Thanksgiving 2012 (November 18 - 24)

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
1 Chronicles 16:8 ESV

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 107:1 ESV

 

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking,

 which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:4 ESV

"Give Thanks

With a grateful heart!"

When I consider that I deserve punishment because of my sinfulness, and instead God gives to me His love and mercy, my only response should be one of thankfulness.

 

 

I am thankful for:



Click here to view November 1 -10

Click here to view November 11 - 17

NOVEMBER
 
18 - Operation Christmas Child and  all the ministries of Samaritan's Purse

19 - the Bible, God's Holy Word
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

20- my church, Blackshear Place Baptist Church
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another,
and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

21 - my country, the United States of America
God has truly blessed America and we have much to be thankful for as Americans. 
With all of her flaws, I am still proud to be an American!
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
Psalm 33:12 ESV

22 - my extended family: aunts, uncles and cousins
It is always great to see family on Thanksgiving Day every year.
When we are all together you can always count on great food and alot of laughter.
Thankful for the memories of loved ones that are no longer with us,
but have joined the celebration in heaven!

23 - Laughter
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 ESV

24 - my Lord who daily bears me up.
Blessed be the Lord,

who daily bears us up;

God is our salvation. Selah

Psalm 68:19 ESV

"Count your many blessings!"  What are you thankful for?

 

The First American Thanksgiving

Fall 1621

Described by Edward 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 labor. 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 among 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 we 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."

Described by William Bradford:

"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 a great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides they had about a peck a meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to the 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 Thanksgiving Proclamation from Abraham Lincoln

By the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

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. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea 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. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

 William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

A Thanksgiving Proclamation from George Washington

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

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 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 favors 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 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 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

Count Your Blessings

"The greater God's gifts and works, the less they are regarded." - Martin Luther

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thess 5:18 (ESV)

"It is impossible to be thankful, and at the same time, grumpy, cantankerous, critical or ill-tempered. That's a lesson Johnson Oatman wanted to teach young people in his song 'Count Your Blessings.' ... It reflected Johnson's optimistic faith, and has been a lesson to many ever since."

- from Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan


Count Your Blessings
Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Pub. 1897

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. Refrain: Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, *Count your many blessings, see what God hath done. [*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]   Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will keep singing as the days go by.   When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.   So, amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.   *Alternate text.       giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:20 (ESV)

Praise & Thanksgiving

Praise and Thanksgiving from Arthur G. Bennett’s The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions (p.15)

O My God,

Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects, my heart admires, adores, loves thee, for my little vessel is as full as it can be, and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow.

 

When I think upon and converse with thee ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness.

I bless thee for

• the soul thou hast created,
  • for adorning it,
  • for sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil;
• for the body thou hast given me,
  • for preserving its strength and vigour,
  • for providing senses to enjoy delights,
  • for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
  • for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;
• for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
  • for a full table and overflowing cup,
  • for appetite, taste, sweetness,
• for social joys of relatives and friends,
  • for ability to serve others,
  • for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
  • for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
  • for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
  • for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
• for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.

I love thee above the powers of language to express, for what thou art to thy creatures.

Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.

Thanksgiving 2012 (November 11 -17)

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

to declare your steadfast love in the morning,

and your faithfulness by night,

Psalm 92:1-2

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17 ESV

When I consider that I deserve punishment because of my sinfulness, and instead God gives to me His love and mercy, my only response should be one of thankfulness.

 

Here is just a few of the things that I am thankful for:



 

Click here to view my list from November 1 -10!

 

NOVEMBER 

 

11 - our Veterans!

 

The men and woman serving and who have served in the military in the face of great danger to protect our great country. Thank you for our freedom.

 

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

Psalm 33:12 ESV

  

12- rainy Mondays in the Fall

 

he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields;

Job 5:10 ESV

 

13- His mercies that are new every morning!

 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

Because of the steadfast love of the Lord, we are not cut off

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul,

therefore I will hope in him.

Lamenations 3:22-24 ESV

 

14 - 6:00a.m. Wednesday Morning Bible Study!

 

Thankful for Clayton, Ryan & Larry and our time in God's Word

every Wednesday morning at Papa Jack's.

 

Iron sharpens iron,

and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17 ESV

 

15 - Tillman, Joyce & Lori Hill

 

Thankful for a godly father-in-law, mother-in-law and sister-in-law! Blessed!

 

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers,

Philemon v4

 

16 - The fact that He knows my name!

 

"He knows by name,

He knows my every thought,

He sees each tear that falls,

and hears me when I call."

 

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:14 ESV

 

17 - Today!

 

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 ESV

 

What are you thankful for?

Thanksgiving 2012 (November 1 - 10)

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Psalm 100:4 ESV

 

giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Ephesians 5:20 ESV

 

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

 

When I consider that I deserve punishment because of my sinfulness, and instead God gives to me His love and mercy, my only response should be one of thankfulness.

 

Each day in November I will list some of the things that I am thankful for:

 

 

1 - Salvation Full and Free!

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV

 

 

2 - Wendy, my wife and best friend!

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 18:22 ESV

 

3, 4, 5 - Olivia, James & Elijah!

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 4 ESV

 

6 - Mama (Betty E. Harden)

She went to her heavenly reward on November 6, 2011. Happy for her gain but I sure do miss her. Thankful for the years I had her in my life.

Her children rise up and call her blessed

Proverbs 31:28a ESV

 

7 - Daddy (James Roscoe Harden)

Daddy went to heaven in 2005. Thankful for the influence of a godly father in my life.

Still miss him too!

Listen to your father who gave you life,

Proverbs 23:22a ESV

 

8 - Stephanie Merritt, my sister!

Thankful for the godly woman that she is. Thankful that the three of us remain close.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

Colossians 1:3 ESV

 

9 - Derek Harden, my younger brother!

Thankful for the godly man that he is. Thanful that the three of us remain close.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

Colossians 1:3 ESV

 

10 - Lori Millwood and the Respite Care Ministry at BPBC!

Thanful for Mrs. Lori and this great ministry to families with special needs kids.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Matthew 5:8 ESV

And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the

least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

Matthew 25:40 ESV