ARTICLES

Proclaiming Public Notice of Thanksgiving 2008

by Mari Anne Andersen

Here we are once again! The holidays and Turkey Day are just around the corner, but we are not hearing the sounds of turkeys, but the sounds of Christmas. Commercials, advertisements, displays and decorations in the stores are calling you to start your Christmas shopping. Do you feel that you are already behind in your Christmas planning and shopping? Do you feel that you're already late? Dear friends, let me say - R E L A X.

Let me reassure you - you are not late nor lagging behind, you haven't missed the boat, and you are not behind the times. On the contrary, this is an incredible opportunity to give thanks, particularly with the currant hardships, uncertainties, and unprediciablities, to comprehend and apprehend God's devotion to us as a devoted, dedicated Father who will never leave us nor forsake us. Now that is worth celebrating! Kick up your heels to proclaim public notice of Thanksgiving! We need to marinate in this moment of time, this great season, and this great holiday - Thanksgiving. Don't short change this important and significant occasion to recognize all that the Father is, has done, and will do.

Now some of you may be saying, "What about the hard times we are in, the recession, the decline in our country, the negative economic growth, and the lay-offs?" Take heart my friends, for the Father has everything under HIS control. This is a perfect time to give thanks and to celebrate His divine glory over us individually and corporately as a country.

My thoughts for this time in history simply come from one of the greatest truths in scripture - how the Father has made preparations for each one of us as His children. It has become my life-line, my hope, my belief, my truth, my power, my trust and my strength, not to lose heart nor become despondent through fear BUT to celebrate Thanksgiving and declare His greatness as we marinate in His Presence of love and simmer in His spices of truth.

What better way than to have the original receipe and key ingredient, to create one of the greatest-tasting, mouth-watering meals on this Thanksgiving Day! Enjoy savoring each morsel as you continue on to read:

Ephesians 3:16-21 - "May He grant YOU out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself - indwelling your innermost being and personality].

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell - [settle down, abide, make His permanent home] in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.

That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams]."

What more can I say other than "Happy Thanksgiving"!