Lincoln's Address on Thanksgiving 1863

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation (from the collection of Lincoln's papers in the Library of America series, Vol II, pp. 520-521). The year that is drawing towards 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 cannot 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 unequalled 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 theatre of military conflict; while that theatre 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 defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had 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 battle-field; 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 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. It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord. - Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation October 3, 1863

Lying - The Process Defined

I was prepping for bible study a couple of weeks ago and totally forgot we had missionaries with us that day and we never got to the lesson I had studied.
In the back of the @LifeTruths study that week there was a small section called: Are All Your Sayings Trustworthy?
This was a small article but it was strong in that it showed the path of Lying in such a simple but profound way that I wanted to share it with you here on Bridge Builders if you are in a situation as a dad wanting to share with your kids the path and why it is a bad road to go down. Have someone around you that has this issue and is in denial about an issue that is affecting their family, friends and even their job.

Step 1 is the Lie itself. Seems small at first but it is a lie.
Step 2 is Self Protection: we lie about having lied
Step 3: It now becomes a habit. A way of life. Even lying about trivial things.
Step 4: Self-Deception: We now start to believe our own lies. (see politicians) heh.
Step 5: Rationalization: Our lies can make them seem like the good thing to do.
Step 6: Perfection: We get really good at lying. We now have techniques and this helps expand our capability to rationalize.
Step 7: Justification: We see it as our duty to lie.

Think about keeping this list handy the next time you are discipling someone else, coaching or influencing them and what step they are at so you can help them break this chain before they alienate people, lose friends, hurt family and others around them.
Ask them to move to repenting this behavior before God as He already knows of the lies.
Help them see that God is not the creator of lies. He is the creator of truth. As Jesus said, "the Truth will set you free." It will. It will set you on a new course to be truthful and counted on as someone that people that can count on to help them be more self aware.

What are some ideas you have around this?

PS. The next week, I shared with the class about this and had a couple come up to me later that morning to tell me thank you for showing us this, it was powerful and they wanted to sit down with their daughter to work thru issues that had developed around this. Is there someone you can help break free from this cycle?

What difference does the Resurrection Mean to You?

With each shorter year I have here on Earth, the more special the story of Jesus resurrection becomes.
It is as simple as when I know April is here.

The story is one that you have probably heard. But if your name was Malchus you saw Jesus's healing and touch. You see he was the servant who in John 18:11 that has his ear detached by Peter.
Jesus simply reattached his ear.

How do you think Malchus felt? He came as part of the group at night and here he was experiencing Jesus' healing power first hand. No sutures, no scapel, no bandage. Just hand to ear.

Can you imagine how he related that night for the rest of his life? To his children? His grandchildren? To HIMSELF?

Surely, this man is the SON of God? Wow. Don't you think he may have been in the crowd when Peter preached? We just don't know. But we do know that when they said that He HAS RISEN! Malchus just smiled and thought to himself yes, it fufilled the prophecy.... He wasn't surprised.

What difference does the resurrection mean to you?

It allows me to just glimpse at how much God loves us. You and me. It astounds me.
You can't outlove God. You can't comprehend God and neither can I.
But, I see Him around me.
In my life. How different I look at things today. How I enjoy learning more about His word and what it all means to me today.
In others lives, like a friend of our family walking thru a total lung transplant the last three months, to walking with friends thru losing a close family member.
Or it to seeing a new acquaintance accept Christ as boss of his life and start to change his whole life around to be a solid man and lead his son----see his son accept Christ and start the journey...

Take time to reflect on this. Malchus felt Him. Peter was forgiven by Him. So are you.
There is nothing that can separate you from His Love.

The picture above was from our church's Maundy Thursday service this year. It was neat. Church Family gathering respectively to honor Jesus. To take time as a family to remember the sacrifice He made for all us today.
I am so humbled that my whole family was able to participate. Thank you God for this.

Real Men Act Noble

It was the 1500's and Edward Bounds wrote "God is not looking for better methods, he is looking for better men."

You just have to look at where men are today to see, what a "real" man looks like.

When you look at what just happened at Penn State is another indicator of poor choices by men in light of what should have happened.

Robert Lewis has said that "real men are noble {adj. having excellent or moral character, relating to higher moral principles} , but you don't hear that anymore do you?" so true. The Apostle Paul said in one of his letters to the church 2 Timothy 3 that man/woman would get worse....not better when it comes to self. This you can see in many areas where society's moral decline continues.

You can look at the case in Happy Valley and for this generation it will always be remembered for a lack of leadership. A tragedy that affects many. That was covered up by many. In a place that the name will not have true meaning for many, many years.

Mostly men that should have stepped up to the protection of children. The opposite thinking of protecting a school, a coach's record, their job, not thinking but what if this gets out? Self...self...self..

Today, it is hard for a man to see what nobility looks like. He will not see it on network television or commercials. Men are portrayed as dumb, slow, and more. Shows from the past such as the Waltons etc are seen as out of touch. Backward thinking. I abhor to think about this even 10 years from now.

One of my favorite historical people from the bible is Josiah. He took over as King at an early age as a child. Taking over from a time when several evil kings had ruled. When he learned of the truth and how it had been hidden he was full of rage (the good kind) and despair that he didn't know these things.

His next step was to make things right.

As a man today,
Where do you draw the line?

• Do you lead with integrity?




• Do you try to make things right whereever you go?




• Do you like that word noble?




• Do your children understand what that looks like?




• How do you show them? Paul called men that do this in their jobs- "Good named workers" ---Chip Ingram has said that a manager would say- "What is it you have? I want 10 people that work just like you!"

Where do you draw the line on ethical conduct? Do you know where that is? where did you learn it?

I was recently at a conference where a futurist spoke. He gave us many great ideas to ponder about business and change in the world. But, he clearly said that truth is going to be in this Organic Age whatever you want it to be. People say that want truth but you can rarely find it today, just look at the media. We have more stories being written today than ever but all told thru a personal filter. We all have it.

• Where do you seek truth? How do you go about it?

Today take a moment and put together a plan of how you will be more noble.

• Start with your family first in how can you honor your wife? She should beam with life that you honor her and lead your family in a positive uplifting way.

• How can you show your kids what a "real" man is so that your son or daughter see that?

• Who are other men you could include in your inner circle that will keep you accountable? Guide you on tough issues? Be there with you in mountain top moments and during the valleys? Begin to seek them.

Seek men that are NOT yes men in your life. Seek men that will tell you the truth and guard you from making decisions that will hurt you, your family or your company (career). Men that will tell you NO, you are wrong, what are you thinking? .....iron sharpens iron...

Jesus of Nazareth called that discipleship. Look at His model and the work He did in a short amount of time that changed the world. Heck, he defines time. {A.D} His principles are all opposite of the world. Self before others. Spend some time learning about them. They are lifechanging.

Look around your town for groups like CBMC that meet. Gosh, I love those guys. They helped me years ago when I was struggling. Lifeway Stores sells "The Quest for Authentic Manhood" DVD series. I have a friend that is starting a group to go thru it right now with guys from his neighborhood! He wants to be around guys looking to be Noble!

• Have a teenage son? Get "Raising a Modern Day Knight," by Robert Lewis to create a ceremony for him.




• Daughters? Get "What a Daughter Needs from her Dad," by Michael Farris. I have lead several groups of men thru a discussion just around this book and seen light bulb moments, stories of change for the better and just greater understanding of how to lead your family.




• How about ethics? John Maxwell wrote a book several years ago that is called, "There is No Such Thing as Business Ethics." Because there isn't. Quick read, but powerful.

Michael Hyatt has been traveling this year just speaking on a having a life plan! Here is a link to that to consider:

http://michaelhyatt.com/life-plan

Remember what E. M. Bounds said? Not better methods, better men.....Put your gameplan together to become a Noble Man. Each day take a step forward, but without a plan......you will wander.

and take time to pray for all around Happy Valley.

Present Decisions Determine Future Situations

Do they ever. When you are approached at work about new tasks, projects or oh, yes the dreaded C word : Change. How do you respond?

Several years ago I was asked by my leader to take on a new role of increased responsibility, travel and in pulling several operations into improving performance in risk management and injuries across several manufacturing plants.

It involved bringing people together and meeting targets set by the president of the company.

Let me say that it was contrary first to my behavioral style and my leader was very good about taking me with him on trips and showing me what to expect and how to “do travel.” He was supportive and also demanding to meet goals. His role to the transition was just excellent. He set up the change very well. That is key.

Our team came together over several months. Did I mention this was during a merger? Sorry, forgot about that too. It kinda was something you couldn’t not notice in our culture.

We nailed down key policies, action plans and then put them into play. We were the first department in the newly merged company to be “together” on all policies, training and action plans. We all worked well together too. Because we started off by building relationships and what we all brought to the table. What great talent! Years of service and experience! The time went by quickly.

And then at a Chicago sports bar and eating something like a burger, after this was all done, my leader asked me if I would like to be considered for our owner’s employee of the year award. I said that would be neat. He then changed the conversation and I didn’t think another thing about it for several months.

Until the letter came.

I was standing with a consultant that worked with me and the letter was from our owner from Switzerland.

“OPEN IT!,” he shouted. “OPEN IT NOW!”

I opened and slowly read aloud that I was being recognized for performance as an Employee of the Year and would I join our owner in Switzerland during the week of August….?

“I WANT TO GO WITH YOU!” my consultant buddy yelled.

Wow.

That would be a trip of a lifetime wrapped around another week with my wife in Ireland. It also marked several more trips to have special dinners with the owner when he came to the states.

Present Decisions Determine Future Situations….as John Maxwell says in one his many excellent books.

My approach to the change, to dig in and get involved and make a difference paid off in a way that I will never forget. More about that in a future post.

Today. What change are you a part of in your work? John Maxwell has said to that “Change can equal growth or grief.”

Have you accepted the assignment with an open mind and not one of a “Ain’t It Awful” mentality?

Being given more work during this time in our business world is the new way to do work. It makes all of us multi taskers and more serious learners of our business.

Not every assignment is going to lead to a week in Europe. I know that really well. My illustration is that I went into that to be a “good-named worker” so that others could see light in this world instead of darkness. Colossians 3:23

It also had much impact on how I lead all teams today and work with others.

Can you look at how you are interacting with people today to think about how you can improve that experience for those people? Of course you can. You are creating a better story when you evaluate and then refine/improve your communication style thru building relationships.

Vitamin A (Application) What are two ways you could start this week improving (Even if they are really good) relationships at work and at home?

What project are you working on right now or about to work on that you can make a WOW project? like Tom Peters has discussed in the past. WOWem…. Think about how to show value for the work you do.

For more to go deeper…read Linchpin by Seth Godin…. Excellent for this type of mindset.

That trip by the way was this month in 1996. My how time flies. I am looking at the plaque I received that night on August 24^th in Zurich over dinner with my beaming wife and a crowd from our owner’s 18 others companies watching. Wow……Blessed.

*Present Decisions Determine Future Situations- John Maxwell

Helping Hands

I received this note from Pat Harrington this week whom has started a ministry to help others looking for jobs. She asked me to be on a panel last year where 60 people from all types of careers came together seeking ideas on ways to obtain employment.

She has done a wonderful job. I wanted to just share this with you thru the blog. Pat, pray for you everyday and this ministry in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Earlier this week I sent you an email asking you to join me on a “Field Trip” to Roswell UMC (http://hopejobministry.org/meetings.html) to learn about their jobs ministry. About the same time as I was planning this trip and notifying you, God was working in the background. I have been so blessed by one of the ladies I have been working with that I had to share her testimony with you.

What HOPE stands for is so much more than JOBS – it’s really about SOULS. The story below is only one of the tangible signs we can see of the harvest of this work. I pray that you will read the story below and be as moved as I am. The harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. If this isn’t your “calling,” would you consider passing the message on to someone else who may be just waiting to serve those who are broken-hearted by job loss?

_____

Clarrisa is one of the ladies I’ve been working with since April. She has 4 felony convictions for aggravated (armed) robbery. Her life sounds like a story that you would only see on television and I can hardly believe the horrors she has lived through. Through our time together, I have grown to love her. She has a very good heart and has such great potential to do whatever she would like to do in life. Up until now, she just hasn’t had the chance.

Clarrisa volunteered for my organization since we met in April and I have seen God work true miracles in her life. It has been wonderful getting to know her and to be able to watch her transformation. Even more wonderful, is watching her amazement as God has proved Himself faithful to her over and over again in the most miraculous ways. The miracles and blessings bestowed on her were not lost on her. She knew that what was happening in her life were truly gifts from God. As she grew closer to Him, He continued to lead, encourage and reward her.

She interviewed for a position at The Chattanoogan Hotel this week and was hired for a position immediately. Despite her criminal background, she has been given a chance that she thought would never be open to her. She called me and expressed such joy, appreciation and amazement. Her bus pass was expiring at midnight that evening and she didn’t have appropriate, comfortable shoes in which to do her new housekeeping job. She went to the Bethlehem Center to finish up some volunteer work she was doing there. They asked her if she needed transportation (she did) and also asked if she needed clothing or anything to start her new job (she did). They handed her a check for $100 and she was able to get exactly what she needed. She starts her new job on Friday.

I wanted to share the letter she wrote back to me with you. God is truly amazing and I know that the work I’m doing is Kingdom work. I am trusting in His faithfulness to bring what I need to continue this ministry and thank Him daily for people like you. I pray constantly for other who will come alongside me to continue this important work.

==============================================================

I began volunteer work with Mrs. Pat Harrington back in April. I remember when I was recommended to go work with her I was told that I was the lucky one. Well that was surely an under statement. I was in fact the most blessed one. Working with Mrs. Pat through the HOPE Job Support was a wonderful experience. I gained some special friends and also educated my brain a lot more. I learned how to make a more productive resume, how to use basic computer skills such as Excel, PowerPoint, Typing, etc. I grew closer to God which was the most important thing. The love and support that Mrs. Harrington had for me was amazing. She made me feel like I was her own. She did everything in her power to make sure that I had everything I needed to be prepared for not only a job but also for life struggles and battles. She also taught me how to get through an interview without crashing. With her help I succeeded in that interview and landed me a job at The Chattanoogan Hotel. I never thought I would ever get a job there due to my criminal background and history. But with the help of God and the support of HOPE I made it. HOPE has blessed me in so many different ways. I will always be here for Mrs. Harrington to help here and the HOPE program in any way that I can. She shed a lot of light on me and for that I thank you Pat and love you dearly. I will recommend you to every person that I feel deserve to be in your presence. God done a wonderful thing when he created you and then blessed you with HOPE Job Support Ministry so that you could bless others. Thank You so very much.

Clarrisa

Here is Pat's contact info:

Pat Harrington

HOPE Job Support Ministry

423.774.1991

pat@hopejobministry.org

www.hopejobministry.org

The National's Last Day

June 13, 1991 The National Sports Daily published it's last issue. Boy, it was supposed to be something. It was something. Frank Deford and many of the best sportwriters in the business, I mean quality columnists. But, a distribution problem made it hard to get. I had just moved to Chattanooga and I would throw down a $1 for each issue { a day late due to delivery} and was just in heaven reading this tabloid style paper.

And then it died.

It was supposed to have deep pockets and it did to get all that talent but it all came to an end. To me, there hasn't been anything like it since then but I believe with things like the tablets we are getting very close.

Recently, The Sporting News started a daily e-edition called The Sporting News Daily and I got it for awhile, but since I already get three dailies in print it was hard to get to.

Recently getting an I-pad I saw that they had this available and only for $3 a month. I got the app and let me tell you the pictures are excellent, the look great and you get all the major scores and stories of the night/ day before.

There are Sporting News columnists and AOL Fanhouse that cover the basics and even last week they broke two good stories. But, it's not The National. It is the only thing I have seen that runs close to it. USA TODAY has always been a favorite and as a subscriber for many, many years love it very much.

But, just sports in a daily.

Sporting News is on to something. I hope that they can continue this e-edition, add some quality columnists and bring back some memories and set new ground in sports journalism.

Here are details about the National Sports Daily in case you missed the whole thing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_National_(sports_newspaper)

This tells us all something. Good things must come to an end. Make sure you are taking time today to enjoy those around you. I admit I struggle with this too, but we must take time to focus on friends and family. We must also enjoy each day we have. As Edwin Louis Cole said, We only get one time thru this life.

So, what are you doing today to create a better story?