8 Fun Facts About Thanksgiving

"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor." -George Washington

1) Approximately 46,000,000 turkeys are sold annually just for Thanksgiving. Since the average weight of each bought turkey is 16lbs, all the turkeys eaten on Thanksgiving could equal the weight of almost 750 filled Boeing 747-8 airplanes.

Keep Calm and Carry On: Five Secrets to Overcoming Depression

Coffee mugs, t-shirts and other decorative items have advertised this popular meme for a number of years. This phrasal fad extends to a wide variety of spin offs "Keep Calm and you-fill-in-the-blank". Originally produced by the British government in 1939, this slogan was intended to boost the spirit of the British people on the brink of the Second World War.

Why has it become so popular in today's culture? Is it just a clever quote with numerous spin offs or is this meme pointing to a deeper need in our messed up world? Last December I was going through a stressful time trying to juggle the normal holiday busyness while also preparing for our trip to Australia. I was busy, stressed, worried and sleep deprived.

A week before we left for Australia I received a Keep Calm mug as a gift. Late nights at my desk, my gaze would drift to the writing on that cup. "Keep Calm and Carry On!" but to tell you the truth, I was too exhausted to "carry on". 

Our culture has adopted a positive thinking attitude with the mindset that we are invincible. But research from the Anxiety and Depression Association of American shows otherwise: Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older (18% of U.S. population).

Whether you and I admittedly label it a bad day or a difficult season of life, the fact of the matter is that we all struggle with depression at some point or another.

A Forgetful Heart is an Ungrateful Heart

Things weren't going my way. Driving alone in the car I desperately began to pray, "God, what are you doing? What am I doing wrong?" It was more of a frustrated plea to God as I questioned His timing and motive.

You're probably thinking Laurie, you talked to God that way? Yes, but God already knew my frustration and the thoughts that were running through my head. By expressing it to Him I was directing my "out of tune" heart back to the Master Musician who could then tune me back to Truth.

Then Sings my Soul!

Prayer and praise are to very important parts of a Christian’s devotional life.  Have you even been so burdened or overwhelmed by your circumstances that you didn’t know how to pray or what to ask for?  On the other hand, have you ever been so excited and thankful for answered prayer that it was hard to sit still and pray?  Singing is a way to express each of these emotions in a way that is worshipful to God. God loves to hear the praise of His people, and when you pray back His Word to him, it is a sweet-smelling sacrifice of praise to Him.   Psalm 92:1 says, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises unto thy name, O most high.”

A Weapon You Cannot Live Without

"A large army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are making good time which leaves us little time to prepare for the attack." The young messenger wiped the sweat off his forehead as he paused to catch his breath. He had travelled long and hard to warn the king of this approaching danger. Impatiently, he waited for the king's response but only silence filled the courtyard. A look of fear came over the king's face. This news could be fatal for the people in Judah. King Jehoshaphat began to pace the room.

"God, what am I going to do", he silently prayed. This was not the first time he stared death in the face. His thoughts drifted back to the time the enemy mistakenly thought he was the Israeli King. Their orders were to kill him but God supernaturally intervened when Jehoshaphat cried out to Him for help. Could it be that God wanted to show Himself strong once more? Turning to the messenger he knew what must be done. "Everyone in Judah must begin to fast. Have them gather in Jerusalem that we may seek the Lord's help".

News spread rapidly and the people of Judah assembled together in from of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. The crowd restlessly waited to see what their king was going to do. Jehoshaphat solemnly stood before them He lifted up his voice to Heaven to beg for deliverance...it was their only hope.

"O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! Now the armies of Ammon, Moah, and Mount Seir are coming to invade our lands. They have come to throw us out of your land. Oh our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack. We don't know what to do, but are looking to you for help!"

The king's earnest prayer was met with silence from the Lord. His eyes scanned the anxious crowd as He wondered if anyone had received a message from God. Slowly a man made his way to the front of the crowd. Jehoshaphat then knew that God had sent his spirit on this man.

"My name is Jahaziel and this is God's response to our prayers. Don't be afraid or discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is nor yours, but God's. Tomorrow, march out against them but you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!" Responding to the Lord, King Jehoshaphat and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem bowed low with their faces to the ground, worshipping and praising the Lord.

Early the next morning, the army gathered together for the battle at hand. After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. "Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!" At the sound of praises, the approaching troops began to turn on themselves and fight each other. The Lord had sent a spirit of confusion into their midst and utterly destroyed the enemy!

There is a weapon you and I cannot live without...it is the weapon of praise. I love this story found in 2 Chronicles 20. To me, it is a beautiful spiritual analogy of our daily lives. Praise is our strong defense. It not only ushers in the presence of God but brings protection against the enemy of discouragement, fear, and depression. As you spend time in prayer today remember these words...

 "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, 

and into his courts with praise." (Psalm 100:4)

Weapon of Praise

Discouragement, worry, fear, doubt, depression, guilt, and oppression often plague many of us -But is it ever God’s will for us to become enslave to our emotions?

We don’t wrestle against flesh and flood but against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph 6:12) Yes, we are in a battle with the enemy BUT the ultimate victory has been won. The power of God raised Christ from the dead and victoriously placed all evil under His feet. (Eph 1:19-22) 

Through God’s love and mercy He has given us life through His Son. By grace we are saved through faith and now we are placed in Christ Jesus. (Eph 2:4-6)

The enemy has no hold over us unless we allow him access. If he couldn’t stop us from receiving the gift of eternal life he will do everything he can to enable us from enjoying our inheritance here on earth.

Recently, I have been battling my own war of emotions. My emotions have rudely pushed God out of the driver’s seat and placed “self” in control. Let me tell you, when emotions are driving your life it can be the craziest roller coaster ride ever! (groan) What causes us to switched gears from being God-controlled to becoming emotionally driven? Well, to sum it up in one word…. “SELF”

Pride exalts “Self” above God and then emotions rule the heart.

How did we get to such a state? How have I allowed my emotions to rule my life? It begins with a shift in our thinking. Our focal point is no longer on the God of Truth but the god of this world and the deceit of our own hearts. This condition often begins with an ungrateful spirit. Our eyes drift from God Almighty and on to the trials of this life. Our hearts become so entangled in emotional distress that we loose the awe of His Majesty…we loose the wonder of it all.

In the Bible there is a story of a great battle scene. (2 Chron 20) The enemy was coming and the king of Israel was afraid so he gathered his people together to seek the Lord. He cried out to God for help and this was God’s response,

“Be not afraid nor dismayed by this great multitude; for your battle is not yours, but God’s…ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.”

The next day the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army and praise the beauty of God’s holiness.

“Praise the Lord; for His mercy endureth for ever!”

As they sang unto God, the Lord utterly destroyed the enemy. The Israelites never lifted a finger to flight. This battle belonged to the Lord. His people lifted up their voices in praise to His holy name. God had told them to “fear not and to not be dismayed” Almighty God was going to flight this battle on their behalf.

Praise is our mighty weapon against the enemy.

Praise places God back in the driver’s seat of our hearts. It reminds us of how mighty our God is and how feeble we are. Praise brings perspective to life. Things that mattered so much to us seem so insignificant in light of His Glory. The ungrateful heart is silenced and our mind is renewed with the knowledge that God is MORE than enough.

How do we change our attitude, lead our emotions, and live victorious over the enemy? Being filled with the Spirit of God! (Eph 5:18-20) Ask God for a fresh filling of His Spirit and then open your heart in praise to the Father. How do we praise? Praise is lifting up our voice in prayer or song and expressing our admiration for the nature of God. (Who He is!) Thanksgiving is expressing gratitude for the blessings of God. (What He has done!)

Discouragement, worry, fear, doubt, depression, guilt, and oppression that often plague many of us will flee from the spirit of praise. The Christian who praises God will have HIS joy, HIS peace, and HIS love ruling in their heart. Let us turn our gaze upon our God and the things of this world will grow insignificantly small in the light of His awesome majesty and glory.

God is More Than Enough

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, That will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord ALL the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and the inquire in His Temple...when you said, "Seek my face." my heart said to you, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."" -Ps 27:4, 8

What has your heart? When you search for significance, acceptance, and love apart from God you are believing the lie that God is NOT enough. Sometimes we can even allow the good things in life to steal from the best thing in life. When we try to fill the empty places of our hearts with _______ (you fill in the blank) we are basically living in the lie that God + ____ = fulfillment.