As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John F. Kennedy
This year it seems I am missing nostalgia. I long for the days when our country honored Jesus Christ, when we weren’t intimidated by others that want to squeeze God out of our lives and when everything that we do or say is not scrutinized by P.C. police.
Even though those days may be behind us, there is NOTHING and NOBODY that can stop The Church of the Living God! They can pass laws, call it hate speech, put us in jail, persecute, prosecute and anything else they can come up with to shut us up but His Truth always, always marches on.
The Church has seen persecution before and it will definitely see it again in these Last Days. But the Good News, the Gospel, has always prevailed and this hour will be no different.
The following is from Thanksgiving, 1963, from President John F. Kennedy. You can read the entire address here. I thought his words were fitting. We can still, as the Body of Christ, Give Thanks where it is due!
“Now, Therefore, I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States of America, in consonance with the joint resolution of the Congress approved December 26, 1941, 55 Stat. 862 (5 U.S.C. 87b), designating the fourth Thursday of November in each year as Thanksgiving Day, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 28, 1963, as a day of national thanksgiving.
On that day let us gather in sanctuaries dedicated to worship and in homes blessed by family affection to express our gratitude for the glorious gifts of God; and let us earnestly and humbly pray that He will continue to guide and sustain us in the great unfinished tasks of achieving peace, justice, and understanding among all men and nations and of ending misery and suffering wherever they exist.”
How do YOU Give Thanks?
In 2013, I asked for readers to respond to a few questions I posed and thought I would do something similar today. Then on Thursday, and maybe Friday if there are many, I would share YOUR responses! Let’s give it a try.
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Thanksgiving is one of the most loved holidays we celebrate as a nation. How do YOU and your family give Thanks? (For instance, aside from saying a prayer, do you go around the room and tell what you are thankful for that year?) Be specific!
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Has God performed a miracle in your life or your family, a friend, coworker, something that would be encouraging to others?
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How could we show this THANKS all year long and not just on the fourth Thursday of November?
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What would you do differently in the coming New Year to share the Gospel with those you know and love?
I would be thrilled if you would take a minute and answer any or all four of these questions. It is so much more enjoyable and strengthening when others are involved at Hope in the Healing. If it’s just me all the time, trust me, you get bored real fast. But when there is interaction and sharing, it truly does bless the Body of Christ.
Wishing you a wonderful week with your family and friends. Be blessed!
Sharing with Testimony Tuesday, #RaRa Linkup, Tell me a story, Titus 2sday
Valeu Jorge. Grande abraço. Junior
Beautiful, Hazel, thank you so much for sharing! Blessed Christmas to you and your family. ♥
I try to begin and end my day with thanks unto God. This year at our Thanksgiving dinner, prior to the prayer. I asked everyone at our table to have a thankful heart, and that I was thankful for the Lord Jesus who was sent from heaven to become our Savior. I was also thankful for each one here and although we realize there are a lot of bad things going on in the world and in our Country, I am still thankful that I live in America the Beautiful. We prayed and enjoyed a lovely dinner. The conversation turned to funny things different ones remembered from their childhood. It was a good day.
Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story and your 4 questions are worth consideration.
We always go around the big table with extended family and give everyone a chance to tell some of what God has done in their lives this year, after dinner. It’s one of my favorite things, because we tend to be loud & chaotic much of the times as these family get-togethers, with 10 small children running around. 🙂 Thank you for this encouragement!
Amen, Betty, praying God would open doors for us to share Truth. Blessings!
My heart is burden for a few people I know who do not know Jesus. I am asking God to provide the perfect time to witness to them. I would pray a lot more for their soul.