Thanksgiving

Christians Must Learn to Be Grateful to God in All Circumstances

Christians Must Learn to Be Grateful to God in All Circumstances

What makes Thanksgiving difficult for you this year? Are you dealing with grief over the loss of a loved one? Challenges in your health, family, or finances? Guilt over the past or fear of the future? In collating gratitude with suffering, we have four logical options we can view as a Thanksgiving spectrum.

Regularly Expressing Gratitude Can Increase Your Happiness

Regularly Expressing Gratitude Can Increase Your Happiness

As our society continues its post-Christian slide into secularism, holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas have become secularized as well. One can go the entire Christmas season without seeing a mention of Christ’s birth in secular culture; Thanksgiving has become far less about gratitude to God and far more about football and feasting. Thus we should not be surprised when even gratitude becomes generically secularized. But we should not overlook the illogic of this trajectory nor the power of thanksgiving when it is properly directed.

Predictions for the Future and Three Reasons for Thanksgiving in the Present

Predictions for the Future and Three Reasons for Thanksgiving in the Present

This week, we’re discovering reasons for genuine thanksgiving. Not a generic sense of gratitude such as secular Americans may briefly feel tomorrow, but a true lifestyle of praise and thanks to the God who is our Father.

Choosing Thanksgiving over Thanksfeeling

Choosing Thanksgiving over Thanksfeeling

Scripture calls us to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We are to “give” thanks, not “feel” thanks. The holiday is Thanksgiving, not Thanksfeeling.

How to Have Grace-Filled Conversations over the Holidays despite Opposing Political Opinions

How to Have Grace-Filled Conversations over the Holidays despite Opposing Political Opinions
As families gather for the holidays, there is often a struggle to keep the conversation around the table civil. So, here are a handful of tips to help you have grace-filled conversations this holiday season.

Why Did Abraham Lincoln Pardon a Turkey?

Why Did Abraham Lincoln Pardon a Turkey?

President Trump pardoned the Thanksgiving turkey yesterday, continuing a long and surprising tradition.

Such clemency apparently began with President Lincoln in 1863. Two years later, a White House reporter noted that “a live turkey had been brought home for the Christmas dinner.” However, Lincoln’s son Tad “interceded in behalf of its life . . . [his] plea was admitted and the turkey’s life spared.”

Why Doesn’t Disney World Celebrate Thanksgiving?

Why Doesn’t Disney World Celebrate Thanksgiving?
My wife marked a significant birthday last week. I offered to take her anywhere to celebrate and she chose Disney World. Since she grew up just a few blocks from Disneyland in California and we visited Disney World often while living in Atlanta, the trip was a nostalgic and fun week for us both.

Youth Pastor Charged with Thanksgiving Day Triple Murder

Youth Pastor Charged with Thanksgiving Day Triple Murder
A Virginia youth pastor has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder. Christopher Gattis, 58, stands accused of shooting his wife Jeanett, 58, her daughter Candis Kunze, 30, and Kunze’s boyfriend Andrew Buthorn, 36.

Thanksgiving Day Thoughts, 2017

Thanksgiving Day Thoughts, 2017
Thanksgiving Day is the traditional American holiday when we are given the opportunity to pause from our normal routines and take time to count our blessings.