I grew up a small town girl and when I first moved down to Corpus Christi, Texas it was a hard adjustment! Finally my husband and I were blessed to move just outside of Corpus to a smaller town and I vowed that I would never return to the "big city" life. We have lived just outside of Corpus for about five years now. Approximately three months ago, my husband casually mentioned that he thought we should move back to Corpus. I replied, "I think we should too!" <---WHAT!!? I couldn't even believe the words were coming out of my mouth. This was so unlike me, what business would I have living in a town that I previously despised. Now aside from some obvious reasons like drive time, gas money etc. I cannot understand why in the world we would suddenly decide to move. This has to be a God thing! There is no other explanation. I am not going to say I'm not sad to leave our home and our church family but I feel very positive that God is leading us on to the next chapter in our lives. This is the first time I have had a really profound sense that God is changing the direction of our lives and I am totally at peace with it. It's really a neat feeling, being wholly surrendered to God's direction. Of course as the book of Ruth has been fresh on my mind lately I have to say Ruth 1:16 is so fitting: "But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or return from following you. For where you go I will go and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God."
So where ever He leads me, I will surely follow!! Even if it is to a place I said I would never live! He knows much more than I ever will.
Until next time, may Christ's love and blessings be upon you and your.s
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Book of Ruth, Naomi, and the woman with the issue of blood.
On this Sabbath day I intended to get in some much needed time with God! I had prayed last night and this morning that He would just speak to me and allow me to be in communion with Him today. I decided to read Ruth, a book that I have read a few times, talked about many times and even watched a movie about. I had always looked at it very superficially, a love story about a kind, unselfish woman and kind landowner. I hadn't found that deeper meaning that all bible stories hold. After reading the book today I was left with some questions and decided to search the internet for answers. First, page I found was some racist church organization that was disturbing (ha!) the second link was exactly what I was looking for, a great article by Chuck Missler. Here is the link because it talks about way more than I plan to address in this post: http://www.toddtyszka.com/kinsmanredeemer.html. It really gives a deeper understanding of the book of Ruth.
This is what I learned today:
Naomi- Now, I know the book of Ruth is mostly about, well, RUTH but I noticed something incredible about Naomi, she was a humble and compassionate person. In Ruth 1:13 (after both her husband and her two sons had died) Naomi says to Ruth and Orpah, "No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me." (emphasis mine) Can you imagine, losing your husband and two children and really being more concerned about others pain over your own. I think we should all take note of how humble Naomi was here.
The woman with the issue of blood- Now, if you haven't read the link I posted above you may not know what she has to do with the book of Ruth so here it is straight from Chuck Missler's explanation
"Ruth approaches Boaz while he is sleeping and requests him to “spread his skirt over her as he is a near kinsman.” This is not the kind of proposition many people assume it to be.
The shul (“skirt”), or hem, was the emblem of rank or authority in Israel, much like the stripes on the sleeve of a naval officer or airline pilot in our culture. (This insight is essential to really understand David’s cutting Saul’s hem,7 or why the woman with the issue of blood touched Christ’s hem,8 etc.)
Ruth was asking Boaz to put the authority of his house over her. She is invoking her right under the laws of Israel for him to take her to wife. Boaz was delighted to accommodate her, but there remained an obstacle to be overcome."
Wow, doesn't that bring a whole new meaning to this story found in Matthew, Mark and Luke?
The woman was just seeking healing and because of the crows the only thing she could touch was the hem of Jesus (which is how I previously viewed the story) She was asking the Lord to spread His authority over her. She was humbling herself, wanting God to be the head and in this she knew she would find healing. I've often looked to this woman as a model of deep faith and now I realize it's not just about "faith" it's about allowing the authority of our Creator to reign in your life. It's about being broken in front of our Heavenly Father so that He will rule your life. It's about 2 Corinthians 12:10, ...For when I am weak than I am strong.
So God really took something I have read many times and turned it into a brand new lesson. Love when He does that!
On side note, if you haven't watched The Book of Ruth (the newer version, it's on Netflix) it is a must see.
Until next time, may Christ's love and blessings be upon you and yours.
This is what I learned today:
Naomi- Now, I know the book of Ruth is mostly about, well, RUTH but I noticed something incredible about Naomi, she was a humble and compassionate person. In Ruth 1:13 (after both her husband and her two sons had died) Naomi says to Ruth and Orpah, "No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me." (emphasis mine) Can you imagine, losing your husband and two children and really being more concerned about others pain over your own. I think we should all take note of how humble Naomi was here.
The woman with the issue of blood- Now, if you haven't read the link I posted above you may not know what she has to do with the book of Ruth so here it is straight from Chuck Missler's explanation
"Ruth approaches Boaz while he is sleeping and requests him to “spread his skirt over her as he is a near kinsman.” This is not the kind of proposition many people assume it to be.
The shul (“skirt”), or hem, was the emblem of rank or authority in Israel, much like the stripes on the sleeve of a naval officer or airline pilot in our culture. (This insight is essential to really understand David’s cutting Saul’s hem,7 or why the woman with the issue of blood touched Christ’s hem,8 etc.)
Ruth was asking Boaz to put the authority of his house over her. She is invoking her right under the laws of Israel for him to take her to wife. Boaz was delighted to accommodate her, but there remained an obstacle to be overcome."
Wow, doesn't that bring a whole new meaning to this story found in Matthew, Mark and Luke?
The woman was just seeking healing and because of the crows the only thing she could touch was the hem of Jesus (which is how I previously viewed the story) She was asking the Lord to spread His authority over her. She was humbling herself, wanting God to be the head and in this she knew she would find healing. I've often looked to this woman as a model of deep faith and now I realize it's not just about "faith" it's about allowing the authority of our Creator to reign in your life. It's about being broken in front of our Heavenly Father so that He will rule your life. It's about 2 Corinthians 12:10, ...For when I am weak than I am strong.
So God really took something I have read many times and turned it into a brand new lesson. Love when He does that!
On side note, if you haven't watched The Book of Ruth (the newer version, it's on Netflix) it is a must see.
Until next time, may Christ's love and blessings be upon you and yours.
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