Thanksgiving II ~

8-14 November:  This week I have been thankful for the precious, faith-building experiences shared by Pastor Steve and his wife, Becky - our God still delivers and heals! Grateful, too, for the old, well-known hymn tunes filling my ears this morning - no "ear-worm" complaints from me; and for so many "exceeding great and precious promises" (2 Peter 1:4) I find in God's Word; for Scripture's promise of strength to meet the demands of the day (Deuteronomy 33:25); for the often repeated promises of that wonderful gift - the Holy Spirit - to help and comfort (John 14:26; Isaiah 57:15; Acts 4:31); and for forgiveness when I fall (Psalm 130:4); for the many "I will . . . ." promises I find in God's Word, those that are His own words to the reader; for the answered prayers (and many that were not answered in the way I wanted when first I asked!) through my life; and for the "drawing power" of our Father's love (Jeremiah 31:3 - "The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: 'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.'"); for the sunshine peeping through the gray cloud layer overhead; for the pinto beans simmering on the stove for a hearty dinner-time treat; and for these words from Isaiah 54:5: "For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One . . .; He is called the God of the whole earth"; for waking early and the blessing from faith building affirmations I find in the Word; grateful to have found the gift I wanted to share with a new friend; and for these words from Psalm 73: "My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (verse 25); for the beautiful songs of praise found in the Bible's book of Psalms; for the music of Trilogy - songs with words directly from the Scriptures; and for these words from Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing”; for another Sabbath day - a day to "remember" according to the Creator's commandment; for the encouragement I get from all of His "I will . . . ." promises (e.g. Isaiah 49:25); and for these words from Isaiah 43:18,19: " “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?. . . ."