22 Nov, 2007
Bush Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys
Turkey is the traditional meal at Thanksgiving. And yet every holiday for the last 60 years, at least one bird has escaped the butcher's axe with a ceremonial White House pardon.
This year, two National Thanksgiving Turkeys traveled from the Midwest state of Indiana for President Bush to spare their lives in the Rose Garden. "May they live the rest of their lives in blissful gobbling and may all Americans enjoy a holiday full of love and peace."
After their pardon, the two turkeys flew first class to Disney World where they will be the honorary grand marshals of the Florida amusement park's Thanksgiving Day parade. The birds, named May and Flower, will retire to a petting zoo at the park.
In his remarks, President Bush gave thanks for a good harvest, a strong economy, and the courage of the men and women of the U.S. military.
"They have worn proudly the uniform of our country. They have offered their lives in our defense. And each year, thousands more volunteer to join their noble ranks to keep us safe. And so on this Thanksgiving we keep their families and their loved ones in our prayers and in our thoughts."
The president and Mrs. Bush will spend the Thanksgiving holiday at the presidential retreat at Camp David.
photo & story courtesy voanews.com, 11/20/07
Thankful for the pardon!
Two turkeys are thankful that they aren't being featured on a Thanksgiving menu this holiday.
Micah 7:18 (NLT)
God's Love and Compassion
18 Where is another God like you,
who pardons the guilt of the remnant,
overlooking the sins of his special people?
You will not stay angry with your people forever,
because you delight in showing unfailing love.
Why is today's God's Story scripture such a great verse for Thanksgiving?
The prophet Micah warned God's people that judgment was coming, but that God would offer pardon to all who would repent.
This week, President Bush did the annual "pardon" for two lucky turkeys. Do you realize that we're not lucky, but blessed? Isaiah wrote that we have all strayed like sheep. Today, let's just say that we have strayed like "wild turkeys". We don't deserve God's forgiveness for our sin, but that's why His grace is so amazing!
Today, with thanksgiving, praise God for His pardon!
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Thank God for His mercy! He could give us eternal death, but He has given us a full pardon because Jesus shed His blood to pay the penalty for our sins. Take several minutes to thank and praise Him for His grace...
- While you're eating turkey during the Thanksgiving holidays, tell God thank you for His pardon. Praise Him for the promise of some day sitting at His banquet table in Heaven!
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and our story to others?
With family and friends, start up a conversation about God offering us His loving pardon, by bringing up today's story about President Bush giving a pardon to the turkeys. Let Jesus guide you in knowing how much of your story or God's story to share.
- May 2012 [11]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
