How can you know if you really know Jesus?

The Apostle John told us we can know if we truly know Jesus. He says, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps HisContinue reading “How can you know if you really know Jesus?”

Do you wonder if Jesus is coming back soon?

Lately, I’ve found myself wondering if Jesus is coming back soon. Have you? Here are some things we know about the Second Coming of Christ— People will be going about their normal day-to-day stuff… getting married, partying, buying and selling, building, and planting gardens. (Luke 17:26-30) Many will reject Jesus. Wickedness will also be acceptedContinue reading “Do you wonder if Jesus is coming back soon?”

Chips, Salsa & a Picture of God

I sat trying to restrain myself from the bowl of chips and salsa when it happened. She poked my arm and looked up at me proclaiming, “THIS is a picture of God.” She was only four then, and proudly held up her crayon drawing– a large squiggly face with two odd-shaped, bulging eyes. Speechless, forContinue reading “Chips, Salsa & a Picture of God”

Why is that brother even in the story?

Have you wondered why the older brother is even in the story? It’s a curious story. A favorite really. If you’ve sat in church or heard a testimony you’re probably familiar with the Parable of the Prodigal Son. For years, I focused on the prodigal and the father running to Him. It’s a beautiful pictureContinue reading “Why is that brother even in the story?”

Do you ever feel like you do more than your fair share?

It had been one of those days. I had worked and worked and felt like others weren’t doing their share. I had been playing the pity party music in my head for quite some time when my mom mentioned that my daddy’s feet were hurting him again. She explained that every morning she washes hisContinue reading “Do you ever feel like you do more than your fair share?”

I needed to remember this again.

I needed to remember this again today. It has to be strange, curious, and honestly, a little absurd, for those who do not fear the Lord, to watch those who do, deal with things like CoVid, and even the craziness of our country, right now. What those, who do not fear the Lord, or perhapsContinue reading “I needed to remember this again.”

Will you be able to stand?

Right now, we are seeing the winds of hard days and our “cancel culture” blowing away those who aren’t planted with deep roots in biblical truth. Psalm 1 compares those who follow God to a strong tree planted by rivers of refreshing water and goes on to say, “The ungodly are not so, but areContinue reading “Will you be able to stand?”

Characteristics of the HAPPY person—

The happy, blessed person does not do some things but does do other things. She does not—Walk in the counsel of the ungodly,Stand in the path of sinnersSit in the seat of the scornful. (Psalms 1:1) The happy person makes a conscious effort about who they hang out with, and who they allow to speakContinue reading “Characteristics of the HAPPY person—”

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.”