--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: On Thanksgiving Day, 2011, my pastor…" description: "\"“On Thanksgiving Day, 2011, my pastor Peter Jonker preached a marvelous sermon on Psalm 65 with an introduction from the life of Seth MacFarlane, who h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/cornelius-plantinga-jr-41112_family_on-thanksgiving-day-2011-my-pastor-peter_2739265.jpg" --- # On Thanksgiving Day, 2011, my pastor Peter Jonker preached… ![“On Thanksgiving Day, 2011, my pastor Peter Jonker preached a marvelous sermon on Psalm 65 with an introduction from the life of Seth MacFarlane, who had been on NPR’s Fresh Air program with Terry Gross. MacFarlane is a cartoonist and comedian. He’s the creator of the animated comedy show “The…” quote by Cornelius Plantinga Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/cornelius-plantinga-jr-41112_family_on-thanksgiving-day-2011-my-pastor-peter_2739265.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/cornelius-plantinga-jr-41112_family_on-thanksgiving-day-2011-my-pastor-peter_2739265.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/cornelius-plantinga-jr-41112_family_on-thanksgiving-day-2011-my-pastor-peter_2739265.jpg) > ““On Thanksgiving Day, 2011, my pastor Peter Jonker preached a marvelous sermon on Psalm 65 with an introduction from the life of Seth MacFarlane, who had been on NPR’s Fresh Air program with Terry Gross. MacFarlane is a cartoonist and comedian. He’s the creator of the animated comedy show “The Family Guy,” which my pastor called “arguably the most cynical show on television.” Terry Gross asked MacFarlane about 9/11. It seems that on that day of national tragedy MacFarlane had been booked on American Airlines Flight 11, Boston to LA, but he had arrived late at Logan airport and missed it. As we know, hijackers flew Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. My preacher said, “MacFarlane should have been on that plane. He should have been dead at 29 years of age. But somehow, at the end of that terrible day, he found himself healthy and alive, still able to turn his face toward the sun.” Terry Gross asked the inevitable question: “After that narrow escape, do you think of the rest of your life as a gift?” “No,” said MacFarlane. “That experience didn’t change me at all. It made no difference in the way I live my life. It made no difference in the way I look at things. It was just a coincidence.” And my preacher commented that MacFarlane had created “a missile defense system” against the threat of incoming gratitude — which might have lodged in his soul and changed him forever. MacFarlane, “the Grinch who stole gratitude,” perfectly set up what Peter Jonker had to say to us about how it is right and proper for us to give thanks to God at all times and in all places, and especially when our life has been spared.”” [Cornelius Plantinga Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-plantinga-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A near‑death experience did not alter the speaker’s outlook; gratitude is a conscious choice, not a forced response to survival. **In simple terms:** Surviving a tragedy doesn’t automatically change you; gratitude must be practiced. Key Takeaway Choose gratitude regardless of circumstance. Themes faith gratitude choice miracle serendipity Mood reflective hopeful serene Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - daily prayer - recovering from trauma - celebrating milestones - teaching gratitude - personal reflection Key Concepts existentialism theology psychology Questions to Reflect On - Do you feel gratitude is genuine or obligatory? - How can you cultivate authentic thankfulness after a crisis? A Different Perspective Gratitude may feel forced if not internalized, leading to superficial thankfulness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American Airlines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-airlines/) [Asked Macfarlane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked-macfarlane-3015388/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Forever Macfarlane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forever-macfarlane-3015385/) [Fresh air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fresh-air/) [Life As A Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-as-a-gift/) [Live My Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-my-life/) [Pastor Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pastor-peter-3015387/) [Rest of your life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rest-of-your-life/) [Seth Macfarlane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seth-macfarlane-1422178/) [Terrible day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrible-day/) [Thanksgiving day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thanksgiving-day/) [Tragedy Macfarlane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy-macfarlane-3015386/) [World trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-trade/) [World trade center](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-trade-center/) ## Related quotes > ['Adult Swim' on the Cartoon Network is unbelievable. 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MacFarlane is a cartoonist and comedian. He’s the creator of the animated comedy show “The Family Guy,” which my pastor called “arguably the most cynical show on television.” Terry Gross asked MacFarlane about 9/11. It seems that on that day of national tragedy MacFarlane had been booked on American Airlines Flight 11, Boston to LA, but he had arrived late at Logan airport and missed it. As we know, hijackers flew Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. My preacher said, “MacFarlane should have been on that plane. He should have been dead at 29 years of age. But somehow, at the end of that terrible day, he found himself healthy and alive, still able to turn his face toward the sun.” Terry Gross asked the inevitable question: “After that narrow escape, do you think of the rest of your life as a gift?” “No,” said MacFarlane. “That experience didn’t change me at all. It made no difference in the way I live my life. It made no difference in the way I look at things. It was just a coincidence.” And my preacher commented that MacFarlane had created “a missile defense system” against the threat of incoming gratitude — which might have lodged in his soul and changed him forever. 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