Thankful Thursday, though I just remembered it's Friday and a Five Word meme

Sonya, at Truth for the Journey, hosts "Thankful Thursday" weekly. If you click on her name, you'll find many other participants and read all about what everyone is thankful for today (actually yesterday, but who's keeping track). I am not sure who started the 5 Words meme, so I do not know to whom I should give credit. If someone knows, please tell me in the comments.

Today I'll be integrating five words given to me by KrippledWarrior at Some Things I've Learned- the words will be highlighted among the Thankfuls.

#1. About four days out of seven, Fash and I sit down on the sofa in the living room (next to Ziah, the bonsai) and read together from the Bible. We have been doing this for eleven and 1/2 years (the Bible reading part, I haven't had Ziah that long). Currently,we are reading through Isaiah. Today we read chapter 56 and 57. It went something like this:

Isaiah, being a Bible times prophet, doled out messages from the One True God to the people of God. In chapter 56, Isaiah tells the people of God (paraphrased of course), "Look, even if you are socially outcast for some reason, like you can't father children or whatever and even if you are a foreigner- not original Jewish, Israelite kind of guy/gal- God is for you, He is yours, He accepts you, you're really 'in' with Him forever. His casa est you casa. To proclaim this in person, He's going to send you a guy (actually He's comin' down here), whom with his very life, will secure for you- salvation. All this for each who knows and loves Him and therefore seeks to do what is right every dog-gone day of his/her life. It's a real good deal."

57 "Furthermore," Isaiah goes on, "there is rest for the weary in a life lived for God and an everlasting life that will be lived with God! Dude! Don't you want to have it all?"

But to the iconoclastic rebels of the day, God, through Isaiah, had this to say:

"Look. If you insist on living for the moment, drinking to utter drunkenness, lying with prostitutes, burning up your own children to appease Molech- though this whole lifestyle wears you out, yet, you do not deem it hopeless- well, then let your collection of idols save you."

But, of course, they could not.

God goes on to basically say, "My people. I am not some misanthrope, reveling in the destruction of mankind. Mankind is my creation. I made you in my image. I gave you life and breath. I gave you all things good. I love you. Return to me. I'll have you back. I want you. Return and I will be your peace, your comfort- your all-in-all."

I'm thankful for a loving God, who yearns for me to be His own and promises to be my peace and rest. I'd rather have that than anything this world is offering today.

#2. Love. What is it? I think it's Jesus Christ. I can't come up with a definition otherwise. It certainly isn't the warm, tingly feeling I had when that cute football player from my college days winked at me from across the dining hall. At least I hope that wasn't it, because that feeling vanished with my second bite of mashed potatoes. It isn't when he says, "I love you." I know that can't be "it", because two minutes later we are in a heated disagreement about whether or not the first house we ever bought together had lace curtains or shutters. It just has to be something much deeper. I think it is that thing for which you would give your life. And I think it all started with God and was made truly known to mankind when He (Love) came down and gave Himself up for us- that we might live. There is some mystery in it, I know. But this is the best I can do. I'm thankful for love.

#3. I'm thankful that the sardonic, self-centered person that I once was has been redeemed by her Maker and transformed into a less selfish woman, whose passion is to live a life that honors and obeys her Savior, with plenty of fun for everyone and a bit of wit in the mix. There is joy in the journey for the one who chooses the road less traveled. Freedom is found on the straight and narrow. A nice story illustrates this: Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.

#4. I just realized I'm doing the Thankful Thursday post on Friday afternoon. WaaHa! Just occurred to me. Oh well, take it or leave it. I'm sooooo thankful it's Friday!! I just like Friday.

#5. I'm thankful for ArtPrize! Fun competition in downtown GR, where artists have plunked their art in places all over the city for everyone to enjoy. And enjoy it we did- last night- my sister, her youngsters, my parents came back in town for it, Fash and me. Artistic expression is just another fabulous gift from God. Have a great weekend!

"Standing on the promises I cannot fall, Listening every moment to the Spirit's call, Resting in my Savior as my all- in-all, Standing on the promises of God." (my interpretation of this art)

Table and Chairs artwork sitting atop the bridge over the Grand River downtown.


Close-up of what is written on the inside edge of the underneath part of this table art.

Every dog-gone day of your life,

Just re-read my post on my blog, I forgot a word from the 5 Word meme. Shoot! Next time....stay tuned....