History of Giving Thanks

In 1620, a ship filled with more than one hundred people sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to settle in the New World. This religious group had begun to question the beliefs of the Church of England and they wanted to separate from it. The Pilgrims settled in what is now the state of Massachusetts. Their first winter in the New World was difficult. They had arrived too late to grow many crops, and without fresh food, half the colony died from disease. The following spring the Wampanoag Indians taught them how to grow maize (corn), a new food for the colonists. They showed them other crops to grow in the unfamiliar soil and how to hunt and fish.

In the autumn of 1621, bountiful crops of corn, barley, beans and pumpkins were harvested. The colonists had much to be thankful for, so a feast was planned. They invited the local Indian chief and 90 Indians. The Indians brought deer to roast with the turkeys and other wild game offered by the colonists. The colonists had learned how to cook cranberries and different kinds of corn and squash dishes from the Indians . . . they even brought popcorn. In following years, many of the original colonists celebrated the autumn harvest with a feast of thanks. After the United States became an independent country, Congress recommended one yearly day of thanksgiving for the whole nation to celebrate. George Washington suggested the date November 26 as Thanksgiving Day.

Then in 1863, at the end of a long and bloody civil war, Abraham Lincoln asked all Americans to set aside the last Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving. The President must proclaim that date as the official celebration. In 1939 President Franklin D. Roosevelt set it one week earlier. He wanted to help business by lengthening the shopping period before Christmas. Congress ruled that after 1941 the 4th Thursday in November would be a federal holiday proclaimed by the President each year. Thanksgiving Day is an annual federal holiday in the United States.

It was historically a religious observation to give THANKS TO GOD, but it is now considered a just another secular holiday. Colossians 3:15-17 reminds us to be Thankful and give Thanks:

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Most of us celebrate by gathering at home with family or friends for a Holiday Feast but this year remember to be Thankful for the Blessings of the Past Year and for our Salvation. Let us go back to the Historical Reason for Celebrating Thanksgiving . . . Thank You Jesus!!

Pastor Greg Emerick
Uhrichsville First A/G

 

Friendship…

During your daily walk through life you meet and know many different people.  Many of them may simply be acquaintances, while others you might consider friends.  Out of these friends, there may be only a few that you would consider close friends . . . God has blessed me with some really close friends throughout the years. 

When I think of Friendship, my thoughts go to Jonathan and David and the friendship they shared.  We have Jonathan, the Prince and son of Saul and was the heir apparent to the throne of Israel.  If Saul would have been faithful to God – Jonathan would have been the next King (I Samuel 13:13).  Jonathan was a young man of valor, fortitude, and resolve who loved and served God.

David was the youngest son of Jesse, he was a healthy-looking, bright-eyed shepherd boy.  On two occasions, he rescued his father’s sheep from a predator – a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:34-36).  We remember David as the slayer of the giant Goliath.

Jonathan and David’s bond was so strong that they promised to never let anything come between them.  Jonathan’s father – Saul, sought to kill David as his hatred of him grew.  But Jonathan’s love for his friend only grew.   On many occasions, he interceded for David, warning him that his father was seeking to take his life.  In 1 Samuel 19 we find:  

            ^4-5 “Jonathan brought up David with his father, speaking well of him. “Please,” he said to his father, “don’t attack David. He hasn’t wronged you, has he? And just look at all the good he           has done! He put his life on the line when he killed the Philistine. What a great victory God      gave Israel that day! You were there. You saw it and were on your feet applauding with   everyone else. So why would you even think of sinning against an innocent person, killing   David for no reason whatever?” (The Message). 

He has warned David and interceded for him so often that he even put his own life in danger, one time narrowly escaping death at the hand of his father.  Once he risked his life by traveling a great distance to see David in hiding, even though he knew his father surely had spies.  Jonathan did all this knowing that David would ascend to the throne in his place.  He promised to stand faithfully beside David. 

David showed a great faithfulness to both Jonathan and King Saul.  On more than one occasion David could have killed his friend Jonathan thereby removing a potential rival for the throne.  David had an opportunity to sneak up on King Saul and kill him, but David controlled himself.  He remembered the covenant made with his best friend:

            ^11-17 “Come outside,” said Jonathan. “Let’s go to the field.” When the two of them were out in           the field, Jonathan said, “As God, the God of Israel, is my witness, by this time tomorrow I’ll   get it out of my father how he feels about you. Then I’ll let you know what I learn. May God do         his worst to me if I let you down! If my father still intends to kill you, I’ll tell you and get you       out of here in one piece. And God be with you as he’s been with my father! If I make it       through this alive, continue to be my covenant friend. And if I die, keep the covenant             friendship with my family—forever. And when God finally rids the earth of David’s enemies,   stay loyal to Jonathan!” Jonathan repeated his pledge of love and friendship for David. He            loved David more than his own soul! (1 Samuel 20:14-17  -  The Message).

Even though David had been anointed king, he still showed great respect toward Jonathan and even King Saul.  Even after the death of Jonathan, David kept his promise to show kindness to his friend’s family.

They should have been enemies but instead they set aside differences and personal desires, choosing instead to become the best of friends.  Jonathan and David knew how to laugh together, cry and show their emotions together, sharing hopes and dreams, thereby cementing their friendship forever.  We see a portrait of Brotherly Friendship – willing to lay down their life for one another – just as Jesus laid down His Life for Us.  Why don’t we build Friendships like this?

Greg A. Emerick (First Assembly of God – Uhrichsville, Ohio)

 

Measuring a Life that is Led by the Spirit

How do I determine how much of me is led by the spirit? Galatians 5:22,23 tells me that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

The Spirit produces this fruit in me when He is in control. I know that Jesus desires that I bear much fruit, and that is why He puts the Spirit in me. If the spirit is in control of me, my life will be overflowing with the fruit of the Spirit. So…how am I measuring up?

How much joy am I experiencing today?
How much joy would I be experiencing if the Spirit was in control of my life?
How much peace do I have?
Is patience scarce?  Does the Holy Spirit lack patience?  Should I?
What about kindness?  Or faithfulness? 
Am I considering giving up? Would the Spirit give up?
Am I gentle? Do difficult people encounter me or the Spirit of God?
Are circumstances influencing my behavior more than the Holy Spirit?
Am I spirit-led? Or do other things influence me more?
Do I assume I am Spirit-led or do I exhibit proof = fruit?

Lots of questions. Love to hear our thoughts as you endeavor to live a Spirit-led life.

Brent Heishman

 

My Way

Scott Wilson’s new book I bought at The Forum reminded me of an interesting fact of life as we go through the ‘tests’ of life. Everything in life isn’t going to go my way. Frank Sinatra sang the classic song, ‘My Way’, and musically nailed Paul Anka’s lyrics, but also nailed the philosophy of the world that our way is the one to be desired.

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows, I took the blows and did it my way.
©Revaux, Jacques; Anka, Paul (Eng Lyr); Thibaut, Gilles; Francois, Claude;

All of us type A’s can easily slip into the notion that complete control of all decisions is ideally, and correctly placed, in the hands of the ‘pastor’. After all, we are God’s anointed and doesn’t the Scripture say, “Touch not God’s anointed”? Can we relinquish the reins sometimes?

The real problem, I submit, often lies with the fact that we may have the right ideas at many of the intersections in church life, but is it always best to be the ultimate answer man? Is it all right to even let mistakes be made for the sake of church leadership development? As we raise our own children, do we make every decision for them? Or do we begin the process of giving the money (an allowance) to start the ‘school’ of hard knocks in learning ‘Personal Finance 101’? Let’s give our people opportunities to grow, develop, and learn by giving them a chance to really lead, and possibly making mistakes on the ultimate journey of sharing some of the load of Church ministry.

Gary Hallberg

 

Eternal Things

Lisa Page our Ohio Women’s Ministries Leader- I call her our “Fearless Leader” calls us her W.O.W. team (Wonderful Ohio Women). The following is the scripture that she uses to pray for us is Ephesians 1:15-19(NIV). “That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you-every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask-ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory-to make you discerning in knowing Him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life He has for His followers, oh, the utter extravagance of His work in us who trust Him-endless energy, boundless strength!”

Our reading assignment this year is “Woman of Confidence” – Pam Farrel. Excellent reading! It gives instruction on how to “Step into God’s Adventure for Your Life”. In chapter 8- Forge Forward: The Adventure in Focus pg.193 it says-”Look to the eternal. I have come to realize that life is longer than 70 or 80 years. It is eternal. Most of my life will take place in the presence of God, and nothing on earth can take that away from me. The important part of my life, then, is the investment I make in eternity. With this in mind, I often ask myself, Is what I’m doing today making an investment in eternity? When I have to choose between two pressing needs, I ask, “Which has a more eternal focus?’ Seeing life from this perspective enables me to keep my heart focused. Our friend, Ken Nichols, has a ministry whose name, ALIVE Ministries, reminds me of how to live daily: Always Living In View of Eternity.” The Women’s Ministries focus this year has been on being the Intentional Woman and I have tucked this thought into my heart and mind and have mulled it over and over trying to get a real handle on what an Intentional Woman looks like.

Now I see that if I take that prayer in Ephesians and apply it -allowing my God to make me discerning and to make my eyes focused and clear and if I ask myself “Is what I’m doing today going to make an investment in eternity” then I am becoming an Intentional Woman. So as I continue on this Journey/Adventure that we call Life I will do so Intentionally in His presence Always Living In View of Eternity!

Submitted by Cheryl Carr

 

Senior Saints Retreat

Senior Saints Retreat was a real good experience again this year. It was great getting together with old acquaintances and meeting new people this year. The fellowship was really great. The silent auction was a great success as everyone kept adding their bids to the donated items. This is always a lot of fun. The movie “Fire Proof” was enjoyed during Wed. afternoon. Tuesday and Wednesday the talent show was again inspiring and enjoyable. The times of devotion and ministry was real good as the seniors sat around the tables and sang out of the “Melodies of Praise” songbooks. It was a great time as we worshiped the Lord and sat in His presence. As always the bell choir, conducted by Becky Smeltser, did a fantastic job as they rang out the tunes including “take me out to the ball game”. There was also a choir with all the harmony parts being sung. The food was fantastic and this year we had four lines going at the same time to make the standing time shorter! Senior Saints Retreat is always a highlight of my yearly time on vacation. This would be a great experience for anyone from your church ages 55 and up.

Respectively submitted by Rev. Janet Hodges

 

Why are fire trucks red?

A pastor was continually asked by members of his congregation why doctrine was important.  After trying to give an adequate answer many times over, he finally began to answer the question with this response.  When asked why doctrine was important, he would retort, “Why are Fire Trucks Red?”

He would then add:

*Fire trucks are red because they have 8 wheels & 4 firemen…

*8 + 4 = 12

*There’s 12 inches in a ruler…

*Queen Elizabeth was a Ruler…

*And the Queen Elizabeth was one of the greatest ships that ever sailed the 7 seas…

*Fish live in the sea…

*And Fish have fins…

*If you know your history you know that the Fins fought the Russians…

*And the Russians are Red…

*And since Fire Trucks are usually rushin’…

*Therefore, Fire Trucks are Red.

Some dynamic sermons have been preached through the history of the church that have little more doctrinal truth to them, than the connections made in this illustration.

The Bible teaches that our commitment to true biblical doctrine is important, both for our own salvation as well as those we minister to.  In 1 Tim 4:16, the Apostle Paul writes to a young preacher, saying,

“Watch your life and doctrine closely.  Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”  It is my prayer that we watch our doctrine and persevere in sound biblical truth, not chasing after every wind and wave of doctrine that makes its way into print.

Of late, we have seen some new theories of ministry put forth which attempt to pit experiences against sound biblical doctrine.  I don’t believe that true spiritual experiences are contrary to sound biblical doctrine, but rather, true spiritual experiences are birthed out of sound doctrine.  J.C. Ryle once wrote:  “A religion without doctrine or dogma is a thing which many are fond of talking of in the present day.  It sounds very fine at first.  It looks very pretty at a distance.  But the moment we sit down to examine and consider it, we shall find it a simple impossibility.  We might as well talk of a body without bones and tendons.  No man will ever be anything or do anything in religion, unless he believes something.  No one ever fights earnestly against the world, the flesh and the devil, unless he has engraven on his heart certain great principles which he believes.”

 

There is a reason why we in the Assemblies of God have, 16 Fundamental Truths, Four Cardinal Doctrines, Position Papers on critical issues, and why we continue to require our minister’s to annually submit to a renewal that includes our documented response to doctrinal questions.  That reason is because persevering in sound biblical doctrine is critical to your salvation, and those who are the recipients of your ministry.  Preach the Word, brothers & sisters – it will not return void!

Pastor Dean Myers
St. Clairsville – Harbor of Hope

 

Growing Pains

My daughter called and told us that our granddaughter, Joanna had just cut her first year molars.  She had been fussy and now we know why.  I began to wonder why babies are born without teeth.  It could be dangerous, I concluded:  they really don’t know not to bite themselves or others—especially important to mom if they are breast-fed!  No, babies need milk and, later on, they need teeth to chew grown-up food. 

Cutting teeth hurts.  Growing pains are usually unpleasant, but still, who wants to remain a baby?  I would rather endure the pain, so that I might progress according to schedule (at least most, would you believe some, of the time?).  Meat requires teeth, and milk ceases to satisfy our need for nourishment.  We soon need some challenges to stimulate us.  No teeth, no victories.

Perhaps James has this in mind when he calls us to “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)  The growing pains of faith-over-circumstances is seldom pleasant.  Just as in cutting teeth, we might become a little fussy.  That’s OK.  We are human still, even though we are no longer infants, and the discomfort of trials may cause us to become a bit fussy. 

But take heart Pilgrim, because your God allows you to face the challenges of some adverse circumstances.  He believes in you—that you are grown-up enough to cut through the circumstances of adversity.  As you cut your teeth of faith, you endure the pain, and triumph over the adversity allowed by God.  It is not a strange thing:  it is just growing pains.

Although the Dairyman’s Association reminds us that, “You never outgrow your need for milk”, if our diet is not supplemented with meat, we are stunted in our growth.  God is a good parent who refuses to allow His children to waste away for need of proper nourishment.  However, some Christians avoid growing pains so adamantly that they retain infantile behaviors—they never grow up.  Our society teaches us to avoid all pain, even though it forfeits the teeth we need to meet the challenges of life and to thrive.  But knowing that God allows pain for our benefit, next time you are in the throws of “growing pains,” take comfort in James’ words, and faithfully brave the pain.  That way you will realize the kind of growth that produces Christian maturity.  (Use this for your people, because it can’t apply to us, seasoned warriors that we are—can it?)

Greg Black

Check out information from Greg on the upcoming Suicide Prevention Training on our Upcoming Events page.

 

How He Loves Us

Last week I had the privilege of taking our youth group to Cedar Point.  Man, there are some sweet rides up there!  I love roller coasters, but it takes fewer each year for me to get my fix.  As I was riding with our kids I made a couple of observations. 

First observation was most roller coasters let me off just about where I got on.  There are many believers that have this “roller coaster Christianity”.  They jump on the ride ready to go, excited about the possibilities of the adventure.  But then in the process of the ups and downs of life, they stop growing in the walk with the Lord.  Sure, they experience great heights along the way, but true maturity never happens and they find that they are right back where they started.

Second observation: no matter how fast I went, how high, upside down, rightside up, I could feel secure that I was strapped in tight.  In times of life and ministry, there are times when things are going awesome.  You are on top of the hill, excited about what the future brings.  I also know that there are times when you are going down so fast that you feel like your nose hair is growing out the back of your neck.  Remember, God’s love has got you strapped in tight!  No matter where you are on this ride, God won’t let you fall.  Stay in the car, buckle up and hold on.  Roller coasters change up and down very rapidly and so often does life.  God loves you!  Never forget that!

Check out this YouTube video, it will help remind you.
How He Loves Us

 

Welcome to the SE Section Blog

Hey!  Thanks for visiting this site.  We hope that you will find it helpful, informative, and uplifting.  If you have any questions regarding information on this site, please contact Pastor Brent Heishman or Pastor Joe Summers.  It is our desire to link us together and provide resource and encouragement for one another.  In order to make that happen, we will need your input from time to time, your involvement in using this site, and your help in making this designed just for us.  More is coming soon!!!