Thanksgiving IV ~

10-16 September:  This week, I have been thankful for skies clearing from the smokey conditions we've been experiencing for many days - a change in wind direction - please pray for rain here in the Northwest; I am thankful for all those who are part of the fire-fighting teams who are working to save the homes and other structures from the flames; and especially thankful for this message from Isaiah 46:4,5 where we read: "Until you grow old. I am the one, and until you turn gray I will support you. I have done it, and I will continue to bear it; I will support and I will rescue. to whom will you liken Me and count Me equal and compare Me so that we are alike?" (CEB); thankful for the stories in the Bible that reveal our Father as one who is constantly caring for His creation, " those who live on earth—every nation, tribe, language, and people" (Revelation 14:6; GW); thankful for cloudless September days and moderating temperatures - just glorious weather! and thankful to know that it is the Creator who gives strength, as the psalmist wrote: "I look up to the hills, but where will my help really come from? My help will come from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1,2; ERV); thankful for the pretty, pink-clouded sunrise and more blue sky out my window; thankful for the unexpected blog entry from a couple I'm "following" as they travel overland from her home in Switzerland to his - in Australia. This entry describes their voyage across the Black Sea on a freighter; thankful for the message of Philippians 4:4-7: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all .... The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (NKJV); thankful for our Father's answers to prayers for wisdom in choosing the best path to follow; for unexpected offers of help from someone with no obligation to do so; for these words from Psalm 71:23 - "My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You, and my soul, which You have redeemed." (NASV); thankful for the arrival of the first of the materials for our autumn seminars - looking forward to viewing "Shadow Empire" and "A Pale Horse Rides" this fall; thankful for the ministry of companies that produce the advertising for events such as these; and so thankful for this counsel from Philippians 2:1,2 where we read: "If there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any compassion and mercy, then fulfill my joy and be like-minded, having the same love, being in unity with one mind." (MEV); thankful for the little step-stool my father made for me while we were living in Monument Valley - it usually sits under my small laundry basket, but today I'll use it to get to the dusty places in my ceiling-high bookshelves; thankful for the forecast of clearing weather for the church camp-out this week-end; and thankful for the message in 1 John 4:15,16: "Anyone who says, 'I believe that Jesus is the Son of God,' is a person who lives in God, and God lives in that person. So we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Everyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them." (ERV); so-o-o thankful for another precious Sabbath-day - my camping days are over, so I'll miss the church camp-out this week-end, but glad for all the on-line "church" programs that are available; thankful that our God is ever watchful and sees our needs - often even before we call, He answers; and thankful for these words from God in Isaiah 65:24 where we read: “It shall also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." (AMP).