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Handel's -Messiah performed by Sir Charles Mackerras/English Chamber Orchestra/Ambrosian Singers 
Listen now: Hwww.youtube.com/watch?v=TN5BaOGTmGsere

The Official American Thanksgiving Proclamation 
By the President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln​

The year that is drawing toward 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 can not 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 theater of military conflict, while that theater 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 defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax 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 battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness 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 3d day of October, A. D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.  ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Written by a Facebook Friend

​THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND OTHER RELIGIONS. This is something I have been thinking about a bit this week. There is a difference! As I was reading some conversations online and thinking about our homeschooling curriculum (we are learning about other countries, cultures, and religions), I realized that I didn’t know how to articulate the difference. But, then it came to me. The difference is relationship. We get to have a relationship with a loving Heavenly Father. We are different because we don’t follow all these rules to be good people and hope we can make it to heaven some day. We do everything because we love our Heavenly Father and don’t want to disappoint Him. Just as we wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone we love... it puts a strain on the relationship. It’s about relationship, not religion. So, if you are thinking about thinking about trying Christianity and wondering if it works... it does! It IS different from trying to be a good person or following the teachings of “good men.” It is about relationship with the most wonderful Father! He loves you and is just waiting for you to say yes to Him, yes to following Him. It isn’t a dry dusty thing for old people. He talks to you and comforts you when you are hurt and lonely. He shows you things He wants to change in your life. He wants a real relationship with you. It is worth it! ❤️

Iowa - American Prayer Campaign - Day 21

Hello Prayer Warriers!!!
We are going to be continuing our Prayer Campaign for the United States of America!!! So far we have lifted 20 states up to the Lord in prayer!!! 
Let's continue to go to the Lord with prayers of faith for this great nation! Today we will be lifting up the State of Iowa!!! Iowa is home to  3.146 million people! Let's lift these people up to the Lord in prayer today. He loves and cares for each and every one of them!

Let's also lift up some of their cities by name to the Lord today! The capital of Iowa is  Des Moines. Some of the other largest cities include Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Sioux City.  

Let's also remember all of the smaller cities, towns and villages. Please pray that churches will flourish and that the Gospel will find its way into every household.

Let's also lift up the leaders of Iowa in prayer this week! Let's pray for Governor Kimberly Kay Reynolds and all who are laboring with her, as she leads Iowa forward.

You can also click on the link to see the names of the Iowa's Senators and Representatives and pray for them by name too!  https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/IA

Remember that each state also has representatives at the state level. Individual state representatives need prayer support, too! Pray that Iowa representatives at both levels will  speak out for rightousness. let's pray for the Judges who uphold the laws. Pray that God will grant the leaders Godly wisdom in each situation. 
​Thank you for praying with us today! ​ 

Hello Prayer Warriors! ...... Join the American Prayer Force

Today we remember those who gave their lives to protect our freedom. We honor them and pray for those families who are still grieving from the loss of their loved ones. We pray for those who are still holding a position in each branch of our military. 
Military Pages   

A Prayer for Peace by Abraham Lincoln
Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet if God wills that it continues... until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid another drawn with the sword... so still it must be said that the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and for his orphans, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.
--Second Inaugural address, March 4, 1865
http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/faith-tools/meditation/2005/01/prayers-of-the-presidents.aspx#sq3V38Ey4pCYO9Qc.99

Memorial Day Greetings from American Prayer Force! Instead of spinning the prayer wheel today, click here to go directly to the “Pray for the Military” section. You can view each branch or just pick one branch to focus your thoughts and prayers on for today.  

 - S. D. Gordon

Hello fellow prayer warriors!!! Thank you for joining with us as we pray for the United States one state at a time! Please continue to pray with us as we lift up the state of Oklahoma today! Oklahoma is home to almost 4 million people! Some of their largest cities include their capital city of Oklahoma City, as well as Tulsa, Norman, and Broken Arrow. Let's lift up these people and their cities in prayer to the Lord today! Let's also lift up their leaders - Governor Mary Fallin, Senator Jim Inhofe, Senator James Lankford, and Congressmen Tom Cole, Jim Bridenstine, Markwayne Mullin,Steve Russell, and Frank Lucas. Thank you for praying with us today! God bless you! God Bless Oklahoma! And God bless America!

Hello friends and fellow prayer warriors!!! Sorry that my prayer posts have been a little sporadic lately. We've had the stomach bug! Everyone is feeling much better now though! Let's continue to pray for our wonderful country one state at a time! We have prayed for 16 states so far!! Today we will continue to pray for the United States of America by lifting up the state of Kansas! Kansas is home to almost 3 million people! Some of their largest cities include Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Olathe, and their capital city of Topeka. Let's pray for the people of Kansas as well as their cities! Let's also pray for their leaders - Governor Sam Brownback, Senator Jerry Moran, Senator Pat Roberts, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins, Congressman Roger Marshall, and Congressman Kevin Yoder. Thank you so much for joining with us in prayer for our beautiful country! God bless