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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Gratefulness!

On this muggy - humid - morning I am grateful to be living where I live; to be alive in this time of year; to be connnected to those I love!
Here are my "One Thousand Gifts" numbered from 315 - 332:

#315 - the beach #316. Freedom

#317. Strong Rain

#318. thunder

#319. chicken wings

#320. fresh veggies

#321. my man ( with granddaughter)

#322. saving grace

#323. His Living Word

#324. Reunions


#325. Family

#326. friends

#327. haircuts

#328. payday

#329. ice cream

#330. a cool breeze

#331. butterflies

#332. Freshly picked strawberries

WOW! what a blessed woman I am! How about you? Have you been keeping a gratitude journal? I strongly encourage you to begin doing this if you haven't started already!

Don't forget to smile at a stranger and to lend a helping hand today!

Blessings on yah! *Ruthie*



Sunday, June 20, 2010

Sunday Morning Reflections -

In the midst of my circumstances I have a heart filled with gratitude today for many things....
a good nights sleep even though hubby was at work all night; friends whom I love and who love me; my sweet (naughty) puppy; our family; the singing birds; cool air after awesome heat yesterday; our old (180 years) house with it's creaky boards; crooked doorways, and slanted floors; sitting in the quietness - and KNOWing that my Gracious Heavenly Father is right here with me!

Can it get any better than this?
Not for me it can't.

Sometimes I dream of having the energy I had as a 40 year old; of being pain free every day; of a brand new, totally finished house; of a not-so-naughty puppy; ...
but those things mean nothing because I have Jesus!
Hallelujah!

HE has been teaching me over the years to develop a heart of gratitude.... what a difference this has made in my life - the way I perceive and view things. How thankful I am that He has changed my heart!

Author Tommy Newberry says "Gratitude is a conviction, a practice, and a discipline. it is an essential nutrient, a kind of spiritual amino acid for human growth, creativity, and joy." He also states that it is "a feeling, a capacity, and a choice."

feeling - sense of joy an dappreciation
capacity - a learned skill of discovery
choice - a conscious, deliberate action to focus on the blessings of life.

Whoa! A CHOICE??????? you might ask.... YES! A CHOICE!!!!!!! You can choose to be grateful - this means you take your focus off of the past or present negative and you focus on the present blessings of your life. What a difference this has made in me and in my life!

This is one of my Life Verses! and it tells me that to think on such thinks is MY Choice! I love it!!!!
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Philippians 4:8

I'll leave you with another quote... from Thomas Meston
"To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything he has given us and he has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of his love. Every moment of existence is a grace for it brings with it immense graces from him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God for the grateful person knows that God is good not by hearsay but by experience and that is what makes all the difference.

As I write and read these words I am thinking of how I can show my gratitude today - I pray you are too.
Here are a few suggestions for you:
- before you go to sleep at night list 5 things you are thankful for - better yet, start a gratitude journal and write them down!
- send a note to a co-worker thanking them for a job well done.
- leave little thank-you notes around the house for family
- write a note of encouragement to someone who would never expect it from you
- at mealtime with family - discuss things each one is grateful for.

And the list goes on!

Praying for HIS rich blessings to fall on you today; and in the midst of LIFE may you find HIS peace and grace, and develop a heart of thankfulness and gratitude.
Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

Monday, June 14, 2010

Monday - again!

Here it is Monday again... where does the time go?
This past week has flown by for me -
I am so thankful that God shows Himself to me - over and over again - in the midst of it all!

Numbers 297 - 305 in my One Thousand Gifts list...
  • Fresh strawberries
  • Sausage burgers
  • Strawberry shortcake with friends
  • Watching Teddie (our Yorkie) run on the deck - thinking he's chasing the birds ... looking up into the air ... (I'm sure he's wondering why he can't get up there! :)
  • Accomplishing a task
  • The smell of freshly mown grass
  • A new kitten
  • Crossing things off my "to-do" list
  • Hubby's smile

Father God,

I thank You today for the joy you give me everyday. I thank You for the good things around me, for the people I love, and for those who love me. I give You praise for the freedom You have given to me - to every one - to choose my thoughts and thus influence my mind and my actions of the day! Praise You, Lord!

Help me to be aware of my thinking and to take responsiblilty for it. Guide me today into a place of joyful thinking - help me to live today in the moment and to keep my eyes focused on You! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Finally, brethern, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever thigns are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

Resting in Him * Ruthie*

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

One Thousand Gifts -

numbers 288 thru 296:
  • family
  • hugs from Madi
  • an evening out with hubby
  • fresh free-range chicken for supper - ummmmmm good!
  • strawberries - the first of the season
  • energy - thank you, Lord!
  • a brilliant pink sunset
  • sharing a meal with friends
  • thinking that "things" can't get any worse and having God Bless in the midst of it all!

Have a blessed, God-filled day!

Monday, June 7, 2010

REJOICE - in Your salvation!

I am rejoicing this morning....

I can say with Hannah:
My heart exults and triumphs in the LORD; my horn (my strength) is lifted up in the Lord. My mouth is no loner silent, for it is opened wide over my enemies, because I rejoice in Your slavation. 1 Samuel 2:1

So much to praise Him for! So much to thank Him for!
In the midst ..... of life!
How thankful I am that He has taught me how to do this!
To give praise and thanks - in the midst!

These past 6 weeks have been extremly busy for me - today is the very first day that I will be alone in this house which God provided for us; by myself, (Hubby works all day); with all my housework done.

I plan on turning on "The Light" - Christian music on cable - filling the house with song!
Praises to Him!

I plan on spending quality time with HIM! Getting into the Word!

I plan on finding my craft table and making a few cards!

I have been so blessed by HIS plan over these past weeks - by HIS hand in my life these past weeks.... it's time to sit and reflect and write and sing!

I rejoice today in HIS salvation!
Can't imagine - don't want to imagine - what life would be like without HIM!
Thank You, Jesus!

I realize this is Monday - the day when most of the world returns to work and so on. The day when things start moving for a lot of people, at a faster pace than they did on the weekend. However, I pray that this day will be one of prasie and reflection and thanksgiving for you!

May you too, say
"My heart exults & triumphs in the LORD!"

Blessings dear ones!
Ruthie