Faith Lutheran Church
Building Christ’s Family Through Faith
Copyright © 2004 - 2008 Faith Lutheran Church.
“Thanksgiving"
"Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:18
By the time you receive this newsletter, the elections will be over. Thank God we can listen to the candidates to make our decisions and vote. In some nations, each side would take up arms rather than debate, resulting in war. Sadly, in a few cases, there is even ethnic cleansing. Fortunately, we have a peaceful transfer of power.
In a few weeks, Thanksgiving Day will be here. We have so much for which to be thankful. A few weeks ago, I came across the following Thanksgiving thought, entitled, "What is Thanksgiving All About?" The author is Dr. Steven C. Riser. He gives us a lot of food for thought.
What is thanksgiving All About?
T … is for our thankfulness for many joys and blessings …
H … is for our healthy, happy harmonious homes …
A … is for autumn, a time for harvest and abundance …
N … is for nature's beauty, wonder and delight …
K … is for the kindness of God and His gracious provisions …
S … for our salvation obtained by our great Savior …
G … is for the gathering of family and friends …
I … for the inheritance and heritage we share …
V … is for the God-given vision the Pilgrims held so dear …
I … is for the integrity and high ideals in all they planned …
N … is for our native country brave and great and free …
G … for God's grace and great goodness to all of us …
It would be a tragedy to think of Thanksgiving only in terms of family, eating, Christmas shopping, football games, parades, and a day off. Dr. Riser gives us additional food for thought.
When you think about all that God has done and continues to do for us, like St. Paul in
2 Corinthians 9:15, we say, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift."
The last letter in thanksgiving is the letter, "G." Thank God for the gift of Jesus, who gave His life for our sins. Thank God for His incredible gift!
St. Paul reminds us to "give thanks in all circumstances." The best kind of thanks giving is thanks living showing our thanks to God by the way we live.
Happy Thanksgiving from Anne, Karen, Kristen and Pastor. We love you.
