Tag Archives: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving During a Plague: Martin Rinkart (1586–1649)

Thanksgiving During a Plague: Martin Rinkart (1586–1649)

When the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) engulfed northern Europe, Christians in Germany suffered under the terrors of war, famine, and plague. As a new pastor in the walled city of Eilenberg, Martin Rinkart knew the spiritual strain of ministry under these trying circumstances. Refugees congregated in Eilenberg, but the siege by the Swedish and Austrian… Continue Reading

Can We Be Thankful?

Can We Be Thankful?

Kevin T. Bauder At the end of 1990 I left the church that I had pastored for six years and moved my family to Dallas so I could pursue doctoral studies. I had no source of income, no friends in Texas, and no family nearby. After a few weeks I found a job in a… Continue Reading

Thanksgiving: The Primary Worship Response

Thanksgiving: The Primary Worship Response

In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln established an annual national holiday of Thanksgiving to be observed on the last Thursday in November. Most of us look forward to this holiday, a day on which we eat good food, enjoy time with family and friends, and perhaps watch some football. And we will probably set aside at… Continue Reading

Why I believe gratitude is the most important worship affection

Why I believe gratitude is the most important worship affection

The affections of our hearts are central to true worship. Yet while praise, joy, contrition, and love are all important affections for worship, I believe gratitude is the most important worship affection. Here’s why: All true spiritual affections of worship have an object, and their object is always God. This is why true spiritual affections are… Continue Reading

A Psalm for Giving Thanks

A Psalm for Giving Thanks

This setting of Psalm 100 to “Old Hundredth” was composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The conductor is Sir David WIllcocks and the organist is Stephen Krahn. Also featured are the Abendmusik Chorus and Plymouth Brass. Continue Reading

My God Is God – A Poem for Thanksgiving

My God Is God – A Poem for Thanksgiving

I did a bit of reading that focused on idolatry recently, and it captivated me again that John says to Christians today, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). As I pondered how my own desires can draw me to worship something good in the place of God, this poem came out. As… Continue Reading

Thankfulness as a central worship affection

Thankfulness as a central worship affection

I have a theory I’d like to explore more at a later time, but I thought I’d offer some thoughts about it today considering the season. My theory is that the affection most directly connected to worship is thankfulness. Here are some reasons behind this theory: I have an untested observation that the idea of… Continue Reading

How do you treat Independence Day in your Church?

How do you treat Independence Day in your Church?

A music pastor recently asked me the question, “How do you treat holidays like the 4th of July in your church?” Great question; here are some short thoughts: We can’t ignore that the 4th of July is the day of our country’s birth (especially when it falls on a Lord’s Day), but neither should we… Continue Reading

Where Is Christ in Christmas?

Where Is Christ in Christmas?

Christmas—a very mention of the word produces delight and expectation in the hearts of people everywhere. Or does it? For some Christians, Christmas is a much-anticipated season to celebrate the birth of Christ. For others, it is also a time to encourage family closeness and tradition. But still others refuse to celebrate at all, insisting… Continue Reading