“My friend has orchestra as her elective. She likes that it's her last class so she can end the day on a good note!”

My recovery is taking a lot longer this time around, not sure why.  I feel better each day, but as the day goes on I become tired and my eyes need rest.  Looks like I am going to have to learn patience, whether I want to or not, right now!

Trust you are all having a good day and that many family and friends are sharing it with you.  It is quiet around the house and will be for the most part.  Teresa and Ian will be here in a couple of hours, but I truly miss the rest of the kids! 

Ephesians 2:6-9  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

On this Thanksgiving Day 2014 we have much to be thankful for, and paramount is our Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s desires for our direct communications with Him were evident at the very beginning of man.  He created man that He could walk and talk with Him.

While man fell, God did not abandon Him.  While He has allowed great catastrophes to befall man, He has never completely abandoned him – always there has been a remnant that has continued to worship and Him and He has honored that devotion.

He once again allowed man to come into His fold, into His family.  While it was to the Jew, first, that He came, His message was for all men, and we now have the pleasure of His Company.

As we look at our salvation through Christ we know that we are assured of eternal life with Him that is not dependent on our work.  How would we know we have done enough to get to heaven?

We see so many people that believe they must earn their way to heaven – how do they know they have done enough?  What is their measure, who do they measure themselves against?  It seems there is always someone who appears more dedicated that we are.

What is the cutoff point where we can relax and know that we have done enough to make it?  The Jews were under the law, and that is preciously what they had to concern themselves with on a daily basis – and most failed. 

But in Christ we can be saved and know that our salvation is sure.  He suffered for our sins and He paid the price.  He died for us.  But it didn’t stop there, the sacrifice of His Life was accepted by God as the payment for all who have sinned and have come to God through Christ.

One of the things I noted as I was being cared for in the hospital is both my roommate and myself thanked our nurses, techs and CNA’s for the things they did, often several times over the course of just a few minutes.

It wasn’t just something to say, we were grateful for their assistance.  While they were being paid to do their job, they did it with a kindness and a smile.  We appreciated them; the thanks, though automatic, was meaningful.  One thank you was insufficient.

We have a lot to be thankful for here in America.  We may not always agree with our leaders, but we still have a nation that has been blessed by God.

At the very top of our list of what we are thankful for should be the Sacrifice of Christ Jesus and the freedom we have in Him.  Not just today, but every day – indeed several times a day.

There are a lot of little things He does for us that we just don’t pay attention to, but like my hospital stay, when I am aware of the gift, I am more apt to thank the giver.  When we open our eyes and heart, we see the many gifts He gives us on a daily basis.  We need to be aware and be thankful.

As you celebrate today, May God richly Bless YOU!

Later, Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again