Thanksgiving IX ~

5-11 December:  This week, I was thankful for all the ways in which my keyboard provides a connection with family and friends - old and new ones; I was thankful for the almost-winter-time sunlight - tho' weak, it IS sunlight!  I was thankful when I considered the privilege that is given to believers - "The God who spoke light into existence, saying, 'Let light shine from the darkness,' is the very One who sets our hearts ablaze to shed light on the knowledge of God’s glory revealed in the face of Jesus, the Anointed One. But this beautiful treasure is contained in us—cracked pots made of earth and clay—so that the transcendent character of this power will be clearly seen as coming from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:6-7; VOICE); thankful that one is NEVER too old to attempt a new habit; thankful that the days will continue to grow darker for only a short time before the earth begins its annual tilt back to the other pole - no wonder the primitive peoples marked the solstice as a time of celebration!  I was thankful for this promise given in Genesis 8:21-22 where we read: "... Eternal One (to Himself): Never again will I curse the ground because of humankind, even though every thought of the mind and inclination of the heart is set on evil from the time they are young. .... As long as the earth endures, nothing will put a stop to planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night." (VOICE); thankful to send a "Happy Birthday!" greeting to my li'l brother, Mr. Bob, and G.G.S. (great-grandson) Nicolas Drollinger; thankful to have so many of my precious family and friends so quickly at hand - just a click of the mouse away; thankful for this message from Isaiah 9:6 where we read this beautiful Advent promise: " For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor (sic.), The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (KJV); thankful that the distractions in my life do not mean my "Thanks!" will never be posted - sorry for the delay; thankful for the Spirit's whispered prompts in my thoughts; thankful for this message from John 15:4-5 where it is written: "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything." (CEB); thankful to read the entries family and friends have posted to this social network, sharing plans and happenings of the day; thankful to be a daughter of our Most High God, learning to live like a child of the King; thankful as I read from Isaiah 44:2-3 where this is written: "The Lord who made you, who will help you, says: 'O servant of mine, don’t be afraid. My chosen ones, don’t be afraid. For I will give you abundant water for your thirst and for your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children." (TLB); thankful for another Sabbath, the "Lord's Day" of the Bible (Exodus 20:10; Mark 2:28), with opportunities for worship, praise, and prayer; thankful for the broadcasts of worship services streaming from my church home and 3 ABN, Hope TV, and other sites; and I was thankful for the assurance the Father gives a recorded in 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 where this is written: "As co-operators with God himself we beg you then, not to fail to use the grace of God. For God’s word is—‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you’. Now is the “acceptable time”, and this very day is the “day of salvation”.