I Surrender All!

"All to Jesus I surrender;

All to Him I freely give.

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live!"

...from the hymn "I Surrender All" by Judson W. Van DeVenter.

This hymn is rolling around in my mind this morning - it is my prayer and praise for today!

As the Christmas hustle and bustle approaches I find myself wanting to rest, relax, reflect, and not get caught in the craziness of it all! I find myself wanting to simplify my surroundings and my life. As I decorated our tree the other day I resolved to actually "get rid of" stuff...

I will donate some to a local school and some to a local thrift shop.

My "decorating" for the season is finished - so much more simply than ever before!

And I'm lovin' it!

I have been 'invited' to 4 different "functions" over the next 10 days - so I have decided to participate in 2 of the 4 .... attending all 4 would just be too much right now!

UMMMMMM......

I think He is trying to tell me something.

It is ALL about Him - I want this Christmas Season to be a relaxing time for my family - I must be the one to set that tone within our home!

Father,

My prayer today is for peace to reign -

Your Peace to reign -

in my heart and in my home!

And in the hearts of those around me!

Enable me, Lord, to reach out to others with Your Peace;

with your Love.

Keep me strong in you;

and fill me with Your Presence daily!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

The Lord be with all of you.

2 Thessalonians 3: 16

Blessings and hugs!

Ruthie

Thank You, Lord!

I am a blessed woman!

112. Safety while travelling on a dark, rainy night.

113. Undisturbed sleep

114. Seeing "crystals" on the trees as the sun breaks thru after a rain storm

115. Laughter of young children

116. A "bear hug" from my granddaughter

117. Warm weather in November.

118. Being awoken at 6 a.m. by my granddaughter crawling into bed with me and saying, "I love you, Grammie."

119. Brothers and Sisters who love the Lord!

120. Homemade "gingersnaps" using my mom's recipie - I remember her making these when I was just a child.

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Blessings on you today, sweet ones!

Ruthie

Guidance

Psalm 143:10

Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God;

may your good Spirit lead me on level ground

The Sweetness of A Friend...

Proverbs 27: 9 (Gods Word Translation)
Perfume and incense make the heart glad,
but the sweetness of a friend is a fragrant forest.

Thank You, Lord,
For the sweetness of my friends...
For the fragrance of them in my life.
You have blessed me - and I am grateful.

My mind goes to one who does not have any friends - her words.
Father, change her heart to see you in every day - to see You in every person You bring her way! I know you desire to bless her as You have done me! May she open herself to You!

I think of those who do not recognize the sweetness of their friends... bring them to the place where they understand the value of people - not things!

I thank You again - for Your love, Your grace, Your mercy!
In Jesus name, Amen.

Dear ones -
May your day be blessed with the frangrance of a forest!
Blessings,
Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday!

Read Philippinas 4:8 and meditate on this verse today! Then, JUST DO IT! It is a choice!!!!
More things to be thankful for!!!

101. A caring, praying Pastor
102. Barn shavings on my floors!
103. Sleeping dogs
104. Snoring hubby
105. Candle light
106. Quiet moments filled with peace
107. Soft, gentle music
108. A night sky filled with stars
109. Madison reading her favorite book to me - one I gave her and read to her - many times!
110. His Presence in my stillness!
111. Hubby's smelly boots!

Blessings!
Ruthie

Seeking Him...

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

I will be found by you.

Jeremiah 29: 13-14

Today I am seeking YOU with all my heart;

I am asking YOU to move me aside and to let YOUR heart speak to me.

I am asking YOU to take all my opinions;

my judgments;

my desires;

my dreams;

move them away for a time so I can REALLY seek YOUR will!

So I can KNOW YOUR will!

I so want to hear from YOU!

I want there to be no doubt for me that it is from YOU!

Today - I pray for YOUR WILL to be done!

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

Amen.

Gifts, Gifts, And More Gifts!

Today I am thankful for :
90. Seeing God at work in the children's lives

91. Unconditional human love - how awesome.

92. Sunshine on my arms in November.

93. Roses blooming in November.

94. Restful nights.

95. Playful puppy.

96. Patio doors open (November 12) allowing fresh air inside.

97. Loving friends

98. Laughter of my grand-daughter

99. Hearing Madison's voice in a message - saving it and listening to it again and again!

100. Hearing my daughter say, "I love you, mom."

God has so richly blessed my life and I am so grateful!
Thank You, Lord!

May you too, find many things to be grateful for today!
Blessings on each one!
Ruthie