Looking Beyond the Surface

A few years ago my department at work went thru many changes. One of those changes was bringing on a number of consultants to work with us on a large project. They are all a great group of people to work with, but in the beginning there was one man in particular that really bothered me. In my dealings with him (which were few) he seemed to be condescending (both to me and our clients) and he could be rude and inconsiderate. I wondered more than once why he had even been hired... an hour on a conference call with him would make me want to pull my hair out!

However, just because I didn't care for him didn't mean that I didn't have to work with him. At times this proved difficult, but I hung in there.. finally reaching the point where I was determined to make it work even though I was convinced that he was the one with the problem (never once thinking that my perception might be "off").

Over time, I have found that what my intial opinion is actually not true at all. He is very knowledgeable about his job and how to get it done, he has a great sense of humor, and our clients really like him and respect him. Totally different than what I thought initially, huh?

You see, I failed to recognize several factors early on when I first began to work with him. The project we were working on was high stress with long hours and unreasonable deadlines. And, the time that I actually spent working with him amounted to maybe one conference call a week and a few emails here and there... hardly enough to really be able to determine what a person is really like, right? Plus, how many of us react in a negative manner during times of high stress and long work hours? Any one of these things could have make the best of persons react in a negative manner at times.

I was discussing this with my husband earlier this week and telling him how wrong I had been in my initial feelings. How I felt that I should have been alot more open to the situation from the beginning... maybe "giving him a break" due to the nature of the project at the time. Maybe being more open to the fact that management did make a good call when hiring him even if I couldn't figure out why.

As we talked I remembered something that our pastor had shared with us in church on Sunday. He has been preaching a series of sermons on the Apostle Paul. In looking at the life of Paul, he shared the following that was in a 'Dear Abby' column on December 19, 1981. It is a great reminder of how we so often only look at the surface, the labels, and not the person. It is a great reminder of how we should look at people more like God might.

DEAR ABBY: One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister. A member of an official board undergoing this painful process finally lost patience. He'd watched the Pastoral Relations Committee reject applicant after applicant for some fault, alleged or otherwise. It was time for a bit of soul-searching on the part of the committee. So he stood up and read a letter purporting to be from another applicant.


"Gentlemen: Understanding your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications... I've been a preacher with much success and also some success as a writer. Some say I'm a good organizer. I've been a leader most places I've been.

"I'm over 50 year of age. I have never preached in one place for more than three years. In some places I have left town after my work has caused riots and disturbances. I must admit I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrongdoing. My health is not too good, though I still get a great deal done. The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities. I've not got along well with religious leaders in towns where I have preached. In fact, some have threatened me and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known to forget whom I have baptized.

"However, if you can use me, I shall do my best for you."


The board member looked over the committee. "Well, what do you think? Shall we call him?"

The good church folks were aghast. Call an unhealthy, trouble-making, absent-minded ex-jailbird? Was the board member crazy? Who signed that application? Who had such colossal nerve?

The board member eyed them all keenly before he answered. "It's signed, 'The Apostle Paul.'"

(AUTHOR UNKNOWN Submitted by the Rev C. W. Kirkpatrick, Ludlow, Mass.)

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.

Ruth - A Little More Background Info

So, today I'm going to share some more background info and then next Monday I'll start sharing more from my study of this beautiful book of Ruth.

Do we know who wrote the book of Ruth?
It is not known for sure who wrote the book of Ruth. The Talmud suggests that Samuel wrote this book. Others believe that Nathan may have written Ruth during the time of King David's reign. Still others believe it to be written during the time when Israel was exiled.

During what time and in what setting was the book of Ruth written?
As Ruth's grandson is King David, we know that the story in the book of Ruth took place two generations prior to his birth.

As you can find by reading the book of Judges, the land was in a period of time where it is ruled by selected leaders that were called judges. These judges included Gideon, Deborah and Samson. These people were usually both judicial officials and military leaders. Two of these judges, Deborah and Samson, were also prophets. The timeframe of the rule of the judges was approximately 1220 BC to 1050 BC. During this time the land of Israel went thru many difficult and sinful times. At the same time, we see stories of truly memorable persons that stand out, as well. These include Ruth, Deborah and Hannah.

It is thought that the events recorded in the book of Ruth probably occurred around 1000 BC. As we see in Ruth 1:1, the story happened "when the judges judged". At its earliest it was completed around the time that David was anointed king and at its latest at the end of David's reign.

To get a true feel for the happenings of the time and the state of the country, read Judges 17-21. I found in reading this that I understood so much more of the challenges that faced persons living during this time and how the country was ruled.

Who are the main characters in the book of Ruth?
Elimelech - Naomi's husband. His name means "My God is King".
Mahlon and Kilion - Naomi's sons.

Naomi - her name means "pleasant". At a time after her husband and sons died she renamed herself Mara which means "bitter".
Orpah - her name means "deer" or "fawn". Ruth's sister, wife to Kilion, and daughter-in-law to Naomi.
Ruth - her name means "friend". Ruth was Mahlon's husband and daughter-in-law to Naomi. Also, great-grandmother to King David.
Boaz - relative of Naomi's deceased husband Elimelech, he later marries Ruth. They have a son Obed, who is the father to Jesse, King David's father.

Ruth - A Little Background

Before we get too deep into the story of Ruth, I thought I'd begin this week by sharing some background information. I always love it when I can find out a little more about the timeframe, the country, and/or the culture at the time when stories take place. Many times these are of significant relevance to the story and I also like how it gives a more personal look at the persons involved in the story, as well.

In first chapter of Ruth there are several insights into this beautiful story of Ruth and Naomi. Consider these.....

~ There was a famine in the land of Judah. Due to famine, Naomi and her husband Elimelech are forced to leave their home and go to another country to find food. Can you imagine going to the grocery store and finding it empty? And then learning that all the grocery stores were empty?

~ A man (Elimelech) from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner. How desperate would we have to be to go to another country to find food?

~ Elimelech's two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. The name Mahlon means unhealthy and the name Kilion means puny or weakly.

~ Sometime later Naomi's husband Elimelech died.

~ Naomi's sons married Moabite women. Her sons married outside their faith.

~ They continued to live in Judah for about ten more years.

~ Nami's two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, also died. Can you even imagine losing your spouse and your children? And, then, being plunged into poverty?

At the time that the book of Ruth begins, Naomi's life is at a point of desperation. I would imagine Naomi felt as if her life had ended. She had no reason to believe there was so much good ahead for her. Or, that she had such a friend in her daughter-in-law, Ruth.

This is truly a story of hope. A story of friendship. A story showing that God NEVER abandons us. A story that shows how circumstances that appear to be the end of the story are really just the beginnings.

The Apostle Paul

As I've been studying Philippians, I've thought alot about the Apostle Paul. At the time Paul wrote this letter to the people of Philippi, he was imprisoned for his beliefs. I've wondered many times about this man that, although wrongfully imprisoned, was able to write such a letter full of joy and thanksgiving. In addition to the letter to the Philippians, Paul also wrote the following 13 letters:

Romans

1 & 2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Colossians

1 & 2 Thessalonians

1 & 2 Timothy

Titus

Philemon

As I began searching for more information about Paul, I found a number of interesting facts about him -- some I already knew and others that I did not know. For example, did you know that......

Prior to his conversion to Christianity, Paul was named Saul?

He was born in Tarsus?

Paul's parents were Jewish AND Roman citizens? (this was very rare as only the Jews considered the most important could be Roman citizens)

At age 14 Paul was sent to Jerusalem to train as a Rabbi?

As a 2nd trade, Paul trained to be a tent-maker?

At one time Paul was a persecutor of Christians?

Paul was present at the stoning of Stephen? ( As a matter of fact, it was at his suggestion that Stephen was stoned.)

While traveling to Damascus to continue persecuting Christians, Paul saw a vision where Jesus asked Paul why he continued to persecute Him? It was at this time that Paul's name was changed from Saul and he began preaching of Christ to the Gentiles.

He preached in Damascus for 3 years?

While in Damascus Paul's enemies wanted to kill him so he had to slip out of the city at night?

After leaving Damascus Paul returned to Jerusalem and it was there that he met Barnabus?

Barnabus joined Paul on his first missionary journey to Cyprus, Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe?

During this journey Paul faced many hardships, including being stoned?

Paul carried out two more missionary journeys which included visits to Galatia, Phrygia, Macedonia and Greece?

After the third journey, Paul returned to Jerusalem and it was at this time that he was imprisoned due to a dispute with the Sanhedrin that caused a public dispute?

This imprisonment lasted at least 2 years and it was at this time that Paul wrote Philippians, as well as several other letters that are in the New Testament?

What an amazing man and an amazing life that he led for Christ. He was one of the first missionaries and contributed so much to the New Testament. It's hard to imagine that at one time he persecuted Christians. What mighty things God can do when we allow Him!