Religion: A Pastor Ponders

Thanksgiving Thoughts

by Pastor William Jenkins

November 23, 2005

Some thoughts on thankfulness during this Thanksgiving season:
“ For three things I thank God every day of my life:
Thanks that He has allowed me awareness of His works;
Deep thanks that He has set in my darkness the lamp of faith;
Deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to – a life
joyous with light, flowers and heavenly song.”
-Helen Keller

“Gratitude is the greatest of virtues, and the parent of all others.”
-Cicero

“ O Lord, my God, I will give You thanks forever.”
-Psalm 30:12

“ Joy untouched by thankfulness is always suspect.”
-Theodor Haecker

“It was in those few years when I was alone and most happy that I found Him; I found Him at last through joy and thanksgiving.”
-Doris Day

“For this new morning with its light, Father, we thank you.
“ For rest and shelter of the night, Father, we thank you.
“ For health and food, for love and friends,
“ For everything Your goodness sends,
“ Father, in heaven, we thank you.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

A little boy was asked by his father to say grace at the table.
While the rest of the family waited, this little guy eyed every dish of food his mother had prepared. After the examination, he bowed his head and honestly prayed, “Lord, I don’t like the looks of it, but I thank you for it, and I’ll eat it anyway.”

Remembering the Apostle Paul’s advice, “In all things give thanks”, Bible commentator Mathew Henry, after being robbed, wrote in his diary: “Let me be thankful. First, because I was never robbed before. Second, because although they took my wallet, they did not take my life. Third, because although they took my all, it was not very much. Fourth, because it I who was robbed, and not I who robbed.”

Re-count your blessings and re-thank God.

League City United Methodist Church is located at 1411 Main Street (FM 518), one block east of Interstate 45. For information, call the church offices at 281-332-1557 or visit the website at

HYPERLINK - http://www.lcumc.org