George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

It is good for us to pause and remember that we are a nation founded "Under God."


On October 3, 1789, George Washington made the following proclamation and created the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the United States government

“ 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 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 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these 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 signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced 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 hath 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 government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease 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.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.”

Muscle Memory

Several weeks ago I completed a motorcycle training training course for experienced riders and passed all the certifications. Lots of fun to say the least. It was a glorious day and then to be outside (rather than inside at a desk) for nearly seven hours was incredible. Not to mention that the bulk of the time was spent riding a motorcycle.

Throughout the day our instructor set up various riding courses for us to practice specifics driving skills. Carol, was not only knowledgeable but she knew how to teach as well. There were several things about the day that were significant besides being outside on a motorcycle for the day.

First was that Carol demonstrated everything before we were required to accomplish it ourselves. Key to this was each time she grabbed a bike being used by one of the students. In other words she did what we had to do with the same equipment we had to use. I was impressed.

Another thing that really hit me at the time and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it since then. Carol said that we needed to develop "muscle memory." I had not heard that before. Over and over in every drill she continued to tell us how to develop "muscle memory."

Time and time again, Carol would "yell" at me (in the nicest of ways) to let my muscles memorize what I wanted them to do and then each time following the specific exercise would get easier. She was right. Imagine that.

But here is the deal for me. One I love riding and what she showed me really helped me.

Second thing is that the same principle applies to my spiritual life. If I want to get better and stronger, I must develop "spiritual" muscle memory. I must do the things necessary for me to help me remember the things of God beyond my morning devotional and times of study. I must let God train me to be the kind of person He wants me to be naturally.

I have a lot of work to do to be the kind of motorcyclist that I want to be and I have a lot more work to do to be the type of person God desires me to be.

Keep praying for me on both counts.

An Old Farmer's Advice

I rarely just cut and paste onto the blog but I really thought this was too good not share. In the world we are living in today, it seems that perhaps simple words are really needed so I share these. My Uncle Bob was a Farmer and I think that I can hear him saying most of these to me at one time or another.

Have a great day and be blessed.

.

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An Old Farmer's Advice:

* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight, and bull-strong.

* Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.

* Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
* A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

* Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.

* Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.

* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

* Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

* It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

* You cannot unsay a cruel word.

* Every path has a few puddles.

* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

* The best sermons are lived, not preached.

* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen, anyway.

* Don't judge folks by their relatives.

* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.

* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

* Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

* The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.'

* Always drink upstream from the herd.

* Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

* If you get to thinkin' you'r e a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.


*Leave the rest to God.