Following are the notes I took yesterday during Shannon's sermon. My pen ran out of ink so I didn't take notes the entire time (I use a fountain pen -- love my fountain pen). The notes will be below followed by the podcast of the sermon. I won't put the links for the scripture. You can plug it in yourself at Biblegateway.com. Well, I guess I just gave you a link. Open that up and put in the scripture to read it yourself (or have your Bible handy). Notes are below:
I'm thankful for taxes, for clothes that are too tight, for big heating bills; loads of laundry (listen to see why he says these things).
Poverty better than persecution.
The acknowledgement of God and His Divine Providence was reason they pulled away from England (talking about first colonists to America).
Thanksgiving -- special holiday. Began in 1789 declared by George Washington to acknowledge and worship God. Everything we have is from God -- we all join together to thank God.
Today we're so torn apart (in our country).
We've lost the reason for Thanksgiving.
Founding documents of our country say we are a Christian nation. We can always be thankful for God.
Psalm 100:1-5 -- written as commands.
#1 Let the world know you are joyful. Shout loudly so all can hear you (then tells story about "I will tell your name!").
We have regained our very lives. The joy is not put on but spills out.
#2 Worship the LORD with Gladness, loud instruments. Make a joyful noise!
Fill our minds with worship. There's a blessing, a lifting of our spirits with music -- It brings forth emotions. Music is a gift from God.
#4 Know God is God in every cell of your body. Let that knowledge soak into your very DNA. God doesn't abandon His creation as human creators do. He continues to build is us. We are works in progress.
Philippians 1:6
Sometimes to get blind to the need.
Our gratefulness should come from knowing who we are (at our worst) and who made us.
Psalm 103:8-12
Remember where all good things come from (James 1)
Do His bidding. Give ourselves to His mission. That the best way to live. Get out of the way and let God work.