Thanksgiving: A Time to Count Your Blessings

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over-head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish… you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

If you have your own computer and can surf the net… you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness…you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day.

If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation…you are ahead of 700 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture of death… you are envied by and more blessed than, three billion people in the world.

If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm… you’re unique to all those in doubt and despair.

So count your blessings and thank God for all that He has given to you and done for you!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

Thanksgiving Snack Mix

This makes a great table favor at Thanksgiving!

2 c. Bugles corn snacks

2 c. "tiny twists" pretzels

1 c. candy corn or corn nuts

1 c. dried fruit

1 c. salted or dry roasted peanuts

Mix all ingredients together and place desired amount in cellophane bags tied with ribbon or raffia and attach a copy of the following:

THANKSGIVING SNACK MIX

Every ingredient in this mix is symbolic:

Bugles represent a cornucopia, the horn of plenty.

Pretzels represent hands folded in thanks and prayer.

Candy corn reminds us that one winter, the Pilgrims were each allotted only 5 kernels of corn per day because food was so scarce.

Dried fruit reminds us that Thanksgiving is the celebration of the harvest.

Peanuts represent the potential of a bountiful harvest for the next year, if seeds are planted and well tended.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

His love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

Thanksgiving Part 4

What lessons can we learn from the Pilgrims? Many--and it all comes back to faith. In the book of Hebrews, it states: "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." The Pilgrims sailed to America because of their faith. They wrote the Mayflower Compact based on God's Word and signed it by faith. They persevered in the harsh climate because of their faith. They befriended the native Americans because of their faith. Their uncompromising belief in God and His Word became the cornerstone of the colony and in turn of the new nation. The choice of the Pilgrims is clear: believe God in all circumstances.

Governor Bradford once wrote these words that should stir our hearts to greater levels of thankfulness for all we possess and enjoy: "We have noted these things so that you might see their worth and not negligently lose what your fathers have obtained with so much hardship." Psalm 105:5 "Remember His wonders which He has done; His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth."

The following year there was a severe drought. The colonists prayed and fasted, and the Lord sent the rain. Enough corn was harvested for the next year and even extra to trade. God performed another miracle. Another Thanksgiving was shared with the Indians. The Indians recognized the hand of God in ending the drought. Legend has it that there were 5 kernels of corn at each plate so no one would forget God's loving care.

Thanksgiving Part 3

Spring came. The Pilgrims met Samoset who learned how to speak English from fishermen. Then they met the famous Indian, Squanto. He was a true God-send--God had an amazing plan for him. The journal entry reads: He was "a special instrument sent of God for our good". Prior to this, Squanto was a sold as a slave and taken to Europe for 10 years. A Spanish monk told him about Jesus. During the time he was in Europe, a plague wiped out his tribe in America. God had saved him from the plague. Other Indians were superstitious of the cleared land, which was a welcomed gift to the Pilgrims.

Upon returning to America, Squanto was not only a translator, but also provided invaluable practical knowledge. He taught the Pilgrims how to use fish "cleanings" for fertilizer, how to grow pumpkins, make maple syrup, trap beavers and stalk deer. He taught them what herbs to use for medicine. Squanto lived with the Pilgrims until his death. The Pilgrims remembered the words of Psalm 105:1-2, 5: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders. Remember His wonders which He has done, uttered by His mouth."

Another Indian, Chief Massasoit, was treated with respect and the love of Christ by the Pilgrims. He was very sick and the Lord healed him through a Pilgrim's medicine. This resulted in a peace treaty which lasted 50 years.

In October 1621, the First Thanksgiving was declared by Pilgrim Governor Bradford. 90 Indians came, bringing deer and turkeys. Other menu items were: venison, goose, lobster, eel, oysters, clam chowder, parsnips, turnips, cucumbers, onions, carrots, cabbage, beets, radishes, dried fruits, pies made from rehydrated fruits, ground corn made into hoecakes (thin slices of bread baked on a fire on the end of a hoe). The Indians brought a special treat--POPCORN--and added maple syrrup to make popcorn balls. The event lasted 3 days. There were games, shooting with bows/arrows and guns and all the boys raced and played.

Before the feasting began, they prayed! Even though half died that first year, the people were grateful--being grateful is a choice. It's not a feeling dependent on our circumstances, as we clearly see in the Pilgrims' lives. They believed that God was in control. They responded to the circumstances of their lives with a perspective that said, "God has allowed this for our good".

In November 1621, more colonists arrived, so the rations were cut in half. This was known as the "starving time". It is said that each person was only allowed 5 kernels of corn per day. They had a choice--they could either give in to bitterness and despair or they could trust Jesus. They chose Jesus---no one starved!---to be concluded!

Thanksgiving Part 1

The story of the first Thanksgiving is so incredible. Hope you enjoy!

Thanksgiving is unique: distinctly Christian and exclusively American. It celebrates: FAITH, FAMILY AND FREEDOM.

Even though historical accounts vary, the story of the first Thanksgiving cannot be told without first talking about Jamestown settlement. The purpose for this voyage to the New World was to find GOLD! God was not a priority. Captain John Smith was a dishonest man. There were 1200 settlers in 1619; only 200 were alive a year later. Their menu was cats, dogs, mice, roots of trees and bushes, they gnawed leather and boiled and ate book covers. The people who settled Jamestown considered themselves good Christians. However, they did not seek God's guidance. They did not ask His forgiveness, so they did not receive His blessings. But the next group of settlers knew better than to start a new life without Christ. They trusted God, and it made a big difference.

Led by William Bradford, Separatists left England to go to Holland for religious freedom. After 10 years, they decided to go to America but only after they spent a day in fasting and prayer for the journey ahead. They read the verse in Ezra 8:21: "Then I proclaimed a fast...that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions."

They had a great hope and inward zeal of laying a good foundation for the advancing of the kingdom of Christ to the remote parts of the world--much different goals than Jamestown colony! Pastor Robinson encouraged and prayed for the Pilgrims before they left. They had a feast and sang Psalms. Many left children and family behind because of the possible hardships and vigorous ocean voyage. One of the voyagers said: "We refreshed ourselves, after our tears, with the singing of Psalms..."---to be continued!