Thanksgiving IX ~

14-20 August:  In the past week. I was thankful for the little devices that fit in my ears and allow me to hear more of what's happening around me; thankful that my vision is good - only need correction when viewing a screen farther away (out of doors or the big TV on the wall in the living room); thankful to the Creator "... Who put me together inside my mother’s body, and I praise You because of the wonderful way You created me. Everything You do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt." (Psalm 139:13-14; Contemporary English Version); thankful for another new day, with promises for strength to meet its challenges; thankful for time enough to add "growing lessons"; thankful for the message of Romans 14:8 where we read: "The truth is that we neither live nor die as self-contained units. At every turn life links us to God, .... In life or death we are in the hands of God." (PHILLIPS); thankful for the privilege of being a daughter of the King - awaiting His return to take His family home to the place He has prepared for us; thankful for the technology that allows me this opportunity to reach out to dear ones around the world; thankful for this message from 2 Corinthians 7:1 that tells us: "... Since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God." (The Amplified Bible); thankful, always, for traveling mercies as we journey from place to place; thankful for all the natural beauty around us that calls our attention to the love and skills of the Master Designer; thankful for this counsel from 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 where it s written: "The Scriptures say, 'If you want to brag, then brag about the Lord.' You may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord's approval." (Contemporary English Version); thankful for a continuing blessing from messages viewed via my computer - many ideas to find ways to work them into everyday living; I was thankful for eyes to see the beauty of the Creator's work remaining in the world around me; thankful for the warning from our Maker found in Malachi 3:5-6, written long ago but still applicable today: “'At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against ... those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,' says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 'I am the Lord, and I do not change....'" (New Living Translation); thankful to wake with a prayer in my heart; thankful for our Father's promise that His purposes WILL be accomplished as He designs (Isaiah 14:24,27); thankful for this assurance from 1 John 5:11-12 where we read: "... This is the truth: God has given us the gift of eternal life, and this life is in His Son. If you have the Son, you have eternal life. If you do not have the Son of God, you are not acquainted with true life." (VOICE); thankful to be without any fractured bones after I took a tumble and landed flat on my face - only a little laceration on my forehead (and a huge hemotoma over a broken blood vessel on the back of my left hand); I was thankful for a loving heavenly Father who hears the prayers that come to Him in the name of Jesus; and thankful for these words from John 16:24: "So far you haven’t asked for anything in My name. Keep asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” (International Standard Version).