New Years Resolution?

Did you notice the 'question mark' at the end of the title?
What about you? Are you going to make another New Years Resolution that you will not keep? or maybe "can't " keep?

The Lord has been placing something on my heart over these past weeks; on this eve of a new year I find myself pondering its impact on my life and on the lives of those around me!

Here's is a 'doodle' I did a few days ago entitled "Wandering"... the doodle has a beginning and an end - but sometimes our "wandering" appears to be going nowhere! Just meandering around with no end in sight... reminds me of the Israelites who took years to make a short journey. I don't want to live like the Israelites did, do you?
I have decided that for this new year - 2010 - I am going to choose a word to build my life on.

That word is - INTENTION -

There are so many "words" one could choose .... I thought of balance; peace; resolve; and so on... but INTENTION kept coming back to me over and over - so - for me - 2010 will be a year of "intention"!

Webster's defines "intention" as "the act of determining upon some action"..... I like that!

It means I must make choices - and I must act upon those choices! I like that, too!

Whoa!!!!!

My mind just swirls with the possibilities of action related to this! And, of course, at the center of it all is Abba Father! His WORD is full of "intention"... and action! To grow us deeper in our faith and to become more like Him!

Father God,

May I be a blessing to You.

Thank you for the many gifts you have given to me... family, friends, talents... Your salvation and forgiveness. I am a grateful woman today!

This "intention" must begin here -
Romans 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perect will.

Blessings on you at the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010!!!
Here is another "doodle" - it amazes me how a doodle can be "intentional" - but it can!

Thanks so much for your continued support -
Leave a comment telling me what your "word' is for 2010 .... I'd love to hear from you!

In Him,
Ruthie

A Thankful Heart!

More notations in "One Thosand Gifts" -

130 . Providing coffee and sandwiches for the "staff" in the slaughterhouse.

131. Relaxing with friends.

132. Brewed coffee with cream - ummmmm.

133. "Bouncing" puppy in his first snowbank!

134. Energy, peace, joy

135. Spending time with hubby.

136. Discovery ......

137. "Christmas" - the love of God, come to earth - for me! Thank You, Lord!

138. Kids, grand-kids, family, friends

139. Snow-free roads - making for easy travel.

What a blessed and grateful woman I am!

May this ending of one year and the beginning of another find you reflecting

on the gifts HE has bestowed on you!

In Him, Ruthie

Merry Christmas - Blessings to you!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve - Hubby's 3 children will arrive sometime mid-afternoon.
Then on Boxing day we will all go to my daughter's in Sackville ... a busy few days.

I'm praying for travel mercies all around! for wonderful family memories to be made;

for God's Presence to be so REAL to us all!

I will return to posting here before the New Year - but until then - I leave you with a wish for Peace, Joy and Love to fill your hearts and homes this Christmas Season!

In Him, Ruthie

Living With Intention!

Do you live with intention?
Or does your day "just happen"?

What does it mean to "live with intention"? It means to have a fixed direction, goal, purpose.
Does this mean that we can never have a "lazy" day with no specific plans involved? Do we always have to be so focused that there is no room for spontaneity? or unexpected events?

The bottom line for me is that as a Christian woman I must live intentionally - according to God's Word! My ultimate goals are to "be like Christ"; to show HIS love to others; to be in an attitude of prayer; to practice HIS Presence; to show His grace; to clothe myself with HIS attributes daily! I pray this is your intention as well!

This is such a "crazy, stress-filled" time of year for most people... my intention this year was to not get caught in the hustle and bustle. And I haven't!

I did go for groceries on Saturday - once in the parking lot I wondered why I was there... parking spaces were at a minimum; and once inside there were 3 carts left in the holding area! Every checkout was open, people were lined up at each one! "Oh NO", I thought to myself. I began to pray for peace, for a smile; to ask for grace; to ask for pleasent words... It was kind of fun, actually! Thank You, Lord!

YES! It is possible to live with intention....
I pray that will become your way over these next few days!

1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing.

May your hearts and homes be filled with Peace and Joy and Love ...
Ruthie

In The Snow Storm!

Here I sit - in the midst of a snow storm ... hubby is outside, trying to "catch" turkeys cuz slaughtering starts tomorrow! Then he has to do some plowing!
I sit inside - nice and warm and content.

I cannot see the snow coming down as it is today without thinking of my Savior - who washes our sins as white as snow!
Thank you, Lord .... for sending Your Son - as a babe - in a manger - with the whole intent of saving my soul!
Reader - for Saving your soul!
Praise You, Lord!

Here is the continuation of my One Thousand gifts - I'm excited to keep adding to them ... wonder how far I'll get before I meet Him face to face? I won't stop recording them - even once I reach one thousand. I hope you've started compiling your gifts in written form - what a leagcy to leave behind! Make that your New Year's resolution!

John 3:16

Blessings on you today!
Stay warm and cozy - and REST in the knowledge that you are loved and cherished!
Ruthie

Mary Praises God!

Spend some time today reflecting on Mary's hymn found in Luke 1:46-55...

46) My soul praises the Lord's greatness!

47) My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior,

48) because he has looked favorably on me, his humble servant.

I say Hallelujah! May these words be my words today!

Lord, I give you praise!

May they be YOUR words today to your faithful Father and Friend!

Blessings sweet ones!

Merry CHRIST-mas!

Ruthie

Do You Believe?

We watched a movie the other night - "The Polar Express"...

about a young boy who doesn't believe in Santa anymore and has lost the "spirit of Christmas". In his dreams on Christmas Eve he takes a crazy train ride to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus. He is given a gift of a sleigh bell but quickly loses it when it falls thru a hole in his pocket. However, under the tree on Christmas morning is a small gift for him - inside is the sleigh bell he had lost ... he hears it ring and believes! His parents don't hear the ring; over the years his sister loses the ability to hear the bell as well, but he continues to hear the bell ring and believes.

I couldn't help but think about the awesome gift we have been given - do we believe? Or do we "lose" the "spirit" over time? Does His gift continue to ring for us in such a way that we hang on tighter than ever? That we allow the gift to inspire our thoughts and actions daily?

God's gift is not a "sleigh bell". It is the gift of eternal life!

Will you accept it today?

Will you listen for the sound of His gift calling to you and respond by accepting Him into your life?

That is my prayer today for those who have not done this yet!

And for those who accepted the gift and have let the "bell" get rusty... take it out, shine it up and ring it every day! He will increase your faith as you journey along with Him!

Blessings on you today!

Ruthie

A Thankful Heart!

My physical body has been working against me these past few weeks it seems.... but my heart is steadfast in HIM! Thank You, Lord!

121. A rainbow stretched across the sky

122. PEACE - in the midst!

123. A "cuddly" puppy...

124. Four generations of family together for a celebration of life

125. Christmas music

126. FRIENDS!

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

Love and hugs!
Ruthie

A Cheerful Heart!

Doesn't this guy make you chuckle? I hope so!

Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

There's an old saying - "laughter is good medicine" - or something like that. Have you recently had a good bout of laughter? It does do the soul good, doesn't it? Sometimes, though, life seems too complicated or troubled for there to be much room for laughter.
I don't know about you - but for me - lately - it's been tough to laugh! However, I am seeking His Word and trying to stay focused on the positive things in my life!
I had a friend say one time that even in the midst of all the troubles and tribulations she was going thru she never lost the joy in her heart.... I could see that in her life but I found it a little hard to understand! I KNOW it now!
Wow!

JOY in Him is in my heart - the flame is buring brighter than ever and I am so grateful for that! Even "in the midst"! Thank you, Jesus!
And that gives me JOY for this awesome season we are in ... celebrating His birth! Even more than that though - I am so thankful for HIS life on earth, doing as the Father willed - and - for His New Life to me!

Praise you, Lord.
May this Christmas time be a time of reflection for you - a time of renewal and refreshment - please don't let the world slip in and steal your joy and your peace. Stay focused on Him - and choose to have a cheerful heart!

Blessings on you today, dear ones!
Merry CHRIST-mas!
Ruthie

Jesus - Laughing!

Click on the picture to make it bigger - this was sent to me this morning via email [Thanks Myra!] ... I just had to share it with you all! What a sight to behold! The Christ of Christmas - lavishing love and joy on people! Praise God for this Christmas season. These were found in a seminary in Florida - the author remains anonymous.... they are signed "Jesus Painter" Blessing on you today!
Merry CHRIST-mas!
Ruthie

A Precious Gift!

It's Sunday Morning and I'm not in church - that is so NOT the norm for me but health issues have kept me away today. I went to the book of Isaiah this morning ... and found this picture that I have carried with me since this precious little child was 9 months old! (She is now 7 years old!) I just love how we are looking at each other... she is so precious to me - to our family

But there is a gift even more precious - and that is the gift of our Lord's Son.... He came as a child in a manger; born of a virgin. He came to go to the cross for my sins - for your sins - so we wouldn't have to make the judgment payment. My life is so full with HIM! I can not imagine it being any other way!

Dear ones - if you don't know Him, or you're holding back from a full relationship with Him - this is the day! All you have to do is speak to Him with a humble heart and He will hear, He will listen, He will accept! He already loves you ... so much more than the grandmother in the picture! We can't understand His love for us! I am so thankful for it! Give it all to Him today!

Isaiah 9:6 ...... For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Blessings and hugs! Ruthie

"Slow Down"

How has your morning gone?
Did you get some quiet time before you started your day?
Did you rush right into your day without time for anything except your agenda?

I showered and rushed down stairs to find the kitchen in a mess.... only because I didn't clean it up last night before I went to bed. :(
so I cleaned up the kitchen, and then put clothes in to wash.

Let the pooch out to do his duty and had to dry him off when he came in as it is pouring out!
Gave him some food and spilled the water dish all over the floor - had to clean that mess up.

Still didn't have the coffee on! Oh No!!!!
Proceeded to make coffee and hit the side of the pot with the coffee-filled scoop - I'll let you picture the rest... there's nothing any worse than coffee grains on the floor - have you ever slipped in them? Not nice!

Here I am - laughing at my antics - imagining God saying "Slow down, girl. You have all day to do these things. Come sit with me a while. Tell me what's on your heart and I'll tell you what's on mine."
So I do!

AHHHHH!
Peace.
Rest.
Quietness of spirit.

Thank You, Lord for once again reminding me of You; of Your Presence with me.
For speaking to me and nudging me into a place of rest and quiet.
Thank You, Lord for wanting to spend time with me; for hearing my heart's cry!

What a blessed woman I am!
What a grateful woman I am!
What a humbled woman I am!

Dear friends,
My prayer for you this day is that you will hear Him calling to you; asking you to come away and spend time with Him; and that you will do just that. Don't let this short devotional be your only time with Him... take time to think about the things you pour your life into; reflect on your journey and how important He is in that journey; be quiet before Him and listen for His voice!

Jeremiah 29: 13-14
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and I will bring you back from captivity."

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God;

Isaiah 54:5
For your Maker is your husband -
the Lord Almighty is his name -
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.

Resting in Him,
Ruthie