Domestic Blindness (a Thanksgiving devotional)

My plan was to run into the center of Lewistown, PA, pick up a couple of county maps at the Chamber of Commerce and quickly be on my way, but it didn’t happen as I had planned.  Instead, what I hoped would be an in-and-out venture turned into a time-consuming version of geocaching without a GPS or the necessary coordinates.  Suffice it to say, I couldn’t find the Chamber.  

I thought I knew where it was, and it seemed like everyone else I asked that day thought they knew too.  I got to see parts of downtown that I’d not explored before!  Finally I was pointed in the right direction.  The entrance to the Chamber of Commerce was...

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A Thanksgiving Message from Ellen White

“Thanksgiving is approaching.  Will it be, as it has been in many instances, a thanksgiving to ourselves?  Or will it be a thanksgiving to God?  Our Thanksgivings may be made seasons of great profit to our own souls as well as to others if we improve this opportunity to remember the poor among us....

There are a hundred ways that can be devised to help the poor in so delicate a manner as to make them feel that they are doing us a favor by receiving our gifts and sympathy.  We are to remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  The attentions of our brethren are most liberal to those whom they wish to honor, and whose respect they desire, but who do not need their help at all.  Custom and fashion say, Give to those who will give to you; but this is not the Bible rule of giving.  

The word of God declares against this way of gratifying self in thus bestowing our gifts, and says, “He that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.”  Now a season is coming when we shall have our principles tested.  Let us begin to think what we can do for God’s needy ones.  We can make them through ourselves the recipients of God’s blessings.  

Think what widow, what orphan, what poor family you can relieve, not in a way to make a great parade about the matter, but be as a channel through which the Lord’s substance shall flow as a blessing to His poor.... But this does not embrace all your duty.  We are to remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive. an offering to your best Friend; acknowledge His bounties; show your gratitude for His favors; bring a thank offering to God.... 

Brethren and sisters, eat a plain dinner on Thanksgiving Day, and with the money you would spend in extras with which to indulge the appetite, make a thank offering to God.  Let not any more Thanksgiving days be observed to please and gratify the appetite and glorify self.  We have reason for coming into the courts of the Lord with offerings of gratitude that He has preserved our lives another year.... 

If a feast is to be made, let it be for those who are in need.  I think we have something to be thankful for.  We ought to be glad and rejoice in God, for He has given us many mercies.... We want this Thanksgiving to be all that it implies.  Do not let it be perverted, mingled with dross; but let it be what its name implies: giving thanks.  Let our voices ascend in praise.” - Adventist Home, pp. 474, 475 

We want to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Trust you have a safe and blessed time with family and friends. - Pastor's Chris, Mike, & Michael