THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord .
We know that by his divine law, nations like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us, for our presumptions sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?
We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity, we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.
But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent father who dwelleth in the heavens.

Abraham Lincoln 1863

Why Do We Celebrate?
America’s first Thanksgiving, in 1621, was a three-day celebration of feasting and recreation. The prior year was the Pilgrims’ first winter at Plymouth, and it was so harsh almost half of the colonists perished.
By the second harvest, there was reason to rejoice. A peace treaty was signed with the Wampanoag, the Pilgrims’ Native American neighbors. And Massasoit, their leader, shared his agricultural expertise, which resulted in a bumper crop. As was common in England, where the Pilgrims originated, they chose to commemorate their bounty with a harvest festival.
Most accounts of the actual event mention neither turkey, nor pumpkin, our modern Thanksgiving staples. Indian corn was plentiful, however. Four valiant Pilgrim housewives supervised the feast that Massasoit and 90 of his people attended, bringing five deer as their contribution to the communal table.

I’M THANKFUL FOR (unknown author)
…..the mess to clean up after a party because if means I have been surrounded by friends
…..the taxes I pay because it means that I’m employed
…..the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat
…..a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a Home
…..My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine
…..The spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking
…..all the complaining I hear about the government because it means we have freedom of speech
…..weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive
…..my huge heating bill because it means I am warm
…..the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear
…..the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because if means that I’m alive
…..the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART

I went to see a new doctor recently. The way he listened to me, I felt important and that every thing I said to him had value. It reminded me of a boss I once had that gave you his undivided attention when you were speaking to him and made you feel really special.

While I was waiting in the doctor’s office, I picked up the Ladies Home Journal magazine to read to pass the time. One article caught my attention. It was written by Dr. Stephen Post, Ph.D & Jill Neimark. It was telling about a near-fatal accident a Psychologist, Daniel Gottlieb, had in which his cervical spine was severed, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. While laying in ICU, a nurse approached him and spoke about her struggles and while listening to her, he realized he could live as a quadriplegic and still help save another life just by listening, listening with his heart.

Researchers found that former American prisoners of war didn’t break down from physical deprivation & torture as quickly as they did from solitary confinement - separated from other prisoners with whom they could talk and know the other prisoners would listen to them.

It seems to me that listening to others is something we all should cultivate.

A Wise old bird sat on an oak
The more he saw, the less he spoke
The less he spoke , the more he heard.
Lord, make me like that wise old bird.
Anon

I think Bill’s mother was like that wise old bird. When with a group of people she sat back and let other people talk. When asked why she was so quiet, her reply was: “I learn more that way.”

When we really listen, we are affirming the teller’s essential worth. When we listen and are listened to, we begin to feel secure in our relationship with others. Only by listening (with our heart) can we know what a person is thinking or feeling. People like to be with those who show they really care about them. Everything worthwhile that we become is the result of someone believing in us.

VETERANS DAY

Armistice Day , now called Veterans Day, is the anniversary of the official end of World War I, November 11, 1918. It commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany. This day was set aside to reflect and remember the sacrifices men and women made while serving in the Armed Forces.

A much loved song was written in 1918, GOD BLESS AMERICA1
Sometimes it takes someone who fled oppression to put into eloquent words what makes America and its freedoms so precious. Irving Berlin, who left Russia as a 5-year-old named Israel Baline, wrote, “God Bless America" in 1918. But he didn’t know what to do with the song until 1938, when World War II was threatening Europe.

He revised it for Kate Smith, who sang it on the radio on ARMISTICE DAY IN 1938. It was an immediate hit.

In gratitude to his adopted country, Mr. Berlin established the God Bless America Fund, and he donated the royalties for the song to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America.

God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above
From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home
From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home.
God bless America, my home sweet home.

Halloween

'Hallomas', or All Saints,' or 'All Souls' Day observed in old English; the word 'Hallow' meant 'sanctity' used to honor all Saints in Heaven known or unknown. They used to consider it with all solemnity as one of the most significant observances of the Church Year.

The American version of Halloween Day celebration owes its origin to the ancient (pre-Christian) Druidic fire festival called 'Samhain' celebrated by the Celts in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Samhain is pronounced 'Sow-in', with sow rhyming with cow. Thus most of the customs connected with the Day are remnants of the ancient religious beliefs and rituals, first of the Druids and then transcended amongst the Roman Christians who conquered them.
"Trick or treat' may be innocent fun to relish on Halloween Day. But just think about a bunch of frightening fantasies and the scary stories featuring ghosts, witches, monsters, evils, and animal sacrifices associated with it. Are these stories a myth or is there a blend of some reality? You decide!

FIRELIGHT

It’s night and yet in some eerie way,
It’s just as light as tho it were day.

I’ve heard there are goblins and witches about
And from what I’ve seen I have no doubt.

How else explain a night so weird,
The things that happen you view in fear.

You see a black cat run in flight,
Then by some magic snatched from sight.

Forms in human shape float around,
And if you listen close you hear a sound
That calls - come yonder to the firelight.

You want to explore but you’re in suspense
Then curiosity triumphs e’en tho you’re tense.

You see a broomstick on which to climb
Ignore the shivers running down your spine.

Suddenly you’re zooming thru the air
What possible reason could make you dare

O seek yonder lighted sky in haste?
What sort of witchery is taking place?

It’s a fire ablaze shooting flames to the sky
With a portion brewing in a kettle nearby.

You watch and listen for someone to tell
You all about this magic spell.

But as you wait the fire dies down
And darkness again descends on the town.

The goblins and witches fail to appear,
The magic eludes you until another year.

by Wilhelmine E. Mitchell

COMPASSION

Thursday, October 18, 2007 was the yearly Pastoral Care Banquet. Due to health reasons I was resigning as a volunteer after 10 years. The chaplains honored me with a few complimentary words and a dozen red roses. I was asked just why I volunteered with Pastoral Care. My thought was God was so good to me, I wanted to share that grace with someone else. Then again, I have been in the hospital so many times as a patient that I have real empathy, compassion for those in the hospital.

The dictionary defines compassion as "the deep feeling of sharing the suffering of another in the inclination to give aid or support or to show mercy." More than that, compassion is a vital virtue. No teacher has ever uttered words of such eternal value as Jesus, the prince of teachers, concerning compassion. No word of Christ reveals His heart's concern for human need so much as the word compassion. Whether it was his friend, Lazarus, or an alien Samaritan, a little child, or an aged cripple-he cared.

Compassion and helpfulness are kindred souls. It has been said that there is no exercise better for strengthening the heart then reaching down and lifting someone up. We must dedicate more time for Christ and keep our eyes open so He can show his thoughtfulness through us.
Many years ago Pope Leo XIII said: "No one is so poor as not to be useful in some way to his fellowman and the disposition to ask assistance from others with confidence and to grant it with kindness is part of our nature."

A wise man once said: "God is the best helper, but He loves to be helped."
Be earnest in prayer, but do not neglect human means, Spirit-led lives are ours when we ask.

COMPASSION

We are prone to take the blessings
We receive from day to day,
Without a word of 'thank you'
Till they pass away.
Let us express appreciation
For our blessings, come what may,
And try to be more worthy
Each and everyday.........for
Love is concern compassion
Shown for others less fortunate than you
The dirty, the ragged, the lost ones,
Red, yellow faces, yes, black ones, too.
To gain life is to lose it.
Another's burden you must share.
Love is gratitude in action,
To show that you really care.
If indeed you are grateful
For the blessings you enjoy,
You will show it in the things you do,
And how you are employed.
The more you have, the more you give,
This feeling you cannot supress.
You have to do something for someone.
To express your thankfulness.

by Wilhelmine E. Mitchell

Happiness

I recently heard Steve Blow talk on the subject, happiness, taking references from a book by Dr. Seligman. What I remember most was the statement: "Live in the present and do those things that help others; the end result will bring you gratification." It started me thinking - just what is happiness.

Happiness is the one thing that almost everyone is seeking. Many search in vain, but only a small number have actually attained it. A great Philosopher once wrote: Happiness is neither within us or without us; it is the union of ourselves with God.

However, a more practical man said: Happiness consists of the attainment of our desires and in our having only right & justifiable desires.

It is difficult to explain just what happiness is, but it can certainly be considered a habit which is worth cultivating. The Boy Scout Motto says: "Do a good turn daily." Be as concerned about bringing happines to others as you are to yourself. When you bring happiness to others, it rubs off on yourself, making it the by-probuct of your efforts to make someone else happy.

A quote from Norman Vincent Peale: "The way to happiness is to keep your heart free from worry, live simply, expect little, give much, scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others."

Socrates said, "Know Thyself." Here are some pertinent points made by Dr. Frank Caprio , published in the National Inquirer several years ago:
1. Give yourself a daily mistake allowance
2. Find something that's lovable about yourself
3. Find a few kind words for someone else
4. Find something good to admire in others
5. Find something to laugh about
6. Find something to celebrate
7. Find a challange
8. Find something useful to do for someone else

There are many worthwhile causes in all communities in which to volunteer your time & talents thus having the gratification of helping someone else.

Finally, if you see someone without a smile, give that person yours - it is contagious. Remember the grouch here at Chambrel that I referred to in an article titled 'Act or React.' Well, I have been smiling at him every morning and saying a cheery good morning and he is smiling back! I found the following words of insight, printed in the Dallas Morning News several years past, written by the Rev. Blair Monie, who was at that time pastor of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. He used these words in a sermon.

One smile begins a friendship;
One bird can herald the spring;
One song speaks a moment;
One star guides a ship;
One candle wipes out the darkness;
One laugh dispels the gloom;
One touch shows you care;
One word begins a prayer;
One note can change a nation;
One life can make a difference!

I'll end with my favorite quote on happiness by Dr. Norman M. Bradbury: "Happiness is when the positive satisfactions outweigh the negative experiences."

You're aging when.........

The following was taken from the Dallas Morning News 'Viewpoints' by Stanley Marcus. He states : A friend sent me a single-spaced typed sheet with the subject, Aging is when...Unfortunately, the author wasn't identified, but it started by saying, "Aging is when everything hurts and what doesn't hurt doesn't work." The piece went on: Aging is when.............

The gleam in your eyes is from the sun hitting your bifocals.

You feel like the night after, and you haven't been anywhere.

Your little black book contains only names ending in M.D.

You get winded playing chess.

Your children begin to look middle-aged.

You finally reach the top of the ladder and find it leaning against the wrong wall.

You decide to procrastinate but never get around to it.

Your mind makes contracts your body can't meet.

You know all the answers, but noboby asks you the questions.

You look forward to a dull evening.

Your favorite part of the newspaper is "Twenty-Five Years Ago Today."

Your knees buckle, and your belt won't.

You are 17 around the neck, 44 around the waist and 96 around the golf course.

You stop looking forward to your next birthday.

Dialing long distance wears you out.

You are startled the first time you are addressed as an 'old-timer.'

You burn the midnight oil until 9 p.m.

Your pacemaker makes the garage door go up when you watch a pretty girl go by.

You get your exercise acting as a pallbearer for your friends who exercised.

Stanley Marcus adds further observations: Aging is when.............

Tying your shoelaces leaves you breathless.

Your reminiscences aren't as interesting to your listeners as they are to you.

Your memory fails to recall the name of the gorgeous blonde you were madly in love with when you were 21.

The big house in which you grew up has shrunk in apparent size 70 years later.

Your friends keep telling you how great you are looking.

You sleep less and nap more.

Your realize that the good old days actually weren't as good as they were cracked up to be.

Passers-by stop to pick up objects you have dropped.

You allow yourself to luxuriate in casual attire at improper times.

You slump instead of standing erect.

Stanley Marcus ended with: 'Aging is when you have too much room in the house and not enough room in the medicine cabinet.'

Those observations are fine, but I still think the best antidote to aging is to stay active and interested in the world around.

If you have any desire to live to be 100 plus, you had better ignore this whole column.