With Thanksgiving

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:6-9)

Giving thanks is the perfect antidote to the pervasive distress in our world. When we focus on what we want but don’t have (as in shopping lists) or on what we have but don’t want (as in added pounds) we only add to our stress. But when we focus on the freedom from want that we have because of God’s amazing grace and the future already ours because of Christ’s sacrifice for us, we discover that we are wealthy beyond hope and loved beyond reason. What a blessing to live in a country with an official holiday dedicated to giving God thanks for such astounding blessings! I hope that you take full advantage of the gift you have been given in this holiday to praise God for His gifts. I guarantee that if you do, you will enjoy them more—and others will enjoy you more! 

“Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing us with such a prosperous, peaceful, and free nation. Thank you for the opportunity we have to reflect on our blessings this weekend. Be present in all our gatherings, so that we might experience the grace You have so generously poured out on us and spread Your peace in a distressed world, through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.”

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HORN OF PLENTY

A music student brought his French horn to an instrument shop for repair.

He complained that the instrument “felt stuffy” and he couldn’t blow air through it.

The technician knew it was not unusual to find partial blockages in brass instruments.

However, when the he tested the instrument, the horn was completely blocked. 

After much probing and prodding, a small tangerine dropped out of the bell.
 
“Oh,” said the musician when he was handed the fruit. 

Seeing the bewildered look on the technician’s face, he explained, 

“My mom used the horn for a cornucopia in a Thanksgiving centerpiece.” 

TURKEY TRIVIA

Records indicate the first Thanksgiving meal more likely included duck or goose than turkey.

A wild turkey, when scared, can run 20 mph--which may be the reason why.

If there were turkey, it was probably cooked by men, since only 5 women had survived the prior winter.

Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be our national symbol, claiming eagles had bad moral character.

After a stroll on the moon, the first meal Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin enjoyed was roast turkey.

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The Lord bless your thanksgiving this week! 

Pastor Kirk