Thanksgiving IX ~

12-18 December:  This past week, I have been thankful to have been able to access most of Pastor Bob Hancock's message on prayer - some aspects of tech support can be challenging I'm sure; I was thankful to be able to see the snowflakes tumbling down outside - so beautiful to look at (especially if I have no need to be out IN it!); thankful to realize that, at JUST the right time: "... When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children." (Galatians 4:4-5; NRSV); thankful to see the beautiful fresh coat of new fallen snow outdoors - a picture unspoiled by anything to distract from its peace; thankful for the promise of these words from Isaiah 1:18 where our Father says, 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.'; thankful as I read this from Psalm 148:5-6 where it is written: "Let all things join together in a concert of praise to the name of the Eternal, for He gave the command and they were created. He put them in their places to stay forever—He declared it so, and it is final." (VOICE); thankful to FINALLY be able to share reasons to be thankful - first of all, my computer got back on line; I was thankful for all who went out into the nasty weather to restore power in the hours of darkness; thankful as I consider this from Job 12:7-10 where it is written: "... Call on the animals to teach you; the birds that sail through the air are not afraid to tell you the truth. Engage the earth in conversation; it’s happy to share what it knows. Even the fish of the sea are wise enough to explain it to you. In fact, which part of creation isn’t aware, which doesn’t know the Eternal’s hand has done this?  His hand cradles the life of every creature on the face of the earth; His breath fills the nostrils of humans everywhere." (VOICE); thankful to see the sunshine entering my place through the big window - weather forecast says we can expect some sunlight today but lots more days where snow is likely; thankful for being able to say that gifts are on the way to the youngest members of my family in time for delivery before Christmas; thankful as I contemplate what was the greatest gift of all - "Hope of all hopes, dream of our dreams, a child is born, sweet-breathed; a son is given to us: a living gift. And even now, with tiny features and dewy hair, He is great. The power of leadership, and the weight of authority, will rest on His shoulders. His name? His name we’ll know in many ways—He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Dear Father everlasting, ever-present never-failing, Master of Wholeness, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:5-7; VOICE); thankful for Our Redeemer who came to show us how to LIVE; thankful for the love that brought Him here to give His life so that we may have a forever life with Him; thankful for this wonderful message from 2 Corinthians 5:20-21: "So we are now representatives of the Anointed One, the Liberating King; God has given us a charge to carry through our lives—urging all people on behalf of the Anointed to become reconciled to the Creator God. He orchestrated this: the Anointed One, who had never experienced sin, became sin for us so that in Him we might embody the very righteousness of God." (VOICE).   Praise God!  I was thankful for the visit  from the "Pampered Feet" nurse who comes every other month (weather permitting - wasn't SURE yesterday due to a storm forecast for the afternoon); thankful for an early start to this Preparation Day; thankful for this reminder of the Christmas story from Matthew 1:20-21 where it is written: "... An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.'” (HCSB); thankful for another Sabbath and its promised blessing - gathering with other believers to celebrate the season with worship and fellowship; thankful to be a daughter of the Most High God (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1-2); and I was thankful for this wonderful affirmation from Luke 1:68-70 where we read: "... 'May the Lord God ... be blessed indeed! For God’s intervention has begun, and He has moved to rescue us, the people of God. And the Lord has raised up a powerful sign of liberation for us from among the descendants of God’s servant, King David, as was prophesied through the mouths of His holy prophets in ancient times.'" (VOICE).