Thanksgiving VI ~

28 July-3 August: This past week, I was thankful anticipating fellowship as we joined sisters and brothers with many hands in action together; thankful for the Bible and its word pictures of life as it was in days long ago; thankful for this message from Philippians 3:13-14 where it is written: "... As I said, I know I have not arrived; but there’s one thing I am doing: I’m leaving my old life behind, putting everything on the line for this mission. I am sprinting toward the only goal that counts: to cross the line, to win the prize, and to hear God’s call to resurrection life found exclusively in Jesus the Anointed." (VOICE); thankful for changes - those that are obvious, and those only my Maker can see - as my life draws on; thankful to be one who recognizes Jesus as the "pattern-man" and has made a choice to follow Him; thankful for the words of Paul, recorded in 2 Thessalonians 3:5 and 16: "... The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all." My prayer is that ALL our hearts may be directed more deeply into His love ~ I was thankful for the kind acknowledgements sent by friends re the photos I posted earlier, friends I've not seen for many years and friends near by; thankful for the continuing care of our Creator who is ever watchful over ALL His creation - how HIS heart must be pained over what's happening in (and TO) this earth; thankful for the affirmation and challenge of these words from Matthew 5:14,16 where we read: "You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden Let your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven." (CEV); thankful for an idea that will (hopefully!) improve my summertime sleep by re-positioning my bed; thankful for the little creative abilities our Maker has shared with His creatures; thankful for all the "I will ...." promises that are recorded in the Word, promises such as this one: "Therefore tell the people: this is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'and I will return to you ....'” (Zechariah 1:3; NIVUK); thankful that the rearranging in my room is all but completed since I got out of bed; thankful for the strength provided (Deuteronomy 33:25) to accomplish this (and for the bamboo flooring that allows me me to push and pull instead of lift!); thankful as I read this passage from Psalm 119:114, words that my heart echos: "You’re my place of quiet retreat, and your wrap-around presence becomes my shield as I wrap myself in your word!" (TPT); thankful to our heavenly Father and to the Creator who planned, with the Spirit, for a world filled with beauty to be presented to our first parents;  thankful they didn't give up on humanity when those first parents chose a contrary way and - in a plan formed "before the world began" set in motion salvation's story; thankful for this message from the gospel of John, chapter three and verses 16 and 17: "For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. Here’s the point. God didn’t send His Son into the world to judge it; instead, He is here to rescue a world headed toward certain destruction." (VOICE); thankful for the blessing of another Sabbath celebration of our Creator's work - on His chosen day of rest; thankful for a rescheduling that allows an early morning walk; and thankful for the message given in 1 Samuel 16:7 where it is written: "... The Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'" (NRSV).