On October 3, 1863, Abraham Lincoln stated: "The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.  To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added... They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God...  It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People.  I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States...  to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."

Although Lincoln made Thanksgiving an official holiday, the practice of setting aside a day of thanks was a longstanding tradition in the United States. Moreover, Lincoln's writings, as well as those of other American leaders long before him, frequently reflect a deep sense of gratitude to God, both for His providence in national matters and in their own lives and families.  It's evident that thanksgiving extended beyond a national holiday and lives that were characterized by gratitude to God.

Bible scholar David Pao writes, "Thanksgiving becomes an essential part of the day to day living of believers. To live a life worthy of the Lord is to live with the constant awareness of God's grace." 

As you give thanks today for family, friends, and a special meal,  I pray that you will grow in gratitude throughout the the upcoming year.  Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

whew... I just won on my fantasy football league!  92-90!!  i was up 92-79 with all my players done.  my opponent had two players going tonight.. the jets Defense and their newest aquisistion, wide receiver Braylon Edwards.  edwards did way better than i  would have liked. ... but very fortunate for me,the game was a high scoring one.  Dolphins won 31-27!  (that means the Defense did not do well point wise,  -1 in fact.)

now.. your probably wondering why i am even writing about this. I will tell you why.  this is week 5 of the football season..  I NEEDED this win to stay in contention to win it all.  AND the other reason i am writing about this is because these last four weeks have been absolutely crazy for me!  week one i won pretty easily.  i cruised to the victory...BUT these last four weeks... argh!  the last four games have been decided by a total.. TOTAL!!!! AND I MEAN TOTAL!!!  of only 9 points!   9!  

I lost 72- 69 week 2; lost 61- 60 week 3;  and these last two weeks i finally won.. 58- 55 and tonight 92- 90.  for those of you who do not know or play fantasy football..... it is HIGHLY unusual to have four straight games decided by a total of only 9 points.. in fact, this is the first time I have seen or heard about this in the 5 years I have been playing. crazy that I am the one going through it.

anyway... now that i got that out of my system.. i shall close for now..  whew.. what a night...  yay!  never before have i been so exhausted and happy about having a 3-2 record! Yay! 

now, time to switch my focus to.... bowling.

thought for the day:  I used to say BOWLING WAS LIFE back when i ate, drank, slept bowling. today it's more of just a funny saying... a statement that people around me react too.. until THIS year... that saying is more true this year than I care to admit... crazy how that saying has come back, only with a different meaning...