Thanksgiving X ~

21-27 May:  During the past week, I have been thankful for media-ministries like Hope Channel, 3 Angels Broadcasting Network and others that present truths straight from God's Word; I was thankful for the gospel's good news that can be found in that Word; thankful as I peruse this affirmation from 2 Peter 1:4 where it is written: "... He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire, and become sharers of the divine nature." (Amplified Bible); thankful for the family that is seeking the beautiful and willing to invest time and resources to add to the beauty around us here; thankful to have five senses intact - to be able to see, feel the textures of the four-legged friends around me, smell different fragrances, taste, and hear - adequately when face-to-face (or to be warned with a shout!); thankful for the promise of Isaiah 46:4-5: ". . . I will still be carrying you when you are old. Your hair will turn gray, and I will still carry you. I made you, and I will carry you to safety. Can you compare Me to anyone? No one is equal to Me. You cannot understand everything about Me. There is nothing like Me" (Easy-to-Read Version); thankful to live in a country where we are still free to worship God - or not - as we choose; thankful for those who are willing to go to places where this freedom is unknown and share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (and for all who are supporting their efforts); thankful for the clarity of these words of Jesus from Matthew 24:14: ". . . this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (New King James Version); thankful for every day and all the blessings that come with it - family and friends, a cozy room, food aplenty and to share - all I've needed my Father has generously provided; I was thankful, too, for the opportunity to share these thanksgiving thoughts with friends far and near; thankful for this counsel from Romans 12:9-11: "Your love must be real. Hate what is evil, and hold on to what is good. Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves. Do not be lazy but work hard, serving the Lord with all your heart" (New Century Version); thankful for my every-day blessings; thankful for family and friends (including those reading here) who are such a source of strength and comfort to me; thankful for the good news in John 1:12 where this is written: "... To as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—" (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition); thankful to anticipate time with my sister who lives up in Canada; thankful to know the day is coming when we'll "never part again"; thankful to know the message following what is prob'ly the most well known verse in Scripture, John 3:16, a message that brings the blessing ever closer to me as life goes by: "... God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him." (John 3:17; Amplified Bible, Classic Edition); thankful - as always - for another Sabbath morning, with Sonlight in my heart; thankful for the privilege of joining our worship and study time with my church family; and I was thankful for this promise from Psalm 32:8 where we read: "I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you." (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).