Lessons from Esther: Remember

20 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, 21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, 22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. 23  And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; 24 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;  

25 But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, 27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; 28 And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. Esther 9:20-28

Mordecai again writes letters to all the Jews in all 127 provinces. This time the letter is a communication of good news. He is recapping the story of the last year.

He begins by reminding them of Haman’s dastardly deed. Mordecai tells about the queen and her appeal to the king. He tells the whole account. His main purpose is to keep every detail in the forefront of their minds. He wants the 14^th and 15^th of Adar to be established as a special feast day. Not just for the current year but to celebrate yearly and to keep it as a memorial for generations to come. Mordecai wants the Jewish nation to never, ever forget what happened. The celebrating is for them to share their blessings by “sending portions” to each other and giving “gifts to the poor.” Along with the giving the story of Queen Esther is to be shared. Even though the name of God is not mentioned He wants them to realize why they were victorious.

The Jewish people still celebrate Purim. This year it is March 15-16. The main reason is to remember. Remember what God did for the nation.

How about you? Are there things that you need to remember?

Remember where God found you.

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. Psalm 40:2

Remember what Jesus did for you.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17

Remember God’s love for you.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

perfect in love. I John 4:10

We love him, because he first loved us. I John 4:19

A few “remembering” quotes:

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. ~ George Santayana

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. ~ Benjamin Franklin

We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history. ~ Sonia Johnson

Have a blessed day,
Donna

The Christmas season

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Can you believe it is already December? Christmas is only 16 days away. What does Christmas mean to you?

As I ponder this thought many Christmas memories come floating to mind. I remember one Christmas going with my father to pick out the Christmas tree, while there I saw a poor crippled boy. I remember crying for this boy and praying for him for many months. It had an impact on me.

I have lots of happy Christmas memories which include:

·        Singing carols with the neighbors

·        Having one big present and one or two “small” items

·        An orange, apple and tangerine and maybe a few coins in my stocking

·        Singing carols at the veteran’s home

·        Singing carols at the nursing homes

·        Making cookies for the veterans

·        Going to see “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” with my granddaughters

·        Adopting a family instead of buying gifts for each other

·        Our first Christmas tree as a young married couple – we purchased the biggest one we could afford

·        Making my grandfather my favorite pumpkin bread recipe, which is all he wanted and all I could afford.

·        Making homemade gifts, which I still think are the very best kind

·        Making cookies for the neighbors

·        My uncle “playing Santa”

What are some of your favorite memories? As the season begins dwell on your happy Christmas memories. Find ways this Christmas to make more good memories. Look for ways to help those less fortunate than yourself.

Here are some ideas:

·        Buy gift cards (local coffee shops, McDonald’s, Wal-Mart, and Target) in small amounts ($5-$10) and give them out when the Spirit leads

·        Make cookies or fruit breads (banana, pumpkin etc) for shut ins

·        Volunteer at a soup kitchen

·        Volunteer at a local charity

·        Make small gifts or look for small gifts to have on hand to give when the Spirit leads

·        Spend time with an elderly neighbor or family member

·        Give the gift of time

Here are some verses and quotes that may help:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippines 4:8

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.  ~ Charles Dickens

When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time.  Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?  ~ G.K. Chesterton

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?  It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled ‘till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store?  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?  ~ Dr Seuss

Christmas gift suggestions:  To your enemy, forgiveness.  To an opponent, tolerance.  To a friend, your heart.  To a customer, service.  To all, charity.  To every child, a good example.  To yourself, respect.  ~ Oren Arnold

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Quotes on thankfulness

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.  ~W.T. Purkiser

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings. ~ Author Unknown

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.  ~ Gladys B. Stern

It is impossible to feel grateful and depressed in the same moment.
~ Naomi Williams

So often we dwell on the things that seem impossible rather than on the things that are possible. So often we are depressed by what remains to be done and forget to be thankful for all that has been done. ~ Marian Wright Edelman

Have a thankful day,
Donna

Veterans Day

A giant THANK YOU for your service, I truly appreciate it!!

What is a Veteran?

A “veteran” whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve – is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America”, for an amount of “up to and including his/her life.” – author unknown

Wherever you may be whatever you might be doing if you know a veteran take a minute to call, email, or text and let them know how much you appreciate the sacrifice they gave to serve your country.

Freedom is never free. -Author Unknown

In war, there are no unwounded soldiers - José Narosky

We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.
- George Orwell

Be thankful,
Donna

Aging

7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: 8 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. Ecclesiastes 11:7-8

Solomon says if a man lives many years he needs to rejoice. Seeing the light each morning is a blessing. Waking up and taking a breath of air is something to be thanking God for.  The day is coming that we will be old. It is part of life.

With old age there will be days of darkness. As one ages simple things become much harder than when younger, there are more “aches and pains” as one ages. Climbing stairs may become more of a burden. Picking up items may be harder to do as arthritis or other aliments set in. Aging should not be looked on as a curse but a blessing, if you know Jesus as your Savior it is one step closer to eternity with Him.

I have a few quotes about aging, enjoy a laugh or a sigh, depending on where you are in the “aging” process.

Old age is not for the feeble.

Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many. ~ Unknown

Let us respect gray hairs, especially our own. ~ J.P. Senn

No wise man ever wished to be younger. ~ Jonathan Swift

Old age is not for sissys ~ Eric Lindell

It is a rare and difficult attainment to grow old gracefully and happily. ~ L.M. Child

Gray hairs seem to my fancy like the soft light of the moon, silvering over the evening of life. ~ Henri Richter

Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age. ~ Victor Hugo

The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. Proverbs 20:29 

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalm 37:25  

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Thankful to Veterans

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who have served in the military, past and present. I think of the brave men and women who left all to stand up for you and me.

I’m thankful for my father and father-in-law who enlisted without questioning during WWII. My father lied about his age to go and fight for his country. My father-in-law left a wife and two small children to defend our liberty.

I thank my friends and relatives who bravely went to Vietnam and returned to a country in turmoil. Some have not forgotten the reaction they received when they came home, others have used their lives to reach out and help distraught and betrayed veterans.

Thank you to my nephew who went to Operation Desert Storm in the early 90’s. My son served in Iraq and Kuwait and is still in the naval reserves ready to go when called. He has been overseas since being a reservist. We never know when he will be deployed. I am extremely thankful for his willingness to serve our country.

Veteran’s day is a day we set aside to honor the veterans of our country. Men and women unselfishly gave of themselves to serve the United States of America. People fought battles so you and I could have liberty. Some have not come back, some will never come back, and many bear the scars of war for the rest of their lives. These men and women deserve our utmost thanks.

Wherever you may be whatever you might be doing if you know a veteran take a minute to call, email, or text and let them know how much you appreciate the sacrifice they gave to serve your country.

Freedom is never free. ~ Author Unknown

In war, there are no unwounded soldiers ~ José Narosky

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both. ~ President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Military power wins battles, but spiritual power wins wars. ~ General George Marshall

There are some who've forgotten why we have a military. It's not to promote war, it's to be prepared for peace. ~ President Ronald Reagan

I am concerned for the security of our great nation; not so much because of any threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within. ~ General Douglas MacArthur

It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible. ~ President George Washington

Courage is fear holding on a minute longer. ~ George S. Patton

Be thankful,
Donna

God gives…

17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness. 18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. 19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. 20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart. Ecclesiastes 5:17-20

God gives. He has given us everything we have. Solomon recognized that all he had was because the Lord had given it to him. Solomon the man who asked for wisdom above all else realized the wisdom he had was a gift from God.

If you have food – thank God

If you have a place to lay your head – thank God

If you have a talent – thank God

If you have riches – thank God

If you have anything big or little – thank God

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of li ghts, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17 

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many: not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. ~ Charles Dickens

An old hymn says count your blessings name them one by one. Take a moment to look around and start counting.

Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Money does not satisfy

10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. 11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? 12 The sleep of a abored man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. 16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath abored for the wind? Ecclesiastes 5:10-16

Many people trust in their bank accounts to get them through life. The more they have the more they want. A rich man is never satisfied with what he, he is always wanting more; a bigger home, nicer cars or fancier clothes. Some people get obsessed with what they have and what they want.

Reading this made me sad especially to realize this is how our world is today. Everything in society is based on materialism. The ones who do not have much wish they were rich. The rich are usually not satisfied or happy with what they have.

The more I thought of this I realized that many Christians usually fit into this mold also. Everything is centered on them, not around the Lord. The last verse of this section sums it up with: … in all points as he came, so shall he go... We can’t take it with us. The only thing we can take with us is what we have done for God. (I Corinthians 3:12-15)

Make money your god; it will plague you like the devil. ~ Henry Fielding

Our incomes are like our shoes; if too shall, they gall and pinch us; but if too large, they cause us to stumble and to trip.  ~ Caleb Colton

Don’t get caught up in this materialist world. Yes, we need money and some “things” to live but we need to see the whole picture, where is our main focal point? What do we do with the money we have?

Let’s pray and ask the Lord to show us how to use our incomes wisely.

Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Ready to hear

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Ecclesiastes 5:1

Why do we attend a “house of worship”? Is it to get the juicy gossip from the week before? Do we go to see who is there or what others are up to? Hopefully you answered no to each question.

Seriously, why do you go to church? No one can answer the question for you, the answer lies between you and God.  The verse tells us when we go we need to be more ready to hear.

What exactly are we suppose to hear? The Word of God

Going to church is not always about doing, doing, doing but about listening, listening and listening. Our ears need to be attentive to the Word of God.

What is God’s word saying to me? What does God want me to do this week?

We need to be “more ready to hear” than give sacrifice. God wants us to hear and apply His Word to  our hearts.

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. ~ Epictetus (Greek philosopher associated with the Stoics, AD 55-c.135)

Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Wisdom vs Foolishness

12  And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. 13  Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 14  The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. 15  Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. 16  For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. Ecclesiastes 2:12-16

Solomon was a very deep thinking man. Now he starts to compare wisdom with foolishness. Most would say the two are total opposites but Solomon shows some comparisons.

“I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness and folly…”

Here are the meanings from the Hebrew of the three words:

Wisdom - (in a good sense): - skillful, wisdom, wisely, wit.

Madness - folly: - madness

Folly -  silliness: - folly, foolishness.

Quotes:

It is too often seen, that the wiser men are about the things of this world, the less wise they are about the things of the next. ~ John Gibson (1780-1853)

Wisdom prepares for the worst, but folly leaves the worst for the day when it comes. ~ Richard Cecil (1748-1777)

The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate him. ~ John Milton  (1608-1674)

Knowledge is but folly unless it is guided by grace. ~ Edward Herbert (1583-1648)

Real knowledge, like everything else of value, is not to be obtained easily. It must be worked for, studied for, thought for, and more that all, must be prayed for. ~ Thomas Arnold (1795-1842)

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it. ~ Fuller

Findings of Solomon:

·        Wisdom is better than folly, just like light is better than darkness

·        Wise man “sees” the fool walks in darkness

·        One event happens to all (death)

·        Both are forgotten  when they die

Death is one event none of us can escape. Some fear death with a vengeance and try to stop the aging process, others will do many things to make themselves “look” and “act” young. Death is something none of us can stop it is inevitable.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27 

We should not fear death, but fear the judgment that comes after the death. What will we be judged on?

We will be judged on what we did on earth:

               Did we accept or reject Christ?

               If we accepted Christ our works will be judged.

               If we rejected Christ, we will have eternal punishment.

The choice is ours, but death ends the time of making the choice. Now is the time to choose.

 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) II Corinthians 6:2 

Will you choose Christ today?

Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Lessons from a trip – Camera

My youngest grandson is four years old. This year we gave him a digital camera for his birthday. Oh please don’t be alarmed, it was a child’s camera that I purchased on clearance after Christmas. Don’t you just love the clearance aisle? 

He was so excited when he realized it was a “real” camera. He started to “shoot” everything he saw, toys, pictures on the wall, the dog, the table, can’t you just picture him with it in his hand aiming at everything in his sight.

Wherever he went the camera was sure to follow, in a backpack on his back. One night after supper we all went for a walk at the local park. Throughout the walk my grandson would stop and take a picture of something, a bunny, a tree, his brother, whatever was in his path. He would also stop others on the path to tell them he had a camera.

We stopped at the playground to let him and his brother play. After the playground break we headed back to the car. My daughter and youngest grandson walked a good distance in front of us. As I chatted with my older grandson I noticed we were closing the gap between us and the four year old with the camera. As we got closer we could see him talking with a woman who was walking a dog. By the time we caught up the woman and her dog was sitting so my grandson could take a picture. This woman took a few minutes of her walk to make a young boy happy. Her kindness gave all of us a little boost in our step.

It doesn’t hurt to be kind. It rarely takes much time but the joy you bring to someone else because of the kindness is priceless.

Is there someone you can be kind to? Ask God to put opportunities in your path today. Help put a smile on someone’s face.

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  Colossians 3:12

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

Deliberately seek opportunities for kindness, sympathy, and patience. ~ Evelyn Underhill

Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind. ~ Henry James

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Thoughts on thankfulness

God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart.
~ Izaak Walton

Perhaps it takes a purer faith to praise God for unrealized blessings than for those we once enjoyed or those we enjoy now.
~ A.W. Tozer

Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.
~ Seneca

None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.
~ Fred De Witt Van Amburgh

No matter how good or bad you think life is, wake up each day and be thankful for life. Someone somewhere else is fighting to survive.
~ Unknown

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Attitude Quotes

Good attitude good day ~ Unknown

Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching? ~Dennis and Wendy Mannering

Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left. ~Hubert Humphrey

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. ~Winston Churchill

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day. ~Author Unknown

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same. ~Francesca Reigler

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit

Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious. ~Bill Meyer

The only disability in life is a bad attitude. ~Scott Hamilton

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. ~Buddha

I don't think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains. ~Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude. ~Dennis S. Brown

Misery is a communicable disease. ~Martha Graham

A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes. ~Hugh Downs

We can destroy ourselves by cynicism and disillusion, just as effectively as by bombs. ~Kenneth Clark

Positive anything is better than negative thinking. ~Elbert Hubbard

You must start with a positive attitude or you will surely end without one. ~Carrie Latet

Please see below to read my post on attitudes.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Mom Quotes

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
~ Proverbs 31:28

Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.
~ Author Unknown

All mothers are working mothers.
~ Author Unknown

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.
~ Charles R. Swindoll

There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.
~ Chinese Proverb

You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back.
~ William D. Tammeus

Some are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same; and most mothers kiss and scold together.
~ Pearl S. Buck

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Presidents Day

Today is a fun day. I spent a few minutes looking for quotes of Presidents with February birthdays. Four Presidents were born in February: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, William Henry Harrison and Ronald Reagan.

William Henry Harrison died only 31 days after taking the oath of office. There are not many quotes attributed to him.

Take a moment to read some thought provoking quotes from the other three Presidents.

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company. ~George Washington

It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible. ~George Washington

Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble. ~George Washington

To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace. ~George Washington

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm. ~Abraham Lincoln

Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new at all. ~Abraham Lincoln

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.~Abraham Lincoln

If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one? ~Abraham Lincoln

It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt. ~Abraham Lincoln

Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right. ~Abraham Lincoln

You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was. ~Abraham Lincoln

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. ~Ronald Reagan


Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged. ~Ronald Reagan

Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives. ~Ronald Reagan

How can a president not be an actor? ~Ronald Reagan

I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the US Congress. ~Ronald Reagan

The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much. ~Ronald Reagan

Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face. ~Ronald Reagan

Without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. ~Ronald Reagan

Have a good day,
Donna

More thoughts to ponder

Grow flowers of gratitude in the soil of prayer.
~Verbena Woods

No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has emerged from the kingdom of night.
~Elie Wiesel

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.
~Henry Ward Beecher

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.
~W.T. Purkiser

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.
~Oscar Wilde

Thoughts to ponder

He who thanks but with the lips
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart. ~J.A. Shedd

On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence. ~William Jennings Bryan

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward

Thanksgiving is nothing if not a glad and reverent lifting of the heart to God in honor and praise for His goodness. ~Robert Casper Lintner

Take 5 minutes and sit quietly and reflect on all the blessings in your life. ~Catherine Pulsifer

Kind words are such a blessing to the needful, if one but knew the pleasure that they bring.
~John McLeod

Something to think about

Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. ~W.J. Cameron

Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live. ~Attributed to Jacqueline Winspear

Thanksgiving is possible only for those who take time to remember; no one can give thanks who has a short memory. ~Author Unknown

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward

The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving. ~H.U. Westermayer

Thankful Quotes

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. ~Edward Sandford Martin

Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day. ~Robert Caspar Lintner

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel. ~Author Unknown

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. - 1Chronicles 16:8

Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. - 1Chronicles 29:13

Independence Day

Today is the day we are celebrating Independence Day. The quotes below show us what type of men started our country. Men who loved God and wanted to obey Him.

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever." 1781, Query XVIII of his Notes on that State of Virginia. -Thomas Jefferson

The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend to all the happiness of man.” -Thomas Jefferson

“We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We’ve staked the future of all our political institutions upon our capacity…to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” [1778 to the General Assembly of the State of Virginia] -James Madison

“God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel” – Constitutional Convention of 1787, original manuscript of this speech -Ben Franklin

I have examined all religions, as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life, would allow; and the result is that the Bible is the best Book in the world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have seen." December 25, 1813 in a letter to Thomas Jefferson.-John Adams

“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” -George Washington

"The church is the moral compass of society." -John Adams

"Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them or by a power without them; either by the word of God or by the strong arm of man: either by the Bible or by the bayonet."- John Quincy Adams

"The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country...." –President Calvin Coolidge

Enjoy the day with your families and friends. Thank a service man for his service to our country . Thank God for all He has given you.



Have a blessed day,
Donna