Thanksgiving VI ~

9-15 June:  This last week I have been thankful for the sunlight streaming in through my window - sunshine ALWAYS makes me happy!  I was thankful for the purpose the Spirit has given to improve my health by committing to at least ten minutes of walking after meals; thankful for this counsel from Matthew 7:13-14 where it is written: "There are two paths before you; you may take only one path. One doorway is narrow. And one door is wide. Go through the narrow door. For the wide door leads to a wide path, and the wide path is broad; the wide, broad path is easy, and the wide, broad, easy path has many, many people on it; but the wide, broad, easy, crowded path leads to death. Now then that narrow door leads to a narrow road that in turn leads to life. It is hard to find that road. Not many people manage it." (VOICE); thankful for the sunshine of God's presence in my life - Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, has promised He will NEVER leave us, nor forsake us (would that we were so faithful to Him!); thankful that the eldest D.D. is again ambulating independently from me, doing several walks each day with Dandee, the resident LhaSh-ChOrkie (LhasaApso X Shitsu plus Chihuahua X Yorkie); thankful for this counsel from Colossians 3:13 where it is written: "Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]." (AMPC); thankful for a night of sleep and rest, and for the mental de-fragmentation that sleep brings; thankful to see my bird-friends visiting the feeders in the tree outside my window; thankful to have this counsel from Psalm 46:10-11 where it is written: "'Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God. I am the God above all the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth.' Here He stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! .... Pause in His presence." (TPT); thankful to have heard Pastor David Asscheric's message titled "Afghanistan" (comparing general "knowledge" about that country with the information many have stored in mind about God) - a powerful message; thankful that the monster bruise that developed on my arm after contact with the frame on the shower door is at last finally (and SLOWly) resolving; thankful for this bruising that reminds me of the message from Isaiah 1:6;16-18 where it is written: " From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head there is no healthy spot left on your body—only bruises, sores, and fresh wounds. They haven’t been cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil. Wash yourselves! Become clean! Get your evil deeds out of my sight. Stop doing evil. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Arrest oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows. “Come on now, let’s discuss this!” says the Lord. “Though your sins are bright red, they will become as white as snow. Though they are dark red, they will become as white as wool." (GW); thankful to be up for the beautiful sunrise waking up my part of the world; thankful recognize my worth as a daughter of the King; thankful for this message from Luke11:9-13 where it is written: "... Keep on asking, and you will receive. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened for you. All who keep asking will receive, all who keep seeking will find, and doors will open to those who keep knocking. Some of you are fathers, so ask yourselves this: if your son comes up to you and asks for a fish for dinner, will you give him a snake instead? If your boy wants an egg to eat, will you give him a scorpion? Look, all of you are flawed in so many ways, yet in spite of all your faults, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to all who ask!" (VOICE); thankful as I begin the tasks of the Preparation Day, much of the "preparing" has already been accomplished; thankful for the "sameness" of weekly activities that guide me day upon day; thankful as I read this affirmation from Philippians 3:20-21 where it is written: "... We are citizens of heaven, exiles on earth waiting eagerly for a Liberator, our Lord Jesus the Anointed, to come and transform these humble, earthly bodies into the form of His glorious body by the same power that brings all things under His control." (VOICE);  thankful to have enjoyed another Sabbath, a weekly reminder of our Creator and His continuing care for us; thankful that our yesterdays do not condemn us for all our tomorrows; and thankful for the assurance from Isaiah 12:2 - “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” (NASB).