Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Gratitude

This By Darius Rucker

Blessed by Martina McBride

I Could Not Ask For More by Sara Evans
(Originally Recorded by Edwin McCain)

Writings On Gratitude

Thankfulness is of various kinds. There is a verbal thanksgiving which is confined to a mere utterance of gratitude. This is of no importance because perchance the tongue may give thanks while the heart is unaware of it. Many who offer thanks to God are of this type, their spirits and
hearts unconscious of thanksgiving. This is mere usage, just as when we meet, receive a gift and say thank you, speaking the words without significance. One may say thank you a thousand times while the heart remains thankless, ungrateful. Therefore, mere verbal thanksgiving is without effect. But real thankfulness is a cordial giving of thanks from the heart. When man in response to the favors of God manifests susceptibilities of conscience, the heart is happy, the spirit is exhilarated. These spiritual susceptibilities are ideal thanksgiving.  "
                                                           Abd'u'l-Baha- The Promulgation Of Universal Peace pg 236
    
"There is a cordial thanksgiving, too, which expresses itself in the deeds and actions of man when his heart is filled with gratitude. For example, God has conferred upon man the gift of guidance, and in thankfulness for this great gift certain deeds must emanate from him. To express his gratitude for the favors of God man must show forth praiseworthy actions. In response to these bestowals he must render good deeds, be self-sacrificing, loving the servants of God, forfeiting even life for them, showing kindness to all the creatures. He must be severed from the world, attracted to the Kingdom of Abhá, the face radiant, the tongue eloquent, the ear attentive, striving day and night to attain the good pleasure of God. Whatsoever he wishes to do must be in harmony with the good pleasure of God. He must observe and see what is the will of God and act accordingly. There can be no doubt that such commendable deeds are thankfulness for the favors of God. "
                                                        Abd'u'l-Baha- The Promulgation Of Universal Peace pg 236

"O thou handmaid of God! In this day, to thank God for His bounties consisteth in possessing a radiant heart, and a soul open to the promptings of the spirit. This is the essence of thanksgiving."
                                                                   Selections From The Writings Of  Abd'u'l-Baha pg 320


More Songs On Gratitude

Unanswered Prayers by Garth Brooks
Little Moments by Brad Paisley
I Saw God Today by George Strait
Little Moments and I Saw God Today  are available on iTunes


Music Bibliography
This by Darius Rucker is on the album Charleston SC,1966
Blessed by Martina McBride is on her Greatest Hits album
I Could Not Ask For More by Sara Evans is on the album Born To Fly
All three songs are available on iTunes