Thanksgiving III ~

24-30 July:  This week I've been thankful for Brother Don's message at church last Sabbath, he spoke of baptism as a starting place rather than just the goal; thankful, too, for the beautiful spot in a Clearwater eddy where a new sister was baptized later in the afternoon; and thankful for this precious promise from John 6:37 - "All those who the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me, I will by no means cast out"; thankful for the news that D.D. has arrived safely in Dallas for a week-long teachers' conference; thankful for the beautiful affirmations and praise found as I read through Psalm 119 this morning; and thankful for the Bible Gateway resource that's available when I can see my monitor!  I'm thankful for this D.S.I.L. who graciously pitches in after a long workday; thankful for the delight of seeing squirrels chasing through the trees and across the lawn - no squirrels in Riggins after some plague wiped them out years ago; and thankful for God's promise of a new creation - a world without sickness or death, no more tears (Rev. 21:4,5); thankful for warm sunshine on my shoulders; for the bi-weekly housecleaning assist that freshens the place where we live to a high shine; and for the message of Psalm 130:7 - ". . . With the LORD there is mercy, and with Him there is abundant redemption"; I am thankful for the brief visit with D.D. over Skype Wednesday evening - the miracles of electronic communication! I'm thankful for a D.S.I.L. who can follow a list; and thankful for the celebration mentioned in Luke 15:10 - "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" - let's keep the heavenly rejoicing active!  I'm thankful for all the faithful peace-officers who take the title seriously; thankful for those local, state, and national legislators who carefully uphold our Constitution and laws; and thankful, too, for this council from 1 Timothy 2:1-4 encouraging our prayers for all those in positions of authority, ". . . that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life . . . ."; and I am so thankful for this new Sabbath, a day to acknowledge the Creator and His wonderful work just for us (Genesis 2:2,3); thankful to celebrate with an exchange computer monitor - much easier to work on than the smart phone (but IT let me keep up, anyway!); and thankful for the message in Matthew 5:14-16: “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven" (MSG).