W
hen America was a more agrarian
society, harvest festival was a common
celebration in both Salvation Army corps and
other churches. Traditionally, farmers brought in
a selection of their crops for display. The goods
were then sold and the money used for missions
or other church needs. The displays provided
beautiful color and variety and because of the
abundance, the produce and flowers filled the
entire chapel. Just the sight of all this testified to
God's blessing. And the harvest was also a reminder that no matter
how severe the coming winter, the people would have provisions.
After a quick Internet search I found that harvest festival is
still relevant. But it has changed a great deal. Now many use it
as an alternative to Halloween. Pinterest will show how to make
agriculturally themed crafts, which may or may not involve actual
plant life. So what was originally a celebration of God's goodness
and gifts for life and the winter ahead is now party time with turkeys
made from toilet paper tubes. A strange development indeed.
Jamaicans still celebrate harvest. Sugar cane and sweet potatoes,
bananas and pineapples, mangos and ackee fill the corps buildings.
Although I had never been part of traditional harvest festivals
in my home country, I felt connected to them when celebrating
harvest in Jamaica. I felt again some of what our forebears felt
when seeing the tangible results of months of work and cultivation.
The person offering fruits of the harvest was saying in essence,
"I partnered with God and this is the result. Praise be to God!"
May we seek to partner with God not only in growing things
but also in working for the Kingdom.
Then we can rejoice in the harvest that
brings honor and praise to our God.
4
The War Cry | NOVEMBER 2013
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget
not all His benefits" (Psalm 103:2).
T
hanksgiving Day is a special holiday. It's not
about a great victory in battle or honoring a
great individual. It is a day when we thank God
for the blessings we as a nation enjoy. Can't you
feel the great anticipation building here in the
United States of America as we prepare to gather
with family and friends to simply give thanks?
We may ask, "Just what do I have to be thankful for?" or "The
Pilgrims had reasons to offer thanks to God, but not me in this dog-
eat-dog, selfish world." Some of us, whether we admit it or not, are like
Bart Simpson when it was his turn to pray before the family meal: "Lord,
my dad earned the money to pay for this food and my mom worked
for hours to cook it. What did you do? Thanks a lot for nothing,"
Yet all around we see the evidence of God's goodness.
Not only is there the beauty of nature and the freedom we
enjoy in this country, but the knowledge that the eternal
God seeks to have a place in my heart and yours.
For these reasons, Thanksgiving is something too important to be
contained in a single day. It is not just an observance to be noted but
a spirit to cultivate and express each and every moment, year in and
year out. How thankful we are that, by God's Spirit, we can participate
in the joy, transformation and purpose that flow from the Christian life.
The greatest reason for Thanksgiving in every season is the
fact that Almighty God desires to have a personal relationship
with you and me. He wants to set up residence in our hearts.
Happy Thanksgiving!
MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL COMMANDER
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
W
ILLIAM
B
OOTH
FOUNDER
A
NDR�
C
OX
GENERAL
D
AVID
J
EFFREY
NATIONAL COMMANDER
The Salvation Army Territorial Commanders
P
AUL
R. S
EILER
Central Territorial Commander
B
ARRY
S
WANSON
Eastern Territorial Commander
D
ONALD
B
ELL
Southern Territorial Commander
J
AMES
M. K
NAGGS
Western Territorial Commander
The Salvation Army National Publications Department
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November, 2O13
Volume 133 | Number 13
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