7-13 February:  This week I have been thankful for bright sunshine pouring through my window - always cheers my day; for the Sonlight in my heart - what a precious blessing! And I am thankful for the promise of Malachi 4:2: ". . . For you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays." NIVUK; for waking a bit early and spending time with Shelley Quinn's delightful book, "Life Affirmations from Scripture"; for all the ways our Father calls us to Himself - the beauties of nature, grand and glorious music lifting the heart, the blessing of friends - outside His Word; and for words, like these from 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 many "media ministries" that relate the message of Jesus in song, in music, and with the spoken Word; for this week of clear weather in mid-winter; and for this message to all who are living in our day (as well as 2000 years ago): ". . .The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, 'When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times'" (Matthew16:1-3, ESV); to have been able to make a "next day" appointment to see my doctor - can be challenging when I'm no longer driving myself! I'm thankful, too, that family members are joining my search for a replacement for my recliner - I think it's too broken for another repair; and here's a favorite passage with a wonderful promise: "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses . . . .And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. . . . " (Ezekiel 36:25-29 - ESV); for the instant messages to and from my overseas family - a son and my adopted Chinese grand-daughter; for the gift of communication in general; and for this passage from James 1:2-5: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him"; for another Sabbath, the day our Creator set apart at the end of His work as a time when human-kind could join Him and reflect on all He has done; thankful that spring is on its way!; and thankful for the blessing of Paul's New Testament example of keeping Sabbath (Acts 13:14,42,44; Acts 16:13; Acts 17:2; and Acts 18:4).