Thankful for ....

#57. Awesome sunny days!

#58. A meal consisting of ALL fresh produce and "home-grown" chicken: salad- with Romain, red onion, small zucchini (green and yellow), cucumber, green pepper; steamed yellow beans; baked zucchini drizzled with balsamic vinegar; roast chicken; bread and butter pickles; homemade bead! Beautiful to look at ... delicious!!!!

#59. My little puppy growing like a weed... too cute!

#60. "church" in the foyer while the rains beat down outside!

What are you thankful for today? this week?
Praise Him for His bounty and His grace!
Blessings!
Ruthie

Giving Thanks

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.

I have soooooooooooo much to be thankful for! I celebrated my 60th birthday last week - it seemed like the celebration went on for days!

But hey! That's a good thing, right?

#45 - the BEST gift of all:

the whole family was together...

my daughter and grand-daughter, Kev's children all 3 of them, one with a girlfriend!

What a blessing to have us all together!

Sunday morning, daughter and grand-daughter were going to leave

around 10:30 to head back to the city (3 hours away) b/c Madison

had a bitrthday party to go to in the afternoon...

She didn't want to go.

Her words, "No, mommy. I want to stay here with my family."

How precious is that.

So we went to the beach - and had a blast!

Even in the fog!

I will cherish thie memories of this time together -

A surprise birthday party!

I had NO CLUE as to what they were up to!

And Madison kept the secret too!

I am so thankful to my loving Heavenly Father for the blessings He bestows on me everyday!

Angela-Rae and Madison took Grammie to lunch on Saturday

(Grampie was at the Market unitl 1 p.m. and couldn't come) -

When we returned home the house was full of people!

One of my dear friends (Thank you, Jane!) gave me this journal ...

I told them of the One Thousand Gifts community and that this journal would become my Gratitude Journal...

(I was just keeping notes in a dollar store notebook by my computer!)

I wanted to share Jane's beautiful work with you!

I am so thankful for my family and my "girlfriends" --- They are all so precious to me!

Thank You for them, Father.

Bless them today!

May they KNOW You are with them all the way!

If you don't yet keep a record of your blessings I would encourage you to start doing that now!

Have a wonderful day.... even though the rain and humidity have returned!

Peace and hugs!

Ruthie

Another Thankful Tuesday!

It's another Tuesday morning - a day to rejoice and give thanks!
No matter what our circumstances might be He is with us! He promises to always be there!
Hebrews 13:5
"...never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Sometimes life is "hard" - and there seems to be no end to the frustration and the struggles. God has promised that He will carry our burdens if but give them to Him.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

We may sometimes wonder if God is hearing our prayers, if He really cares, if He even knows what is going on with us ... the Word says that He never changes...
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

We KNOW He is the God of comfort -
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Dear friends,
I pray these words will bless your day!
That HIS WORD will bless your day!
Have a thankful heart today!
And spread His love and His joy wherever you go!

Blessings on you!
Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday...

Thankful Tuesday is here again!

I am doing the study of Esther by Beth Moore...

we only have a couple weeks left.

This has been a wonderful study - I have learned so much!

- about Esther and Mordecai; Haman and Xerxes!

I stand in awe of our God!

His Word is HIS INSPIRED WORD!!!!

The book of Esther contains not one mention of God and

yet His hand is all over the story....

I certainly can't and won't try to explain this to you!

Beth does a wonderful job of that -

so I suggest that if you've not had the opportunity to do this study,

find a way to do it!

You will be blessed!

Today I say thank you to my Heavenly Father for His love for me!

for His Presence in my life;

for His salvation;

for the joy, peace, rest, contentment, strength,

and victory that I have because of Him;

for the people He has brought into my life -

those that grow me; and those that I can serve.

I am a thankful woman today!

May you have a grateful heart as you begin your day;

May you know that He is with all along the way!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

In Him,

Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday!

What gives you the greatest pleasure today?

For me - having the joy of the LORD in my heart thrills me!

Seeing the sun shine thrills me!

Last Wednesday evening at about 7pm the rain had "petered out"

and the shine was breaking thru the clouds -

sure looked like there might be a rainbow somewhere -

the sky was absolutely beautiful!

This reminded me of how, in the midst of our struggles and our pain - the SON shines thru!

He breaks thru the clouds and thru the rain and HE shines thru!

How thankful I am for sunshine - but even more so for SONSHINE!

Thank you Jesus!

Praise you Lord!

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

Have a wonderful day!

May HIS SON SHINE on everything you do -and- everything you are today!

Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday

Thankful Tuesday

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,
and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10

Today I am thankful for my family &
friends who love me -
JUST AS I AM.

Even more than that –
I am thankful for Jesus’ love; grace; mercy; forgiveness –
That He loves me so much that I can come to HIM “Just as I am” –
And that He loves me so much He doesn’t want to leave me “Just as I am”!
Praise the LORD!

And as I write that I am reminded of the hymn
“Just As I Am”...
We don’t hear that song as much these days as in days gone by!
When this song comes into my mind I am
always taken back to the moment of my public confession of
His Saving Grace in my life!
This hymn was playing at that time –
the little church was packed that morning –
I could feel HIM pulling at my heart strings –
I stepped out and walked to the front of the church!

I can’t imagine my life going in any other direction except the one
He has moved me in!
I am sooooooooooooo thankful for His salvation!

Dear ones,
I pray that your heart knows His grace and His love –
That you know His Salvation!

Blessings on you today as you focus on HIM –
Give Him thanks for what He has done in your life –

Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday

Actually I’m writing this Monday morning!
But I have to share this with you!

About a year ago hubby shared with our Small Group that I’m like a whirlwind in the morning ... He said, “Hurricane Ruthie hits the kitchen and interrupts my quiet time.” I don’t remember the context of that conversation.
I hadn’t realized how it affected him but since then I’ve tried to be less stressed about the kitchen in the morning –
to wait for him to depart before I “hit” it! –
or to make sure it’s in order before I go to bed the night before!
One of my “things” is to have the kitchen in order!

This past weekend was his weekend to work for 24 hours straight so when he arrived in the house Sunday I did nothing but spend time with him and Buster!
Before I went to bed I made a list of things I needed to do today!
Not because I didn’t know what I had to do – but sometimes my lists will keep me on track!
Of course, one of those was to empty the dishwasher and clean up the kitchen!

For some reason I slept a little later in the morning – could be that our sleep was interrupted a few times by a new puppy who awoke and whined thus
waking me periodically!
When I came downstairs into the kitchen hubby had emptied the dishwasher and cleaned up everything!
I said, “Honey, you didn’t have to do that!”
And he replied, “Just thought I’d calm the storm!”
Of course, we had a good laugh over that!

I am so thankful for him – I get frustrated with him at times, but I have to remember that God brought him to me – I recall us both saying that we were an answer to prayer for each other!
And, he has brought more humor into my life than I had before meeting him!
I have learned to “relax”; to be more accepting; to trust;
I KNOW God placed him in my life to teach me some things...
I am thankful for him; and I’m thankful to God!

Who are you thankful for in your life?
How has God used them to grow you and make you more like Him?
Have you told them how much they mean to you?
Do you encourage them? Lift them up?

Philippians 4: 8
...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, 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.

Tell someone today what they mean to you!
May you be blessed today!
Ruthie

I Am Thankful!

I am very late today! We have been without internet since Sunday sometime!!!! It's finally restored and I am thankful for that too!!!!!
Have a blessed day!

I Am Thankful ...

- That NOTHING can separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!

HALLELUJAH!

Scripture tells me this!

Romans 8:37-39
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thank You, Jesus!
Thank You Father!
Thank You, Holy Spirit!

I Praise You today!!!!!

Dear Ones,
I pray the truth of these words fills your soul and heart today so that you can do nothing else but praise and thank Him!
Amen and Amen!
Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday

TIME.......

February!
Wow! Already!
Where did January go?

Do you find time flying by?
I sure do!
It seems it passes more quickly than ever before!
Is that because I’m getting older?
They say the older you get the quicker it passes!
I pray I have enough time left to do all I want to do!
But we don’t know that, do we?

As I think about time in relation to God’s Word here is what I am told:

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,
but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:8-9

Oh My!
How thankful I am that God doesn’t view time thru my limited vision!
AND –
That He is patient!
That He is trustworthy!
AND –
That He wants everyone to come to Him!
Praise His Holy Name!

Give Him thanks today – dear ones!

Blessings!
Resting in Him,
Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday

Word focus: “give thanks”

In Hebrew there is no verb that means “to thank” in the way that we, using the English language, use it.
The Hebrew words used in this way mean to “make public acknowledgement of” and “outstretched hands towards God”.

When I think of “giving thanks” I think of acknowledging God and all His attributes,
and giving a testimony of what He has done for me and in me!

And I cannot do this without raising my hands to HIM!
Even though we’ve had some tough times around this household lately, I KNOW He is in control...He knows all...He sees our hearts and He knows our desires...
I give Him Thanks!
For His Mercy, His Grace, His Love, His Joy, His Peace,
His Comfort, His Strength...

I pray you can say the same!

Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.
Psalm 42:5

I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Psalm 7:17

Dear Friends,
Focus today on what you are thankful for...
What God has done in your life...
Praise Him with raised hands...
Give Him the Glory!

Blessings on you today!
Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday!

What are you thankful for today?

Have you sensed His presence this week?
Have you meditated on HIS Word?
Have you sung praises to Him?

Have you worshiped with fellow Christians without
the fear of persecution?

Have you been able to share what is happening in your life
and give Him the glory for it all?

Have you prayed a prayer with a child?
Or for a child?

Have you had the ability to go to work
and to do your work for His glory?

Have you told someone close to you that you love them?

Have you walked in assurance of His love for you?
Of His salvation of you?

Have you walked and talked in the assurance of
WHO YOU ARE IN HIM?

Have you received an answer to prayer?

Have you received an answer that has not been what you might have wanted but

you have the faith, the belief, to know He is in control,
and that His answer is better than yours?

Have you seen His hand on the life of a loved one?
Have you seen Him working in them?

Have you wondered how much more you can handle before you break, yet have the faith to believe He is in the midst?

Dear Friends-
I am thankful for all these things and I praise Him for them.
Spend some time giving Him thanks...
Make your own list and lift it to Him in prayer!

Love and Blessings in Christ!
Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday

THANKFUL TUESDAY!

Praise the Lord!
Sometimes I Praise Him quietly,
Sometimes, not so quietly!

He wants our praises!
Have you ever been to a sporting event where the fans were shouting,
clapping their hands, using ‘noise makers’ to cheer the team on ?

I have – and – I’ve participated in all these activities!
I believe God would be thrilled to see us respond to Him in the same way!

Psalm 150 tells us to praise Him with instruments,
with dancing, with shouts of joy!

He Is SO Worthy of our Praise!

Praise Him today…
Give Him your thanks for His presence in your life!

Meditate on Psalm 150 today.

Blessings on you as you give Praise to our Heavenly father!
Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday

Thankful Tuesday
What are you thankful for today?

Take a moment and record 5 things you thank God for

Begin to keep a record –
When you are feeling ‘down’ or feeling like life is
just ‘too hard’
pull out this record and
lift your praises to our Heavenly father!

Oh, give thanks to the Lord,
For He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34


May you have a “thanks-filled” day!
Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday

THANKFUL TUESDAY

…for I know whom I have believed
and am persuaded
that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him
until that Day.

2 Timothy 1:12

Aren’t you thankful that He will protect us in life and in death?
That He will never forget our faithful service to Him?

Praise God – I am so thankful!

Fill your heart, today, with thankful praise to Him –
no matter where you go, or what you have to do –
KNOW that He will be right there with you!

Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

‘Thank You, Lord’

‘Thank You, Lord’

This song is running thru my head today…
It’s a chorus I learned years ago –
I have no idea who wrote the words but I give them all the credit –
And I thank them for penning the words for us to sing!

“Thank You, Lord
for saving my soul
Thank you, Lord
for making me whole
Thank you, Lord for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free!”

May this be your prayer today on this Thanks-filled Tuesday –
A prayer of thanks to Him for being in your life!

Blessings!
Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday - Sunshine!

SUNSHINE

The morning that I am writing this is definitely
a cool, crisp fall morning!

I had to turn the heat on when I got up this morning!
My husband came in after loading his truck for the
Farmer’s Market and exclaimed how cold it is!

And yet as I sit here with the sun streaming thru my window
all I sense now is the warmth from the furnace,
and the light from the sun!
My little puppy follows the sunlight on the floor trying to find a warm place to lay.

Today I am thankful for
· Fall
· Crispness in the air
· Sunshine
· Young cardinals at my feeders
· My granddaughter’s voice on the phone telling me
she loves me!

But I am most thankful for
HIM!
HIS SONSHINE!

I finished a major painting project yesterday and all I can do is give Him thanks for returning energy and strength to do again what I once used to do with little effort!

Thank You, LORD!
Praise You, Jesus!

Reflect on your bounty today!
Give Him thanks for, and in, it all!

It is good to give thanks to the Lord -
Psalm 92:1

May you have an awesome thanks-filled day!
Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday

THANKFUL TUESDAY

“I don’t have all the answers to life –
But I know SOMEONE who does!”
(author unknown)

Sometimes life seems “hard” –

I hear that a lot… “But it’s so hard”
And it could be said for any number of reasons –
· Making time with Him and prayer a daily event
· Working on a broken relationship
· Keeping commitments
· Balancing life with children
· Discipline
· Making time for your spouse

And on and on the list goes!

Praise God!
He will enable us to do what lines up
with His Word.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Be thankful in all things…
Give your life over to Him –
Let Him be your strength!

I’m so thankful for His Presence in my life,
May you be too!
Ruthie

THANKFUL TUESDAY

I am thankful for this Autumn season –
· for the beauty of the trees
· for the coolness in the air
· for the sight of the yellow School Buses passing by
· for the sense of routine that comes with Fall
· for the Small Groups that will be re-starting soon
· for the harvest
· for homemade pickles and jams
· for bean suppers
· for a cool breeze in the bedroom at night

What are you thankful for at this time of year?

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

May you have a blessed, thanks-filled day!

Resting in HIM,
Ruthie