Thanksgiving IX ~

 22-28 May:  During the past week, I have been thankful that the letters I touched on my keyboard actually popped up on my screen, unlike what happened the day before; thankful to have learned that a brief shut-down and restart can fix many problems on my PC; thankful for this admonition from Galatians 5:13-14 where it is written: "... You have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (New Living Translation); thankful for another day of life and the strength promised to meet my needs; thankful to be able to watch the wildlife from my window - the birds and little creatures bring joy to this heart; thankful as I read this affirmation from Psalm104:24 where it is written: "How countless are Your works, Lord! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures." (Holman Christian Standard Bible); thankful for all the fb friends, for my family, who encourage me day-by-day with THEIR words of appreciation for this little blog; thankful for the friends-with-feathers that D.D. feeds outside my window - yesterday brought a bird that provided only a view of its back, but size and markings were a positive ID for a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a little out of the normal range for those birds (but so was the only other one I've seen!); thankful as I considered this conversation between the Savior and a would-be follower on the cost of discipleship that is found in Luke 9:57-58 where we read: "As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, 'I will follow you wherever you go.' But Jesus replied, 'Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.'” (New Living Translation); thankful for the helper who is spending the morning with me - such a blessing!  I was thankful for the forecast of a more "spring-y" temp for today, May has not been as warm as usual, seems to me; thankful for this counsel from James 1:19 where it is written: "Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]." (Amplified Bible); thankful to be a child of the Most High Creator God, the God who is willing to share His beautiful character will all who will live for Him; thankful that He loves His children here on earth with a so-great love that He was willing to allow His own Son to come as a helpless infant and show us how to live a life that pleases Him; thankful that the Son, tho' sacrificing His life in exchange for ours, rose up from the grave and now is working in our behalf - and will soon appear as promised in John 14:1-3 where this is written: "Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also." (World English Bible); thankful to have a head-start on my Preparation Day activities; thankful for sunshine on my shoulder - ALWAYS makes me happy!  I was thankful as I considered these words from Isaiah 45:5-6 where we read: "I am the Eternal One; there is no other God but Me, and even though you don’t know Me, I am preparing you for victory. I am doing all this so that people all around the world may know that I alone am the Eternal, the only God. " (VOICE); thankful for the Sabbath, our Creator's own memorial of finishing His activities at the end of the creation of this planet on which we live; thankful for the programing available to me on Hope TV, 3ABN, and other sites thru' the week; and I was thankful as I considered this counsel from Philippians 4:4-6 where we read: "Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice! Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do. Remember that the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for His answers." (The Living Bible).