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A Thanksgiving Feast for a Mere $35k

Thankfulness Satisfaction Appreciation

Source: "New York City Restaurant Serves Up $35,000 Thanksgiving" By NICOLE PELLETIERE, posted ABC NEWS, Nov 24, 2014

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2014-11-24

Scripture: Philippians 4:12

Author: Illustration Exchange
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ILLUSTRATION

The Old Homestead restaurant in New York City’s Meatpacking District, is offering up an audaciously pricey Thanksgiving feast this 2014 holiday season. For a mere $35,000, a party of four can dine on organic roast turkey stuffed with $200/lb Japanese filet mignon (reputed to be the worlds best, most expensive beef). For sides, diners will enjoy mashed yams topped with rare, imported Royal Osetra caviar (priced at $1600/oz!), and edible 24k gold chips.

The restaurants owner says it's not about the price, but the experience of enjoying the very best the world has to offer, serving everything "over the top."

APPLICATION

If you need everything to be "over the top" to thankfully enjoy a Thanksgiving Day meal, then perhaps you're not actually enjoying the "very best" after all. The "very best" could be a scrap of meat or a lump of stale bread if it is received with a heart of gratitude.

"I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little" (Philippians 4:12, NLT).

Celebrating Mothers All Year Long

Motherhood Love (Divine) Appreciation

Source: Mother’s Day Central: Celebrating Mothers All Year Long

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Barnett Gushin | Date Posted: 2014-05-07

Scripture: 1 John 4:19 ; Psalms 145:2

Author: Mother's Day Central / Angela C (aka Hawkgrrrrl)
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ILLUSTRATION

According to Mother’s Day Central—a website devoted to “celebrating mothers all year long”—Mother’s Day continues to be a highly commercial holiday. They present the following recent statistics:
  • The National Retail Foundation estimates that Mother's Day is a $16 Billion industry.
  • Florists see their highest sales in May.
  • US restaurants claim that it is the busiest day of the year.
  • Long distance telephone calls also peak on this day.
  • The US Postal Service experiences increased volume during the surrounding days.
  • According to Hallmark (via About.com), 96% of American consumers take part in shopping on Mother's Day, while retailers report it as the second highest gift giving day of the year behind Christmas.
  • Consumers spent an average of $152 per person on Mom for Mother's Day in 2012.*
 *NRF Mother's Day Spending survey conducted by BIGinsight, 2012.

APPLICATION

On this one particular day, we go to elaborate lengths to show our mothers our attention, affection, and appreciation. But one internet blogger* shares an important insight:
 
Like our physical dependence on imperfect mothers, we are spiritually dependent on our perfect saviour.  1 John 4:19 says of our relationship with the saviour:  “We love him, because he first loved us.”  Likewise, we love our mothers because they first loved us before we knew how to love or to care for others.  And as with the saviour, there isn’t just one day a year for showing our appreciation “Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever” – Psalm 145:2..  If you haven’t convinced your mother you love her on the other 364 days a year, nothing you do on Mother’s Day will convince her.
 
*Angela C (aka Hawkgrrrl) is an American business executive currently living in Asia.

Letters for 'All Saints'

Appreciation Encouragement Communication

Source: "For All the Saints" by Martha Hubbard, published in Presbyterians Today, July-August 1999, p. 12

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2013-07-20

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Author: Martha Hubbard, contributor, Presbyterians Today
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ILLUSTRATION

Looking for creative ways to inject a deeper sense of gratitude in your own life, or to develop your encouragement skills? Consider the following:

Each year I celebrate All Saint's Day by writing a letter to one of the "saints" in my life, telling that person how he or she has helped me to be the person of faith that I am.

One year I was mentally preparing my letter for a former professor when I learned of his death. He had been such a strong influence in my life and in my calling … that I wrote the letter to his wife, telling her about the impact her husband had on my young life.

Another year I wrote my sixth grade public school teacher. I did not directly learn about faith from him, but his encouragement, support and love showed each day as I emerged from being a shy adolescent. His creative activities in the classroom helped me on the path to my future career.

APPLICATION

Hubbard says, "The letters are written in thankful appreciation to God for the people who have been a part of my journey."

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Nothing Says I Love You Like a Necktie

Fatherhood Love (Human) Appreciation

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2012-06-11

Scripture: John 13:35

Author: Illustration Exchange
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The Wonder of Appreciation

Appreciation Unity Edification

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2011-11-16

Scripture: 1 John 3:16

Author: Voltaire
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The Richness of Scripture

Bible Abiding Gratitude

Contributed By: Marcelle Smith | Date Posted: 2023-09-02

Scripture: Colossians 3:16 ; Proverbs 34:8

Author: Marcelle Smith
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Value Where There Is None

Value (True Worth) Self-worth Spiritual Life

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2022-04-07

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:20 ; Mark 8:36

Author: Illustration Exchange
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The Value of a Bottle of Water

Value (True Worth) Image of God Identity

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2022-03-18

Scripture: Genesis 1:27 ; Romans 8:17

Author: Illustration Exchange
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Even Mutilated Money Retains Its Value

Value (True Worth) Image of God Man

Contributed By: Stephen Kingsley | Date Posted: 2022-01-07

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:18 ; 1 Peter 1:19

Author: Stephen Kingsley
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Forever Dependent

Dependence on God Humility Gratitude

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2021-03-28

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9

Author: Illustration Exchange
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