Thanksgiving VIII ~

12-18 September:  During the past week, I was thankful for the beauty of flowers and foliage, even (or especially) when their beauty is a big contrast to the environment around them; thankful for FlyLady and her promise that even five minutes on a task improves the situation; thankful as I recall this counsel from Philippians 4:4-6 where it is written: "Most of all, friends, always rejoice in the Lord! I never tire of saying it: Rejoice! Keep your gentle nature so that all people will know what it looks like to walk in His footsteps. The Lord is ever present with us. Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come." (VOICE); thankful to have found the source of a Bible quote that has been stuck in my prayers and brain for weeks; thankful to see the two boxes of ripe tomatoes D.D. is processing for use thru' the winter; thankful for this counsel from 1 Peter 3:8-12 where we read: "To sum up, you should all be of one mind living like [family] with true love and sympathy for each other, generous and courteous at all times. Never pay back a bad turn with a bad turn or an insult with another insult, but on the contrary pay back with good. For this is your calling—to do good and one day to inherit all the goodness of God. For: ‘He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile: let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers....'" (PHILLIPS); thankful to have a "mulligan" day re poor choices I made on a yesterday; thankful for the message of 1 John 1:9 and pray for a thorough cleansing from ALL unrighteousness; thankful for this counsel from Philippians 2:1-2 where it is written: "If you find any comfort from being in the Anointed, if His love brings you some encouragement, if you experience true companionship with the Spirit, if His tenderness and mercy fill your heart; then, brothers and sisters, here is one thing that would complete my joy—come together as one in mind and spirit and purpose, sharing in the same love." (VOICE); thankful to see the photo of four generations, from my mom and her sis down to a couple of our grandchildren together in one place, welcoming Ward and me back from China in 1996 (thanks Doug!); I was thankful for the helpers who come to us to provide needed assistance in many different ways; thankful for these words from 1 John 4:15-16 where we read: "If any of us confess that Jesus is God’s Son, God remains in us and we remain in God. We have known and have believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who remain in love remain in God and God remains in them." (CEB); thankful for a renewed commitment to saying "Yes, LORD!" to ANYTHING He asks me to put aside so as not to erode my connection with Him; thankful for the reminders that He is the One who will conquer my "giants"; thankful for this reiteration of the words from 1 John 4:16 where it is written: " We have experienced and we have entrusted our lives to the love of God in us. God is love. Anyone who lives faithfully in love also lives faithfully in God...." (VOICE); thankful for knowledge of a Savior who, with His Father, loved me so much He left heaven and became mortal like us so that He could give His life and provide an eternal life for all who follow Him; thankful that the grave where He was buried could not hold Him a captive and that He lives today, and has promised to return for those who love Him and take them to be with Him forever; thankful for the peace that comes with fast fulfilling prophecies - "Now think of the fig tree. As soon as its twigs get tender and greenish, as soon as it begins to sprout leaves, you know to expect summer. In the same way, when you see the wars and the suffering and the false liberators and the desolations, you will know the Son of Man is near—right at the door. I tell you this: this generation will see all these things take place before it passes away. My words are always true and always here with you. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away." (Matthew 24:32-35; VOICE); thankful for another Sabbath Day, the day Jesus - our Creator - set aside in the beginning as a gift for His people (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:11; Mark 2:27-28); thankful that the the Lord who stilled the storm on Galilee is STILL able to still storms that arise today - both external and INTERNAL; and I was thankful for this counsel from Philippians 2:3-4 where it is written: "Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over. Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others. Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbors’ interests first." (VOICE).