George Washington’s Thanksgiving proclamation 1789: "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. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations."
The first official national declaration of the Thanksgiving holiday by President Abraham Lincoln on 10-03-1836, "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 to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwell 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, 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."
Well does it smell good? When animals are cooking it is a sweet smell to us. That turkey in the oven just smells so great. In the old Testament they sacrificed animals to God on an altar, by burning them. And I'm sure there was a smell like a BBQ. How does that Old Testament picture and principle translate to our walk with god today? God says that a life of Sacrifice is a sweet smell to Him. When we sacrifice some of ourselves to do Gods work it is a sweet smell to God. When we give up some of our worldly lusts (fleshly things) to do something for others it is like a little of us is burning on an altar of sacrifice. Jesus said "If you try to find your life you will loose it but if you loose your life for my sake you will find it". So I ask you as you smell that turkey in the oven, how do you smell to God today? Here are the opportunities to help other that I have posted.
http://arizjones.blogspot.com/2010/11/another-opportunity-to-do-something-of.html
http://arizjones.blogspot.com/2010/11/why-should-i-give-to-people-in-need.html
If you have extra this year give thanks by helping others who are in need. Hope it smells Good this year on Turkey day.
Thank you for all that you do.
ReplyDeleteFor all the music you share along with your thoughts and feelings.
A peaceful day to you and to yours.