T.J.I.F A..

THANK JESUS IT'S FRIDAY AGAIN!
November 29, 2002
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!

SUBJECT : THANKSGIVING AT MY HOUSE - BFF
SCRIPTURE: REVELATIONS  3RD CHAP.

TJIFA SAILS TO THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE THIS WEEK.  LOOKING AT OUR FRIENDLY FROGS AT THANKSGIVING TIME.  EVEN THOUGH THEY MAKE US SMILE, WE MUST CONTINUALLY REMEMBER WHICH SIDE OUR BREAD IS BUTTERED, BEFORE WE LAY IT DOWN.  

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING DAY AND DON'T FORGET TO SHARE!  

LOOKING FORWARD

SEE YA NEXT TIME

TER



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THANKSGIVING AT MY HOUSE -BFF

It was the last day of school before Thanksgiving Day, and the students were all very excited about their four day holiday.  As the teacher attempted to keep order, she finally decided to let everyone talk about their anticipated  holiday.

One by one the children gladly popped up declaring their family traditions and usual meals.  The teacher noticed that Frederick wasn't enjoying this round of enthusiasm, so she called on him to share with the class what his tradition was at this time of year.   Frederick declined to participate saying, "I would rather have school than a turkey.   What can you learn from being a glutton?"  The other children booed him and continued telling about their traditions.  

It was now Cindy's turn.  She looked excited and told a wonderful story about going to an unknown relative's house every year to have Thanksgiving Dinner.  She made it sound so wonderful.  She told of the games that the children played while the grown-ups talked about things that happened long ago, and how the Grandmothers baked their special apple and sweet potato pies.  She told about how the men went out in the woods and killed the turkey and chopped wood for the fire place.  Then, as suddenly as she began,  she stopped and took her seat.  

The class was real interested in what she had said about killing the turkey, but it was time for another to speak.  

Big Fat Frog took the floor, with his tee-shirt riding up in the front, a big grin on his face and the look in his eyes of heavenly bliss.  (This was his favorite Holiday Season - Turkey Time!)  He started talking about Thanksgiving Dinner, and as they had done with other classmates, they oo'ed and yummed as he talked.  His celebration didn't seem any different than others, but Big Fat Frog had a way of talking about food that made everyone hungry.  He seemed so happy and energetic; especially when he demonstrated how his father would carved that juicy succulent roasted turkey.  

After a few more classmates the discussion about Thanksgiving was over and it was finally time to go home.  

The class adjourned with great excitement.  Big Fat Frog found himself rushing to get to the front of the line; a bad habit that he thought he had broken.  As he pushed himself through the crowd, he felt someone's foot under his and while trying to correct this already bad situation he turned suddenly, and knocked Frederick down with his book bag.

"Frederick, I'm sorry."  said Big Fat Frog.  "I didn't mean to knock you down.  Please,  let me help you."  And he extended his hand.

Frederick refused his help and began shouting, "You're always picking on someone smaller than you, Big Fat Frog you should STOP eating so much  turkey and think about others around you." Big Fat Frog was still trying to help Frederick, when he heard a sniffle coming from the outside of the classroom door.  It was Cindy!  Both Big Fat Frog and Frederick scrambled to help her.  They asked her why she was crying?  
Cindy said," Frog, you stepped on my foot, and it hurts." "See, Big Fat Frog, you were in such a big hurry to eat turkey, that you couldn't watch out for any one else.  Not even Cindy;  your friend."

Big Fat Frog felt bad and asked over and over for forgiveness from both Frederick and Cindy.  As the three of them walked out of the now, semi quiet school;  Cindy broke the silence by asking Frederick why he didn't talk about Thanksgiving Dinner and why would he want to be in school on such a beautiful holiday?
 
Frederick replied, "You sound like Frog..always asking me questions.  But since you asked;  My mother is out of town and it‘s only me and my Dad and he doesn't cook and probably wouldn't anyway." Cindy nodded her head in attempts to understand.  
Frederick asked her about the men going out and killing the turkey.  He said, "That sounds just like a story that I read about the Pilgrims, long ago." Cindy cried.

Big Fat Frog had a confused look on his face, "What did you say to her?" "Nothing!  Nothing!  I only told  her about a book that I read about Pilgrims, and she started to cry."   Frederick said in a befuddled tone. "Well, maybe one of her ancestors was a Pilgrim," reasoned Big Fat Frog.

When Cindy heard the two of them squabbling and their error in reasoning, she laughed.  Frederick and Big Fat Frog looked at one another.  Cindy told them the truth.  She told them that the story she told in the classroom wasn't true and that she didn't know what she would do for Thanksgiving Day Dinner.  She went on to explain that her mother was very sick and that her father had spent all of his earnings on trying to keep her medication on hand.  She also expressed  love for all of the stories in the classroom and admitted that she was caught up in the excitement when she thought of that strange story.  She admitted to Frederick that she had read about the Pilgrims, and that story was so unique that she incorporated as her own.  
Frederick immediately turned to Big Fat Frog and chastised him for the rest of the class.  He said with scorn, "There are many of us that can't have a Thanksgiving Dinner, but we don't rub it into your faces.  I think that you people who flaunt your religion make others like me and Cindy sad." Big Fat Frog said nothing.
   
Frederick continued, "We'd like to have a great party like that which you have described, however, since only YOUR FAMILY is included in traditions, I guess there's no room for anyone else."  Big Fat Frog went home to his Thanksgiving Dinner, leaving Cindy and Frederick to wallow in their own symphony of pity.  

When he arrived at home, he talked to first his father then his mother.    After these brief but accomplished conversations, Big Fat Frog seemed extremely buoyant. He ran to the phone and quietly invited Cindy and then Frederick to their  Thanksgiving Dinner.  They both had the same response, that they would have to ask their respective parents.  As it went, Big Fat Frog was satisfied that the invitation had been guaranteed by both of his parents. Cindy was first to call Big Fat Frog and accept the invitation.  She asked him if he had talked to Frederick and when he told her that he had invited him also, she seemed relieved.  

Frederick called about  two hours later and he also confirmed the invitation and told Big Fat Frog that he would be there.  He didn't ask who was going to be  there, he just seemed happy to be looking forward to being there.

On Thanksgiving Day Cindy arrived dressed so beautifully; like Sunday morning.   Frederick also came with his three piece suit and bow tie.  He handed Big Fat Frog's mother a small bouquet of flowers.  Frederick seemed a little nervous, but happy.   When he saw Big Fat Frog, he asked him about praying, and told him that he didn't have a prayer to give before his meal.  (He knew about the prayer because Big Fat Frog had made it an integral part of his Thanksgiving Day Celebration, when he told about it in class.)   Big Fat Frog made him feel at ease and told him that if he didn't want to say anything he didn't have to feel pushed to do so.  

The time of the dinner finally came, and everyone was gathered at the large table.  There were all kinds of food.  Frederick now understood why Big Fat Frog was so excited about this day.  He found himself   feeling excited and evidently caught up in the moment.  Everyone at the table gave a sentence prayer and told about something that they were truly thankful.  Cindy and Frederick were siting next to one another and Cindy was to speak first.  She bowed her head and whispered, "Thank you for this invitation."  Next it was Frederick's time.  He was almost tearful as he bowed his head and said, "Happy, happy is the fish in the Sea.  Happy, is the bird in the tree.   Happy is the eagle, who flies in the sky.  Happy are you and happy am I."    There was silence as the rest of the family listened to their visitor's meditation.  Then, Big Fat Frog prayed;  "Father, in Heaven, I thank you for my friends, who have joined us at this  great celebration of  Thanksgiving.   Bless all of the cooks  this day, and their families.  Lord, have mercy on those without.  In JESUS name, AMEN".  Frederick noticed that soon after the table was blessed, Big Fat Frog's father put on his overcoat and left the house with a large box prepared for him by his wife.  

Before dinner was even half finished, he returned and sat down to enjoy his wonderful meal.  

Frederick and Cindy had a great time.    Frederick was the first one to leave.  His father came a little early.  Frederick almost seemed sorrowful to leave this wonderful feast and its participants .  

Then Cindy began to change.  She spoke of Jesus Christ and how He had taken such good care of her mother.  Big Fat Frog's mother looked surprised and asked, "Cindy, are you saved?" "Yes, Ma'am." When his mother left the room, Big Fat Frog spoke without hesitation to Cindy.  "Cindy, your actions aren't those of a Born Again Believer.  You only started talking about Jesus, when Frederick went home. ."
"I feel sorry for him.  He doesn't know Jesus Christ, and I knew that he would feel out of place, so I pretended that I was like him.  I found out that he wasn't a believer the day that the three of us walked home together."
 
"GOD said in His Word, that if you are ashamed of me before men, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.  Are you going to hold his hand right into Hell?  He needs someone to be honest with him." "You're right Frog, but, he has a lot of good in him.  He's real smart!"  "Cindy, there are a lot of good people in Hell.  There are many smart people in Hell.  My family wouldn't embarrass Frederick, but we don't change sides because we want you to feel good.    My family didn't stop talking about Christ because we had company.  This is our life!"

Cindy had become so embarrassed that she responded in a negative way. "You   have all of this.  You don't share with anyone.  Is this good Christianity?" They were interrupted by the door bell.  It was Cindy's parents.  She tried to get ready fast, so   that they wouldn't see the great feast in which she had been participant.  She knew that at home there was nothing and she didn't want her parents to seem like needy people.  But before she could get out of the room, her parents began thanking Big Fat Frog's parents for the wonderful meal.  They told them that they had given them enough to eat for two days and the food was so tasty. While these parents were talking, the phone rang.  Big Fat Frog answered.  It was Frederick's Father.  He wanted to speak with Big Fat Frog's mother.  When she accepted the call Cindy and Big Fat Frog heard one side of the conversation.  It went like this: "Well, you're  certainly welcome.  We had a grand time with Frederick.  You have a very smart young man there. He'll make you very proud someday.  We hope that you will join us next year.  Good-bye."  and she hung up the phone.

Cindy stood paralyzed, thinking about all the awful things that she had assumed about this Christian family.  "I'm sorry Frog.  Please forgive me?" "Ah Cindy, we're real friends.  That's what I like about Christianity.  Either you're all the way in or not in at all.  GOD said in Revelations that ‘I would that you were either hot or cold.  But if you are lukewarm, I will spew you out of my mouth'. So you see that Frederick is cold, because he doesn't know Christ.  My family and I are hot because we do know Christ and attempt to live it always.  But you are jumping from side to side making yourself lukewarm, and that's a bad place to be."  

After the last visitor had left their home, Big Fat Frog leaped to the dessert table for seconds, followed by his family.  His father spoke with humility about the holiday and their guests, then he quietly conversed with Big Fat Frog, "Son, you handled the situation with Cindy extremely well.  She is in a fragile area of her life.  We have all been in her position, where we are saved but looking around and looking back seems to comfort, because the old ways are still familiar. It is a place where we haven't learned, as yet, to trust and believe GOD to the fullest.  Some of us are still half hearted with our walk in the Lord.  I am proud of your kindness toward Cindy and Frederick.  We must love them all into the Kingdom of GOD, just as He loved us all with the giving of His Son, Jesus Christ."  Then he turned to his wife, "Honey, the meal was superb!  Thank you."

They raised their Grape Juice in a final high toast; " HAPPY THANKSGIVING!"

Looking Forward

See Ya Next Time

TER