It is so easy to take blessings for granted – Good health, marriage, family, the freedoms we enjoy as Americans and the freedom we have in Jesus the Christ. With the 24/7 news cycle, hyperbole is the norm coming at us across all media platforms. Keeping a healthy perspective requires discipline to navigate through the noise and embrace the blessings of life, to be thankful.

This Thanksgiving, I encourage a 24-hour news fast. Turn off media, ignore “breaking news” alerts and do something radical like turning all phones OFF, at least during dinner. Tune-in to those in your presence and initiate discussion around a blessing enjoyed this past week – what I call a glimpse of God’s glory granted in the midst of this noisy world. And be sure to point to the One we are thankful for in every discussion.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. – John 3:16-17. God sent His Son indeed – Born of the virgin Mary, He lived a sinless life, suffered under Pontius Pilot, was dead and buried. On the third day He rose from the dead, appeared to His disciples and to the many, then ascended to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. All for the sake of saving us from the power, penalty, place and ultimately one day the presence of sin. Click HERE to view a one-minute video - Thankful indeed!

As you count your blessings this Thanksgiving be sure to commit time beyond this day to the most important relationships in this life – Date your bride at least once a month and schedule regular one-on-one time with each child. For dads with daughters (ages 11-18) Faithful Fathering is conducting a father-daughter Being There weekend December 28–30th. Commit a weekend to invest quantity time that will yield quality results in relationship with your daughter. Click HERE for information and to register.

Prayer guide: Father, thank You for Your word and Your Son’s walk on this earth. Not His will but Your will was done as He obeyed all the way to the point of death, even death on the cross. And here I am, caught up in media, my wants and my will. I deceive myself saying that I seek Your will as I walk in my way. Forgive me Lord. Help me move my head-knowledge of You to a heart-level relationship with You. Thank You for walking out of the tomb in victory over sin and death. That is the news, the good news to be shared this day and every day. Thankful indeed! Amen.

A faithful father is thankful indeed for Jesus the Christ - His life, death and resurrection.