NOVEMBER 1999

As I think about THANKSGIVING several verses of Scripture come to mind.  Psalms 92:1 "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord."  The psalmist again in chapter 136, verse 1, tells us, "O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good."

Whenever I think of man's relationship to God through triumph, tragedy or Thanksgiving, my mind often turns to the picture on the wall of our dining room.  It is the picture of a young girl in an advertisement for Sunbeam Bread with the caption above the girl that reads "Not By Bread Alone."  The child appears to be kneeling with hands folded in prayer, head bowed and eyes closed.

No doubt you have seen the hands of prayer as they have been molded and modeled for us.  Many a picture portrays an individual with hands folded and head bowed in prayer.  One can see the fingertips that are pointed toward heaven and the palms touching, the head is bowed in humility - often this is the position we take to communicate with God.

Physicians tell us that with hands together and the head bowed, we are in a natural state of relaxation.  This may be God's plan for us, a kind of comfort given to us as we worship.

Thanksgiving decorations and cards are given and received during the Thanksgiving holiday season.  If you look close at them you will often see the symbol of the praying hands.  Many associate thanksgiving with the Pilgrim's prayer at the first Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving is truly more than just a large meal and football.

Someone has well said: "And any heart turned God-ward feels more joy in one short hour or prayer, than e'er was raised by all the feast on earth since its foundations."

Other traditional images of Thanksgiving may reveal Pilgrims, Indians, turkey and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.  However, as much as we love traditional images, there is a far greater magnitude to the internal relationship we can feel in communication to God through hands of prayer.  

This Thanksgiving put your hands together in prayer and praise.  Your two hands will never perform a bigger task, a greater accomplishment, or bring more joy, hope and peace than they are able to do when you place your hands together in prayer.

May we take courage and praise God from whom all blessings flow!  Then our hearts and minds will have a continual thanksgiving day.

Pastor Bob 

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