Despair or Hope

"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13

These are disturbing days of protests, violence in the streets and anti-President rhetoric while Americans turn against one another. We seem to have forgotten who the real enemy is. These days listening to the news or trolling social media can cause one to despair.

Yet everywhere we turn we can see the goodness of the Lord if only we look for it!  Focusing on each other's short comings, hot-temperedness and objectionable opinions will not give us hope. Hope comes only from THE God of hope! Therefore I can say as the Psalmist continues in verse 14,

"Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord."

I choose to wait for Him.

He is "my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him." Psalm 28:7

I choose to trust in Him.

I choose to thank Him.

Listing ways I see the goodness of the Lord might be a good way to put my heart and mind to rest at the close of each day.

Rejoicing in Hope,

Ruth

"He is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting." Psalm 106:1 

It's the Little Things

My husband woke me in the middle of the night so I could take him to the Emergency Room.  A CT scan revealed what he already suspected, a kidney stone. Measuring about 5mm this tiny stone, insignificant in size compared to the rest of his body, was creating unbearable pain.

Last week I had foot surgery to repair a torn ligament and straighten out my toe. Now in brand new footwear for the next 6 weeks I am constantly reminded that one little thing (a stone or a toe) can cause pain disproportionate to its size.   

Which leads me to think about some other “little” things that cause pain:

• An unkind word
• A criticism
• A “white lie”
• A harsh look

And some which bring comfort:

• A kind word
• A compliment
• A smile
• A helping hand

All are little things yet with opposite results.

In today’s painful climate of protests, hate speech, thuggery, fear mongering, threats and accusations, a few ‘little things’ could bring a ray of sunshine into an otherwise dismal day.

What little thing will I do today?
What will you do?

Love and joy,

Ruth

James 3:5 “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!”

Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

Resolutions

I'm not big on making resolutions. But I usually like to give a look back and a look ahead at the beginning of the year. This year I decided to create an A-Z list. I still have my "To Do" list of projects and plans but here is my list of what I hope will guide my lifestyle.

A-Z GOALS

A- Always keep my eyes on the Lord - Psalm 16:8 
B- Be Thankful - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
C- Consider Him - Hebrews 12:1-4 
D- Do all to the glory of God - 1 Corinthians 10:31  
E- Encourage someone daily - Hebrews 3:13
F- Focus ahead, not behind - Isaiah 43:18 
G- Grow - 2 Peter 3:18 
H- Help my Husband and others - Genesis 2:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:14 
I- Inspire others - Titus 2:7-8 
J- Judge myself not others - Matthew 7:3 
K- Keep on keeping on - Galatians 6:9 
L- Love the Lord wholeheartedly and Love my neighbor - Luke 10:27 
M- Memorize and Meditate on Scripture - Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:11  (Maybe I'll start with the ones on this list!)
N- No Complaining - Philippians 2:14-15 
O- Obey God’s Word - Psalm 119:60 
P- Pray more for myself and others - Matthew 26:41, Colossians 4:2, Ephesians 6:18  
Q- Quiet times for rest and renewal and maintain a Quiet spirit - Isaiah 30:15, 1 Peter 3:3-4  
R- Rejoice - Psalm 32:11 
S- Speak the truth in love - Ephesians 4:15 
T- Trust God- Proverbs 3:5-6 
U- Understand His will - Ephesians 5:15-17,  Proverbs 2:1-11 
V- Value the right things - Matthew 6:19-21 
W- Walk in the Spirit - Ephesians 5:8, Galatians 5:25 
X- eXercise Patience - Colossians 3:12, Proverbs 19:11 
Y- Yield when appropriate - James 3:17 
Z- Zest. Tackle life with keen enjoyment and gusto! Romans 12:11, Colossians 3:23 

We're a week into the New Year and I've already failed at some of these, but I am so grateful for a loving, forgiving Heavenly Father who knows our weaknesses and gives plenty of opportunities for second (third, fourth...) chances. And by His power I know that "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."

Love,
Ruth

Confidence for the New Year

Resting in His sufficiency I have everything I need to walk confidently into the New Year.
Following Him I will be on the right path.
Focusing on Him I will not be side-tracked.
Thinking of Him I will not be overwhelmed by chaos around me.
Trusting Him I will not be afraid.
Loved by Him I am secure.
Led by Him I am safe.
Listening to Him I have joy!
Hallelujah!
What a Savior!
Fanny Crosby wrote of this assurance in the Hymn: All the Way My Savior Leads Me.

"All the way my Savior leads me: What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, who thro' life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate'er befall me, Jesus doe-eth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread.
Gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps my falter, and my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me; Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father's house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song thro' endless ages: Jesus led me all the way."

Thankfully placing my confidence in the unfailing Lord Jesus Christ,
Ruth
"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." Psalm 118:8