Thanksgiving VI ~

18-24 August:  This week, I have been thankful for a continuing blessing from messages viewed via my computer - many ideas to find ways to work them into everyday living; thankful for eyes to see the beauty of the Creator's work remaining in much of the world around me; thankful for the warning from our Maker found in Malachi 3:5-6, written long ago but still applicable today: “'At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against ... those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,' says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 'I am the Lord, and I do not change....'" (NLT); thankful for the prayer in my heart as I woke; thankful to hear God speaking in His Word (and to know He hears me speak as I open my heart to Him in prayer - 1 John 5:14); and I am thankful for this affirmation in 1 John 5:11-12 where it is written: "... The testimony is this: God has given us eternal life [we already possess it], and this life is in His Son [resulting in our spiritual completeness, and eternal companionship with Him]. The one who has the Son [by accepting Him as Lord and Savior] has the life [that is eternal]; one who does not have the Son of God [by personal faith] does not have the life." (AMP, adapted); thankful for quiet moments found in not-always expected places; thankful for my dear grandkids - each one - near and half-the-world-around from here; thankful as I read this affirmation from Psalm 16:8-9 where it is written: "I always remember that the Lord is with me. He is here, close by my side, so nothing can defeat me. So my heart and soul will be very happy...." (ERV); thankful for the promise of Jesus: "... I WILL come again and take you to be with Me, so that you can be there, where I am." (John 14:3); thankful for the Father's persistant call to prayer and praise; thankful to read this passage from Psalm 42:6 where it is written: "By day the Lord commands His faithful love; by night His song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life." (CEB); thankful for the everyday mercies God provides - counting these mercies brings increasing awareness of them!   I was thankful for August days that are more temperate than others I remember; thankful for the message of Romans 8:31-33 where it is written: "What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us? He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect (His chosen ones)? It is God who justifies us [declaring us blameless and putting us in a right relationship with Himself]." (AMP); thankful for the foundation (now a SOLID one!) under my mattress that was delivered to me Friday morning; thankful for all the "exceeding great and precious promises" given to us in God's Word; thankful to know the truth of this message from Psalm 94:18-19 where it is written: "When I said, 'My foot is slipping!' Your unfailing love, O Eternal One, held me up. When anxiety overtakes me and worries are many, Your comfort lightens my soul." (VOICE); thankful for this new day of celebration of the Sabbath, the day our Creator chose as His own "in the beginning" (and He's NEVER changed it!); thankful for update from the dear son who has chosen alternative treatment for his condition over the treatments that batter healthy cells and immune system; and I was thankful to agree with this message from Psalm 116:1-2 where it is written: "I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live." (RSV).