There is a saying, “Sometimes in life we focus so much on
what we don't have that we fail to see, appreciate, and use what we do have!”
Jeff Dixon
History reminds us that back in 1534, England broke ties
with the Roman Catholic Church. This new group of worshipers of God was known
as Separatist. “Despite the fact that the separation was tied to Henry VIII’s
political and marital issues, Protestant Reformers saw this as an opportunity
to bring true reform to the church in England. In time, these reformers
came to be called Puritans (mainly
because they wanted to “purify” the Church of England of Catholic traditions
that they did not believe to be biblical).
However, after many years of struggling for change, some
Puritans felt that little progress had been made toward true reform; they
decided it was time to separate from the Church of England and start anew. Thus,
began the distinction between the Puritans and
the Separatists. Though
the groups shared theological beliefs and values, the former chose to remain
part of the Church of England, while the latter chose to separate.
The belief that the Pilgrims came to America in search of
religious freedom is inspiring, but it’s just not so. Religious
persecution had prompted the Pilgrims to move from England to Holland in 1608,
but none of the Pilgrim writers so much as hinted that a desire for greater
religious freedom led them to leave Holland for America in 1620. By their
own account, Holland was a place where God had blessed them with “much peace
and liberty.” They cited factors other than religious persecution in explaining
their decision to seek a new home across the ocean.” By Professor Tracy
McKenzie
Today is Thanksgiving Day in America. The
day celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New
World in 1621.This feast lasted three days, and it was attended by 90 Native
Americans, and 53 Pilgrims. These days of feasting took place in
the New England colonists. On this day, these pilgrims put self aside
and thanked God for His blessings to them. On the other hand, in giving thanks
in the life of a true hearted person will bring about
no war, bloodshed, and plans to terrorize humanity with the most
dangerous methods devised by mankind.
On this day that has been set aside to give thanks by the
most powerful nation on earth. Is it amazing that they are at war instead of
sitting down around a table finding ways to bring about peace and live
peaceably with all men. Is it because mankind has forgotten that there will be
no true peace, without the God of peace in their lives? Or is it
that, “The real story of religion in America’s past is an often awkward,
frequently embarrassing and occasionally bloody tale that most civics books and
high-school texts either paper over or shunt to the side. And much of the
recent conversation about America’s ideal of religious freedom has paid lip
service to this comforting tableau. Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/americas-true-history-of-religious-tolerance-61312684/#ZTZK7RM6FiCDzyw9.99
As you look around America today and every other country,
you see sadness, and unhappiness, everywhere. This was
not Gods plan. When He made mankind, He gave them minds to
think, and thank Him every moment and every day. Instead, mankind has
used their minds to think of evil continually and
create the world into what they would like it to be, and at the
same time rationalize their ingratitude. Douglas Wilson was
right when he said, "We are a murmuring, discontented, unhappy, ungrateful
people. And because we think we want salvation from our discontents...”
Today is a day of thanksgiving and my theme all day is,
"I will bless the Lord at all
times: his praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof,
and be glad. O magnify the Lord with
me, and let us exalt his name together." Psalm 34:1-3
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall, I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” “In
the day of trouble, He shall keep me secretly in His pavilion: In the
covert of His tabernacle shall He hide me; ... And I will offer in His
tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the
Lord.” Psalm 27:1; 27:5, 6
“I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined unto me,
and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry
clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath
put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.” “The Lord is my strength
and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: Therefore, my heart
greatly rejoiceth; And with my song will I praise Him.” Psalm 40:1-3; 28:7
“The history of nations speaks to us today. To every nation
and to every individual God has assigned a place in His great plan. Today men
and nations are being tested by the plummet in the hand of Him who makes no
mistake. All are by their own choice deciding their destiny, and God is
overruling all for the accomplishment of His purposes.” Prophets and Kings, cp.
43, pg. 536
Update
If I did not call you before I left Bermuda, I am sorry,
but I made it safely back to Boston much earlier than expected on
Tuesday. Kevina has been under great pain in her head which has
caused her not being able to eat too much for over ten days. She is keeping
herself hydrated. This has had its effect on Karon as she has been doing all
she can to bring as much comfort to her as possible. Yesterday was a long
day for me, after a not so good sleep with Kevina getting up so often through
the night. I had to go to the hospital and pharmacy by bus and train
for Kevina. Praise God, Karon is able to get some much-needed
rest and that's all what matters for the next few days.
Beyond it all, we are all still praising God. As a family
we have not asked God for much, but just the opportunity through all
of our trails to be found faithful, and glorify Him in our lives. Our
prayer today is always help us Lord, “In everything to give
thanks” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. This command is an assurance that even the things
which appear to be against us will work for our good. Remember, God would
not bid us be thankful for that which would do us harm, but our good. May
your day be filled with thankful moments and peace all day long with the Prince
of Peace.
Happy Thanksgiving
Chaplain Kevin Santucci
Bermuda
Have a bless day and thank you for your prayers
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for leaving your comment. We really appreciate it!
To avoid spam, your comment will not be posted until it has been reviewed.
Thanks for your patience.