Tag: Thanksgiving
THANKSGIVING:
Posted on November 26, 2015 in Family, Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
I never cared much for Thanksgiving. That’s a funny way to open a post about Thanksgiving but, the truth is this day never really had a lot of meaning to me. For whatever reason I never saw this day as more than a day off, a day to relax, eat, and play or watch football (or both). Then something happened.
The natural process of life: getting married, having kids, getting older began to change my attitude about Thanksgiving. I saw a desperate need to foster an attitude of thanks and gratitude in my own life. Instead of constantly pursuing more I wanted to be grateful for the many blessings God has given to me and my family. In fact, each night when our family prays we thank God for His “many blessings, like food, clothes, and a warm bed.” And why shouldn’t we?
Taking a quick glance around our world I see hungry people, men and women and kids with no homes, people being forced from their homeland for one reason or another, war, abuse, violence, and sin. The truth is, our world is not a very pleasant place. There is much to be discouraged and disheartened about. But, there is also much to be thankful for.
Bradford, Washington, Lincoln, and W: Thanksgiving Proclamations Thanking God and Encouraging Prayer!
Posted on November 27, 2014 in Public Policy by Nathan Cherry
The very first Thanksgiving Proclamation was made by William Bradford in 1623. At least that is how history records it. I have no doubt the Pilgrims were quite thankful when they landed in the “new world.” But history doesn’t record an official proclamation until several years later when Bradford, the governor of the colony, said these words:
A Worthy Proclamation: President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Day Proclamation
Posted on November 28, 2013 in Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
On this historic day of thanks we pause for a moment to look back and remember the blessings we have been granted by Almighty God over the past year. It is customary for the sitting president to issue a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, a tradition that has endured for many years.
One of the most memorable proclamations was offered by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Though Thanksgiving had been officially recognized and celebrated before 1863, celebration of the day was dwindling. It was revived in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln once again officially recognized the day and called for all Americans to celebrate on the last Thursday in November.
Lincoln made faith in God a central part of his proclamation in recognizing the providence and provision of Almighty God in the blessings experienced by America. President before and after Lincoln would similarly recognize the central role faith and the providence and provision of God played in American history.
Read the text of Lincolns historic proclamation below:
Can We At Least Be Content and Thankful on Thanksgiving?
Posted on November 27, 2013 in Family by Nathan Cherry
The following is an article I came across and wanted to share. It is a commentary on the American consumer society and how we can’t even be content for a few hours on what is supposed to be a national day of thanks. Rather than spending time with our families being thankful, we are arranging shopping trips to buy more because we just can’t be content, not even for a few hours on Thanksgiving. Read it and be reminded of what a day of thanks is supposed to look like. And remember, if people weren’t willing to go out and shop, stores wouldn’t open at ridiculous times, like Thanksgiving.
Is nothing sacred? Stand up for real meaning of Thanksgiving, skip the shopping on Turkey Day
by T.J. McCormack
I was almost expecting it when the KMarts and Walmarts of the world announced their stores would be open this year on Thanksgiving night. Sigh. It seemed to reflect that good ol’ American over-the-top holiday consumerism which seems to creep up on us closer and closer to Labor Day every year.
7 Things You Might Not Have Known About the Pilgrims
Posted on November 27, 2013 in Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
At Thanksgiving we briefly return our attention to the Pilgrims as we remember the incredible voyage they made to the “new world” in search of religious freedom. As we look back and remember not just the Pilgrims, but what our Founder’s endured to establish and ensure religious freedom in America it is almost surreal to think our greatest battle presently is over religious freedom.
Lest we forget the Pilgrims and their bravery and sacrifice, I want to share a few things you might not have known about that fateful voyage so many years ago.