The ART of Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving just might be my favorite holiday. Surrounded by family and loved ones (and good food), it’s a time to reflect on all of God’s blessings in our lives - and I'm especially thankful that Beth and Daniel are with us this year. I’ve enjoyed discovering lots of Thanksgiving-related art - and what a variety there is! This is only a sampling from my collection, which can be found on Pinterest at ART of Giving Thanks. New followers are always welcome!

But first, a quote from the delightful Erma Bombeck . . .

“Thanksgiving dinners take 18 hours to prepare.

They are consumed in 12 minutes. Half-times take 12 minutes.

This is not a coincidence.”

Now enjoy this variety of art . . . and leave a comment if you’d like. (Click on pictures to enlarge)

Thanksgiving Homecoming

Bob Pettes

Thanksgiving Flurries
Sharon Ascherl

Primitive Thanksgiving

Cheryl Bartley

Thanksgiving Meal

Bridget Voth

Turkey Day

Debbie Mumm

Thanksgiving

William Mangum

Going to Grandma’s House for Thanksgiving
H. Hargrove

Thanksgiving

Susan Wheeler

Turkey Tracks

Dan Christ

The Way It Used to Be

Chuck Pinson

Gobbler Farms

Dona Gelsinger

Coming Home for the Holidays
Mike Savad

Thanksgiving

Alfredo Rodriguez

Freedom from Want

 Norman Rockwell

A Prayer of Thanksgiving inspired by Psalm 23

This prayer of thanksgiving inspired by Psalm 23 never fails to inspire me. It's written by Randy Vader and Rose Aspinall, who work at PraiseGathering Music Group.  May it inspire you also as you pause to reflect on God's blessings today.

_______________

Dear Father in heaven . . .

Thank You for the promise that in You I shall not want.
When I am overwhelmed, You calm my restless heart.

In trials that overpower me as mighty torrents in a raging river,
You call me to rest beside still waters.

In a world that only knows what it means to take,
You bring the peace that restores to me even those things I did not know I had lost.

So many voices call to me, beckoning me to walk another road,
But You—You invite me to walk in paths of Your righteousness in the name of Your Son.

In the inevitability of the shadow of death, I thank you Father that I need not fear the Unknown.
I need only look to You for comfort and protection.

Even in the midst of those things that bring fear— that make me feel alone, You prepare a banquet and Your sure love overwhelms my enemies.
The things that burden me are washed away in Your presence and I am overcome with Your grace.

Abba, I could never ask for that which You offer to me as gift. My heart overflows.
Your goodness and mercy are always with me and I rejoice in the invitation to dwell in Your house forever.

Praise You Loving Father.
Praise You Son of God.
Praise You Holy Spirit.

May my life be a never ending psalm of Thanksgiving.

". . . give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Thanksgiving

I am really enjoying Tricia Goyer's new devotional, The One Year Book of Amish Peace, and wanted to share today's meditation as we celebrate Thanksgiving with our loved ones. I especially like the quote at the end.


Thanksgiving

Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.
Psalm 95:1-2

What are you thankful for? How do you express it to God? Is Thanksgiving a time of thankfulness for you? Or is it just another holiday to plan for - another gathering that brings more stress than joy? Do you spend more time focusing on the menu than you do on all the things God has done for you?

When it comes to Thanksgiving, the Amish take a cue from the Pilgrims and fast. The fasting begins after dinner the night before, and lasts until the big meal, usually served around noon. The women prepare the meal during the time - no tasting allowed! The fasting applies mainly to the baptized church members. For children, the fasting is optional. . . . Before eating, the Amish family gathers together in the morning for devotions and talks about what they're thankful for.

A roasted turkey is often the centerpiece of the meal; rather than purchase frozen birds, many Amish raise their own or purchase them from neighbors. They may also serve mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables, salads, breads, noodles, and pie.

After dinner, it's not uncommon for the Amish to sing German hymns, taking time to give thanks to God through music. Remember that sung music is the one kind of music allowed by the Ordnung - there are no instruments in Amish homes or churches.

Think about how you can bring more thankfulness into your Thanksgiving celebration. True Thanksgiving is a matter of the heart, not a date on the calendar. It finds a moment of stillness to praise God in the midst of busyness. Thanksgiving makes God the centerpiece of the celebration. When  you are truly thankful, you aren't afraid to lift your voice in song: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name" (Psalm 100:4).

"Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day."

- Attributed to Robert Caspar Lintner

 

- Taken from The One Year Book of Amish Peace by Tricia Goyer

(reviewed here)

A Prayer of Thanksgiving based on Psalm 23

This prayer is from a Thanksgiving devotional by Randy Vader and Rose Aspinall, PraiseGathering Music Group.  Best wishes for a very happy Thanksgiving to all!

 

Dear Father in heaven ~

Thank You for the promise that in You I shall not want.
When I am overwhelmed, You calm my restless heart.

In trials that overpower me as mighty torrents in a raging river,
You call me to rest beside still waters.

In a world that only knows what it means to take,
You bring the peace that restores to me even those things I did not know I had lost.

So many voices call to me, beckoning me to walk another road,
But You—You invite me to walk in paths of Your righteousness in the name of Your Son.

In the inevitability of the shadow of death, I thank you Father that I need not fear the Unknown. I need only look to You for comfort and protection.

Even in the midst of those things that bring fear— that make me feel alone, You prepare a banquet and Your sure love overwhelms my enemies. The things that burden me are washed away in Your presence and I am overcome with Your grace.

Abba, I could never ask for that which You offer to me as gift. My heart overflows. Your goodness and mercy are always with me and I rejoice in the invitation to dwell in Your house forever.

Praise You Loving Father.
Praise You Son of God.
Praise You Holy Spirit.

May my life be a never ending psalm of Thanksgiving.

 

". . . give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

(1 Thessalonians 5:18).