I have to admit right off the bat that I grew up going to church EVERY Sunday and on Wednesday nights so you would think that I would know a thing or two about the Bible...you would think! Don't get me wrong, I know the basic stories like Adam and Eve; Noah; David and Goliath; Joseph and his coat of many colors, etc, etc. You know, basic stories that give you the basic idea of God and basic Christianity. But I have to admit that the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz (found in the book of Ruth in the Old Testament) was not a story that came across my path, at least that I remember. I do recall hearing the name Boaz in church but it was referring to a city in Alabama that was known for some great outlet shopping back in the day. That's about the extent of my past with Boaz.....there is none!
So let me just cut to the chase here and tell you that Boaz has officially found his way into my life! (Thanks to Kelly Minter's study Ruth.) And he is not any ordinary guy by any stretch of the imagination!!
He's actually kinda dreamy, in a very respectful kind of way....
Let me introduce you to my new found friend/crush/role-model for my sons/ take your pick..... He is the knight in shining armor that comes to redeem Ruth and Naomi from their collective pits and distresses (such a chick-flick story line). He is a man that is not found too often in our present day world or maybe we're just too skeptical to notice.
Boaz was quite a bit older when he met Ruth. By today's standards, it would have been very similar to a 55 years old man crossing paths with a woman young enough to be his twenty-something year old daughter. (So many directions I could go here but I won't....) He actually assumed that she was married when he first laid eyes on her until he asked his foreman about her. Again, this could go in so many different directions here.
Moving on...
When Boaz greeted Ruth for the first time he was very gracious and greeted her respectfully going as far as to acknowledge their age difference in the way the he addressed her. Showing that he was not attempting to pursue her in any way. As if that was not enough, he then offered her immediate physical protection by telling her not to work in anyone else's field but his. This sounds quite antiquated now but in those days he was extending her his full protection against the threat of rape that was common against women working in the fields during the harvest season; the fact that she was a foreigner would have increased the odds of this happening as well. Again, he had not met her until this very first conversation and didn't really know much about her but yet was so kind. He had no agenda, no ulterior motive; he was just genuinely kind. Refreshing in a way...
May my two sons learn to be so kind to the girls that cross their paths, not for something in return but because it's the kind thing to do. Especially this day in age where making the unwise choice is running rampant in our schools and in our society as a whole.
Ruth continues ,for the next seven weeks, to work in Boaz's field under his protection during the harvest season. She would gather what she could carry on her own, eat at Boaz's table during "lunch break", drink from the cistern of water that was meant for the workers and then take her barley home to Naomi so that they could eat.
Eating at Boaz's table and drinking from the water cistern was another huge deal for Ruth. The field owner's table was not meant to be shared with workers or gleaners (those that picked up what the harvesters dropped while in the fields).
This simple act of kindness by Boaz on Ruth's behalf meant that she fell under his provision and protection. This act was also a public announcement to his workers as well. He used this time to tell the workers that they were not to touch her physically or reprimand her verbally again, something that being a foreigner may unfairly bring about.
Again, he did it out of pure kindness.
There's nothing profound in these scenarios it's just pure and simple kindness that we don't see much anymore. He's a strong man not ashamed of his values as you see in the beginning of the 2nd chapter of Ruth:
"a man of standing, whose name was Boaz." In this verse, standing refers to: wealth, social status,respect according to Holman. He was well know in town probably because of all three of those qualities. Sure, he probably could have gone a long way without the respect part but would he have been any different than any other land owner in Bethlehem? Who knows...but the respect is for sure an added bonus because it's not something that you just have it's earned.
He's admired by his field workers:
"Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, 'The Lord be with you!''The Lord bless you!' they called back." (Ruth 2)
His greeting to his workers shows his commitment to the Lord because it's the first thing he speaks of when he addresses them (Holman). When you look at the conversations that he has in this book, they either mention the Lord or reflect the love he has for the Lord. He's the epitome of treating others the way you want to be treated, something that Jesus lived while here on this earth.
I could talk about Boaz for hours, there's so much more I could say about him....
He's just an amazing example of what I ultimately want my boys to be and the husbands that I want for my girls.
I encourage you to get lost in the pages of Ruth, it's truly a girls story as I said it's a basic chick flick story line. As my friend puts it (so well I might add!!!): "God knew he needed a story that would help women "get it" when it comes to Jesus and what He has done for us. I do not think this was written for men. It was for all the ladies out there." I think she hit the nail on the head! It's truly a story for EVERY woman no matter the age or stage of life. So grab a cup of coffee, get comfy and enjoy!!!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Been Gone A While
Sadly, I have been away from the blog for a while. I don't really want to go into detail because that's not what this blog is about. Let's just honestly say that my very self-centered attempt at putting God in time out didn't work nearly as well as it does with my kids. He came back with a smack down that I'm still trying to recover from. This was not my first attempt in doing this hence, the smack down. So needless to say, I didn't think my heart was in the right place to post anything. I hope you'll forgive me.
Anyway, I wanted to catch you up on the Ruth study that we're doing, she has such a story to tell!! We're now 2 chapters in and loving it!!! Ruth is such an amazing woman for ALL of us regardless of our age and stage of life. She is for EVERY woman whether you are married with children, no children or single.
Last week we incorporated the movie Step Mom with Susan Sarandan and Julia Roberts into our opener. It was my attempt at bringing you a modern day example of Ruth and Naomi and I really hoped it helped you as much as it helped me. If you haven't seen this movie, you need to rent it at some point during the course of this study. I think you'll be surprised at the resemblance in characters be it ever so loose a resemblance.
We talked about the importance of having "gracious and bold speech" in hard situations that we sometimes find ourselves in. We coupled this along with the idea of weeping forward, such an amazing concept that doesn't lend itself to just one chapter- it appears again later!
Our speech....
It was gracious and bold speech on Ruth's part that kept her with Naomi on the path from Moab back to Bethlehem. Naomi tried and tried to get her to go back to Moab but Ruth just wouldn't budge regardless of what Naomi said and the tears that were shed. She finally, with gracious speech told her "Enough already!!! I'm sorry you're bitter but that's not going to keep me from caring for you and staying with you until the very end!" (These are totally my words...) It's in this instance, that Ruth looked Bitter (this is what Naomi willingly changed her name to) in the eyes and loved her despite the unlovable spirit that she exuded from every pore of her body. This is what gracious and bold speech will do for ya...it will begin to crack the bitterest of people. And then the tears will flow......
Weep and pick a direction....
Weeping is just not something that women do well at all. Often times it renders us nothing more than a heap on the couch or in a dark corner unable to do anything else but eat chocolate (or ice cream in my case) and think about the bad in the situation. "Crying and walking in a forward motion" as Kelly puts it would never cross our minds while in this state. But the more that we study and learn about Ruth and her circumstance, we learn that it is possible and is healing for so many different areas of our lives.
So the bottom line is: the next time you weep you have a choice; are you going to weep forward or weep going backward. When you weep forward with bold and gracious speech as Ruth and Naomi did, you realize that some situations require tears but they don't have to keep you from experiencing the opportunity which lies ahead for you. When you weep going backward as Orpah (she was easily convinced to go back to Moab and end her journey with Ruth and Naomi) did, you realize that some situations require tears but you would rather cry over what may be lost and allow that to keep you in the place where you currently are thus shying away from any opportunities that may come your way. Make sense?
Read Ruth chapter 1 for yourself it will help you to make sense of it all. There was so much discussed and learned from this first week that I couldn't put it all in this one post!
Anyway, I wanted to catch you up on the Ruth study that we're doing, she has such a story to tell!! We're now 2 chapters in and loving it!!! Ruth is such an amazing woman for ALL of us regardless of our age and stage of life. She is for EVERY woman whether you are married with children, no children or single.
Last week we incorporated the movie Step Mom with Susan Sarandan and Julia Roberts into our opener. It was my attempt at bringing you a modern day example of Ruth and Naomi and I really hoped it helped you as much as it helped me. If you haven't seen this movie, you need to rent it at some point during the course of this study. I think you'll be surprised at the resemblance in characters be it ever so loose a resemblance.
We talked about the importance of having "gracious and bold speech" in hard situations that we sometimes find ourselves in. We coupled this along with the idea of weeping forward, such an amazing concept that doesn't lend itself to just one chapter- it appears again later!
Our speech....
It was gracious and bold speech on Ruth's part that kept her with Naomi on the path from Moab back to Bethlehem. Naomi tried and tried to get her to go back to Moab but Ruth just wouldn't budge regardless of what Naomi said and the tears that were shed. She finally, with gracious speech told her "Enough already!!! I'm sorry you're bitter but that's not going to keep me from caring for you and staying with you until the very end!" (These are totally my words...) It's in this instance, that Ruth looked Bitter (this is what Naomi willingly changed her name to) in the eyes and loved her despite the unlovable spirit that she exuded from every pore of her body. This is what gracious and bold speech will do for ya...it will begin to crack the bitterest of people. And then the tears will flow......
Weep and pick a direction....
Weeping is just not something that women do well at all. Often times it renders us nothing more than a heap on the couch or in a dark corner unable to do anything else but eat chocolate (or ice cream in my case) and think about the bad in the situation. "Crying and walking in a forward motion" as Kelly puts it would never cross our minds while in this state. But the more that we study and learn about Ruth and her circumstance, we learn that it is possible and is healing for so many different areas of our lives.
So the bottom line is: the next time you weep you have a choice; are you going to weep forward or weep going backward. When you weep forward with bold and gracious speech as Ruth and Naomi did, you realize that some situations require tears but they don't have to keep you from experiencing the opportunity which lies ahead for you. When you weep going backward as Orpah (she was easily convinced to go back to Moab and end her journey with Ruth and Naomi) did, you realize that some situations require tears but you would rather cry over what may be lost and allow that to keep you in the place where you currently are thus shying away from any opportunities that may come your way. Make sense?
Read Ruth chapter 1 for yourself it will help you to make sense of it all. There was so much discussed and learned from this first week that I couldn't put it all in this one post!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The Church Lady Recommends...
There wasn't a whole lot posted on the blog this week due to a crazy week with 4 kids and all that comes with that!!! Some weeks are definitely better than others for sure..
So, for Saturday's recommendation it's just one thing (drum roll, please!).....
Get a copy of Kelly Minter's study Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy.
I know you're probably sick of this one, but I promise it's that good! It is packed full of passion, romance, hurt and healing; in short, it's truly a study for every woman regardless of your stage of life. It will speak to you in whatever circumstance you find yourself in at the moment. It is life changing if you will allow it to be!!!!
Bottom line: It will make you jump on your bed with the same excitement that you did when you were a kid! If it doesn't, you let me know.
Happy reading and check the blog from time to time as I will be posting some of the highlights of our Thursday night Bible study discussions on Ruth.
So, for Saturday's recommendation it's just one thing (drum roll, please!).....
Get a copy of Kelly Minter's study Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy.
I know you're probably sick of this one, but I promise it's that good! It is packed full of passion, romance, hurt and healing; in short, it's truly a study for every woman regardless of your stage of life. It will speak to you in whatever circumstance you find yourself in at the moment. It is life changing if you will allow it to be!!!!
Bottom line: It will make you jump on your bed with the same excitement that you did when you were a kid! If it doesn't, you let me know.
Happy reading and check the blog from time to time as I will be posting some of the highlights of our Thursday night Bible study discussions on Ruth.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Thursday, January 21st!!!!
Bible study starts this week!!! We've got quite the little crowd forming...so exciting!!! This study is going to be one that is sure to top your favorites list, it has romance and passion for starters and a daughter-in-law who is not afraid to tell her mother-in-law to stop nagging her (I'm just sayin'!). All that to say that it grabs you from the beginning! Can you tell I'm really excited about this one?!
So, if you can join us come one come all; the more the merrier and all that stuff. We start this week at Cumberland Church at 7:00 on Thursday night. We won't discuss homework this week, it's strictly social to make sure everyone is on the same page and to meet your small groups. Oh, and it won't cost you too much, only the price of the book that you need to purchase on your own.
Email if you need any details or have questions. If you can't join us, get the study and do it on your own because it's that good. If you choose this option, check out the blog because I'll be updating it to go along with what we discuss on Thursday nights.
So, if you can join us come one come all; the more the merrier and all that stuff. We start this week at Cumberland Church at 7:00 on Thursday night. We won't discuss homework this week, it's strictly social to make sure everyone is on the same page and to meet your small groups. Oh, and it won't cost you too much, only the price of the book that you need to purchase on your own.
Email if you need any details or have questions. If you can't join us, get the study and do it on your own because it's that good. If you choose this option, check out the blog because I'll be updating it to go along with what we discuss on Thursday nights.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Church Lady Recommends...
As I was looking back over the last week of posts, I realized that I threw a lot at you guys (actually vomited might be a better word). So, I've decided to make my Saturday posts something called "The Church Lady Recommends". This will be a listing of all the resources that I suggest each week. Some weeks may be a lot and some weeks maybe one or two items just depending on what was posted that week.
So here goes....
1. Pick up a copy of Ruth: Loss, Love and Legacy by Kelly Minter If you can join us at Cumberland for Bible study on Thursday nights we'd love to have you, if not do it on your own because it's a GREAT study!!!
2. Love Talk for Families by Gary Chapman and Ramon Presson
It's great for dinner time conversations and helps calm the troops as well. You can purchase this online at Christianbook.com
3. Start a daily quiet time. Some very manageable suggestions are:
Believing God by Beth Moore
Whispers of Hope by Beth Moore
No Other gods by Kelly Minter
Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild
A note about the Beth Moore selections, many of her studies have been published in 90 day devotions which is a great way to try one of her studies without the hour a day commitment. While the devotionals can be purchased on her site, the in depth studies, if you choose that route, can only be purchased at LifeWay stores or on their online site.
If you choose to purchase from living proof, click on the store tab on the homepage and then click on the specific category that you need.
4. Donate to the relief efforts in Haiti. There are organizations listed under the Haiti link on the sidebar of the blog.
5. The Power of the Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian is a fabulous resource for praying for your husband!!! In addition to the book, you can purchase prayer cards that have specific topics and corresponding verses already printed on them. Click here to go to Stormie's site.
When you go to her site you will need to click on the bookstore tab, then click on the products tab which will pull down a menu. On the menu, click on the books tab then prayer.
I have personally used all of these resources and they are fabulous!!! They have all been valuable to me at different stages of my life.
If you can't find what you're looking for, please let me know so I can fix my mistakes!! Happy shopping!!!
So here goes....
1. Pick up a copy of Ruth: Loss, Love and Legacy by Kelly Minter If you can join us at Cumberland for Bible study on Thursday nights we'd love to have you, if not do it on your own because it's a GREAT study!!!
2. Love Talk for Families by Gary Chapman and Ramon Presson
It's great for dinner time conversations and helps calm the troops as well. You can purchase this online at Christianbook.com
3. Start a daily quiet time. Some very manageable suggestions are:
Believing God by Beth Moore
Whispers of Hope by Beth Moore
No Other gods by Kelly Minter
Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild
A note about the Beth Moore selections, many of her studies have been published in 90 day devotions which is a great way to try one of her studies without the hour a day commitment. While the devotionals can be purchased on her site, the in depth studies, if you choose that route, can only be purchased at LifeWay stores or on their online site.
If you choose to purchase from living proof, click on the store tab on the homepage and then click on the specific category that you need.
4. Donate to the relief efforts in Haiti. There are organizations listed under the Haiti link on the sidebar of the blog.
5. The Power of the Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian is a fabulous resource for praying for your husband!!! In addition to the book, you can purchase prayer cards that have specific topics and corresponding verses already printed on them. Click here to go to Stormie's site.
When you go to her site you will need to click on the bookstore tab, then click on the products tab which will pull down a menu. On the menu, click on the books tab then prayer.
I have personally used all of these resources and they are fabulous!!! They have all been valuable to me at different stages of my life.
If you can't find what you're looking for, please let me know so I can fix my mistakes!! Happy shopping!!!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Simple...
OK, today it's simple. Ladies, if you're married or are in a relationship, this is for you. Times are tough these days and stress levels are high for everyone it seems. SO.... pray for the man in your life!
This is something that I usually do for my husband but never with so much intensity as I have over the last few months. To put it simply, things have been a little crazy stressful at the Brady house.
Depending on the temperature of your marriage at the moment this will either be an easy task or an extremely difficult task. Trust me, I know some days are easier than others. But do it anyway, you'll be glad you did!
At the bottom of this post are the scriptures that I am currently using for my prayers for my husband, please feel free to use them if you want. If you can,find some that are more specific to what your husband is dealing with at the moment, that will make it more meaningful for you.
If you need some help in getting started go to BibleGateway. There is a search bar at the top of the page. Type in a phrase and it will give you Bible references that you can read that pertain to that particular topic. Once you find what you're looking for memorize it and pray it over your husband. Write it on the bathroom mirror or on an index card, basically where ever you'll see it and remember it!
Here are my verses:
"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men." Proverbs 22:29
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as for working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ that you are serving." Colossians 3:22-24
Good luck and know I'm on my knees right along side you!
This is something that I usually do for my husband but never with so much intensity as I have over the last few months. To put it simply, things have been a little crazy stressful at the Brady house.
Depending on the temperature of your marriage at the moment this will either be an easy task or an extremely difficult task. Trust me, I know some days are easier than others. But do it anyway, you'll be glad you did!
At the bottom of this post are the scriptures that I am currently using for my prayers for my husband, please feel free to use them if you want. If you can,find some that are more specific to what your husband is dealing with at the moment, that will make it more meaningful for you.
If you need some help in getting started go to BibleGateway. There is a search bar at the top of the page. Type in a phrase and it will give you Bible references that you can read that pertain to that particular topic. Once you find what you're looking for memorize it and pray it over your husband. Write it on the bathroom mirror or on an index card, basically where ever you'll see it and remember it!
Here are my verses:
"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men." Proverbs 22:29
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as for working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ that you are serving." Colossians 3:22-24
Good luck and know I'm on my knees right along side you!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Cheerful givers NEEDED!!!!
I am in the middle of previewing Kelly Minter's study on Ruth for the Bible study that starts on January 21st, (shameless plug, I know!). Anyway, something caught my eye this morning that goes hand in hand with the disaster that has just rocked (no pun intended here..) Haiti.
I have hit the part in Ruth's story where she is gathering grain from Boaz's field so that she and Naomi can have food to eat. This passage hit me in a "punch me in the stomach" kinda way on many levels. So here goes....
"Up to this point we've seen Ruth as committed, loyal, hardworking, and gutsy, but she was very much at the mercy of Boaz and Naomi." In other words, Ruth is poor and doing all that she can in addition to what Boaz has provided her so that she and Naomi can have food. In today's language: they didn't have two pennies to rub together! Go with me here it's kinda complicated but stay with me...
Kelly continues...
"We've focused on the generosity of Boaz who gave of his wealth, but now we see Ruth giving out of her poverty! ...this means we all have something to give even if we're broke or broken." Ruth had brought home the grain that she had gathered PLUS her leftover grain that she didn't eat from her afternoon meal. If that doesn't hit you where it hurts, there's more...
2 Corinthians 9:7-8
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
Here's my tie do everyday life here....
So, I know that things are tight these days especially coming out of the holidays. I get that, I'm living that to be perfectly honest with you. But that being said, please pray about giving to the people in Haiti. That may not be what you want to hear from me right now because you've already heard it from countless sources already. But just hear me out for a second!!! It may be that you can only do a $1 and if that's your case then give it but don't give it out of compulsion or because it looks like the right thing to do. Do it because in your heart you know that "God loves a cheerful giver" and in the grand scheme of things we have been blessed with far more than what we need (we're all busting at the seems with all the things that we wanted or "needed").
One of my friends commented on his Facebook page that if "we donated $10 to the American Red Cross that is the cost of two Starbucks lattes" (thanks, Heath!). That puts it in perspective. Brew your coffee at home for a week instead of making your Starbucks run and donate that to Haiti. That's hard 'cause I LOVE me some Starbucks!!!! If you're one of my Sonic tea drinkin' friends...go without your happy hour tea for a week (I can feel the stares right now!!!) Every little bit helps!!! You don't have to donate wads of cash to make a difference.
So pray about it, decide your amount and then give it away!!! I've posted some links that are taking donations if you need somewhere to give. They're legit, we donate to these organizations as a family.
YOU CAN DO IT CHEERFULLY!!!!! I'll be praying for you!!!
I have hit the part in Ruth's story where she is gathering grain from Boaz's field so that she and Naomi can have food to eat. This passage hit me in a "punch me in the stomach" kinda way on many levels. So here goes....
"Up to this point we've seen Ruth as committed, loyal, hardworking, and gutsy, but she was very much at the mercy of Boaz and Naomi." In other words, Ruth is poor and doing all that she can in addition to what Boaz has provided her so that she and Naomi can have food. In today's language: they didn't have two pennies to rub together! Go with me here it's kinda complicated but stay with me...
Kelly continues...
"We've focused on the generosity of Boaz who gave of his wealth, but now we see Ruth giving out of her poverty! ...this means we all have something to give even if we're broke or broken." Ruth had brought home the grain that she had gathered PLUS her leftover grain that she didn't eat from her afternoon meal. If that doesn't hit you where it hurts, there's more...
2 Corinthians 9:7-8
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
Here's my tie do everyday life here....
So, I know that things are tight these days especially coming out of the holidays. I get that, I'm living that to be perfectly honest with you. But that being said, please pray about giving to the people in Haiti. That may not be what you want to hear from me right now because you've already heard it from countless sources already. But just hear me out for a second!!! It may be that you can only do a $1 and if that's your case then give it but don't give it out of compulsion or because it looks like the right thing to do. Do it because in your heart you know that "God loves a cheerful giver" and in the grand scheme of things we have been blessed with far more than what we need (we're all busting at the seems with all the things that we wanted or "needed").
One of my friends commented on his Facebook page that if "we donated $10 to the American Red Cross that is the cost of two Starbucks lattes" (thanks, Heath!). That puts it in perspective. Brew your coffee at home for a week instead of making your Starbucks run and donate that to Haiti. That's hard 'cause I LOVE me some Starbucks!!!! If you're one of my Sonic tea drinkin' friends...go without your happy hour tea for a week (I can feel the stares right now!!!) Every little bit helps!!! You don't have to donate wads of cash to make a difference.
So pray about it, decide your amount and then give it away!!! I've posted some links that are taking donations if you need somewhere to give. They're legit, we donate to these organizations as a family.
YOU CAN DO IT CHEERFULLY!!!!! I'll be praying for you!!!
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