****Thought provokers for today
Give thanks
Nov 23, 2022, 11:09 PM (12 hours ago)
to sharonleemanning
"Giving thanks always for all things unto GOD and the Father in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST" (Ephesians 5:20)
When our nation began we looked to GOD for help and provision and gave HIM thanks for all HE has done and provided for us for the LORD GOD is HE who enabled us and won our battles.
Our leaders led the way in recognizing GOD's provision. But that was history and this is now. Sadly a large part of our nation and its leadership has turned from GOD and HIS values and sin is rampant.
Since we know it is from GOD that all blessings flow, let's give thanks GOD the FATHER and our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the FATHER of Lights (the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY) with whom is no variation or shadow of turning" (James 1:17)
Below are links of 3 great presidents of the USA. They show hearts of thanksgiving and desire to lead our nation into prayers of thanksgiving with their national proclamations.
President George Washington 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-day-national-thanksgiving
President Abraham Lincoln 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-106-thanksgiving-day-1863
President Ronald Reagan 1986 Thanksgiving Proclamation
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-5551-thanksgiving-day-1986
I thank my GOD for each of you,
hugs
Sharon
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I read this last night and shared it with many many:
Lesley Blevins-Price
·
BE THANKFUL...
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.
It's easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.
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My USA Glads
(by Bill Stevenson, November 26, 2004)
Note: Recently I was told that during the upcoming trip with my wife and mother-in-law, I must share USA with pride as if I have become un-patriotic since moving to Germany last year. But the Apostle Paul wrote that we should not boast about anything except about our Lord. So, I decided to write a list of what I am glad about in relation to the USA. They are not in order of importance. They are in sort of chronological order as I realized them from December 20, 1946 to June 7, 2003 (my time in the USA). This list will show that I am still glad to be a United States citizen. Via the Internet and CNN, daily I read a lot of the USA news and do a lot of praying for people in the USA. In my view, there are still more “goods” than “bads”, especially in the remaining freedoms, but the “bads” are rapidly increasing because of fears and selfishness. The USA is in danger of being conquered or destroyed.
1. The United States of America had the most wonderful beginning in world history because its Founding Fathers were believers in religious freedom, God, and the Bible. (Most nations at that time were Roman Catholic Church and were not to read the Bible personally. The Queen of England protested against that church by promoting the Calvin Bible in all English homes.) The Founding Fathers also realized from history that they should form a federal government with checks and balances of political power called a republic. They realized that every democracy had become either a dictatorship or anarchy. Their first attempt to write an agreement to create a republic form of national government was The Articles of Confederation which was quickly rejected. But their second attempt in The Constitution with the Bill of Rights provided a way for a Federal Government that has never had a violent change of power in over 200 years. Also, the flag of the United States is unique and symbolic. I am glad about all of what was mentioned in this paragraph, but the goodness of the Founding Fathers and the religious aspects of early USA history have been omitted in most school textbooks. I am also saddened that now the political leaders and most of the people think the USA has always been democracy (it actually started to become one in 1914) and are for socialistic changes along with lying and slander in election campaigns. I hate politics now.
2. I am glad about most of the history of the United States up to the Civil War in the mid-1800s. There were many examples of compassion and there was a wonderful pioneer spirit for exploring westward showing so much courage. Also, I am glad that so many people of various religious faiths were able to peacefully begin churches throughout the country. But I am concerned about the increasing religious prejudices. I have been a victim of such many times.
3. I am glad that the Civil War did not ruin the United States and that reconciliation between the states was accomplished.
4. I am glad for all of the soldiers in the wars that USA has been involved in who were fighting in order to help others have freedom too.
5. I am glad that the USA became the leading country in the world to provide for missionary work in all other countries. And that it helped Europe and Japan recover from World War II. I believe that God blessed the USA more than any country because of all of the unselfishness the USA showed in its beginnings, in its missionary work, and its foreign aid. All but one country have not paid the USA back for the loans given to them after World War II.
6. I am glad that so many people of different cultures have been able to succeed in the USA and for all of the inventions created by them. The USA has become spoiled with conveniences and low prices for so many things compared to most all of the other countries in the world. That is why so many want to relocate to the USA.
7. I am glad that non-Caucasian individuals have more rights and opportunities in the USA than in any other country in the world.
8. I am glad that I was born into a family which manifested a lot of good morals and ethics, and that I had parents who stayed together for 43 years.
9. I am glad that the USA used to have a good public school education system (up until 1970). I was mostly educated before the liberalizing of it. We did not need prayer and Bible teaching in schools because we had mostly responsible teachers and parents who exemplified and taught proper learning and relationship ethics.
10. I am glad that I have never had my life threatened by others or disasters (earthquakes, weather-related), which are common in many countries. I have been amazed by how so many citizens have helped in times of disaster in the USA, like in Florida after hurricanes, in the Midwest states after flooding, and after the 9/11 attacks in New York City. And look how San Francisco rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake caused fires and how quickly New York City is again the most popular tourist place again.
11. I am glad to have lived in a country that had so many wonderful places to see: museums etc. in cities, National Parks, and amusement parks, etc. I have been able to see a lot of such in my 56 years in the USA.
12. I am glad that I have been able to enjoy sports and marriage. In many countries, many individuals cannot afford the former and the latter is arranged by their parents. But I am very sad that there are so many problems in both of those areas now mainly because of the wrong uses of money and selfishness. Most pro teams have such a high turn-over (changes of personnel) because of free agency and trades. Most marriages end up in divorce or at least unhappiness because they were started for the wrong reasons. But still there is a lot of good in both sports and marriage.
Concluding remarks: 1 Corinthians 10:13 indicates that God knows how much we each can take in challenges and temptations. He knew that I could not take the dangers and oppressions found in most countries and so He had me born in the United States of America so that I could live in the best time of its history. I am forever grateful for that. So many more good experiences than the bad experiences. The USA has been the best country in the world for many reasons and I have always been a loyal thankful citizen. I will never be against the USA, only against the obvious wrong in it. I hope that there will be Christian revival to help return the USA back to a republic, but I doubt that such will happen because of the increasing selfishness and hatreds. The just mentioned daily grieves me. I tried to help go against such, but was not given ministry opportunities to do so. I am now using the Internet to do a small effort of sharing about what pleases God. What displeases Him is obvious. I want to help others have proper desires and goals in their thinking and doing. If I did not have the life that I was very blessed to have in the United States of America, I would not have the just indicated compassionate desires. I believe such was so prevalent in many citizens of the early USA population and that was greatness in history.
Prayer to Kansas State Leaders
Note: When minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual politically correct generalities, but what they heard instead was a stirring prayer, passionately calling our country to repentance and righteousness. The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest. In six short weeks, the Central Christian Church had logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. The church is now receiving international requests for copies of the prayer from India, Africa and Korea. Commentator Paul Harvey aired the prayer on “The Rest of the Story” on the radio and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired!!
Heavenly Father,
We come before you today to ask Your forgiveness
and to seek Your direction and guidance.
We know Your Word says, “Woe on those who call evil good”,
but that’s exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism.
We have worshiped other gods and called it multi-culturalism.
We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn children and called it a choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
We have abused power and called it political savvy.
We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, O God, and know our hearts today;
cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of Your will.
I ask it in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer for Our Political Leaders
(by Pastor Stan A. Lindsay)
Note: I was invited by the Indiana House of Representatives to open their legislative session on April 6, 1999, with prayer. The substance of the prayer I offered could be offered for virtually any political leader. It might even be a prayer we could slightly alter and offer for our church leaders:
Father, we pause at the beginning of this legislative session
So that our legislators may renew their covenant with You.
Your Word contains many models for leaders to follow.
Lord, I pray that, like Noah, they will have the courage
To stand for what is right,
Regardless of the opinion polls.
I pray that, like Moses, they will be lawgivers
Who understand that the basis of all law should be love-
Love for You and love for our neighbors.
I pray that, like Queen Esther, they will use their political influence
To protect the people they represent.
I pray that, like Daniel, they will be more willing to face a den of lions
Than to ever hinder a single human being
From offering a prayer to You.
I pray that, like the Apostle Paul, they will have the good sense
To recognize when they are following the wrong path.
And I pray that, like Paul, they will be willing to change
And follow the better path.
I pray that, like Your Son Jesus, they will always be humble, unselfish,
Willing to sacrifice their own desires for the good of Your children.
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
****What rights does God give Christians? What rights does the United States Constitution give? What rights are most of the Democrat political leaders and the liberal media wanting to make laws for? What rights do the just mentioned power-hungry individuals want taken away from Republicans and Christians?
****Did you hear the famous musical titled “Hamilton” about the Founding of the USA is only having Black and Mexican actors and actresses now! Do you know about what is being promoted in USA schools?--
****Turning Point Movement-- Exposing CRT and Political Truths-- https://www.facebook.com/turningpointusa/videos/401625814834033
https://news.yahoo.com/discovered-critical-race-theory-public-000019874.html
https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/critical-race-theory-fight/
https://www.americanrevolutioninstitute.org/fatal-flaw-of-the-1619-project-curriculum/
https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/report/review-the-1619-project-curriculumr
Harvard Student Condemns Anti-Americanism in Senior Speech
https://www.prageru.com/video/harvard-student-condemns-anti-americanism-in-senior-speech
2022_07_02-- USA Independence related items-- https://app.box.com/s/r0fa4cvnkf0xrfu9om572cjcmc4eqgx6
USA was a Christian nation-- https://app.box.com/s/s6daabfhl9s3or9y4ykbdfe0y47snasa
Foundational Documents of the Genesis of the United States of America logically indent formatted:
https://app.box.com/s/o6jb1cewahe9uouc07z6zfonjjy8vby2
Educational statue about the establishment of liberty in the USA--
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Monument_to_the_Forefathers
miscellaneous secular quotations in ETRLF-- https://app.box.com/s/zf9ilm46hb5q4l98hyrocysgwnrh6dnm
***Good advice for USA-- https://app.box.com/s/xm6yr7lt3gct7nhysmfp
Bible lover Bill
Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 4:4-8, and Jude 20-25
***good responses to spiritual issues in ETRSF-- version 3-- https://app.box.com/s/c7vcp6i7023vti3fi2yjz1sb7euplagg
***miscellaneous secular quotations in ETRLF-- https://app.box.com/s/8x8ubl2viqnwktzcui4cv1lv6gb4u30b
***My Box account folders' URLs for e-mailing (5)-- https://app.box.com/s/qyrh4o6hloqwooobmoxqoj1gfkevnufv
***My Favorite Psalm and Epistles-- ETRSFed-- https://app.box.com/s/4pc14zp3wc7qkozoivmw3pn4o8yh5kzw
Wonderful Collection for Divine Wisdom and Love-- https://app.box.com/s/5juhky1c3zenx549ht6pk1b27esa2of1
https://www.facebook.com/BibleloverBill daily ministry for God (3-5 times daily)
https://bibleloverbill.home.blog/
Interesting Spiritual Acronyms (Version 7)-- https://app.box.com/s/9zdglf1ydiwsnfbs8nxpajz5wp6nso7a
For Understanding ETRSFing-- https://livingforjude20to25.wixsite.com/for-bible-study/etrsf
Very Important Teachings in John 13-17-- ETRS (7 pgs.)-- https://app.box.com/s/gh5b0h11v5wuej8k4ta85yaj2f80lmat
Proof of Jesus Christ being the Word-- https://app.box.com/s/zg366bol3yh9t9a35w2a2a8p2a6p5w2k
Living Bible Poems-- https://app.box.com/s/ap38pcffaagx27kdp4rg8kjz7b54p5xn
For Educators-Teachers-- ETRSF (29 pgs.)-- https://app.box.com/s/eq56u52stc7wmva7swes9gsyswiap185