Odds and Ends

A Thanksgiving

59 Comments

The day demanded Thankfulness
So counted I each blessing
Yet oft plagued with Forgetfulness
My short list was distressing

Then I remembered you, my friends
And thought of all you’ve done
Your kindly spirit never ends
To this unworthy one

So at this time that such requires
To friends who’s friendship never tires
As all your kindness I recall
I wish you joy. I love you all.

59 thoughts on “A Thanksgiving”

  3. Happy Thanksgiving to you also Darrell! We are baking gingerbread for houses and men AND shopping today. Whaaat!?! On the holy day?!

  4. Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for all you do for those stumbling out of the darkness of fundydom and into the light of freedom.

  9. Happy Thanksgiving Darrell from the Deep South. Thank you for SFL. Roll Tide to everyone! Beat Auburn!!

    1. When Henry Parsley became bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama in 1996, he was confronted by the fact that both Auburn University and the University of Alabama are in the same diocese. And he was constantly asked, “Which team do you support?”

      Finally he had a special cap made and displayed it for all to see, at the diocesan convention. It had two visors (like a Sherlock Holmes hat, sort of). One side sported the UA logo and the other side the Auburn logo.

      Blessed are the peace makers!

        1. That’s me. Neither team. I’m not a sports fan and don’t care who wins or loses.

          That in Alabama, of course, makes me a heretic and an outcast.

    3. We played like crap, yet we still beat Auburn. Roll Tide and thank God for Derrick Henry!

  11. Happy Thanksgiving! So thankful for a place that has helped me heal. Thankful for you all. 🙂

  12. Thanks to Darrell for SFL.
    Thanks to those who hang out here for being my online friends and confidants.

    2. Dear Big Gary:

      I read this and respond now as I listen to the choir from Jay Croft’s post. This is truly a religious experience. You captured my sentiment exactly. Blessings on you all, now and always!

      Christian Socialist

  14. Happy Thanksgiving, Darrell and all. Darrell, I’m thankful for the light you shine into dark places.

  15. Happy Thanksgiving to Darrell, his family, and all the rest of the “family” on the blog!
    The old hymn “Count Your Blessings” is true for me. Many of those blessings are the little things in the life, but they are often the ones that affect us the most.

    1. Amen! I’ve been thinking of that hymn too, and yes, I’ve been astonished at God’s goodness. Maybe we need some form of Thanksgiving celebration here in Ireland

      1. Thanksgiving wasn’t a “day” on my calendar when I lived in Colombia, and I couldn’t always find a bunch of Yanks to celebrate. But, I’ve made it a life habit to celebrate a little bit of Thanksgiving every day, keeping in mind all the blessings God has given me-especially the spiritual ones I have in Christ.

      3. Paul, I’m cooking Thanksgiving dinner and listening to Enya’s new release “Dark Sky Island.” Makes me wish to visit Ireland!

        1. I was just listening to “Even in the Shadows” from that album:

          Even in the shadows
          I turn around
          To find you walk away
          And even when I whisper
          The winds will come
          To steal the words I say

          I could fall and keep on falling
          I could call and keep on calling
          Wonder why this love is over
          Wonder why it’s not forever

          Even in the silence
          I hear my heart
          It’s still a part of you
          And even in the morning
          When light has come
          I don’t know what to do

          I could fall and keep on falling
          I could call and keep on calling
          Wonder why this love is over
          Wonder why it’s not forever

          So high, so low
          Love is gone and love is gone…

        2. Sad. I am trying to make sure that doesn’t happen in my marriage.

          But my wife seems to like the Episcopal Church where we are going now. She was just invited to be part of the Altar Guild, and she told me she wouldn’t dream of saying “no.” The priest gives thoughtful and insightful messages. I have been doing some of the reading (“proclaiming”) of Scripture and some of the Lay Eucharistic ministry. They sent my daughter to a “Love of God” (LOG) event — an ecumenical weekend experience. She has been invited to help with Children’s Church on Sunday morning for the small children. And on Wednesday evenings there is an ecumenical prayer meeting at the church my wife and I go to.

          Never has a church done so much to make us feel so welcome. I find myself worshipping more even as I continue to struggle with exactly what I believe. Those in the church aware of my struggle are supportive, not condemning.

          In these areas I have a lot to give thanks for.

        3. Dear rtgmath:

          Trusting God to use the ministry at your Episcopal church to mend her heart, so that your hearts more and more may be knit together as one.

          Blessings on your ministry, my friend! Yours and hers 🙂

          Christian Socialist

    2. In my own Ulster Protestant subculture we Christians tend to be better at moaning and bitching about everything around us than being thankful for all the good things that God has so graciously and generously bestowed upon us. Religious freedom for example.

  16. Have a happy Thanksgiving Darrell. Many thanks for all your kindness! I hope God blesses you and your family with prosperity and health (and only moderate amounts of snow).

  17. Happy Thanksgiving Darrell, Darrell’s family, and all of you at SFL. I am truly grateful for this amazing website and for each of you. May your holidays be enjoyable and safe.

  20. Happy Thanksgiving to Darrell and his family; and all of the posters, readers and lurkers on SFL!

  21. Happy Thanksgiving, Darrell, to you and yours! I am so thankful to you for putting up this site and so thankful that I found it.

    And happy Thanksgiving to the posters here- you all are a balm to my soul in a difficult time. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and grace.

  22. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Darrell, and to all here at SFL. I consider all of you my friends. You challenge me and force me to think. You let me know I’m not alone. I am truly thankful for all of you!

  23. Happy Thanksgiving, reprobates! (I say that in the most fundiest way, so wear the badge with honor!) Thank you all for being here, and for being there for our ch’other.

  24. Happy Thanksgiving, Darrell! I’m thankful for the good work you do bringing up the crazy shit Fundies do and say. Someone’s gotta hold those people accountable, might as well be us.

  25. I wish you Darrell, your family, and all of my friends here on SFL a wonderful, peaceful Thanksgiving. May you all have time to rest and reflect on your life and blessings.

    For those of you who are in a time of troubles, please remember that all that will pass. The holidays are traditionally a time of heightened depression as we compare our hopes and expectations with reality. The season’s shortened daylight (here in the Northern Hemisphere) can draw us into introspection and sadness. But as surely as winter passes, the days lengthen.

    Likewise, troubles and sadness eventually give way to peace restored, gradually, like the lengthening of days.

  26. I have only commented occasionally, but I have been reading SFL since sometime in 2009/2010. I check for new posts almost every day, and I have to say, I love this site. I love the humor and the camaraderie between those who frequently comment. But most of all, I appreciate that there are thoughtful, intellectual discussions about religion and faith. I learn so much, not just about the bad things that are done in the IFB church, but also about other churches and denominations. Having grown up in the SBC, I can relate to many things that are said here, though I must say, all of the churches I have attended were mild compared to IFB, but the insight I glean from this site is invaluable.

    All this to say, thank you, Darrell and commenters, for making me laugh and for helping me along in my journey in, out, through, and around faith and religion. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!! <3

  27. I would also like to extend my wish for all of you to have a happy Thanksgiving. Thank you Darrell for keeping SFL going, and to all my fellow posters. I think of you as friends, and look forward to hearing more from you in the posts to come.

    To those of you who do not celebrate the holiday as we do in the US, have a good day celebrating the day of your choice.

  28. Happy Thanksgiving!! We hosted three international students (buds of older son) — two from mainland China and one from India. Son said I embarrassed him. Well, isn’t that what moms are for? Anyway, it was a blast, and we are exhausted. Roll Tide!!

    2. I took a quick skim through the fist couple parts of the blog and bookmarked it. Looks VERY interesting!!

  30. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Hope everyone had a good day.

    I am going through turkey withdrawal today. I should be over it in time tomorrow to watch That Team Up North handle the frauds from Columbus. A little War Eagle at 3:30pm. A whole big heap of Irish whoop ass at 7:30pm and then for dessert some Cowpoke in Bedlam. Best day of college football.

    1. Dear Jay Croft:

      Imagine a world in which ‘born to set thy people free’ was understood …

      ‘He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives’ [He 2:14-15].

      ‘…The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil’ [1Jo 3:8].

      A blessed Advent to you and all!

      Christian Socialist

  34. Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Darrell, and to all SFL readers. Thank you for a safe place to laugh, and to ask and discuss life’s serious questions. To those of you who are hurting, I will quote the words of my precious toddler: “Mama, do you know that Jesus cries with us when we’re sad?”

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