Post your Thanksgiving thoughts here:

[MOS4429]

This thread is posted to give us an opportunity to reflect, evaluate, and express what we are thankful/grateful for. The idea came to me when I was in the War Room reading a post from Hammer3 expressing what he is thankful for.

To the extent possible, maybe we can keep this thread free from politics, free from the daily banter we frequently enjoy, and free from vulgarity.

Feel free to express your Thanksgiving Blessing through a short post, a video link, a short article, or a prayer.

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[MOS4429]

When I look at the world chaos, wars and rumors of wars, how easy it is for me to focus on those affairs and take my eyes off my creator, my God, the one who has given me the opportunity to live in the greatest country on earth, to have a wonderful wife going on 32 years, and six beautiful children. At the age of 18 in Marine Corps boot camp, Christ became my savior. That began a new life. Maybe that’s why they call it being born again. Thirty-four years later…I have to say what I am most grateful for is the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross that I might have eternal life.

[MOS4429]

"Be Thankful to Him and Bless His name." Outstanding video:

http://www.seekfirstmedia.com/family...mc=FEM1112THXV

[MOS4429]

"The Thanksgiving Glass" – video:

http://www.seekfirstmedia.com/the-thanksgiving-glass/

[MOS4429]

What is the origin of America’s annual Thanksgiving Day?

Pilgrim William Brewster holds a Bible as the Pilgrims pray for a safe journey as they leave for America from Delft Haven, Holland, on July 22, 1620.

The Pilgrims left Plymouth, England, on September 6, 1620.
Their destination? The New World. Although filled with uncertainty and peril, it offered both civil and religious liberty. For over two months, the 102 passengers braved the harsh elements of a vast storm –tossed sea. Finally, with firm purpose and a reliance on Divine Providence, the cry of “Land” was heard.

Arriving in Massachusetts in late November, the Pilgrims sought a suitable landing place. On December 11, just before disembarking at Plymouth Rock, they signed the “Mayflower Compact”—America’s first document of civil government and the first to introduce self-government.

After a prayer service, the Pilgrims began building hasty shelters. However, unprepared for the starvation and sickness of a harsh New England winter, nearly half died before spring. Yet, persevering in prayer, and assisted by helpful Indians, they reaped a bountiful harvest the following summer.

The grateful Pilgrims then declared a three-day feast, starting on December 13, 1621, to thank God and to celebrate with their Indian friends. While this was not the first Thanksgiving in America (thanksgiving services were held in Virginia as early as 1607), it was America’s first Thanksgiving Festival.

Pilgrim Edward Winslow described the Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving in these words:

“Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor sent four men on fowling [bird hunting] so that we might, after a special manner, rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as… served the company almost a week… Many of the Indians [came] amongst us and… their greatest King, Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted; and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought… And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet BY THE GOODNESS OF GOD WE ARE… FAR FROM WANT.”

In 1789, following a proclamation issued by President George Washington, America celebrated its first Day of Thanksgiving to God under its new constitution. That same year, the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which President Washington was a member, announced that the first Thursday in November would become its regular day for giving thanks, “unless another day be appointed by the civil authorities.” Yet, despite these early national proclamations, official Thanksgiving observances usually occurred only at the State level.

Much of the credit for the adoption of a later ANNUAL national Thanksgiving Day may be attributed to Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book. For thirty years, she promoted the idea of a national Thanksgiving Day, contacting President after President until President Abraham Lincoln responded in 1863 by setting aside the last Thursday of November as a national Day of Thanksgiving. Over the next seventy-five years, Presidents followed Lincoln’s precedent, annually declaring a national Thanksgiving Day. Then, in 1941, Congress permanently established the fourth Thursday of each November as a national holiday.

Lincoln’s original 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation came—spiritually speaking—at a pivotal point in his life. During the first week of July of that year, the Battle of Gettysburg occurred, resulting in the loss of some 60,000 American lives. Four months later in November, Lincoln delivered his famous “Gettsysburg Address.” It was while Lincoln was walking among the thousands of graves there at Gettysburg that he committed his life to Christ. As he explained to a friend:

When I left Springfield [to assume the Presidency], I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ.

As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving each year, we hope they will retain the original gratefulness to God displayed by the Pilgrims and many other founding fathers, and remember that it is to those early and courageous Pilgrims that they owe not only the traditional Thanksgiving holiday but also the concepts of self-government, the “hard-work” ethic, self-reliant communities, and devout religious faith. christiananswers.net/q-wall/wal-g007.html

Have a blessed Thanksgiving—by thanks living

[MOS4429]

Thank you for your post!

I see a number moving in and out of this thread electing not to post.

This is open to any member, Marine, Marine friend, Marine family, poolee.

Reflect.

Have we truly degraded to a nation where we struggle to come up with one thing we are grateful for?

[m14ed]

Reflect.

Have we truly degraded to a nation where we struggle to come up with one thing we are grateful for?

I'm thankfull that we're near the end of Obama's first term of Presidency and he hasn't managed to WRECK the BUS yet.

BUT not that he isn't trying.

[kaelobo]

I as well wish you all a safe Thanksgiving Day and Finger licking good turkey.

[gkmoz]

I am thankful that the Lord saved me going on 33 years come March, I am thankful that "Truth" always remains truth !
John 14:6 comes to mind, and no matter the things going on in our world ? Jesus/God is in control ! and we are closer to his reign then ever before.
Come Lord Jesus AMEN !

[Old Marine]

I'm thankfull that we're near the end of Obama's first term of Presidency and he hasn't managed to WRECK the BUS yet.

BUT not that he isn't trying.

I could have sworn that this thread started off with asking people to forget the politics in this thread. Easy to see that some people have a problem with reading comprehension.

Happy Thanksgiving to your and yours.

[MOS4429]

I could have sworn that this thread started off with asking people to forget the politics in this thread. Easy to see that some people have a problem with reading comprehension.

Happy Thanksgiving to your and yours.

Happy Thanksgiving, Old Marine!

That's true, I did make that request, and continue to do so. For me, I decided if that's how somebody wants to express their thanksgiving, it'll be okay if we don't react and allow the thread to deviate that way.

[MOS4429]

I'd like to keep this thread free from politics so it can stay in open squad bay to give the opportunity for anybody who wants, to post, like the 5 guests I see viewing it. If you log in, you can post what you are thankful for.

[awbrown1462]

I am thankfull to God for all he has given me, a loving family, good friends and great brothers and sisters of the Marine Corps past and present.. .. now not having the same ole Thanksgiving this year . Wife and daughter and I are going to Gattlinburg Tn. this year

[ameriken]

I'm thankful to the Lord and this country that I have work and the ability to work, and earlier this year have successfully come out of a 2 year fight with a simple malady that almost took it all down. Lots to be thankful for.

[MOS4429]

"A Prayer of Thankfulness and Healing for Veterans and their Families"

“Jesus, you said, ‘There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ Today we pray for those men and women who have, in their military service, sacrificed their time, strength, ambition, health and even their lives on this earth to benefit ‘friends,’ known and unknown.

"Many of our warriors carry scars in their hearts as well as on their bodies. Dark memories haunt their dreams at night. Fears cloud their waking hours. Jesus, you came to give us abundant life by providing a way for us to release our pain to you. On the cross you bore our sorrows and brokenness and when we trust you, we can exchange our wounds for your joy in a future unhindered by fate. Bring this gift now to the veterans of our nation who bear tangible and intangible wounds. Heal them, Jesus.

"Bless the families of soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines who bear these pains vicariously. Give them patience and wisdom and strength to endure, and more than endure to hope in faith for a blessed life. God, not everything that happens in life is good. But you promise to work all things together for good to those who love you and align their lives with your purpose. Create good in the families of veterans who have experienced pain and loss. Do this miracle, we pray.

"We honor our veterans in your name. We thank you – as we thank them – for their sacrifice. We ask you to return to them the favor of your blessing, a gift we on our own could never offer. We ask that you would give our veterans a peace beyond the peace they fought to secure, a peace in their own hearts, wrapped in the joy of a life touched by your strong hand.

"In Jesus we pray…”