BLOGGER TEMPLATES - TWITTER BACKGROUNDS

Monday, November 22, 2010

A Thanksgiving Blessing

Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.”

(Colossians 1: 12-13)


I cannot believe Thanksgiving is upon us. This is my fourth Thanksgiving in Jacksonville. As Julie and I finished our connection group bible study last night, I was sitting there thanking God for the precious people he has brought into my life. We are so blessed to live in Jacksonville and to serve alongside an incredible staff and church family.


Many of you asked about the Thanksgiving Proclamation by George Washington that I shared in the message yesterday. I am providing the full text of Washington’s proclamation for you. As you read the text, please note how our nation’s leaders were totally dependent upon God and his constant provision. And as you gather this week with your family for Thanksgiving, remember the blessings so graciously bestowed upon you. Acknowledge His power, protection and presence over your life and home. Remember where he has brought you and where he is leading you. Praise him. Serve him. Glorify him.


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 TWENTY-SIXTH 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 able 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 wife, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto 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 third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.


(signed) G. Washington


Happy Thanksgiving,

Dr. Derek


0 comments: