www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Let us give thanks...

As I reflect on this past years, the joys, the trials, the tribulations, I want to remember to give God thanks for all He gives us. Both grandbabies and wonderful children - God is good!

Last year Fr. Deacon Stan almost went home to the Father - two years in a row in fact - yet he is still here, healthy, getting stronger, facing obstacles, yet so blessed by God with everything. Each time I see at the Altar, I think of how he could not even step up to the deacon doors without help, much less vest. Over this Christmas he served every service without any assist, coming home say, 'my there is such anointing when we are faithful, willing to just be there.' The joy on his face was just beautiful. He is so much stronger now than when he first has his bypass surgery in 2006. God is good!

There are so many things that I need to say over and over again to Jesus THANK YOU! for. Let us give thanks for something that has happened, often through adversity we become strong in our Lord Jesus. Yet the wonder of new life of a baby, even a puppy, how e giggle with joy when we watch them, and we forget to tell Jesus I love you.

In the coming year, let's remember to spend as much time saying thank you as we do asking for his mercy and grace.

Give Thanks

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks unto the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks unto the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

And now let the weak say, "I am strong,"
Let the poor say, "I am rich,
Because of what the Lord has done for us."

And now let the weak say, "I am strong,"
Let the poor say, "I am rich,
Because of what the Lord has done for us."

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks unto the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks unto the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

And now let the weak say, "I am strong,"
Let the poor say, "I am rich,
Because of what the Lord has done for us."

And now let the weak say, "I am strong,"
Let the poor say, "I am rich,
Because of what the Lord has done for us."

They play it on a synthasizer here
http://www.littleflower.org/welcome/music2/givethanks.asp

Just a quick 'thank you' to you, dear sister in Christ, for reminding us to be thankful for our blessings. Indeed, I recently realized that when counts one's blessings one is blessed with the Holy Spirit, the weariness and burdens of worries and cares seem so much lighter, and the temptations of worldly matters become lessened.

Thank you also, dear sister in Christ, for sharing your blessings with us, and we rejoice together with you in the renewed health Deacon Stan is enjoying after his long trial. Glory to God!

In our newborn Saviour,
Alice

Thanks for this Pani--and prayers for Fr. Deacon Stan!

My favorite arrangement of this contemporary Christian song is by Stan Pethel who interweaves it with the German chorale classic "Now Thank We All Our God":

"Now Thank We All Our God"
by Martin Rinckart, 1586-1649
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878

1. Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom His world rejoices;
Who from our mother's arms
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

2. Oh, may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace
And guide us when perplexed
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.

3. All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son, and Him who reigns
With them in highest heaven:
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and heaven adore!
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

Text: Ecclus.50:22-24
Author: Martin Rinckart, 1636
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1858
Titled: "Nun danket alle Gott"
Composer: Johann Crueger, 1648
Tune: "Nun danket alle Gott"

In all things give God the glory!


I grew up with "Now thank we all our God" long ago as an Episcopalian and loved it.

Gracias a la Vida [youtube.com] comes to mind for me immediately.

A very different rendering [youtube.com]

Beautiful, Beautiful songs. Thank you!

I give thanks to for the new grand child that is on the way, soon coming into our lives, we found out today!