Thanksgiving III ~

23-29 October:  I've been thankful this week for hope - the hope that is spoken of in God's Word and not just wishful dreaming; one example, from Psalm 31:24 is: "Be strong, all you who put your hope in the Lord. Never give up" (NIRV); and thankful for our "blessed hope" that the apostle Paul writes of in Titus 2:13: "Watch for His return; expect the blessed hope we all will share when our great God and Savior, Jesus the Anointed, appears again"(VOICE); I am thankful that delay isn't the end of the journey but only a temporary interruption of any process; thankful to live in a "four-seasons" climate and enjoying all the autumn color; and thankful for the wisdom in Proverbs 9:10 that reads: "The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight" (AMP); thankful for a sound night's sleep and an early rising this morning; thankful for warm showers and toasty, warm clothing; and I'm thankful for Paul's words of counsel in Ephesians  5:18-20: ". . .be filled with the Spirit in the following ways: speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts; always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (CEB); thankful for the real life adventures that can be found in books - on my shelves and in libraries - much more affordable than any travel, and available to all who read; I'm thankful to have eyes to read - need no glasses except for far vision (and I don't drive anymore!); and I am thankful for this assurance in God's Word - "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" (2 Timothy 3:16,17; CEB); I am thankful that the D.G.D. has safely returned from the north country; thankful not to be so achy as yesterday - aging is not for sissies, and I'm a wimp! And I'm thankful for the "last days" message of Jeremiah 3:12-15: “‘Turn back, fickle [loved ones]. I’m not just hanging back to punish you. I’m committed in love to you. My anger doesn’t seethe nonstop. Just admit your guilt. Admit your God-defiance.. . . . God’s Decree. “Come back, wandering children!” God’s Decree. “I, yes I, am your true husband. I’ll pick you out one by one— This one from the city, these two from the country. . . .. I’ll give you good shepherd-rulers who rule my way, who rule you with intelligence and wisdom'" (MSG); thankful for Sabbath-prep plans partially completed - salad finished (the mix easily lasts a week), beans soaking on the counter, and an entree that will come together quickly; I'm thankful for the long letter from a dear friend that came in yesterday's mail; and I am thankful for this assurance from Isaiah that comes from the pen of Peter, the apostle. as he wrote 1 Peter 1:24,25: "Because 'All flesh is like grass and all its glory like a flower of grass. The grass was dried-up and the flower fell-off. But the Word of the Lord abides forever' [Isa 40:6-8]— and this is the Word having been announced as 'good news' to you" (DLNT); thankful for another beautiful Sabbath morning - and anticipating the day we'll spend with our church family in study, praise, worship, and fellowship; thankful for ALL the blessings of the past week; and I am thankful for this message from the apostle Paul, from Romans 12:1: "Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship" (AMP).