thanksgiving

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we learn that it is God's will that we live thankfully. Every day is therefore Thanksgiving Day. Most people take so much for granted (I will not excuse myself from this fault) and offer little more than perfunctory thanks other than on the fourth Thursday of each November.

Well, instead of griping that we should all be more thankful and mindful of God's provision (no matter how true it is,) today I though I'd share the proclamation that originally set aside Thanksgiving Day as a special day.
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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 PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours 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 beneficient 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 able 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 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 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

know who did it

This morning, I am sitting in my campsite, enjoying a portion of God's creation. Trees. Wildlife. Sunshine. Earlier there was fog. Nature is quite a work, composed of wondrous brush strokes from the Master's hand. I love it, and even though I won't attend church today, I find it very easy to worship Him.

When one talks of creation, I believe that certain specific things typically pop to mind, such as elements of nature. You and I were created by God. If you know Jesus Christ as your savior, as I do, then you are a new creation of his, and he uses us in his good works, his ministries.

I awoke this morning thinking of my friends out in Mississippi. They are wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ; when I was serving as webmaster for my church's website, God used me and others to help them get a small church started (their first contact was through our website.) The wonderful friendship started ten years ago did not start because of me or my service; the little church in Mississippi was created by God according to his will. Their enduring friendship is the blessing God gave to me.

Whether it's our own salvation (spiritual new birth) or the outcome of any ministry, good work, or service we offer, let us always keep clearly in mind who did it. As John Calvin said,

We must always speak of the efficacy of the ministry in such a manner that the entire praise of the work may be reserved for God alone.

recent reflections

The turning point in our lives is when we stop seeking the God we want and start seeking the God who is.
- Patrick Morley

I have over the years thought about the fact that even the most mature Christian will tend to reduce God to understandable bounds. Not necessarily even consciously--it's just very easy to depend on what we know or understand rather than living by faith in the Lord. In Him. Several dear friends whom I greatly love and respect have talked about this here and here.

Recently I have been reflecting on this again as there are several people that I have come to know who do not know the Lord. One has even said something to the effect of, "I've read the Bible and it makes no sense." To see their lives (rudderless,) to listen to them speak (lost,) I hurt for them and pray for the right (better, the opportunity) to be heard by them and to address that error. After all, "...the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..." (emphasis mine.)

Even though I began with Patrick Morley's observation on the point, I've recently been mulling over several other quotes that have been brought to mind by all this, and I think that they are excellent thought-provokers for everyone, whether one knows the Lord or not:

If God were small enough to be understood, He would not be big enough to be worshiped.
- Evelyn Underhill

A God who let us prove his existence would be an idol.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

One of my favorite books is Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer. I believe it is an excellent resource in helping us think rightly about God.