Thanksgiving X ~

30 April - 6 May:  During the past week, I have been thankful for each new day with all the blessings that came along with it; thankful for my family here - and all the dear ones from the next state, and across the country - you are loved!  I was thankful for the hope of a future where boundaries of space and time will no longer keep us apart - heaven is in our future, Jesus is coming soon! He says, "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing My recompense, to repay every one for what he/(she) has done." Revelation 22:12; (Revised Standard Version); thankful for the sunshine out-of-doors (and in my heart); thankful to know how good the moisture is for all the green things that grow in the ground; thankful as I peruse these words from Song of Solomon 2:11: "Look around you: Winter is over; the winter rains are over, gone! Spring flowers are in blossom all over." (Message); thankful for the cyber travel that lets me visit scenic spots all over the globe (and memories of those places I've visited in person!); thankful for the blessing of family members close to my heart, but living in far-away places; thankful for the assurance of these words from  1 John 5:14-15 where it is written: "We are certain that God will hear our prayers when we ask for what pleases Him. And if we know that God listens when we pray, we are sure that our prayers have already been answered." (Contemporary English Version); thankful to see the foliage and flower-buds on the tree outside my window showing more strength than in the past several weeks; thankful for spring, for sunlight, and for sunshine in my heart; thankful for this counsel from Philippians 4:8: "Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good" (PHILLIPS); thankful to have seen the wonder of springtime in Idaho as D.D. and I drove up along the Clearwater River one day; thankful to again meet with the folks doing a group study of the little book Steps to Christ, by Ellen G. White, one I read often; thankful to read this promise from 2 Chronicles 7:14 where it is written: "... If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin...." (New King James Version); thankful to be in a place where the seasons have real, measurable differences - I loved the winters in Las Vegas, but the other seasons seemed to blur into one long summer; I was thankful for the circle of love in our family, what a delight; thankful, always thankful, to read these words from Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (New International Version); thankful for access to be with my church family for praise and worship on the Sabbath via my smart-phone; thankful that the Creator has given D.D. years of safe driving experience as she went to the gathering hosted by the Upper Columbia Conference in Spokane; and I was thankful for the counsel of James 5:16 where we read: ". . . Be confessing-out your sins to [the one who has been hurt], and be praying for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person can do much. . . ." (Disciples Literal New Testament with my paraphrase).