Havin' a forgiven heart that offers up thanks makes all the difference in the world.

But Kurt, how can we give thanks after this crazy month? Pres Obama's "amnesty of all those Illegal immigrants will cost the American taxpayers $2 Trillion over their lifetime" says Robert Rector. What's to give thanks about regarding Ferguson? Why wasn't the National Guard there on day one? According to the eye witnesses, strong-arm robber, Brown, sadly caused his own family tragedy and unthinkable pain to his parents. Ya gotta kinda ask yourself.. If I was an officer seekin' to protect the community, what would I have done if Brown was charging me and trying to kill me with my own gun? I find it off-the-charts-evil that a bounty was put on Officer Wilson's head. I also find it criminal that the New York Times then publishes the officer's home address for every thug to see. It's interesting.. that Missouri Governor Jay Nixon adamantly denies that our White House Admin pressured him to resist sending in the National Guard in response to very violent protesters angry about the Michael Brown shooting decision. But then it's more than clear that Nixon stayed in close contact with President Obama's senior advisor Valerie Jarrett AS the Ferguson chaotic situation unfolded. Thanks?

Hey, let's give thanks to God in spite of all the chaos.. and to all whom thanks is due. I give thanks that no police officer or anyone got hurt in Ferguson after the Grand Jury's decision got delivered (and zero Nation Guards where there the first night)! 

I think most of us feel very somber after this week watching a city and businesses burn up, when there's parents and people gettin' ripped off spiritually and in others ways... when there's deceived criminals lookin' for an excuse to be out destroying other's property for selfish gain. When so many others aren't good...   

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! —1 Chronicles 16:34

Today, I'm feeling grateful for you friends, for family, for the privilege of prayer, for wonderful coast to coast trips we made, and for God simply guiding Liney and I through a challenging year ..where sadly our nation appears to be under judgment. 

Could things be better in our Land? Yes, and hopefully things will be as we search ourselves, and turn back to the God who made us. It's late, time to pick up our Bible's again and wisely apply. Why not? Things could get better.  

Could things be worse in our Land? You know things really could get, or be worse as people ignore the Word of God, but His mercy and love are still here with His children to carry us on through. Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world. 

You might ask, Where would we be without His great mercy? Consumed. Gone. Toast.  

But we have another breath to praise the Lord. We have today to know, to hear from, to worship, and serve Him - mercy! That's what we can thank Him for. 

Ten thousand precious gifts

My daily thanks employ;

Among them is a grateful heart

To take those gifts with joy.  —Anon.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: because his mercy endureth forever. —Psalm 118:1

"We thank Thee then, O Father, for all things bright and good;

The seedtime and the harvest, our life, our health, our food;

No gifts have we to offer, for all Thy love imparts

But that which Thou desirest, our humble, thankful hearts.

All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above;

Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all His love." —Matthias Claudius

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. —Psalm 92:1

Thanksgiving, it's not merely a day to gather and go pig out, but it's a day to be grateful and shout!

I say thanks and feel grateful for all our military and police persons out there. Grateful that the National Guard finally showed up. Who was behind delaying them? 

Thank you police personnel for daily puttin' your lives on the line just to protect us. Are they perfect persons? Nope, but who is thanking them today? Are you? Could you do better? The web seems so lit up this week with pure hatred and lies against our delegated authorities. Listen, God sees and He will properly judge who needs it. 

Mercy - there's still room and a bit of time to get in the Kingdom. You are welcome to enter by the Door - Jesus Christ. It's still thanks, faith, and repent time. 

Yes, we all have so much to be thankful for today ..and every day. To be kinda blunt, you and I weren't aborted and thrown aside like millions of others in our generation were. We're still on this side of the grass. The mean that corrupt people have done isn't at all God's fault. God continually provides for His children's needs. Have you become His child yet? Do it now. 

Without gratitude inside ..that we express upwards and outwards.. wouldn't it be one long and gripey road? Without it, wouldn't we just turn into unhappy complaining murmurers? What would that look like and who even wants it? Not me.

I'm not sayin' we believers need to go through life pretending that it's all peachy around us ..acting like anachronistic religious robots.. when it ain't really that way. You know it ain't out there. But didn't Jesus warn us about what was ahead? Sure and think about it for a minute. It never gets so bad that we can't find something to sincerely thank the Lord for. I see good stuff all around me. 

Believers, let's make Thanksgiving not just one day of sayin' it, but a lifestyle for all year-long.. an ongoing celebration of gratitude minus a weird attitude. Thanks Lord for puttin' up with me when I get all distracted away. Forgive me. Want you first Jesus all year long!