To Be Thankful
It these trying times, the best thing we can do is give thanks unto God, our Father; Jesus, our Lord; and the Holy Spirit, our
Comforter. As we were meditating in the Word and praying for you this Thanksgiving season, we were led to pass on some
excerpts from our American history. God wants us to remember how much we really have and to be thankful. Enter into His gates
with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His Name. (Ps. 100:4) We pray this will build your
faith, renew your hope, and establish new vitality in the Body. In Jesus Name!
The Mayflower Compact, November 11th 1620
In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by
the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Having undertaken, for the glory of God,
and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts
of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our
selves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, July 4th, 1776
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected
them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature
and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which
impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The Articles of Confederation, November 15th, 1777
And Whereas it hath pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in
Congress, to approve of, and to authorize us to ratify the said Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union. In Witness whereof
we have hereunto set our hands in Congress. Done at Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania the ninth day of July in the Year
of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Eight, and in the Third Year of the independence of America.
The Constitution of the United States- Preamble Note - September 17, 1787
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide
for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln – November 19th, 1863
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to
the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation
so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a
portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and
proper that we should do this
Poem Read by Four Minute Men – “It’s Duty Boy” World War I May 22nd, 1917
My boy must never bring disgrace to his immortal sires— At Valley Forge and Lexington they kindled freedom’s fires, John’s
father died at Gettysburg, mine fell at Chancellorsville; While John himself was with the boys who charged up San Juan Hill. And
John, if he was living now, would surely say with me, "No son of ours shall e’er disgrace our grand old family tree. By turning out
a slacker when his country needs his aid." It is not of such timber that America was made. I’d rather you had died at birth or not
been born at all, Than know that I had raised a son who cannot hear the call. That freedom has sent round the world, its
previous rights to save— This call is meant for you, my boy, and I would have you brave. And though my heart is breaking, boy, I
bid you do your part, And show the world no son of mine is cursed with craven heart; And if, perchance, you ne’er return, my later
days to cheer, And I have only memories of my brave boy, so dear, I’d rather have it so, my boy, and know you bravely died. Than
have a living coward sit supinely by my side. To save the world from sin, my boy, God gave his only son— He’s asking for My
boy, to-day, and may His will be done.
President Roosevelt, annual message to Congress, January 6th, 1941 [11 months before Pearl Harbor-WWII]
"In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The
first is freedom of speech and expression--everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his
own way--everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want--which, translated into world terms, means economic
understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants- everywhere in the world. The fourth
is freedom from fear--which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in
such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor--
anywhere in the world." 40 min. 200(R)-206
Montgomery Holt Street Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Jr. - December 5th, 1955 [the 1st boycott]
My friends, we are certainly very happy to see each of you out this evening. We are here this evening for serious business. We are
here in a general sense because first and foremost we are American citizens, and we are determined to apply our citizenship to
the fullness of its meaning. We are here also because of our love for democracy, because of our deep-seated belief that
democracy transformed from thin paper to thick action is the greatest form of government on earth.
I See the Promised Land - from the speech given by Martin Luther King Jr., April 3rd 1968 [the day before]
Now, what does all of this mean in this great period of history? It means that we've got to stay together. We've got to stay together
and maintain unity. You know, whenever Pharaoh wanted to prolong the period of slavery in Egypt, he had a favorite, favorite
formula for doing it. What was that? He kept the slaves fighting among themselves. But whenever the slaves get together,
something happens in Pharaoh's court, and he cannot hold the slaves in slavery. When the slaves get together, that's the
beginning of getting out of slavery. Now let us maintain unity. We need all of you. And you know what's beautiful to me, is to see
all of these ministers of the Gospel. It's a marvelous picture. Who is it that is supposed to articulate the longings and aspirations
of the people more than the preacher? Somehow the preacher must be an Amos, and say, "Let justice roll down like waters and
righteousness like a mighty stream." Somehow, the preacher must say with Jesus, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
he hath anointed me to deal with the problems of the poor."
We don't have to argue with anybody. We don't have to curse and go around acting bad with our words. We don't need any bricks
and bottles, we don't need any Molotov cocktails, we just need to go around to these stores, and to these massive industries in
our country, and say, "God sent us by here, to say to you that you're not treating his children right. And we've come by here to ask
you to make the first item on your agenda--fair treatment, where God's children are concerned. Now, if you are not prepared to do
that, we do have an agenda that we must follow. And our agenda calls for withdrawing economic support from you. Well, I don't
know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the
mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about
that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the
promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And
I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the
Lord.
Love In Christ,
Gregory and Linda Emler
It these trying times, the best thing we can do is give thanks unto God, our Father; Jesus, our Lord; and the Holy Spirit, our
Comforter. As we were meditating in the Word and praying for you this Thanksgiving season, we were led to pass on some
excerpts from our American history. God wants us to remember how much we really have and to be thankful. Enter into His gates
with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His Name. (Ps. 100:4) We pray this will build your
faith, renew your hope, and establish new vitality in the Body. In Jesus Name!
The Mayflower Compact, November 11th 1620
In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by
the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Having undertaken, for the glory of God,
and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts
of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our
selves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, July 4th, 1776
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected
them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature
and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which
impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The Articles of Confederation, November 15th, 1777
And Whereas it hath pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in
Congress, to approve of, and to authorize us to ratify the said Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union. In Witness whereof
we have hereunto set our hands in Congress. Done at Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania the ninth day of July in the Year
of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Eight, and in the Third Year of the independence of America.
The Constitution of the United States- Preamble Note - September 17, 1787
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide
for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln – November 19th, 1863
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to
the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation
so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a
portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and
proper that we should do this
Poem Read by Four Minute Men – “It’s Duty Boy” World War I May 22nd, 1917
My boy must never bring disgrace to his immortal sires— At Valley Forge and Lexington they kindled freedom’s fires, John’s
father died at Gettysburg, mine fell at Chancellorsville; While John himself was with the boys who charged up San Juan Hill. And
John, if he was living now, would surely say with me, "No son of ours shall e’er disgrace our grand old family tree. By turning out
a slacker when his country needs his aid." It is not of such timber that America was made. I’d rather you had died at birth or not
been born at all, Than know that I had raised a son who cannot hear the call. That freedom has sent round the world, its
previous rights to save— This call is meant for you, my boy, and I would have you brave. And though my heart is breaking, boy, I
bid you do your part, And show the world no son of mine is cursed with craven heart; And if, perchance, you ne’er return, my later
days to cheer, And I have only memories of my brave boy, so dear, I’d rather have it so, my boy, and know you bravely died. Than
have a living coward sit supinely by my side. To save the world from sin, my boy, God gave his only son— He’s asking for My
boy, to-day, and may His will be done.
President Roosevelt, annual message to Congress, January 6th, 1941 [11 months before Pearl Harbor-WWII]
"In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The
first is freedom of speech and expression--everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his
own way--everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want--which, translated into world terms, means economic
understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants- everywhere in the world. The fourth
is freedom from fear--which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in
such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor--
anywhere in the world." 40 min. 200(R)-206
Montgomery Holt Street Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Jr. - December 5th, 1955 [the 1st boycott]
My friends, we are certainly very happy to see each of you out this evening. We are here this evening for serious business. We are
here in a general sense because first and foremost we are American citizens, and we are determined to apply our citizenship to
the fullness of its meaning. We are here also because of our love for democracy, because of our deep-seated belief that
democracy transformed from thin paper to thick action is the greatest form of government on earth.
I See the Promised Land - from the speech given by Martin Luther King Jr., April 3rd 1968 [the day before]
Now, what does all of this mean in this great period of history? It means that we've got to stay together. We've got to stay together
and maintain unity. You know, whenever Pharaoh wanted to prolong the period of slavery in Egypt, he had a favorite, favorite
formula for doing it. What was that? He kept the slaves fighting among themselves. But whenever the slaves get together,
something happens in Pharaoh's court, and he cannot hold the slaves in slavery. When the slaves get together, that's the
beginning of getting out of slavery. Now let us maintain unity. We need all of you. And you know what's beautiful to me, is to see
all of these ministers of the Gospel. It's a marvelous picture. Who is it that is supposed to articulate the longings and aspirations
of the people more than the preacher? Somehow the preacher must be an Amos, and say, "Let justice roll down like waters and
righteousness like a mighty stream." Somehow, the preacher must say with Jesus, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
he hath anointed me to deal with the problems of the poor."
We don't have to argue with anybody. We don't have to curse and go around acting bad with our words. We don't need any bricks
and bottles, we don't need any Molotov cocktails, we just need to go around to these stores, and to these massive industries in
our country, and say, "God sent us by here, to say to you that you're not treating his children right. And we've come by here to ask
you to make the first item on your agenda--fair treatment, where God's children are concerned. Now, if you are not prepared to do
that, we do have an agenda that we must follow. And our agenda calls for withdrawing economic support from you. Well, I don't
know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the
mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about
that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the
promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And
I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the
Lord.
Love In Christ,
Gregory and Linda Emler
