Nov22

"Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us,
and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his
pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his
courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth
endureth to all generations." Psalm 100:3-5

Charles Dickens once said that we are somewhat mixed up
here in America. He told an audience that instead of having
one Thanksgiving Day each year we should have 364! "Use
that one day just for complaining and griping," he said. "Use
the other 364 days to thank God each day for the many bless-
ings He has showered upon you." I couldn't agree more!

The art of thanksgiving is thanksliving. It is gratitude in action!
It is thanking God for your talents and abilities by accepting
them as obligations to be invested for the common good. It is
thanking God for happiness by striving to make others happy.
It is thanking God for beauty by helping to make the world
more beautiful. It is thanking God for inspiration by trying to be
an inspiration to others. It thanking God for health and strength
by the care you show your body. But most importantly, let us
thank God for His precious Son, Jesus Christ, who He gave
so freely, that we may have everlasting life. Now this is some-
thing to be truly thankful for ~ not just this one day, but every
day! may we give thanks always to Him for Him!

                              "The Best Thanksgiving Day"
                            As we gather 'round our firesides
                              On this new Thanksgiving Day,
                          Time would fail to count the blessings
                              That have followed all our way;
                            Grace sufficient, help and healing,
                               Prayer oft answered at our call;
                               And the best of all our blessings,
                                Christ Himself, our all in all.
                         While we love to "count the blessings,"
                               Grateful for the year that's gone,
                               Faith would sweep a wider vision,
                                Hope would gaze yet further on.
                                   For the signals all around us
                                   Seem with one accord to say,
                                Christ is coming soon to bring us
                              Earth's last, best Thanksgiving Day!
                                                             ~ Author Unknown

Because we have Spiritual and material blessings from our
gracious, loving Father, let us give thanks not only today, but
everyday! Everything that we are, everything we possess is
because of God's loving-kindness. "Thank You God!"

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving Day with your loved
ones as you remember to thank the One who loves you most!

                                               Love in Christ, Sandy