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I try to go to church most Sundays, not because it’s the right thing to do, but because it spiritually refreshes me, teaches me God’s word and convicts me of areas in my life that I may need to change or improve.  Our Pastor has some mighty convicting sermons, but today’s “service” reminded me what it’s really all about and was so powerful that I wanted to share it, in hopes that this message might make a difference in someone else’s life too.

Today’s message was based on 1 Thessalonians 5:¹⁸“give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  The reason we can be thankful in all circumstances is because our foundation is not supposed to be based on our circumstances, but on our relationship in Christ.  Easier said than done right?

Being Thanksgiving weekend, the Pastor wanted us to reflect on how much we have to be thankful for.  Thanksgiving comes and goes so quickly and often it’s just an excuse to get together with family and stuff ourselves, without hardly thinking about the many blessings God has provided for us.  Then on “Black Friday” we immediately start focusing on Christmas shopping and spending money that many of us don’t even have.

Today he focused on reminding us how much we truly have to be thankful for every day of our lives, here in America.   I don’t know if I wrote these stats down correctly, but he said something like 2/3 of the world are starving or hungry.  1 person dies every second as a result of hunger.  Most of the world doesn’t even have safe water to drink - 97% of clean, safe drinking water is right here in the United States of America.  Most of the world doesn’t have the freedom to practice whatever religion they want.  These stats convicted me that there are many simple things I take for granted every day.

But the most powerful reminder of what we have to be thankful for, lies in the testimonies of people’s lives who have been changed and redeemed by God, in spite of suffering and evil they have experienced. Pastor Frank started by sharing a story about Bobby Welch, a Baptist Preacher, who was recently in Vietnam to celebrate 50 years of Baptist work in Vietnam.  Bobby is a Vietnam veteran and he recounted his story about being shot at point-blank range on a jungle trail by a Viet Cong soldier. Thinking he would surely die, Welch prayed a simple prayer and miraculously survived his life-threatening injuries. That experience led him to recommit his life to Christ and embark on a life of service to God.

“I have often told my wife that if I could find that soldier who shot me, I would bring him to my house, give him the best room, feed him the best meal and embrace him like a brother because of how God used him to change my life,” Welch told the crowd.  Bobby Welch allowed God to change his life and subsequently he has made an impact on so many others lives, as a result of his suffering.

The Pastor then invited anyone who felt moved by the Holy Spirit of God, to come up and share what they have to be thankful to God for.  There must have been 100 people who came up without even thinking about it and during their sharing a few more felt convicted to come up and share their story as well.

It is an experience I won’t soon forget and one that reminds me that with God, all things truly are possible.  There were so many amazing tear filled testimonies I wish I could remember all of them, but there are a few that really stood out to me that I wanted to share:

1. Several people who struggled with drug or alcohol addictions shared how God gave them the power to overcome their addiction.  One guy in particular, who is always very enthusiastic at church, explained how he had been in a car accident and had become addicted to Oxycontin and then progressed to Cocaine.  He had alienated most of his family.  He overdosed and almost died when he asked Jesus to come into his life and help him give up his addition.  Now his whole family comes to church and he’s so happy and thankful to God ever since that experience, he cannot contain his joy and gratitude and it shows!
2. A woman had become blind in one eye and eventually lost most of the sight in her other eye but says now that she is blind she can see more clearly things about God that she never could before and is much happier in her life now, even though she struggles with her disability.
3. A woman talked about a rare disease that kept her from eating and she lost so much weight that she got down to 92 p0unds.  She was so happy this Thanksgiving because for the first time in years, she was able to eat and enjoy her Thanksgiving meal.
4. A man who had been an atheist for 55 years, before he finally accepted Christ as his personal savior, is thankful that God showed him through a dream, that he is real.
5. A mother has had a tumor on her brain since 1979.  She knew eventually it could cause her to lose her eyesight and might require surgery with complications.  She lived a fairly normal life with this tumor for many years and prayed that God would enable her to raise her kids and see them graduate from college.  Miraculously, she didn’t start experiencing complications from this tumor until after her kids graduated from college.
6. A husband leaves to serve in Iraq while his relationship with his wife is falling apart.  While he is gone, she accepts Christ as her savior and becomes a Christian.  When he returns home, their relationship is restored, as they both decide to walk with God together.
7. A young woman shared about her rough childhood, her mother was an alcoholic and she never knew her father.  She had accepted Christ when she was 5 years old, but no one else in her family followed God.  She is now happily married - the first woman in her family to be married since 1940.  She is the first person in her family to graduate from high school and college.  She was a virgin when she married her husband and they now have a beautiful 1 year old daughter.  Every other woman in her family has chosen to have children without being married.  She feels so thankful that God has shown her how to be a Godly woman and wife, in spite of her upbringing and family history.

When everyone was done sharing their testimonies the Pastor pointed out that the significant theme for all of these people is that they gave God the glory for what he did in their lives to help them through their trials and suffering.

Some simple tips for developing a heart of gratitude daily:

1. Say thanks to others who do things for you, even if you don’t feel like it.
2. Say thanks at each meal, every day.  The abundance of food we have in this country truly is something to be thankful for.
3. Give God the glory for helping us through our trials and suffering.

Here’s a video of cardboard testimonies that testifies to the power of lives being changed by God’s grace.

Matthew 11: ²⁸“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Are you looking for a good recipe to make use of that leftover Thanksgiving turkey?  My Mother In Law shared this great Turkey Tetrazzini recipe with me that my family just loves.  Of course, like with most recipes, I always adapt them to my taste.  The wonderful combination of garlic, mushrooms, aged Parmesan cheese and real butter are what give this dish it’s flavor.

Here’s Petra’s version of Turkey Tetrazzini:

1 cup butter
3 TBSP Olive Oil
2 TSP Minced Garlic
1 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
4 cups chicken broth
4 TBSP Flour
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
5 TBSP dry sherry
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (aged is preferable for more flavor)
1/2 TSP Ground Nutmeg
4 cups cubed cooked turkey
1 pkg cooked angel hair pasta
1 cup Italian Style bread crumbs

Heat 1/2 cup butter and olive oil in a large saucepan.  Add mushrooms and garlic and saute for 5 minutes then remove, leaving any juices in the pan.  Add the chicken broth and cook until heated.  Thoroughly mix the flour into 1/4 cup of the cream together in a cup,  then slowly add to the heated chicken broth and continue stirring until it’s thickened.  Remove from heat and add the cream, sherry, Parmesan cheese and nutmeg and continue stirring until the cheese melts.  Add the turkey and mushrooms then combine with the cooked pasta.  Melt 1/2 cup butter and toss with the bread crumbs then sprinkle over the casserole.  Bake in a preheated 375 degrees oven for 25-30 minutes.

Note, I typically try to cook as healthy as possible, this dish is probably an exception to that rule.  I try to substitute hi calorie/fat ingredients whenever possible.  However, this dish calls for real butter and trust me, to get the full rich flavor this dish offers, I recommend not substituting anything, especially not the real butter.

Enjoy with some salad and wine and you have a complete meal.  Bon Appe`tit!!

I recently visited George Washington’s Home, Mount Vernon in Virginia and gained and even deeper appreciation for the sacrifice that he made for our Country.  He has definitely earned the title “Father of America.”  When I think of the time he spent fighting and serving America, so we could have a FREE country, free from England, free from high taxation and tyranny,  I am inspired to do my part to make a difference in whatever way I can .

George would have rather spent his time at the home he so loved, with the family he cherished, instead of always gone fighting and serving his country.  Yet he gave up so much time away from everything he loved, so American families could have their own country and experience freedom like no other country ever has and probably never will, this side of Heaven.

“Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country.” –George Washington, upon fumbling for his glasses before delivering the Newburgh Address, 1783

George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation is a testimony to the Christian faith of America’s greatest founding father in his reminder to give thanks to the Almighty God.  We have much to be thankful for in America and I pray our country will continue to prosper as long as we remember to look to our Almighty God for guidance.

George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

I have been looking for an idea to help make Thanksgiving more meaningful for our family this year.  Something that would help us be more focused on all that we have to be thankful for.  After all, isn’t that supposed to be the purpose of Thanksgiving?  I recently came across a wonderful idea that I just loved and think is worth sharing from Family Life Today:  http://www.familylife.com/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=dnJHKLNnFoG&b=3584679&ct=4889583

Before your family sits down for their Thanksgiving meal, have each person write down five things for which they are thankful to God.  Then place five kernels of corn, which is a reminder of the Pilgrims’ daily ration during one of their first difficult winters.  As you eat, pass a basket around the table and have each person place one kernel of corn at a time into the basket and share one of the things they are thankful for and keep doing this until all 5 kernels of corn are in the basket.

Here’s a video quick drive through the history of Thanksgiving:

In this age of political correctness, I wonder how often the true Thanksgiving story is shared?  Here’s a brief history of Thanksgiving in America that I enjoyed reading, from the Citizens for Community Values.

History of Thanksgiving

Cold and sick, fighting snow and sleet, a motley band of English men and women struggled through their first winter in the New World. Fewer than 50 of the 110 pilgrims and crew that had stepped off the Mayflower survived until spring.

On their own, the Pilgrims would have likely all perished their first year on the coast of New England. However, God had better plans for them. In March of 1621, a loincloth covered native stepped out of the woods and said, “Welcome” in clear English. Samoset, the chief of the Algonquins, had learned English from the fishing ships that occasionally put into the coast of Maine. A few days later he returned to the little Pilgrim village with another English speaking native named Tisquantum, also called Squanto.

Having been taken as a slave in 1605, Squanto had lived nine years in England and spoke English well. After returning to his native homeland with Captain John Smith in 1614 , Squanto was again kidnapped and taken to Spain, where he was bought by local friars and introduced to Christianity. During his absence, Squanto’s entire tribe was wiped out by a mysterious disease, so he sailed home to find himself alone in the world. He wandered until he found the Wampanoags who lived about 50 miles to the southwest. The land that had belonged to his tribe was shunned by other tribes. And so, when the Pilgrims arrived in late 1620, they settled on cleared land that belonged to nobody.

Squanto proved to be a literal God-send for the Pilgrims. He stayed with them and taught them how to stalk deer and catch eels and plant corn the Indian way. He showed them how to refine maple syrup and to discern which wild plants were edible and which were poisonous. He introduced them to trapping beavers, the pelts of which were in high demand in Europe. Without his help, few of the Pilgrims would have survived.

By the autumn of 1621, the Pilgrims were well-prepared for the coming winter and extremely grateful to God, to the Wampanoags, and to Squanto. Governor Bradford declared a day of public thanksgiving to be held in October. They invited Massasoit, the Wapanoags’ chief, to a feast to celebrate their bounty.
To their surprise and concern, Massasoit brought with him 90 other warriors. These men did not come empty-handed however.

They added five deer and over a dozen wild turkeys to the Pilgrims’ fresh garden vegetables. There were days of feasting and games and competitions. The Wapanoags taught the Pilgrims the art of making popcorn and the Pilgrims introduced the Indians to fruit pies. God had shown He cared for this little band of persecuted Englishmen in search of religious and civil freedom.

That first year was not the end, however. The next year the Pilgrims, still unused to growing corn - and helping feed newcomers - ran short on food. The year after, a drought threatened to decimate all their crops. Governor Bradford ordered a day of fasting and prayer, and God sent the rain. To celebrate, they proclaimed November 29th to be a day of thanksgiving. The practice of celebrating a Thanksgiving Day is believed to actually have stemmed from this day of gratefulness God’s goodness and provision.

Through the years, Americans have had many things to be grateful for. Founded on the rule of Law, the nation has prospered and provided a home for many tired, poor, huddled masses “yearning to breathe free.”

There have been several days of thanksgiving since the Pilgrims’ days. In 1777, Samuel Adams made a thanksgiving day proclamation that was adopted by all 13 states; “It is therefore recommended… to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn Thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor…”

In October of 1789, President George Washington proclaimed Thursday the Twenty-sixth day of November to be a day of national thanksgiving to Almighty God. In October of 1863, President Abraham Lincoln announced that the last Thursday of November would be dedicated “as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” Finally, an act of Congress in 1941 dedicated the fourth Thursday of November for the purpose of thanking our Creator.

Even as our forefathers acknowledged the provision and goodness of God, let us also make this national holiday a very special time of thanksgiving! The history of Thanksgiving Day…all our national history…indeed, all history - is part of His Story - the story of His plan to redeem fallen man.

So join us in giving thanks for all His provision - for families, for friends, for country, for sustenance, and, above all, for our redemption in His Son!

The Franklin Park Conservatory, just East of  Downtown Columbus, offers an art experience unlike any other in Central Ohio.  Franklin Park Conservatory is a premier horticultural and educational institution showcasing exotic plant collections, special exhibitions as well as a signature collection of work by glass artist Dale Chihuly and a permanent installation by renowned light artist James Turrell.

Franklin Park Conservatory Palm House At Night

Franklin Park Conservatory Palm House Chihuly At Night

The Franklin Park Conservatory offers a wonderful way to enjoy the Christmas season beginning Wednesday evening, November 25 with hundreds of poinsettias, a traditional 15-foot poinsettia Christmas tree, the delightful model garden railway by designer Paul Busse, the third annual Gingerbread House Competition and display, Candelight Nights, family activities, and special performances all taking place while Chihuly Reimagined Glass Art remains on view.

Columbus Franklin Park Conservatory Poinsettia Christmas Tree

Features the glow of hundreds of votives, the works of glass artist Dale Chihuly under dramatic evening lighting, live musical performances, glassblowing demonstrations in the Hot Shop, and family activities.
Dates: Wednesdays, November 25, December 2, 9, 16 & 23
Time: 5 - 8 p.m.

Franklin Park Conservatory Chihuly Glass Balls in Pond

CHRISTMAS MODEL GARDEN RAILWAY
My son’s favorite exhibit at the Franklin Park Conservatory is Paul Busse’s enchanting model garden railroad. Trains wind around whimsical, miniature buildings and landscapes rendered from natural materials on multi level tracks where kids can find little surprises at each turn.

Here’s another great recipe a friend made for a recent dinner that I had at my home.  This is the best corn recipe I’ve ever had - I’ve never had anything like this.  I thought it was so wonderful that I just have to share!  This would also be great for Thanksgiving.

Creamy Fried Confetti Corn

8 bacon slices

4 cups corn kernels

1 medium white onion, chopped

1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper

1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, cubed

½ cup half-and-half

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1.) Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp; remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet.  When bacon is cool, crumble and set aside.

2.) Saute corn, onion, and bell peppers in hot drippings in skillet over medium-high heat 6 minutes or until tender.  Add cream cheese and half-and-half, stirring until cream cheese melts.  Stir in sugar, salt, and pepper.  Pour into serving dish and top with crumbled bacon.

3.) ENJOY!!

Serves 6 to 8.

I got together with some women friends last night and a wonderful woman made the best Pumpkin Cheesecake that I have ever tasted.  I really loved the flavor and crunch of the gingersnap and pecan crust. I don’t often like American style cheesecake because most of them are too sweet and/or too creamy for me.  Being from Germany, I miss the authentic cheese cake that I’ve had in Germany.  It’s not nearly as sweet as what we have in America and it’s less creamy too.

I’m always looking for unique pumpkin recipes to make for Thanksgiving, as an alternative to pumpkin pie.  With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought this recipe was worth sharing with anyone looking for a new pumpkin recipe to try on your family.  Don’t be afraid to try this one, trust me, they’ll love it!! It’s so good you might not want to wait until Thanksgiving to try it though. My friend was reluctant to try this new recipe out on her girlfriends, but I’m so glad she did, otherwise I might not know about this one.  Thanks Lori!!!

Deluxe Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 cup crushed gingersnap cookies (about 20)
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
¼ cup butter, melted
4-8 oz. pkgs cream cheese, softened
1 ½ cups sugar, divided
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 ½  teaspoons ground nutmeg

1. Place a greased 9-in. spring form pan on a double thickness of foil.  Securely wrap foil around pan.
2. Using food processor crush cookies until they are fine crumbs.
3. In a small bowl, combine the cookie crumbs, pecans and butter.  Press onto the bottom of prepared pan.  Place on a baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool.
4. For filling, in a large bowl, beat one package of cream cheese, ½ cup sugar and cornstarch until smooth, about 2 minutes.  Beat in remaining cream cheese, one package at a time.  Add remaining sugar.  Add 2 eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Add vanilla and remaining eggs, beating on low speed just until combined.
5. Place 2 cups of filling in a small bowl and add the pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg to it.  Remove ¾ cup of this new pumpkin filling; set aside.  Pour remaining pumpkin filling over crust; top with remaining plain filling. Drop reserved pumpkin filling by spoonfuls over cheesecake; cut through with a knife to swirl.
6. Place spring form pan in a large baking pan; add 1 inch of hot water to larger pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-65 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull.  Remove spring form pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer.  Refrigerate overnight.

I hope you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and remember to give thanks to God for all that he has done for you this year. We are so blessed in America and I think we often take it for granted. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to stop and share with one another what all you have to be thankful for over the last year. ENJOY!!