What are you grateful for?

IN REPLY TO (IRT)
DANIELINTHELIONSDEN
“DEIST”

IRT:
“George Washington was also a Deist, and not an orthodox or standard Christian, certainly not a fundamentalist Christian by today's standards. Lincoln was a very thoughtful and creative man. He was not a traditional Christian but more of a freethinker. That is well-established fact, whether you believe it or not (November 27, 2010 12:14 PM}."

ANS:
Deism:
!. "A belief in the existence of a god on the evidence of reason and nature 'ONLY,' with 'REJECTION' of supernatural revelation (distinguished from theism)."

2. "A belief in a God who created the world but has since remained indifferent to it."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deism

Deism: "The philosophy of religion from the standpoint that reason and observation of the natural world, without the need for organized religion, can determine that a supreme being created the universe. Further, the term often implies that this supreme being does not intervene in human affairs or suspend the natural laws of the universe.

"Deists typically reject supernatural events such as prophecy and miracles, tending to assert that God (or "The Supreme Architect") has a plan for the universe that is not to be altered by intervention in the affairs of human life. Deists believe in the existence of God, in a secular sense, 'without any reliance on revealed religion, religious authority, or holy books.'”

Consequently, neither Lincoln nor Washington, who relied on Scripture and God's intercession, were Deists or Pantheists. Both beliefs reject Scripture, and hold God abandoned His Creation, and subsequently confirm America was under the auspices of our Judeo-Christian heritage.

From the Lincoln Thanksgiving Proclamation:

“No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most-High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people.”

From the Washington Thanksgiving Proclamation:

“WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor. And, whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER. That it be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

IN REPLY TO (IRT)
DANIELINTHELIONSDEN
GEORGE WASHINGTON (G/W)

IRT:
I never said George Washington was a phony churchgoer; you read that into my remarks.

ANS:
True, you never said it, but you did imply it. You said he only joined the Church to get ahead, and therefore, you intimated he really didn’t believe in his church. That would make him a phony because he acted as if he believed when, as you claim, he didn't.

IRT:
“He was a modern, educated man of the eighteenth century, a product of the Anglo-French Enlightenment, a Deist, who supported the moderate Christian institutions of his day.”

ANS:
Deists are Pantheists and don't support Christianity. They don’t depend on God for anything. They believe that God Created the World and abandoned it. G/W attended church when possible, read the Scriptures frequently, and depended on God’s providence to sustain him in times of need according to his speeches, writings and letters.

His religious beliefs are shown in the way he lived his life, in his character, and according to his daughter and those who honored him, he was known for his courage and integrity. If his life was just a façade, viz. he was doing this just for show, as you said, just to get ahead, then he was being a phony and a hypocrite.

IRT:
"My question about his Catholicism was about the fact, that, in general, you seem to be disapproving of anything not Catholic. George Washington was not Catholic; he was Anglican; wouldn't that make him a terrible Godless heretic, especially in the eighteenth century?"

ANS:
No, it means he's not Catholic, nothing more or less. He would be a heretic if he claimed to be of a certain religion and reject its basic beliefs as you intimately described him. My complaint is against those who violate God's Natural & Moral Law, which is defended by Catholicism.

HERETIC:
"A professed believer who maintains religious opinions contrary to those accepted by his or her church or rejects doctrines prescribed by that church."—Dictionary.com

IRT:
"And I am sure that this prevailing attitude of animosity between the variant Christian sects is one reason why the Founding Fathers (FF) sought to disestablish all Christian religion, and specify freedom of religion in the Bill of Rights."

ANS:
To the contrary, the FF denied the idea of a State religion because that’s what most of the colonists were fleeing from, viz. State dominated religions. The Founding Fathers chose the Judeo-Catholic belief that man is endowed with inalienable rights and free will to choose freely who and what he wants to worship. Thus, the FF wrote the Freedom of Religion clause that proscribed all State religions, Christian, or non-Christian.

TTWSYFAMDGGAHJMJ1

I never said George Washington was a phoney church goer; you read that into my remarks.

He was a modern, educated man of the eighteenth century, a product of the Anglo-French Enlightenment, a Deist, who supported the moderate Christian instiutions of his day.

My question about his Catholicism was about the fact, that, in general, you seem to be disapproving of anything not Catholic. George Washington was not Catholic; he was Anclican; wouldn't that make him a terrible Godless heretic, espcially in the eighteenth century?

And I am sure that this pevailing attitude of animosity between the variant Christian sects is one reason why the Founding Fathers sought to dis-establish all Christian relgion, and specify freedom of religion in the Bill of Rights.

IN REPLY TO (IRT)
DANIELINTHELIONSDEN
WASHINGTON

Washington never needed to get ahead; he started ahead.

“Colonial Virginia Washington was born into the provincial gentry in a wealthy, well connected family that owned tobacco plantations using slave labor. Washington was home schooled by his father and older brother but both died young and Washington became attached to the powerful Fairfax clan. They promoted his career as surveyor and soldier. Strong, brave, eager for combat and a natural leader, young Washington quickly became a senior officer of the colonial forces, 1754–58, during the first stages of the French and Indian War. Indeed his rash actions helped precipitate the war.”—Wikipedia

IRT:
“And I might add, the state Church of Virginia was the Anglican Church, and not the Catholic Church, and that therefore, George Washington was really a Godless heretic, according to you many-times repeated beliefs, was he not? How have I gotten it wrong?”

ANS:
Again, it was not said G/W was a Catholic or ever mentioned what religion he was; from the Proclamation, it was said G/W believed in God. That is a fact and his Proclamation proves it. Then, because you’re some kind of esoteric secularist, you harbor an inability to accept the fact that our heritage is based on the traditions of Judeo/Christianity.

Subsequently, you go into these "off-the-wall" wails of undulated disruptive perversions provoked by your indomitable mindsets that are irrelevant and irreverent to the point, because they were never mentioned or even implied.

Where do you get these ridiculous deleterious and twisted contortions of Catholicism? Moreover, never was it mentioned Washington was a Catholic, that’s another of your implicit, delirious, and false suppositions.

Catholic Teachings:
Matthew 12:26: “He that is not with Me, is against Me: and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth. Mark 9:40 (9-39) “For he that is not against you is for you.” G/W was never against God, therefore he was with Him.

If G/W came down to earth and told you what he believed, you would dispute it if it didn't fit your preconceived perceptions. It is a penchant of an Iconoclastic Freethinker to believe truth rest only in his mind, and whatever he thinks truth is; it is. Therefore, that is only what counts. Namely, “I think, therefore it is", irrespective of the Reality, Experience, Knowledge, or Reason, Logic, and Revelation that are all and only the measures of objective Truth. Truth is not based on an iconoclast's mind but on reality.

IN REPLY TO (IRT)
DANIELINTHELIONSDEN
WASHINGTON

IRT:
"If a person (George Washington) complies with a law that requires membership on the state church, and conformity of belief with that church's officially sanctioned doctrines, how is that proof of what the person believes? It is no proof at all; it merely indicates that George Washington wanted to get ahead in the world, which he did."

ANS:
Baloney! You appear to be calling G/W a hypocrite. He was nothing of the sort. It’s not that G/W was just a member; he was an "active" member and his entire persona was forged in his character, integrity, writings, and deeds. All of which personified his insatiable beliefs in God.

Second, Washington wasn’t trying to get ahead; he was born ahead. His integrity and character were impeccable by all accounts and by all who knew him. He was unanimously made the General of the Continental Army and the American Army by Congress, not because he was posing as a phony churchgoer, but because of his courage and wit in the French & Indian War.

He was made General of the Armies of the United States by the congressional joint resolution Public Law 94-479 passed on January 19, 1976, with an effective appointment date of July 4, 1976.[54] This restored Washington's position as the highest-ranking military officer in U.S. history.

“Washington frequently displayed a humble and gracious respect towards God in his personal letters and public speeches. Washington purchased a family pew at several churches. Rev. Lee Massey, his pastor in Mt Vernon, wrote, "I never knew so constant an attendant in church as Washington.”--Wikipedia. That shows his devotion to God.

"His adopted daughter, Nelly Custis-Lewis, in response to a request from Jared Sparks in 1833 for information on Washington's religions views, wrote, "He attended the church at Alexandria when the weather and roads permitted a ride of ten miles (a one-way journey of 2-3 hours by horse or carriage).

In New York and Philadelphia he never omitted attendance at church in the morning, unless detained by indisposition [sickness]." She continues by saying "No one in church attended to the services with more reverential respect." She adds, "I should have thought it the greatest heresy to doubt his firm belief in Christianity. His life, his writings, prove that he was a Christian. He was not one of those who act or pray that they may be seen of men." In closing, Nelly attempted to answer the question of whether General Washington was a Christian.

She responded, "Is it necessary that any one should certify, 'General Washington avowed himself to me a believer in Christianity?' As well, may we question his patriotism, his heroic, disinterested devotion to his country? His mottos were, 'Deeds, not Words,' and, 'For God and my Country.' [12] It should be borne in mind that these statements were intended to extol Washington's character."--WIKIPEDIA

I was thankful for the music box. Looks like the detectives claimed that. Now we're going to wreck the place! Grates are for sewers. Get me a new musik box. Dolts!

TTWSYFAMDGGAHJMJ1

I did not say Lincoln was a Deist. He was actually more advanced in his religous thinking than Deism, more easily called a Free Thinker.

The Lincolns, seriously, held seances in the White House; that is far afield from Catholic orthodoxy.

If you are not interested in knowing and knowledgem, suit yourself.

TTWSYFAMDGGAHJMJ1

If a person (George Washington) complies with a law that requires membership on the state church, and conformity of belief with that church's officially sanctionioned doctrines, how is that proof of what the person believes?

It is no proof at all; it merely indicates that Geroge Washington wanted to get ahead in the world, which he did.

And I might add, the state Church of Virginia was the Anglican Church, and not the Catholic Church, and that therefore, George Washington was really a Godless heretic, according to you many-times repeated beliefs, was he not? How have I gotten it wrong?

Shaky, some day you might read the "American Indians'" own history of themselves. You will see that it fits very nicely with most of the history of all other humans. Might has always made "right," like it, or not.

There is no prayer to justify the "american holocaust," the genocide of the American Indians, that is in it's 5th century and counting. The only prayer should be to ask forgiveness, and stop the worst atrocity in world history. Denial ensures no other prayer will be answered.

There is no prayer to justify the "american holocaust," the genocide of the American Indians, that is in it's 5th century and counting. The only prayer should be to ask forgiveness, and stop the worst atrocity in world history. Denial ensures no other prayer will be answered.

There is no prayer to justify the "american holocaust," the genocide of the American Indians, that is in it's 5th century and counting. The only prayer should be to ask forgiveness, and stop the worst atrocity in world history. Denial ensures no other prayer will be answered.

There is no prayer to justify the "american holocaust," the genocide of the American Indians, that is in it's 5th century and counting. The only prayer should be to ask forgiveness, and stop the worst atrocity in world history. Denial ensures no other prayer will be answered.

IN REPLY TO (IRT)
DANIELINTHELIONSDEN
"THE REAL WASHINGTON"

IRT:
“George Washington was...a Deist, and not an orthodox or standard Christian...This is also a well-established fact. “

ANS:
Really, who said so? Who said anything about Washington being a Christian or Deist? If it’s such a fact, then you surely can explain this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_and_religion

“George Washington was baptized as an infant into the Church of England, [3] [4] which, before the American Revolution, was the state religion of the colony of Virginia where he lived and governed along with Jefferson.

“As an adult, Washington served as a member of the "vestry" (lay council) for his local parish. Office-holding qualifications at all levels—including the House of Burgesses, to which Washington was elected in 1758—required affiliation with the current state religion and an undertaking that one would neither express dissent nor do anything that did not conform to church doctrine.

“At the library of the New-York Historical Society, some manuscripts containing a leaf from the church record of Pohick were available to Benson Lossing, an American historian, which he included in his Field Book of the Revolution; the leaf contained the following signed oath, required to qualify individuals as vestrymen:

“I, A B, do declare that I will be conformable to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England, as by law established. 1765. May 20th.—Thomas Withers Coffer, Thomas Ford, John Ford. 19th August.—Geo. Washington, Daniel M'Carty [...] [7] Washington purchased a family pew at several churches—(Ibid).”

IRT:
“I am not sure why you feel the need to change the facts; the lives they lead, and their accomplishments are the same, whether you accept the truth of their religious beliefs, or not.”

ANS:
Spoken like a true Deist and Freethinker that you are. You’re not sure of anything because you are paranoid. So it's “believe it or not,” the Freethinker has spoken; therefore, it must be right.

My dear friend, I merely said Washington and Lincoln believed in God, and their Proclamations proved it. It is "fact" they wrote them and relied on their belief in God when they wrote them.

After distorting and falsely improvising on what I said, you become hysterically possessed with these improvisations you’ve created, delusions of which I have never said or indicated one way or the other.

Then you claimed you couldn’t understand why I made up such misrepresentation about Washington and Lincoln’s lives. The distortions are yours; Lincoln or Washington were neither Deist nor Pantheists and I never said what they were one way or the other; you did.

It’s simple my friend; I never made any of your foolish suppositions; you conjured them up in your predisposed mind and then even wrongly disputed them with the misguided philanthropic and assiduously ridiculous false apriorisms you've relied on.

IN REPLY TO (IRT)
DANIELINTHELIONSDEN
"THE REAL LINCOLN"

IRT:
“Lincoln was a very thoughtful and creative man. He was not a traditional Christian but more of a freethinker. That is well established fact, whether you believe it or not.”

ANS:
What is a Freethinker but anyone who feels he’s free to think anything he wishes, and claim its veracity because he believes it to be true only because he thunk it, irrespective of the Knowledge, Reason, and Logic that all define Truth. No, I don’t think Lincoln was a Freethinker; he was anything but one.

As to being a Deist, since a Deist may be a Pantheist, Lincoln was no Pantheists; he prayed to God and Pantheists don’t pray to God; they pray to themselves if they pray at all. Nor did Lincoln reject Revelation or the Scriptures as Deist do. No, Lincoln was Christian oriented unless you know more about Lincoln than his wife did.

“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln_and_religion

“He was a man, who never took the name of the Maker in vain, who always read his Bible diligently, and who never failed to rely on God's promises & looked upon Him for protection. Surely such a man as this, could not have been a disbeliever, or any other than what he was, a true Christian gentleman.”--The Wife of Lincoln

Her description is not of a Pantheists or a Deist, but I am assured that doesn't matter to a Deist or a Freethinker, or even an Atheist for that matter. Truth has little or no meaning to any of them.

Thanksgiving 2010

My mom was at peace. She wasn't alone. She wasn't afraid in the moment of death. Love is not bound by time or space. She knows we will always give thanks on this day. She will not be forgotten. Her life matters. My mom's beautiful brown eyes were closed.

Thanksgiving 2010
I'm not great at sharing my feelings when other people are within hearing. I continued anyway. My voice was in a lower register. "Please forgive me for all my hard headedess. Thank you for loving me. I love you so much. Your life has mattered and you will never be forgotten" Then I leaned over her and put the book out so I was reading at eye level Our eyes stayed connected. "To Marge, with Love, Xmas 1994, from John" I smiled. This is lucky. John gave her this book "Love never dies as long as there is someone who remembers". I read. "There is no lesser or greater gift if the gift is love." I felt like I didn't have time to find the right story. I wasn't seeing one I liked. I flipped to another quote I looked at the poet, John Greenleaf Whittier, hmm...a poet I think we both like. I decided the next story was the one I would read out loud. she seemed happy that I was reading to her. Her eyes seemed to tell me it feels good to have a company. She liked not being alone. I somehow felt she would rather be the one reading the story. I continued on "Each time the pressures of Christmas season begin to get to me....I think of a Christmas so many years ago when I was a very young teacher". Teacher, we both have been in that role. "So the children had recognized me along, yet it hadn't mattered. They hadn't expected a real Santa Claus,any symbol was fine with them..."I peered into the eyes, I didn't want to lose her. She looked at me. any story is fine. Just be here with me.
I have listed to the Chaplain sing to her. None of the songs that Anne Klein sang, what a name for a chaplain, ever sounded familiar to me. I left home knowing deep inside of me that I was going to sing to my mom. I pulled out the hymnal and apologized for my voice. Mom knows how to rock a hymn. the hymnal has three paper clips. I know in my heart of hearts that these are the songs my mom wants sung for her funeral. The first song with a clip was "Joyful, joyful, we adore thee". I wasn't singing that one. Somehow I wanted to find a hymn of Thanksgiving, I could't find any of the songs I love. I opened to the Hymn 256, "Faith of our fathers! Living still in spite of dungeon, fire and sword." It felt so right and I sang until I reached "We will be true to thee till death". I never thought to sing Amen or follow up with a second verse. My mom's lips were moving with mine to the words. Her eyes tracked mine and held light. The song finished and I was reaching for another connection. She took a deep breath with a small shudder and I think her heart stopped without too much pain. Her eyes closed and I looked to see if she was breathing. Come on mom don't do this to me. I left to the nurse's station. Can you come check on my mom? The nurse followed, reached for her pulse. She's not dead is she? I didn't just end her life with my singing. My mom was at peace. She wasn't alone. She wasn't afraid in the moment of death. Love is not bound by time or space.

Thanksgiving Evening 2010
I entered the room and saw that her eyes were open. The right one was open wider than the left. Not the intelligent light in the brown eyes open, the slits, I am still in here, I have been waiting for you and hoping you would come, it is the evening of Thanksgiving Day. I was joyous because earlier in the day when we were here, Bonnie and Bob, Tom, Chris, Jada and I, the eyes were closed slits. She projected, I may not be in here any more. Bonnie had said, "you can see the Death Mask". I couldn't, yet I knew that death was shaping her visage.
I pulled up the chair, put down my jacket, purse, and the bag hastily stuffed with books; The Holy Bible, copyright 1952, Revised Standard Version, the Methodist Hymnal, Seven Stories of Christmas Love, The Best Loved Poems of the American People, (on the inside cover it reads, To: Marge, From: Bob, The things I love - feelings run deep! in her own handwriting, she probably bought and the book to herself.) Loving Moments, A Treasury of Romantic Writings, (scripted February 12, 1977, to My Darling wife, From your ever loving husband Bob), The Five People You Meet In Heaven, (From Bob Butler Christmas 2004), and Grief Therapy. These books have been with her until her recent move.
I placed both hands on her rubbed her lovingly, just below her shoulders and near her heart. " I love you so much", I told her. Her eyes told me the same thing, great love, from a mother to a child. I pulled out the red Barbie doll dress she had sewn many Christmases ago for Bonnie or for me. "Look, remember, you designed this Barbie dress for me. Who knew that I would be a Spanish teacher one day and that I would feel inspired to see my future in this dress? Her eyes smiled,slit and in pain, not a physical pain, her appearance was calm, the morphine had the addict tranquil. They showed the pain of leaving a family, forever, the pain of battling a very cruel cancer, the pain of a life of where the spirit has been broken and regenerated, broken and pieced back together, the pain of closing the door to the outside world and allowing only the family to enter the inside circle.
I grabbed a Kleenex, thinking how annoying allergies can be. I silently asked my nose to stop running. I was feeling the gaze of the watchful eyes as I was stuffing the Kleenex and the the thoughts of sadness in my purse. I explained that Tom suggested that I read to her and clumsily reached into the bag of books and pulled out "Seven Stories of Christmas Love". Before I opened the book I told her again, " I love you so much" It felt so good to say the words. I placed my hands on her chest. Gently and firmly I smoothed her hospital gown, continuing the caressing movement because she seemed to, as she would say to "purr" with the physicality of the touch. I was feeling a transfer of energy from her that was filling my spirit I saw a nurse was moving around on the other side of the room I am sure she was checking on us.

Thanksgiving Evening 2010
I entered the room and saw that her eyes were open. The right one was open wider than the left. Not the intelligent light in the brown eyes open, the slits, I am still in here, I have been waiting for you and hoping you would come, it is the evening of Thanksgiving Day. I was joyous because earlier in the day when we were here, Bonnie and Bob, Tom, Chris, Jada and I, the eyes were closed slits. She projected, I may not be in here any more. Bonnie had said, "you can see the Death Mask". I couldn't, yet I knew that death was shaping her visage.
I pulled up the chair, put down my jacket, purse, and the bag hastily stuffed with books; The Holy Bible, copyright 1952, Revised Standard Version, the Methodist Hymnal, Seven Stories of Christmas Love, The Best Loved Poems of the American People, (on the inside cover it reads, To: Marge, From: Bob, The things I love - feelings run deep! in her own handwriting, she probably bought and the book to herself.) Loving Moments, A Treasury of Romantic Writings, (scripted February 12, 1977, to My Darling wife, From your ever loving husband Bob), The Five People You Meet In Heaven, (From Bob Butler Christmas 2004), and Grief Therapy. These books have been with her until her recent move.
I placed both hands on her rubbed her lovingly, just below her shoulders and near her heart. " I love you so much", I told her. Her eyes told me the same thing, great love, from a mother to a child. I pulled out the red Barbie doll dress she had sewn many Christmases ago for Bonnie or for me. "Look, remember, you designed this Barbie dress for me. Who knew that I would be a Spanish teacher one day and that I would feel inspired to see my future in this dress? Her eyes smiled,slit and in pain, not a physical pain, her appearance was calm, the morphine had the addict tranquil. They showed the pain of leaving a family, forever, the pain of battling a very cruel cancer, the pain of a life of where the spirit has been broken and regenerated, broken and pieced back together, the pain of closing the door to the outside world and allowing only the family to enter the inside circle.
I grabbed a Kleenex, thinking how annoying allergies can be. I silently asked my nose to stop running. I was feeling the gaze of the watchful eyes as I was stuffing the Kleenex and the the thoughts of sadness in my purse. I explained that Tom suggested that I read to her and clumsily reached into the bag of books and pulled out "Seven Stories of Christmas Love". Before I opened the book I told her again, " I love you so much" It felt so good to say the words. I placed my hands on her chest. Gently and firmly I smoothed her hospital gown, continuing the caressing movement because she seemed to, as she would say to "purr" with the physicality of the touch. I was feeling a transfer of energy from her that was filling my spirit I saw a nurse was moving around on the other side of the room I am sure she was checking on us. I'm not great

Thanksgiving Evening 2010
I entered the room and saw that her eyes were open. The right one was open wider than the left. Not the intelligent light in the brown eyes open, the slits, I am still in here, I have been waiting for you and hoping you would come, it is the evening of Thanksgiving Day. I was joyous because earlier in the day when we were here, Bonnie and Bob, Tom, Chris, Jada and I, the eyes were closed slits. She projected, I may not be in here any more. Bonnie had said, "you can see the Death Mask". I couldn't, yet I knew that death was shaping her visage.
I pulled up the chair, put down my jacket, purse, and the bag hastily stuffed with books; The Holy Bible, copyright 1952, Revised Standard Version, the Methodist Hymnal, Seven Stories of Christmas Love, The Best Loved Poems of the American People, (on the inside cover it reads, To: Marge, From: Bob, The things I love - feelings run deep! in her own handwriting, she probably bought and the book to herself.) Loving Moments, A Treasury of Romantic Writings, (scripted February 12, 1977, to My Darling wife, From your ever loving husband Bob), The Five People You Meet In Heaven, (From Bob Butler Christmas 2004), and Grief Therapy. These books have been with her until her recent move.
I placed both hands on her rubbed her lovingly, just below her shoulders and near her heart. " I love you so much", I told her. Her eyes told me the same thing, great love, from a mother to a child. I pulled out the red Barbie doll dress she had sewn many Christmases ago for Bonnie or for me. "Look, remember, you designed this Barbie dress for me. Who knew that I would be a Spanish teacher one day and that I would feel inspired to see my future in this dress? Her eyes smiled,slit and in pain, not a physical pain, her appearance was calm, the morphine had the addict tranquil. They showed the pain of leaving a family, forever, the pain of battling a very cruel cancer, the pain of a life of where the spirit has been broken and regenerated, broken and pieced back together, the pain of closing the door to the outside world and allowing only the family to enter the inside circle.
I grabbed a Kleenex, thinking how annoying allergies can be. I silently asked my nose to stop running. I was feeling the gaze of the watchful eyes as I was stuffing the Kleenex and the the thoughts of sadness in my purse. I explained that Tom suggested that I read to her and clumsily reached into the bag of books and pulled out "Seven Stories of Christmas Love". Before I opened the book I told her again, " I love you so much" It felt so good to say the words. I placed my hands on her chest. Gently and firmly I smoothed her hospital gown, continuing the caressing movement because she seemed to, as she would say to "purr" with the physicality of the touch. I was feeling a transfer of energy from her that was filling my spirit I saw a nurse was moving around on the other side of the room I am sure she was checking on us. I'm not great

“OUR JUDEO-CHRISTIAN HERITAGE THAT EVEN AN ATHEIST BENEFITS FROM”

Fortunately, for the Atheist, the Goodness of God rains on even the Atheists especially those who in their twisted minds think His Moral Laws are “crap.” because He died that all men may have eternal happiness. That is why we should thank God for the gifts He has bestowed on us, especially on America.

http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/
panelists/frank_pavone/2010/11/thanksgiving

“Our Founding Fathers, were unmistakably influenced in their philosophy of government by Scripture and the Judeo-Christian tradition, according to which everyone was a sinner and equally subject to the moral laws of God. Yes, there would be earthly rulers, but they, too, were subject to God.

“Moreover, each person is a child of God. This awareness shaped our Founding Fathers' concept of government, because it introduced something unheard of among the ancient pagans, namely, that now, each individual has a direct and personal link to the Creator, independent of any earthly power.

This awareness of the dignity of the human person then formed the basis for letting each individual have a say in a representative form of government, and for insisting that our rights, starting with Life, come from the Creator, and that "to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men" (Declaration of Independence).

“This is what we celebrate at Thanksgiving - not just that we have food, but that we have freedom, rooted in God and the recognition that government cannot tamper with our human rights.

“The Catholic Church's liturgy for Thanksgiving Day expresses this beautifully in the Preface, which says, "Father, ...you made man to your own image...Once you chose a people and gave them a destiny and, when you brought them out of bondage to freedom, they carried with them the promise that all men would be blessed and all men could be free...It has come to pass in every generation for all men who have believed that Jesus by his death and resurrection gave them a new freedom in His Spirit.

It happened to our fathers, who came to this land as if out of the desert into a place of promise and hope. It happens to us still, in our time, as You our Heavenly Father lead all men through your Church to the blessed vision of peace And, for this we indeed give thanks."--Fr. Frank Pavone.

IN REPLY TO (IRT)
EEZMAMATA :
“PROVING ASSERTIONS”

IRT:
“See, you immediately follow the first paragraph by fulfilling exactly what Lincoln was saying.”

ANS:
You intimated Lincoln was mocking God and Religion because you think God is a delusion. You make these remarks but can’t substantiate any of them. Maybe you know more than Lincoln’s wife who said Lincoln was a very religious. Moreover, your imply Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation was written for the fools who believed in God. Do you know more than Lincoln’s wife knew. She wrote:

“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln_and_religion

“He was a “ man, who never took the name of the Maker in vain, who always read his Bible diligently, who never failed to rely on God's promises & looked upon Him for protection. Surely such a man as this, could not have been a disbeliever, or any other than what he was, a true Christian gentleman.”--The Wife of Lincoln

IRT:
It's never useful talking to you, you never actually address what people have said ... you stretch it to mean something else then you have an argument with that something else. You are a pointless fool, whether or not you are also a god believer.

ANS:
I think it might be you that doesn’t understand God or man. Lincoln said people say things they can’t prove but still say them. Can you prove God doesn’t exist? The multiple proofs of God are overwhelming, but you can’t understand any of them because your mind is closed.

In fact, you contradicted yourself by derisively saying, "These things can’t just be made up." If these ideas can't be made up (your words) and exists, than they must be. Moreover, they do exist because they are working. Nations fail when they don't recognize these fundamental principles of God's Natural Law (NL).

Knowledge, Logic, and Reason are the tools of reality but you haven’t offered any to show that God is an absurdity. Actually, the absurdity is your disbelief; even Einstein noted that anyone who doesn’t believe God exists, who reveals Himself to men through His NL, is brain dead.

IRT:
Most of the things I say to you...go flying over your head...you don't realize that, but nearly everybody else does...You are incapable of learning from anybody who hasn't already swallowed the load of crap swimming around in that festering dead brain of yours.

ANS:
Yes, its all crap to you and your Godless friends because they are over your heads, not mine. Your problem is you cannot fathom them so you mock those who can. Unfortunately for you, those who understand them, including the Founding Fathers, are not loonies defined by you; the loonies are the witless ones who don’t understand.

Neither Proclamation was by atheists and their Proclamations weren’t propaganda instruments for fools as you suggested. The fool is he who thinks they both were being facetious.

IN REPLY TO (IRT)
AREYOUSAYING
“THE UNINFORMED”

IRT:
“You forgot to say that the Obama's decorate their Christmas tree with Mao-ornaments. Didn't you first say Obama was a Muslim? Don't you have some pervert priests to hide?”

ANS:
There were no priests hidden; they were treated and found cured by the American Psychological Association and their corrupt Kensey Political Correct doctors. Before your thought process gets overloaded by the scandalmongers as to what really was going on, try this link.

http://www.catholicleague.org/rer.php?topic=The+Sex+Abuse+Scandal&id=109
Sex Abuse and Signs of Fraud
By the Rev. Gordon J. MacRae

And try this link by Judith Risen:

http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=b14d02b9-2022-4f0e-b4b1-9e40ba41cb99

“Dr. Judith Reisman urges bishops 'to take action against sex therapy experts who have advised the Church, and if they don't, the laity should.'

http://bibleprobe.com/homosexuality.htm

"We have reached a place in church history where Roman Catholics, reeling from lawsuits stemming from decades of latent homosexual priests abusing children, are now weeding out homosexuals from their clergy. On the other hand, Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Anglican denominations are now welcoming homosexuals to their clergy in defiance of Scripture.

"Christian ministers are also 'marrying' homosexuals in defiance of God's design and holy Word. This effort by the WARPED 'renegade clergy' to normalize the abnormal is doomed because gay sex violates the Natural Law (NL), and such perversions are perversions. Gay Sex is a perversion our children should be warned against, and not be told it is an alternative lifestyle or is compatible with Christianity. Sodomy is Lust and will always remain a perversion of the NL.

Yes, Obama did put Mao ornaments on his Christmas tree; it’s how Communists show their loyalty. In every Russian school text, the praise of Stalin had to be on every page. A woman who wrapped a fish in a newspaper with Stalin’s picture on it went to prison. The Clintons preferred naked gays in the act along with symbols of Witchcraft on Hillary's Christmas Tree.

I never thought of being thankful for anything, or thankful to anybody -- until I read Twissy. I am now thankful I live opposite his ideas, and have everything I need.

Today, an 81 from the whites. Tomorrow, who knows? I will be playing Golf, tomorrow.

I guess I thank George and Abe. Who knows, who cares?

I'm grateful for enough leftovers that I don't need to cook for the rest of the weekend.

“It is an established maxim and moral that he who makes an assertion without knowing whether it is true or false is guilty of falsehood, and the accidental truth of the assertion does not justify or excuse him.”-- -- Abraham Lincoln, chiding the editor of a Springfield, Illinois, newspaper, quoted from Antony Flew, How to Think Straight”

Only an incongruous misfit doesn’t believe in some kind of god, even if he facetiously thinks he is a god himself. Do you know of any civilization that never had some kind of sense of god, and if you do, can you describe what kind of society it was or is.

See, you immediately follow the first paragraph by fulfilling exactly what Lincoln was saying.

Twisted, it's never useful talking to you, you never actually address what people have said ... you stretch it to mean something else then you have an argument with that something else. You are a pointless fool, whether or not you are also a god believer.

Most of the things I say to you here on this forum go flying over your head. Of course you don't realize that, but nearly everybody else who comes here does.

You are a delusional zealot, and really, that's all you are or ever will be. You are incapable of learning from anybody who hasn't already swallowed the load of crap swimming around in that festering dead brain of yours.

TTWSYFAMDGGAHJMJ1

Lincoln was a very thoughtful and creative man. He was not a traditional Christian but more of a free-thinker. That is well established fact, whether you believe it or not.

George Washington was also a Deist, and not an orthodox or standard Christian, certainly not a fundamentalist Christian by today's standards. He would not participate in the communion service, and would get up and leave the church rather than being shamed or pressured into partcipating.

This is also well established fact.

I am not sure why you feel the need to change the facts; the lives they lead, and their accomplishments are the same, whether you accept the truth of their religous beliefs, or not.

Posted by: Utahreb
"My one and only prayer is two words - 'Thank You'.
And I am thankful that I am not among the hungry and homeless and am still able to do volunteer work for the needy."

Utahreb, how beautifully succinct. You summed up your gratitude for your health and prosperity, acknowledged your obligation to help those who have not been as lucky as yourself and the happiness you have in doing so, all in a single, sweet sentence. Brevity and grace, a rare combination. Well done.

IN REPLY TO (IRT)
EEZMAMATA :
“LINCOLN THOUGH NO DERISIVE COMMENTS ON WASHINGTON ANOTHER FOOL?”

IRT:
Oh, that [his Thanksgiving Message] is some of Seward's nonsense, and it pleases the fools.
-- Abraham Lincoln, to Judge James M Nelson, in response to a question from Nelson: "I once asked him about his fervent Thanksgiving Message and twitted him with being an unbeliever in what was published." Quoted from Franklin Steiner, The Religious Beliefs of Our Presidents, p. 138

ANS:
Do you think Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation is nonsense or that Lincoln never believed what he wrote?

You seem to have forgotten this Lincoln quote just above yours that is pertinent to you. Namely, there are multiple proofs of God from Reason, Scripture, History, and from the Conscience of man, notwithstanding the precepts of Christianity are monumental for establishing the basics for social order to all who recognize them. However, you have never proved there is no God, but you have audaciously intimated that only fools believe in God.

You also imply that the idea of a false god is even more ludicrous, though some 85 to 90 percent of Americans believe in some kind of God including the Founding Fathers. Are they all fools? Einstein said a fool who doesn't believe in God is brain dead. You know what is said about a madman, namely, he thinks he’s the only one who is sane and everyone around him is insane.

http://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/quotes/lincoln.htm

“It is an established maxim and moral that he who makes an assertion without knowing whether it is true or false is guilty of falsehood, and the accidental truth of the assertion does not justify or excuse him.”-- -- Abraham Lincoln, chiding the editor of a Springfield, Illinois, newspaper, quoted from Antony Flew, How to Think Straight”

Only an incongruous misfit doesn’t believe in some kind of god, even if he facetiously thinks he is a god himself. Do you know of any civilization that never had some kind of sense of god, and if you do, can you describe what kind of society it was or is.

Today, the contemporary societies viewed as being controlled under a Godless regime are social basket cases and ultimately doomed to self-destruction. Moreover, their despots must continuously persecute the unfortunate who live under their tyranny because man has a natural instinct to be drawn toward He Who is All Good, All Loving and Merciful.

Thusly, as soon as the despot's repression of belief in God ceases, the worship of some kind of god imitating the real God subsumes into the social fabric of things because God is an animate reality that fulfils the infinite desires of the intuitions of human nature. So don't choose to be a fool and become brain dead, but join society in its recognition of the reality that all men not only seek God but also depend on Him..

IN REPLY TO (IRT)
EEZMAMATA :
“YOU JUST CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP”

IRT:
"I always have to laugh when I read TWISTED's noise about a "false god" .... ROTFLMFAO!!!! I mean, you can't just make this stuff up."

ANS:
The cursory depthless, and the obtusely shallow facetiously scoff at things that are beyond their capacity to understand and consequently, they demean everything that’s an enigma to them in order to defend their ignorance of the subject for which their contempt is aimed.

Moreover, it appears you have unwittingly contradicted yourself. For, if “you just can’t make this stuff up,” it follows that it must be real, by the very fact that it can’t just be made up but yet it is.

In the proverbial allegory of the “The Grasshopper & the Ant,” it was unfortunate for the rash and imprudent grasshopper, who scoffed at the astucious discernment given him by the ant. In his frivolity, the grasshopper perished when the winter came, while the ant was to live another day. A word to the wise should be sufficient. Which do you choose to be?

Oh, that [his Thanksgiving Message] is some of Seward's nonsense, and it pleases the fools.
-- Abraham Lincoln, to Judge James M Nelson, in response to a question from Nelson: "I once asked him about his fervent Thanksgiving Message and twitted him with being an unbeliever in what was published." Quoted from Franklin Steiner, The Religious Beliefs of Our Presidents, p. 138

I always have to laugh when I read TWISTED's noise about a "false god" .... ROTFLMFAO!!!!

I mean, you can't just make this stuff up!

TTWSYFAMDGGAHJMJ1

You forgot to say that the Obama's decorate their Christmas tree with Mao-ornaments.

Now that you have made your political statement, is there anything that you are REALLY thankful for?
----------------------------------

There you go with your little problem with your own Ninth Commandment again. Didn't you first say Obama was a Muslim?

Don't you have some pervert priests to hide?

Thanksgiving is upon us once again and while most people are asking what others are thankful for, many religious people take this holiday as an opportunity to ask, to whom are atheists thankful to?

You can read my response to this question here:
http://exm.nr/fWOiSJ

I will be responding to every issue posted in the 'On Faith' section. If you would like to be notified when my new response is up, please subscribe.

TTWSYFAMDGGAHJMJ1

You forgot to say that the Obama's decorate their Christmas tree with Mao-ornaments.

Now that you have made your political statement, is there anything that you are REALLY thankful for?

IN REPLY TO (IRT)
BILLALDRIDGE:
“THINKING”

IRT:
“I am thankful that we, in the USA, are not yet required to believe in a deity created by the ignorant, for the ignorant, to which they beg for whatever they may want, and promise to behave in ways never forthcoming.”

ANS:
If you’re speaking of Secularist, I agree, thank God that those who worship false gods as a Sun god, or any other god but the True God, do not govern our nation. Moreover, it’s true the promises of false gods are never forthcoming. And, as you say, they are ignorant of the true God who made them. Consequently, the second sentence of "America the Beautiful," reads, "America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crowned thy hood with brotherhood from sea to shining sea." Namely, the Christian principle, "All men are created equal."

The very fact is that, in America, you’re not required to believe in God, and may be an Atheist, a Communist, a Marxists, or believe in Witchcraft, Buddha, Mohammad, and the multiple Hindu gods. That happens for the most part in no other country because the Founding Fathers (FF) based your inalienable rights on the Christian God who endowed man with certain inalienable rights through the Natural Law. These rights exceed the moral authority of all governments. Moreover, this God of the FF has endowed man with a free will in order that man may love Him freely. Consequently, Christianity holds it is perverse to force one to believe in God. That's not true with other gods.

If the FF did not recognize that these rights came from the God of Christianity, your inalienable rights would be given to you by man, and what man gives, man can take away. Hence, the rule of “Might Makes Right,” becomes the prevailing rule for all societies who do not recognize the only one true God.

Thus, when man’s inviolable rights are suppressed, and are continuously violated, eventually the suppressed rise to overthrow the suppressor, or he is subdued by his neighbors whom his perverse ideas threaten. These uprisings are real and have recently happened in Iraq, Poland, Nazi and East Germany, Japan, and the USSR that is still under transition in Russia.

Hence, be thankful that you’re not in any of these suppressive governments, as for instance N. Korea, where a woman poisoned her five children, and a woman walking with her children on a bridge jumped off of it because neither could stand to see their children starve to death in front of them.

Yes, only the ignorant, despite the astucious wisdom of the FF, can deny the existence of God even in face of the tragic consequences that inevitably follow from their implacable affliction to think rationally.

"ONE NATION UNDER GOD"
In refute of all Atheists, Secularists, and the ACLU, we should thank the Founding Fathers for basing our Constitution and recognition of our inviolable rights on a God of Christianity that allows the Atheist, Agnostic, and Secularists to scorn Him.

WASHINGTON’S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

“WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of their States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the final and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best."

“ONE NATION UNDER GOD.”

In refute of all Atheists, Secularists, and the ACLU, we should thank the Founding Fathers for God basing our Constitution and recognition of our inviolable rights on a God of Christianity that allows the Atheist, Agnostic, and Secularists to scorn Him.

LINCOLN’S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION:

http://www.timescall.com/news_story.asp?ID=24373

“The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart, which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations. Order has been maintained; the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well as the iron and coal as of our precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most-High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people.

I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed."

The Irish Cream was Heavenly! Delightful! Hmmmmm...Yup!

Thankful for a great employer (NRC) and ability to express myself to others on any subject in this land of freedoms. I have great faith in America's people, kindness to others in need and blessings be upon all nations...This is from a "ordinary citizen"... public servant and this sentiment comes from almost all .gov employees...

I'm grateful that I can appreciate the wisdom I'm lacking.

I'm grateful that I can move seamlessly along the Triadic Rhythms of Life;

1. Innocence
2. Despair
3. Enlightenment.

They are not absolute states and I can occupy any one on any given day. I'm grateful that I know that.

Most of all, I'm grateful to the Great Creator.

And really, I'm glad I'm not a moslem. I like a bit of fun.

▍★∴--------------------▍★

welcome to: http://www.shoesforking.com/

The website wholesale for many kinds of fashion shoes, like the nike, jordan, prada, also including the jeans, shirts, bags, hat and the decorations. All the products are free shipping, and the the price is competitive, and also can accept the paypal payment., After the payment, can ship within short time.

3 free shipping

competitive price

any size available

accept the paypal

90X Extreme Fitness System ONLY ONLY 42 $$$$$$$

jordan shoes $ 32

90X Extreme Fitness System ONLY ONLY 42 $$$$$$$

nike shox $ 32

Christan Audigier bikini $ 23

Ed Hardy Bikini $ 23

Smful short_t-shirt_woman $ 15

ed hardy short_tank_woman $ 16

Sandal $ 32

christian louboutin $ 80

Sunglass $ 15

COACH_Necklace $ 27

handbag $ 33

AF tank woman $ 17

puma slipper woman $ 30

90X Extreme Fitness System ONLY ONLY 42 $$$$$$$

welcome to: http://www.shoesforking.com/

Believe you will love it.

▍★∴-----------------------▍★∴

▍★∴--------------------▍★

welcome to: http://www.shoesforking.com/

The website wholesale for many kinds of fashion shoes, like the nike, jordan, prada, also including the jeans, shirts, bags, hat and the decorations. All the products are free shipping, and the the price is competitive, and also can accept the paypal payment., After the payment, can ship within short time.

3 free shipping

competitive price

any size available

accept the paypal

90X Extreme Fitness System ONLY ONLY 42 $$$$$$$

jordan shoes $ 32

90X Extreme Fitness System ONLY ONLY 42 $$$$$$$

nike shox $ 32

Christan Audigier bikini $ 23

Ed Hardy Bikini $ 23

Smful short_t-shirt_woman $ 15

ed hardy short_tank_woman $ 16

Sandal $ 32

christian louboutin $ 80

Sunglass $ 15

COACH_Necklace $ 27

handbag $ 33

AF tank woman $ 17

puma slipper woman $ 30

90X Extreme Fitness System ONLY ONLY 42 $$$$$$$

welcome to: http://www.shoesforking.com/

Believe you will love it.

▍★∴-----------------------▍★∴

Grant Striegel: That was one of the most beautiful things I have ever read! Thank you for posting it!

The Irish Cream was Heavenly! Delightful!

The Rum Cake.

I am grateful that as much as we think we are in charge, there is a Higher Being that controls everything! "The lot is cast into the lap, but it's every decision is from the Lord" proverbs 16:33.

Be a 'Good Samaritan' to everyone as you never know when that same kindness will be bestowed onto you...

This prayer requires musical ability and instruments, but is well worth the effort:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPdSAs0Izog

..."I am "Grateful to the Living God for establishing America, for the countless blessing he has poured out upon this great nation he has founded."

..."I am grateful to him for, "Keeping U.S. safe, and for allowing all to see his divine hand in allowing this "Great Nation to endure, and to be "One Nation Under God."

The Banker's Prayer:

God bless American Capitalism, the shining light of the world, the blessed gift that allows me to get obscenely rich while swindling and stealing that wealth from the sheeple of the world.

And God bless those who promote Prosperity Theology, the doctrine promoting the idea that Jesus want me to be obscenely wealthy and own a Mercedes for every day of the week (along with 2 spare Rolls Royces for the weekends), multiple homes around the world, my own jet, and stocks and bonds worth hundreds of millions of dollars, while other less worthy people are starving and homeless on the street in front of my eyes.

And Lord, please promote the new Hidden Gospel telling the true story that Jesus actually charged money for his sermons and miracles, and that after every one he was heard by the gathered apostles to exclaim, "Cha-ching!!"

In His holy name.

A THANKSGIVING PSALM

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. Ascribe to the LORD, O clans of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring thanksgiving and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!—I Chronicles 16

Have a thankful Thanksgiving.

God Bless the Rich:

Dear Father in heaven, on this day of thanks, please bless the rich. They are so much better off and so much more deserving than the rest of us lowly worms. They have good jobs -- if they have to work at all -- and plenty of money and nice homes (often more than one) and nice cars (often more than one) and so much food that they need to pay professionals to oversee and motivate them to exercise and keep from getting type-2 diabetes. And if they do get diabetes, they have the best health acre money can but, because health care is a business here in the USA. Their homes are warm when it's cold outside and cool when it's hot outside. They take fabulous vacations. Doors open for them, and others often seek their opinions just because they're rich. They are obviously your true chosen people; thank you for blessing us with their mere presence. We are so lucky just to have them among us.

In Jesus's name.

THANKFULNESS:

I am thankful I was born in America, and not born in N. Korea, or in China who murder a mother’s child if she has more than one or two. I am thankful I was not born in Africa, India, the Sudan, Russia or any of its former satellites, such as East Germany or Bulgaria. I thank God, for not being born into the Communism of the former USSR, into the syncretism of Cambodia, or in any of the Middle East countries governed by Muslims, or any countries governed by Hindu or Buddhist ideologies.

I am thankful for America, and fearful that we are a country slowly being transmogrified into the nations of which I have not been born. I am thankful for the Tea Party that will finally buffer this anomalous Communist Administration's attempt to commit the social suicide of America.

I am thankful that I wasn’t one of the over 52,000,000 poor victims being murdered in America by Abortion and the 43,000,000 murdered every year worldwide. I am thankful that we haven’t yet destroyed the institution of Marriage yet, even though some seventy percent of Black Pregnancies occur out of wedlock and some 55 percent are aborted. I am thankful that I do not have AIDS, HIV or STDs though saddened from over 26 million worldwide have died from AIDS, that some 33 Million worldwide are HIV infected, and in all probability, some 66 million or infected with STDs.

And I thank God for America, "Her beautiful spacious skies, amber waves of grain, Her mountains’ purple majesty above Her fruitful plains." As do the lyrics sing, "God crowned Her good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea," viz. that all men are created equal.

And thank God that our nation still recognizes our liberty and inalienable rights except for Her blemish that denies the life of the innocent defenseless unborn. And thank God, we ended partial birth abortion that sucked out the brains of a little child while it was being born.

Thanks for the Catholic Church that stands unequaled as the indomitable voice in defense of not only the unborn but for all human life.

What if the president declared a national holiday and the people of almost half the states ignored it? That's exactly what happened on Thanksgiving Day in 1939.

Half the country observed Thanksgiving on Nov 23 (fourth Thursday, declared by President FDR), the other half on Nov 30 (last Thursday, declared by over 20 state legislatures).

Half the country were thankful for the president of the United States pushing policies that helped start the country out of the Great Depression, helped millions upon millions find work, helped rein in greedy bankers and Wall Street speculators from ruining the economy even further. The other half of the country wouldn't even speak his name, they only referred to him as "that man", they liked greedy bankers and Wall Street speculators, they claimed he had really started the Great Depression instead of inheriting it from his predecessor.

Half the country were thankful for a president who kept the country out of massive wars that were then spreading across Europe and east Asia. The other half of the country never met a foreigner they didn't hate, never heard of a foreign country they didn't want to invade, never met a face they didn't want to plant their heel into.

Half the country gave thanks in their own way for blessings they believed they had received. The other half of the country were angry that the first half didn't follow the same rituals, didn't go to the same church, didn't blindly accept the same explanations of their science.

My, how times have changed.

I am grateful for my three children and four grandchildren who fill my life with love - also for all my dear friends who look out for me and include me in their family gatherings. It is hard living alone when one is older and arthritic and my heart is touched by so many who reach out and make sure I am OK. God bless them all.

Thankful to be alive 6 years after they predicted I may not survive, and thankful to be 2 years cancer free.

God forgive these heathen savages and their "Spirit" and let us show them what love of fellow man and fairness is all about through you..abide

Where do I begin? I'm thankful for God's grace to me and my family. Through good times and bad, He's always been there, not to make sure we had a stress-free or problem-free life, but to make sure we knew we could rely on Him to get us through it. We're warm. We're safe. We're housed. We're fed.

I'm also thankful that God brought my son home from two deployments overseas without a scratch and saw him through four years in the Marine Corps.

I'm thankful that God let me have a wonderful grandchild to love and enjoy. I'm thankful that my parents are alive to see their first great-grandchild. Family is a blessing.

God is compassionate and faithful. He gives us what we need in its proper time, today, and every day.

I'm thankful that Bristol Palin didn't win Dancing with the Stars, and that Ms. Quinn and her husband can now sip their Chardonnay in the knowledge that the earth will not spin off its axis as a result.

Whew. That was close, huh Sally?

Grateful I didn't need to choose between being bombarded with ionizing radiation or sexual molestation this holiday.

IMMIGRANT BOY'S SECOND THANKSGIVING PRAYER

And in this Blessed Free Country
allowing its shadow freedom to rise too
where the false prophets peddle fear
deliberately scaring ignorant people
into believing their false prophecies
where we refugees from truly fearful
lands and times and past lives
know what fear and danger and poverty is
we known from God
in Whose Love we have our being
that we are our brothers' keepers
and that we need all to take care
of all of us
we, too, thank you for the Blessings
from the Abundance of Your Grace
on this America's Thanksgiving Day
we humbly beg you to enlighten the blind
to their hate and fear and xenophobia
and to share and break the bread of their abundance with those who hunger and thirst and want
remembering that dividing is of the ego
uniting is of God.
Amen

IMMIGRANT BOY'S THANKSGIVING 2010

I thank you Lord
for this Special Day
for this Blessed Country
which gave our family refuge
my father pride and work and success
my mother's peace that her children survived the War
my sister for her sylvan haven and peace
for my chance to study to learn and to love
and to have a gun and be free
my children being free to be what they want to be
my grandchildren's opportunity and
my own grandfatherhood in a Free Land

I thank you
for the roof over my head
for my loving Companion
for my friends and relationships
with people and animals
I thank you God
for my experiences and lessons
and
above all
for allowing me my greatest apprenticeship
to try to be
your good and faithful servant.
Amen

What am I grateful for?

That I'm not Tom DeLay.

S D Rodrian
http://gotopoems.com

.

What am I grateful for?

That I'm not Tom DeLay.

S D Rodrian
http://gotopoems.com

.

My one and only prayer is two words - "Thank You".

And I am thankful that I am not among the hungry and homeless and am still able to do volunteer work for the needy.

Christmas is coming soon, give family, friends, love, his own gift ready?
Welcome to[http://www.bizboysell.com ] website wholesale for many kinds
of fashion shoes, like the nike,jordan,prada, also including the jeans,
shirts,bags,hat and the decorations.We have good reputation, fashion products,
favourable price.We accept paypal payments, and delivery is free.Good news:
shopping every full $200 will have to send gift ! Good opportunity not to be missed!
welcome to ::[ http://www.bizboysell.com ]

Tshirts (Polo ,ed hardy,lacoste) $16
New era cap $9
Air jordan(1-24)shoes $33
Handbags(ed hardy,lv,d&g) $30
Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi) $25
Sunglasses(Oakey,gucci,Armaini)$12
Bikini (Ed hardy,polo) $16

http://www.bizboysell.com

▍ ★∴
　　　．．．．▍▍．..．█▍ ☆ ★∵ …./
　　　◥█▅▅██▅▅██▅▅▅▅▅███◤
　　　．◥███████████████◤
　～～～～◥█████████████◤～～～～

Lord,

Thank you for your many blessings this year. Employment in a time of hardship. Good health. The safe arrival of a beautiful new family member. Peace for the two family members who returned to Thee after long, full lives. We cherish thy favors and acknowledge that every good thing comes from Thee.

Among all our blessings, none is dearer to our hearts than the freedom to worship Thee according to the dictates of our own consciences. Everywhere believers are assaulted for their beliefs, blown apart, ridiculed, made to feel ashamed for holding to their personal witnesses of thy divinity. Even in the United States, a nation more blessed than most, non-believers would, and have, cast people of faith from the public square as they defended Thee and Thy law. Thou art mocked openly and shamefully by degenerates and reprobates. Strengthen thy children, O Lord, in their distress.

We are surrounded about by man-made corruption, Father. Our leaders, those who took oaths of office in Thy name, have corrupted the law, their offices, and the nation. They have caused an economic calamity and used their offices to reward the criminals who were responsible. They have imposed onerous taxes on the innocent with the objective of rewarding themselves and their friends. Save us, Heavenly Father, from this corruption and these corrupters.

Across the world, Lord, honest people of all ages have put their trust in Thee. Understanding that we who have been blessed with much are Thy hands, eyes, and ears, let us be generous in our alms-giving especially when needs are so great. We will feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and visit him who is sick or in prison. We will perform these tasks for the least of thy brethren, Father, but in our hearts we dedicate them unto Thee.

Amen

A Thanksgiving Message from Abroad ...

I write this note to those of you who don’t the 7,000 miles that will separate my dinner table from that of my Mother and Father’s who will be at the annual Thanksgiving feast that I don’t remember the last time being a part of. This letter is for you.

Today is a day where you put aside those reasons that threaten to keep you on your own, pretending not to care about a day reserved for thanks. This is not a day for grudges, indifference or resentment. This is not a day where you let the in-law that gets under your skin get there, where you let your same drunken Uncle spill your cup of happiness or where you let that glance of disappointment from your Mother cloud the look of love that exists right underneath.

This is a day where some of us are prevented to share the most simple action of breaking bread with our loved ones, due to distance or death, and those of us on this side are wishing you the fastest pair of tennis shoes to get to where you need to be.

The world is a complicated place these days but regardless of your stance on the actual history of Thanksgiving, there is one truth that remains. It is a day of love. There are no requisite presents. It is not about a religion. It is a day that embraces the American way and the principles that each of our ancestors suffered in order to obtain for us. It is a time where we celebrate each other, give thanks for the freedoms life has afforded us and with this gratitude walk out the door to Black Friday with a light that shines our way.

I haven’t mastered Thanksgiving but send this wish to you. I think back to the Thanksgiving 13 years ago that would have been my Grandfather’s last. There is nothing I wouldn’t give today to have been there. I didn’t know it was his last and if I had been given that preview I probably would have been on the plane (that I missed) that day. But we do not get previews.


Look around you to remember that the future is uncertain. Who will be around the table today that you couldn’t bear to lose tomorrow? If there is anyone on that list, I wish for you to find your way by their side. I would if I could and am thankful, although many miles away, that I know that now. I know where I will be next year.

Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless!

Every year I go to the Congressional Medal of Honor website and download the stories of three medal of honor winners. I have the youngest members read these stories before dinner and before dessert.
I have to have them read the stories, because I usually start to cry when I try. God bless America and all our troops today. My dad served on Iwo, Saipan, and several others. He came back, and I'm thankful today.

Thanksgiving

When I feel a velvet breeze, caress my cold cheek,
When I watch the strong, give a helping hand; to the weak.

When I feel the blood pulse through my veins,
And breathe the perfumed air of life.
I give thanks, for living,
I give thanks, for "Thanksgiving"

When I see a shooting star, and gaze in wonder at a universe, divinely
diverse.
When I feel a blanket of darkness outstretched,
To spread,
A Celebration of the Living, but not the Forgetting of the Dead.
I proffer Thanks, for them, and thee.

When I see the accumulated wrong, of so many innocent victims,
Who are capable of grasping an angelic hand, and to their evildoers:
FORGIVE THEM
I give thanks, for "Thanksgiving"

When the laughter of a child is as Beethoven to mine ear,
And the creak of a weary old aunt who is near, and dear.
And the fragrant scent of a turkey wafts.
Here abideth the camaraderie of old.
The conversation, and love, as if, all of it preordained, and foretold.

American dream, pumpkin pie,
A Lucky one am I,
For myself, forever
Believing In Gratefully Receiving ,
The Blessings My Country so bountifully,
Has conferred upon me.

I sit in fond reverie, and bless those whose passing
Has made this day.
The redemptive reminder, of how grateful we all should be.

For our lives, to our loved ones, and the "life" we each have been given.
The path of existence that is newly surveyed, to each, and everyone.
Unto it's ultimate destination: the final joyous transfiguration of forgiving.

Thank you Service Men, and Women,
The protectors of our freedom,
and the heroes for this, and for all time.
Thank you good people everywhere.

Let us all give thanks,
Blessed with bounty, or not,
For our very lives, and our loved ones, here on earth,
or abiding up above.
Where they are
Celestially reborn, in eternal life.
In that star like cradle.
Where they are infinitely rocked with love.

Let us be grateful for this day:
and for Presidents Washington, and Lincoln
For recognizing that most fruitful of virtues.
That being of: Gratitude.

For what we have.
Be it "have", or "have not"
"Rich" or "Poor"
Gently recalled or involuntarily forgot.

Let us recall that true meaning.
The divine veracity that this day stands for.
Thanks be given,
Forever,
for "Thanksgiving."

11-25-2010
Grant Striegel

I'm thankful we have a President who cares about and works tirelessly for all Americans.

I am thankful for my life and for the amazing ride so far, for the lessons I've learned and the opportunity each day I have to be a better human being. I am thankful for all those who have loved me unconditionally, most especially my children. I am thankful for my faith in the power of the spirit and my hope that the world can become a better place. I am thankful there are people who want to move the human race forward to a place where there is more power in good than in evil.

What am I grateful for???
Well, I am grateful for the recession, the unemployed, the war(s), the dead and the injured. I am grateful for the corruption that brought upon us all of the above, and that my/our government is part of it. I am grateful for the elected officials who betrayed me/us, the lose of my revered constitution and my country… but most of all, I am grateful that no one else sees what I see and nothing will change for the better.

I am thankful that I can still find things to be thankful for.

Hey, given all the things I want, compared to all the things I've got ... life is good.

I hope you and yours feel as appreciative as me an mine do this year.

The day of Thanks Giving , should reminds us to look back and around us , count and appreciate the blessings . Also give thanks for the nice things and people in our lives . Remember , in prayers those who here , and away from their home and family are serving to protect us and make our lives better . This is a great Country . This is the day to resolve and try to give back to our community and the Country .

Not being born black

I'm thankful I live in a country where any state-sponsored expression of faith is not supposed to exist. Evangelicals, Mormons, Catholics, Methodists, Baptists--all mix religion with politics in their own self-serving, greedy, and violent ways.

As a nation, though, we have much work to maintain the separation of church and state.

Chkpointe

You sound a little down. Cheer up.

What can you do about peace in the Middle East?

What can anyone do?

I'm grateful I don't have to get my news from the Washington Post.

LITTLE PRAYER IN NOVEMBER

That I am alive, I thank
no one in particular;
and yet am thankful, mostly,
although I frame no prayer

but this one: "Creator
Spirit, as you have come,
come again", even in November,
on these short days, fogbound.

====

I was grateful a few years back, when Garrison Keillor read the above lyric of mine (in a stanza adapted from Paul Goodman's "little prayers") on his _Writers Almanac_; and, having heard it there, Stephen Dembski set it beautifully for voice and piano (doing a wonderful job of capturing the ambivalence with showers of 32nd notes); and the Academy of American Poets included it in their list of "poems appropriate to Thanksgiving" (where it still is today), nestled in between a poem by Blake and a poem by Yeats (now replaced with a poem by Longfellow). And I still am! (Though I was more grateful to be next to Yeats.)

The last sentence of my comment should have read:

"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation."

I get so excited talking about Jesus!

I'm grateful for the demon that lives in my closet.

I am grateful that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life. I thank God I have given my life to Jesus Christ who is my Lord and Savior ... and I'm not ashamed to say so! I am thankful that my sins are forgiven. I am thankful that Jesus loves me so much that He did not leave me in my sins. I am thankful for the blessed hope that I have through my faith in Jesus Christ. I am thankful that Jesus loved me and you so much that He hung on the cross and died ... because He loves me and you. I thank God that the grave could not hold Jesus ... up from the grave He arose ... and He lives!! Hallelujah ... Jesus lives!! I am thankful that I feel no need to "temper" my proclamation of faith in Christ to accommodate, or please, those who do not believe as I do. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is power unto salvation.

I'M thankful that the Republicans took over Congress.

I'M grateful to the Republicans for taking over the Congress.

All week I've been thinking about Thanksgiving, grateful that there are some people in this nation who dedicated themselves to legislating healthcare coverage for tens of millions of uninsured Americans, for whom this Thanksgiving offers hope.

But now, while I am ever so thankful for that, a news flash moments ago also makes me thankful that Tom Delay was convicted of money laundering.

Best Thanksgiving in a long time.

Thankful for being old with death not so far off. No more images of tortured and murdered children, no more devastated families, all thanks to the USA and its support of the new Nazis running Israel. What does it say of a country when no voice is raised against the Israeli Rabbi's proclamation that it is the duty of every Israeli to murder Palestinians?

1st I give thanks that we have a GOD that CARES....Because MAN, WOMAN and CHILD here on this EARTH is what GOT US in the world messes..I HOPE that WE can find the HUMANITY in OURSELVES to HELP cure what we are ILLING.
MAY WE ALL FIND A MEAL AND A FRIEND AND PAY IT FORWARD......WE HOLD THE ANSWERS....EACH ONE REACH ONE EACH ONE TRY TO TEACH ONE.....THANKSGIVING FOR HUMANITY...MAY GOD BLESS THIS WORLD WE LIVE IN...

I am grateful for Wikileaks. Special interests have highjacked our politicians' conscience and transformed them into heartless baby-killers.

Wikileaks provides a counter-balance to big oil, big pharma and MEDIA CONTROL's choking grip on our politicians.

OUNANM, it's not boring, or even if it is so what?

I traveled to Bulgaria three years ago to work a software contract, and there I met the woman I ended up falling in love with. If it could happen to me, it could happen to anybody.

I married her on June 19 of this past year. I am profoundly grateful for that.

Every once in a while I give her a big hug and tell her how happy I am that she's here.

Very smarmy, I know. And I get to be grateful too that I can say such sugary things :-)

sigh - I was going to say that I'm thankful my husband took the job at Fort Dix rather than Iraq or Afghanistan ... but that seems so boring in light of the witty remarks that come before mine.

Loose shoes, tight women, and a warm place to sh... wait, that's an ethnic joke. Sorry, wrong place.

I'm grateful to be grateful.

I'm going to have a turkey sandwich tomorrow here in London with a thankful thought for the green card I got myself through the diversity visa programme.

Going to start a new life in America in February :)

Thankful for 3 things:

Good bourbon, young women and fast horses!

"Do you have a Thanksgiving blessing or prayer?"

No.

"What are you grateful for?"

For not having a Thanksgiving blessing or prayer.

I'm grateful to still have a job in this economy, that my family is still stable and loving after a tough couple of years, and for our good health.

By the way, it should be "For what are you grateful?" Atheists are particular like that.

I am thankful that I looked at the comments and they were mostly secular. Maybe we are approaching a tipping point in this country and we can disregard old fairy tales.

I'm thankful for oil. For petroleum, that is. For everything it has given us in a very short period of time. I'm all the more grateful now that it's running out, (it's a finite resource after all), and what that means for how we'll live in the future. I'm grateful now that we've got it so good, even though some of us are bemoaning today'[s economy—in reality, most of us live like kings and queens. I wrote a piece about this and its on Transition Voice (google for the site).

I am thankful that we, in the USA, are not yet required to believe in a deity created by the ignorant, for the ignorant, to which they beg for whatever they may want, and promise to behave in ways never forthcoming.

I am thankful that I can still remember stuff.

I am grateful for a holiday that has no religious overtones.

I am grateful for a holiday that has no religious overtones.

oops - my bad. My last comment was in the wrong place.

I'm thankful this year I no longer live in a Country that prohibits certain religions from building houses of worship, theocons who would ban gays from the military while looking the other way while priests and TSO's fondle little boys, and a new crop of teabaggers in Congress who would deny Constitutional rights to gay, Mexican and Muslim US citizens.

It would be a nice first step if Razinger gave condoms to his known pervert priests and taught them how to use them before raping little boys.

How powerful can superstition be that Americans allow these atrocities to continue while the Church still hides the predators from civil prosecution. Would we allow any other religion to get away with this widespread international racketeering?

Wanting, praying for "peace on earth" makes me sound like a Miss Universe candidate.

Being grateful for air keeping me alive also makes me have to contend air pollution emanating from factories and vehicles etc, and hot air emanating from this and that fellow.

Thank God I'm alive and well and in good health regardless.

Air.

Our TG blessing is simple, to-the-point, and non-denominational/non-sectarian.

We partake of this food with gratitude for all the blessings of heaven and earth, for the efforts of those who have prepared it, and for those with whom we share it.

For theists in our company, the "blessings of heaven and earth" heaven may refer to the place where their god lives, and for non-theists, it may simply refer to the direction from which the rain falls.