Thanksgiving or Complaintgiving

Thanksgiving, a time to count our blessings and give thanks to our living Lord. It seems that there are a growing number of people that want to find fault and criticize just about everything. The Bible says in Philippians 4:12: "Do everything without complaining or arguing." Could it be that we, as Christians, have fallen into the world's trap of murmuring and bemoaning what life deals to us?

Do EVERYTHING without complaining or arguing. Wow! What a tall order. This must be a possible thing to do, because God's word commands us to do it. We must train ourselves in godliness, so let us practice by letting the thanksgiving resound! Would you lead the way in giving thanks by sharing a heart-warming story from your childhood memories of Thanksgiving?

I remember always being so excited for Thanksgiving... I would have an opportunity to see all of my family... Eat mountains of wonderful food... and Mom's pumpkin pie! There was a book, in which we would write what we were thankful for... It is fun to look back through that book... as a child I would usually write that I was thankful for my dogs, and stuffed animals... as time progressed, it focused more on family and health, as opposed to possessions... I guess that kind of goes along with 1 Corinthians 13.

The sad part is that we tend to focus on Thanksgiving only once a year, when we should always live in a spirit of Thanksgiving. I know that a lot of people are going through hard times right now, but if Paul could sing praises in prison... I think that we can give thanks to God despite hard times.

We do tend to focus on the negative. We can have so many things going well for us, but as soon as something goes wrong, we lose sight of all that is well, and focus on the problem. It consumes us. We forget all the ways that God has blessed us, and turn into a spoiled child, as we cry "why me?".

I am as guilty of this as anyone. I don't deal well with disappointment... One thing that goes wrong can ruin my day... which is really sad. I am sure that I have failed many trials...

Well, with that said, I hope all of you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend.

This has always been one of my favorite holidays. Many of my favorite memories stem back to when the kids were young and we all got together with my Mom, sister and her family and all of us! Like Weston, I remember the book we would all write in and the great fun and laughter of all being together. Great, great memories!!!

Studying Philippians on Wednesday evenings has brought me to a place of Christ-centeredness and being content in Him. I was listening to Dr. Stanley this morning and he was talking from Psalm 100. It is important to thank our God for His many blessings in our life, but it is most important to thank Him for being HIM!!! " Our God, who made us and we are HIS!! We are HIS and the sheep of His pasture! For this we should shout for joy to the Lord and worship the Lord with gladness." We are so blessed "For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." Take a little time to meditate on this powerful Psalm and let it bless you as you go before the Lord to worship and thank Him as He is a mighty God who sits upon the throne and has prepared a place for you and for me! Praise the Lord for His powerful Word!!!

The dinner last night was very nice and the food was excellent! The fellowship was warm. So many nice people go to this church. It is a blessing to be around each of you!!! May your Thanksgiving Holiday be a reflection of His presence in your life and your gratitude for His presence!

I too remember the foods. We always went to Quakertown, to my grandparents and the food was great, Pennsylvania Dutch food.

I recently heard someone say when in pain, begin to thank God for what doesn't hurt. What a change in perspective and it works! I have a shoulder that has been bothering me and when it acts up I say thank you God for the other shoulder that doesn't hurt, thank you for the legs that don't hurt, thank you for the back that doesn't hurt. As I do that the shoulder bothering me fades away and the symptoms are gone! Praise God! Thanksgiving for what is good as opposed to what is not. Where is your focus?