Given November 2014 
As we head into the holiday season beginning with Thanksgiving, I thought the other day, “What is the first thing you think of when someone says, Thanksgiving?” I’m sorry to say, for me, I guess it would be… turkey. Ask yourself that question and ask a few people you know and see what answers you get. Some may say; football, family, Pilgrims, or just food. But, as I was convicted to remember, Thanksgiving is about giving thanks. Being thankful for what God has blessed us with. “Yet he filled their houses with good things,” (Job 22:18). “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.” (Deuteronomy 28:2). That’s good news, isn’t it?
In this country, no matter what we read in the paper and see on the news, WE ARE BLESSED! If you would go to another country and see the way others live, you would know we’re blessed. Our forefathers planned it that way by establishing a nation under God and those of us, who believe that, should work to carry out their plan. (It’s God’s plan, you know.)
I’m thankful to live in a free country where I can worship as I please. I’m thankful for my lovely wife of 47 years and our four sons who are all saved and successful. I’m thankful for my four grandchildren and two daughters-in-law. I’m thankful for a career in education and two retirement jobs and whatever my next assignment is to be. I am thankful!
But most of all, I’m thankful that God chose me before the foundations of the world to be His son and that I accepted the sacrifice of Jesus some 55 years ago. I’m thankful for what God has done in me, for me and through me. I’m thankful for what He’s doing and preparing right now, and for what He’s got in store for me and my family in the future. It’s gonna be good! “Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” (Psalms 95:2). “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34) “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I am thankful! How about you?