Thanksgiving VIII ~

1-7 August:  Over the past week, I have been thankful for the moisture in the forecast (and praying that there would be little harm from possible flooding in places where there is heavy precipitation); thankful for fb contact with my "new" grandson and his family after we first met in Grand Junction, CO; thankful as I considered this thought from Psalm 119:114 where it is written: "You are my hiding place and my shield of protection; I hope in Your word." (VOICE); thankful for temperatures that were a bit cooler as the day began; thankful for the bounty of edibles as the garden spots are yielding an early harvest; thankful for the admonition from James 1:22 where it is written: "... Prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]." (AMP); 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 3 and verses 16 and 17: "... God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that every one who believes in Him shall not be lost, but should have eternal life. You must understand that God has not sent His Son into the world to pass sentence upon it, but to save it—through Him." (PHILLIPS); thankful to see another new day and the blessings it will bring; thankful to know that our Creator,who flung the stars into space, knows each one by name (Psalm 147:4); and thankful, too, for the lesson I saw in 1 Samuel 16:7, as God reveals how He makes choices: ". . . the Lord told him, 'Samuel, don’t think Eliab is the one just because he’s tall and handsome. He isn’t the one I’ve chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts'” (CEV); thankful for the old hymns playing in my brain - tunes that are rarely heard these days, like "Lift up the trumpet and loud let it ring, Jesus is coming again ...."; thankful for another sunshine-y mid-summer morning; thankful to our Father who has given wise counsel to all who will listen: "Your rules are marvelous. Therefore I observe them. Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines. They give insight to the untrained." (Psalm 119:129-130; NET); thankful for "through the years" friendship - friends I've not seen for twenty years past, and even longer, prove that friendship is precious and durable. thankful for the blessings technology has granted with messages and images shared among family and friends; thankful, too, as I read these words from Psalm 119:89-93 where it is written: "Forever, O Eternal One, Your word stands in heaven, firm and resolute. Your faithfulness endures to every generation; You founded the earth, and it remains. Everything remains today in keeping with Your laws, for all things exist to serve You. If I had not found joy in Your guidance, then I would have died from my misery. I will never forget Your precepts, for through them You have given me life." (VOICE); thankful to be waking to another Sabbath, the Creator's chosen celebration of His artistry in forming our earth and all that is in it (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11); I was thankful to anticipate breakfast with our pastor and his wife on the first Sabbath of the month; and thankful for this message of praise from Philippians 2:9-11 where it is written: "... God raised Him up to the highest place and gave Him the name above all. So when His name is called, every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth, and below. And every tongue will confess 'Jesus, the Anointed One, is Lord,' to the glory of God our Father!" (VOICE).