Thanksgiving IX ~

1-7 May:  During the past week, I have been thankful for every new day of life and the strength the Creator has promised for EACH new day (Deuteronomy 33:25); thankful to see burgeoning pink leaf buds on the big Horse-chestnut Tree outside my window; thankful as I read this message from Hebrews 11:6 where it is written: "... Without faith it is impossible to please Him. For the one coming to God must believe that He is, and He becomes the rewarder to the ones seeking Him out." (Disciples Literal New Testament); thankful for the prayers going up from family and friends for protection of those affected by the forest fires near Las Vegas, New Mexico (my brother and his wife, his son, are unsure that their home is still standing); thankful for those who are out fighting the wildland fires around the country, preserving lives and property; thankful as I read these words from Hosea 6:3 where we find this counsel: "Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." (NIV); thankful that my wall clock repair has been finished and the clock is back in its place - thanks to a D.D.! I was thankful for the monthly refreshing of personal resources; thankful for this admonition from Romans 12:11-13 where it is written: "Do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work. Let your spirit be on fire, bubbling up and boiling over, as you serve the Lord. Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner. Hold up through the hard times that are coming, and devote yourselves to prayer. Share what you have with the saints, so they lack nothing; take every opportunity to open your life and home to others." (VOICE); thankful for the care provided for me by a D.D. and D.S.I.L when rest is interrupted; thankful for sunshine in the morning; thankful for the promise found in John 14:1-2 where we read: "Don’t get lost in despair; believe in God, and keep on believing in Me. My Father’s home is designed to accommodate all of you. If there were not room for everyone, I would have told you that. I am going to make arrangements for your arrival." (VOICE); thankful for the Pampered Feet nurse who comes regularly to take care of my feet and those of elder daughter and the other elders who live with us; thankful for the bath-lady who comes weekly to assist with all kinds of care for our skin; thankful for this counsel from Isaiah 1:16-17 where it is written: "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes! Cease to do evil, learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow." ( Amplified Bible, Classic Edition); thankful for another Preparation Day - the day to finish "re'dding up" for the Sabbath tomorrow; thankful that I'm still able to DO my own laundry!; thankful for this admonition and promise found in James 5:16 where we read: "... Confess your offenses to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous person is very powerful." (Tree of Life Version); thankful to be celebrating the weekly holy day the Creator gave when He finished forming and filling our planet (Genesis 2:2-3); thankful when sunbeams poke their way thru' the clouds as the showers pass; and I was thankful for this counsel given by the apostle, Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 where it is written: "Be full of joy all the time. Never stop praying. In everything give thanks. This is what God wants you to do because of Christ Jesus." (New Life Version).