Thanksgiving Day!

November 23, 2017

DAILY READING

Psalm 100

This weekend’s reading: Matthew 25:31-46

FIELD NOTES
This Psalm of Thanksgiving (Psalm 100) is a favorite psalm of many.

So, which came first, the chicken or the egg? We do not know. Which comes first, feeling thankful or acting thankful? The medical world tells us that, if we want to feel thankful and have hearts of gratitude, we do not have to wait for those feelings to emerge. We can choose and act thankful, now, which usually results in feelings of thanksgiving. While this may seem counter-intuitive, thankfulness and gratitude emerge when we intentionally list things for which we are grateful and when we intentionally tell others things for which we are thankful, especially about them.

If you are eating a meal with someone today, try this. Let each of your share one or more things for which you are thankful.

If you are eating alone, call someone and share your thanks with them.

If you are working today, focus your thoughts on thanking God for your work and for all of those with whom you have contact.

Above all, take time to thank God for all of your blessings.

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Make a list of ten people, things, and/or situations in your life for which you are thankful.
• After each on the list, simply pray, “Thank you, Lord!”

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Make a list of as many people, things, and/or situations for which your entire family is thankful.
• After each on the list, simply pray, “Thank you, Lord!”

PRAYER GUIDE
(A rewriting of Psalm 100) I make a joyful noise of thanks to you, Lord! I serve you with gladness and sit in your presence with a thankful heart. I know you are Lord, and you made all of us. We are yours, sheep of your pasture. I enter the gates of the rest of today with thanksgiving and praise. I bless your name with what I say and do today. Lord, you are good. Your steadfast love endures from generation to generation. In your gracious name, I give you thanks. Amen.