Thanksgiving's Presuppositon

Because of our elementary school plays we did about the Pilgrims and Indians feasting together after a tough first year for the Plymouth Rockers, we all should know that it was a time to express to God and to their neighbors gratitude for life and its sustenance.

Like the other traditional faith-based holiday celebrations that have been part of our American heritage for all of our history, Thanksgiving has undeniable roots in our country's Judeo-Christian heritage. I can't help but believe that, as best they could, the Pilgrims used that first feast with their pagan friends as an opportunity to tell them about Jesus Christ and why they had left England for the New World in search of religious liberty.

This day always begs the question: "Thanksgiving to whom?" A TV commercial playing today has several celebrities urging us "Give thanks". On Facebook lots of my friends are telling what they're thankful for, which is a good thing. But if we are giving thanks that must mean our gratitude is directed somewhere. Otherwise it really makes no sense.

For Christians, this is an annual opportunity to pause (fortunately for most of us it's still a holiday) and perhaps recount the blessings - whether obvious or cloaked - that our heavenly Father has given us. And then to acknowledge His sovereignty and provision in our lives.

If you're not a Christ-follower, I hope that perhaps you'll pause and ponder that the God who made the universe loves you and wants you to know Him. He has provided everything needed for that to happen in Christ.

There could be nothing greater for which to thank God than for life - not only this life, but for eternal life. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15)

So as you "give thanks" today, remember that thanks given means thanks received. This is a day, above all else, for worship and praise.

Aerial Spraying For Mosquitoes Planned

An aerial spray operation has been scheduled this week for over 50,000 acres within Dare County to help reduce the number of mosquitoes resulting from flooding caused by Hurricane Irene. The aerial application will begin Thursday evening, September 8 at approximately 6:30pm and continue until about 2:00am, weather permitting. September 9th and 10th will be back up days in case of bad weather. The aerial application may take 2 days to complete. Dibrom® is the pesticide being applied at the rate of 0.75 fluid ounces per acre.

The aerial spray operation is being conducted in response to surveillance findings that indicate greatly increased mosquito populations and also due to the limited road accessibility in portions of the County.

Although a person's chances of experiencing any health effects from spraying are very low, the Dare County Department of Public Health offers the following steps to reduce exposure to pesticides during spraying:

• Remain indoors when pesticides are sprayed in your immediate area.
• Close windows and doors before spraying begins.
• Wash homegrown fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Should you feel you are experiencing health effects from spraying, please consult your doctor.

For more information, please contact Dare County Department of Public Health at 252-475-5003 or Dare County Public Works at 252-475-5880.

Melody C. Clopton, SPHR
Management Assistant

The Original Christmas Gift

Before the Magi came with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh another Gift was given - not to the Babe in the manger, but to all mankind.

"Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? " - Romans 8:32 (NLT)

Few Remain on this Dec. 7

Remember Pearl Harbor.

Precious few who survived the attack by the Imperial Japanese military on the United States are still with us. If you know one, please make the call or the visit to say "Thank you."

The "Greatest Generation", after enduring the Great Depression rose to stand tall and protect our freedoms and those of Europe and Asia. It was a history changing day. One that will, as President Roosevelt said on that Sunday morning in 1941, "A day that will live in infamy".

The Forgotten War

Sixty years ago today the North Korean army invaded South Korea, launching the Korean War, a war that never ended.

Helicopters and jets were introduced into warfare.

Thanks to all the brave men and women who donned our nation's uniform in Korea in the effort to preserve democracy and halt the advance of communism in that small part of the world. Today South Korea is a thriving free country while North Korea remains a dark place.

"Overflow with Thanksgiving"

“Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’” (Luke 17:11-13)

They were on the border where two cultures converged. The Jews were God’s chosen people - steeped in tradition and knowledge of God’s Law. Their survival as a people was testimony to God’s covenant relationship with them. The Samaritans were looked upon with disdain by the Jews. They were considered Gentiles, although they were actually biracial, a mixture of Jewish and non-Jewish heritage. Cultural norms prevented the two cultures to intermingle. Racial segregation was the norm.

Luke records that existing outside a border town were ten lepers, infected with a disease that slowly disfigured people as their flesh rotted away. Because of the horrible physical effects of the disease and its possibility of spreading, lepers were legally exiled from residing within the town limits.

It was commonly thought by most in both cultures that leprosy was some sort of punishment from God for evil. Lepers were outcasts socially, dying physically and felt rejected spiritually because of their disease. Their meeting with Jesus changed all that for them.

These ten, outcast from their friends and families, found each other and formed their own pitiful community. As Jesus approached the gates to their town they didn’t dare come near to Him because of the law. But here was an opportunity they couldn’t let pass. Keeping their distance they called out to Him to show them mercy.

In His compassion He simply told them to go to the priest, before they were healed. To return to society a leper first had to go to the local priest for an examination. With simple yet amazing faith they did as He said and as they walked, and with every step their diseased skin and limbs were being healed. By that by the time they found a priest they were disease free.

One of the ten, a Samaritan, not a Jew, sensing his healing take place turned around to go back to Jesus to thank Him. He fell down on the ground before Jesus and worshipped Him. The other nine? Maybe they thought about coming back after seeing the priest to give thanks. Maybe they were too excited about reuniting with their families and friends again that they hurried to the priest and wouldn’t take the time to stop and give thanks.

Jesus told this one that his faith had made him well. But the others were healed, too, right? And they were healed because of their faith, too, right? Yes. They simply believed Jesus and by acting on that faith their leprosy was healed. So what’s the difference between them and him?

Our faith that saves us, gives us eternal life and forgives our sins is simple belief that Jesus is the Son of God who died and rose again to be our Savior. But apparently that faith that saves us should also prompt us to be thankful. There’s something about being thankful that says we genuinely appreciate what God has done for us. Those other men were healed, but this man was healed beyond his skin disease. He showed that his heart was healed as well. His faith was followed with an action of worship and thanks.

Paul wrote to the church at the city of Colossae these words in Colossians 2:7b: “Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.” When a container overflows it spills its contents on everything around. What a great witness it would be, for those of us who were healed by faith in Christ of our sin disease to be so thankful that it spills over on our neighbors and co-workers and friends.

We’re lepers – all of us. Wouldn’t it be great if more than ten percent of us allowed our thanks to overflow and share the life-changing power of Christ’s grace?

Find a way to remember and say "Thanks" today, Sept. 11

Stop by a fire station, police station or rescue squad to say "Thanks". And fly your flag at half mast today.

Thankful

Guest blogger: Dale Hamilton.
Dale is a good friend and one of our church family. Currently he is attached with an army battalion in Iraq.