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Wednesday's Word: Give Thanks

11/27/2013

 
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"...Give thanks in all circumstances." 
1 Thessalonians 5:18

    Every time I read this scripture, I wonder whether there must have been the equivalent of a typo in some ancient manuscript.  But Paul does not seem to give any restrictions.  He says we are to give thanks in, not some, but in "all" circumstances.

But Paul does not tell that believers to give thanks _for_ everything that happens:  For some, giving thanks "in" and not "for" is a distinction without a difference. 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. Many will gather with families and loved ones to feast and give, well, thanks.  Seems pretty consistent with Paul's scripture, doesn't it?  I'm not so sure: I  have been especially sensitized to Paul's admonition to the church at Thessalonica in the aftermath of the typhoon in the Philippines. As of the time of this writing, 1,000,000 persons have no shelter; over five thousand persons are deceased or missing and presumed dead.  
 
Give thanks? That's what we are expected to do on Thanksgiving, right?  But I don't give thanks _for_ this natural disaster.  I give thanks for the  compassion of strangers:  persons who have donated their time, talents and treasures to help those on the other side of the world.  I give thanks for scientists who have a renewed commitment to reversing the effects of climate change.  I give thanks for that cup of cold water from a volunteer; that penny from a broken piggy bank; that tear shed in front of the television screen. 

I give thanks in circumstances that show me a world that cares.  



Ida James
11/27/2013 11:24:02 am

I am thankful for natural family and a Church family so willing to make life better for others.

Pat Moore
11/28/2013 02:18:56 am

I thank God for allowing us to be a blessing to others on this Thanksgiving. As we left church today we made what I considered to be a wrong turn, but I found one of our senior members walking up Metro Drive - headed toward the subway. She had missed the bus in front of church and it is the holiday. So we took her to Owings Mills. Thank you God for provision so that we can help others along the way. Thank you for allowing us to follow your example of giving and helping others less fortunate than ourselves. The church member said even though she did not know how long it would take to get home...she thanked God in her circumstance and had to come on this day amid all of her life circumstances to give Him thanks for all He has done for her including us making a wrong turn and getting her out of the cold. Praise God!

Francine McCray
11/29/2013 08:43:50 pm

I thank and praise God that He has chosen and blessed us to be a part of the living organism which is the body of Christ world-wide that He is using in these last days to form a safety net with which to catch, touch, and minister to the lost, hurting, grieving, struggling, and weary people both outside as well as inside of the church.

Carolyn "YADA' Nelson
12/10/2013 08:47:33 am

I am giving thanks for having a mind to be grateful to God for what He has done, is doing, and going to do in my life. When other people are feeling sorry for me I am silly happy to still have a mind @ peace with God and @ peace with me.


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