Thanksgiving III ~

19-25 June:  This week I have been thankful anticipating the arrival of my "overseas" son who is back in the U.S.; for the YouTube presentations of messages from God's Word - been watching a series David Asscherick gave at Oakwood Univ. that's been a blessing, and weekly viewings of the "More About Jesus" with Morris and Lee Venden are a special treat; and thankful for the counsel in 2 Timothy 3:16,17: "Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good" (CEB); to know an extended visit is planned by this son whose primary residence has been in Romania for several years; thankful for the hospitality that is being revealed by his sisters who are residents here(JK!); and for these words from Psalm 133:1: "Look at how good and pleasing it is when families live together as one!" (CEB); thankful to be living in another community that cares deeply for their folks who are dealing with loss - my son and I attended a taco feed/auction at the community center last evening, benefiting a local family whose home was destroyed by fire; thankful, too, for the onset of our first full summer on the prairie - anticipating all that it will bring; and for these assurances from Psalm 121:7,8: "The Lord will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers. The Lord will protect you now and always wherever you go" (CEV) - taking the long view that physical death doesn't mean the end for a friend of God!  I've been thankful anticipating the ride down to Riggins with my D.S. the eldest daughter and a friend for brunch with my sis - what fun! Thankful for sunlight-filled mornings; and thankful for the message in Isaiah 40:31 (a long time favorite!): ". . . Those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired" (CEV); thankful for steady rain Friday morning, I know our earth can't live on sunlight alone and I've experienced the results of dry weather here; thankful for the morning with family and friends yesterday, brunch with my sis, a visit with two former landlords who are dear friends, and a drive up-river to check the progress on the new bridge that will replace the old one at Manning Crevice; I am thankful for this message from 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5: ". . . All . . ., alas, have not faith. Yet the Lord is utterly to be depended upon by all who have faith in Him, and He will give you stability and protection against all that is evil. It is He who makes us feel confident about you, that you are acting and will act in accordance with [His] commands. May He guide your hearts into ever deeper understanding of His love and the patient suffering of Christ" (PHILLIPS); thankful to see bright sunshine on Sabbath morning as we get ready for the weekly celebration of the day our Lord, the Creator, has claimed as His own; thankful to have viewed Pastor Morris Venden's message about the blessings of the Sabbath last evening on YouTube - he's sleeping now, 'til wakened by the call of the Lifegiver, but still working via electronic media, praise God! I'm thankful for this message from the Word, affirming Jesus' promise to return, the message from Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17: " With a loud command and with the shout of the chief angel and a blast of God’s trumpet, the Lord will return from heaven. Then those who had faith in Christ before they died will be raised to life. Next, all of us who are still alive will be taken up into the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the sky. From that time on we will all be with the Lord forever" (CEV).