Thanksgiving IV ~

18-24 June:  This week, I have been thankful for a delightful ride with the dear sister who's visiting from her home in B.C.; thankful for time spent visiting with friends in Riggins; and thankful to be able to share this wise counsel from Ephesians 6:4, where we read "[Parents], do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (AMP); thankful for the pleasures of spring - the glorious blossoms on the Hawthorne tree by the patio, the lush flowers of the peonies around us, the brightening weather - and so much more; thankful for this brief, but sweet visit my sis; and thankful and in agreement with these words from Psalm 57:7,8: "O God, my heart is quiet and confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! 8 Rouse yourself, my soul! Arise, O harp and lyre! Let us greet the dawn with song!" (TLB); thankful for every bright, sunshine-y morning - the rain is a necessary blessing, but I do enjoy the sun here in the cooler-than-Las Vegas northwest; thankful for my sister's link to messages from David Asscherick on YouTube; and for these words from Isaiah 30:15: "The holy Lord God . . . had told all of you, 'I will keep you safe if you turn back to me and calm down. I will make you strong if you quietly trust me'” (CEV); thankful for the big tree outside my window that provides shade from the heat in the warmer weather; thankful to hear the music of collared-doves as they call from the trees outside; and thankful for the message of Jesus' words from Mark 8:35-37: ". . . 'Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let Me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow Me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, My way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?'" (MSG); thankful to be celebrating the first day of a new summer - anticipation of warm, drier weather and al fresco meals on the patio; thankful for the whimsical journal my sis gave me, just as the one I've been using is running out of pages; and thankful for the assurance to be found in Psalm 91:1,2: "We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods. This I declare, that He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him." (TLB); thankful to know I am a daughter of the King, who loves me and gave up His life that I - tho' undeserving - might live; thankful that although He experienced death, the tomb that held Him for three days is now empty, I serve a risen Savior who's coming again, soon; and thankful for the assurance of these words from Psalm 121:7,8: "He keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. He keeps His eye upon you as you come and go and always guards you." (TLB); thankful for the ability to see sunlight, to hear the birds outside my window, and for the activity of ALL the senses the Creator has given; thankful to know our God is one who understands my struggles and forgives when I fail Him; and thankful that ". . . They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31; TLB); thankful for another beautiful Sabbath morning; thankful for all the blessings of Hope Channel and 3 ABN; and thankful, too, for these words from 2 Thessalonians 3:3,4 where we read: ". . . The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do the things [which He has counseled]." (AMP).