Thanksgiving IX ~

6-12 March:  In the past week, I have been thankful for all the fresh fruit that is available to me, even through the winter snows - delicious Mandarin Oranges being a particular favorite; I was thankful for grandchildren who share news on fb - far away just seems closer than it was when snail mail was the only option (other than telegrams at X-cents/word!); thankful to agree with these words written by the prophet Isaiah many centuries ago, but still true: "Lord, You are my God. I honor You and praise Your name, because You did amazing things. The words You said long ago are completely true; everything happened exactly as You said it would." (Isaiah 25:1; ERV); thankful for the Sabbath School lessons that are bringing us three months of studies in the book of Hebrews and applications for believers today; thankful for looking at these studies most every evening together with others in this domicile; thankful for this admonition from Deuteronomy 6:6-7 where we read: "Memorize His laws and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you’re at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning." (Contemporary English Version); thankful to have the small device that plays my CDs through my computer - music, for me, is such a blessing! I was thankful to be inside while the wintry weather continues out-of-doors; thankful as I consider these words from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: "All praise goes to God, Father of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. He is the Father of compassion, the God of all comfort. He consoles us as we endure the pain and hardship of life so that we may draw from His comfort and share it with others in their own struggles." (VOICE); thankful for the great grace in which I live day by day; thankful for the mercy that surrounds me when I fall into error and sin (1 John 1:9); thankful for this message from 2 Timothy 1:7;9 where we read: "God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control. God saved us and chose us to be His holy people. We did nothing to deserve this, but God planned it because He is so kind. Even before time began God planned for Christ Jesus to show kindness to us." (CEV); thankful for the tasty fruit the Creator has provided for us to eat - this morning I enjoyed raspberries, pineapple, a tangerine and an apple with my porridge for breakfast, more than enough to hold off hunger 'til my mid-afternoon dinner; thankful that it's only a short time to wait for the vernal equinox - winter is melting away!  I was thankful as I perused this counsel from 1 Peter 3:15 where it is written: "... Exalt Him as Lord in your heart. Always be ready to offer a defense, humbly and respectfully, when someone asks why you live in hope. Keep your conscience clear so that those who ridicule your good conduct in the Anointed and say bad things about you will be put to shame." (VOICE); thankful for a day to finish preparation for the Sabbath and its weekly rest; thankful for signs that spring is coming soon; thankful for Scripture's promise in Genesis 8:22 where it is written: “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” (NIV); thankful for all the "I will . . . ." promises I find in God's Word - all the blessings He gives with assurances He will do exactly as He says (e.g. Ezekiel 36:16,25-27); thankful for another promise every parent should know, Isaiah 49:25; and thankful for a lifetime of experiencing a loving heavenly Father.

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