We have been taught that it is important before every mean to say grace, or thanks for the food that we have been provided by God. What puts food at the top of the list,so that it is important to ritualize the thanksgiving for it by prayer each time we eat. Why not say grace when we put on clothing in the morning for the clothes? Why not say grace for the house in which we live each time we enter or leave it in a formal manner like "table grace"? And say a formal prayer each time we enter or exit our car? etc. What makes grace important only for food in a formal manner?

Maybe if comes from the Lord's prayer where mention is made of food but not of clothing or shelter. "Give us this day our daily bread."

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For I know that my redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
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Linda

Might be the reason, but what about being thankful in all things? Have you ever wondered what was meant by daily bread. Is there non-daily bread for which we do not need to be thankful?

That is an excellent point about being thankful in all things.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

We should also be thankful in our prayers in every thing. We shouldn't limit it to food.

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"In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus concerning you.

Daryl

And it should not be limited to just good things, either.
We are to be thankful in all things, good or bad or in the gray areas.

It all works to make us who we should be and who we are.

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Examine me, O LORD, and prove me: try my reins and my heart. Ps.26:2
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in men.Ps.118:8

[This message has been edited by Gerry Buck (edited May 23, 2001).]

If you study the history of the Christian church, as reported by Paul Tillich, you will find that early Christians had such joy when they met together because everything was done out of gratitude. Gratuitousness was the basis for all Christians behaviors, from meeting together, praying, forgiving--even for the "small things" between married people.

When the church began its downhill slide, the things Christians used to do out of gratitude (thankfulness) became formalized, institutionalized and fossilized into a group of requirements called "Sacraments." These had to be performed out of a sense of duty--not from gratitude.

This switch in attitude is expressed in symbol--instead of greeting each other with a holy kiss (the spirit of communion between saints of equal stature) churchgoers in the later centuries of Christianity had to watch as a Priest kissed a golden statue during communion.

I wish we could recover the "attitude of gratitude" and the joy of fellowship--the tie that bound early Christians together!

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Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. Rom. 12:12 NLT

[This message has been edited by Andrew Marttinen (edited May 23, 2001).]

My sentiments exactly, Pastor Andrew!

Has the joy gone out of our fellowship together around the potluck dinner tables in our local churches, in the hospitality of our homes, at our Bible Study & Prayer Meetings, in our Sabbath Schools, in our Sabbath Worship Services, in our church social functions, and even in Maritime SDA OnLine?

If so, then why has it happened?

This topic is simply called grace. Have we turned our heads away from the grace of God in that we no longer have that first love we once had for Jesus Christ and for one another as did the early church?

When our members prefer secular clubs and activities to our various church activities that tells me that something is wrong in our relationship with Christ and with one another.

How can we get the early church attitude back into our lives and into our churches?

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

You ask an interesting question Daryl. Why do we prefer the association of people who are not SDA. Could it have anything to do with feeling welcome and not being judged. Why is it sometimes more fun and enjoyable to be with them then to be with us? And why is it easy to talk of relationship with Christ with them, and difficult to do that in SDA social meetings? Again, anything to to with listening rather than judging?

I have determined it is entirely to say grace before entering into any activity, including eating. What about you?

To give thanks for food or work or whatever else we have is proper.

Prayer is our link with God and our only means of communication with Him.

After all Hew has done for us, should we not give thanks in everything?

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

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Examine me, O LORD, and prove me: try my reins and my heart. Ps.26:2
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in men.Ps.118:8

Wow! What a beautiful Sabbath morning to offer grace for the morning air, the coolness of the season, the birds singing, and the Sabbath refreshment.