Thanksgiving IV ~

20-26 November:  I've been thankful this week to see the sunlight streaming through my window - what a blessing on a late November day; I am thankful to know D.D. will return this evening after spending several days away here and there; and I am thankful to read these beautiful words from Psalm 95:1,2: "Come, let’s sing joyfully to the Lord. Let’s shout happily to the Rock of our salvation. Let’s come into His presence with a song of thanksgiving. Let’s shout happily to Him with psalms" (GW); thankful to have all the folks here in their usual places, at the usual activities - routines can be a good thing; I'm thankful that my bed is easily made tidy; and thankful, too, for this beautiful promise from Zephaniah 3:18-20: ". . . You’ve carried those burdens long enough. At the same time, I’ll get rid of all those who’ve made your life miserable. I’ll heal the maimed; I’ll bring home the homeless. In the very countries where they were hated they will be venerated. . . ." (MSG); I am thankful for "anytime" Thanksgivings with family and friends - ours will be celebrated on Sunday next; I'm thankful for only twenty-nine days before our star begins to make its way back toward this part of the earth; and I am thankful for the counsel of Colossians 3:15 which reads: " And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]" (AMPC); I am thankful for the ability to wake from sleep with a cheerful heart and limbs that respond appropriately to mental stimuli; thankful for good news of the little brother whose delayed symptoms after a fall showed there HAD been damage which was repaired earlier this week with excellent results; and I am thankful for the words of Psalm 100: 4-5: "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations"; I am thankful for the three years of these "Thanksgiving . . . ." posts that are archived on Blogspot.com - I'll continue as long as my brain and fingers work; I'm thankful for the promise of sunlight as dawn approaches; and thankful, too, for these words from Colossians 2:6-7 which read: "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude" (AMP); I am thankful to begin this new period of thanksgiving for all the gifts that come into my life from our heavenly Father; thankful to have a D.G.D.'s company for this holiday weekend; and I'm thankful for this message from Colossians 3:16-17: "Let Christ’s teaching live in your hearts, making you rich in the true wisdom. Teach and help one another along the right road with your psalms and hymns and Christian songs, singing God’s praises with joyful hearts. And whatever you may have to do, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, thanking God the Father through Him" (PHILLIPS); and I am thankful for another Sabbath - a day which the Creator set aside for honoring His creation of the world which is our home; I'm thankful for the "Go . . . .!' message delivered by Pastor Dwight Nelson this morning; and I am thankful for the admonition from Hebrews 12:28 which reads: ". . . We should be thankful because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And because we are thankful, we should worship God in a way that will please him. We should do this with respect and [reverence]" (ERV).