Dear Friend:
Thanksgiving is hands down my favourite American holiday.
After making the turkey and all the fixin’s, everyone simply gathers and enjoys the great meal.
At the same time, Thanksgiving brings with it a strong call to deep reflection that will slip by unnoticed if we’re not careful.
So, let’s take a few moments right now to kick off this season by elevating our hearts and minds with “thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father in the heavens” to uphold the spirit of U.S. President Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation.
Looking up, we thank You, our Father, for Your control over all our lives . . . for Your Son who saved us . . . for Your Word that lights up our paths . . . for Your love that holds us close.
Looking around, we thank You, our Father, for our nation that is so blessed, beautiful, and bountiful . . . for family that is so valuable . . . for responsibilities that are so meaningful . . . for the comforts of home . . . for the encouragement of friends . . . for the enrichment of worship.
Looking within, we thank You, our Father, for the gift of life and all our faculties . . . for hands to work and play with . . . for legs to walk and run with . . . for a sense of humour, a tender spirit, and a positive attitude . . . for victories that uplift us and heartaches that humble us . . . and for the warmth from those who help us should our faculties fade us.
My thankfulness also extends toward all who support Insight for Living Ministries through fervent prayer and faithful donations. I’m grateful Christ has allowed all of us to participate in His life-transforming work together!
If Insight for Living Ministries is an encouragement for you and you would like to share that same encouragement with others, please consider sending a “Thanksgiving gift” to us this November. Your donation will help proclaim biblical truth across the airwaves and internet all around the world!
I’m joining you this holiday season with the goal of making David’s words my theme and anthem: “I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart” (Psalm 86:12).
With deep appreciation for you,
Pastor Charles R. Swindoll