Thanksgiving VI ~

30 June-6 July:  This past week, I was thankful to see there is little change in the view down Castle Valley - as shared by friend Dave Sunday morning; thankful for the evening ride to the top of Cottonwood Butte and views of a glorious sunset across the Snake River canyon; thankful as I recalled this passage from Psalm 46:1-2 where it is written: "God is our shelter and our strength. When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help. So why run and hide? No fear, no pacing, no biting fingernails. When the earth spins out of control, we are sure and fearless. When mountains crumble and the waters run wild, we are sure and fearless." (VOICE); thankful to be part of a "musical" family; thankful to be among our God's beloved daughters; thankful to think on this passage in Zephaniah 3:17 where it is written: "The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing." (AMPC); thankful for rain in the night - more probable walking weather in the daytime; thankful for the other In-laws who have been visiting for a time as their new apartment is being readied; thankful for confidence in the message our Father gives in Jeremiah 17:9-10 where we read: “The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.” (MSG);  thankful for our Social Security System and the monthly disbursement of funds I contributed over my years of employment; thankful to help support different mission projects from my computer; thankful for these words of wisdom from Proverbs 14:34 where we read: "Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (AMPC); thankful for the liberty and freedom on which our nation was founded; thankful, SO thankful that my brother and his wife were NOT home sleeping Tuesday night - their home was burned into a pile of ashes (their dogs are with neighbors, and OK); thankful for this affirmation from Psalm 33:12 where it is written: "Blessed is the country with God for God; blessed are the people He’s put in His will." (MSG); thankful for another day of life and the blessing of health that is much better than I deserve; thankful that I can still manage the "activities of daily living" impossible for many as they grow older;  thankful as I meditate on this thought from Isaiah 12:3-4 where it is written: "Joyfully you’ll pull up buckets of water from the wells of salvation. And as you do it, you’ll say, 'Give thanks to God. Call out His name. Ask Him anything! Shout to the nations, tell them what He’s done, spread the news of His great reputation!'" (MSG); thankful as I celebrated the weekly Sabbath, given as a day of rest from labor and business to focus on our Creator and His mighty works in the world and in our lives; thankful for all the blessings this week has provided in my life - the measure of health and strength that remains, days with clear skies and sunlight' and so much more; and thankful for these words from Jesus as He spoke of His return in great glory: "Heaven and earth [as now known] will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son [in His humanity], but the Father alone." (Matthew 24:35-36; AMP).