PRESIDENTIAL THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION-1789 George Washington

THANKSGIVING DAY 1789

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - A 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 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, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war –for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed – for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled 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 hath 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 shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, 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 third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
GO. WASHINGTON.

It is right that we, as a nation, should give thanks!

Read more!

Praying for beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning!

My heart grieves for Ted Haggard and his wife and family, for the beloved who were under his care in Colorado Springs and for others like Ted who struggle in the darkness, alone by their own choice.

Listen to Ted's own words.

I am sorry. I am sorry for the disappointment, the betrayal, and the hurt. I am sorry for the horrible example I have set for you.

I have an overwhelming, all-consuming sadness in my heart for the pain that you and I and my family have experienced over the past few days. I am so sorry for the circumstances that have caused shame and embarrassment to all of you.

I am a deceiver and a liar. There's a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I have been warring against it for all of my adult life."

Click here to read the letter by Ted to his congregation.

From the New Life website

In his own book, "Letters from Home", published in 2002, Ted issued a warning.

In a section called "Live as if there are no secrets," Haggard listed powerful men brought down by lust or lies, including presidents Nixon and Clinton and the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart. "Major leaders have lost their positions of influence because of what they did alone in a room," he wrote.

"Please don't ever fall into the trap of believing that you can do something in secret, even when you are far away from home," Haggard urged his children. "This is a lie, and it will always come back to haunt you." -LA Times

We have had presented to us an opportunity to demonstrate the Gospel to the world, to let them see that we do not devour our wounded nor do we cast aside our hurting.

Understand, beloved of God, and hear my heart, I would rather see sin and unrighteousness dealt with in love. I would rather see the fruit of repentance. I would rather hear of revival and restoration as a result of men and women in similar circumstances "waking up to righteousness." This is a wake up call for all of us.

We need to pray, to beseech the Father for grace that leaders find themselves in loving relationships that require accountability and that those who love them, love them enough to confront, that when the confrontations comes that these leaders take in that gift of repentance and that repentance has its perfect work to restore, heal and revive.

My heart grieves for the name of our Lord and Savior as Moses grieved for the reputation of God in the wilderness.

I pray that this serves as a warning, as a wake up call to all of us who name of the name of Christ and, in particular, those of us who have answered the call to shepherd the flock of God. To use Ted's own words as they reflect the principles of Scripture,

"Please don't ever fall into the trap of believing that you can do something in secret, even when you are far away from home. This is a lie, and it will always come back to haunt you."

Father,

Grace and mercy, I pray for my brother and his family. May your Spirit have complete and free reign to bring about total freedom from bondages and the restoration of Ted's first love in You and the love of his life in his wife. Protect the flock from the ravages of gossip and back biting, fear and disillusionment, doubt and anger. Let this bring victory instead of defeat, glory instead of shame, beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mouring!

Make it so, Lord Jesus!

As part of the restoration team ministering to Ted and his family, Jack Hayford has published this letter in response to Ted's resignation.

Read a loving wife's response - from Gayle Haggard

Press Release from New Life Church

Read more!