Thanksgiving X ~

 10-16 September:  In the past week, I was thankful to consider the message Psalm 71 has for those of us who have come to our later years; thankful for the assurance that there is forgiveness for our failings - that our heavenly Father does not cast us away when we err; thankful for the grandeur, the majestic beauty of the Camas Prairie - how wonderful to live here!  I was thankful for the stories in the Bible that reveal our Father as one who is constantly caring for His creation, "... those who live on earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people" (Revelation 14:6; GOD'S WORD Translation); thankful for cloudless September days and moderating temperatures - just glorious weather!  I was thankful as I considered these thoughts from Scripture: "Every prudent [person] dealeth with forethought; and one that regardeth reproof shall be honored." Proverbs 13:16,18; and this counsel: "Acquaint now thyself with Him and be at peace; ... receive, I pray thee, instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in thy heart." Job 22:21-22. (The Holy Scriptures); thankful for the Holy Scriptures that give us the knowledge necessary for salvation - they are useful for showing us what is wrong in our lives, and teaching the right way to live; thankful for the ways lives change as the words of Jesus are accepted and practiced; thankful for these words from Philippians 4:4-5: "Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in Him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!" (Message); thankful for times together in God's Word - it seems beautiful to join with the psalmist in worshiping "evening, and morning, and at noon" (Psalm 55:17); I was thankful for the blessing of my thoughtful and loving grown-up children and their families; thankful for these words from the apostle Peter in 1 Peter 3:8-9: "Finally, all of you be of one mind, sympathetic, lovers of your fellow believers, compassionate, and modest in your opinion of yourselves. Don’t pay back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, give blessing in return. You were called to do this so that you might inherit a blessing" (Contemporary English Bible); thankful for the ". . . exceeding great and precious promises . . . " (2 Peter 1:4) to be found in God's Word; thankful for this Word's affirmation of God's love for sinners; thankful for the message of John 3:16-17 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (The New King James Version); thankful for another day that begins bright with sunlight - a delight for one who spent many years of her life in the southwest desert lands; thankful for the ways God has has used to reveal His existence to our too-human understanding - even wrapping Himself in human flesh to live as our example and give His life to provide the avenue for salvation of all who believe and follow Him; thankful for this message from Hebrews 9:27-28: "We die only once, and then we are judged. So Christ died only once to take away the sins of many people. But when He comes again, it will not be to take away sin. He will come to save everyone who is waiting for Him" (Contemporary English Version); thankful for another precious Sabbath-day - anticipating fellowship, praise, and prayer with my church family; I am ALWAYS thankful that our God is ever watchful and sees our needs - often even before we call, He answers; and thankful for these words from God in Isaiah 65:24 where we read: “It shall also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." (Amplified Bible).