Thanksgiving VI ~

29 September-5 October:  This past week I was thankful for the assurance that this world is not my home, I'm just passing through (John 14:1-3); thankful for word pictures of the home being prepared for me (Isaiah 11:4-8; ch.65:17-25; Revelation 21:1-5; 10-27; ch.22:1-5); thankful for the promise in Deuteronomy 33:25, ". . . as thy days, so shall thy strength be."  I was thankful that the feathery flakes falling from the sky found no hospitable environment for "abiding" and melted away, nearly as quickly as they hit the ground - a September snow-cover is more damage than delight when tree branches are overwhelmed with the weight of the snow; thankful for resources to help me find Bible passages for which I've forgotten the text citation - biblegateway.com and my well-used Strong's edition being the primary helps; thankful for this beautiful promise from Isaiah 1:18 where it is written: "'Come now, and let us reason together', says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.'" (AMPC); thankful for the Father's tender mercies, His marvelous grace, His healing power; thankful for the beauties of the starry heavens - His hand has made all these things; thankful to know of the One "... who has created these heavenly bodies, the One who brings out their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one is missing." (Isaiah 40:26; AMP); thankful for all the different autumn foliage within my view as I gaze out my window - what beauty!  I was thankful to be in a place where there are four distinct seasons (though I DO NOT enjoy the lon-n-ng winters and much shorter days!!!); thankful for the truth in these words from Proverbs 29:25 where we read: "People are trapped by their fear of others; those who trust the Lord are secure." (CEB); thankful for the caring spirit of my D.S.I.L. who has a wealth of knowledge and ably applies it whenever needed; thankful for the abundant evidence of our Father's work around me; thankful for this message from 1 Peter 1:3-4 where it is written: " Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you," (AMPC); thankful that the internet is again available after an extended period of down time, thankful for an appointment for a haircut this afternoon (and cash in my pocket to pay!); thankful for this message from Isaiah 42:16 when I feel I am stumbling in my walk with God: "I will lead the blind in a way that they know not, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do, and I will not forsake them." (RSV); thankful to be greeting another celebration of the Sabbath that the Creator chose when His work was done (Genesis 2:2-3) and told His people to "remember" (Exodus 20:8-11); thankful that the Creator is also an all-sufficient Savior (John 1:1-4; 9-12;14); and I was thankful for this instruction from Isaiah 55:6-7 where it is written: "Turn to the Lord! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near. Give up your crooked ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the Lord our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins." (CEV).