A Word From Lincoln

Below is the proclamation for Thanksgiving by Abraham Lincoln officially creating our nationally observed holiday.  In the 4th paragraph he calls on us to give thanks and praise to God as well as calling us to pray for those in need and for our country.  I love how the heart of the man shines through his words. His thoughts are never far from those in need nor from the One who meets those needs.

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted 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 in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth 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, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, 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, tranquility and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

Sunday Blogvotional: See Your Blessings

Do you feel blessed?  It’s easy to get caught up in the trap of feeling like life is handing you a raw deal.  But we need to be careful not to let our vision cloud out the truth.  The truth is that blessings are a constant.  They always exist around us, through us, and in us.  What changes is our perspective of them.  There’s the familiar saying that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.  What you may see as an “unblessed” life someone else may see as a very “blessed” life.  The blessings are there - we just have to open our eyes and look.

"But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.”

 Matthew 13:16

Encouragement of the week: Take a moment – open your eyes and see how God has blessed you.  Challenge yourself to come up with at least 7 today! Then try to do that each day this week.  Then try it for a total of 21 days.  They say it takes 21 days to form a habit.  Is there any better habit to have than thankfulness?

This is Thanksgiving week and the perfect time to jump-start our thankful attitudes. Join me as I challenge myself with creating a new, gratitude filled life for the next 21 days.

Perfect Faith

Have you ever noticed how some scriptures sound so absolute?  For example, the Bible says hope doesn't disappoint (Romans 5:5).  And yet who hasn't felt disappointment in something hoped for?  What about the scripture that says if you believe and not doubt you will have whatever you ask (Mark 11:23,24)?  I don't know about you but I've asked for many things I haven't received.  And then how about in James chapter 1, verses 6 and 7 which indicates that a man who doubts should not expect to receive anything.

These verses have always thrown me for a loop.  They sound like if you don't have perfect faith than your prayers won't be heard or answered.  So - we seem to be in a little bit of a pickle.  Either we have perfect faith or we don't receive anything.  Is that really what the Bible is saying?

I began to think that maybe the words "hope" and "belief" are meant to be taken in a more general sense.  I've always thought of them in a more specific context.  For example, if someone hopes in specifics like getting married someday, or for a well-paying job, or for a healing, they might be disappointed if those things don't happen.  But if the "hope" God is referring to is simply our hope in the salvation of God and the opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven then, of course, hope will not disappoint.  If "belief" simply means we believe that God is who He says He is and Jesus is His son, then maybe that's all the belief we need (and it's enough to move mountains).

In Mark chapter 9 we come across a man asking Jesus to heal his son.  He says to Jesus: "If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Jesus responds: "'If you can?' Everything is possible for one who believes."  The man, realizing his error then says: "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief."  What strikes me about this story is that even though the man clearly had his doubts (he lacked perfect faith) Jesus still healed his son.  It shows me that our faith doesn't heal people, God heals people.  Yes, faith is required but perfect faith isn't expected.  After all, Jesus was the only one who had perfect faith.

So I guess my personal take-away is this: If I ask for something in prayer and I don't receive it, I can no longer guilt myself into believing the lie that I didn't receive because my faith wasn't strong enough.  The truth is my faith is strong - it's just not perfect.  But then again, thankfully, God doesn't expect perfection out of me.

Sunday Blogvotional: Remembering God's Grace

Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of tribes of Israelites, to serve as a sign among you.  In the future, when your children ask you, “What do these stones mean?” tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord.  Joshua  4:5-7

In the Bible we see many instances where individuals and sometimes whole nations set up memorials or altars to remind them of the presence of the Lord.  More significantly – it was to remind them of how God worked in their lives. 

How do we remember those times God rescues us – pulls us out of the pit and sets us back on our feet again?  When God works magnificently in our lives do we thank Him and then forget a week later what He did for us.  How can we make sure we don’t forget and that we pass the truth of His graciousness on from generation to generation?  His efforts should not be done in vain or forgotten.

Encouragement for the week:  Has God rescued you? When God moves in your life – remember it!!  Although we can’t build huge stone altars out in our lawn, we can find other ways to keep God’s deliverance, graciousness and kindness in the front of our mind.  Think of a way that’s significant to you.

From Here To Eternity: A Glorious Transition

A college friend of mine is losing his earthly body today and gaining a fabulous new one in Heaven.  I'm incredibly excited for him for what is sure to be the most glorious day of his life and birthday into eternity.  Eagerly awaiting his arrival will be a sister, a mother, countless angels and his heavenly Father with open arms. 

His passing, of course, makes me sad and my heart breaks for his family but I can't help but think that his infectious smile will be larger than its ever been once he gets to his new home.  He touched everyone he met.  He had a huge heart and more love than most to give away.

I've been reading friends' comments on Facebook.  Everybody says the same thing.  They reference his smile, his attitude, his love for and his dedication to God.  I can't help but think, despite all the health struggles, this man has lived a blessed life.  A life lived in that peaceful spot of truly understanding God's gift of forgiveness is greater than all the pain and suffering of this world.  Below is one of his postings from Facebook a year ago. You can get a sense of my friend's heart and life. 

"'Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases'.(Ps. 103:1-3) Today is the 11th anniversary of my stem cell transplant for stage IV Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I could go into all the treatments and share with you how difficult of a road it has been dealing with the horrible disease. But I am not going to do that. This day and everyday needs to be all about Jesus and how thankful I am for Him forgiving me for all my sins . That is why I chose this scripture. I am so thankful that I am forgiven. I reflect upon Christ and all the pain and suffering he went through to save me from my sins and not from cancer. My prayer is that we all don't forget His benefits."

I'm touched by the fact that his life was so clearly lived for God.  Not everyone can say that about their own life nor will it be said about them. There is, in my humble opinion, no better way to be remembered than for everyone to know your life centered around God. Well done, my friend.  Well done.  

Now I'm left to wonder:  If he has been the life of the party here on earth, what will he be like in Heaven?  We will miss you, Rick!

Sunday Blogvotional: The Guidance of a Loving Father

If you're like me, you recognize multiple areas within yourself that need improvement.  For an introspective person, it can be a bit overwhelming to discover all the areas which could be improved upon.  But what I think is so wonderful is that even if I never change, I know without a doubt that God loves me.  But it's that very love for me that leads Him to point out my flaws.  No, He's not trying to pick me apart with a fine tooth comb.  And He doesn't do this because I have to reach a certain level to meet His standards.  He does this because He wants the best for me.  He knows the good that I can do.  He knows the good that I can be.  He's simply trying to help me to reach my potential.  That's what a loving father does.

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.

Philippians 1:6 

Encouragement for the week:  Pick one of your flaws (yes, we all have them) and thank God for helping you recognize it.  Write down a few ways you can work on it this week.  Ask God for help.  Remember - it's like getting help from your best friend not your worst coach.  Love makes all the difference!