Thankful Thursday

As I sit here on the afternoon of New Year's Eve, I think of so many ways the Lord has blessed my family. What a year this has been... good things, no so good things, and the simple "everyday life" sort of things. Because of this, I decided I'd list some of them for my post this week. Some of them are very recent blessings and some cover earlier parts of this year.

~ I am thankful my daughter, Abby, made it through her outpatient surgical procedure this morning with no problems. They went in and made an adjustment to the muscles in her eyes that control her vertical eye movement. She's been groggy and a bit cranky today, but otherwise as fit as a fiddle!

~ I am thankful for both my children and my dear husband. Where would I be without each one of them? My husband loves me and supports me just the way I am.... both the good and the bad. My children never fail to bring a smile to my face and are the essence of unconditional love here on earth!

~ I am thankful that God never gives up on me. This year has brought about realizations of several areas that I really need to turn over to God. Areas that I wouldn't let go and the negative stronghold they had on me just keep getting bigger. Thanks to God and his promise to always carry it all when we turn it over to Him, I have begun learning how to stop trying to control so much in my life. I can't tell you how freeing this has been... less stress, less worry, more fun!

~ I am thankful for some difficult experiences I have had at work. They, too, have shown that God is always faithful in His promise never to leave when the "going gets tough". I am learning how to re-focus away from the difficulties and focus on what is truly important in my life. I have also been shown new directions where He is leading by being open to changes in this part of my life.

~ I am thankful for friends. As with family, where would we be without friends to laugh with, friends to share with, friends to pray with, and friends to just "be" with as we walk this journey of life?!

In closing, I wanted to share a brief update on my sister and her family. As I shared here a few weeks ago, they are preparing to leave later this year to serve as missionaries in Prague in the Czech Republic. Over the Christmas holidays, I had the honor (and, oh, it was an honor... I can't tell you how thrilled I was to be able to help them in one of the many steps they have before them as they prepare for this journey) of helping her set up their blog. They plan to use their blog as a means of communicating with family and friends about their mission work and to keep us up to date on the family.

As so many of you offered your prayers and support when I last posted about them, I asked if I could share her blog with you. She quickly responded, "Yes!". I believe she has scheduled their very first post to go up on New Year's Day. You can find them at Just "Czech'n" In. I can't tell you how much it means to them and to our family that you are so willing to support them with your prayers!

For more Thankful Thursday visit Iris at Grace Alone...!

A Bit of This and That

Hello... It is so good to be back after a little holiday break from blogging! I've missed you guys and have so enjoyed spending some time this afternoon catching up with some of you. As the week progresses I hope to make it around so to say 'Hi' and Happy New Year to each of you, my bloggy buddies.

We had a GREAT Christmas! Very special time spent with family both near and those further away celebrating our time together and the birth of our Savior. We spent a very relaxing and wonderful Christmas Eve at home, just the four of us, as our special day together. Christmas Day was spent with my in-laws where we shared laughter, great food, and enjoyed gift giving. The day after we jumped in the car and traveled to Missouri for some more special time with my family. We were so fortunate to be able to spend several days there and enjoyed more of the same with laughter, good food, time "catching up" and just hanging out together.

This year was special for us as we were spending the last Christmas for a couple of years with my youngest sister and her family. Later this year they will be leaving to serve as missionaries in Prague. I was able to help her set up their own blog for sharing their work and family happenings while they are away. I've asked her if I can share it with all of you and received a hearty 'Yes!' I'll plan to share that later this week.

As with all things, the holidays pass way too quickly and we get back into the daily "stuff" and other occurrences more faster than we would sometimes choose. Tomorrow morning we'll be taking our youngest, Abby, in for an outpatient surgical procedure to correct the vertical muscle movement in her eyes. Shortly before she turned two we discovered her eyes crossing and that she was very farsighted. She has been in glasses since that time and also had a surgical procedure to correct the horizontal muscle movement in her eyes. All went fine with that and now, two year later, the doctor feels we need to go again to correct her vertical muscle movement. We don't expect any complications (and are so very thankful it is nothing more serious than this), but all the same would love to have her covered in prayer.... prayer for no unexpected complications and for a quick and smooth recovery for her. We will be checking in about 7:30am New Year's Eve, with the procedure beginning about 8:30am and should be heading home within a few hours after that. Any prayers during this time would be much appreciated by all of us!

In closing, I pray that each of you has a fun and exciting New Year's Eve followed by a New Year full of many blessings from our Lord!

Merry Christmas!

So, we've had another great weekend around here... our annual viewing of Christmas lights around the city, making a gingerbread house (yes, we tried something a bit different than the usual gingerbread house), Christmas services at church. It's just been great! I must say that one of my favorite times was as we drove around viewing Christmas lights. We have a particular neighborhood in the area that we always visit and this year they did not let us down. It was spectacular! And, the delight of the kids... can't be missed! And, get this... the kids favorite Christmas decorations they saw that night? The nativity scenes displayed in the yards! What a joy it was to hear the screams of the delight -- "Mom, it's Baby Jesus!" or "Wow, there's Mary & Joseph & Baby Jesus! My very favorite!" And, then there was my daughter (4 yrs old) that after one of those exclamations saying, "Jesus loves me and He knows me and I know Him!" Oh, yes, my dear little sweetie, Jesus does love you and He knows you and you know Him, too! So sweeet!

Anyway, as we are in the midst of much fun and preparations around here, I'm going to take a bit of a bloggy break. Not exactly sure when I'll be back... sometime after Christmas, maybe New Year's.... I'm just going to play it by ear. I will probably visit around to you all a bit over the next week or so, but for the most part I will be away and just enjoying some good 'ole family Christmas time. Celebrating the birth or our Saviour and all the many gifts He has given to us.

I pray each and every one of you have the best Christmas.. filled with much joy and laughter. Oh, and good food, too! ;)

Friday Facts - Unusual Gifts in the Bible

Friday afternoon comment: I agree with several commentors that one of these below is rather gross. I almost didn't include it, but decided to go ahead as it was an event actually recorded in the Bible and, while gross, was..er...uhmmm... interesting. It also shows the great difference between the culture of that time and ours now. And, oh, how I am thankful our culture has changed in that particular regard! :)


Still looking for the perfect Christmas gift for that special someone? Check these out! How would you like 4.5 tons of gold under your Christmas tree this year? Or, maybe 220 goats?


~ Jacob, afraid that his brother Esau might be holding a grudge against him, surprised his twin with a gift of 220 goats, 220 sheep, 30+ camels, 40 cows, 10 bulls and 30 donkeys (Genesis 32:13-21).

~ For a wedding gift, Caleb's daughter Acsah asked for (and received) some springs of water in southern Israel (Joshua 15:16-19).

~ Believe it or not, the Queen of Sheba brought King Solomon 4.5 tons of gold plus "large quantities of spices, and precious stones" (1 Kings 10:10).

~ At a big party to celebrate the end of Job's suffering, each of his friends and relatives brought exactly the same gift: a piece of silver and a gold ring (Job 42:11).

~ David killed 200 Philistines and brought their foreskins to King Saul so that he could marry Saul's daughter Michal (1 Samuel 18:18-27).

~ Probably the most familiar of all Bible gifts are the gold, incense and myrrh the Magi brought to Jesus when he was a baby (Matthew 2:11).

Thankful Thursday

"And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitide of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'" Luke 2:10-14

I am thankful this week for this season of Christmas. First and foremost, a time to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. A time to celebrate the precious gift of eternal life that He gave to us. A gift given of great sacrifice.

After that, I am thankful for all of the many things that come secondary to Jesus' birth. I am thankful for....

~ special time spent with family
~ a time of the year focused on love and giving to others
~ Christmas lights and decorations on the tree
~ beautiful Christmas music
~ Christmas dinner
~ Christmas desserts
~ Christmas Eve services at church
And last, but certainly not least, all of you that visit me here, that leave comments, that pray with me, and that share from your own hearts on your blogs. You all are very special to me and I thank the Lord for this wonderful community that I found this year.

For more Thankful Thursday visit Iris at Grace Alone...!

Word-Filled Wednesday - Matthew 2:2

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:1-2

For more "Word-Filled Wednesday" posts visit The 160 Acre Woods.






Picture courtesy of http://www.christianphotos.net/.

Thru the Eyes of our Children

The Christmas my son was about 3 years old he helped me put up our family nativity scene. As we unpacked the pieces and put each one in place he began asking me questions about each person in the scene. As I began to answer his questions I found my eyes begin to tear up and my voice begin to quiver.

A year or two after that my sister gave my kids the book “You Are Special” by Max Lucado. This is the story of a village of wooden people and their creator, a woodcarver. It shows us how we are created specially by God and how he loves us unconditionally.

And, you guessed it, this is another story I can barely read to my kids without tearing up. As a matter of fact, the last time I read it to them I choked up so that I almost couldn’t finish reading the book. At the end, my husband had to take over the conversation we always have about God and how very much he loves each one of us and how very special we are. It seems that since my kids were born I have become a bit more emotional about my faith and my relationship with God. Have any of you experienced this, too?

I think, for me, it is probably a combination of several things. The first being that I am just a bit in awe of this responsibility I have to teach my children about God. Each time there is an opportunity to show them or teach them something about God I realize anew that there is no greater responsibility I have than this very one.

The second reason I think is that I am being given a chance to re-experience all the wonder and amazement of learning about God for the first time. I was raised in a Christian home and was taught from the day I was born about God. I have been in church my whole life. And, while that is great, I think that over time I have let go a bit of that “newness” and excitement that I first had as a young child hearing the Bible stories for the first time. The amazement of learning that God loves even me… me with all my flaws and “humanness”… he loves me and I AM SPECIAL.

However, I have found that through my kids I get to experience all of that for a second time. I can’t even begin to put into words how great it is to hear my children tell me a Bible story or to hear them pray. Or, as my daughter has begun to do, walk places exclaiming, “Look, Mom, God made that! Mom, God made EVERYTHING!”

It puts tears in this Mom’s eyes. Tears of joy. Tears of amazement. Tears of thankfulness that He loves me and that I AM SPECIAL. Tears of thankfulness that God has entrusted me with these two sweet precious treasures, my children.

Ruth 1:20-22

But she replied to them, "Don't call me 'Naomi'! Call me 'Mara' because the Sovereign One has treated me very harshly. I left here full, but the Lord has caused me to return empty-handed. Why do you call me 'Naomi', seeing that the Lord has opposed me, and the Sovereign One has caused me to suffer?" So Naomi returned, accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth, who came back with her from the region of Moab. (Now they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.) Ruth 1:20-22


Ruth and Naomi have traveled to Bethlehem. It has been approximately 10 years since Naomi left Bethlehem with her husband and sons. I imagine the people of Bethlehem were all very excited to see Naomi after all this time. However, in her grief Noami seems to bring down the excitement somewhat in telling them to not call her Naomi, but to address her as Mara.

The name Naomi means pleasant. The name Mara means bitter. I can almost hear the pain in her voice as she speaks these words. I am sure she feels anything but pleasant at this time and simply feels the name Mara to be more descriptive of her present state of mind.

As she continues speaking she tells the townspeople that she has been treated harshly by God. She doesn't seem to be saying that she is holding a grudge against God, but is stating that she feels God has been harsh with her. I found it interesting to learn that here Naomi speaks of God as 'The Sovereign One' or as 'El Shaddai'. El Shaddai is the God who can both bless and judge. So, while Naomi felt that God had been harsh, she also recognized him as a God of many blessings.

Another quote I read as I studied this passage was "I don't like it; I certainly don't understand it, but I trust Him". This seems to fit how Naomi very well could have been feeling at the time she returned to Bethlehem. She certainly didn't like that her husband and her sons had died, I can't imagine that she would understand why God would allow it to happen, but she was continuing to trust God.

This whole topic seems to be one that so many, including myself, struggle with regularly. If God loves us, if God wants what is best for us, how can He allow such tragic losses in our lives. We all know that God has the power to heal from any affliction or change the course of events in a day, but He doesn't. Instead, He allows these losses to occur. It's a bit hard to wrap our heads around, isn't it?

I know I certainly don't have all the answers, but I certainly agree with Naomi on this one. Regardless of how we feel about what has happened, we must continue to recognize God as 'The Sovereign One' and we must continue to trust in Him.

It reminds me of the song "Blessed Be Your Name" written by Matt Redman. Here are some of the lyrics:

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

While we will never know this side of heaven why certain things are allowed to happen, we can be assured that God never leaves us and he never forsakes us. And, I think that is probably exactly where our focus needs to be. Not on the why, but on the assurances He gives us. Besides, I strongly suspect that by the time we do meet God face to face in heaven that the "whys" won't be quite so important any longer.

A Christmas Meme

Laurie Ann over at A Magnolia's Heart Beats and Shanda from A Teachable Heart... tagged me this week for this fun Christmas meme!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Most definitely Hot Chocolate. I’m not even sure I’ve ever tasted Egg Nog.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Santa always wraps his presents.

3. Colored light on house/tree or white?
White lights on house and tree.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Nope.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Ours usually go up around the first weekend in December.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
I’ve been looking at this list for 2 days now and can’t narrow down to just one, so I’m going to cheat and just say I love them all! :)

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
The time we spent at my grandparent’s houses with all our extended family.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
You know, I don’t even remember. I feel like I’ve always known Santa wasn’t real and that Jesus was the REAL reason for the season. I’m sure there was a moment, I just can’t remember. (ahh… the joys of getting older!)

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Because we are usually either with my parents or Jeff’s on Christmas Day, we have begun making Christmas Eve our family’s Christmas Day celebration. So, yes we open gifts on Christmas Eve. This year we are going to start the day off with that and spend it all together just the four of us… just like we would do if we were home on Christmas Day.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Ours is a hodge podge of decorations. Some that we have purchased each year since we were married, some from travels, some the kids have made, etc.

11. Snow. Love it or dread it?
Well, we don’t get a lot of that white stuff in Texas, but I do love it. Every couple of years we are in Minnesota at my parent’s house and we can almost always be guaranteed there will be snow. I LOVE to sit INSIDE and see the beauty of the snow OUTSIDE. :)

12. Can you ice skate?
Nope… have tried many times and just can’t manage more than about halfway around the rink… moving vveerryy ssslllooowwwlllyyy.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I remember several… a Barbie doll Jet plane as a child, a pair or shoes I really wanted as a teenager, a beautiful bracelet from my husband.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you?
The celebration of the birth of Jesus.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
My grandmother’s pecan pie.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
No specific tradition, but I have always loved that we have always spent significant time with family over the Christmas holiday.

17. What tops your Christmas tree?
An angel my grandmother made.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Most definitely giving.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Joy to the World

20. Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck?
Yum!

21. What do you want for Christmas?
For my children to understand the TRUE meaning of Christmas and to feel the love of the Lord in their lives.

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party.
Usually one or two a year.

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear PJ's?
At home with just us on Christmas Eve… jammies or jeans and sweatshirt… comfort rules (I will change for Christmas Eve services). If we are elsewhere on Christmas Day usually jeans and a Christmas shirt.

24. Do you own a Santa hat?
No.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?
Family.

As usual, I am going to cheat and tag anyone that reads this and wishes to join in. I've seen this meme around alot over the last couple of weeks, so know that many have already been tagged. I've had a blast reading everyone's answers and learning how each of you spend the holidays. If you do decide to join in, please leave me a comment. I'd love to stop by and read your answers!

Friday Facts - Unusual Facts and Trivia from the Bible

For today's Friday Facts we've got a random assortment of facts and trivia from the Bible. Enjoy and have a great weekend!


~ Engaged men were exempted from military service.
"And who is the man that is engaged to a woman and has not married her? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would marry her. " Deuteronomy 20:7.

~ In early Old Testament times, whenever two Israelites finalized a real estate transaction, one of the men would take off his sandal and give it to the other to seal the deal.
"Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel." Ruth 4:7

~ Newborn babies were rubbed with salt.
"And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all." Ezekiel 16:4

~ To symbolize his desire for a permanent working relationship, a slave would have his master take an awl and stick it through the slave's ear into the master's doorpost.
"Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever." Exodus 21:6

~ Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556), Archbishop of Canterbury, reportedly memorized the entire Bible! Some historians record that it took him only three months to accomplish this amazing feat!

~ An Ephesian mob chanted for two hours in unison, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
"But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians." Acts 19:34

~ If two million Israelites took part in the exodus out of Egypt (a conservative estimate based on Numbers 1:45-46), the procession would have been an incredible sight. Marching 50 abreast, the column of departing Jews would have stretched for 23 miles into the desert. Walking at a comfortable pace of 2.5 miles per hour, the people would have required almost 10 hours to pass the same point.

~ King Solomon's salary was 666 talents--or 25 tons-- of gold per year. At modern gold prices of $460 per once, he received $368 million per year.
"Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold." 1 Kings 10:14

Thankful Thursday

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20


For many of us this passage of scripture calls us to be witnesses in our communities. Maybe the place you have lived all your life, the city you moved to from college to take your first job, or the place where you chose to raise your family. However, there are number of people in this world that have been called to leave their homes to make a new home in a foreign country and be witnesses there. In some cases, they are called by God to a foreign country where the citizens have no interest in God. Or, in other cases, they are called to a foreign country where it is even illegal to mention the name of God.

This week I am thankful for these people that so courageously and faithfully follow God’s calling to these foreign lands. And, to be even more specific, I am thankful for one particular family that will be following God’s calling to another country in the next 5-6 months. This family is very dear to me. I was there when Carrie & Clem married and then started their family. I have watched them as they have raised their two precious children, Hunter (9 yrs old) and Allie (6 yrs old). Carrie & Clem first began to hear God’s call a couple of years ago and I have watched and prayed for them as they have discerned God’s will and begun the process of entering the mission field.

At this time they are preparing to leave for Prague in May or June of 2009. They are making memories with family members they will not see for several years. They are selling their home and clearing out many earthly possessions they are unable to take with them. They are preparing their children for a very big life change. They are praying and they are following. They have found peace. They are also excited for all that lies ahead of them.

And, we that love them so very much are happy for them, praying for them, loving them and enjoying our time together with them before they leave. You see, there is also a 2nd reason I am so thankful for this family. Carrie is my baby sister. I remember like it was yesterday when she was born (although, family stories will tell you I was terribly upset when I found out I had a new baby sister instead of a baby brother… but, hey… give a girl a break… I was only seven at the time! :) ). I remember when she started talking, when she started walking, when she started school. I was thrilled and excited for her when she met Clem and realized that he was THE ONE. I love her as only a sister can love another sister.

I also love Clem dearly. He is the perfect husband for Carrie… they go together so well and have grown a beautiful home and family. Hunter and Allie are so blessed to have these two as their parents. I love these two kiddos as much as I love their parents! Plus, they are super cute! :)

I thank the Lord for this special family. I thank Him for all they are to me personally and for their willingness to follow Him… even to a foreign country…. even to a foreign country where very few people know Him.

In closing I ask, if you don’t mind and if you feel the Lord place it on your heart, to pray for Carrie and Clem and Hunter and Allie over these next few months. I know it would mean the world not only to me, but to them, as well.


For more Thankful Thursday visit Iris at Grace Alone...!

Word-Filled Wednesday - Matthew 1:23

""Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23


For more "Word-Filled Wednesday" posts visit The 160 Acre Woods.





Picture courtesy of http://www.christianphotos.net/.

Back In His Arms Again

Thursday night was bringing an end to a long and frustrating week. Nothing major... just many small things. I thought I was doing okay and then the dam broke. I was irritable, short with my family, impatient with my son when he wouldn't go to bed easily. More impatient when he wouldn't listen. I raised my voice and my tone wasn't nice. In the midst of it all I even let what I'm sure was an innocent informational-type note from his teacher annoy me. She asked me not to send so much snack to school with him as it was too much for the timeframe they had allotted for snacks. And, while I'm still puzzled why this hasn't been an issue until now, there was no reason for me to take a personal afront to it. No reason to convince myself that it was evidence that she thought I was a bad mother because I didn't know how much snack to send. Just the fact that I would think that a note of this nature meant I was a bad mother shows that I was beyond any and all rational thoughts.

After both kids were in bed and asleep and the house was quieter I shared some of my frustrations with my husband. I apologized for the way I had acted. As usual, he listened and was sympathetic. He forgave me. I was still in "feel bad for myself" and "guilt" mode. He needed to spend some time working so I went downstairs and pulled out iPod for some quiet time with some good Christian music.

I had it set to shuffle mode, so had no idea where it would start. These lyrics from a Mark Shultz song were the first to play:

I believe that He loves you where you are
I believe that you've seen the hands of God
I believe that you'll know it when
You're back in His arms again

I believe that He never let you go
I believe that He's wanting you to know
I believe that He'll lead you 'til
you're back in His arms again

I can't tell you how much I needed to be reminded of that at that very time. I was tired and frustrated. I was guilt-ridden because of my behavior. And, while I had turned to Christian music, I really wasn't turning anything over to God at that very moment. I had spent an evening turning away from him... my very actions proved that.

"I believe that He loves you where you are"... I love that phrase. I can't tell you how many times in my life it has brought such great comfort to know that God loves me no matter where I am at that very moment. I wasn't acting very loving Thursday night, but God still loved me. He was still right there with me. As the song goes on to say, "I believe that He never let you go". Yes, He was still holding onto me even if I wasn't recognizing that fact at that moment. And, oh what a wonderful feeling it is to know that I am "Back in His Arms Again".

While I am sure this song is probably referring to much worse situations than I was in last week, I think it is true for any situation whether it be big or small. Almost daily (at least for me) I walk away from God... if only briefly. Regardless, though, of whether I walk away or not He doesn't leave me. He is still holding on to me. Lovingly and patiently waiting for me to turn back to Him.

Here's the full song. I pray that it will bless you as it has me over the last few days.

Ruth 1:14-19

"Again they wept loudly. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung tightly to her. So Naomi said, "Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law back home!" But Ruth replied, "Stop urging me to abandon you! For wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your people will become my people, and your God will become my God. Wherever you di, I will die -- and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severly if I do not keep my promise! Only death will be able to separate me from you!" When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped trying to dissuade her. So the two of them journeyed together until they arrived in Bethlehem." Ruth 1:14-19

This has got to be one of my favorite passages of scriptures. The words of Ruth to Naomi are so beautiful and really speak of the love and devotion she had for Naomi.

First, though, I want to look at Orpah for a moment. I really think that Orpah gets a bad rap. We tend to think that Orpah didn't do what she should have for Naomi or we just don't think much about Orpah at all. In reality, though, Orpah did what was expected of her. She stayed with Naomi after all their husbands died. She was willing to stay with Naomi and to move to Bethlehem with her.

I think probably what happens is that we try to compare Orpah to Ruth and that just isn't fair to Orpah. Ruth went above and beyond her obligation to Naomi and you just can't use that as fair comparison for Orpah. Orpah fulfilled her obligations to Naomi and we should recognize and admire her for that.

The other part of this story that really strikes me is the way in which Ruth comes to know the Lord. Naomi's family is probably the first family Ruth has ever been around that worshipped God. The country Ruth is from only worshipped idols -- the main one being Chemosh.

However, in this passage of scripture Ruth tells Naomi that she is giving up her gods for Naomi's God.. the one true God. What has Noami or her family done to bring Ruth to the point where she is willing to give up everything she has ever known to turn to God? My guess? They showed Ruth their love for the Lord and they loved her with the same kind of love. They welcomed Ruth and Orpah into their family. Ruth watched as they relied on God for their every need and she saw how Naomi attributed God to the improving circumstances in Bethlehem that leads her to decide to move back to Bethlehem.

What a testimony Ruth has to share! In the process of helping Noami and showing compassion towards her situation, Ruth decides to turn to Naomi's God and accept Him as the one true God. Here again, one of the amazing ways in which God works in our lives.

For me, this passage leaves me with two thoughts. The first, that I should always be aware of my actions and how I treat others. You just never know how you may be ministering (or not ministering) by your very actions. And, two, I pray I would always be willing to speak and really mean the same words that Ruth spoke to Naomi --"Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your people will become my people, and your God will become my God."

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Oh, we have had a fun weekend at our house!

Last night we decoated these cute little gingerbread men. Everyone in the family jumped in on this and we had such fun! I'm not sure I'll ever get all the colored sprinkles, etc swept up off my kitchen floor, but we had a blast all the same.

Today, we got up in the attic and got down all our Christmas decorations and have spent the afternoon getting them all put up around the house. Here's a few of our favorite spots in the house....


I absolutely love this nativity scene. It was a gift from my parents a year or two after Jeff and I were married.







These stockings are another one of my favorites that we put up each year. The two stockings on the left belong to Jeff and I. My mother made them and gave them to us the first Christmas after we were married. She also made the stockings for Josh and Abby and they received them the Christmas after their first birthdays.

If you noticed the 5th stocking in the picture of the mantle above, that belongs to this family member. This is Little Bit, a.k.a. "Bitty".



Merry Christmas decorating from our house to yours!

Friday Facts - Random Bits of Info

For today's post I'm pulling together a number of random facts from the Bible. I hope you enjoy and maybe learn something new. I pray you all have a superb Friday and an even better weekend!

~ Abraham is the first person in the Bible to be called a Hebrew

~ The greatest warrior in the Bible is Gideon. He defeated the 135,000 Midianites with 300 men, 300 trumpets, and God.

~ King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines.

~ The number 7 appears many times in the Bible. It is often linked to perfection or completion.

~ There were 12 tribes of Israel and 12 disciples.

~ The number 40 is used many times in the Bible. It often means God is about to usher in a new event or era. For example, rain during the flood lasted 40 days, spies explored Canaan for 40 days, Jonah warned Nineveh for 40 days, and Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days.

~ The first bok of the Bible tells of a serpent tempting Eve. The last book of the Bible calls Satan "that serpen of old, who is the Devil." (Genesis3; Revelation 20:2).

~ "Do not be afraid" appears 365 times in the Bible. Interestingly enough, that is the number of days in a year!

~ Two men in the Bible never died. They were Enoch and Elijah. God brought them right up to heaven.

Thankful Thursday

As I sit here tonight I am so tired. I am tired enough that I almost decided not to post for Thankful Thursday. However, whether I am tired or not, I still have so much for which to be thankful. God has so greatly blessed my life. I need to take time to be thankful regardless of how I feel. So, here goes.....

~ I am thankful for a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday spent with my dear family. We were so fortunate this year that we were able to spend time with both our families. Thanksgiving Day was spent with my husbands family -- his parents, brothers and their families. They are local so it was just a nice day of relaxation and time spent together. Oh, and excellent food! My mother-in-law is a caterer so we never lack for great food when we are with them. That night we hopped in the car and took a cruise up to Arkansas to spend a couple of days with my family that gathered from several states. My aunt and uncle hosted us all and we were about 25 in total. My parents, my sisters and their families, another aunt & uncle, several cousins and the newest member of the family, my cousin's 9 week old little boy. Precious does not even begin to describe this dear little guy. And, I cannot leave out my grandmother. My grandma is almost 90 years old and I can't imagine my life without this lady!

~ I am thankful for my warm house and food on my table. It is cold and windy here tonight and as I hear the wind whipping through the trees outside I am so thankful for my sturdy home to keep out the cold.

~ I am thankful for God's word that provides me the strength and comfort and reassurance I have in the Lord.

~ I am thankful for my bed with warm blankets where I can climb in and snuggle up tonight. A place where I can rest and restore my strength tonight so I will be more rested for tomorrow.

And, now that I am almost completed, I'm starting to feel a little better. I'm not feeling quite as tired as I was when I first began this post. Isn't it just amazing how taking the time to thank the Lord and share his blessings changes us and makes us feel better? I pray that as we all share our blessings and thank our Lord this week that we each will be energized and joyful and ready to walk out the door and face the world in a whole new way!

For more Thankful Thursday visit Iris at Grace Alone...!

Word-Filled Wednesday - Exodus 34:6

"Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;" Exodus 34:6


For more "Word-Filled Wednesday" posts visit The 160 Acre Woods.

Picture courtesy of http://www.christianphotos.net/.

God Will Make a Way

Are you as amazed as I am at the way God works? Do you enjoy just sitting back sometimes and watching how God works? The way He blesses our lives, they way He touches people in special and life-changing situations, or the way He takes difficult and painful times and turns them into something beautiful?

As I have been studying the book of Ruth, I have found recordings of how God took some very painful and difficult pieces of Bethlehem history and redeemed it all in a most beautiful and life-changing manner.

Look at this....

~ Bethlehem is originally called Ephrath (Genesis 35:16) which mean "house of bread".

~ It was then also referred to as Beth-lehem Ephratah (Micah 5:2) and Beth-lehem-judah (1 Samuel 17:12). It was later referred to as "the city of David" (Luke 2:4).

~ The first major event recorded in Bethlehem is the burial of Rachel after she died while giving birth to Benjamin (Genesis 48:7)

~ We next hear of Bethlehem in a particularly ugly gang rape at the end of the book of Judges.

~ Following that a man named Elimilech leaves Bethlehem because of famine.


See the history here in Bethlehem of sadness, loss and sin? Now, follow this....


~ A childless girl from Moab goes to Bethlehem, along with her mother-in-law, in search of physical and spiritual sustenance. This girl is Ruth.

~ Ruth is the great-grandmother of David.

~ David becomes Israel's king and their family lineage flows straight down to the birth, in Bethlehem, of Jesus.

Regardless of our circumstances we can always be assured that "God will make a way when there seems to be no way". Oh, what promise we have in the Lord!

Ruth 1:7-13

"Now as she and her two daughters-in-law began to leave the place where she had been living to return to the land of Judah, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Listen to me! Each of you should return to your mother's home! May the Lord show you the same kind of devotion that you have shown to your deceased husbands and to me! May the Lord enable each of you to find security in the home of a new husband!" Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept loudly. But they said to her, "No! We will return with you to your people." But Naomi replied, "Go back home, my daughters! There is no reason for you to return to Judah with me! I am no longer capable of giving birth to sons who might become your husband! Go back home, my daughters! For I am too old to get married again. Even if I thought that there was hope that I could get married tonight and conceive sons, surely you would not want to wait until they were old enough to marry! Surely you would not remain unmarried all that time! No, my daughters, you must not return with me. For my intense suffering is too much for you to bear. For the Lord is afflicting me!" Ruth 1:7-13

I read this passage and my hearts breaks for Naomi. You can hear her grief and her feelings of helplessness in her words.

According to the levirate law of the times a childless widow is impregnated by the brother of the husband that died. Both of Naomi's sons have died leaving widows and neither have children. She has no more sons. I can just sense her frustrations brought on by the situation as she tells them that even if she could get married again and have a son that Ruth and Orpah couldn't wait around for them to grow up!

Ruth and Orpah have offered to return to Judah with Naomi. But, from where she sits at the moment this just doesn't make sense either. She feels broken and has nothing to offer either woman. Why would they want to live with and take care of an old, grieving woman?

However, even as she discourages them both from staying with her, she sees their devotion to her and wishes the same for them in their own lives.

In Hebrew, the word for "devotion" is hesed (pronounced with a hard "h" and rhymes with the two-syllable form of "blessed"). This word seems to be the one chosen over all others to describe what God is like - "full of loyal, committed, merciful, enduring, faithful, covenant-keeping love". In Exodus 34:6, God used this word to describe himself.

"Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;"


We also see this type of devotion as a theme that runs throughout the book of Ruth.

"Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, 'Listen to me! Each of you should return to your mother's home! May the Lord show you the same kin of devotion that you have shown to your deceased husbands and to me!'"

"Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, 'May [Boaz] be rewarded by the Lord because he has shown loyalty to the living on behalf of the dead!' Then Naomi said to her, 'This man is a close relative of ours; he is our guardian.'"

"[Boaz] said to [Ruth], 'May you be rewarded by the Lord, my dear! This act of devotion is greater than what you did before. For you have not sought mto marry one of the young men, whether rich or poor.'"


We live in a world full of empty promises. Many times promises are made that are never kept. We seem to have forgotten what it means to show hesed to our neighbors. In this time I am so very thankful for the story of Ruth. She reminds us of how we should live... showing love and devotion to others. She reminds us of the great love and devotion God shows to each of us. Our God that will "never leave us or forsake us."