The Gates of Thanksgivng

Garden of the Gods

"Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!" Psalm 100:3-4 English Standard Version

The orange rock to the right in this picture is known as the North Gate Rock, and, you guessed it, the rock on the extreme left is the South Gate Rock. These two sandstone formations have framed many photographers' pictures of Pikes Peak. They form a gap that draws us further into Garden.  

Though this opening is not the gate into the temple in Jerusalem, many of us feel that these rocks are his gates. And with such an entrance we are called to lift our hands in thanksgiving to the God of heaven and earth; the God who sent his Son to a cross for his wounded sheep.

And so it's Thanksgiving Day. Today, God's Spirit draws us into his presence to give thanks. Many of us will sit around our Thanksgiving tables giving thanks for our blessings. We'll share these blessings with our family and friends as we lift our hands to God.

To God, our thanks are better than the smell of turkey, the taste of pumpkin pie, or the clarity of wine. As we enjoy fellowship and laughter with each other, may we fall on our knees in thanksgiving to our gracious and loving God.

Today, I especially thank God for you, the readers of this blog. I am humbled and encouraged by your faithfulness. May God bless all of you on this special day as you give thanks to our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.

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(Click on picture to enlarge.)

Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.