The Turkey – Day finally arrives. I don’t particularly care for that title either – It’s THANKSGIVING DAY – and not to put too fine a point on it – it’s time Abraham Lincoln [Father Abraham – he was called by some] who was forging his way through the Civil War when he asked Congress that the fourth Thursday in November be set aside for Thanksgiving in Praise and Prayer.
You know I don’t know just how many ways we can say it – there’s little doubt but that our Republic is growing more and more secular. There are many prominent stats that can do that, so I need not take this time. But during the last week my wife and I some of our grandchildren had opportunity to visit a local assisted living home – and both of their specialized units – and I see how much a few hymns and a few words of encouragement mean to some folks who don’t have the opportunity for one reason or another to be at home with family on a day like this one. We can’t make it ‘all better’ I guess – but we can at least show we care.
One of the things I really like about Thanksgiving is it comes before Christmas. Christmas in our land has become so commercialized and there’s for the most part such a distance between how many people ‘celebrate’ the holiday and what it *should* symbolize it’s hard to reconcile what’s going on with helping one another. I really can’t say enough about those ministries like the ‘shoebox’ efforts to remember deprived children – or the hospitals that are operated particularly to assist those with afflictions… And then all of a sudden I’m deep into thinking of our men and women overseas when they would dearly love to be home by fireside and loveones – So… tears well up – and I’m so thankful to the Lord for the joys we are able to experience.
I hope that’s your situation. And if it isn’t please drop me a line so my family and I can pray for you – because that’s where the solution to emptiness lies.
Well… to end on a more cheerful note – we have a son with us who ten or eleven years ago we thought he might NOT be with us. Praise the Lord although he has to struggle with some areas – finances being one –- he knows who really holds the future – and who for all eternity can and will hold his hand.
Thanks for being with us today –we’re not selling anything – we’re just leaving you in the hands of one who loves you and gave Himself for you. The Lord Jesus Christ. If you don’t feel you have a friend in the world – you can find one IN HIM.
May the Lord richly bless you.
Cordially, IN HIM
Jack & Barbara Buttram
Delayed audio link:
“JUST A MINUTE”
THANKSGIVING POEM BY Felicia Hemans – The Pilgrim Fathers
My favorite poem for Thanksgiving is a part of : The LANDING OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS by.
Felicia Hemans
The breaking waves dashed high
On a stern and rock-bound coast.
When a band of exiles moored their bark
On the wild
Not as the conqueror comes,
They the true-hearted came;
Not with the roll of stirring drums,
And the trumpet that sings of fame;
Amidst the storm they sang,
And the stars heard, and the sea,
And the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang
To the anthem of the free.
What sought they thus afar?
Bright jewels of the mine?
The wealth of seas, the spoils of war?
They sought a faith’s pure shrine
Ay, call it holy ground,
The soil where first they trod;
They have left unstained what there they found –
Freedom to worship God!
May today, for you and yours be a Blessed Thanksgiving.
<> I’m Jack Buttram. (END)
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