SERIES: #Thanksliving (4 of 4)
#Thanksliving - 4

Washington, D.C. - October 3, 1863
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 unequalled 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.... Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, 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. Abraham Lincoln

Happy Thanksgiving! Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob

Links to other posts in this series: #Thanksliving- Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

SERIES: #Thanksliving (3 of 4)
#Thanksliving - 3

As we’ve been talking about #ThanksLiving this month, living a thankful life, I shared a story with you by Max Lucado in his book, You’ll Get Through This. He is such a good story teller that I’d like to share one more story with you from a chapter  titled “A Splash of Gratitude With That Attitude, Please” in this same book.
   
When Max was a pastor new in ministry, another minister from New Zealand invited him over for tea...high tea. Max begins the story, “In the spirit of adventure I gladly accepted the invitation. I even acted enthused at the sight of the tea and cookie tray. But then came the moment of truth. The hostess asked what I would like in my tea. She offered two options: ‘Lemon? Milk?’ I had no clue, but didn’t want to be rude, and I sure didn’t want to miss out on anything, so I said, ‘Both.’ The look on her face left no doubt. I’d goofed. ‘You don’t mix lemon and milk in the same cup,’ she softly explained, ‘unless you want a cup of curdle’.”
   
Lucado wraps up his story/illustration by saying, “Gratitude doesn’t come naturally. Self-pity does. Bellyaches do. Grumbles and mumbles - no one has to remind us to offer them. Yet they don’t mix well with the (blessings) we have been given. A spoonful of gratitude is all we need.”
~Quotes & story taken from the book You’ll Get Through This by Max Lucado
   
Every day something will be less than ideal. Have you ever noticed, if you are in a bad mood, even more things will be even less than ideal? Maybe that’s because it’s more about our response than the situations we face day to day. I’m praying for you this week that you will try, along with me, to add a splash of gratitude with that attitude when things don’t go so great. We have SO MUCH to be thankful for! 
   
I am thankful for you and for your service,
Pastor Rob

Links to other posts in this series: #Thanksliving- Part 1, Part 2, Part 4

SERIES: #Thanksliving (2 of 4)
#Thanksliving - 2

Which side of the aisle do you find yourself on? This question was asked by author Max Lucado after sharing a story about a flight home to Dallas when his flight was delayed because of a major snowstorm at his departing airport. 

Max’s flight had already loaded extra passengers when he asked the attendant at the counter, “Any seats left?” His heart sank as she replied, “I’m afraid…” and he knew how she was going to finish the sentence….”you’ll have to spend the night here, find a hotel, catch the 6 am flight, etc”. But what she actually said was, “I’m afraid there are no more seats in coach. We are going to have to bump you up to first class. Do you mind if we do that?”
   
As Max boarded his flight and was seated, he noticed a man across the aisle from him who has angry because he had only one pillow. As attendants were trying to prepare a packed plane for an already late departure, this man complained, “I paid extra to fly first class. I am accustomed to better attention. I want another pillow!”
   
Max wrote, “On the other side of the aisle, yours truly smiled like a guy who had won the lottery without buying a ticket. One passenger grumbled; the other was grateful. The difference? The crank paid his way into first class. My seat was a gift. On which side of the aisle do you find yourself?” 
   
Henry Ward Beecher wrote, “A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks that he gets as much as he deserves.” Max Lucado, in his book, followed up with, “The grateful heart, on the other hand, sees each day as a gift. Thankful people focus less on the pillows they lack and more on the privileges they have.”
~Quotes & story taken from the book You’ll Get Through This by Max Lucado
   
My prayer for you this week, as we are focusing on #ThanksLiving, is that you see your day as a gift and are thankful for the privileges you have.
   
I am thankful for you and for your service,
Pastor Rob

Links to other posts in this series: #Thanksliving- Part 1, Part 3, Part 4

SERIES: #Thanksliving (1 of 4)
#Thanksliving Challenge

The challenge: During the month of November, pick one person/thing each day and tell somebody why you are thankful for whatever it is that day.

 Today I am thankful for you, APD/West Side.

Today I am expressing thanks for the Department from the recruits in the Academy, to patrol, specialized units and command staff all the way to the Chief. Daily you leave your family/loved ones and choose to serve me, my family, church, neighbors and city not knowing what your day may bring. You face danger, deal with people/situations others don’t want to deal with, help everybody from the thankful to the willfully ignorant critic, see things nobody should have to see and make decisions that, no matter how perfect, are going to upset somebody. Few understand the sacrifices you make for the life of service you have chosen as a profession.
 
I am particularly thankful for West side and the friendships I have formed visiting weekly briefings over the past 5 years. I respect you greatly and wish your critics could see some of the behind the scenes I have: I have seen you carry groceries for the elderly, distract/comfort a scared child, give money out of your own pocket to help an elderly lady in need, take up a collection and shop for school supplies/clothes for kids who have had a hard life and watched you use great skill and kindness to talk down those who threatened violence. It's an honor to shake your hand as you head out to shift each Monday, and I mean it with all sincerity when I say, "Stay safe, thank you for what you do and I'm praying for you today".  
   
Your service IS appreciated,
Pastor Rob

Links to other posts in this series: #Thanksliving- Part 2, Part 3, Part 4