11/19/2016

REMEMBERING THE RADICAL CHRISTIAN ROOTS OF OUR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

America’s national “Thanksgiving” holiday is rooted in the nation’s radical Christian origins and the custom of its first immigrants to set aside special days for giving thanks to God for His goodness and blessings. This custom was carried on by succeeding generations and eventually found its way into the national consciousness and calendar.
The Pilgrims Were Not Whiners and Complainers
The Pilgrims who landed on Cape Cod in November of 1620 were devout followers of Christ who had left the comforts of home, family and friends to pursue their vision of a renewed and reformed Christianity. Although facing insurmountable challenges and much suffering, they maintained an attitude of gratitude through every trial.
They were a thankful people. They never wavered in their faith even during their first winter in the New World (1620-21) when sickness ravaged their community and half of them, about fifty in number, were taken away in death.
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims the following fall of 1621 after they had gathered in their fall harvest. Although their hearts were still heavy from the losses suffered the previous winter, there were at least three areas for which they felt particularly grateful to God.
1) With the arrival of spring the sickness that had immobilized the community and taken many of them in death had lifted. Their health returned, and although sad from their losses, they were able to apply themselves to carving out a home in the New England wilderness.
2) With the arrival of spring God providentially sent to them an English speaking Native American, Squanto, who became their interpreter and guide, helping them establish friendly relations with Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoag, the nearest and most powerful tribe in the region. In March of 1621 they had signed an agreement of peace and mutual aid with Massasoit, which resulted in both peoples moving freely back and forth in friendship and trade.
3) Through hard work and Squanto’s advice about farming and fishing (they were mostly townspeople and craftsmen) they experienced abundant harvests during the summer and fall of 1621.
After gathering in their fall harvest, which was abundant, Governor William Bradford designated a Day of Thanksgiving during which they would pause to offer up thanks to God for his mercy and blessings. They were not whiners. They were not complainers. They were the ultimate optimists because of their faith in God and their firm belief that He had called them to this New World.
Pilgrims and Native Americans Celebrate Together
The first Thanksgiving was attended by an approximate equal number of English Pilgrims and Native Americans. After Bradford announced the Day of Thanksgiving, word of the event soon spread to their Native American friends. So when the day arrived, not only were there individual natives on hand, but Massasoit arrived with ninety of his people, and five dressed deer to add to the meals the Pilgrims had prepared.
The Pilgrims did not seek to force their faith on the Indians but neither did they hide their faith. After all, in the Mayflower Compact they had stated that they had come to the New World “for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.” Their approach was what some modern missiologists would call “friendship evangelism.”
One can only imagine the emotions that filled their hearts as, in the presence of their new Native American friends, they joined Elder William Brewster in lifting their hearts in praise and thanksgiving to God.
The day turned out to be more than they could have imagined. Not only did they enjoy meals together with thankful hearts, but they engaged in shooting matches and other friendly forms of competition. It was such an enjoyable time that the one Day of Thanksgiving was extended for three full days.
And yes, it is almost certain that there was turkey at the first Thanksgiving for Governor Bradford had sent out four men to hunt for “fowl” who returned with enough “fowl” to last them an entire week (Hyatt, Pilgrims and Patriots, 34).
Thanksgiving for a Remarkable Answer to Prayer
The next recorded Thanksgiving Day among the Pilgrims was celebrated in the fall of 1623 after a remarkable answer to prayer that saved their harvests, and probably their lives.
Bradford tells how the summer of 1623 was unusually hot with no rain whatsoever. As the blazing sun beat down day after day the land became parched and the corn, their primary staple, began to dry up along with other vegetables they had planted. It was a very critical moment in time.
Facing such bleak conditions, Bradford called the Plymouth settlement to a day of “humiliation and prayer.” By “humiliation” he did not mean a groveling or self-flagellation, but a recognition and repentance for the human tendency to trust in one’s own human strength and ability rather than in God.
Their day of humiliation and prayer began like the many preceding days, very hot with not a single cloud in the sky. But before the day was over, God gave them, Bradford said, “a gracious and speedy answer, both to their own and the Indians’ admiration that lived amongst them.” Bradford goes on to say;
For all the morning and the greatest part of the day, it was clear weather and very hot, and not a cloud or any sign of rain to be seen; yet toward evening it began to overcast, and shortly after to rain with such sweet and gentle showers as gave them cause of rejoicing and blessing God. It came without wind or thunder or any violence, and by degrees in that abundance as that the earth was thoroughly wet and soaked . . . which did so apparently revive and quicken the decayed corn and other fruits as was wonderful to see, and made the Indians astonished to behold. And afterwards the Lord sent them such seasonable showers, with interchange of fair weather as, through His blessing, caused a fruitful and liberal harvest, to their no small comfort and rejoicing. For which mercy, in time convenient, they also set apart a day of thanksgiving (Hyatt, Pilgrimsand Patriots, 35).
The Nationalizing of a Day of Thanksgiving
Special days of Thanksgiving continued to be observed by the Pilgrims and new immigrants, especially those who settled in New England.  As the colonies began to form themselves into a nation, these days of Thanksgiving began to be nationalized and made part of the national consciousness and calendar.
For example, during the fall of 1776, when the morale of the Revolutionary Army and American populace had sunk to an all-time low because of poor harvests and hardship on the battlefield, Congress proclaimed December 11, 1776, as a Day of Prayer, Fasting and Repentance.
After this National Day of Prayer, there was an amazing change of circumstances with successes on the battlefield and the reaping of abundant harvests. There was, in fact, such a turnaround that in 1779 Congress issued a proclamation setting aside a Day of Thanksgiving because “it hath pleased Almighty God, the father of mercies, remarkably to assist and support the United States of America in their important struggle for liberty” (Hyatt, Pilgrims and Patriots, 124).
The Congress then listed seven different accomplishments of God on the behalf of the nation, including “many instances of prowess and success in our armies” and “so great abundance of the fruits of the earth of every kind, as not only to enable us to easily to supply the wants of the army, but gives comfort and happiness to the whole people” (Hyatt, Pilgrims and Patriots, 124).
This Day of Thanksgiving was observed throughout the newly formed nation with people gathering in churches and other public venues to give thanks to God for His mercy and help in their time of need.
George Washington Continues the Tradition
Shortly after being sworn in as president, George Washington issued a proclamation designating November 26, 1789 as a Day of Thanksgiving wherein all citizens should offer gratitude to God for His protection, care and many blessings. It was the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the new national government of the United States. The proclamation reads in part;
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 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.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Abraham Lincoln Proclaims a Day of Thanksgiving
A Day of Thanksgiving to be observed on the last Thursday in November was proclaimed by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 in the midst of the Civil War. In spite of the fact that the nation was at war, Lincoln enumerated the many reasons the inhabitants of America had for being thankful to God. He wrote,
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 these blessings 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, 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.
The final Thursday in November, set by President Lincoln, continued to be the observed “Thanksgiving” until December 26, 1941 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a joint resolution of Congress changing the national Thanksgiving Day from the last Thursday in November to the fourth Thursday.
Concluding Thoughts
This national holiday that we know as "Thanksgiving" was brought forth by people of great faith who knew the importance of nurturing a thankful heart in every situation. They were not whiners and complainers. It was their faith in God that enabled them to be thankful even during the greatest of trials.
This Thanksgiving let’s remember our heritage and determine that we too will be a thankful people, as were the spiritual foremothers and forefathers who brought this nation into existence. Let’s follow them and the words of the old hymn that says,
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

To read the incredible, inspiring story of the Pilgrims and their vision for a land of liberty, check out Dr. Eddie Hyatt's book entitled, The Pilgrims. His numeous books on Spiritual Awakening and other Biblical themes are avaiable from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.







    

11/04/2016

HOW AMERICA'S FOUNDERS CONVINCED ME TO VOTE FOR DONALD TRUMP

The America of the Pilgrims, of Washington, of Jefferson, of Lincoln, and of your parents and grandparents is at stake on November 8. It is that serious!
Sadly, many evangelical Christians are emotionally reacting to personalities and letting their feelings get in the way, rather than considering the policies of the different candidates and their respective parties. The question every Christian should ask before going into the voting booth is, “Which candidate is most likely to implement policies that are friendly to Christians and accommodating of the vision of America's Founders?"
The Growing Hostility Toward Faith in America
America’s Founders envisioned this land as a place where they could live out their Christian faith without interference from government authorities. They also envisioned this new land as a place from which the Gospel would freely spread into all the world.
But in the last eight years, we have observed a growing hostility toward Bible-believing Christians by the Obama/Clinton administration with Christians being fined, jailed, and court-martialed for refusing to violate their consciences and sincerely held religious beliefs.
Showing her disdain for evangelical Christians and their beliefs about life, marriage, and homeland security, Hillary referred to you and me as “irredeemable” and belonging in her “basket of deplorables.” Her audience laughed and cheered
The Vision of America’s Founding Fathers
In sharp contrast to Hillary’s vision for America, the nation’s Founders envisioned this land, not only as a land of freedom, but as a bastion of Christian missionary activity from which the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be taken into all the world.
Even before the English settlements on the east coast, Spanish Catholic missionaries brought Christianity to the southeast and southwest areas of America. In fact, by 1630 the Spanish-Catholic missionary responsible for an area that encompasses present day New Mexico, Alonso de Benavides, reported that eighty thousand Native Americans had been baptized.
This missionary vision for America was continued by the English Protestants who settled the eastern seaboard and brought this nation into existence. This is obvious from the following quotes from America’s Founders.
“From these very shores the Gospel shall go forth, not only to this New World, but to all the world.”
Rev. Robert Hunt, April 29, 1607, as he and the Jamestown settlers gathered in prayer around a large oak cross they had brought from England.
“Having undertaken for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith . . . a voyage to plant the first colony in northern Virginia.”
From the Mayflower Compact, the governing document of the Pilgrims who formulated it upon their arrival in the New World in November of 1620.
“Whereas we all came into these parts of America with one and the same end and aim, namely to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the Liberties of the Gospel in purity and peace.”
Opening statement of the Articles of Confederation for "The United Colonies of New England,” dated May 29, 1643.
“Might it not greatly facilitate the introduction of pure religion among the heathen, if we could, by such a colony, show them a better sample of Christians than they commonly see.”
Benjamin Franklin in a 1756 letter to George Whitefield, the most famous preacher of the Great Awakening, in which Franklin proposed that they partner together in founding a Christian colony on the Ohio frontier.
“If you ask an American who is his master, he will tell you he has none, nor any governor but Jesus Christ.”
Jonathan Trumbull, Governor of Connecticut, 1769-84
“That all nations may bow to the scepter of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that the whole earth may be filled with his glory.”
John Hancock, Founding Father and President of the Continental Congress. This statement was part of a call for prayer he issued while serving as Governor of Massachusetts.
 “The philosophy of Jesus is the most sublime and benevolent code of morals ever offered man. A more beautiful or precious morsel of ethics I have never seen.”.
Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of Independence and America’s third president, who took money from the federal treasury to support missionaries to the American Indians.
 “Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind, and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son, Jesus Christ.”
From a public prayer, prayed by George Washington, America’s first president.
Here’s Why I Voted for Trump
In I Timothy 2:1, Paul instructed Timothy, who did not have the privilege of voting, to pray for kings and all who are in authority with two specific goals in mind. These stated goals can also serve as guidelines for voting in this election.
First of all, Paul wants government leaders who will not be hostile to Christians, so that, he says, We may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Secondly, he wants there to be a freedom to preach the Gospel without opposition, because God, he says, Desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
Those who have examined and compared the platforms of the two parties agree that their visions for America are as different as day and night. For example, whereas the Republican platform affirms Biblical values of life and marriage, the Democratic platform is adversely opposed to such values.
In addition, the Republican candidate has surrounded himself with good, conservative Christians such as Mike Pence, Dr. Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee, and others, and has stated that he will defend Christianity at home and abroad. No such words or actions are forthcoming from the other side.
I am not a politician and my vision is not tied to a political party. My goal is to see His kingdom come and His will done in earth (that includes America) as it is in heaven. I voted for Donald Trump because I am convinced that he and Mike Pence will do the best job of creating a Christian friendly environment that will accommodate the preaching of the Gospel in this land and to the ends of the earth, which is precisely what America's Founders envisioned for this land.

Quotes in this article are drawn primarily from Eddie Hyatt's latest book, Pilgrims and Patriots, available from Amazon and and also from his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.
This article expresses my (Eddie Hyatt's) personal opinions and is not related to any nonprofit/religious organization with which I am associated. I am here exercising my First Amendment right of free speech as a citizen of these United States of America.