This country was a republic, not a democracy. That notion seems to have been buried in the last few years. A true liberal democracy, as this country is becoming, allows the minority to trample over the majority, and leads to secularity and diversity, not morality and unification.

To take a look at the big picture:
Welcome to the new Sodom and Gomorrah, where everything is acceptable except absolutes, and no one is allowed to criticize or offer a moral observation to another. Already we have people legislating tolerance for things God says he despises. How long until we see his wrath for disrespecting Him as a nation with such actions and for participating in selling out Israel with that “road map to peace” nonsense?

As I thought about your question, I realized that I could write an entire treatise on this topic. But due to time constraints, here’s the nuts and bolts presentation:

I’m reminded of something my father told me when I was much younger: Habit makes character.

One particular example stands out: As a child, full of sin like the rest of mankind, I wasn’t always thrilled about helping my mother around the house. She would ask me to do a job or chore, and my facial expressions, body language, and grumbling would reveal my great displeasure. After this continued for a time, my father took me aside and provided me with some excellent fatherly instruction: Regardless of the attitude of my heart, every time my mother asked me to do something, I was to instantly respond — with a big, cheerful smile — “Yes, Mommy!”

Believe it or not, that fixed the problem. The longer I continued to respond with an “instant smile” and a “happy voice,” the more it translated into truly cheerful obedience to my mother’s requests. Even though I didn’t have the correct “feelings” at first, as I persevered in what I knew was right, God changed my heart.

I think the same is true with the question of our lack of gratitude toward God. The first solution is to pray for a grateful hearts, but the next step is to persevere in obedience by continually — not just one day a year — giving thanks! As we continue to prioritize and emphasize thanksgiving — the act, not the day — in all things, and in all circumstances, the proper feelings will eventually follow.

Only God can change our hearts. Our responsibility is to obey His commandments.

I just posted a short thanksgiving article on my blog as well, and I quoted your article here.

Great writing, good points!

God Bless!

In Christ, John.

Being from South Africa, we don’t have the tradition of Thanksgiving. Nevertheless, I greatly appreciate the principle that you lay down. In Tozer’s book “The Knowledge of the Holy”, in the chapter of the all-sufficiency of God, he graphically depicts our COMPLETE dependance on Him. Thus, acquaintance with the Holy is they key here, it seems!

Alex and Brett, thanks again for the thought, effort, exhortation and insight that you bring to us. I (and I know all the others) greatly appreciate what you have to say and eagerly await your next post(s)!

In Him,
Dave

PS - Robert, the link to your site is broken. It comes up as http://http//www.heumoore.com and then for some strange reason redirects to microsoft.com! Don’t worry, I still found my way there! Haha! just thought I should let you know so that you can correct that.

:-)

Thanks David!

I accept the fact that Thanksgiving, like Christmas, is a religious holiday. I also accept that Thanksgiving, like Christmas, is not mandated in the Bible, and should not be one of those battles Christians should fight with the world over.

Most Americans are unbelievers - therefore they interpret and celebrate Thanksgiving in their own non-Christian way. They’re only doing what comes to them naturally.

If we want them to celebrate this non-binding religious holiday properly, then we should really spend more time speaking to them about the Gospel.

As ourselves, we should praise God.

As families we should praise God.

And as nations, we should praise God.

Most Americans are unbelievers, true, but letting them run the country means disaster. Recognizing Christmas, Resurrection day, and Thanksgiving, means corperate understanding that the Lord is indeed the founder of this country, and rules it.

To take these away is to nationally say that God does not exist and does not deserve honor.

The Jewish timescale was packed with Holy days to worship God, and to celebrate all his many bountiful blessings on the land, not only privately, but nationally.

Israel was completely God centered in its days of celebration, and we as Christians, being born into family of God (we are now Jews) should do the same.

The United States of America is a Christian nation, but the secularists are trying to erase the past.

When the Nation looks at things with a secular point of view, our actions change.