Thanksgiving VIII ~

31 October-6 November:  This past week, I have been thankful for better days that increase in frequency as time passes; thankful that above the clouds the sun is always shining in its full glory; thankful for the admonition found in 1 Peter 5:8-9 where this is written: "Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour. Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure." (The Passion Translation); thankful as we enter my favorite month of the year, November - so-o-o much for which to be thankful as I complete another year of these almost daily posts sharing what's in my heart; thankful for the quick back-and-forth of communication with family and friends on my computer - much more satisfying than snail-mail! I was thankful as I perused these wonderful words from Ephesians 1:17-18 where we read: "I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God’s people." (Contemporary English Version); thankful for legs that still are able to carry me around the little city park with my walker - yesterday was the first time I've been for a walk in months! I was thankful for the family who love me and take care for me in so many ways; thankful to read this beautiful message from 1 Peter 2:9 that tells us: "...You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (AMP); thankful as I look back on eight years of these "Thanksgiving ...." posts and realize that the Lord keeps covering me with more, much more of His blessings.Where it started: My Year of Thanksgiving ~ I'm thankful today for another day of life and the blessings that come with it; for this cozy spot where I am surrounded by the people and things that I love; for limbs that respond as they're called upon and a mostly coherent brain.And I am thankful for this admonition from Romans 13:1-2 where we read: "It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on the earth. Therefore, a person who rebels against authority rebels against the order He established, and people like that can expect to face certain judgment." (VOICE); thankful to be able to help a housemate celebrate her birthday and make what appears to be a somewhat gloomy day brighter with a bit of fun; thankful that she and I were able to go for another walk in the city park (D.D. provided a ride so we'd not have the steep hill on our street to go down!); thankful as I peruse this verse: "... Now, as God’s loving servants, you live in joyous freedom from the power of sin. So consider the benefits you now enjoy—you are brought deeper into the experience of true holiness that ends with eternal life! For sin’s meager wages is death, but God’s lavish gift is life eternal, found in your union with our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One." (Romans 6:22-23; VOICE); thankful for my weekly "preparation day" having an early start; thankful for the laundry equipment just across the hall; thankful as I consider these words of the Savior as recorded in John 7:37-38 where we read: "On the last day, the biggest day of the festival, Jesus stood again and spoke aloud. 'If any of you is thirsty, come to Me and drink. If you believe in Me, the ... Scriptures say that rivers of living water will flow from within you'" (VOICE). cf Isaiah 12:3; Isaiah 43:20 (last part); thankful to be celebrating another Sabbath, the day our Creator set aside as a weekly reminder to us that we are not our own, but children of our heavenly Father and King; thankful for all the programming that is available to me by means of my phone - worship and praise (even from the church I'd normally attend!), study and song thru' the net; and thankful as I consider these words from Ephesians 1:9-10 where we read: "He has enlightened us to the great mystery at the center of His will. With immense pleasure, He laid out His intentions through Jesus, a plan that will climax when the time is right as He returns to create order and unity—both in heaven and on earth—when all things are brought together under the Anointed’s royal rule...." (VOICE).