Shouts Of Thanksgiving

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

This is the day set aside for a day of Thanksgiving commemorating when the Pilgrims settled here and had their first harvest thus celebrating  with a feast in 1621. They truly had much to be thankful for since many did not survive the journey overseas and some died once they were here. We had this day designated in 1863 as a holiday. 

Often times today we may not even think about this day of prayer and thanks. It used to be very solemn and everything was closed similar to Christmas but now many stores remain open and football seems to be the order of the day.

Today whatever your plans, and some even have to work, such as first responders, doctors,nurses, and law enforcement, stop and think what you have to be thankful for. Make a list. Somehow when you do this it seems to take away from the bad things in life.

PRAYER: I thank for this day, not just because we get to eat lots of food or watch parades and football game, but because of what it signifies in this land of plenty. Help me never take for granted the many blessings in my life and show me how I can help someone less fortunate not just today but throughout the year. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Thanksgiving In Your Heart

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.Psalm 95:2

Yeah! Thanksgiving is here! For many this signifies family time. For other without family around it is spent with friends. For some it magnifies loneliness and loss. This is the kick off of the Christmas season too. This time of year can bring many people stress over obligations they do not look forward to. 

Could this Thanksgiving time be the one where maybe even on your own you sit down and ponder why we have this holiday to begin with? It is NOT about football. It is NOT about Black Friday. It is NOT about overeating and regret the day after. It IS about some brave men, women,and children who sailed over the dangerous ocean in order to have a life of freedom and not dictatorship. The first harvest feast occurred in the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1621. It was officially made a holiday a couple hundred years later. It is part of our religious heritage. Today it is hard to find pilgrims figures for sale amongst Thanksgiving decorations I guess because they represent religion.

Today while you enjoy maybe the Macy's parade, a football game, and time with family and friends first stop and remember what this day is really about. Maybe have each person give one thing they are grateful for and make a new tradition. 

PRAYER: I thank you this day for all the wonderful things you have blessed me with. Thanks for freedom which erodes more daily and thank you for friends. In Jesus' name. Amen.