Good Friday

I'm glad you stopped by! I was wondering what your plans were for "good Friday." My very first thought this morning was that Jesus died on the cross for me today. I tried to imagine my day today if I had lived back then. So I read Luke's account of the day in the bible in chapter 23. My heart ached as I read that neither Pilate nor Herod found anything wrong with Jesus, yet the people were relentlessly pushing for His death by crucifixion. I close my eyes and imagine myself there. I can hear the crowd screaming "Crucify Him!"over and over again.

I see the soldiers making fun of Him, spitting on Him, and telling Him to save Himself if He is the King of the Jews. They are all so brave in a crowd. As they pound nails in His hands and in His feet and press thorns into His head, I am overcome with pain and with tears. Yet in His eyes there is tenderness and love. In verse  46 it reads, "And Jesus crying out with a loud voice, said 'Father into Thy hands I commit My spirit.' And having said this, He breathed His last."
Today as you do what you do, remember that Jesus died for you today for no other reason than because He loved you and paid your penalty for sin so that you might spend eternity with Him.
"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." John 1:29
Thank you Jesus! love love love Ruthie

It's Really Not About the Carrot

I'm so glad you stopped by! I love this piece! It's a watercolor with a collaged border, and it's perfect for my blog today! As I was jogging this morning, I noticed all kinds of precious easter decorations. Apparently, the hot item this year is a huge wreath for the door made of pink and green tule adorned with colored eggs. I saw them everywhere. They are fabulous. I saw lots of plastic eggs on ribbon hanging from tree branches. I saw blow up bunnies, life size baskets, wooden bunnies, and even a sign that read "The easter bunny hops here!" It was wild.
However, as I was running looking at the pink and green bunnies and baskets, I was struck by the beauty around the decorations. The grass was a delicious green, and the sky was a dreamy blue with a few white cotton clouds. The flowers that were blooming were brilliant shades of every color in the rainbow. Honestly, I could hardly catch my breath. It was truly gorgeous! The further I ran the more I became aware of God's presence.
"Holy Holy Holy, is the Lord of Hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory." Isaiah 6:3
By the time I finished my run, I was fighting back tears as I was in awe of His glory.
Go outside! Taste and see that the Lord is good! Don't miss it. Slow down. Take in His glory. Take it all in! "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts!" It's really not about the carrot!

Ruthie wins People's Choice Award

I'm so, so pleased to have been awarded the People's Choice Award for my entry in the 2012 Have A Seat, Montgomery competition, sponsored by Leadership Montgomery. To learn more about the efforts of this organization, go to leadershipmontgomery.org. And to learn more about the Have a Seat competition, go to haveaseatmontgomery.org.

Be Brave! Create!

Blue Vase
Oil on Gallery Wrapped CanvasI have loved thinking about you and wondering how you were using your gifts. I hope you were encouraged by my last couple of posts to not only acknowledge your gifts, but to use them. I think more often than not we know deep in our heart what our gifts are, but we are fearful to let others see our gifts. Why is that? I believe plain and simple we don't want to be rejected.

Sweet Gifts

Cupcakes
By Elisabeth

Cookies from baby shower
by Elisabeth

Cupcakes
by Elisabeth

Birthday Cookies
by Elisabeth

I have loved loved loved hearing all about your gifts this week and how you are using them to bless others. Today I wanted to introduce you to a friend of mine who is using her gifts to make the world a "sweeter place."

Sharing Your Gifts

The Birthday Girl

Artists: Shelby, Merideth, Towns, Annie, Kaitlyn

The Demo
12x12
Acrylic on CanvasWelcome back! I've been thinking about you since yesterday's post wondering what you were creating or thinking about creating and how you were sharing your gifts with those around you. I've gotten so many messages and comments on yesterday's post I thought I would share with you one fun and easy way I was able to share my love for teaching and painting.

Creative Gifts

Green Apples
24x30
Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
Available
Holiday StudioI'm so glad you stopped by! It's been a while since I could really sit down and write and  I'm glad to be back!