Giving Thanks In All Things

Just before Christmas 2006, I learned I had cancer. Malignant tissues were found as a result of a biopsy of the lymph nodes on the left side of my neck. Subsequently, I learned that the cancer was believed to have originated in my throat. I have had a tracheotomy, (a breathing tube inserted into my throat), and have also undergone chemotherapy, radiation, and a number of surgeries. For quite some time, I took my meals through a feeding tube that had been placed through my abdominal wall directly into my stomach.

Considering my situation, many people might ask, "What does he have to be thankful for?"

When I consider the agonizing pain we, as sinners, put Jesus through by nailing Him to the cross, the suffering God has asked me to endure is relatively insignificant. I realize that Jesus Christ endured suffering so that others might live. Every day, I thank God that those who are primarily responsible for the care and treatment of my cancer are specialists at a teaching hospital. I understand there will be pain in my life. Yet, in confidence, I can say that God has helped me throughout. And, seeing beyond my immediate needs, I am confident the pain I have faced and will continue to face in this life are for a purpose.

Jesus suffered a sacrificial death upon the cross to redeem us. I believe the purposes God has in asking me to endure the tribulations I am facing include two essential elements: first-to endure the pain so that others who face similar trials will not have to endure the same degree of pain and second-to proclaim God's truth; that in ALL THINGS we should be thankful.

God's blessings are always there for us. Sometimes we may not understand why He seems to be blessing us in ways we could easily describe as a "curse." We can choose to feel sorry for ourselves or choose to find new ways to use the gifts and talents we have in His service. I choose to serve Him.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15)

God's richest blessings,

Stephen Illich
Chrystal Lake, IL


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Counting My Blessings... by Equipping Newsletter Readers

"There's so much to be thankful for in this world: my pretty bride, a loving family, accepting friends, two beautiful cats, the Greek islands, a sense of humor, electric guitars, fiction, a warm home, archaeology, delicious food, any ocean, the Chicago Blackhawks, outside air temperatures of 70 degrees or warmer, spice tea, sinking a 30-foot putt, saguaro cactus, and, of course, plunking out words on a keyboard.

But, best of all ~ thanks be to God who, in love eternal, gave us His Son ~ His everlasting gift."

Paul Schreiber
Senior Editor, LHM
St. Louis, MO


"I'm thankful for my two granddaughters; they are two and four years old. They help remind me that a simple thing like playing in the leaves is still fun; and at night, when we tuck them into bed, they thank God for leaves! In our fast-paced, high-demand world we need to be reminded of the seemingly small gifts God gives us every day."

Arlynn Sanders
Ripon, WI


"I am thankful for the young adults in our ministry who are stepping into leadership roles, living out their faith, and using their particular gifts to reach out to others with God's love and forgiveness. They are amazing role models for the children and teens in our families to watch. And by their example, they support these younger people to be bold and use their talents to make the Kingdom of God on earth grow. God is working mightily through this next generation of workers.

I am also thankful to the older generation in our ministry who encourage college-age people to be active in decision-making roles. They not only encourage, but they listen and act upon the innovative and responsible ideas of these young people. Bless you all as you give thanks to our in-charge and loving God, even in the midst of so much uncertainty and change."

Dian Silvey
East Lansing, MI
www.martinlutherchapel.org


"I am grateful for the 50 years of life God has blessed me, especially for the chance to serve Him even though I fall short daily. I am grateful both of my parents are still living and are doing relatively well. I am blessed to have a Christian husband who has put up with me and my shortcomings for over 28 years. We have been extremely blessed by the three wonderful children God has given us, and we look forward to what the future has in store for them. I have been fortunate to work for the same company for over nine years and hope to stay on indefinitely. I love my church, my fellow Christian servants, the youth ministry I am involved in, and the opportunity to share Jesus with others. I am grateful for the chance to spend Thanksgiving again this year with my parents, which may not sound like a big deal, but I went 28 years without that opportunity. God is faithful, and has been my rock throughout the challenges of life. I thank Him for the people and circumstances He has used to bless my family and me over the years, and I look forward to thanking Him face to face one day!"

Ann Skidmore
Ringgold, GA


"I am most thankful for the broken road I have traveled. Lately, I have wondered if I would have found Jesus, if not for this broken road that has been my life. I have always believed in God, but was not in a personal relationship with His Son. I wasn't sure what was true, so I formed my own conclusions: bad idea! I believe I love Jesus so much now, because I have been forgiven so much, just as it says in Luke 7:47. And, yes, though my sins have been many, the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ is greater. I don't recommend the choices I made, but I am thankful for where I am now. We each have a different story of how we came to Jesus; this is mine."

Sherry Skogland
Rome, NY


"We are thankful for troubles for through them, many new doors open. Now looking back, what I see is just one thread of a great many: In 1976, we finally gave up and left Wisconsin for Colorado with our son who had been sick for 14 years. In two years, he was off medicine. We learned that home is where the heart is. We played host family for a CSU family from abroad. They were Jewish; we are German, and our friendship is still ongoing. Now it is 2008, and our 18-year-old grandson has been diagnosed with acute leukemia and his dream of traveling to big cities struck down. Our Jewish friends, however, have promised him a trip to Paris when he is well enough. The Lord is in control and provides us way more to be thankful for than what we could even imagine asking for."

D & W Strack
Athens, WI


"I am thankful our Pastor Jim Menke is teaching us to befriend the people who venture in to worship with us. We have all learned to make our guests feel at home by helping them get to know their way around, asking them something about themselves, and offering our church family to serve them. Trinity lives to Reach UP, Reach OUT and Reach IN with the love and life of God in Jesus Christ-all for a FULLER HEAVEN."

Janet Hurta
Trinity Lutheran Church
Woodway, TX


"1. I am thankful for the grace of God that covers all my sins through the atoning work of Christ, my Savior and Lord.

2. I am thankful for the joy of serving my Lord in every area of my life with the gifts He has given me.

3. I am thankful for a loving, supportive wife, three boys, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.

4. I am thankful for a caring Christian community to support my faith and help me walk with Christ in a dark world.

5. I am thankful that life on this earth is only 70-plus years and eternity is forever after!

6. I am thankful for a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and more left over to help others have the same.

These are just a few things I am thankful for. Thank you for giving me opportunity to express them."

Peace to you in Christ,

Pastor Gary Bauch
St. John Lutheran Church, Hamlin, NY


"I appreciate LHM's devotions and all the related ministry supplements that are highly beneficial to every person. Thanks a lot! Glory to His Holy Name - Jesus Christ."

Charles Soundararaj


"The older I get, the more thankful I am for my Lutheran confirmation classes over 50 years ago. At the time I didn't appreciate memorizing the Ten Commandments. Learning them was not the problem, knowing I didn't keep them was! But in a culture that has become thoroughly self-approving, the good news of a Savior delivering us from hell seems to many as irrelevant... they don't see their need.

If our sin was not deadly serious, then Christ's death was an unnecessary and cruel sacrifice. But if our indifference, ingratitude, and rebellion are truly offensive to the One who gives us life and all that we enjoy, the cross is an inexpressibly deep expression of love by a holy and just God, as the Bible explains.

As Paul wrote, the Law is a schoolmaster to lead us to grace. Martin Luther emphasized this, and I'm glad for those ministries like The Lutheran Hour that stay faithful to this message and teach the Law (in its proper function), as well as the grace which it glorifies as a result."

Lee Greever
Burke's Garden, VA


"We may have sincere misgivings about the direction in which our country is headed. We may have serious doubts about the state of our economy. But there is no doubt that we live in a great free country, and we are a people truly blessed. May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving and don't forget to give thanks to God who bestows upon us His innumerable blessings. 'O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever' (1 Chronicles 16:34). Happy Thanksgiving!"

Pastor Phil Schamehorn


"The great love our Lord and Savior has shown to us is something we must always cherish and give thanks for every minute of every day!"

Rich Ziebart
St. Joseph, MI


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Thought of the Day

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4


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Tips for Sharing

Chances are, you have so many dishes planned for your Thanksgiving feast that many of your leftovers will spoil. What better way to utilize this food than to invite to your Thanksgiving table those who might otherwise spend it alone?

Consider who you know that is single, divorced or widowed and extend an invitation. Add that extra table setting and watch God bless your time together. I guarantee they'll walk away from your home thankful that you invited them.


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Prayer

My prayer is that the Lord would bless us so that we can be a blessing to others. Send us an extra measure of the Holy Spirit so that we can be a greater impact for You, Lord. Give us opportunities; lead someone to us that with you working through us, we can be an influence for Your glory. Lord, put your powerful hand on us to lead us, to encourage us, because we can't do it alone. Fill us with the Holy Spirit so we can accomplish things beyond our ability so that people will give you the glory. Lead us to know and do Your will. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen. Rejoice!


Provided by EtS Presenter Paul Rupprecht


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Web Resources

Got big Thanksgiving plans? Great! But what if you had no job, poor health, and absent loved ones? Would that ruin it? On Woman to Woman's Thanksgiving to the Rescue, hear how Charlie Plumb, a six-year POW in Vietnam and author of I'm No Hero, shocks us with his favorite Thanksgiving story. You won't want to miss it! To listen, go to www.womantowomanradio.com the week of November 23rd.




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Is it a Charlie Brown Christmas?


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