Thanksgiving Thoughts

Some time back, a Brazilian friend commented that “Thanksgiving” was not a Brazilian holiday, “Because Brazilians do not have anything to be thankful for like the Americans.” He did not know that on August 17, 1949, Law number 781 was passed making the last Thursday of November an official Brazilian “Dia de Ação de Graças”, or Thanksgiving. In 1966 that law was amended to change the Brazilian Thanksgiving to the forth Thursday of November.

Brazil does not celebrate Thanksgiving as a national holiday, although the cities of Rio de Janeiro, and Cabos, in Pernambuco, declared “Thanksgiving” municipal events in 2000 and 2005 respectively. But, just because one does not celebrate, does not mean that we have nothing to be thankful for.

There are many myths and legends concerning the origins of modern Thanksgiving. Allow me to share a few thoughts, and quotes, that may help clear our minds about the true meaning. I trust we can learn that a true “Thanksgiving” does not come from the abundance, but rather from the realization that “all things” whether big or small, deserve our gratitude, and that that gratitude must be directed to a person, more specifically, the creator of heaven and earth. Cornelious Plantinga, Jr wrote, “It must be an odd feeling to be thankful to nobody in particular.”

First, we must remember that almost all civilizations celebrate a harvest time. Depending on the location of the country, harvest celebrations take place in just about every month of the year all somewhere all over the world. Almost all peoples seem thankful for the earth bringing forth its substance. Thanksgiving in America is tied to that same thought, as well.

Depending on your personal beliefs, you may feel that Thanksgiving is a time for personal gratification. The truest humanistic belief says I worked hard to get what I have. I did it my way, and now I will revel in my glory, albeit short-lived because death eventually comes to all.

I, personally, believe that Thanksgiving takes me to a place where I realize that all I have, including the health and strength to work, comes from a higher power. That power is the sustaining factor for all things. That power is God!

The ancient Hebrew people were the first true “Thanksgiving” revelers when they worshipped God with a Feast of Harvest, a Feast of Tabernacles, and a Feast of Weeks. They were grateful not just for the stuff, but realized there was a God who provided it for them. They celebrated the first true Thanksgiving.

The first European settlers to the new land, America, in 1619, knew what true thanksgiving was, even though they had just lost over half of their loved ones during the long hard three month journey. When they arrived in what is now called Virginia, those 38 English settlers set aside a day of Thanksgiving and prayer. That thanksgiving had nothing to do with a harvest, however. It would be another year before the next settlers would reach Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts, and two years before what would eventually become known as the “First Thanksgiving Feast,” related to a harvest.

It certainly was not the lack of suffering, nor the “over” abundance of stuff that caused those first settlers to be thankful. It was not exemption from hardships, or death that caused them to want to celebrate a day of Thanksgiving. On the contrary, those first “Thanksgiving days” were full of reasons not to thank the creator.

H.U. Westermayer wrote, “ The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than those who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.” Over one-half of the first settlers died within the first year.

George Washington’s 1789 proclamation of a day for “public thanksgiving and prayer” came at a time of tremendous turmoil in American history. He realized the true meaning of thanksgiving when he wrote, “ It is the duty of ALL NATIONS (emphasis mine) 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.”

Seventy-four years later, in 1863, as America lay divided, suffering, and impoverished by a civil war, Abraham Lincoln declared a national day of Thanksgiving to be observed the last Thursday the month of November. He wrote, “It has seemed to me fit and proper that they [gifts form God] should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people.” Lincoln also wrote, “We often forget the Source from which the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies come… No human wisdom hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God.”



Some believe that America has a Thanksgiving because it is the richest land on earth. While the richest part may be true, financially speaking, the real meaning of Thanksgiving goes much deeper than having money and things. After all, Brazil now produces more grains, more aluminum and copper, and exports more frozen chicken and meat than any other country. Brazil, now, has the tenth largest economy in the world. Would it not seem proper, then, that Brazil, too, should celebrate Thanksgiving Day?

Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, “You say, ‘If I had more, I should be very satisfied.’ You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.”

The founders of the United States of America were visibly human in their errors. Imperfect men. But, they were just as visible in their recognition of the Most High God. May we learn to be as bold, and verbal, in giving thanks to our Great God. May we remember this THANKSGIVING DAY to give tribute, praise, and honor to Him who is the maker, and sustainer of all things.

Hebrews 13:15 says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.”



Thomas Ray Turley Nov 23. 2008
São José dos Camps, SP, Brasil



More THANKSGIVING DAY quotes:

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” John F. Kennedy

“We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.” Harry A. Ironside

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” Cicero

“Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men, but be careful that you do not take the day and leave out the gratitude.” E.P. Powell

“ It is literally true, as the thankless say, that they have nothing to be thankful for. He who sits by the fire, thankless for the fire, is just as if he had no fire. Nothing is possessed save in appreciation, of which thankfulness is the indispensable ingredient. But a thankful heart hath a continual feast.” W.J. Cameron

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” W.T. Purkiser

“If we have enjoyed the hospitality if the Host of this universe, Who daily spreads a table in my sight, surely I cannot do less than acknowledge my dependence.” G.A. Johnston Ross

“Happiness is the realization of God in the heart. Happiness is the result of praise and thanksgiving, of faith, of acceptance; a quiet tranquil realization of the love of God.” White Eagle

June was a blurr, and now, here we are in the middle of July, and I haven't posted for a month....where does the time go?

If you have never heard of John Gage, then you are either not a musician, or you just haven't paid attention to the names on the music. He is an accomplished musician, songwriter/
composer/arranger, that just happened to spend 10 days with our church here in São José dos Campos, in June, with the Global Missions Project orchestra.

I am waiting to get pictures from our church "photographer" to post. You can go to the orchestra website for highlights and details at www.globalmissionsproject.com

Diana, Charity and I accompanied the 25 peice orchestra translating in hospitals, factories, schools and at church. They played in five services on the Sunday they were with us, including The International Church. WOW! They also taught beginner, intermediate, and mater level workshops.

The highlight was the Tuesday night concert. Twenty-five musicians from the USA and Europe, accompanied by invited Brazilian musicians made up the 80 plus piece orchestra. What a night! Over one and a half hours of music to lift one's soul... and lift souls it did. As testimonies were shared between pieces, God did a work. At the end, an informal invitation to receive salvation through Jesus Christ was given. It was requested that those interested fill out a decision card, and turn it in at the reception desk. Twenty-six names were recorded in heaven that night. What a night! These names have already been contacted for follow-up.

I can't wait to get the photos, but will have too, as tomorrow, July 12, we will be receiving another group, this one from Rick Warren's church, Saddleback Church, to help us in one of the poorest areas of all South America, te Brazilian Sertão.

Sunday, July 13, Tom, Diana, Charity MAria, and five Americans will fly into the Sertão for two weeks of ministry. Lord willing, by te time we get back we will have pictures of both the orchestra and the Sertão. The Ôxente Project we will be working with has a site, too:
www.oxente.org.br and if you don't speak Portuguese, just click on galeria de fotos to see pictures of past events.

Never a dull moment. Thanks for praying for us. Check in in about a month for new updates.

Mike Constantz mentioned in his letter about us knowing just about everyone at church, and being "family." Well, that is just what we are, family of God, doing God's work in the family.

These pictures are of friends...no, family that we have worked with, cried with, laughed with, labored with, played with...you know, family things...over the past 21 years. Yes, it has been 21 years since we arrived in Brazil. In that amount of time we should have made lots of friends...no ...family!

All of these pictures have been taken in Brazil within the past three months. They are weddings we have performed, retreats we have participated in, and places we have ministered in during this time. Let me assure you, there is no better place than to be in the family of God. All these people have touched our lives in one way or another. All of these people are very special to us. All of them are very special in God's eyes, too.

You see, not only do we have biological family in the USA, but we have family here in Brazil, too. These, and many others have earned a special place in our hearts. Yes, we miss family back in the States, but God fills the void with other people, too.

I will share this; sometimes I miss my family that I even cry. That happened a few weeks back at a funeral. I wept, not for the deceased, but because during the funeral the deceased's ten grandkids got up and shared stories about their grandfather, how he played with them, spoiled them..you know, Grandpa things. Well, after about the third one, I was a basket case. I was thinking, "I may never get to spoil my own grandkids, but God knows that . He knew that when He called me to Brazil. He will have to send an adopted "grandpa" to my grandkids, just like He sends us "adopted" grandkids here. God always fills the void when we let our satisfaction come from Him.

I realize I have not posted for some time. It is not because we have not been busy. It is just the opposite. Sometimes I think we are too busy.

I also realize that this is called our "Foto Blog." Well, in this post I am not going to put photos, but rather let a friend "paint" a mind picture for you.

This letter was not solicited, nor did I have knowledge of this letter until it was snt to me just this week. I don't know that I deserve such praise, for I am just a servant of the "I AM" and without Him I am nothing.

Please read this letter with Spirit eyes, to see the images that God sees. I know He has a plan for our lives. It will be exciting to see what happens next.
Blessings to all.

05 May 2008

Dear Friends of Tom & Diana,

My name is Mike Constantz and I am a growing friend and fan of Tom & Diana Turley. My fondness for them began as soon as I met them almost four years ago when I became the Pastor of Missions at Saddleback Church in California, and it has grown every time I have been with them.

I have been in missions for 30 years, first as a medical missionary to the Philippines, then with the first team to show and plant churches with the JESUS Film outside of the U.S., then serving in Sri Lanka for 6 years during the start of their civil war and finally travelling to about 150 countries training national Christian workers. So I’ve met a few missionaries in my day. These two missionaries are special!!

THANKS

I just left the Turley’s. I am writing this letter on my flight home from Brazil. Tom & Diana have no idea that I am doing this. But sometimes you just have to sit down and say “thanks” to the people that are making a significant difference in the world for Jesus. I want to tell you thanks for being a part of Tom & Diana’s ministry through prayer and financial support. When you get to heaven you are not going to believe the number of Brazilians that are going to line up to give you one of their big hugs of gratitude for helping Tom & Diana serve the way they so effectively do throughout Brazil. Many will spend eternity with our Savior Jesus Christ because of YOU.

You’ve followed their story through the churches planted and lives changed in the Amazon. Then the move to Sao Jose dos Campos and growth of the First Baptist Church along with it’s nationwide influence in serving thousands of pastors. And then the marriage and family seminars throughout this vast land. Always raising up and leaving behind nations to lead on… all with a servant’s heart.

Honestly, have you ever met a couple with greater servant’s hearts than Tom & Diana? To serve Jesus through serving others is their pleasure. They do it quietly, expecting nothing in return and model for those around them what Jesus would be like. That is truly the highest form of missionary service.

GABRIEL

I was with Tom at First Baptist Church yesterday, Sunday. He was preaching in the English morning service. But before he went in to preach we wandered around the church campus so he could show me around and so he could greet some of the members. A church of thousands and it seemed he knew everyone. During our stroll we came across Gabriel. A young man of 16 who lost his dad a year ago. Tom gave him a smack on the back and said that he was going to be his dad. Gabriel flinched and gave out a yelp like he was hurt, but he LOVED it…. the idea of having a spiritual “dad” that could model just a bit of what our Heavenly Father is like. Gabriel followed us everywhere for the next 2 hours. Just a young believer with a working mother and a younger sister. The family of God being a family for each other.

“REALS”

“Reals” is the name of the Brazilian currency. If you haven’t heard of this before, you will. The Brazilian economy is really cooking. BRIC is the financial planners name for where Americans are being encouraged to invest internationally. (Brazil, Russia, India, China) This is great for the Brazilians, bad for the American missionary converting a weakening dollar into “Reals” every month. It’s like getting a 30% cut every payday. This is today’s reality for Tom & Diana.

CAN YOU HELP?

I raised support as a missionary for 25 years. It is an exciting adventure every month seeing God at work providing for every need through His wonderful people. (You trust God just as much for your jobs and salary, you just don’t need to make your needs known when support is being weakened by things like the currency exchange.)

So I wanted to ask on behalf of Tom & Diana. (They had no idea that I was going to do this and are probably horrified that I even did it.) Can you help in this time of need? Could you increase your monthly support? Can you help with a one-time gift? Do you have friends that might be interested in becoming financial partners in God’s work in Brazil?

I know how this works. Missionaries either trust God for more support through their current friends and partners or head home to add more partners. But I have seen how strategic Tom & Diana’s work is right now. I would hate to see them have to leave their assignment to find more ministry partners. They are so strategic to what God is doing there. Not only are they serving churches throughout the entire country, but Brazil has become a regional hub in South America and the work is about to expand into countries surrounding Brazil… Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Peru.

Would you prayerfully consider helping Tom & Diana?

On Behalf of the Turley’s I thank you,

--Mike Constantz-Misson’s Pastor-Saddleback Church

I am so glad that we can travel together as a family. Diana is such a wonderful wife, mother, friend, and help-mate. She did her share of counseling, too.

There was another family with kids at this camp. Mathew was a good companion for Charity, too.

Rancho Paumar, in Itatiba, SP
is a wnderful camp. It was a great time spiritually, and physically.

More Carnival Camp pics Feb 1-5, 2008

I'm having trouble getting pic to download....come back later for more 2008 Carnival Camp pics

More pics of the 2008 Carvival Youth Camp.

FYI - Carnival should be classified as "carnal-val". That is why most churches try to offer a camp, or other activity during the 5 day event. Sure, the lights, colors, and sounds may appear enticing, beautiful, and harmless, but ask the police about violence, traffic deaths caused by alcohol, etc. during the week of, or the maternity wards 9 months after the fact, about unwanted, fatherless children.....and the list could go on.

We have been in Brazil going on 21 years, and I have yet to see anything good come out of carnival, except the fact that we have an opportunity to get to a group of youth AWAY from the world at a camp.

ALSO, last year, in the USA, one man at a church, after seeing one of our video clips, made the comment that it looked like we were on "perpetual vacation."
Well, what better place to do evangelism, discipleship, family seminars, and church seminars than at some of the most beautiful camps, beaches, hotels, and scenery in the world. Brazil is beautiful, and no, we do not work with Indians (only 1 percent of all missions in Brazil is indigenous), and yes, we do enjoy serving the Lord in a beautiful creation that HE created. I'm not sure what type of place we are supposed to live, or what type of place we are supposed to work in according to a comment like that.
ANYWAY, Brazil is beautiful, God is good, and He has called us to win the lost at any cost, to share the Good News to ALL peoples, and to baptize and disciple new believers, teaching them to obey the Lord, by our example.

From Feb 1-5 we enjoyed a special time with 135 college and career youth from the Independent Presbyterian Church in Alpha-Ville, São Paulo. This is our second youth camp in two years with them. We have also preached for the youth, and the church, on different occassions.

This camp was different, as about 98 percent were followers of Jesus Christ, and very dedicated. Their pastoral and youth staff are very dedicated to the Word of God, and strong on discipleship.

I spoke 5 times on the book of Daniel, asking at different times if they were willing to take the challenge and, "DARE TO BE A DANIEL". - 1. To purify their lives, and remain pure for the sake of the gospel; 2. To seek out Godly friends that would pray with them, and help them in their Christian walk; 3. To not bow down to worldly pleasures, nor temptations; 4. To be bold witnesses for Jesus Christ, even when not politically correct; 5.To do right in God's eyes at all times, even though it may cost them their lives.

In the end I reminded them how God sent an angel to remind Daniel that he was loved by God, greatly (chapter10), and that Daniel was promised a reward for his faithfulness after his death (last verse of book of daniel.) Two college students gave their lives to Jesus Christ, and another 14 said, "WE WILL TAKE THE DARE!"

GLORY TO GOD FOR ALL DECISIONS!

As I mentioned, people are the most important part of God's creation. He loves people; so much so that He sent Jesus Christ to die, for people, so that we people could have everlasting life. Now that is what I call a true friend. That is what the bible says, " No great love has any man than this, that he would lay down his life for a friend." God wants all of us to be His friends.

Speaking of friends, we have short friends, tall friends, silly friends, not so silly friends. They come is all shapes, sizes, and colors. We love our friends.

Our ministry in Brazil is about people. Whether it be a counseling session, preaching a message, eating a meal, teaching a class, taking a trip, whatever it may be....God loves people, and we want to teach God's love to people.

Here are some pics of new, and "old" friends......

Charity Maria is growing up so fast. She will be 7 in April, 08. Started first grade this week...wow! I'm fifty...never imagined that at 50 I'd have a 1st grader.... she is so fun.

Charity is going to be our dancer. She loves ballet, and is always going around doing choreography to every song that enters her mind. She makes up music, too. She is the top far right in the pic.

Funny, she is not afraid of animals, bugs, not even roaches nor spyders. She is attent to details and seems to have an animal attraction. Even butterflies and humming-birds will come very close to her.

A few more pics of Diana's b-day gifts. Besides lots of good friends coming to visit, she received a lovely breakfast basket, and orchids.

Diana also enjoyed going out with our friend Yeda, to a country buffet for lunch. We are blessed to live in one of the most abundant, and most beautiful areas of Brazil.

It is not for those reasons we live here, however. I remind myself that I would be willing to return to the Amazon, or other poor areas, if God led that way. Comfort is blessing, but not a necessity. We are not called to a life of luxury and security, but to a life of obedience. As one pastor, Dr C. Sumner Wemp says, "God gives us our needs, and a lot of our greeds. Be careful what you ask for."

You may recall that in October of 07, that I took a trip to Manaus with Yan, our jr-sr high pastor. Well, in 2008 we are teaming up again, except this time to work with the parents of these adolescent youth.

Many parents come to both Diana and me asking for help with their adols, as we call adolescent youth here. I counsel them right away, that it is a crime to kill your jr-higher. They laugh, as to keep from crying.

With God's help, we will begin a series of classes to parents of this age group the beginning of March. The series will run for five weeks. Then, in October, we will offer another series of classes, all designed at how to reach the heart of your teen child.

Pray for Yan, and the EXTREME youth ministry. Pray for the parents of these 125 plus teens, that they will be Godly examples to their kids.

Pray for Diana and me as we have a big task ahead of us, teaching the parents of these kids.

AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD - written by Tim Sheppard.

After being married to this wonderful lady for 26 years, I still enjoy singing this classic song with her (it is the only song we sing together). I must say that at 50 years of age...not bad....lookin' good!

Thanks, Abasilio, for the great photographs.

Christmas dinner was Italian style, this year. Carolina, a new Christian we are discipling, invited us to her mother's house for the special event. Her mother is an Italian immigrant. Needless to say, the pastas were out of this world good. We had baked chicken, too.

A few days after Christmas, friends from Manaus (Neto, Ivete, Pinha and Ligia) came for a few days to help celebrate Diana's 50th b-day. Other friends came by as well. Since her b-day just happens to be on Dec 31, we also went to some friends to celebrate the New Year, and Lady Di got thrown in the pool. HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY DIANA!