Thanksgiving IV ~

29 January-4 February: This week I have been thankful for new days filled with a promise of clear skies and sunshine; I've been thankful to have the weekly edition of these "Thanksgiving . . . . " notes posted on Blogspot already; and thankful for the wise counsel of the Savior when His disciples were vying for most importance in His kingdom: " . . . Their argument on the road was about which one of them was the greatest. Jesus sat down and called the twelve apostles to Him. He said, 'Whoever wants to be the most important must make others more important than themselves. They must serve everyone else'” (Mark 9:34,35); thankful to be one called "beloved" by our Creator (as are all those who know Him as Savior); I'm thankful that He promises to provide all that I need in this life, and the next; and I am thankful for the admonition found in Ephesians 4:1-3: ". . . I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own. Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God’s Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace" (CEV); thankful to celebrate a D.G.D.'s birthday and having her company for the event - I have seven D.G.D.s, but rarely see them on birthdays anymore; thankful that there is only a minimal dusting of snow when more than that amount was forecast;  and I was thankful for the message found in Psalm 86:5, where we read "You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, full of mercy toward everyone who calls out to you." (GW); thankful for the big snow-blowing machine that takes the heavy work out of removing the white stuff for the D.S.I.L.; I'm thankful, too, that another month of winter is finished for this year - the precip is a necessary part of life on the prairie, but spring is coming! And I am thankful for this message from our Father telling us how to live: ". . . He has told you, mortals, what is good in His sight. What else does the Eternal ask of you but to live justly and to love kindness and to walk with your True God in all humility?" Micah 6:8; thankful to be able to return unordered merchandise for a full refund after phone conversations re a double billing; thankful for more sunshine outside my window; and thankful, too, for the promise we find in 1 Corinthians 2:9-11: " But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into [our hearts] the things which God has prepared for those who love him’. But God has, through the Spirit, let us share His secret.  For nothing is hidden from the Spirit, not even the deep wisdom of God. For who could really understand a man’s inmost thoughts except the spirit of the man himself? How much less could anyone understand the thoughts of God except the very Spirit of God?" (PHILLIPS); thankful for a brain that is still at work and limbs that respond appropriately to its directions; I'm thankful for the wonderful ways our Creator made us to self-repair when injury or illness cause damage - just consider, for example, the mending of broken bones or rebuilding of tissue after being lacerated; and I've been thankful, every day as I consider these words from Psalm 59:16 where we are told: ". . . I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim Your faithful love in the morning. For You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble" (HCSB); and I was thankful for a new Sabbath-day with plans for study and praise and worship with sisters and brothers before a fellowship meal at our church in Grangeville; thankful, too, for our faithful pastoral team who travel many miles in service to the four churches they serve; and thankful for the message of Psalm 18:1,2: "I love you, Lord. You give me strength. The Lord is my rock and my place of safety. He is the God who saves me. My God is my rock. I go to Him for safety. He is like a shield to me. He’s the power that saves me. He’s my place of safety" (NIRV).

                                                       "Til next time  ~