Get Used To Different!

The widely popular show, The Chosen, (I love it!) has a saying, “Get used to different”. People are buying out all the show’s shirts that say this. The point is, to emphasize, how, after Jesus comes into our lives, we are different. He changes us and things look different because of Him. When the worldContinue reading “Get Used To Different!”

SAVE the MEN!

Men.All day long they are being bashed. Just because they were born male, men seem to be taking a hit in our culture. As a wife, and a mom of sons, as a woman who loves my husband, my dad, my brother, my son-in-law, and my nephews, too, this makes me incredibly sad. For years,Continue reading “SAVE the MEN!”

a STRANGE passage and peace

For years, I had read this somewhat strange passage and wondered what it meant— “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it swept and putContinue reading “a STRANGE passage and peace”

Don’t go your own way!

There’s about to be a plot twist. As we pick up Ruth, chapter three, Ruth has crept in and is laying by Boaz’s feet as he sleeps. He is startled around midnight, and, in the dark, awakens and says “Who are you?” (Ruth 3:9) Can you imagine the lump Ruth must have had in herContinue reading “Don’t go your own way!”

Yes, that’s make up

Throughout the Bible, we see women working “behind the scenes” to make things happen, and Naomi is no exception. Ruth and Boaz had spent time together during the weeks of the barley harvest. I can just imagine Naomi eagerly anticipating Ruth’s nightly report of their interactions listening for any hint of romance. Naomi knows BoazContinue reading “Yes, that’s make up”

When Your MOOD Swings!

Have you ever had a mood swing? Have your emotions ever flip-flopped? Mine sure have! And Naomi seems to be able to relate as well! After Ruth meets Boaz, she goes home and tells Naomi all that has happened (see Ruth 2). Naomi says, “Blessed be the name of the LORD, who has not forsakenContinue reading “When Your MOOD Swings!”

You Should Run To Him

I love the beautiful picture of this phrase, “under the shadow of your wings”. How many times my broken, fearful, confused, tired heart has clung to this picture of God. It is a picture of refuge, God holding us close, and this is how Boaz used it when he spoke to Ruth in his fieldContinue reading “You Should Run To Him”

To my fellow sojourner in this lost world

It was a small circle of women. Just a few. We had gathered to pray for revival in our country and our world. These were church women, ministry leaders, and pastors wives. The talk was light at first. Ballgames and bagels. But soon tears showed up as the conversation shifted to stories, one by one,Continue reading “To my fellow sojourner in this lost world”

Hot Fudge Sauce. And Sin.

Yes. Hot fudge sauce. But, we will get to that in a moment. Boaz has arrived on the scene (Ruth 2). Boaz was a godly man. While Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, had taken them back to the wilderness and left the Promised Land during the famine, Boaz had stayed. (Ruth 2) During the hard days, BoazContinue reading “Hot Fudge Sauce. And Sin.”

Everybody LOVES a LOVE story!

Love stories. I’m drawn to them. Popcorn. Blanket. My spot on the couch. I’m ready. And this is a good one! It’s a true one, and we are still feeling it’s impact today! Naomi and her young daughter-in-law, Ruth, both widows, have returned home to Bethlehem just in time for the barley harvest. But barleyContinue reading “Everybody LOVES a LOVE story!”

“Just Call Me Bitter“

One thing about the Bible, it is real. Things aren’t sugar-coated. Even those God used mightily are shown to have flaws. They aren’t always strong, joyful, or without sin. (see David in the Psalms, Jeremiah in Lamentations, Peter in the Gospels). And the book of Ruth, isn’t all sunshine and love story either. When Naomi,Continue reading ““Just Call Me Bitter“”

Ancient Words to Heed Today.

Naomi had lost so much in Moab (see yesterday’s introduction to the book of Ruth). She heard the Lord was blessing His children in the Promised Land again and decides to return home. She encourages her Moabite daughter-in-laws to return to their people in hopes they could find “rest” (likely remarry as they were bothContinue reading “Ancient Words to Heed Today.”

She is twelve. That’s her journal.

She is twelve. Those are pages from her journal in the photo. My niece is slowly working through the Bible. She’s studying. She is trying to understand. She’s hiding God’s Word in her heart. For years, she’s watched her parents do the same. A while back, she and I were discussing a passage over theContinue reading “She is twelve. That’s her journal.”

One of the most shared things I’ve ever written—

This remains one of the most shared things I’ve ever written. It’s hard truth, but there is HOPE! —- They are some of the most miserable people I know–young adults who haven’t really picked a side. They try to live in two worlds—the one they rule and the one where Jesus makes the rules. TheyContinue reading “One of the most shared things I’ve ever written—”

Jesus was quick to love those caught up in sin. But….

It has happened again. God seems to be repeating Himself with me a lot lately. I’m not the sharpest nail in the box, but when He says things twice, I tend to pay attention! My daughter, Abi, was recounting a dream she had about John 8 and the woman caught in adultery. She talked aboutContinue reading “Jesus was quick to love those caught up in sin. But….”

when government is god

A guest post from my friend Mitzie Waldron Wheeler This is powerful and true. Read it. Share it. Kirk Cameron shared John Lennon’s song “Imagine” on his FB live American Campfire Revival. Read the lyrics and think on it. Can you imagine a world like this? Imagine there’s no heavenIt’s easy if you tryNo hellContinue reading “when government is god”

When others let us down

These words are real, raw and tender. Paul is about to close his last letter. He will soon breathe his last as he will be executed for the faith. He writes to Timothy to be diligent to come to him quickly (2 Tim 4:9). Paul longed to see his young prodigy. One last meeting thisContinue reading “When others let us down”

Have you experienced this?

I know I’m slow-walking through the end of Second Timothy. It’s just so packed-full of truth that even parts of sentences stop me in my tracks. “Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world,” (2 Tim 4:9) Those who love the world, it’s comforts and pleasuresContinue reading “Have you experienced this?”

These words should be our words

“I have fought the good fight.I have finished the race.I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing”. (2 Tim 4:7-8)Continue reading “These words should be our words”