Thanksgiving 2008

"He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you , O Lord, have given me." - Deuteronomy 26:9

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"Our gratitude to G-d must express itself in the actions of our daily life. Giving back the "First of our fruit", the choicest share of our crop, is the only appropriate way to thank G-d for giving us all our fruit." -Naftali Silberberg

So today, November 27, 2008, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day and I pray that all Americans take a momement to look around their homes, their neighborhoods, their cities, their states, their nation and the world for there is much to be thankful for. Even in times of financial turmoil, political uncertainty, social unrest, illness and disease there is so much to be thankful for but you must allow yourself time to pause, and reflect.

If you are reading this you woke up this morning and that is a very good place to start being thankful. You, have been blessed with another day to interact, enjoy and hopefully appreciate Gods creation as you continue your life journey/expedition.

On a historical note our Continental Congress on November 1, 1777 made a Thanksgiving Proclamation and did so every year until 1784. The wording used in 1777 by the Continental Congress may surprise you.

FORASMUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for Benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of: And it having pleased him in his abundant Mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable Bounties of his common Providence; but also to smile upon us in the Prosecution of a just and necessary War, for the Defense and Establishment of our unalienable Rights and Liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased, in so great a Measure, to prosper the Means used for the Support of our Troops, and to crown our Arms with most signal success: ........

From 1785 until 1788 there were no proclamations and in 1789 President Washington issued the first Presidential Proclamation and it started with....

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 signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."........

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So today if you are so inclined to do so, pause, think and reflect on what you are thankful for.

Working at Virtue

"I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit."

- Benjamin Franklin when talking about his character development plan.

Most people hear the name Benjamin Franklin and probably think of him flying a kite in the thunderstorm, printing newspapers or his image on a hundred dollar bill. An aspect of his life probably less well known is his plan for developing his virtues. In 1726 at the age of 20 Ben Franklin choose to purposefully and methodically develop his character and he devoted his life to the endeavor. He admitted in his biography to not always having practiced or pursued their development but he did try. Are you trying?

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13 Virtues

Temperance - Eat not to dullness, drink not to elation.

Silence - Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid triffling conversation.

Order - Let all of your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

Resolution - Resolve to perform what you ought, perform without fail what you resolve.

Frugality - Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself.

Industry - Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cutoff all unnecessary actions.

Sincerity - Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly and, if you speak. speak accordingly.

Justice - Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

Moderation - Avoid extremes, forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Cleanliness - Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes or habitation.

Tranquility - Be not disturbed at trifles or at accidents common or unavoidable.

Chastity - Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or others peace or reputation.

Humility - Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

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So my question to you is simple.
Do you even know what your virtues are?

President Elect Obama

Well the American people have spoken and the 44th President of the United States of America is Barack Hussein Obama. His acceptance speech was quite well crafted and very eloquently given as was John McCains concession speech. I am prayerfully optimistic and want to believe in the words spoken by both candidates. Over time we, the American people, will start to see the decisions and actions of our new President. Then and only then will we start to discover the character and intentions of our new President.

"God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America." - Barack Obama closing his acceptance speech.

By the numbers....according to a Fox News interactive map of the voting and the US Census Bureau;

The current estimated US population is..... 305,586,154

Barack Obama received 63,893,037 votes or 52.42%

John McCain received 56,404,917 votes or 46.28%

Put 100 people on an island and 52 would back Obama, 46 would back McCain and 2 would not be aligned.

Vote 2008!

Time will tell as to who the 44th President of the United States will be. Regardless of the outcome I pray that our next President as well as all our elected officials will be convicted to humble themselves before God, seek out His wisdom and strive for excellence in their personal morality.
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And now for a few words from our 1st President, George Washington (1789-1797)
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The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.

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Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.

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Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth.

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The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good.

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If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.

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Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

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