E-Newsletter: Wishing You a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Statement

Dear friends,

On Thanksgiving, we gather with friends and family and give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy. As a country, we have many things to be thankful for, including the Constitutional freedoms our Creator bestowed upon us, passed down from generation to generation, right through the present day. Every American has the right to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, the right to vote and participate in our democracy, among many others. These freedoms are scarce in many parts of the world today and have been rare throughout most of history. We are also blessed to live in a country that inspires brave men and women to voluntarily serve their country in uniform and risk their lives to protect us. We must never forget their sacrifices.

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the pilgrims in 1621 after their first harvest in the New World. The pilgrims had emigrated from England to escape religious persecution. But, upon coming here, they suffered incredible hardship. Nearly half of the original 102 passengers died during the first winter. By November 1621, only 53 pilgrims were still alive. But after their first harvest, they still took time to honor God with a three-day observance of Thanksgiving.

The pilgrims celebrated the harvest with 90 Native Americans who helped them survive during their first winter. One of the most celebrated natives was a Wampanoag who the settlers called Squanto. He taught the pilgrims where to fish and hunt and where to plant New World crops like corn and squash. He also helped negotiate a treaty between the pilgrims and chief Massasoit.

The pilgrims survived the next winter. And, in time, they prospered. Their settlement inspired others to come to the New World and start a new life. John Winthrop, one of the founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, said in 1630: "We shall be a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us, so that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work…we shall be made a story and a byword throughout the world."

Our Founder Fathers were inspired by these pioneers and their incredible courage. Even during the most harrowing days of the Revolutionary War, they never forgot God, nor His blessings. In 1777, George Washington proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving, and during his first year as President, he proclaimed the first official Thanksgiving Day. Its purpose, said Washington, was to "unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country."

The Founders recognized the sacrifices made by the pilgrims, just as we remember the sacrifices made by our Founders. We follow their example by gathering at this time of year to remember and give thanks for our blessings.

President Reagan once said he "thought of America as a place in the divine scheme of things that was set aside as a promised land." I agree. I have no doubt that America is close to God's heart because our heart is close to Him. I am grateful to live in this wonderful country with all of its blessings. It is my prayer that we will always be grateful and that we never forget to give thanks.

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and pray that God will continue to bless the United States of America.

Source