(bright music)

- Well, happy Thanksgiving

and welcome to this special
edition of the 700 Club.

Coming up, a pro-football
hall of famer

expresses his gratitude
for a legendary career.

And later on, two parents
give thanks for the miracle

that brought their
baby home just in time

to celebrate Thanksgiving.

- Well, we begin with a
look at the health benefits

of gratitude.

The Bible tells the
importance of giving thanks.

And now doctors are
saying the same thing.

Lorie Johnson explains.

(scene whooshes)

- Research overwhelmingly
shows that an attitude

of gratitude is
good for our health,

both mentally and physically,

primarily because
it reduces stress,

the so-called silent killer.

Studies show when our brain

focuses on gratitude,
levels of stress hormones,

cortisol and adrenaline drop,

leading to a better outlook
on life and improved health.

- We're sleeping better.

We are more motivated to
exercise and eat well.

We're more motivated to
take care of ourselves.

Research has shown
that lower levels

of those stress hormones,

they're better for
your immune system.

We're getting sick less.

We're recovering quicker,
lowers blood pressure.

- [Narrator 2] The good
news is doctors say no one

is too old to reverse course.

There is a big word that we
use called neuroplasticity.

So in the layman's terms,

what it means is that
our brain can actually

change over time based
on our experiences.

- [Narrator 2] That's because
if our minds repeatedly dwell

on the negative,

these neural pathways can
become ingrained in our brain

and will automatically use them,

by intentionally changing
those thought patterns

to the positive, however,
we can form new pathways.

- And that is how we
kind of rewire our brain

to now use those pathways,

more kind of positive
thinking pathways

that will in turn translate
to those health benefits.

- [Narrator 2] Experts
believe one of the best ways

to train or retrain our mind
is to dwell on our blessings.

That could involve beginning
each day with a gratitude list.

- If you can pick up a pen

and just write down
even three things

that you're grateful for
each day as you begin the day

and train your eyes to see

what you're doing is
expanding your perspective

to see joy throughout
the rest of the day.

- [Narrator 2] For some that
can be easier said than done.

- I completely resonate

and understand how
difficult it is when you're

in deep traumatic grief or
dealing with chronic pain.

Can you go ahead and
pick up God's word

and write down that you're
grateful for one promise of his?

I think focusing on the, we
don't give thanks to God,

because of how we feel,

we give thanks to God
because of who he is.

- [Narrator 2] In addition
to keeping a journal,

experts recommend expressing
gratitude to others in writing,

or in person.

- And that also has
tremendous effect on our mood,

our lower anxiety levels,
improved relationships

and just overall
sense of wellbeing.

- [Narrator 2] And
perhaps most important,

begin prayers by giving thanks.

- Philippians 4:6 says, "Do
not be anxious about anything,

but in every situation
by prayer and petition."

With what?

"With thanksgiving, make
your request known to God."

- Experts say gratitude
can develop like a muscle.

So if you can only start
small and think of only one,

or two things for which to
be grateful, stick with it.

The more grateful you are,

the more grateful
you will become.

- But I'm too worried
to be grateful.

(Lorie laughs)

There's so much going on though,

but let what's the difference?

Why should you do this
to start your day?

- Well, when you make a
gratitude journal in the day,

you sort of set the
tone for the rest

of the day based on this
psychological principle

called confirmation bias.

Now, our brains work a certain
way that whatever we believe,

we search out for
things that confirm

what our existing beliefs

and we pay a lot of
attention to them

and sort of diminish
things that don't confirm

what we already believe.

So if you start the day
thinking, "I am blessed,

God is good, blessings
are everywhere."

Your brain will look for things

to confirm those beliefs
throughout the day

and you'll become more grateful.

The opposite is
also true, Gordon.

- Yeah, it is true.

And can't you get
locked into a pattern

of constantly thinking,

"Well, the worst is
getting ready to happen."

- A hundred percent.

So it's a double-edged sword
with this confirmation bias

that whatever you think,
you're going to look for things

to confirm that.

And that goes for all things,

not just gratitude,
politics and the like.

- Well, what's the
difference here?

Because you know,
I'm hearing in some,

I don't know if new age
is the right word to,

that you speak into being
the reality you want to be.

How is this different than that?

- Well, it actually is
very much connected,

because the things that we say,

the things that we write down,
this is why writing down,

or typing things
is so important,

because it reinforces
them in our mind.

And so when you say things
to people, it makes you,

if you say, "I'm
grateful for you,

I'm grateful for the
things that you do."

This is enforcing that
gratitude in yourself.

But also the other person too,

when they're making out
their gratitude journal,

they may be thinking, hey,
thank you for that compliment

from that person.

That really, sometimes,

and this goes for
strangers as well,

sometimes the kindness in
the things that we show

to other people,
that's all they get.

- Yeah, and biblically,
it reinforces there's life

and death in the tongue
and the power of that.

The power of what you
say is very biblical.

You can create, your words
have creative effect,

not only for you, but for
the people that hear you.

- Absolutely, yes, it's so true.

- How does neuroplasticity
play into this

that you can literally rewire,

we're seeing things
with dementia,

we're seeing things
with addiction recovery,

how does this work there?

- This is a fantastic,
wonderful, again,

a double-edged sword,

because we actually
have habits of thinking.

They're called neural pathways,

just like pathways
on the ground.

So the more you walk on
it, the more you're likely

to walk on it.

And that can be good or bad.

So these neural pathways, so
for example, with addiction,

a lot of addiction specialists

and I've interviewed them,

say they want to help
train their patients

to think differently.

So for example, some people
when they walk through the door

after work every night, their
brain tells them head straight

for the liquor cabinet.

So this is a thought, a habit.

There are signals in the brain

and the idea is to change
that to form new patterns.

And pretty much, and so
let's say you change that to

what you always do when you
come home is you spend time

with your mate or
you go for a walk,

or there are a million
other good things to do.

Eventually that will be
your new neural pathway.

Regarding Alzheimer's,

one proven Alzheimer's
prevention method is

to start new neural pathways

regarding like learning
a new language,

or learning to play
a musical instrument,

or even doing crosswords
or brain teasers every day.

But it's that habit of thinking.

- How important is
to be mindful of

where you are in the present?

That realize what
it is you're doing,

take I guess a step back
from either the anxiety

of the moment or whatever
current pathway you're in

and say, "What am
I really doing?"

- That is such a great point.

Mindfulness is one
key to being grateful

and mindfulness means,

it's kind of a new agey term
too, but it really isn't.

Jesus even talked about this
sort of being in the moment

and not worrying about tomorrow,

but focus on what's
happening right now.

And so that's what
mindfulness is,

is being aware of what's
going on around you right now.

So for example, if you're
driving home from work,

instead of being worried
about what's going

to happen tomorrow,

what's gonna happen with
your job, if you look around,

things are actually
pretty good right now

and look at the leaves,
they're changing colors

and look at the beautiful sky

and look at the kindness
of other people.

If you start to notice what's
going on around you right now,

especially all the good
things that are going on,

things are pretty
good right now.

So instead of thinking about
worrying about what's going

to happen in the future,

if you look at where you are
right at this very moment,

it's good.
- But there

are nuclear missiles in Russia,

Iran is going

to attack again.
- That's true, that's true.

- Yes.
- And there are a bunch of,

Washington is dysfunctional,

how do you get past all of that?

- Right, that's true, let's
not put on rose-colored glasses

and live in a place where of,

it has to be a balance also.

So gratitude but also concern
for things that are happening.

So it is definitely
a balancing act.

- So what's the solution?

You just, let's just take one,

Iran threatening
Israel, as a Christian,

what should your response be
to what obviously is traumatic

input into you?

How do you respond back?

- Well, certainly remembering
always that God is in control

and that we, if we
are, if we know Jesus,

then regardless of what
happens here on earth,

we're still gonna be all right.

And I interviewed someone not
too long ago about gratitude

and she said one of the
best ways to be grateful is

to put things into perspective

and get rid of this
entitlement idea,

which is, "I deserve
this or I deserve that."

And when you really think
about it, what do we deserve,

the worst, hell, but had
it not been for Jesus

and what he did for us, then
we get to experience heaven.

And so when you think
about what we deserve

and if you boil it down to
that, then we have every reason

to be grateful for what's
going on around us,

because we have
that wonderful hope.

And that is sort of like
if if you don't have,

if you can't think of anything
for which to be grateful for,

salvation is the best
place to start and end.

- (laughs) All right
and turkey and eggnog.

This is Thanksgiving.

Let me encourage you that not
just one day out of the year,

give thanks, this is a day
we as a culture set aside.

In the root of Thanksgiving,

the pilgrims had come
through the starving time

and now they were in
a place of abundance

where they had actually
figured out how

to do the basics of how

to feed themselves
in this new world.

So keep that in mind.

Whatever you're going
through, give thanks.

It's the pathway.

Praise is a pathway
back into abundance.

- [Narrator 4]
Call 800-717-4261.

- The Donnie Shell Collection
at the Pro-Football Hall

of Fame has a number of mementos
from his storied career,

a trophy for being named
an All-American in college,

a football he intercepted

during his rookie
season and the Bible

he studied as a member of
the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He told sports
reporter, Tom Durang,

about the role his faith
played on and off the field.

(scene whooshes)

- [Narrator 5] Donnie Shell
flashed his medal as a playmaker

for the famed Steel
curtain defense.

- It's been a long
journey, but a good one.

I arrived in Pittsburgh in
1974 as an undrafted free agent

and now I'm in a pro
football hall of fame.

Only God can do that.
(crowd cheers)

- [Narrator 5] The four
time Super Bowl champ

and three time First Team
all-pro spent his entire 14 year

career as a Pittsburgh Steeler,
steered there on the advice

of his college coach.

- Gon' sign up to Denver
Broncos, an undrafted rookie,

and I went and talked to
Coach Willie Jeffries.

He said, and very emphatically,

"You need to go to Pittsburgh."

I said, "Well, why coach?"

"That's your motive.

They love people who
committed, self-motivated.

That's your MO.

You need to sign
with Pittsburgh."

- [Narrator 5] As a
mentor, advisor and leader,

the distinguished strong
safety earned his masters

in counseling as faith
transformed his life.

- [Tom] So a three
decade wait to reach

the Hall of Fame.

Releasing something
look different to you?

- Yeah, the longer you wait,

the longer you think
you're not going to get in.

But it caused me to reflect
on my athletic life.

I said, "Lord, I
had a good career.

I thank you."

What he did by that way

that he changed my attitude,
"Let your will be done."

And then when I let it go

and let God do his
work in my life,

he gave him some
things I've been

praying for all those years.

- [Tom] How do you
come to terms of that?

- Spending time with
the Lord and his word,

reading and meditating
on his word,

walking in obedience to him.

And as you putting
things inside of you

and the Holy Spirit
is processing it

and he calls you to grow
and think God thoughts.

- A specialty in laying a
person out on the field.

Did you ever play
with a temperament?

- Look at this face.

You ever think-
- That's what I expected.

(both laugh)

Did you have an on-off switch.

- (laughs) No.

It's just like a
horse, a wild stallion.

And yet a good trainer
will get that horse

and domesticate him and
make it and train him.

- [Announcer] They
don't come any tougher

than strong safety
Donnie Shell, number 31.

- He didn't take his
aggressiveness away,

he didn't take
his strength away,

he didn't take down his
power away from that hold,

he just under control of
that person who trained him.

So that was me.

I was under control

of the Holy Spirit using
my gifts to the maximum.

- [Tom] Mel Blount
mentored you, a teammate.

You came alongside a young
Tony Dungy, mentored him.

How does that speak
to you about the power

of investing in people
where their reach goes far

beyond you may even
be able to reach?

- I think it speaks volumes.

That's what happened
to me in my life.

Somebody saw something
in me that I didn't see,

like my high school coach,
coach Lefty Johnson, he said,

"You can be whatever
you want to be."

So when we see something
in people whether young,

or old, we need to encourage
them to be all God,

create them to be it.

First of all, I'd
like to thank my Lord

and savior, Jesus
Christ, for this award.

(crowd cheering)

- [Tom] Your work
fosters relationships

to heal and reconcile,

for you, where does that
transformation start?

- It has to start with
you, yourself, inside.

The scripture says if
you don't forgive those

that is trespassing against you,

then the father will
not forgive you.

So it starts with you.

I guess that's when my
counseling degree comes in.

If you listen to the
other person intently,

compassionately
about their concerns.

- [Tom] As a counselor,

Donnie, do you gravitate
to the description of him

as wonderful counselor?

- Oh, absolutely, I
mean, that's my source.

That's my strength, for wisdom
and guidance and direction.

And I pray every day
that I may meet someone

that I may share
Jesus Christ with,

or be of encouragement
to someone today.

A man prayed that prayer for
me and that's the way I became

to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

- [Tom] What's most
important to you

in shaping a legacy
while you still

have the opportunity
to define it?

- Be a servant leader.

One who's motivated
by love and humility,

but demonstrating by example.

We change as we grow in Christ.

We change on the inside out,

so people will see less of
us and more of Jesus Christ.

That's the legacy I
would like to leave.

- That's the legacy
he has created

and he is doing it
very intentionally.

You know, there was a whole
sermon in what he said,

"Strive to be a servant leader
and be motivated by love

and motivated by humility."

These are cues for all of us.

Jesus said, "Go and
and preach the gospel."

And then he said,
"And make disciples."

And what Donny just
expressed is he was very

intentional in being a mentor

and through that being
a servant leader,

because a high school coach
had called something out in him

and had told him, "You can
be anything you want to be."

What an encouraging
message for a young man

to hear from
someone in authority

who respected him and called
out greatness within him.

We can do that for one another.

So this Thanksgiving,

find someone that you
can call out greatness in

and say, "Okay, I want
to be an encouragement.

I want to give thanks
for you to God.

I want to encourage
and lift you up.

How can I serve the greatness
that I see within you?"

And do that with
love and humility.

What a wonderful
example for all of us.

and wireless remote, call now.

- Well, this Sunday marks
the beginning of Advent.

It's the season on
the church calendar

that counts down the days
until Christ's birth.

It's also a time to
anticipate his return.

So we want you to know
about the history of Advent,

some of it's traditions

and how you can celebrate
it to it's fullest.

(melodious music)

- Advent is a preparation
period for Christmas.

It was felt that
because Easter had

the preparatory season of Lent,

Christmas as a
great celebration,
should have a period

of spiritual preparation.

- Although it's not clear when
Advent was first celebrated,

it's roots go back

to the fifth century when
Catholic monks in France were

ordered to fast during
the month of December.

- It is a penitential season

and it was taken as
seriously as Lent,

which meant heavy duty denial.

You don't eat certain foods,
certainly nothing fat,

or anything delicious.

- At the end of the
sixth century, beginning
of the seventh,

Pope Gregory the Great
said it would be four weeks

and it would focus
on the four Sundays

preceding Christmas
Day, December 25th.

- In the more liturgical
churches such as Anglican,

or Catholic, you'll
see that the church now

becomes ready for Christmas.

There'll be Advent
candles, Advent wreaths,

special Advent hymns,

sung sermons given.

(bright music)

- [Narrator 9] The
Advent wreath often made

with evergreens is a symbol
of God's eternal nature.

A circle with no
beginning and no end.

- And there are four candles

that are placed
within this wreath.

Three of the candles are purple
and one candle is rose pink.

And on each Sunday of
Advent, a candle is lit.

The first and second Sundays

of Advent are Sundays in
which purple candles are lit,

because these are points of
which the gospel readings have

to do with warning and with
preparation and with hope.

And on the third Sunday,
the pink candle is lit,

because it represents
celebration and joy.

We know the Lord is coming,
we expect him to be here soon.

(melodious guitar music)

- [Narrator 9] On
the fourth Sunday,

the last purple candle is lit,

symbolizing the
royalty of Christ.

Many people also mark the
Advent season with calendars

that count the days
until Christ's birth.

- Some Advent calendars
will have scriptures,

or depictions of different
aspects of the nativity story,

promises of scripture
concerning the Messiah

and others will have little
treats or little toys.

If you don't wanna
give chocolate,

you can get a Lego
Advent calendar.

So that would be the ultimate
modern adaptation. (laughs)

- [Narrator 9] The
Advent season also comes

with it's own hymns.

- Traditionally Advent hymns
are sung throughout Advent

and Christmas
carols were not sung

until Christmas Eve
and Christmas night.

And we break all the rules,

because we start playing
our Christmas music

before Thanksgiving.

So now we are really
breaking the rules.

Oh Come, Oh Come, Emanuel
is an advent hymn.

It comes from an
ancient Latin poem.

The poem was written in
around the 12th century

and it was based on
prayers that were written

in around the seventh
to eighth century.

They were called
the O Antiphons.

- [Narrator 9] Antiphons
are proclamations

about the coming Messiah
taken from the prophet Isaiah.

- Around the 12th century, these
titles were put into a song

that existed only in Latin.

This Advent hymn really
has it's roots deep,

deep in church history
and in the reflection

of so many Christians
over the centuries

on these beautiful passages

from the Old Testament
that anticipate the coming

of the Messiah and
what he would do

in the lives of his people.

♪ Oh come, oh come, thou Lord

- Oh Come Thou Lord Of
Might is associated in

the original Antiphon
with the appearance

of God in the burning bush.

In Exodus chapter
three, the Lord of might

who brings liberation
to his enslaved people.

And this attribute of might
also is reflected in Isaiah.

When we talk about
the names of God,

he's the Almighty God the
Father, the prince of peace.

♪ Thou Lord

♪ Shall come to the Israel

- The Rod Of Jesse actually
comes from Isaiah 11,

verse 10 in which it's
prophesied that a rod

of Jesse will come,
who will deliver

and liberate his people.

Come and be the Davidic king.

Come and be the
ruler of your people.

Come in your might
and set us free.

♪ And those will
come to the Israel ♪

- Oh, Come Thou Dayspring
From On High really refers

to that scripture
in Malachi four,

the son of righteousness
will rise with healing

in his wings.

He will bring light and cast
the light into the dark place.

And this dayspring
is going to come

and dispel the darkness
in our lives to set free

the hearts of human beings.

The Key Of David comes
from Isaiah 22:22,

in which the Lord
prophesies that he will give

to him the key to
the house of David.

And he will open doors
that no one can shut

and shut doors that
no one can open.

- [Narrator 9] For
the early church,

Advent was not only
a time to prepare

for the celebration
of Christ's birth,

it was also a time to
anticipate his return.

- As they started to
think about the meaning

of Christ's first coming,

they also tried to personalize
it within their lives,

what did it mean for Christ
to come to them individually

and of course, when we
think of the first coming,

we also think of
the second coming.

So the season of Advent
started with a prayer

and celebration of the mass,
which would focus on longing

for Jesus to be real, to
come into their hearts.

And that idea led
to prayers of desire

and longing and repentance,
but also prayers of hope

and expectation and joy.

Because hope is based
in the promises of God.

♪ Rejoice

♪ Rejoice

♪ Emmanuel

♪ Shall to thee, oh Israel

- I encourage you
to celebrate Advent.

It's a wonderful way to
have your family gather,

prepare for Christmas.

And it's wonderful that it's
the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

It'll give your whole family
something to focus on.

And as you go through
the advent Sunday service

for each Sunday
leading to Christmas,

it will really reinforce
the reason for the season.

And the reason is unto
us, a savior is born.

Terry.

- Well, if you're
like many people,

you're already
feeling the hustle

and bustle of the
holiday season.

So I wanted to share a family
favorite treat in my household

that's sweet, savory,

and best of all, only takes
a few minutes in the kitchen.

Take a look.

(scene whooshes)
(bright music)

I love sharing little
Christmas gifts

with my friends and neighbors.

And I love having delicious
and easy snacks on hand.

While my house is
full of bustling

during the Christmas
season and family's over,

I wanna share two delicious
and simple recipes with you

that are perfect
for this season.

We're gonna start with
Rosemary mixed nuts.

Rosemary smells so delicious.

And this fragrance
reminds me of Christmas.

So I love having these in
a bowl on the counter all

the time throughout the holiday.

Plus the best part is
it's an easy recipe

that's still made with love.

Our ingredients are two
cups of raw unsalted nuts.

We're going to use a mix
of, in here we have pecans,

Brazil nuts, macadamia,
walnuts, and hazelnuts.

But you know, you can
choose your favorite.

I mean, if there's
one particular nut

that you really enjoy,
then just do that.

We have two tablespoons of
fresh rosemary that's chopped.

We have a fourth teaspoon
of cayenne pepper.

You can add that
or you can omit it.

If you don't like anything
that's got that kind of kick

to it, then just leave that out.

Two tablespoons of
dark brown sugar

and a teaspoon of kosher salt.

One tablespoon of unsalted
butter that has been melted.

Our oven's already
been preheated to 350.

And then on two parchment
line baking sheets,

you would do what
I'm going to do,

spread the nuts
evenly on the sheet.

I'm just gonna pour
them out like this,

make sure that they're,
they can bake evenly

and we're going to put
them, we're gonna toast them

in the oven for
about 10 minutes.

And I wanna suggest to you
that you not leave your oven,

or your kitchen while
you're doing this,

because nuts can burn easily

and you don't wanna go
too far from your kitchen.

So while they roast, this
is what we are gonna do.

I'm gonna put in the rosemary,
put in the dark brown sugar,

come on, in you go.

(bowl clinks)

That was a thud, wasn't it?

Put in the kosher salt.

And I'm gonna put the
cayenne pepper in,

'cause I like that little
spark that's in there.

And then we're adding the
melted butter to that.

And we're just gonna
mix the salt up.

Let me break up that
brown sugar a little bit.

Meanwhile, the nuts
are in the oven.

You know, one of the things
I love about this is,

and some of you who have
grandchildren and children,

these make great gifts

for teachers at school
when you're trying to think

of something special that
you know they don't have time

to make for themselves.

You can do something like this

and I'll show you how pretty
it is in the finished product

when we're all done at the end.

So all of this is mixed.

Pull out the nuts that
have been roasting here

and these are going to
be poured into this bowl.

(nuts rustling)

There we go, let me
set this up here.

(tray thuds)

And we're just gonna toss
them in this mixture.

You know, you wanna make sure

that they get coated of course,

because you want the
flavor in all of it.

But there's no
perfection in this.

Don't you love this?

When you're all done with
this, see how they kind

of get a nice gloss on them?

And the spices are all
melted and spread evenly

and you know, you can
eat them warm like this,

or you can let them
cool completely

before you package
them up for friends,

or teachers or neighbors.

But you can also keep
them in the freezer

for about three months,

which is great because
if you wanna get ahead

of the game of the holidays,

you can do this ahead of time

and it's not something you
have to do when you're trying

to decorate your house
and trim your tree.

So that's your finished product.

Now I also have a
bit of a sweet tooth,

but if the sugar
comes with a nut,

somehow I feel like it's a
little bit healthier, right?

Since I grew up in Wisconsin,
I love black walnuts

and I wanna share a delicious,

candied black walnut
recipe with you next.

It's so simple, but you
do need to pay attention.

You've got a cast iron pan here.

But let me show you
our ingredients.

We have two cups of raw black
walnuts without the skins,

two tablespoons of butter.

We've got two thirds of
a cup of dark brown sugar

and then a half a
teaspoon of kosher salt.

And so in a heavy enamel
cast iron or non-stick pan,

you can heat the walnuts.

And we're gonna put
it all together here.

But let me start this.

(switch clicking)

So we've put the dark walnuts in

and now I'm gonna add the
brown sugar we talked about,

the butter and just a little
bit of the salt in here.

Lemme break this up because
as the butter melts,

the brown sugar is
going to melt as well.

And you know, when I was
a kid, I had a grandmother

who had lived through
the depression and
she was very frugal

and she used to make
candy things like,

we always called it sea foam,

I think you probably
all call it divinity.

But she stopped making divinity,

because she said sugar
was too expensive.

But every year she would
go out with my aunt

and they would go out
into the countryside

and they'd pick up
walnuts and pecans,

different things that were
available in Wisconsin.

And she would sit for weeks
and shell those things.

And at Christmas time,

each one of us would get
a little Ziploc bag filled

with her shelled
walnuts and pecans.

And it was quite a
gift because really,

the energy that someone
puts into doing something

for you is half of the
blessing of the gift, isn't it?

And so I have that
treasured memory

of my grandmother always
sitting on her couch

in her front room,
shelling pecans and walnuts

so that we could all
have something special

from her for Christmas.

And that is a really
special memory.

One of the things
you need to be aware

of when you do this is that
when you pour it out on

the parchment paper
on the baking sheet,

it's gonna clump a little bit.

But that's okay because you're
gonna break that up later

and, oh, does this
smell wonderful?

(wooden spoon rustling)

Just be sure it's completely
and thoroughly melted.

I'm gonna grab my
mitts from down here,

because I don't know
how hot this is now,

and I'm gonna go
ahead and put this

on the parchment.

You know, when I do this also,

I should tell you,

you can double any
of these recipes,

because I make batches
of this for neighbors

and friends and
for my own family.

We just keep nuts on the
counter all the time actually.

But you can see how some
of this is gonna clump.

This is what you do, you allow
it to dry for a few minutes

before eating or
packaging for friends.

And then not only
are these great

to just put in a pretty
little container,

look at how things have been
put in here to give to friends

and send with a child to school.

But it's also the perfect
topping for salads.

If you're having a salad
with your Christmas meal,

this is a great way to add
something special to it.

On ice cream, it's divine,

anything in between, as
far as I'm concerned,

if it's got sugar
on it, it works.

And so here's a
beautiful way for you

to bless others and
have the fun of knowing

that you have taken some
time to do something special

for the special
people in your life.

So Merry Christmas,
let the joy begin.

(Christmas music)

Well, we have more
great Christmas content

on our CBN family app,

so make sure to download
it off the app store

of your favorite smart
device and you can enjoy this

and much more all
year round really.

- Family time for
the Quigs involved

spending time at the park and
having meals around the table.

It also involves
sharing the stories

and lessons of the Bible
with their grandchildren.

And they do that by
watching CBNs Superbook.

(light music)

- [Narrator 12]
Chris and Karen Quig

share a love for
children and learning.

As grandparents, they
have a full household,

including three of
their grandchildren.

Superbook is a regular
presence in their daily lives

at home.

- [Karen] Chris goes to work
and they knock on my door

after he leaves and says,
"Mimi, can we watch Superbook?"

I pull out Superbook up on
my phone and we watch it.

When the grandkids are
watching Superbook,

they're very focused.

- The visuals are
really good, the sound,

the characters put you right
back into those scenes.

Dave and Goliath or
Noah and the Arc,

just, you're right there.

- [Narrator 12] Before
they found Superbook,

Chris and Karen didn't feel
there were many good options

for kids.

- You know, it has Gizmo and
it's fun in that respect.

The Bible part is, it's very
accurate and I appreciate that.

- [Narrator 12] The Quig
family says Superbook

helps them creatively
include the Bible

in their everyday home lives.

- There was an opportunity
that I think it was Noah

and he didn't
wanna obey his mom.

I helped remind him that
Chris had just been in

that same situation of
disobeying his mother

and what choice
was he gonna make?

And he's like, "Okay, fine,
I'll do the right thing."

Superbook helped him to realize

the application of obedience.

It was more of a serious
approach to the word of God.

Instead of other things that
we've seen being kind of silly,

we wanna be influential in
helping them see the seriousness

of being a follower
and disciple of Christ.

- [Narrator 12] The
Quig family is grateful

for the influence of
Superbook in their home.

They feel that they
now have both a fun

and focused Christ-centered
tool that will connect them

with their grandchildren
for many years to come.

- It's so neat that we're
living together as a family

and we have this time

and opportunity to pour
into the next generation

and get them a
biblical worldview.

And we just really see Superbook

as such a incredible
resource for us.

And we're just so thankful.

- Superbook is reaching
children worldwide

in over 60 languages
and counting.

You can help support this
mission of spreading the gospel

by calling us, our number's
toll-free, 1-800-700-7000.

We also have a special
Superbook Christmas devotional

available to you
this holiday season.

It's packed with scriptures

and fun activities for
people of all ages.

It's yours for the gift
of any dollar amount.

You can call that
toll-free, 1-800-700-7000,

or go to
cbm.com/superbookchristmas

and we'll send your Superbook
Christmas devotional

out to you right away.

I think you and your children
will really enjoy it.

It's another opportunity
to spend time

with them talking about
things that matter.

or call 800-798-4171.

- While Desmond was
born at 36 weeks,

he appeared to be a
completely healthy baby boy.

And then a few days after he
came home from the hospital,

his mother found him
ice cold to the touch.

(moderate music)

- [Aaron] I used to
think that Thanksgiving

was my favorite time of year,

but that Thanksgiving,
that was different.

- [Narrator 15]
November 18th, 2020,

Aaron Roneen was resting

with her twin sons after
a difficult delivery

and thinking about their
upcoming Thanksgiving.

That was until one of the twins,

Desmond, suddenly
felt icy to the touch.

And nothing Aaron did
could warm him up.

- I was super discouraged, like,

"This is not how this
is supposed to be going.

We already went through some
hard stuff a few days ago.

Why are we being put through
another trial so soon?"

Reality sinking in
that I have no control.

I am not in control here,

and this is way beyond
anything I can fix,

anything that I can do.

So I just kind of
felt completely
inadequate, very scared.

That was just the beginning.

- [Narrator 15] Aaron
and her husband, Kevin,

took Desmond to an
urgent care clinic,

but after a brief assessment,

they were told to
rush him to the ER.

There, the room
exploded with activity

as Desmond's organs
inexplicably started failing.

- They're over there doing
CPR and pushing on his chest

and I was just weeping
and lost in my own world.

We had nurses and people
coming in saying things

that we're just
not understanding

and fighting all these feelings.

And of course I have Satan
trying to convince me

that, "You're not
gonna get out of this,

something, you deserve
something else bad happening."

And I'm just so
frustrated at this point.

- [Narrator 15] At the
height of the chaos,

Kevin was forced to leave
with the other twin, Finnegan,

and his 4-year-old sister,
Shay, as COVID19 protocols

were in place at the hospital.

Aaron was left alone,

her newborn son dying
in the other room.

- I felt like all,
everything under my feet,

there was nothing connecting
me to the planet anymore.

I was just, "Okay,

you are now being forced
to go on this journey

that you don't wanna go to."

Little did I know I
was gonna start taking

that big leap of faith.

That's when I finally was like,

"Okay, I can't just sit
here and pray by myself.

I need a large number
of people praying

that my baby comes home."

- [Narrator 15] She
immediately picked up her phone

to call family, friends,
anyone she could think of,

to ask them to pray for Desmond.

She believed this was the
only hope for saving her son.

- I felt like God
just kind of came in

and was like, "All right,
here's what we're gonna do.

You're okay, I'm gonna hug
you, I'm gonna protect you.

I got my wings on you,
you can rest in me.

Whatever's going on,
don't look at it.

You can just feel my
presence, my comfort.

We got all these people praying.

These are your
warriors right here.

You can't see it, but
they're doing it."

I know God has big
plans for these boys.

So God's not gonna take
one and leave the other.

And that was the moment
that everything was okay,

and it continued to be okay
and more okay and more okay

and more okay until finally I
didn't feel like I was being

crushed by the world anymore.

(light music)

- [Narrator 15] Miraculously,

Desmond's vitals
began to normalize.

Several hours later
he was allowed to
breastfeed with Aaron.

And then on November 22nd,
she was given the final word,

"You can take him home."

- I definitely felt like
God's plan was in action.

I had the supernatural
clarity to see it.

And I just knew, I knew
we were going home.

I was already packing my bags,
counting my diapers. (laughs)

I was ready.

The joy that I felt could
not be measured by any words.

Only God can produce that kind
of joy in somebody's heart,

because I felt like we
were completely protected.

I feel like this
little tiny thing,

and God will show up for me,
he'll show up for my family.

That is amazing.

- [Narrator 15] Their
family was soon reunited.

The cause of Desmond's
temperature drop

and subsequent organ failure
was never determined.

But the Roneens know
it was only because

of God's supernatural
intervention

that they were able to celebrate
that Thanksgiving together.

- That will be the most
memorable Thanksgiving

of my entire life.

And I am excited that
I get to experience all

of these Thanksgivings
with him growing up,

knowing that that's
what we overcame.

I feel overjoyed
when I get to be

with my family all
together as one unit

and know that God
took care of us.

God kept us together.

I believe in the
power of prayer.

I want people to know
that God is always there,

that no matter what
they're going through,

no matter how dark it seems,
no matter how alone they feel,

that God is there in
the good, the bad.

He knows the whole story.

He can see all of it.

You're not alone.

Even if you don't
have people around you

to support you, God
will put 'em there.

You just have to cry out.

Ask him for help.

Pray.

I could not have gone
through that without him.

My family wouldn't be the
family we are without him.

- What Kevin and
Aaron went through

no parents ever
want to go through.

And maybe this Thanksgiving,

you're having trouble too.

Maybe you have a loved
one who's in a hospital

and your saying, "How can I
give thanks this thanksgiving?"

Maybe they're relatives
who are estranged.

Maybe bad things are
happening to you.

And just like Aaron, you're
having the same heart cry.

"Why are we being put
through another trial?"

That's what she said.

"Why are we being put
through another trial?"

So here she is.

I mean, can you imagine
your baby ice cold?

Can you imagine
going to the hospital

and seeing, CPR,
all of these things

happening before you,
the confusion of it,

Aaron being so honest,

"The nurses were
saying things to us,

but we didn't understand."

And then you have a moment
where you're in prayer

and God himself shows
up to you and he says,

"You can rest in me."

Now, if your reaction to that
is, "How can I possibly rest?

This is crazy, my
child is dying.

How can I possibly rest?"

Well, when you rest in him,

it's another way to
say you have faith

and you're relying
entirely on him.

You enter into his rest and
realize he's already worked out

the solution.

When Aaron did that, when said,

"Okay, God, you're
gonna tell me to rest.

And okay, I'll do that.

That's a great idea.

Let's, I'll start that process."

And she says, it gradually
got better and better.

And then you see
the turn in Desmond.

So the the reality
comes into being,

because of what is happening
spiritually in Aaron.

And then her rejoice, "God
would show up for me."

Well, that's what
Emmanuel means.

We're entering into
the Advent season.

We're entering into Christmas.

Emmanuel means that,
it means God with us.

God's showing up with us,
realizing in him we live

and move and have our being.

So we're gonna pray
for you right now.

And in that prayer,
I want to you to say,

"I want to enter into his rest.

I want to realize he
can work all things

together for my good.

I want that real for me.

I want to leave
all my questions.

Why am I going through this?

I'm gonna leave all of
those questions behind

and I'm going to rest in him.

And his eternal peace,

his amazing power will
work it out all for me."

Let's pray.

Lord, we come to you
on this Thanksgiving,

we give you thanks.

We don't give you
thanks for the problem.

We give you thanks for you,
for you are the answer.

So, Lord, God Almighty,

can we enter into
your rest right now?

Can we stop all our
striving, all our worrying,

all our anxiety,

and we cast it all
upon you for we know

that you care for us.

So Lord God, could
you be Emmanuel

for us right now

and take care of the situation?

Take care of this problem.

Lord, show up for
us now for we ask it

in Jesus' name.

Terry, God's given
you something.

- There's someone,
you have an issue

with an infection
in your throat.

I think it's tonsillitis
like you've never had

your tonsils removed,
but you're grownup.

And this infection is very
serious and very real.

God's healing that
for you right now.

In Jesus' name.

- There's several
watching and you're alone.

And God wants to assure you,

he's able to put
you into community.

He's able to restore friendship.

He's able to restore
relationship.

He wants you to dwell
with others of like faith.

So just raise your hand to him.

Give thanks for the
solution he's providing

for your loneliness.

Ask for it now.

In Jesus' name.

Amen.

You need prayer?

Call us, 1-800-700-7000.