PRESIDENT GROVER CLEVELAND THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION (1887)

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

PRESIDENT GROVER CLEVELAND THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION (1887)

By the President of the United States:

The goodness and the mercy of God, which have followed the American people during all the days of the past year claim our grateful recognition and humble acknowledgment. By His omnipotent power He has protected us from war and pestilence and from every national calamity; by His gracious favor the earth has yielded a generous return to the labor of the husbandman, and every path of honest toil has led to comfort and contentment; by His loving kindness the hearts of our people have been replenished with fraternal sentiment and patriotic endeavor, and by His Fatherly guidance we have been directed in the way of national prosperity.

To the end that we may with one accord testify our gratitude for all these blessings, I, Grover Cleveland, President of the United States, do hereby designate and set apart Thursday, the twenty-fourth day of November next as a day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, to be observed by all the people of the land.

On the day let all secular work and employment be suspended; and let our people assemble in their accustomed places of worship and with prayer and songs of praise, give thanks to our Heavenly Father for all that He has done for us while we implore the forgiveness of our sins and a continuance of His mercy.

Let families and kindred be reunited on that day and let their hearts, filled with kindly cheer and affectionate reminiscence, be turned to the source of all their pleasures and to the Giver of all that makes the day bright and joyous.

And in the midst of our worship and enjoyments let us remember the poor, the needy, and the unfortunate; and by our gifts of charity and ready benevolence let us increase the number of those who with grateful hearts shall join in our Thanksgiving.

In witness whereof I have set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this twenty-fifth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and twelfth.

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HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING!

(Psalm 118:1) Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Louie

THE SINGLE MOM

 SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

 

THE SINGLE MOM

(Isa 54:6) For the Lord has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife when you were refused,” says your God.

There is no job more difficult than being a single mom.  You typically have to juggle between parenting and employment and so often without the father’s support.  And when extended family and friends are thin then what can you do but feel like your living life on a razor’s edge constantly.  You need hope from God’s Word that will encourage you.  You also need validation that your task is not only challenging but vital and indispensable.

Single moms need support like no other.  Some are more set up than others.  They have child support and a great network of family, friends, and church family.  Others feel all alone.  Their husband is non-supportive and non-involved.  At any rate you need to know that the Lord is with you and has your complete interest at heart.  He wants to take care of you and provide for you.  If you give Him a chance He will show you His tender love and mighty power in such special ways that others will never know.  Here are some scriptures to encourage you:

(Heb 13:5)…“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”…(Isa 54:5) For your Maker is your husband…(Isa 40:11) He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.

God wants to be a Father to your children.  When they have no dad to lean on the fatherhood of God will be there for them.  Just as God comforts your heart and fills your lonely times with His presence, so the Lord will watch over and protect and guide your children.  He will provide for their safety, security, and their future.  Your family will lean on God and become strong and resilient.  You will be no worse for the wear.  Your kids will be ready for difficulties ahead because they went through hard times that prepared them for adulthood.  Instead of being entitled they will be thankful for the blessings they have.  They won’t become bitter because you have shown them how to move on from the past and trust the Lord for a brighter future.

I hope you have a supportive church you attend.  It is there that the community of faith will be a source of strength for you.  You will have others to build into your life.  A woman’s group would be helpful where you can talk and pray with godly and compassionate Christian women.  Getting involved in the church will be beneficial.  Your kids will enjoy the children’s ministry and your teens will have a positive peer group in the Youth Group.

And if you choose to date and/or be involved in a relationship, then make sure it’s a godly man who knows your present limitations and the challenges that lay ahead if you remarry.  No one has to tell you that your kids come first.

Louie

THE WORKING MOM

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

THE WORKING MOM 

(Acts 16:14) Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple…who worshiped God.  The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 

If you think about it, moms have worked since time began.  They have taken care of their husbands and children and have kept up the home.  They have also worked hard on the farm or in the family business.  But a handful of decades ago society changed and now we see many moms dropping their kids off at school and driving off to work.  For some it was an escape.  For others it was a necessity.  Material goods have inflated and the cost of living has skyrocketed.  For some it’s hard to make it on one income.  For others luxury items are a priority.  Single moms have no choice.  But what does the Bible say about mom going off to work?  

When Paul received the Macedonian call he and his missionary group found themselves in the Roman city of Philippi.  His very first convert was Lydia, a seller of purple.  She was originally from Thyatira and seemed to be opening up a branch of business in another location.  Purple garments were very expensive because the dye came from a shellfish from the Mediterranean Sea and the process of extraction was very complex and therefore escalated the price.  Only the well to do could afford any garments in the color purple.  Lydia was also a member of a woman’s prayer group that met by the river.  When Paul shared Christ with these ladies the Lord opened up Lydia’s heart and she was saved and she and her household were baptized.  She then persuaded Paul and his group to stay at her household.   

Lydia is that picture of a professional working woman.  She was a sharp lady, enterprising, and had great people skills.   But she also found time to join a prayer group in the midst of her busyness.  When she received Christ her goal was to lead the rest of her family to the Lord.  She seemed to have that balance of family, business, and spiritual life.  What a model to follow for the working mom.  So what does it take to be a working mom and also a woman of faith?    

- KIDS COME FIRST:  At all times the children’s needs and concerns come first.  If that cannot be maintained then adjustments must be made.  Perhaps another job?  A cut in hours?  Talk to boss about flexibility in schedule?  Can work be done at home a few days a week?   

- HUSBAND’S SUPPORT:  You can’t do this alone.  Your husband must be 100% behind you.  That means he has to pick up some slack to help make it all happen.  There must be division of labor. Is the husband up to that?  Can he do a little laundry and cooking and shopping and cleaning?  

- MAINTAIN SPIRITUAL LIFE:  Lydia found time for prayer and for leading her children to Christ.  How about you?  Or are you too tired to maintain spiritual life at home?  May the Lord open up your heart and give you the wisdom to wed faith, family, and work in His strength and power.   

Louie    

THE STAY AT HOME MOM

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

THE STAY AT HOME MOM 

(Titus 2:4-5) that they admonish the young women…to love their children…to be homemakers… 

So you have chosen to stay at home with your kids and not go out into the workforce.  Good for you!  That is a choice that God will honor because you are putting your children first.  But the path you have chosen is not easy!  Therefore receive encouragement from God’s Word:  

- HUSBAND’S SUPPORT: (Amos 3:3) Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?  The number one thing you need is for your husband to be 100% behind you.  You must decide together that this is God’s will for you.  Once you do that then you won’t buckle under the pressure when your decision is challenged.  When you get second thoughts then your husband will be able to encourage you to keep pressing on at the goal set before you. (Phil 3:14) 

- FINANCIAL:  (Mat 6:19-20) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… One of the most difficult things about staying at home to raise your kids is the money aspect.  You will feel poor so much of the time but you have to tell yourself it is worth it.  Let’s be honest…you will have to sacrifice earthly comforts and put your treasure into your little ones as they grow.  That means perhaps driving an older car, not shopping for clothes as much as you would like, not being able to go out to eat as much as before, denying yourself your gourmet coffee (but McDonalds is half the price anyway!), etc.  Your husband might have to work extra hours and you yourself might have to consider a home-based enterprise. 

- PEER PRESSURE:  When you choose to stay at home and raise your kids there might be pressure from your family and friends.  Your parents might not favor your decision because they don’t want you to struggle financially.  Your friends might have double income and be more upscale than you.  You drive up in an older car and might not be able to park on their nice concrete driveway because of your oil leak.  You walk into their house and see all the nice furnishings.  You drive home and second guess your decision.  STOP!  You are under pressure from others, but probably more under pressure from yourself.  Stand firm!  (Acts 26:19) 

- IDENTITY CRISIS: There are so many women in the work force these days and you might feel lonely at home with your girlfriends at work.  Maybe you could join a Christian mom’s group at church or in the community where the kids could play together and you could pray with the other moms.  This will reinforce your commitment knowing others are doing the same.  (Gal 6:2) Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

My wife was a stay at home mom and she raised two beautiful daughters.  It was rough at times but I am so proud of her determination.  She tells me she wouldn’t change a thing! (Psa 113:9) 

Louie