Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.

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, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, 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. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

Home Sweet Home

We just completed our whirl-wind tour of the South! In the past month we have been in Alabama, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and our day trip to Washington D.C. We finished up this past weekend in Laurel, and Meridian, Mississippi. We had a great time of fellowship Saturday and Sunday morning with the sweet people at Audubon Drive Baptist Church (pastor-Jerry Marcellino) and visiting a potential church plant Sunday night.
But at last, we are done traveling-at least for a little while!

GCC Week of Prayer- Day 3

Day 3- Needs within the GCC flock

Question's we might ask ourselves:

How may I encourage members of the body?
How may I serve others at GCC?
What can I do to model godliness to those at church?
What needs do people have that I may help with?
In what areas of ministry may I be able to lend a hand?

Grace Community Church-Week of Prayer-Day 2

Day 2- Pray for unbelieving family members

This is a great article on the New Attitude site about unbelieving family members.

Grace Community Church, Week of Prayer - DAY 1

Day 1- Pray for Evangelism

Here are some verses on evangelism that should motivate us first to pray, then to go out and be a faithful witness for Christ.

"Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them, saying:“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." -Luke 15:1-7

“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”” –Mark 16:15

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
–Matthew 28:18-20

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” –Acts 1:8

“However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.” –Mark 5:19-20

“But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” -2 Timothy 4:5

“Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”’ –Luke 9:60

“Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” –Matthew 9:38

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” -1 Peter 2:9-10

Here is a website I found that has framed a prayer that may be helpful when praying for a specific lost person.

Don't forget to Vote in 1 week!

Still in Florida!

I Think I See The President!!!

Washington D.C.- The White House

Washington D.C.- the Holocaust Museum

We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the museum, so these are the only ones we have!

Washington D.C.- National Archives

Washington D.C.- the Washington Monument

Washington D.C. -The Capitol

Chesapeake Bay

Yorktown