Thanksgiving Day! Thursday, November, 24, 2011.
Let’s talk about The Evolution of such a given paid holiday to frolic and play! Why do Americans seem to overeat on this day? Why would I rather eat three big fat meals on this Thursday in November than to share a crumb with a starving child or family? Is this the way to thank God for His abundant blessings to me from my planting crops and harvesting its fruit. Hum! Never have planted one.
Turkey, cornucopia, pumpkins, and football? How does this holiday different from any other day for me? Except maybe someone cooks for us. If I have to cook I know where to buy already prepared!
What does Thanksgiving Day mean to me in deeds and, indeeds? Other than lifting a fork to my big mouth to fill my oversized stomach so someone can give me a larger size jean for the next Holiday. BTW, that is Christmas. And, its hardly a month away. So, make them a designer jean. When I fill size—, this year….make sure I get another size next year.
Shopping starts at midnight Thursday night so we can go and buy what we all talked about over turkey. I even heard some stores will open at 10 pm and not wait for the midnight jam.
Thanksgiving Evolution! O, and let’s not forget the Macy’s Day parade. I read this is the 85th anniversary of their parade. How many have I seen?
I always thought, until today, that communities gathered together at a local church for a special “Thanksgiving Service.” Many times in some communities serving families in need a warm meal. Does this happen today? How do we take care for our families without food?
What does Thanksgiving really mean to me?
thedailylily.com 
I just want to go to Bob Evans for lunch and stay home and paint my Christmas presents and finish knitting my scarf that is for someone else.
Hey Rena, there you go girl! Go for it! Enjoy your day….free of debris wouldn’t you say?
When I ask the children of many age groups that I am fortunate enough to teach in my elementary school that question over the years…. What is Thanksgiving and what does it mean? The responses are very interesting. They give me the pilgrim/Indian story; they tell me that Squanto was the hero; Pochahatas was the heroine; the pilgrims thanked the Indians; the Indians thanked the Pilgrims, etc etc. But inevitably, with a little prompting from me, even in the older classes a still, small voice usually in the back of the room or waaay over on the side will say, almost inaudibly …”they thanked GOD” Yes! I tell the chldren. They thanked God and that is why it is called THANKS-giving. Then the light bulb goes on for many of these precious little souls who have bought into the secularization of all things sacred, without much choice.
But I still love Thanksgiving because I get to sleep in, say my thankgiving prayers without having one eye on the clock rushing to leave for school.
We will find a nice restaurant that is open….not have to cook….and maybe share some stories about the Lord and what revelations we have found in our studies and prayer life.
Giving thanks to God, as a timid little student will venture to say, in a mostly “not-a-clue” environment. It means that to me too, cuz that’s how I had learned about THANKSGIVING in my grammar school.
Thank You God, for salvation, for Jesus Christ’s dying on the cross for my sins. Thank You for His resurrection and ascension into Heaven to intercede for me so that in due time I would become a child of the living God. Thank You Father in Heaven. All honor and glory to You and thanksgiving, in Jesus’ Name.
ps. Sara, I believe the Date is THURSDAY NOV. 24th!!
O my godly M G sure don’t want you to miss your “sleeping in? And don’t snore so loud that you wake the neighbors up! As Chickenfarmer would say, Whoopee!
BTW Chickfarmer, Happy Thanksgiving!
Great article on evolution of the church: ” Politically, his faith evolution creates an opportunity for Perry to connect with the evangelical voters”..It interest me to see how to give thanks in the ‘evolution of the church’ from the eyes of the American churches. I, likewise, pray for wisdom to evolve as part of the community church.
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/05/rick-perrys-long-faith-journey-culminates-in-presidential-run/?hpt=hp_c1
Thanksgiving means to me that ‘family’ that rarely gathers at one table to eat and have truly meaningful discussion; never attends church together (or for most, at all except if there is a funeral); and seems more focused to serve self than others, decides this is one of a couple of days during the year to converge under one roof. I haven’t seem an evolution that I would be proud to report on. More like running in the same hampster wheel year after year only with with bigger and older bodies running a little slower.
When all eyes and voices are not focused on gathering around the Lord’s purposes and provisions to give thanks and reach out to give or help others in need it is an empty cornucopia.
I found the article above encouraging to read about a ‘faith journey’ that is going somewhere, not just round and round.
My understanding of Thanksgiving is: and, I found this definition of Thanksgiving on line to match my understanding; “public acknowledgment of divine goodness: a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness.”
I could say this is what we are doing now via web. Also, in our homes if we have guest, even if they are grown adult children that come to our homes as guest we can use this opportunity to publicly acknowledge and celebrate the divine goodness of God as we know Him.
I am also very much aware that we live in a wonderful nation where freedom of religion is our ‘prize possession’. Therefore, we honor and respect all peoples, religions and faith as they celebrate in their own special way. We honor one another.
Hey Debi, maybe we can find a good use of the hamster wheel and turn it into an Ezekiel wheel. You are blessed to have adult children that cook, clean and fully support the meal and home that serves them their meal. Your family works toward education, travel and learning in various ways. They are all healthy, have jobs and participating in the whole of society.
Let’s be creative and take our prayers, thoughts, love and concern and turn our wheels into something fantastic even if its a ferris wheel!
I hope each one enjoys their day and makes a memory that lingers in the nostrils of each one that has come our way.
My thoughts on Thanksgiving is the hope that my deeds, and indeeds, would help in some small way to stomp out poverty, diseases from lack of flushing toilets around the world, and most of all prejudices of all kinds. I give God thanks for the love that I have to see and want this to be.
I pray and hope and would like to invent a public toilet that would flush that would not need all the pipes, clean water and expensive things it takes to flush a toilet. May all peoples have toilets that would flush to help prevent diseases that is so devastating to many.
There is so much to be done on earth and so many things, yet, to be invented for the good of all peoples. I am using a computer that I credit “Apple” with. I desire many other ingenuous things to be invented for the good of all. May I thank God for the peoples on earth that have the ability to create and are doing it.
Thanks Sara for sharing your understanding of and definitions of Thanksgiving and also your enlightening wisdom and perspective that brings hope and creative solutions to complex issues, turning darkness into light.
And yes to Ezekial’s wheel which says to me that the Holy Spirit can bring new life to hamster wheel …and a ferris wheel is a big, big wheel that carry’s people and allows them to see a different view and perspective from the top. “Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.” Ezekial 1:20
I also join you in praying for your invention of a public toilet as well as other inventions that meet your heartfelt needs of many, many peoples.
Thank you Debi for praying for the children and others that may die from lack of flushing toilets. I see many beautiful healthy children in our families and communities. How proud we are and feel when we see the children. Then when we pause and take a ride around the world in our spiritual wheels we are reminded how prayer with hope and doing and creating may change the outcome of many lives.
Think about what it would be like without vaccines and other interventions on behalf of children. Would we even be here? Sometimes we need to take a ride on a wheel to appreciate our blessings. Ezekial wheel is very interesting, don’t you think?
1620, William Bradford recorded in his journal: ” When the Pilgrims landed in the New World, they found a cold, rocky, barren, desolate wilderness. There were no friends to greet them, Bradford wrote. No houses to shelter them. No inns where they could refresh themselves. During the first winter, half the Pilgrims died of sickness or exposure – including Bradford’s wife. Though life improved for the Pilgrims when spring came, they did not really prosper.”
Reasons for their coming: “The Pilgrims came to America for one reason – to form a separate community in which they could worship God as they saw fit.”
Thanksgiving, yes, a day of looking backward, forward and making wise choices for tomorrow.
Barnes’ Notes on the Bible on Ezekial 1:20, the wheel;
“Whithersoever the spirit of the four living creatures was to go, the wheels went – there was the spirit of the wheels to go. All four creatures together with their wheels are here called “the living creature,” because they formed a whole, one in motion, and in will, for one spirit was in them.”
O, that we should be one with the Spirit!
Evolution: Don’t forget the Black Friday deals. What would turkey and football be without dreaming of Black Friday. Hey, I heard that even now people are already camping out to be first in to get some bargains. Go Black Friday shoppers.
Happy Thanksgiving to All…
Thinking about vaccines… and other things such as advancements in agriculture through breeding and technology that enable us to produce more food and create crops that are drought resistant so that peoples in nations with little rainfall can eat…disease and insect resistant so that plants that supply food and clothing can thrive.
Dallas plays football on Thanksgiving Day. My very favorite pass time.
I skipped ahead in my devotional book and read November 24th devotion. Read with me: “Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience–at times, blind obedience. To people who don’t know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heartrending hardships. Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain. Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective. It is this Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity.”
“Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts.”
Should I walk around today giving thanks for children that are dying from hunger? Suffering and dying because of unhealthy conditions? People of all ages with only unclean water to drink, I give You, O Lord, thanks?
Or, does this mean just to thank God for my own circumstances of having not enough money, energy or a want to-to help?
Psalm 34:1 “Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left. I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”
I think the qualifier is; ‘for you who belong to Christ Jesus…’
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18 NLT And, vs. 17 says, pray continually;
And, look; Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”
Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
OMG, no time for turkey or my football game! I must face it; giving thanks takes work, time and energy with lots of wisdom.
“Should I walk around today giving thanks for children that are dying from hunger? Suffering and dying because of unhealthy conditions? People of all ages with only unclean water to drink, I give You, O Lord, thanks?”
Doesn’t sound like anything to be thankful for, does it?
I think I can understand from the following teaching by Paul:
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13 NLT
I rejoice and give God ‘Thanks’ in all circumstances because of who He is and His ability to change things. I must stay awake and steady in prayer and doing good deeds. Open no door to my sinful nature for this will not allow me to know the mystery the writer speaks of above. A very deep mystery.
It’s the sinful nature that wants to rule me to enjoy and wipe my mouth, sleep, and repeat!
Psalm 89:15-21 gives a great illustration of giving thanks for all things.
Sara, I think your explanantion, “I rejoice and give God ‘Thanks’ in all circumstances because of who He is and His ability to change things” draws a line around the enemy and says don’t cross over! It gives hope and reason and slaps passivity in the face.
In reading Psalm 89, I found vs 16, “They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation.”…that gives a real rockof integrity to stand on to give thanks for, and it never changes.
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name†(Psalm 100:4, NKJ)
Agreed Debi, did you notice, “be thankful to Him?” We bring Him something from our deepest self. “We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord…” Hebrews 13:15 “…let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise…”
Praise and Thanksgiving is a daily experience. A full time position. It would be lovely if we thought “Thanksgiving Day” that we set aside each November as a holiday would be giving fully to this act of obedience to God, to praise and thank Him. Evolution of; Thanksgiving?
Psalms 107:8 “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
“Praise and Thanksgiving is a DAILY experience.” Father, we praise Your name, and give You thanks. I have been blessed to be a part of a group, at my children’s school (momsintouchinternational) where a group of women gather, for one hour to pray for children and schools. Interestingly, we have guide lines each time, that we follow, and the first on the list is: PRAISE…..We praise “God for who He is, His attributes, His name or His character.” Another on the list is THANKSGIVING….We thank “God for what He has done.” Theses guidelines seem to follow right along with what we are talking about here, on the Lily.
Amen, Needles, Lily and Momsintouch….Let’s stay with the guidelines!
I want to thank each one that has prayed for me this year and to say how very grateful I am to have Christians friends in my life and the life of my family.
I give God thanks and praise for His love poured forth in our lives and His love flowing out through His church. Thank You!
Oh I get it, Sara!! We bring the sacrifice of praise into the HOUSE OF THE LORD that is….OUR TEMPLES…where the Holy Spirit dwells. Say, thanks for that revelation!!!! Well, it is to me, anyway. Praise Him in the sanctuary of our being. Praise Him in our gates (lips) Praise Him in our courts ( minds) Praise Him in our holy of holies ( hearts/spirits).. Love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and soul and mind and strength.
Yes, MG, I think we have to Praise Him in the sanctuary of our being before we can praise Him in Walmart, Target or church building. Isn’t it exciting….
Sara, you said above in a comment, “O, that we should be one with the Spirit!”
That must be the real way to praise him in the sanctuary of our being.
“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!†(1 Chronicles 16:34, AMP)
As we approach “Thanksgiving Day”, and we give thanks and think on His loving-kindness and how it endures forever and from one generation to another may we find ways to show kindness with helping hands to all that we serve.
One thing that comes to my mind for me to keep intact in my being is not to become weary in doing good because that takes me from praise and thanks for the opportunity to serve and take care of others to a constant nagging mind. And, that is the delete button of the soul!
How many can we serve from our “cornucopia of love?”
And, how much have I EVOLVED into a house of thanksgiving, praise and worship from the beginning of this blog about a week ago to the big day on Thursday? Thanksgiving Day!
Gary, my husband, sent me this article this am. O, how I have believed this from the teaching of my Mother. I have tried to give this gift to many others. Let’s try it!
http://shine.yahoo.com/tistheseason/grateful-kids-healthier-studies-benefits-365-days-thanksgiving-221500657.html
Good article. Sure confirms your statement, Sara, above, “Praise and Thanksgiving is a daily experience. A full time position.”
A lot of wisdom and depth to the Bible’s truths and reasons for giving thanks. Also looks like a full-proof prescription and remedy for health if we apply.
Great article. I agree with Debi – Praise and Health what a wonderful combination.
CNN headlines today: “Report: 1 in 5 U.S. children at risk of hunger…The number of families that struggle to get enough food has increased in recent years.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that in 2010, 14.5% of households in the United States — about 17.2 million — lacked the resources to provide enough food for everybody. Among those, about 6.4 million households saw normal eating patterns disrupted or reduced because there wasn’t enough food.”
Also, read on CNN… “My Take: On Thanksgiving, Puritans gave thanks for sex and booze…” by Stephen Prothero, a Boston University religion scholar and author…”
I am really into my search of the evolving of Thanksgiving….Has there been any change?
link to article I mentioned above:
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/22/my-take-on-thanksgiving-puritans-gave-thanks-for-sex-and-booze/?iref=obnetwork
Amazingly, I just now opened LILY to find Sara’s link to the article on listing your blessings and how healthful it is for our children to start when they are small.
But early this morning I received this email from a acolleague:
Good Morning!
” I just wanted to take a moment to say that I am so grateful to get to work with you all. Each year, my mom made me write a list of things I am thankful for around this time of year, and I just wanted to let you know that you all are on my list! I cannot imagine working with a more supportive group of musicians and music teachers! Thank you for being you! ”
And now she is all grown up and still a grateful and thankful person. Bless her and all my colleagues.
MG, you have a circular blessing. Will the circle be unbroken? Never? Let’s make an outer and inner circle and keep on blessing.
Found this quote online:
“The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!†– Henry Ward Beecher
I give thanks with a grateful heart; great quote.
Good Morning and Happy Thanksgiving to all; “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…â€
(2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJ)
Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful Thanksgiving Day. I praise Your Holy Name, You are worthy to be praised!
Thank you Lord for your many blessings and provisions. I pray for those who are in need today Lord, whether it be physical, spiritual, emotional or some other need..that you will touch them in a special way and provide for and meet their needs.
Father, I agree in prayer with Debi.
Happy Thanksgiving dailylilies and to all who read this blog. I agree with Debi prayer as well. I praise God for all that he has done in my life and the lives of those around me. What a mighty God we serve. We eat of this harvest this year. May we plant well this coming year in the lives of others so there may be a great harvest to celebrate next year.
On a light-hearted note…and out of the mouths of babes….
I asked my 4th graders what it meant to bless different people in their lives. One said “Pray for them” (WOW!!) BTW as an aside, that came from a child who attends a Children’s Bible class after school at our school PTL!!) Another child said to obey their parents. Then I asked….’how can you bless your teachers?’ From the back came the answer….”STAY HOME!!!
Well maybe it wasn’t quite that but it sure sounded like that. We all laughed.
Another precious answer I heard on a broadcast this morning….
When a little child was asked by the interviewer, how do you know when the turkey is done…..the answer from this 4 year old…WHEN YOU EAT IT!!!
I am with the little 4 year old. My family has a double blessing this Thanksgiving. MG delivered the largest box of Turkey and trimmings that man can produce. It leaves my errors out. It is perfectly cooked and perfected from Wegman’s. What a blessing to my family and ME! Thanks, MG!
Macy’s parade is beautiful. Now if my football teams play well I will be in business. Even if they lose I will love the game.
It can be said of you Sara & Gary by Proverbs 11: 25
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. So as you have sown, sow shall you reap, blessings and and honor and respect. It’s the law of sowing and reaping.
“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”
Mg, you must be overflowing…l
Yes Sara, overflowing with the Lord Jesus’ salvation, forgiveness, provision, healing, a church, True Bible teachers, a job, a home..pressed down, shaken together and running over is the Lord’s provision in our lives. It’s sort of like “What you see is what you get.” If you “get” to have prosperity or better yet, provision, it is (by Bible principles) because you have SEEN to it that others have received. David says in Ps. 35, I have been young and now am old and I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed out begging bread.” That we can rely on. God’s faithfulness.
Can you imagine anyone not over anxious to give with these promises?
We should LIVE to GIVE. or should I say….we MUST…..
I was thinking about that this morning. Ps. 92 says that the righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. Those that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish …. They shall STILL bring forth fruit in OLD AGE. They shall be FAT and flourishing….” Well, I got the FAT part right but now I MUST keep working on the FLOURISHING FRUIT! 🙂
I know the FAT part in other Scriptures mostly means ‘Fatness in spirit and soul.’ But another thought came to me. If we keep consuming our fruit, we have nothing to give to those who are hungering and in need of nourishment from the fruit of our lives.