Thanksgiving V ~

4-10 February:  This week I was thankful for each new day of life given by the Creator; thankful for the magnitude of photos to be found on the web to illustrate my thoughts; thankful for these praises from Psalm 18:1-2 that put words to MY praise: "I love you, Lord! You are my strength. The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety. He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection. He is my shield; by His power I am saved...." (ERV); thankful to have enjoyed a visit with my near D.S. and his friend, who were doing a sight-seeing drive and included me; thankful to see the gift he brought with him for his younger sister (but shared with eldest D.D. and me); thankful for all the words of praise to be found in the Book of Psalms, ancient songs that we can join in with as we read - like this one: "For the word of the Lord is right; and all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord." (Psalm 33:4-5; AMP); thankful that the Molly cat is using her new "equipment" tidily (she isn't at all friendly with the other felines and SHE has seniority, but it's pay-back time for the trouble she gave the kitty just younger when the younger cat was new in the house, and her bathroom trips have been a challege); thankful for the privilege of helping others when there is difficulty in their lives; thankkful for this counsel from God's Word: "Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person. Don’t tell your neighbor “Maybe some other time” or “Try me tomorrow” when the money’s right there in your pocket" (Proverbs 3:26,27; MSG); thankful for the message in John 1:12 that tells me I am a child of God; thankful to know that "... He's still working on me ...."; thankful for this message when the troubles of life weigh heavy for me and for those dear to me: "You who love the Lord, hate evil; He protects the souls of His godly ones (believers), He rescues them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 97:10; AMP). Stay faithful; there's a day of reckoning yet to come!  I was thankful that dear Dandee and I enjoyed a night of sound sleep, undisturbed by other four-footeds outside our walls; thankful to know D.D. and D.S.I.L.were on their way home;  thankful to read these words where Jesus explains one way to live as He did: "You have heard people say, 'Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.' But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And He sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong." (Matthew 5:43-45; CEV).   The AMPLIFIED BIBLE add this footnote for the passage: "The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another."  thankful to see a glorious sunrise from my window; thankful for the almost-forgotten treasure of Discipleship Journals I'm reviewing and completing the work-sheets that accompany several articles in each magazine; always thankful for this promise from Isaiah 41:10 were it is written: "Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice." (AMPC); thankful for the weekly reminder that we are children of the Ruler of the Universe, Creator of all in it - what a blessing to know we are loved, that salvation from sin is freely offered to all who will accept; thankful for the privilege of Sabbath study and worship with other believers - you are welcome to come and join us at 280 N, US 95 (about 2 miles north of Grangeville, study begins at 10 AM); and thankful for the message of Isaiah 56:2 where this promise is written: "God’s favor rests on those who attend to justice, who devote themselves to doing what is right, who keep the Sabbath and don’t disregard or belittle it, who keep from doing what is wrong: destructive, deceitful, or violent." (VOICE).