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Happy Thanksgiving Day

#TravelThursday returns next week.

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Sunday Scripture

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday November 20TH 2022, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

This #SundayScripture I’m taking a one-week break in presenting my September 18TH 2022 sermon – “Good & Evil” – in its original written form. Parts 1 to 6 have already been presented. I’ve got 2 more parts to go, and I’ll do that on November 27TH and December 04TH.

After that I’ve got some interesting non-sermon posts that I’m planning for the rest of December and into the new year.

As promised last week I’m presenting the transcript for Communion which I led a couple of Sundays ago. It is a Thanksgiving-themed Communion. For those of you reading here in the U.S.A. or serving the U.S.A. in a foreign country – I wish you a very safe, secure, happy, and healthy Thanksgiving week. I hope that you get to spend it with those who you love.

(Begin Communion)

It’s the first Sunday of a brand-new month – November – and we continue our tradition of observing and celebrating Communion on this first Sunday.

In 18 days Americans will be observing and celebrating Thanksgiving. It’s the modern day set aside each year on the 4TH Thursday of November to reflect on what we have – and give thanks for it – alongside family and friends – with food and fellowship – and football. For most Americans it’s a day of rest – right before that Friday when we begin preparing and shopping for that next big commercialized holiday – Christmas.

You know on this fantastic journey that our God has blessed us with – every day should be a day of Thanksgiving. We should give thanks to our God – every day – for what He has given to us – for what He gives to us – and for what He will give to us – past, present, and future – constantly and abundantly.

When the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi – he began, “Every time I think of you – I give thanks to my God.” Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth that “as God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ – there will be great Thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

Whenever God’s Kingdom expands – whenever God gets all of the glory – the enemy is defeated.

And so on this day of glory – on this day of victory – I present the 100TH Psalm – “A Psalm Of Thanksgiving” – and as the Bible says:

Shout with joy to the LORD – all the earth !  Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before Him – singing with joy. Acknowledge that the LORD is God !  He made us, and we are His. We are His people – the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with Thanksgiving. Go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, and praise His name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.

Let’s observe. Let’s rejoice. Let’s celebrate – this believer’s Communion – this agreement – of Creator, Christ, and Spirit as One God. It’s open for everyone who hears me – everyone who believes – that we ourselves no longer live, but Christ lives in us – so we live our life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God – who loved us and gave Himself for us. (Galatians 2:20)

You know our God always comes to where we are. Today – something a little bit different. I’m coming to you – where you are – to serve you these elements. As you receive them from me – you may carefully peel back the two wrappings to reveal the wafer, and to open the juice. We will accept these elements together as a church family.

[Distribute elements.]

Let us take this bread, and know that it represents the sacred body of Christ that was given up for us on that cross. We take this bread in remembrance of Him.

Let us take this juice, and know that it represents the precious blood of Christ that was shed for us on that cross. We take this juice in honor of Him.

Let us pray. Thank You God for loving us, and giving Yourself for us. We love You Lord. We need You Lord. We are nothing without You Lord.

Thank You Lord for Your awesome presence in our lives – and Your intentional purpose for our lives. May all of Your beautiful blessings and marvelous miracles constantly strengthen our faith in You, increase our love towards others, and unify our hearts and our souls. We honor You Lord. We praise You Lord. We worship You Lord. And all God’s people say – AMEN.

And the angels and the elders and the living beings all fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang:

“Amen !  Blessing and glory and wisdom and Thanksgiving and honor and power and strength – belong to our God – forever and ever !  Amen.” (Revelation 7:11-12)

(End Communion)

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2022 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

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Stateside

Welcome back to #TravelThursday. Last week I wrote about my arrival in the south of England 37 years ago to the date (November 10TH 1985). Today is the 35TH anniversary to the date (November 17TH 1987) that I left England behind and arrived back home stateside.

I actually don’t remember much about that day. My memories are quite vivid from the Sunday morning 2 years and 1 week earlier when I arrived in England, but when I left England – not so much.

A friend of mine drove me from our (military) dormitory over to Billeting / Lodging at dawn, and there I got on a shuttle that I think took me all the way to the airport. I don’t think I did the whole British Rail trek going to London (like I had when I arrived). I got on my flight at Heathrow, and I was back in the Washington D.C. area a few hours later that afternoon. (I got those 5 hours back that I lost 2 years and 1 week earlier.)

My Dad picked me up at the airport, and we went home, and my cat – Fluffy – went ballistic with joy and happiness. It was a wonderful stateside homecoming.

I got to hang out with my family – dad, mom, brother, and cat – for almost 2 weeks through the Thanksgiving holiday week. Again – I don’t remember much from those 13 days, but I know that it was a good time because I was back home with my family again.

I’m with my family right now – mom, brother, sister-in-law, nieces, and dog. We’re continuing our annual November tradition that goes back almost 20 years – #ThanksChristmasGiving – or #Thanksmas. It’s where we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas combined in a single week. The Christmas tree and decorations have been up for a couple of weeks, and we are actively engaging in Christmas shopping and gift-wrapping. We’ll open all of the presents by the Christmas tree on Thanksgiving morning. Shortly after that the entire house will be filled with the aroma of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Next #TravelThursday is in 2 weeks – when I celebrate my 35TH anniversary here in Homestead Florida. Let’s keep traveling together.

All rights reserved (c) 2022 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

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Blogging Career Holidays Military

Honoring My Fellow Veterans

It’s the 11TH day of the 11TH month – Veterans Day here in the U.S.A.

I’ve been employed by the United States Air Force for the past 38 years – going back to when I first signed on the dotted line of the delayed enlistment program near the start of my senior year in high school. I was hesitant in joining the military way back then, but it all turned out just right, and it’s become my career – both military and civilian. I’m looking forward to retirement within the next 12 months.

To my fellow Veterans – this is our day. From one Veteran to all of you – I thank you for serving your nation, so that we may be free indeed.

Veterans – Get the help that you need at VA.GOV.

All rights reserved (c) 2022 Christopher M. Day, CountUp