Are you a "wanna be"? Should you "wanna be" one?
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Friday, November 12, 2010
How 'Bout them In-laws?
Want to be rich and famous? Want to be known for all eternity? How about the most well known man who ever lived to be born through your blood line?
I can't guarantee it will work for you, but it sure worked for Ruth! Who would have known... Her Husband dies, her sister in law's husband dies, her mother in law's husband dies... Mother in Law(Naomi) is crazy bitter over it...
Sounds like a good time to jump ship, you know, enjoy some freedom, see what else is out there for you. I'm guessing Naomi was pretty poor company, Husband dies, both sons die, she's openly blaming God, changes her name to Mara(means bitter). Doesn't take great imagination to figure out that this situation SUCKS.
Naomi gives both of her daughter in law's the oportunity to make a run for it... Orpah, the other daughter in law takes advantage of Naomi's offer and bails... gives her a kiss, sheds a tear and is on her way. Ruth on the other hand clings to Naomi. This is a wondeful testimony of what our faith should look like... do we experience God as a passing emotion? Or are we clinging to him with all our might?
So Ruth stays with Naomi, honors her Mother in law, stays true to the family and God is so pleased with Ruth, he blesses her in a way only God can accomplish. Ruth is a fantastic woman, it's obvious why she has her own book of the Bible, one of only two women. She's not just sitting in self pity with her mother in law... she goes out to work and it's while working that God brings about a meeting with an unknown non blood relative Boaz.
Long story short, Boaz is dreamboat... mature, wealthy, loves God and Ruth tells Naomi about him, Naomi is like, "NO WAY GIRLFRIEND! HE'S A RELATIVE OF MY HUSBAND!". As was customary, a man back then could/should take the wife of his dead brother, so Naomi gives Ruth some instructions on how to approach Boaz and she follows them. So Ruth obeys and goes to see him, Boaz is so impressed that Ruth didn't try and get with some of the younger(perhaps more studly) men, and presents herself in a humble way, he falls in love with her.
As yet another example of how our faith is be enacted, Boaz admits there is another relative who has first dibs for taking Ruth as a wife. So, eventhough he's fallen for her and it seems like a miracle that their paths have crossed, he obeys the law, and offers Ruth to the other relative. The other dude has an obligation with his birthright that prevents him from being able to marry Ruth, so Boaz at this moment must be doing a heck of a happy dance internally and agrees to take Ruth as his wife.
God is so pleased with these two obedient, self sacrificing individuals, he blesses them with the highest honor you could imagine, a son named Obed. Not impressed? From this son's line comes one of the greatest human kings the world has ever known, David, and from David's line, the KING OF KINGS... Jesus Christ.
Let's be loyal to our families, both blood and law. Showing the love of Christ to our families shows God that we truly love him.
I can't guarantee it will work for you, but it sure worked for Ruth! Who would have known... Her Husband dies, her sister in law's husband dies, her mother in law's husband dies... Mother in Law(Naomi) is crazy bitter over it...
Sounds like a good time to jump ship, you know, enjoy some freedom, see what else is out there for you. I'm guessing Naomi was pretty poor company, Husband dies, both sons die, she's openly blaming God, changes her name to Mara(means bitter). Doesn't take great imagination to figure out that this situation SUCKS.
Naomi gives both of her daughter in law's the oportunity to make a run for it... Orpah, the other daughter in law takes advantage of Naomi's offer and bails... gives her a kiss, sheds a tear and is on her way. Ruth on the other hand clings to Naomi. This is a wondeful testimony of what our faith should look like... do we experience God as a passing emotion? Or are we clinging to him with all our might?
So Ruth stays with Naomi, honors her Mother in law, stays true to the family and God is so pleased with Ruth, he blesses her in a way only God can accomplish. Ruth is a fantastic woman, it's obvious why she has her own book of the Bible, one of only two women. She's not just sitting in self pity with her mother in law... she goes out to work and it's while working that God brings about a meeting with an unknown non blood relative Boaz.
Long story short, Boaz is dreamboat... mature, wealthy, loves God and Ruth tells Naomi about him, Naomi is like, "NO WAY GIRLFRIEND! HE'S A RELATIVE OF MY HUSBAND!". As was customary, a man back then could/should take the wife of his dead brother, so Naomi gives Ruth some instructions on how to approach Boaz and she follows them. So Ruth obeys and goes to see him, Boaz is so impressed that Ruth didn't try and get with some of the younger(perhaps more studly) men, and presents herself in a humble way, he falls in love with her.
As yet another example of how our faith is be enacted, Boaz admits there is another relative who has first dibs for taking Ruth as a wife. So, eventhough he's fallen for her and it seems like a miracle that their paths have crossed, he obeys the law, and offers Ruth to the other relative. The other dude has an obligation with his birthright that prevents him from being able to marry Ruth, so Boaz at this moment must be doing a heck of a happy dance internally and agrees to take Ruth as his wife.
God is so pleased with these two obedient, self sacrificing individuals, he blesses them with the highest honor you could imagine, a son named Obed. Not impressed? From this son's line comes one of the greatest human kings the world has ever known, David, and from David's line, the KING OF KINGS... Jesus Christ.
Let's be loyal to our families, both blood and law. Showing the love of Christ to our families shows God that we truly love him.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Simple Pleasures
After returning to California yesterday afternoon and still on east coast time, my Saturday morning wake up time was seriously out of wack. As I was lying in bed half awake around 5:30am, I heard the sweet voice of my 2.5 year old daughter down the hallway. I got out of bed, met her in the hallway and by the look on her face, just about scared her to death.
Following a brief good morning to my mostly asleep wife, we proceeded down stairs to start our day together. I put cartoons on for my daughter, and went into my office to see what's going on in the world. Read the Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale daily devotional, checked a few technology pages, decided to listen to last Sunday's sermon at Reliance Church where I've attended for close to 2 years. I had missed last Sunday due to a cold/flu type thing that seems like it's been making its rounds to just about everyone I know.
While listening to the streaming sermon (Reliance Church Sermons), my daughter comes into my office, and climbs up onto my chair and into my lap. She lays her head on my shoulder, looks into my eyes and I'm filled with love. While still listening to the sermon, I start to gently massage her back, I can feel the weight of her body relax onto my chest. I would hope most all mothers and fathers know this feeling well. I have it now and only minutes after it passes I realize I take these moments for granted. I flash forward to my more advanced days and imagine how precious I will hold this moment.
I think about my life and the many countless hours I've spent playing video games, watching TV, Movies, etc. There are so many things that allow me to pass the time with ease, they are entertaining at the time, but completely empty and mean nothing once the moment has passed. While still feeling the love of the moment with my daughter, another feeling comes over me... regret. I regret how frequently I get into the "passing time" mindset. Why is it so easy and desirable to find the least important things to invest our time in?
We're in a constant battle. We are selfish creatures. The paradox is that while our desires are to please ourselves, there is no fulfillment in them. True fulfillment comes from outside of ourselves. I believe that true fulfillment comes from Jesus Christ. I look at the world and see that even the most successful people are so unhappy. What was wrong with Heath Ledger? He was beautiful, talented, and very rich, why did he die alone?
I would encourage everyone to take an honest look at yourself, if you're not happy now, what do you believe will make you happy? A husband? A wife? The right job? The right car? The right security financially? A group of friends? Be careful where you place your hope, everything above has already been desired after and attained by countless individuals, only to find themselves void of fulfillment in their lives. I'm not saying everyone should run out and have a daughter and keep her at exactly 2.5 years of age to cuddle with. My daughter gives me love that lasts for a moment, but Jesus and his Word give me purpose, hope, and fulfillment that will never leave nor forsake me.
Following a brief good morning to my mostly asleep wife, we proceeded down stairs to start our day together. I put cartoons on for my daughter, and went into my office to see what's going on in the world. Read the Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale daily devotional, checked a few technology pages, decided to listen to last Sunday's sermon at Reliance Church where I've attended for close to 2 years. I had missed last Sunday due to a cold/flu type thing that seems like it's been making its rounds to just about everyone I know.
While listening to the streaming sermon (Reliance Church Sermons), my daughter comes into my office, and climbs up onto my chair and into my lap. She lays her head on my shoulder, looks into my eyes and I'm filled with love. While still listening to the sermon, I start to gently massage her back, I can feel the weight of her body relax onto my chest. I would hope most all mothers and fathers know this feeling well. I have it now and only minutes after it passes I realize I take these moments for granted. I flash forward to my more advanced days and imagine how precious I will hold this moment.
I think about my life and the many countless hours I've spent playing video games, watching TV, Movies, etc. There are so many things that allow me to pass the time with ease, they are entertaining at the time, but completely empty and mean nothing once the moment has passed. While still feeling the love of the moment with my daughter, another feeling comes over me... regret. I regret how frequently I get into the "passing time" mindset. Why is it so easy and desirable to find the least important things to invest our time in?
We're in a constant battle. We are selfish creatures. The paradox is that while our desires are to please ourselves, there is no fulfillment in them. True fulfillment comes from outside of ourselves. I believe that true fulfillment comes from Jesus Christ. I look at the world and see that even the most successful people are so unhappy. What was wrong with Heath Ledger? He was beautiful, talented, and very rich, why did he die alone?
I would encourage everyone to take an honest look at yourself, if you're not happy now, what do you believe will make you happy? A husband? A wife? The right job? The right car? The right security financially? A group of friends? Be careful where you place your hope, everything above has already been desired after and attained by countless individuals, only to find themselves void of fulfillment in their lives. I'm not saying everyone should run out and have a daughter and keep her at exactly 2.5 years of age to cuddle with. My daughter gives me love that lasts for a moment, but Jesus and his Word give me purpose, hope, and fulfillment that will never leave nor forsake me.
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