"We Give Thanks To God Always" I Thes. 1:2

Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

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 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 consiousness 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, tranquillity 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

"... whose Leaf shall not fade ..." Ezekiel 47:12

This time of year in the midwest, we look about to see leaves fading, falling, blowing all about and everywhere. Yet, the Bible has a passage which states the "leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit." Ezekiel 47 gives a glimpse of an amazing tree that is growing by a river, unaffected by seasons or harsh weather. Does it seem possible? It is possible if taken as a Biblical promise meant solely to encourage God's people that He cares for them; He has a plan for them; He protects and preserves them. The key to these blessings comes just a little farther in Ezekiel 47:12 "...because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary ..." The very source of nourishment for that tree, which is strong enough to withstand the seasons and aging time, comes from the strength gathered through the purity of God's holiness. God's sanctuary is one that offers life, abundant life. It will prevent the fading, the falling, the tossing and crumbling which results from tainted waters that are polluted with the world's offerings.

Psalm 1 is a parallel passage showing a tree planted by the river: "His leaf also shall not wither" verse 3. However, verse 1 provides the true subject "Blessed is the man." God is using a similie, comparing a blessed man to a strong, stable tree: "He shall be like a tree." What is our nourishment giving us strength to withstand trials that would blow us, bend us, cause us to become uprooted? Simply this: the Law of the Lord. From the heavenly sanctuary of our Lord, has come His Law delivered to us through the many writers starting with Moses and the Ten Commandments to the Apostle John as he penned the prophetic words in the book of Revelation. By wrapping the Word of God around us, drinking in the passages, allowing it soak into our soul, we can possess that very power that only our Lord offers.

Take a moment to enjoy the beauty of the Autumn season. When you see the vibrant leaves which have changed from their shades of green, remember that God has given each of us a promise: we can be strong, with unfading leaves, strong in Him and through Him, as we walk in His counsel.

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"No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace,

As I have seen in one autumnal face." John Donne

"...It Was Good."

God in His grace and love for us created this beautiful earth. He said, "Let the earth bring forth ..." and it was done. Soon after the words were spoken, this world was filled with plants - herbs, grasses, bushes, trees with buds then flowers and fruit -- in abundance! God planned every type of vegetation that we would need and put it on this earth, fully available to everyone of us! We have not even begun to determine all of the wonderful uses for our natural resources. The colonists, Native Americans and pioneers all used roots, stems, leaves for a variety of purposes. Some of that knowledge has been hidden from us today. Pharmaceudical companies are continuing to find remedies for all types of ailments through testing on many types of plantlife. Yet, when the process of Creation was complete, in God's eyes, "it was good." That phrase is used four times in Genesis chapter one. Something totally incomprehensible to me is that it is not only good, It Is GREAT! It is unbelievably incredible. If God sees His creative work in this earth, as being "good," what more can we expect when we enter into the gates of Heaven. Revelation 22:1-6 give us just a little glimpse of what that will be. In the meantime, we have representations of the the Genesis Creation in our own gardens; the very flowering plants, herbs that we tend to give us pleasure. Let's thank Him for those bright spots which draw us to meditate on His Goodness. PS Photo Coming

"The Lord hear Thee ..."

Psalm 20:1 declares a promise and with confidence; we can most certainly believe that The Lord hear Thee. King David wrote many of the Psalms; these will be found from Psalm 3 through Psalm 72 as concluding verse 20 states, "The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended." His life with many details is unfolded before us from I Samuel chapter 16 as a young man possessed of strength to slay both a lion and a bear until I Kings chapter 2 which depicts his death after reigning 40 years, sovereign king of Israel. David's words declare that God indeed will listen to our voice, our whispered prayer of uncertainty, our earnest plea for deliverance, our angry cry in troubled times. He will hear our gratitude which can hardly be uttered through tears of joy; when voices are lifted in songs of praise to declare His goodness. King David harbored and shared all of these emotions.

The Lord will hear you. That is a fact. So much so that David had to write it many times: Psalm 4:3 "The Lord will hear when I call." He hears us anytime and all the time "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning(Ps 5:3). God heard David in distress "I am troubled, mourning, groaning, diseased, feeble, broken, failing, without friends, deaf, dumb, ...Thou Wilt Hear" (Ps 38:15). "God shall hear"(Ps 55:19).

Such a precious promise which is reinforced by so many verses in the Psalms. And the beauty is that we can depend on God to listen, provide an answer, grant strength to move forward. "Blessed be the Lord, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore, my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him" (Psalm 28:6,7).

"I would seek unto God ... who giveth rain upon the Earth"

We've just come through a very rainy few weeks. Many could think it a depressing month with the dark skies and thick cloud cover. Despondency could have overcome many who were normally of a sanguine nature. Yet, farmers and gardeners would agree the rainfall provided amazing nourishment to the seedlings for an exceptional growing season! My own perennials seem to be two weeks ahead of schedule; they are thriving.

The book of Job has given us five beautiful words: "I would seek unto God." This is the very best advice; but, only because Job lived through the very worst times. The storms literally encompassed him and tore everything away. In a very short time Job received reports of total loss and destruction. He learned that his animals had been stolen, his servants slain, his sheep consumed, home destroyed, his children lifeless from a great wind. Shocked and saddened by this devastation the Bible says, "Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly" (Job 1:22). What did Job do? He sought God. He sought God immediately and said, "Blessed be the name of the Lord." Can we find a better example of one who walked by faith and retained integrity amidst the very worst calamity?

Reflect for a few moments on the words of Job 5:8-11 and let these words be a source of encouragement when days may seem cloudy or dreary. "I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: to set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety."

"Their Soul Shall be as a Watered Garden" Jeremiah 31:12

Many places in the Scripture, the Lord uses a simile to bring us to a better understanding of His Promises and Provisions. The word pictures that are painted through many passages and verses in particular provided a very vivid description of what we can expect from Him. Jeremiah chapter 31 is one specific example of this. The chapter begins by showing us that God is faithful to His children, with gentleness and caring kindness His has pulled us to himself. It strengthens this concept by telling us why: "I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." Such and emphasis on God's love is incomprehensible, especially when one considers the fact that we are so worthless in our natural state of sin and that we continually withdraw from all the goodness He has so freely given to us. Verse 9 states, "...with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble..." Our God is there for us, meeting our needs, directing our steps, caring for our children, gathering our flocks, protecting us from evil. He causes us to dance and sing because of His Goodness -- He Is Good! And, our very innermost being -- our heart, our soul -- can feel God's presence. Just like a tropical garden that has had its fill of nourishing rain and refreshing dew, our soul can drink of God's grace and be overflowing from His Love, His Everlasting Love.

     Terraced Gardens at Meadowbrook Hall, Dodge-Wilson Mansion in Auburn Hills, Michigan, July

Abundant Life

It's been a beautiful spring day -- warm and wonderful. The sun has been shining brightly and signs of life are everywhere! In my garden, crocuses open wide in vibrant violet, lavender and a soft white with yellow centers. The lenton rose has little pink buds that will soon unfold into full bloom. These are the prelude to even more signs of lush outdoor life. How much we enjoy these first touches of color and the light fragrances that are gently lifted by the breezes.

Jesus has said, "I am come that they might have life." The life that Jesus offers is two fold. He can give our temporal life a sense of daily peace, knowing that eternal life will be granted in the future, beyond the grave. We can have contentment by walking with our Lord moment by moment, day by day.  The eternal life in His very presence is something more, more than we could ever imagine with our eyes and all of our senses. The beauty in spring then summer that we encounter through flowering orange blossoms or below in the hyacinths with delicate bell shapes, pales in comparison to what lies beyond.
                       

John 10:10 "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." In just a few weeks, the sights and scents of spring will be rich and full. We have confidence that every year the lilacs will fill the air with their sweet perfume. Just as sure as the tulips spread their brilliant petals, our Lord has promised us life -- not just an existence, but abundant life in Him and through Him. We'll be given a future that does not stop in death but with the Hope of Heaven. My daughter Heidi has shown me this sentence from CS Lewis in his book Mere Christianity. I think you will agree with Mr. Lewis' keen perception when he states:

                                Public Park with Gardens in Barcelona Spain - Summertime July

"If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world." How very exciting to contemplate that other world and know we will be a part of it, abundantly, eternally.