I will be with you

I am with you! by Nordeman & Grant

Every night I pray with my Mom, Papa , and Aunt Janie there is one thing I always pray. Thankfulness for being together and that God is with us. 

This morning God so blessed me with this song and the reminder of the beauty of saying, "I am with you." I was listening and decided to play it again as I read and then God had me read Isaiah 43:2. God gave us this verse when we flooded and lost everything. Mom and Poddy let us live with them while our home was restored. I just realized that we are blessing them the way they blessed us.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you" (Isaiah 43:2).

I love those whispers. I heard God whisper His reminder this morning, "I will be with you."

Our lives are blessed and good. We are under no trial or tribulation. Our blessing is that in both our good times and bad times we know that God is with us and we are together.  

We are so thankful.

Simply, God says to me and you, "I am with you!"

Aunt Jeannie's Last Bible Story

As I looked down at this photo on my phone, I realized that Ruth was the very last Bible story that Aunt Jeannie (Greg’s Aunt) heard before she passed. Last weekend, Greg and I made a hurried trip to Illinois to say goodbye for now. At one point Greg had the privilege of living with Uncle Stan and Aunt Jeannie. It was a good memory for Greg in a season when life was not good. Uncle Stan and Aunt Jeannie provided Greg and Darren with family and love. So, when we heard about Aunt Jeannie taking a turn for the worse we rushed there because Greg needed to let her know how much he loved her.

Our time was precious. Holy. On our last afternoon with Uncle Stan and Aunt Jeannie, they wanted me to share the Bible story of Ruth because I had given them a bandana from our last trip. She had me hang it up in her room so she could stare at it and everyone coming in could look at it. There is something very beautiful about how family affirms us.

Greg and I helped them nestle in and get comfortable. Hospital rooms are so cold and as we get older our bodies seem to always be cold. They were like two little bugs all snuggled up in their blankets as I stood to tell the story of Ruth. I tried very hard to keep my storyteller voice quieter than normal since I tend to project. As I started telling the story they both smiled at me and started nodding their heads as they remembered the story. I felt inspired and blessed.

By the time I reached the fourth row of the storyboard, I noticed they were both starting to nod off to sleep. I looked over at Greg and he smiled at me the same way he did when the kids were little and we felt the honor of accomplishing someone into the gift of glorious rest. There is something peaceful and magical about these types of moments.

I slowly started lowering my voice more so that it did not startle them awake as I told a little more of the story until I knew for sure they were sound asleep. What an honor.

Later that evening, Uncle Stan told me he remembered exactly where he fell asleep. He knew it was the fourth row! I love that he knew the story so well that he could identify where in the story he rested.

So, today as I looked at this image of the storyboard hanging on the wall, I had this gift of remembrance cover me. I am so thankful that we went. It will forever be a treasure to Greg and me. But, to have been the one to tell Aunt Jeannie her last Bible story just caught me off guard.The morning after I told her the story Aunt Jeannie went home to be with the LORD.  I wonder. Will she tell Ruth that she was just listening to her story the night before?

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the lesson we taught in South Asia about Providence, Providence is when God uses the ordinary to bring about His supernatural plans.

Shalom y’all!

Why I want to be like Ruth

A recently widowed young foreign woman changes the trajectory of both her mother-in-law and herself by being present and doing what it takes to honor the God of her deceased husband and mother-in-law.

That is my short description of Ruth's story.

No wonder Ruth is a favorite book of the Bible for women worldwide. 

Not only was Ruth living in dark times when people chose to do whatever they wanted, but she came from a people group known for harming and not helping a foreigner.  

When Ruth said to her bitter mother-in-law, Naomi, "Where you go, I will go. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God...," one can't help but wonder if she was looking around her to see how messed up her people lived. 

When people live their lives based on what they see is best for self without considering those around them the community will always hurt. 

I imagine that Ruth's determined statement was born from the fact that Ruth knew the reality of this truth. The one person that showed her the One True God was leaving. She had observed that the One True God gives blessing through calling His people to holy living. Ruth knew she could not stay. It did not matter that Naomi was bitter. For even in Naomi's bitterness she was taking into consideration what would happen to her daughter-in-laws.  Her bitterness was better than with those that did what was right in their own eyes. 

You can't help, but respect such courage and determination. Ruth as the younger widow in that moment declared by her decision to go that she would be a present help to her mother-in-law.  It would have been the expectation that the younger person would care for the elder and since they were widows this would be taking on the man's responsibilities as provider. That is alot of responsibility.

Ruth didnt wait for life to happen. She was a strategic thinker that planned ahead by asking her mother-in-law permission if she could go get food by gleaning in the fields. She was willing to do back breaking barley and wheat gathering from what fell off as the harvesters worked. This meant she would be stooped over picking tiny grains off the ground. My back is hurting just thinking about it.

She wasted no time. As soon as they arrived in Bethlehem, she found a field and asked permission to glean and then she went to work. We are told she only took a short rest. No one could call Ruth lazy. This girl had a "get the job done" work ethic. 

When Boaz approached her and spoke kindly to her, she bowed in humbleness and admitted that she was a foreigner and a servant below his own servants. 

She recognized his favor and showed gratitude. When Boaz invited her to join his harvesters, drink his water, and eat with him, she joined in and partook until she was satisfied. But what is more amazing is she saved back some for her mother-in-law.  Her being satisfied did not stop her from thinking of others. She remained faithful and consistent in her character of serving. It wasn't a show. It was a reality of her core character. 

When Ruth returned home that night, she told her mother-in-law everything that happened that day after showing the bounty of what she gleaned. Even though she was now the provider and had a full stomach, she did not get prideful. She remained a servant acting as a covering over Naomi obediently working the harvest season until the very end. She lived out what her words said on the road between Moab and Bethlehem.

Ruth was a woman of holy excellence. No wonder women love her story. In her own right, she modeled Christlikeness in her willingness to serve and not be served. Just as Christ provides a covering over us as our suffering servant, Ruth lived out a covering over Naomi so that she found refuge. God used Ruth to be an instrument in delivering Naomi from her bitterness to position of praise and hope. Everyone needs a family member like like that in their lives.

How might God be challenging you in your life? Yes, you can be a guy and be challenged by these character traits because character at the core is not a male or female thing. Character at the core is either holy or unholy and that is not male or female. It is either right or wrong. 

I have learned that character and consistency will reveal a person's core character. You cannot hide what is inside you. It is observable. 

What character qualities are revealed by your life? If we could hear of your story, what might be told?  Would it be described as one who did what was right in their own eyes? Or would it be described as as someone who served others and considered them better than themselves as they served?

Ruth humbles me because I know I am a work in progress. She was too. I catch myself asking, "Am I acting as a love covering for _____ or am I just covering me?"

I admit that it is easier to do for some than others. 

The reality is those around us will see and we will discover that blessings will come. In serving others, we will be satisfied and able to serve them more even if it is a bitter mother-in-law or you fill in the blank ______. 

Shalom y'all.

Why I want to be like Boaz

Do you have someone in your life that just because of their very presence you are blessed? Who is that person and why?

Women the world over love the book of Ruth because of how she models the beauty of a sacrificial servant. But, more than the model of Ruth, women love all that Boaz embodies. 

I recently had a lady call out in a Bible study with my team in Uganda, "I want a Boaz!" We all laughed. Some things are worth shouting out about.

So, why is Boaz such a big deal? Well, what I noticed just in Ruth 2 blew my mind.

Boaz was a man of valor who acted knightly. He blessed his workers and the cool part was his workers blessed him back. Boaz noticed people because he was observant and asked good questions. He used that knowledge to validate people by showing he placed value in them. As a leader he protected, provided, guided and nourished the one that could not give back with an abundant of blessings. He did this in such a way the one was satisfied and then able to bless another. He was generous and safe because he willingly provided refuge and redemption.

Wozer! What a man!  

God used Boaz to move the bitter Naomi into recognizing the blessing and favor of God. 

Boaz stood out because his story happened during a time when everyone did what they wanted without consideration of others.

Boaz is a Christ like model for all to see and yes imitate. His life pointed to Jesus and what He embodied. His life makes us long for more of this type of life.

His character traits are beautiful to observe but beloved they are even better when lived out. 

Okay, I am not a guy, but the embodiment of these character traits are Christlike. Even as a woman, I can pray, let me be a woman of valor that acts graciously so that I observe and notice others to find ways to value and validate them. I can be generous, safe, and kind while seeking ways to bless so that others are satisfied and then able to bless others, too. 

Imagine our homes if we acted in such ways. Imagine our cities and nations. Things would be different.

Father, You are our Great Refuge and Redeemer. You are our safe place and the one who nourishes our souls so we can nourish others. Thank you for providing our shelter under Your wings. Father, we recognize that we cannot live out such valor apart from You. Please come and fill us up so we can live so righteously that Boaz' valor is seen and known in us. We ask this for Your glory. Not our own. We ask so that others may know Your blessing, and satisfaction so that they willingly go and bless others with what they have received.  We ask in Jesus' name, amen.

Before you think I am a posting just about a guy. Soon, I will post how Ruth points to Jesus, too.

Lessons Learned as I Messed up Telling Ruth 1

Before we began the story of Ruth, Greg shared background information about where the story fits into God's timeline. He emphasized that Ruth happened during the time of judges when all were doing things in their own way which was contrary to God. He also shared that the Moabite nation was an enemy to Israel and cursed by God.

I took the time to explain that God chose to use a widowed Moabite to teach Israel the lesson of loyal love (chesed in Hebrew or translated as kindness in English). This is key to the story because the LORD has loyal love for us and we should demonstrate loyal love like Ruth did for Naomi. 

I then told the story twice. It wasn't until Senda retold the story back to me that I realized in both of my tellings I skipped the line where Naomi thanked her daughter-in-laws for their kindness or loyal love to their dead husband's and her and asked God to give them rest in a new marriage.

Seriously, I missed it twice even after telling them how important this is to the entire text. Ugh!

So, when Senda was done telling, I told her, "I am so sorry. I just realized as your were telling, I missed the most important line twice."  I then explained the line to her and Abel and told them where it went in this story.

I asked if I needed to retell so they would know where it went in the story. They said, "No." They got it and understood.

This is one way an oral culture and a literate culture differ. An oral culture can hear parts of a story in a circular way. It doesn't bother them for us to to say, "Oh I forgot this part. It goes here." For them it makes sense. They get it and they do not need the linear outline. Where a literate person feels that they have hurt the story if it is not linear. 

John Walsh helped me understand this by saying that we should think of it like a family telling a story at the dinner table over and over. It may not be told the same everytime because different people tell it. But the same story is told. The content is in tact, but the order may fluctuate.

I have noticed through the years that this happens as my friends in eastern cultures retell a Bible story. This can be because people from eastern cultures focus on the big picture of a story while people in western cultures focus on the details. Neither are wrong. Both are a perspective. Our perspective can cause a shift in how we hear a story and retell a story and as a trainer of cross cultures I find myself in this different perspective periodically.

Sometimes, if I do notice a mess up I will do a retelling with a story correction and then point it out or ask if they noticed I added something. With this couple, I don't need to because I know their skill level and ability to tell. 

I also provide audio recordings and YouTube recordings for future reference and accuracy checks. I also provide the drawings as a resource. These are helpful. 

The other resource that helped me better understand this ambiguity was the Bible. One year as I read through Acts, I realized that they told the story of Jesus over and over but differently each time. It was reordered with each audience and parts were emphasized and other parts removed based on who was telling and the people group. All were accurate, but a little different. 

We must remember that the Bible was first orally created in an eastern culture.  

This does not mean that we should add our commentary, devotional thought, or preach what we think it means when we are telling a Bible story. Those need to be dealt with outside of the telling of the sacred text. They have their place for explaining and helping people understand a text, but should not happen when the text is being told as a whole.  We need to keep the sacred sacred. This is why we use clear beginnings and endings when we tell a Bible story. 

Everything in the Bible is true and in Ruth, we are told...

...May God honor the telling of His Word!

A good storyteller will mess up. For me, it felt like a royal ugh!  Yet, my friend's just nodded and made the mental story correction. 

Have you ever told a Bible story and had to make a correction after skipping a part? What happened? What did you learn from it? 

The Boaz Blessing

Have you ever had someone verbally bless you? 

I love it when someone blesses me. There is something special about a kind word that softens the heart. It can come through a greeting, a text, a kind word, and even a kind deed. As I studied Ruth 2, I noticed something that was profound to me. Boaz was the owner of the land and as a landowner, he had workers harvesting the fields. When I think of most bosses, I do not envision them walking into the office shouting out, “The LORD bless you!” But this is exactly what Boaz did. As he approached his workers, he shouted out a blessing to them, “The LORD bless you!” and they called out a blessing to him in response, "The LORD bless you!" 

Now, Boaz didn’t just bless his workers, but as he had a conversation with the young foreign, widowed, girl that showed up to glean with his women workers, he gave her a blessing, too. But it wasn’t an ordinary blessing. 

After acknowledging Ruth’s good character Boaz said, “May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” 

I honestly had to sit on this blessing for a while as I answered the question, “What do you learn about God?” I was reflecting on Boaz’s blessing and these three words repay, reward, and refuge stood out to me. 

In order to repay someone, it implies that something that was lost will be restored. 

In order to reward someone implies that something will be given that you do not already possess. 

In order to provide refuge under His wings implies that there is the intimacy of one being held close under the protective shelter of one’s strength. 

It occurred to me that Boaz recognized that the LORD was the One that can restore what was lost, give us what we don’t possess, and provide us with safe intimate refuge as our Protector. 

Keep in mind he said this to a young woman that recently lost her husband due to illness, left her home to go to a foreign land to care for her widowed mother-in-law, and left her people’s culture and gods to follow the God of Israel, the Most High God. How little did he know that his blessing her would open the door for him to become the answer not just for her but for the whole nation of Israel and the world. 

Boaz became her husband and the father of their son, Obed. Obed became the father of Jesse. Jesse became the father of King David and King David was the grandfather of Jesus. Boaz not only provided the intimate protection that gave her refuge that was safe and secure, but he restored what was lost in her husband and gave her more in a son. 

Not every blessing we give will have such profound outcomes, but when we give a blessing, it implies that there is something to give. We must take note that the blessing comes from the LORD. He alone is the Giver of all good things even if we may become a part of the solution or answer to the blessing in time. The good gift is from Him alone. 

Some might hold back in giving blessings for fear they may have to sacrifice as part of the solution, but we must remember that if we hold back in giving the blessing then we might miss out on the greater good that will come. 

What if we all gave Boaz’s blessing to one another? 

May the LORD repay you for what you have done. 

May the LORD richly reward you. 

May the LORD give you refuge under His wings. 

Please know that it is my heart's cry over you right now! May the LORD bless you so you can go and be a blessing! 

Shalom, y’all! 

(The Ruth 2 Storyboard was created by Alice Swartz! She created it during our study and then blessed me by sharing it with me!)

What type of leader does God honor?

What type of leadership does God honor? Sometimes, it is helpful to see the contrast in a unique way.

Selfishness, disobedience, anarchy, and perversion prevailed during the time of judges. The nation of Israel was nearing the end of 400 years of the nation living by "doing what is right in their own eyes".

Judges were deliverers sent to remind, rescue, and redeem the nation during a crisis. It was during this time that we hear of a young Moabite widow named Ruth. Keep in mind that to an Israelite a Moabite was cursed by God because they attacked Israel in her wanderings. They were basically viewed as an enemy of the people of God. Yet, Ruth's loyalty and kindness stands in stark contrast to what has occurred in the last 400 years in the nation.

God has a plan and His plan is to redeem His people. His plan will prevail even if He must use a young foreign woman to illustrate the depth of His redeeming love.

It is during this time the story of Ruth rises to remind us of the type of leader God will honor.

As I reflected on two truths David Guzik said about Ruth's leadership, "Character before conduct and responsibility before results," I started pondering basic truths that must come before leadership is known. Notice that all begin with what is happening on the inside before outward results occurred.

We do not know how long Mahlon and Kilion were married to Orpah and Ruth, but we do know that the family lived in Moab for ten years. Ten years they were able to show what was on the inside. Ten years for Ruth to watch and observe. Now in the moment of great grief and decision Ruth reveals what happened on the inside. The truth of her depth is revealed and her story stands judge over the nations prevailing attitude of "doing what is right in their own eyes."

The more I pondered my list started growing. Some are truths we see in Ruth. Some are truths that support what we observe in her. All are truths we must grow in.

Seek to find
Knock to open
Build foundation before reformation
Build formation before transformation

Willingness leads to opportunities
Dig roots before bear fruit
Build character before conduct
Walk in faithfulness before fruitfulness
Live responsibily before we see results
Grow in depth before breadth
Be before doing
Build the invisible before visible
Live in closet prayers before public influence

How might these character qualities influence our nation today as it faces its own "do what is right in your own eyes" attitude?
 

Heaven's Hospitality: Ruth 2

What if kindness was the norm even during evil times? listen to the kindness found in Ruth 2 and consider how it was lived out during the time of Judges when everyone did what was right in their own eyes. The book of Ruth becomes a sweet reminder that kindness is a beautiful gift in hospitality.

Uncompromising sacrifice

You could hear the hum of his wheel chair and the clicking of the dogs claws as she walked him into the classroom. Every class, the same sounds announced that my professor Dr. Matthis, his wife Odie, and pup had arrived. For three years in my doctoral studies, I watched as Odie daily drove her husband to work, set up his office and classroom space, so he could teach. She stayed on campus all day so she could care for his needs and feed him. See, Dr. Mathis had ALS, but he was called to teach. Odie new that his need to teach gave him strength, meaning, and hope so she sacrificed her personal desires and needs to help Dr. Matthis fulfill his call to teach the next generation of leaders. Odie reminds me of Ruth in the Bible.

For something to be considered a sacrifice one must give up either a personal need, want, desire, or dream for anothers benefit. When Ruth's mother-in-law packed everything up to leave Moab after her husband and two sons died, she urged her daughter-in-laws to go home because she had nothing left to give them. Ruth made an astounding choice that day. She willingly chose to give up her culture, home, people, and god to go with Naomi. If you think on it, these are the very things that make up a person's identity. Ruth chose to sacrifice her identity to go and care for her mother-in-law. No wonder Ruth is used as the symbol of loyalty and devotion by biblical scholars. 

We each have choices to make on a daily basis. We can choose to live our lives selfishly, sinfully, or sacrificially. I don't know about you, but my self gets in the way more than it should. And lest I think I don't let sin get in the way, I have to ask myself at times, if I know that I am to die to self daily and don't, wouldn't that be a sin of omission? Please know I am not trying to guilt me or you into sacrifice, but I am trying to challenge us to consider how we might walk more sacricifially. Sometimes the sacrifices might be thrust upon us because of relationships, jobs, illness or the death of a loved one. Regardless of the circumstance, it is the attitude of the service that makes it a sacrifice worth noting. Both Odie and Ruth willingly sacrificed because they lived in loyal love. It is a beautiful thing to watch, but not an easy journey to walk. 

Over the years I started to call Odie-"Odiedear" because Odiedear always affectionately called me Tara'Darlin. It is amazing how lives can be changed by one who lives out sacrificially for others. For Ruth, her sacrifice led to her salvation. She believed in the one true God. He gave her a husband and a child. Her son was a grandfather in the lineage of Jesus. We never know the outcome of our sacrifices, but the rewards always outweigh the alternatives of selfishness and sinfulness. Father, please help us to live sacrificialy like Odiedear and Ruth. Where would you like for us to sacrifice today? Help us to walk it joyfully. In Jesus name, amen!

Photo credit: Robert T. Barrett from the American Gallery