Family Connection 11.29.2010

Family Connection
11.29.2010
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.”

This was the very first presidential proclamation signed by President George Washington in 1789. Even though, technically, Thanksgiving has passed us by, it is my hope and desire that we live each day in thankfulness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As we enter the “Christmas season” where the children in our lives (and if we are honest about it, we ourselves) will be tempted to become discontent and un-thankful for the things we currently have as we are pushed to buy more. I would encourage each of us to remember the things we have to be thankful for, to praise God for those things, and remind ourselves and the children in our lives about these things. I would also encourage each of us to find a tangible way to serve others as families during this season. We have a Local Impact coming up on December 11th and this may provide a great way for you to serve alongside your children helping others. Think of it as a way to serve others and fight off the “gimmes” at the same time.

It is my hope that each of us can make an eternal impact on the children in our lives this week.
Walking by your side,
Brett Humphrey
Pastor H