Thanksgiving V ~

1-7 July:  This week, I have been thankful for the "home, safe" message from a dear son found on my phone when I woke up at midnight; thankful to be alive as we begin the second half of this year; thankful for the counsel given in Romans 12:3 where it is written: "... I give this piece of advice to each one of you. Don’t cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance, but try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities by the light of the faith that God has given to you all."(PHILLIPS); I am thankful that - in spite of my imperfections - I still can be used by the Creator to bless someone else; thankful to know that when things begin to close in, I can follow Jesus' example - to slip away and find a quiet place to pray; and I am thankful for the cautionary message of Jeremiah17:9-10: “Nothing can hide its evil as well as the human mind. It can be very sick, and no one really understands it. But I am the Lord, and I can look into a person’s heart. I can test a person’s mind and decide what each one should have. I can give each person the right payment for what they do." (ERV); thankful for the blessings daily poured into my life - a grateful spirit, a contented heart, a cheerful disposition, the love of family and friends - how could I not be thankful for these and all the other blessings that come from our Father's hand? I am thankful to wake up every morning with all systems functioning; thankful for the cautionary note in these words from Proverbs 14:34 where it is written: "Living according to God’s instructions makes a nation great, but sin colors those who commit it with disgrace." (VOICE); I am thankful for God's promise to forgive when I confess my errors, my unwillingness to do life His way; thankful that He knows my heart when I'm unable to pray; thankful for these words from Psalm 77:11 - good counsel for us today: "Once again I’ll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I’ll ponder all the things You’ve accomplished, and give a long, loving look at Your acts." (MSG); thankful for the beautiful colors painted in the skies by the Creator's hand in the sunrise; thankful to see the huge buds on the yellow rose in front of the house - lots of them; thankful to read these words from Isaiah 12:3-5 where it is written: "... With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation. And in that day you will say,'Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name [in prayer]. Make His deeds known among the peoples [of the earth]; proclaim [to them] that His name is exalted!' Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done excellent and glorious things; let this be known throughout the earth." (AMP); thankful for morning sun lighting up the puffy clouds floating high outside my window; thankful for the "Believing is Seeing" (John 11:40) thoughts on the topic of behavior that shows we trust the One who is guiding us; thankful for these words from Psalm 5:2-3 where it is written: "Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God,for to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up" (KJV); thankful for a new Sabbath in which I'll join others in study, prayer, praise, and worship - with fellowship under the trees at a member's home following the service - what a delightful plan; I'm thankful for the forecast of pleasant weather for the occasion; and thankful for this message from Psalm 18:30-31 were we read: "As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him. For who is God except the Lord? Or who is the Rock save our God," (AMPC).