www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology What are YOU thankful for this year?

Among the MANY things I am thankful for this year is THIS FORUM and each and everyone of YOU! Daily it is a peaceful (usually) place where I can come to receive support for my faith and my daily Christian struggle to grow in my relationship with the Lord---and I am so VERY thankful to each of you for sharing your faith and your hope with me.

May the Lord bless each of you with growth in holiness and the joy one day of seeing Him face to face!

In His Holy Name,
+Fr. Gregory

This year, I'm very thankful for the health and well being of my family.

I'm especially thankful for the Lord's forgiving mercies and steadfast love.

And, I'm thankful that George W. Bush was reelected .

I'm thankful to those that prayed for me and my family during an extremely difficult past month. Thanks to Byzan TN, Coalesco, Jakub, Irish Melkite, Pani Rose, Sharon Mech, Amadeus, Our Lady's Slave Of Love, Pentha Tria, Theophan, Unity In Christ, Communion Of Saints, The Administrator, Catholic Nerd and Father Gregory.

As a contributor to a few crime books, I know that it's always nice to see your name in print, even if it's only on a forum. Thanks again.

Grateful every time I'm here for a new day! I think, "Oh, good! Another chance!"

I am thankful for the Lord's continued healing...I had only "1 chance in 300" of coming through my 2nd cancer surgery as well as I did....

I am thankful for all the prayers and support of family, friends and others....

I am thankful for the strength that is given to deal with illness and other challenges each day ...

I am thankful for all of you on the forum...

I am thankful for esoteric arguments in deep theological matters..Okay, I think I better quit!

Thanksgiving

Thankful for blessings all through the year
Home, health, happiness
And lots of good cheer
Neighbors and friends who brighten our way
Kindness like sunshine
Spread through each day
Graces and blessings
In manifold measure
Voices uplifted
In thanks and in pleasure
Never forgetting in all that we sing
God, the true source of every good thing.


UIC

There are so many things to be thankful for, but I've got to echo CS. I'm particularly thankful for each new day: another chance to work with the Divine Grace and try to "get it right" at least once.

In Christ,

BOB

I'm very thankful to God for a loving faithful wife who stood by me as I struggled to find my way during our Protestant years and now into our Byzantine Catholic homecoming.

I'm thankful for this board, its administrator, the moderators, and all the participants, even those with whom I've disagreed. Humility is a good gift from God.

I'm thankful for both of our sons and their solid Christian commitment.

I'm thankful for our parish which is like an oasis after so many years in the wilderness, for our priest, and for our wonderful group of members of all ages who have received us with such kindness and insight.

Dan Lauffer

Thanks be to Thee, Holy Father of Glory
Father kind, ever-loving, ever-powerful,
Because of all the abundance, favour, and deliverance
That Thou bestowest upon us in our need.
Whatever providence befalls us as thy children,
In our portion, in our lot, in our path,
Give to us with it the rich gifts of Thine hand
And the joyous blessing of Thy mouth.

For all of you, and for a wonderful family, both Parish and home, many Blessings,
Aidan Michael

For the gift of the most wonderful faith.
Stephanos I

My Friends,

I'm thankful for all the things you have already mentioned.

Additionally, I am thankful for our military personnel in Iraq, Afganistan, and those stationed around the world who are protecting us from terrorists. Their devotion to country, freedom and keeping the peace is AWE inspiring.
I am so proud of the men and women of the military services.

I am also thankful for my son-in-law who is protecting our homeland in the United States Coast Guard.

Paul

AMEN to all of the thoughts stated so awesomely.

I also want to thank Jesus that he gave us himself as our food and drink. That he so graciously call us to receive of him over 2,000 years later that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He said he would never leave us orphan and he is so faithful.

I thank Jesus, that an unworthy person as myself, can be raised to understand his loving us in the Eucharist. That he calls all of his children, those outside of the Catholic/Orthodox Churches to come home. To come to the resting place that he has perpared for us on this earth, the place of entrance so we are no longer on earths time, but God's alone. That he calls us as siblings of the True Faith to fullness with him in the life of his Sacramental Church.

I thank him for men like Fr. Gregory and the others on this forum, who have selflessly laid down their lives to raise up Christ that we might be nourished by him. What asesome men of God, God himself has given unto us that we might have new life each day as we approach the the Throne of Grace.

Pani Rose

Thankful that over 700 of our parishoners attend liturgy on Thanksgiving day.
Stephanos I

I am thankful for the many things mentioned above by others.

I am also eternally thankful for

• my forebearers, of blessed memory, who came before me to make a better life and have gone before me now to a better place;
• my beautiful children, the adult ones who make me proud to be their Dad and the little ones who challenge me to do it over again;
• the love and acceptance of one another that is so obvious among my adult children, their step-brother and step-sister, and their infant half-brother and half-sister;
• the mothers of my children, who have been and are the best parents that they know how to be and whose skill at mothering is reflected in the wonderful children whom they raised;
• the priests and religious, many now of blessed memory. whom I have been honored and fortunate to know through the course of my life, most especially the Franciscan Sisters of Glen Riddle (PA), the Jesuits, as well as the dedicated laypeople who taught me, and the Basilian Salvatorian and Melkite secular clergy who aided me in deciding to become a Melkite;
• the medics and other troops who served with me or under my command both in Texas and, most especially, in VietNam and made me proud of them;
• the officers and crews of the 45th Air Ambulance Company (Lai Khe Dustoff), whose bravery exceeded reason;
• the seven medics, cooks, clerks, and mechanics who, together, volunteered for and undertook dangerous duty with me, to which I would never have assigned them, solely because of who I was and that I needed them;
• the parish, eparchy, and patriarchate which I have had the honor to serve these many decades;
• my best friends, who have proven to me what friendship and love mean, time and time again, for almost 40 years; and,
• the Administrator, Moderators, and members of this Forum whom I have come to know and many of whom I proudly call "friend", though I've never met any of them in person and, in most cases, likely will never have the opportunity to do so.

Many years,

Neil

I am thankful for my my wife.
I am thankful for the privilege to live in a nation that, despite its many faults, has more freedom than any other, including the freedom to worship in the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church.
I am thankful for the men and women who serve our nation.
I am thankful for family, friends, good health and for my job.
I am thankful for the men and women who serve Our Lord in His Church.
I am thankful for the many good Catholic websites (including this one) that allow me the opportunity to learn more about my Faith.

And, I am thankful that the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Ben Roethiesberger and are having a terrific season.

Well, unlike my 16 year old sister who said the thing for which she is most thankful is her hair straightener :rolleyes: , I'm thankful for a healthy and happy family and group of friends.

Logos Teen