbringing. If you are Catholic, or are a former Catholic, then you know all about the ritualistic responses that are often given during the church service. Saying the words for so many years ingrains them into our minds. One of those responses that the congregation says in response to the priest (I think it was done just before receiving communion) is "It is right to give Him thanks and praise."

Today is Thanksgiving. It is a special day set aside for the purpose of giving thanks to God for all that He has done for us in our lives here on this earth. Even in the midst of all of the chaos and uncertainty in today's complicated world, we can still be very thankful for many reasons.

First, I am so very thankful (every day, in fact), for Jesus saving me from the punishment I deserve because of my sins. Christ's sacrificial death on the cross is a gift of mercy and grace, offered to us by the Living God. Mercy is God withholding what you (I, we) deserve. Grace is God giving you (me, us) what you (I, we) don't deserve.

I am so very grateful to God for the blessing of my family. My role as a wife and mother has joy that no other "career" could ever be compared with. It is a sacrificial role at times, but one that also gives many of the greatest joys!

I am so very grateful to live in a country where liberty, independence, justice and freedom still reigns. As my former post stated, God's Hand Was In Our Nation's Founding. But He has made us stewards over this nation and what we do to preserve such freedoms is crucial to our survival.

Because of nefarious individuals who have untold amounts of wealth and power and are, unfortunately, out to destroy this nation; any or all of these freedoms could be gone tomorrow.

But God has a bigger and better future for us anyway, for we are encouraged to be "not of this world."

Jhn 8:23 And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

Jhn 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

Those who trust in, and believe in God's Son, Jesus Christ, have our Living Savior and God's Word of Truth in the Bible to comfort us - no matter what kind of trials and tribulation we may experience here on earth.

After all that Jesus Christ has done for us, it is right to give Him thanks AND PRAISE not only on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of our lives! The word "praise" appears in Scripture 237 times in 206 verses in the NKJV.

1Ch 29:13 "Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name.

Hbr 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of [our] lips, giving thanks to His name.

Last Sunday, I had written about not being conformed to this world, but be transformed through the power of Jesus Christ in a post called When Changing Your Mind Could Save Your Life.

Paul's words in Romans 12:1-2 tells us to be "living sacrifices." Paul told the Romans (and he tells us) that protection against conformity and power to be transformed can happen only if we sacrifice ourselves:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Romans 12:1-2

What a fabulous verse to live by!

We have seen what sinful men have done in this country, and to our nation, over decades worth of heavy drifting away from God's Commandments in the Bible. However, I have also seen God working in my life in such a way that allows me to have peace despite all the turmoil going on in this nation and around the world.

Dr. David Jeremiah informs us:

In this verse (Romans 12:1-2) God has given us two commands. Obeying the second command gives us the power to obey the first:

* DO NOT be conformed by the power of the world around you. That power comes from Satan.

* DO submit to the process of transformation. The power to do that comes from God and His Word.

[O]ur overarching need is to learn how we can live positive, optimistic lives concerning our future while living in a disintegrating society that threatens to take us down with it.

For more details about the means by which this transformation is accomplished, please click on the video sermon link at When Changing Your Mind Could Save Your Life.

Also see: You Can Know God Personally.

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time with family and friends!  May God bless you and your loved ones today!

~Christine

Happy Thanksgiving - In The Faith

Despite all of the turmoil going on around the world and here in the U.S.A. we STILL have a lot to be thankful for! His promises written in the Bible have been kept. Prophecy fulfilled is proof of who He is and we know that all promises given to us by the Lord will be kept - both in this current world of existence as well as into eternity.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His mercies are new every morning.

My loved ones all realize even more of His mercy and grace today. We had a health scare in our family, and the results of an MRI revealed that it wasn't the dreaded disease of cancer. The lesser problem is nothing compared to what a diagnosis for cancer would have been!

I recall praying for healing of my loved one through Jesus Christ two days ago. I recall witnessing the painful ordeal my loved one has been going through and the uncomfortable time endured through the MRI. I recall the agonizing wait the next day to hear what was wrong.

Through it all, friends and family were praying fervently. One very special lady kept telling me to "keep the faith."

People, no matter how strong your own individual faith is the truth is that we need each other, as fellow Christians, to help us in our times of fear, doubt, pain, suffering and worry. That is why we have the church. I don't mean a building - I mean the people in the faith.

The encouragement was greatly appreciated (you know who you are!!) and helped to calm my spirit while awaiting the test results.

Today was an extra special Thanksgiving. At our table, we thanked the Lord Jesus Christ for our lives, our health, and the love we have for God, each other, and especially the love that God has shown to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless you and yours this day and always.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

We are about 30 minutes away from sitting down to our Thanksgiving feast! I wanted to put up a brief post to share with visitors and friends who frequent this blog.

I, as well as every Christian, am most thankful for Jesus Christ. Everything else that I am thankful for...my family, friends, fellow Christians, and acquaintances proceed from Christ.

This morning, I read a portion of Dr. David Jeremiah's new book, "Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World" where he explains the importance of focusing on Jesus' connection to you (me, us).

Dr. Jeremiah writes:

Colossians 3:1-4 reads, "If then you were raised with Christ....your life is hidden with Christ...you also will appear with Him in glory" (emphasis added).

I've highlighted the word with to show just how critical it is in this frame of thinking. With is a word of connection, our lifeline to Christ. When He died, we died with him. When He was buried, so were we. And we shared in His glorious resurrection, so that now we can be seated in the heavenlies with Him.

When the Bible says that Jesus died for us, it doesn't mean simply that He died in our behalf; it means He died in our place. He died where we should have died. Just as Adam was the personal embodiment of our fall into sin, Christ is the personal embodiment of our salvation and glory. "For as in Adam all dies, even so in Christ all shall be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22). We fell with Adam, but we were resurrected with Christ.

Do you see the importance of that little word with in our spiritual destiny? The great Chinese Christian preacher and writer, Watchman Nee, grasped it. In 1927, he had been struggling with issues of temptation and his sinful nature. One morning he was sitting upstairs reading the book of Romans, and he came to the words, "Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him..." (6:6). For Nee, it was as if the words had come to life on the page. He leaped from his chair, ran downstairs, and grabbed a kitchen worker by the hands. "Brother," he shouted. "Do you know that I have died?"

The worker only stared in puzzlement. Nee blurted out, "Do you not know that Christ has died? Do you not know that I died with Him? Do you not know that my death is no less truly a fact than His?"

It was all Watchman Nee could do to keep himself from running through the streets of Shanghai, shouting about his death and new life. From that day on, his faith was confident and strong. His biographer wrote that it was impossible to say anything that might offend Nee. Why should he be offended? That Watchman Nee was long since dead!"

How powerful is Nee's testimony? Extremely powerful!

I think that this is where the divide between liberal Christian thought and Biblical Christian thought (that was partially articulated in the Manhattan Declaration) takes that proverbial 180 degree turn. If one hasn't died to self in Jesus Christ, then one cannot possibly experience the amazing phenomenon of dying with Christ.

Dr. Jeremiah continues:

Charles Spurgeon had his own way of explaining this:

I suppose that, if you were to meet your old self, he would hardly know you, for you are so greatly altered. I dare say he would say to you, "Come, old fellow, let us go to the theater, or turn into this beer-shop, or let us go home, and find out some way of amusing ourselves."

You would reply, "No, sir; I cut your acquaintance a long time ago, and I do not mean to have anything further to do with you, so you may go about your business as soon as you like. I am not what I was, for I have been crucified with Christ, and I am dead, and my life is hid with Christ in God."

That is what the Cross of Christ achieves for every believer! The old you is dead and in the grave; the new you is raised to walk in newness of life, and to live victoriously for Christ.

It is for this reason that no matter what transpires on this earth - we can have the utmost confidence to stay centered with Jesus Christ in our hearts; as our lives are hid in Him in God!

Why We Need Our Shepherd

My Dear Blogging Friends,

Have you ever been so busy that you are tempted to recycle a blog post from the past during a major holiday? I'm guilty! In fact, I just typed in "Thanksgiving" into my blogger search and I have four years of Thanksgiving posts to choose from! Here is one of my favorites: Give Thanks to God.

OK. I'm done. Happy Thanksgiving! (j/k)

Actually, I'm not really done. There is more to write today!

During our Thanksgiving dinner, my family usually goes around the table and shares what they are thankful for. Each of us give our own, individual answers. Most of the time, we state that we are thankful to God, for His mercy and grace for sending Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We are thankful for parents, children, relatives (well - most of them - heh heh), friends, our fellowship with church members and Bible study group members and our acquaintances. We are thankful that we live in a free nation. We are very thankful to our military that works hard and willingly sacrifices life, limb and time to keep our nation safe.

Today, I want to mention that I am thankful for all of my blogging friends! Each of you have encouraged me and inspired me. Even some of my detractors have helped me to grow as they continue to challenge me here at Talk Wisdom. These are all good things. Challenges keep us alert as to just what might be keeping non-Christians from coming to Christ.

Years ago, I often posted on atheists/agnostics/skeptics message boards. I wanted to find out what makes them "tick," so to speak. Well, the conversations ran the gamut! Many were downright nasty and made every attempt to ridicule me away from posting there anymore. I'm sure many Christians who have visited such boards to share Jesus Christ and God's Word with non-believers experienced similar situations. Occasionally, a nice skeptic would come along and carry on a decent conversation. I loved that. They attacked my "reasons for believing" rather than attacking me, personally, or what they might perceive as my "ignorance for having faith" in Jesus Christ. It was quite refreshing!

We can never know this side of heaven how we, as Christians, may have positively influenced a skeptic to consider (or even reconsider) Jesus Christ.

Does anyone here watch the new show on the Fox News Channel called, "Huckabee"? Recently, the show host, former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee, had an interview with Bill Maher - who is a well-know celebrity and atheist. They were discussing Maher's movie, "Religulous." If you have ever seen Maher's HBO talk show, you know that his favorite sport is to insult, degrade, ridicule, disparage, and spew hatred and contempt at anyone who believes in God - especially Christians.

At one point during the conversation, Maher was caught completely off guard when Mike Huckabee agreed that Christians have times of doubt in their lives. Maher couldn't believe that Mike would admit that - especially in front of millions on a national cable T.V. show! Apparently, Maher developed some sort of new respect for Mr. Huckabee, as a person (and former pastor, I might add) because he admitted that Christians are not "perfectly" faithful - which Maher has often suspected all along.

I thought of that incident when I read a portion of Max Lucado's book, "Traveling Light" this morning. In Chapter 3, entitled "I'll Do It My Way" - The Burden of Self-Reliance, Mr. Lucado expands upon Psalm 23:1 - "The LORD is my shepherd."

Towards the end of the chapter, Mr. Lucado writes:

When David, who was a warrior, minstrel, and ambassador for God, searched for an illustration of God, he remembered his days as a shepherd. He remembered how he lavished attention on the sheep day and night. How he slept with them and watched over them.

And the way he cared for the sheep reminded him of the way God cares for us. David rejoiced to say, "The LORD is my shepherd," and in so doing he proudly implied, "I am his sheep."

Still uncomfortable with being considered a sheep? Will you humor me and take a simple quiz? See if you succeed in self-reliance. Raise your hand if any of the following describe you.

You can control your moods. You're never grumpy or sullen. You can't relate to Jekyll and Hyde. You're always upbeat and upright. Does that describe you? No? Well, let's try another.

You are at peace with everyone. Every relationship as sweet as fudge. Even your old flames speak highly of you. Love all and are loved by all. Is that you? If not, how about this description?

You have no fears. Call you the Teflon toughie. Wall Street plummets - no problem. Heart condition discovered - yawn. World War III starts - what's for dinner? Does this describe you?

You need no forgiveness. Never made a mistake. As square as a game of checkers. As clean as grandma's kitchen. Never cheated, never lied, never lied about cheating. Is that you? No?

Let's evaluate this. You can't control your moods. A few of your relationships are shaky. You have fears and faults. Hmmm. Do you really want to hang onto your chest of self-reliance? Sounds to me as if you could use a shepherd. Otherwise, you might end up with a Twenty-third Psalm like this:

I am my own shepherd. I am always in need.
I stumble from mall to mall and shrink to shrink, seeking relief but never finding it.
I creep through the valley of the shadow of death and fall apart.
I fear everything from pesticides to power lines, and I'm starting to act like my mother.
I go down to the weekly staff meeting and am surrounded by enemies.
I go home, and even my goldfish scowls at me.
I anoint my headache with extra-strength Tylenol.
My Jack Daniel's runneth over.
Surely misery and misfortune will follow me, and I will live in self-doubt for the rest of my lonely life.

Why is it that the ones who most need a shepherd resist him so?

Ah, now there is a question for the Van de Veldes of life. Scripture says, "Do it God's way." Experience says, "Do it God's way." Every Scot in heaven begs, "Aye, laddie, do it God's way."

And every so often, we do. And when we do, when we follow the lead of Notre Dieu and keep the driver in the bag, somehow the ball stays in the fairway.

[Note: Earlier in the chapter, Max tells the story of Jean Van de Velde who, rather than taking his caddie's advice to hit three short shots in the British Open in '99 - where he was six strokes and 480 yards away from a major championship, a wad of cash, and a place in history. All he needed to do was score a six on a par four.

Logic says, "Don't go for the green."
Golf 101 says, "Don't go for the green."
Every Scot in the gallery says, "Aye Laddie. Don't go for the green"
Van de Velde says, "I'm going for the green."]

Long story short - Using his driver (no!!!!) the ball caroms off the bleachers and disappears into a marsh tall enough to hide a lawn gnome! To make the story even shorter - he lost the play-off.

[Y]es, Van de Velde reminds me of me.

After losing the play-off, he kept his composure for the crowds. But once he sat in the scorers tent, he buried his face in his hands. "Next time I'll hit zee wedge," he sobbed. "You'll say I'm a coward, but next time I'll hit zee wedge."

You and me both, Jean.1

Reference source: Traveling Light by Max Lucado, 2001 W Publishing Group, a Division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, Tennessee 37214, pp. 22, 24-26.

End notes:
1, With appreciation to Rick Reilly and his chapter on Jean Van de Velde, "Mon Dieu! Better Safe Than Sorry!" in The Life of Reilly (New York: Total Sports Illustrated, 2000), 175-77.

God's Grace Is Permanent

On this Lord's Day, Sunday, September 7th, 2008, I would like to invite you to watch a wonderful sermon broadcast by Dr. David Jeremiah. The topic of discussion is:

The Continual Praise of Grace

Nothing is Permanent but God's Grace

That is a strong and true statement! After listening and viewing the broadcast, I think that you will most likely agree!

During the sermon, Dr. Jeremiah quoted this:

Gratitude - The forgotten factor in happiness.

Hbr 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

HT: Lightsource.com

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

Psa 100:1 PSALM 100
A Psalm of Thanksgiving.
MAKE a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!

Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.

Psa 100:3 Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;[fn1]
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Psa 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psa 100:5 For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.


Footnotes:
100:3 Following Kethib, Septuagint, and Vulgate; Qere, many

Hebrew manuscripts, and Targum read we are His.

Let My Lifesong Sing to You, Lord!



Lifesong - Casting Crowns

On This Eve Before Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

On this eve before Thanksgiving, I am most grateful for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for my loving husband and my two wonderful grown children. I am so blessed to have both a son and daughter who are smart, filled with God's wisdom and have love for our Lord and our family. I am so happy that my daughter's good friend and roommate from college will be joining us in our celebration this year!

I am also grateful that I now have internet service back! It had been acting up over the past two days. Apparently, the service crashed altogether and it took almost the entire day for our server to repair the problem. Service was restored late today.

I found the following "History of Thanksgiving" in my email box today. I enjoyed reading it and thought that many who visit this blog might enjoy reading it, too.

God's blessings to all this Thanksgiving,
Christine

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A History of Thanksgiving in America
Compiled from various sources by Family Policy Network

This report details the history of Thanksgiving in America, from the earliest recorded events to the present day.

1541: Near Canyon, Texas

The first recorded Christian Thanksgiving in America occurred in Texas on May 23, 1541 when Spanish explorer, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, led 1,500 men in a Thanksgiving celebration at the Palo Duro Canyon.

Coronado's expedition traveled north from Mexico City in 1540 in search of gold. The group camped alongside the canyon, in the modern-day Texas Panhandle, for two weeks in the spring of 1541. The Texas Society Daughters of the American Colonists commemorated the event as the "first Thanksgiving" in 1959.

1564: Near Jacksonville, Florida

Another Thanksgiving service occurred on June 30, 1564 when French Huguenot colonists celebrated in solemn praise and thanksgiving in a settlement near what is now Jacksonville, Florida. The colony was destroyed by a Spanish raiding party in 1565. This "first Thanksgiving," however, was later commemorated at the Fort Carolina Memorial on the St. Johns River.

1607: Monhegan Island, Maine

On August 9, 1607 English settlers led by Captain George Popham joined Abnaki Indians along Maine's Kennebec River for a harvest feast and prayer meeting. The colonists, living under the Plymouth Company charter, established Fort St. George around the same time as the founding of Virginia's Jamestown colony. Unlike Jamestown, however, this site was abandoned a year later.

Here is the account of the Popham Colonial Expedition landing in Maine:

'Sunday, the 9th of August, in the morning, the most part of our whole company of both our ships landed on this island, . . . where the cross standeth, and there we heard a sermon delivered by our preacher, giving God thanks for our happy meeting and safe arrival in the country.'

1619: Charles City, Virginia



On December 4, 1619, a group of 38 English settlers arrived at Berkeley Plantation in what is now Charles City, Virginia. The group's charter required that the day of arrival be observed yearly as a day of thanksgiving to God. Captain John Woodleaf held the service of thanksgiving. Here is the section of the Charter of Berkley Plantation which specifies the thanksgiving service:

"Wee ordaine that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty god."

In addition to 1619, the colonists may have held service in 1620 and 1621. The colony was wiped out in 1622. It was a private event, limited to the Berkeley settlement."

Thus Spanish, French and British colonists held several Thanksgiving services in America before the Pilgrim's celebration in 1621. Most of these early thanksgivings did not involve feasting. They were religious in nature, i.e. worship services of thankfulness to God.

1621: Plymouth, Mass

The following report from "The Federalist" is an account of the famous Pilgrim's Thanksgiving that took place in October of 1621, and the broader tradition's subsequent history in our nation.




The Pilgrims left Plymouth, England on September 6, 1620. They sailed for a new world with the promise of both civil and religious liberty. For almost three months, 102 seafarers braved harsh elements to arrive off the coast of what is now Massachusetts, in late November of 1620. On December 11, prior to disembarking at Plymouth Rock, they signed the "Mayflower Compact," America's original document of civil government and the first to introduce self-government.

The Puritan Separatists, America's Calvinist Protestants, rejected the institutional Church of England. They believed that the worship of God must originate in the inner man, and that corporate forms of worship prescribed by man interfered with the establishment of a true relationship with God. The Separatists used the term "church" to refer to the people, the Body of Christ, not to a building or institution. As their Pastor John Robinson said, "When two or three are] gathered in the name of Christ by a covenant made to walk in all the way of God known unto them as a church."

Most of what we know about the Pilgrim Thanksgiving of 1621 comes from original accounts of the young colony's leaders, Governor William Bradford and Master Edward Winslow, in their own hand:

"They begane now to gather in ye small harvest they had, and to fitte up their houses and dwellings against winter, being well recovered in health & strenght, and had all things in good plenty; for some were thus imployed in affairs abroad, others were excersised in fishing, aboute codd, & bass, & other fish, of which yey tooke good store, of which every family had their portion. All ye somer ther was no wante. And now begane to come in store of foule, as winter aproached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degree). And besids water foule, ther was great store of wild Turkies, of which they took many, besids venison, &c. Besids they had aboute a peck a meale a weeke to a person, or now since harvest, Indean corne to yt proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largly of their plenty hear to their freinds in England, which were not fained, but true reports."
-W.B. (William Bradford)

"Our Corne did proue well, & God be praysed, we had a good increase of Indian Corne, and our Barly indifferent good, but our Pease not worth the gathering, for we feared they were too late sowne, they came vp very well, and blossomed, but the Sunne parched them in the blossome; our harvest being gotten in, our Governour sent foure men on fowling, that so we might after a more speciall manner reioyce together, after we had gathered the fruit of our labors; they foure in one day killed as much fowle, as with a little helpe beside, served the Company almost a weeke, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Armes, many of the Indians coming amongst vs, and among the rest their greatest King Massasoyt, with some nintie men, whom for three dayes we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed fiue Deere, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed upon our Governour, and upon the Captaine, and others. And although it be not alwayes so plentifull, as it was at this time with vs, yet by the goodneses of God, we are so farre from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

-E.W. (Edward Winslow) Plymouth, in New England,
This 11th of December, 1621

The feast included foods suitable for a head table of honored guests, such as the chief men of the colony and Native leaders Massasoit ("Great Leader" also known as Ousamequin "Yellow Feather"), the sachem (chief) of Pokanoket (Pokanoket is the area at the head of Narragansett Bay). Venison, wild fowl, turkeys and Indian corn were the staples of the meal. It likely included other food items known to have been aboard the Mayflower or available in Plymouth such as spices, Dutch cheese, wild grapes, lobster, cod, native melons, pumpkin (pompion) and rabbit."

By the mid-17th century the custom of autumnal Thanksgivings was established throughout New England. One hundred and eighty years after the first day of Thanksgiving, the Founding Fathers thought it important that this tradition be recognized by proclamation. Soon after approving the Bill of Rights, a motion in Congress to initiate the proclamation of a national day of Thanksgiving was approved.

Mr. [Elias] Boudinot (who was the President of Congress during the American Revolution) said he could not think of letting the congressional session pass over without offering an opportunity to all the citizens of the United States of joining with one voice in returning to Almighty God their sincere thanks for the many blessings He had poured down upon them. With this view, therefore, he would propose the following resolution:

"Resolved, that a joint committee of both Houses be directed to wait upon the President of the United States to request that he would 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 signal favors of Almighty God..."

"Mr. [Roger] Sherman (a signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) justified the practice of thanksgiving on any signal event not only as a laudable one in itself, but as warranted by a number of precedents in Holy Writ...This example he thought worthy of a Christian imitation on the present occasion; and he would agree with the gentleman who moved the resolution...The question was put on the resolution and it was carried in the affirmative."

This resolution was delivered to President George Washington who readily agreed with its suggestion and put forth the following proclamation by his signature:

"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 tranquillity, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled 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 supplication 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 shown 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, AD 1789
George Washington

After 1815, prophetically, there were no further annual proclamations of Thanksgiving until the Civil War when Abraham Lincoln declared November 26, 1863, the last Thursday in November, a Day of Thanksgiving:

"No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the most high God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy... I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens...[it is] announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord...It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people."

- Abraham Lincoln, November 26, 1863

On October 3, 1863, Lincoln's proclamation passed by an Act of Congress. That proclamation was repeated by every subsequent president until 1939, when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving Day up one week earlier than had been tradition, to appease merchants who wanted more time to feed the growing pre-Christmas consumer frenzy. Folding to Congressional pressure two years later however, Roosevelt signed a resolution returning Thanksgiving to the last Thursday of November.

Roosevelt's inclination to manipulate Thanksgiving for commercial interests, foretold much of the secular nature of "Thanksgiving" to come. But, amid all the oppression of secular materialism in advance of that day in December when we give thanks for the birth of Christ, oppression vastly different but somehow remarkably similar to that of our Pilgrim forefathers, we are still at our core, a nation eternally thankful to God.

On this Day of Thanksgiving, may God rest your heart and mind, may He bless and keep you and your family, and may He extend His blessing upon our nation, guiding us one and all by His calling. Amid the haste, we remember His words, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3-10)

Copyright, The Federalist - 1998."The History of Thanksgiving"



NOTEWORTHY QUOTE:

"Remember ever, and always, that your country was founded, not by the 'most superficial, the lightest, the most irreflective of all European races,' but by the stern old Puritans who made the deck of the Mayflower an altar of the living God, and whose first act on touching the soil of the new world was to offer on bended knees thanksgiving to Almighty God."

- Former U.S. Senator Henry Wilson (1855-72), and Vice-President under Ulysses S. Grant (1873-75), AMERICA'S GOD AND COUNTRY, William J. Federer, 1994.


HT: Family Policy Network

Favorite Bible Verses of the Day

Phl 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Phl 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Phl 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Phl 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Phl 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:4-8 NKJV

Give Thanks To God

A Time Of Thanks To God

On Thursday, we will be gathering with our families to celebrate God’s goodness to us and for His blessings upon our nation. There is much to be thankful for this year. We can be thankful that we live in a free democratic nation and can still worship freely.

We are so thankful that our Lord Jesus Christ offered His life for our sins and that the Holy Spirit gives us His power to overcome the sins in our lives.

We can be thankful that our nation is not being ravaged by street-to-street warfare with the enemies of freedom.

We can be thankful that we can freely vote for our leaders.

We can be thankful for our nation’s natural resources and for an economic system that enables hard-working individuals to get ahead and prosper.

We can be thankful for the many godly Founding Fathers who devised a system of government designed to maximize individual freedom and creativity—and to protect religious freedom, free speech and freedom of conscience.

We can be thankful for our churches, for pastors, and elders who faithfully serve the body of Christ.

We can be thankful for our loved ones—our children, grandchildren, wives and husbands.

What are you thankful for today?

God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving Day.


Thanksgiving Day, 2006

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

As Americans gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks for the many ways that our Nation and our people have been blessed.

The Thanksgiving tradition dates back to the earliest days of our society, celebrated in decisive moments in our history and in quiet times around family tables. Nearly four centuries have passed since early settlers gave thanks for their safe arrival and pilgrims enjoyed a harvest feast to thank God for allowing them to survive a harsh winter in the New World. General George Washington observed Thanksgiving during the Revolutionary War, and in his first proclamation after becoming President, he declared November 26, 1789, a national day of "thanksgiving and prayer." During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition of proclaiming a day of thanksgiving, reminding a divided Nation of its founding ideals.

At this time of great promise for America, we are grateful for the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and defended by our Armed Forces throughout the generations.

Today, many of these courageous men and women are securing our peace in places far from home, and we pay tribute to them and to their families for their service, sacrifice, and strength. We also honor the families of the fallen and lift them up in our prayers.

Our citizens are privileged to live in the world's freest country, where the hope of the American dream is within the reach of every person. Americans share a desire to answer the universal call to serve something greater than ourselves, and we see this spirit every day in the millions of volunteers throughout our country who bring hope and healing to those in need. On this Thanksgiving Day, and throughout the year, let us show our gratitude for the blessings of freedom, family, and faith, and may God continue to bless America.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 23, 2006, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather together in their homes and places of worship with family, friends, and loved ones to reinforce the ties that bind us and give thanks for the freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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President George Washington On Thanksgiving Day on October 3, 1789

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 THANSGIVING 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

*******

America’s First Thanksgiving

In the Fall of 1621, the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts gathered for a holiday feast with their Indian friends to give thanks to God for surviving a harsh New England winter the year before. Nearly half the population had perished before Spring arrived.

Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth has been one of the primary sources of information on the first Thanksgiving. It notes that the details about the first Thankgiving come from two documents written by Edward Winslow and William Bradford of Plimoth Plantation.

According to a letter written by Winslow: "Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

In a book written 20 years later, William Bradford wrote: "They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports."

A Psalm of Praise (part 2)

Psa 33:13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.

This verse is just one of the many verses in the Bible that informs us of God's omniscience. God sees and knows everything! He knows all about each and every one of us! Isn't it a miracle that He loves us anyway! (Heaven knows there are a lot of things about me that aren't worthy of His love! Thank God for Jesus!)

God's omnipotence is with us!

Psa 33:16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.


Psa 33:17 An horse [is] a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver [any] by his great strength.


Psa 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;


Psa 33:19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

Our only hope in being protected is God. Yet, today, there are many who do not believe in absolute truth. This is an absurdity! Simple mathematics tells us that there are correct answers and there are wrong answers! No relativism in algebra!

But when it comes to God, people seek all kinds of different paths. The politically correct way to act towards differing beliefs is to make magnanimous proclamations that "there are many paths to God and all are legitimate!"

Not to get too far off topic here, but for more about how such "many pathways to God" mentality often leads to spiritual oblivion, see this post and this follow-up post.

What is so great is knowing that God is superintending the whole thing! We don't have to worry about it. But we are called to share the truth of the gospel to all who will listen!

II. The Response of Praise and Thanksgiving

Did you know that we are commanded to praise the Lord? To the non-believer, that might sound arrogant. To the believer, it is a wonderful experience and outgrowth of our salvation!

There is a popular Christian song artist (will locate later) who sings, "everybody's worshiping something, and I choose You." She sings about worshiping Jesus. Whether we are honest enought to admit it or not, we all do worship something or someone! Look at the worship that goes on in the entertainment industry! Crowds at concerts worshiping the people performing on stage. People in the theatre worshiping that handsome, dreamy actor or beautiful, provocative actress up on the big screen.

My question. Has it ever occurred to you that we are meant to worship? The second question remains, however, just Whom we worship!

Personally, I've experienced the immense difference of feelings felt within myself, as well as in observation of those around me, when I attend a secular, super-star band concert verses a Christian rock concert. The people in the audience react quite differently. At the secular concert, generally, the worshiping going on is for the band members and the music. At the Christian concert, the worship is aimed towards worshiping God and His Son, Jesus Christ!

A. We Are to Praise the Lord Obediently

What does that mean? Psalm 33 gives us six different expressions.
1. Rejoice
2. Praise
3. Sing
4. Use instruments
5. Play skillfully
6. Shouts of joy

We show respect out of gratitude. Is praise and worship optional? No! We are to praise obediently.

For me personally, that music video performance I linked to in a former post as well as many other praise music performances that I have attended (e.g. Jars of Clay concerts) are certainly what I would rate as pleasantly obedient forms of praise to our Lord! After all He Reigns!

There is a huge difference between the reasons behind the secular forms of entertainment and the Christian worship forms. To understand such a difference, here's a good interview of two members of the Newsboys.

B. Praise the Lord Beautifully

Psalm 33:1 - Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: [for] praise is comely for the upright.

This verse tells us that praise is pleasing and proper; comely behavior is beautiful, suitable and wholesome in appearance!

Do you have a beautiful voice but your personal life is a mess?

Or...

Are you so in love with God but not in tune?

Here, we tend to admire the beautiful voice singing but in heaven it's upside down!

The Lord wants us to offer praise with clean hands and a clean heart! If not - it's likely not to even get out of the room!

Moral of the story? Keep your heart right!

It's better to have more going on than just a good voice! A great singing voice is indeed a gift from God, but remember, it's the heart that is judged by the Lord!

Psalm 33:2 tells us that musical instruments are mentioned in praise.

Nehemiah 12:27 tells us of an orchestra. Plus, in those days the "harps" were more like guitars.

D. Praise the Lord Creatively

We are to praise Him with a new song! Of course, we all love the old and traditional hymns. But God also loves praise that comes in unique ways from the freshness of our hearts! We can join in ever new freshness. Enjoy a fresh voice to praise!

The concept of a "new song" suggests a song that's never been heard before. This tells us that all the great praise songs haven't even been written yet! With the freshness of new cultural songs that come out of our hearts there is a place for a new song!

E. Praise the Lord Skillfully

God is the target of every godly musician! It's not for the glory of men! But to be offered to God , a living sacrifice of ourselves to that which is pleasing to the Lord!

In the Old Testament, they brought unblemished animals for the temporary forgiveness of sins. They brought the best! This was done to point in the direction of the One, Perfect Sacrifice that Jesus Christ would accomplish on the Cross.

We all have certain talents and spiritual gifts. But none possess all of them! For me,knowing whether or not I should sing in a chorus at church (definitely NO!) or just sing along in the sanctuary (yes...I'm drowned out that way!) is leaving the skillful to perform skillfully at church! (he he)

God wants the best we have to offer.

Psalm 33: Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

We can worship with shouts of joy. Can we really praise quietly? Yes. We can worship quietly. But we can also worship with shouts of joy!

When we go to a sporting event, we don't just sit there and say, "Wow...isn't that a marvelous touchdown." No! We jump up, high-five anyone around us and scream in excitement!

Now, we don't need to go to such lengths in church as we typically would at a football game, but we can be exhuberant in church because He is worthy of honor, praise and glory!

Have you ever noticed that people who aren't grateful are rarely happy?

There are three things that happen when we are grateful and praise God! Because of our praise, we receive:

A. Help
B. Happiness (Joy)
C. Hope

Psa 33:20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he [is] our help and our shield.


Psa 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.


Psa 33:22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

A Psalm of Praise

Today's message on Turning Point was an examination of the anatomy of praise. Dr. David Jeremiah began his sermon mentioning all of the choices that we have. For example. We choose one house out of hundreds in the area we wish to live. We choose one car out of thousands, one or two cereals out of 200, one cell phone out of hundreds available. Sometimes we choose well, then other times we don't. The regret of purchasing the wrong house, especially after the close of escrow and you have already moved in might be highly frustrating and more complicated to fix than other choices.

Dr. Jeremiah mentioned that people often feel worse when material things get better in their lives. The rise of materialistic wealth can often lead to negative feeling within our inner lives.

Who hasn't seen or heard about extremely wealthy Hollywood stars who deal with higher amounts of depression, loneliness, embarrassment from highly publicized scandals and heart-wrenching exposure of their secrets to the world. Their private matters, such as reasons for divorce become public spectacles and often contain much grief due to the revelations of the destructive personal lives that they lead. I will be doing a more detailed post about how the praise and adulation of Hollywood stars often leads to miserable personal lives as a result. But part of the reason for this is the fact that many are caught up in pride as a result of their fame. As I had mentioned in a previous post, the latest issue of WorldNetDaily's periodical called "Whistleblower" discusses the insanity of Hollywood. One particular nugget of truth is the fact that so many celebrities get caught up in one or more of the following stumbling blocks that prevent them to gravitate towards a true relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ and/or any acknowledgment of the God of the Bible:
1. Pride
2. Indifference
3. Hatred towards the faithful in Christ.

Any other religion is OK with them (Scientology, Islam, Buddhism, Wicca etc.) . But Christianity is frowned upon, (most definitely and wholeheartedly) by most of the elitist and prestigious T.V. and boxoffice stars! More about this in a later post.

Back to this topic.

Dr. Jeremiah mentioned that Esterbrook (who wasn't a particularly religious person) once wrote (paraphrased here) - 'We need to stop focusing on ourselves and be thankful for our blessings in life and spread those blessings to others.'

Being thankful doesn't come naturally to us. Christians learn to praise supernaturally.

Psalm 32 is the story of David's grief and guilt over what he had done. He realized that what he had done was due to being out of fellowship with the Lord.

In the middle of Psalm 33, we find him back in fellowship with God. He expresses that his joy has been restored.

Just like David, we have a lot to be thankful for! Starting at Psalm 33:4, 5, we find that we don't want to take God's Word for granted.

Psa 33:4 For the word of the LORD [is] right; and all his works [are done] in truth.

Psa 33:5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.


A. We are to Praise God For His Word.

1. In this verse, we find that God's Word is pure. It is His Word that we can trust. The Bible is a book of absolutes whereas we often live in a world where people pronounce that truth is only relative. If we really want to know what is right and what is wrong, we find it out in God's Word. His Word is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. More is revealed to us as we go from the Old Testament to the New Testament. But God's Word is settled in heaven, forever. It's pure.

We are truly fortunate that we can read the Bible freely here. In China, Bibles must be smuggled in. People there are often just grateful if they have a few pages ripped out from God's Word to study!

2. We are to Praise God For His Word is Powerful.

Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.


Psa 33:7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.


Psa 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.


Psa 33:9 For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast.

In Psalm 33:6-9, the psalmist ususe Genesis to show the power of God's spoken Word. "And God said" is mentioned eight times! He spoke and all was created. God's written Word is the enscripturalization of His spoken Word.

Scripture is sharper than a two-edged sword. We read of praises and conflicts and His Word is pure and powerful.

B. We Are to Praise God for His Work.

1. We are to praise Him for His providential work.

Proverbs 19:21 - [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

In the midst of all the chaos on earth due to man's free will choices to participate in evil, sin and death, God's providential work stands sure through the counsel of Almighty God.

Now, some may ask, what about Iraq and the war on terrorism. What about Hurricane Katrina?

God doesn't cause them but stands behind them as He is in the ultimate control of our eternal destiny. If and when everything falls apart here; what happens to us? We are ultimately, no matter what happens here, in the hands of Almighty God!

This is quite a paradox. But, does this mean that we are to just jump off of a high-rise building? That would be silly. Our time is in His hands.

Jesus told us that in this world we would have trouble. But He has overcome the world. Knowing this and knowing Him is what matters most in this life!! God's counsel endures forever! We are to lock onto Him, and Him alone!! What does He ask of us? Repent!! That is what David did in Psalm 32!

Psa 32:1 ¶ [[[A Psalm] of David, Maschil.]] Blessed [is he whose] transgression [is] forgiven, [whose] sin [is] covered.


Psa 32:2 Blessed [is] the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit [there is] no guile.


Psa 32:3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.


Psa 32:4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.


Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.


Psa 32:6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.


Psa 32:7 Thou [art] my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.


Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.


Psa 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, [or] as the mule, [which] have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.


Psa 32:10 Many sorrows [shall be] to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.


Psa 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all [ye that are] upright in heart.

4. Praise God in His Preserving Work

Our nation is under God. The Bible tells us that blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord! This nation was founded on God's Word. What other nation imprints "In God We Trust" on it's currency?

5. Praise God for His Protecting Work.

Psalm 33:13-15

Psa 33:13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.


Psa 33:14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.


Psa 33:15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

(to be continued...)