Thanksgiving V ~

20-26 May:  This week, I have been thankful for the group of conservationist-farmers who have left some Camas fields as they were for us to enjoy today; thankful for the drive up to Selway Falls with a D.D. Sabbath afternoon and safe travel out and back;  thankful for this counsel given for believers of all ages in Romans 15:5-6 where it is written: " Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice." (HCSB); thankful to see that a few of my feathered-friends have returned to the refilled feeders - it's a bigger challenge than in the winter because their sight-line to the feeders is obscured by big leaves; thankful to have access to the Sunday paper the D.S.I.L. shares when he comes home from work; thankful for this message from Malachi 3:10 - tested and proven true in my life and in the lives of my parents, as well - " The Lord All-Powerful says, 'Try this test. Bring one-tenth of your things to me. Put them in the treasury. Bring food to my house. Test me! If you do these things, I will surely bless you. Good things will come to you like rain falling from the sky. You will have more than enough of everything.'" (ERV); thankful for a D.G.D.'s presence with our family for a while; thankful for the love that is spread around our home; thankful for this message from Galatians 5:13-14 where it is written: "You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love. All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement: Love your neighbor as yourself." (CEB);  thankful for the sunshine peeking from amid the clouds of gray; thankful for the opportunity to pray for fellow believers in places where they have no freedom to share Jesus or to worship openly; thankful for the clear counsel of Hebrews 13:5-6: "Your lifestyle must be free from the love of money, being content with what you have. For He himself has said, 'I will never desert you, and I will never abandon you.' So then, we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?'” (LEB); thankful to live in a country where we are still free to worship God - or not - as we choose; thankful for those who are willing to go to places where this freedom is unknown and share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (and for all who are supporting their efforts); thankful for the clarity of these words of Jesus from Matthew 24:14: ". . . this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (KJV); thankful for every new day and all the blessings that come with it - family and friends, a cozy room, food aplenty and to share - all I've needed my Father has generously provided; thankful, too, for the opportunity to share these thanksgiving thoughts with friends far and near; thankful for this counsel from Romans 12:9-11: "Your love must be real. Hate what is evil, and hold on to what is good. Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves. Do not be lazy but work hard, serving the Lord with all your heart" (NCV); thankful for a new Sabbath and its blessings; thankful that sunshine is real even when there are showers all around - much like the way blessings can be found in spite of life's difficulties!  And thankful, so thankful, for the precious message of John 3:17 that tells us: ". . . God did not send-forth the Son into the world in order that He might judge the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him." (DLNT).