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Monday, July 26, 2010

Thankfulness!

Thoughts of gratitude:

360. crashing waves
361. rain washing the earth
362. a cool breeze
363. no humidity
364. that first cup of coffee in the morning
365. my grand-daughter's loving ways
366. laughter
367. thunder
368. blue skies and pure white clouds
369. fireworks lighting up the night sky
370. words of wisdom from a little child
371. new stampin' supplies
372. helping Madi make a few cards
373. playing UNO with Madi

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9: 1-2

Have a blessed day!
Ruthie

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Is It Worth the Ride?

Yesterday at noon my beautiful 7 year old granddaughter and I picked up my friend and her 8 year old granddaughter and headed to the beach. You'd have thought we were staying for a few days for all the stuff we had packed :) This beach is absolutely beautiful ... long, white sand, lots of sandy areas to "tuck" into with your chairs etc., beautiful green and blue water!
However, it is an hours drive away! (most beaches we go to are within 10-30 minutes away)

We parked the car in a sand dune, gathered our stuff and walked on hot white sand to the beach area...I had been there before - the other girls hadn't - this was my "gift" to them that day - I heard a collective WOW! and my grandaughter said, "This was worth the ride!"

That made my day right there!


A week or so ago our Pastor asked this question: "Is the reward of Jesus worth the risk of following?"
And I say, "yes, yes, yes!"

But some people don't answer yes to the question.... they think they have to give up too much - that the cost is too high - to follow Jesus. Not knowing - or believing - that the rewards are so much greater than anything they might give up! Besides all the wonderful "earthly" rewards such as peace, joy, patience, forgiveness, compassion, conviction... there is the eternal reward of heaven. How my heart breaks for those who answer "no".

I KNOW that someday - when I reach those heavely shores - I too will say "it was worth the ride."

Dear Ones, if you are reading this and have not met Jesus or given your life over to Him please make an effort to begin this journey - today! There is nothing you have done that is "sooo bad" that Jesus won't forgive when you repent and turn to Him. He is just waiting for you to take this step. Yes, it will be a costly ride but it will be so worth it.

Praying today for our lives to be a reflection of Him; that we may see the mysterious working of God all around us; and that the words of a little child will direct our thoughts to HIM.

Blessings and Peace to you,
Ruthie

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Thank You, Jesus!

"Summer days, and the livin' is easy" - these words just popped into my head ... they are from an old song from years ago - I don't rememebr the song or the singer --- just these words. This summer has been just that ... with the sunshine and the blue skies and the visits from family and ----- S0 many blessings! Here are a few more of mine!

# 346. Hugs!
#347. Crashing waves on the beach
#348. Madi covered in sand
#349. Laughter - especially Madi's
#350. A Surprise Birthday Party for me - again.
#351. Fans at night to help us sleep
#352. Sleep
#353. Family
#354. Spirit-filled preaching
#355. Faith-filled friends
#356. Precious little children
#357. Blue skies
#358. Chocolate cake
#359. God's provision

Have a blessed day dear friends! Keep your eyes forward and upward and give Him glory for your life! No matter the cicrumstances - He is there and He will carry you through!

Blessings *** Ruthie ***

Monday, July 12, 2010

Beads of Sweat...

Oh my!

The humidity has been "deafening" these past few days... with very little relief. It has cooled off a little at night and with a fan, one is able to sleep. So it was again this morning as I began my morning routine of tidying up the kitchen ... My hubby says that some mornings "hurricane Ruthie" hits the kitchen with a vengeance... :)

This morning I was emptying the dishwasher and this "popped" into my head
"Beads of sweat sit on my brow,
Beads of blood were on HIS."

This stopped me up short ... I thought about these words and tears came to my eyes as I recalled what He endured for my freedom -
Freedom in Christ -
Freedom from the consequences of my sin because He took my sin to the cross!
Freedom to live in victory!
Freedom to defeat the devil at every corner!
Freedom to give HIM praise for and in and thru my circumstances!
Freedom to live beyond my fears!
Freedom to surrender all to HIM!
Freedom to live for eternity!
Hallelujah!

Oh Father God, I praise you this morning for the gentle reminder of WHO You are and WHAT You did for me... for all of humanity. May I never again contemplate the "beads of sweat" I am enduring without thinking of the "beads of blood" He endured. May this always be a reminder to me of Your gracious love!
Praise You, Lord!

Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

Thursday, July 8, 2010

More Blessings!

I'm choosing today to dwell on those things that give me JOY!


333. Walking on the beach in the fog

334. Crashing waves

335. Laughter with friends

336. A message on the Answering machine from Madi - her laughter and enthusiasm make me laugh!

337. Camp fire

338. Marshmellows over the campfire

339. Seeing joy on someone's face

340. Precious little children

341. No nausea for a loved taking chemo

342. God's Daily Bread

343. Sunsets

344. Texting with my grand-daughter!

Philippians 4:8
Blessings on you all!
Ruthie

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Circus Elephants

I read this story a few weeks ago and am feeling led to share it with you:

When circus elephants are still little and weak, they are chained to iron stakes in the ground, which prevent them from breaking free and running away. This allows their trainers to keep them close, work with them, and prepare them for their routines. What's strange is that even after the little elephants grow into huge powerful animals capable of lifting a ton or more with their trunks, they remain restricted by these same miniature stakes in the ground. Even when they are more than strong enough to yank the stake out of the ground and roam free, they don't do it. They don't even try. They remain limited by the old boundaries. Sometimes we demonstrate this type of helplessness as well. We focus on the little stake (or mistake) from our past and forget that, with God's help, we have the power to release whatever has been holding us back.

One day, after reading this story, I noticed that our little one year old, 4 pound Yorkie (Teddie) could have gotten free from his "room" (kennel) if he had but pushed on the door ... but he didn't do so. He is so used to being in there to sleep, or while we are out of the house, and not getting out until we let him out, that he didn't even try to move the door... which had not been latched properly. This has occurred a few times in the past weeks.

I began to wonder about myself.
Am I still bound by an old boundary or mistake or thought from the past?
Am I capable of pulling out the stake or shoving open the door - but because of old habits or old ways of thinking I am stuck? Or I think I am stuck?
Whoa!

What about you?
Can you relate to the elephants? or to Teddie?

Dear Father God,
Your Word tells us that we can do all things thru You who gives us strength! I pray, dear Lord, for myself and all who find themselves following in the footsteps of the elephants... Give us wisdom, Lord: give us Your strength, Lord - to break free - to live in the freedom Christ purchased for us on the Cross! Convict us, Father, of the "Stakes" we need to pull up - of the "doors" we need to push open! Then enable us to move in the direction You so want us to move in! I thank You, Father, for Your love, and Your grace.
In Jesus Name, Amen


Blessings on you, dear ones!
Ruthie