Thanksgiving IV ~

22-28 October:  This week I was thankful for the folks who joined us for the Shadow Empire program - hope they enjoyed it as much as I did; thankful to anticipate the follow-up, A Pale Horse Rides, where the focus is on the early years of the Protestant Reformation; thankful for this beautiful description of love in the hearts of God's people: "Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person...." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, AMPC); thankful for the kind attentions of the Pampered Foot Care nurse who comes to do pedicures for eldest D.D. and me on a quarterly basis; thankful for sunny weather forecast for several days this week; and thankful for this counsel from Galatians 6:1-3 where we read: "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived." (MSG); thankful to greet the dawn of a new day with my heart rejoicing in the blessings that are "new every morning" (Lamentations 3:22,23); thankful for the freshly polished shelves above this computer work station - yeah, I did the polishing, but am surely enjoying the result! thankful for this message from Proverbs 9:10 where we read: "The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight." (AMP); thankful that dear Dandee's houdini tricks were completed without any complications - that little dog is an escape artist; thankful that our Father hears and answers our prayers for help - even just to bring a run-away dog back home safely; thankful for this counsel from Ephesians 5:18-20: "... Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"; thankful for telephone communication with family and friends - its hard to imagine life without one, for all my life I've lived with various forms of telephonage;  thankful for the other forms of electronic communication (e-mail, fb, and the on-line news agencies among others) as well as the good, old-fashioned snail-mail; and  thankful to read again these words from 2 Timothy 3:16,17: "All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that [believers in] God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work." (AMP); thankful for the helpers in our laundry area - tireless, as they work at doing what once took up most of a morning to accomplish; thankful for the blessing of hot water - of ANY water - at the turn of a tap; and thankful for the truth of these words: "... The word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12; AMP); thankful to wake up early and greet a new Sabbath morning; thankful for the anticipation of a morning of study, praise, and worship with the G'ville church family; and thankful for the message of future Sabbaths in God's plans for us as found in Isaiah 66:22,23 where we read: "The Lord says, 'I will make a new world—new heavens and a new earth—that will last forever. In the same way, your names and your children will always be with me. Everyone will come to worship Me on every worship day; they will come every Sabbath and every first day of the month. This is what I, the Lord, have said.'" (ERV).