Thanksgiving IV ~

4-10 June:  This week I have been thankful to know there's no danger that the northward drift of our star will continue - our Creator has promised, "As long as the earth continues, there will always be a time for planting and a time for harvest. There will always be cold and hot, summer and winter, day and night on earth” (Genesis 8:22; ERV); thankful to know there is a great Intelligence working in the design and operation of our planet; and thankful for the message in His Word that tells us this Intelligence is LOVE (1John 4:8); thankful for another day of blessings - life, health, and a measure of strength sufficient for the day - that have been given me; thankful to be anticipating renewed connections with family and friends from far away; and thankful for this message from 1 Thessalonians 5:11 where we read: ". . . Speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it." (MSG); thankful to live in another caring community where folks look out for others in need; thankful that believers from many denominations answer the call of the Savior to "Go, tell the good news!" and to share with "the least of these - My sisters and brothers" our resources when needed; and thankful for the beautiful words of Psalm 90:2,4 where we read: "Before the mountains were brought forth or ever You had formed and given birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God. . . . A thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night." (AMPC); thankful for the sound of D.S.I.L.'s lawn mower doing its thing (earlier the starter wasn't working after a short break); thankful for the images of the space around earth that are provided by the Hubble Telescope - what great things the Creator has accomplished! And thankful for this affirmation from Habakkuk 3:19 where we read: "The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!" (AMPC); thankful for the mixed blessings of wet and dry weather - rain and sunshine - sometimes even on the same day; I'm thankful for the love and care of my children and their spouses - not always true in some families; and thankful for this cautionary message from Matthew 7:13,14 where we read: “Enter through the narrow gate, because wide is the gate and broad is the road leading-away to destruction— and many are the ones entering through it. How narrow is the gate and constricted is the road leading-away to life— and few are the ones finding it." (DLNT);  thankful for a new morning and for the sunshine in my heart; thankful for a quote I found in a favorite blog; "We touch lives when we live ours joyously, as winsome ambassadors for Christ," (Dawn Camp at (in)Courage); and thanking God for this promise from Isaiah 43:2-4: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;. . . . Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you. . . ."; thankful for the Biblical concept of chosen-ness - as in I Peter 2:9 - ". . . You are a chosen [generation]. . . [God’s] own special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light"; in Ephesians 1:4 - " just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight"; and in John 15:16 (below).