Thanksgiving...a time to be thankful. It has a richness to it!

Prologue: As an amateur historian, I love looking at the "whys" in history. Why did this event happen?...Why did people at a particular time decide to do that?...Why were people so committed to pursuing such an undertaking?...etc.

Suddenly, one day I stumbled onto a meaning of Thanksgiving!

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  Do you remember the saying in the book of Ecclesiastes? There are even songs about it..." For everything there is a season, each moment has a purpose under Heaven. There is an appointed time to be born, an appointed time to die, an appointed time to plant, and an appointed time to harvest. There are right times to weep, other times to laugh, and still, there are times we mourn, and yet other times designated to celebrate and break into dance..."
  History is full of all theses moments, and more! The human race is truly a resilient creation, able to overcome the greatest adversity against the most horrible scenarios.

How is man/woman able to do that?

  As I follow this train of thought, I came across a stark realization. Having an attitude of gratefulness coupled with the heart being thankful, allows the message of Thanksgiving to permeate the soul.
  How? Because it drives us to Him. When we allow our hearts and mind to turn to Heaven, whether it be a good or bad situation we might be presently in, the "magic" begins. We invite His Presence, His Peace, to enter our daily scenarios with enough power to have supernatural results.

The crazy part?

  It is impossible to spend too much time thanking and /or praising the One who rules in Heaven. In fact, by practicing this unique exercise allows my friendship with Him to adjust to a healthy and proper perspective.
  Suddenly, the First Thanksgiving makes more sense to me. Although the Mayflower had brought from the shores of England 102 passengers, the Thanksgiving table had only 51 still alive. Sickness and calamities had taken its toll, yet the Pilgrims were determined to set aside a time to be thankful. ( Actually, it was a Harvest Festival.. Thanksgiving was actually a day given to fasting and prayer. Look up Washington's 1789 "official" Thanksgiving Day. But hey, this story works...lol.)

So, what is my point?

  Designate a time this season to allow the heart to take in the meaning of being thankful, which will culminate in being grateful. It really is a rich experience. As for me, history begins to make sense.
  I do need to issue a warning however. If you would decide to practice this art, history does write of things that could possibly happen...to you!

Luke 24:36: " As these men were talking about what they had heard going on in Jerusalem, having a sense of gratefulness for this Teacher who had been cruelly crucified. Suddenly...He stood right there!...among them! He spoke and said to these men " Peace be with you."

Matthew 28:20 (b):  " ...And you can be sure of this; I Am with you...always! All the way...to the very end!"

  

A Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "He considered being a Christian is a joy! How odd is that?"

Prologue: Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor, theologian, and a key figure regarding the true ideals of Christianity during the WWII era. He was an anti-Nazi dissident who met his end in 1944, hanged at the young age of 39.
               
                      His influence on Christianity has grown steadily since his day...

Here then begins this unique journey.

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  Bonhoeffer found becoming a disciple of Christ Jesus something to be excited about. He went as far as to write it is a joy to be one of His disciples.
  He commented on this "yoke question," claiming the yoke Jesus speaks in Saint Matthew 11 is  really quite light, not originally intended or designed to be heavy. The key to carrying a yoke is not to resist. That is where our joy in life is found.

  I have heard the word "yoke" used in Christian jargon and rhetoric. The "Yoke of the Law" is an example where becoming a Christian puts emphasis on legalistic ideals which quickly become burdensome. The result from my observance is instead of finding joy in the Christian faith, a person ends up in some sort of self-righteous behavior, worse off than simply not starting the search in the first place.
  I have read of the "Yoke of Sin and Death," where there is so much emphasis on how terrible the heart of man is, there simply is no joy in this life until we are dead...or have suffered extensively in this life, physically or mentally ( an "us against the world" promotion) to experience it. I have noticed a number of "martyr complexes" soon develop, or "Christian cult doctrines" are expressed through this type of belief.

   In days gone by farmers would put a younger ox shoulder to shoulder with an older experienced ox under a yoke to learn how to work together. The objective was the younger ox would simply watch and learn what the older ox did, and begin to imitate the older. The younger ox was not focused on the weight of the task at hand, rather on the expertise of the older ox to make the day's task easier and enjoyable.

  I have found life to be quite strange in relation to the yoke analogy and the true hearts of men ( and women) as defined in Scripture.  For example, it is difficult for me to give something belonging to me, to someone else simply because they are in need of it. It becomes even more difficult to allow someone to acquire which is mine, and not remind them I want it back at some point and time (lol.) My result from this personal discovery is similar to the young ox learning from the more experienced ox sharing a same yoke together. The true meaning of "Christian Joy" is found by watching Him and learning to enjoy life His Way. It is quite fascinating to see how my part in helping another has brought joy to them...and now brings joy to me!

Here are a few Gleanings of the Sacred Scripture which seem to identify with train of thought:

                                                           Matthew 11: 28-30

"Do you find yourself tired...continually? Are you worn-out or weary with life? Has religion only added to your burn-out?
Then listen-up! The time has come to change...and He has made a way!
First you must hear the words of the Master: 'Come, get away with Me! I know the way you can find the joy of life and recover from your present dilemma! Furthermore, you will experience the joy of entering into My rest. You will understand, identify, and feel what this really means. It does require a yoke, one we are under together. As we begin our daily task, you on one side and Myself on the other, we will move with an unforced rhythm of Grace. I will do the work while you just simply do what I do. Walk with Me, Work with Me, and Watch how I do it. This yoke is light and easy to maneuver.
  I Am gentle and humble of heart. You will find the rest you seek. You will experience a renewal and a quiet...charged with My Presence! Keep company with Me. This shared yoke will bring you...Freedom!"

Concinnity Writing and Critique: Thanksgiving... Broken Home and Hope

Concinnity Writing and Critique: Thanksgiving... Broken Home and Hope:   As Thanksgiving approaches, I have always been intrigued by the real stories of how this event took place. I enjoy researching this time ...