Thanksgiving

Following is the 1863 Lincoln Presidential Proclamation - celebrated shortly after Lincoln committed his life to Christ and celebrated while America was still in the midst of its Civil War. It was this proclamation which eventually led to the establishment of our national Thanksgiving holiday.


Proclamation of Thanksgiving
by the President of the United States of America

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful years 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 can not 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 theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the field of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax 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 theretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness 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, tranquility, and union.

In testimony wherof I have herunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

[Signed]
A. Lincoln

Father;
Forgive us for our constant failure to acknowledge You as the Creator of this universe, the Creator and sustainer of life, the Source of every blessing. Lord, may we be reminded that You are the only source of true love, joy, and happiness. Only a personal relationship with you can ensure that our life has meaning and purpose. May we be reminded that even in times of trial, You are the true source of our strength, courage, and perseverance. Our purpose is to honor and glorify Your name and to give testimony to Your presence in our lives, even when our days are difficult and our burdens are heavy.
Again, we live in a time of unrest and we have deployed brave young men and women to foreign soils. We would ask for their safe return. We would ask for comfort for their families. And for those who do not return, we would ask that your mercy, grace, and love protect those families that are left with the grief that comes from the loss of a loved one.
Thank you Father, for the the gift of eternal life though faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for your Word to guide and direct our lives. Direct us to live in peace. Direct us to live in Your perfect will. Direct us to desire a closer walk with You now, in order that we might prepare to walk with You throughout eternity. Amen.

Friday Thoughts

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Autumn is in full swing and winter in just around the corner. The leaves have turned and now have fallen, leaving most trees bare. Skies are overcast, and there is a definite chill in the air. So, I thought I'd post a sky from a brighter day earlier this year.
Our Christmas shopping is in full swing and mostly online. I have bought our daughter's gift and my bride has two of the grand daughters covered, and I now have my marching orders to get a laptop for the oldest grand daughter, but that's a whole other post. No rush, no crowds, life is good....so far. I don't know if my bride and I will be getting each other any thing. Honestly, there is nothing that we really need. We have been truly blessed, and for that, we are very thankful.

And neither of us colors our hair!

Hmm...since this will be posted Friday, Nov. 20 I will celebrating 63 years of life on this planet! Yep, it's birthday time again. Time flies when you're having fun. It travels faster as you grow older. Trust me. Still, life has been very good. I have nothing to complain about and more blessings than I can count. I think my bride and I will celebrate with dinner at a local restaurant. If I could, I'd do a movie marathon with the grandcrew on Saturday. "Disney's Christmas Carol", "Partly Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs", and "Where the Wild Things Are" are all playing at the same multi-screen theatre. That would make for a full, and expensive, afternoon and evening.
So, what do I do for an inspirational song this week? I know, I know, don't play Christmas music before Thanksgiving. Typically, that is the rule at our house. The Friday after Thanksgiving I change the CD's in the car to Christmas music and leave them there until New Years Day. However, it's my birthday party and I can play whatever I want. So there! I am blessed, and there is much joy in my life right now. For that I am ever grateful to the source of that joy, God Almighty. A Christmas song came to mind, "Joy,Joy" the title cut from David Phelps' first Christmas album. Enjoy.

Wordless Wednesday

Autumn Blaze

Ruby Tuesday

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One of these days, I'm gonna own a Zcar again. I had a bright red '71 240Z when I was much younger. It was probably the most fun I ever had driving a car.

Looking at the Sky Friday

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Uncloudy Day

Just a clear October day in Arkansas, about three blocks from my office.
And now, our inspirational song for the week, you guessed it...Uncloudy Day. Enjoy.

Salute to Veterans

A Not So Wordless Wednesday

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Old Glory waves in the October air here in Northwest Arkansas. It serves as a reminder that Wednesday is Veterans Day. With that being said, I'm going to share a salute to one veteran today.

My father joined the Navy in 1943. He was a telegraph operator for the Frisco Railroad and he became a radio/telegraph operator for the Navy. Dad could type 105 words per minute on a manual typewriter!!! He could send and receive Morris Code in excess of 70 words per minute! Trust me, that puts him in a class by himself.

Dad was assigned to the U.S.S. Bunker Hill, an Essex Class aircraft carrier. The Bunker Hill served in the Pacific theater. She provided air support for the invasion of Iwo Jima, Tarawa, the Marianas and other islands. She had a crew of approximately 1500 men.


At 10:10 a.m. on May 11, 1945, two Kamazi's hit the Bunker Hill, ripping gaping holes in the flight deck and turning parts of the ship into an inferno.


The Bunker Hill burned for three days before the fires were brought under control. Only the U.S.S. Hornet, and U.S.S. Franklin suffered more damage without being sunk than the Bunker Hill.

Hundreds of brave young men lost their lives that day. Fortunately, my father was among the living. Like most of these warriors, he has said very little about the war over the years. The truth is, words cannot describe the terror of war, nor make anyone understand what the warrior must endure. The survivors spent another three days burying the dead and sea and trying to get the ship seaworthy enough to sail toward help.

As I mentioned last year, we are losing these brave men and women, who truly saved the world, at the rate of 900 per day. They are nearly all in their 80's and 90's now. They will not be with us much longer. On this Veteran's Day seek out one of these patriots and personally thank them for their sacrifice and their contribution to the life that we enjoy. You may not get another chance. Thanks Dad.

Give Peace A Chance

Peace is not a new concept. In fact, it is biblical. However, peace cannot dwell in a troubled soul. It cannot dwell in a heart that is at odds with God. As honorable and noble as our efforts might be to bring about peace in this world, it will not happen without our Creator.




May the God of all creation bring peace to your heart and soul. May He give you the gift of eternal life and may you share that joy and peace with the world around you.