The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Four

"Turn From the Dark Corner"

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt no hope? You were backed into a corner so far that all you wanted to do was run but the options of where to run seem to be slim-to-none. Nothing feels as horrible as when a person feels there is no hope. Life has dealt you a lousy hand and folding seems your only option.

From our last two lessons we find that the family of Elimelech has experienced the pangs of poverty and famine. They moved away from the Promised Land of God and in disobedience went back across the Jordan to the land of the sworn enemies of the Israelites. When they got there Elimelech died. Naomi was left with her two sons who eventually married two Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth. Then, the two sons, Mahlon and Kilion also died.

Ruth 1:6-7 Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. So Naomi and her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland. With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah.

I wonder how Naomi heard that God had come to the aid of His people. She had been gone ten long and devastating years. How her heart must have ached for husband and sons. Longing for the familiar, the friendly, and the family she had left behind in Bethlehem probably visited her every thought. From the corner she had been backed into she saw a ray of hope and she was going for it. The Lord had seen fit to provide for His people. There was a way out for this family or what was left of it. But this glimmer of hope sparked Naomi on.

I know I’ve been backed into hopeless corners too. I’ve lost friends and family to a loss of hope. Time after time I’ve turned my eyes toward the dark corner of hopelessness. It’s so dumb...yes I said DUMB! Why do I believe that standing in a corner with my eyes searching the darkness is better than Him and the hope He promises me?

Psalm 121:1-3  I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.

This passage tells us that our help out is not found anywhere but in the Lord God. That is where our only hope lies. We find hope by turning around from our little corner and seeking Him.   I live at the base of the mountains, near the foothills of the Rockies. Every time I look up to Long's Peak I am overwhelmed by the grandeur. However, the mountain itself has no power to reach down to my need and fill it. There's only one Rock that can do that.

Psalm 62:5-7 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

Hope…without it we would die. There are many things we can place our hope in but there is only one True Hope. Elimelech took his family away from the hope God had placed before His people. Instead he looked to pagans for hope.

When hope dies, we die spiritually and oftentimes physically and mentally. But God in His love has given us hope in His Son Jesus. We can celebrate knowing and believing that God is and has provided His best for us through Jesus. 

We may not define hope like the Bible teaches. Our hope may be in the things that this world offers. I have viewed hope as rescue from my financial worries when the Sweepstakes team comes to my door with a check. (That’s never happened!) I have viewed hope as a knight-in-shining-armor. Each has failed me. Even those like my pastor, my husband, my kids, my mom and dad, have let me down. Even when their intentions are meant to be the best, they are only human. I need a Savior. I need the One who knows me best and loves me most.

When I place my hope in Jesus I can rely on Him. His answers may not be what I want to hear but when I follow Him with an obedient heart He provides. He waits for me to return from my own field trips to the land of false hope. I know better and as I grow in my faith I choose to follow Him.

Naomi, with her girls in tow, grabbed hold of the hope of God. They ran to Him and embarked on the journey back to the Promised Land. The journey of faith is not an easy one. She set out on the road that would take them back to the land of her people; to the place where God provides.

God calls us all home, to the place where He provides. Any other place is not sufficient. False hope never fills the stomach or the heart. God is faithful and will supply our every need. All we have to do is place our feet on the right road and take one step after another towards Him. I’m ready. Are you coming along ?

Here are Jesus' thoughts: (I love knowing that He really said this!)

Matthew 6:25-27 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” (Helen Lemmel 1922)

The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Three

 "Cross Me Back Over"

Ruth 1: 1-7

Because of the famine in their hometown of Bethlehem, Elimelech moved his family to a place called Moab. God had promised the people of Israel, before they crossed the Jordan River, if they remained obedient to Him He would provide for them. The famine indicated that they had not been obedient.

Deuteronomy 11:13-15 (NLT) “If you carefully obey all the commands I am giving you today, and if you love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart and soul, then he will send the rains in their proper seasons—the early and late rains—so you can bring in your harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil. He will give you lush pastureland for your livestock, and you yourselves will have all you want to eat.”

Elimelech removed his family from the land God had promised to the Israelites and moved them to a pagan country. Moab was considered an enemy of God’s people at the time. So why did he decide to move away from home? Could it be that he didn’t trust God’s judgment anymore? Or could it be that he hoped that there was more abundance and better opportunity in the land of the Moabites? Whatever the reason he was leaving the promises of God behind and moving to a place where God was not present.

The journey he had to take wasn’t an easy one by any stretch of the imagination. They had to hike through the bleak, God-forsaken Jericho pass, then through the Judaean  no-man’s land that was near the Dead Sea. After making it through these places he had to cross the Jordan River and then enter the land of Moab. Elimelech left the Promised Land of Israel and returned to the wilderness from which God had delivered Israel many, many years before. He was walking into something that God had brought them out of.

Have you ever returned to a place in your life that God had brought you out of? What did it take to get you to return to Him and the promises He made to you?

We all cross the proverbial river out of God’s promises. In order to do this we have to turn our backs on Him and what He desires to bless us with. You’d think we’d know better but we often take the desolate path to a perceived “greener grass.”

Elimelech removed his family from the safety of God protected Promised Land by not only a physical move but also a spiritual one as well. It doesn’t say that he was disobedient to God, but it does say he left the area God had commanded His children to be.

When we leave the will of the Mighty One, we risk the results of our own choices. God is the kind of God who allows us the freedom to choose. He does, however, love us enough to warn us of the consequences of exercising this freedom when we choose poorly. I’m pretty sure Elimelech knew the consequences but, he either chose to ignore them or didn’t believe them. Whatever the case we will learn what the consequences of his actions cost him.

Ruth 1:6-7 (NLT) Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. So Naomi and her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland. With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah.

Ruth was a widow with two sons. We don’t know how much time passed but we do know what happened. Elimelech died and Ruth had to go on. Elimelech’s actions affected not only him but those who were brought into the situation as well. 

The actions we take, whether good or bad, affect those around us. When we make choices for ourselves, how often do we think about the effects on those we love?

Hard journey ~ death ~ marriage ~death ~ the unknown. Naomi was faced with so much pain. She was taken from the land of her God and the familiar to a land without God and the unfamiliar. Poor decisions and the consequences of them often bring on more pain that the original pain. I’ve felt the pain of my decisions time and time again. You would think that I would learn. Happily at my age I’m starting to learn the lessons God wants me to learn. “The stove is hot Carrie...the stove is hot...it will burn you...don’t touch it...the stove is hot...”

I can remember times when I turned and crossed the Jordan River of bad decisions. Early on in my young adult life I would enter into destructive relationship after destructive relationship. Between each one I would return to God for comfort for my pain, but I would quickly return to cross the Jordan again, away from God’s promises. So when I did finally get married, those past relationships threatened to destroy the connection with my husband because I would compare him to others. When I finally allowed God to lead me back to the Promised Land side of the Jordan, my marriage grew and strengthened.  Throughout my life I have made poor choices but God in His mercy, always called me back to His blessings.

Romans 11:33-35 (NLT) Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?
 And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?

I want to learn the ways of God from the inside out. I don’t want to walk on uneven paths and stumble along the way. Over the years I have come to learn that God’s ways are even and He walks beside me. As He walks beside me, He reminds me of His deep, deep love and affection for me. It’s a delight-filled rapport that the two of us have. It makes me smile just thinking about it. Why do I still choose to walk away?

He’s with me through the hard times. He’s with me through the good times. When I stray from His leading, He calls me back to Him. If I’m not too focused on what I want to do, I turn around and run to Him. Sometimes, I have to crawl out of the pit I’ve fallen into.

God wants you to know this delight too. Through His Son Jesus, He has provided the perfect companion to guide you through life’s journey. Will you cross the Jordan River of your poor decisions back into the Promised Land of His love for you? If you will, He will reveal to you His best and perfect plan for your precious life.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NLT) “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

Bring me home again Lord. Cross me back over the Jordan of my bad decisions to the promises of Your love.

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The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Two

"A Clear and Smooth Stone"

Ruth 1:1-5 (NLT) "In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there.

Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband."

Almost everyone likes a love story. The Old Testament book of Ruth is such a story. It is filled with a wide range of emotion, from severe loss to ecstatic joy. This short book, only four chapters long, lays out the splendid care God is happy to give His people.

No one really knows who wrote the book of Ruth but tradition holds that the prophet Samuel was the author. This little book was later read with four other books of the Old Testament ~ Song of Songs ~ Ruth ~ Lamentations ~ Ecclesiastes ~ Esther ~ at the Feasts of Israel. Ruth was always read at the Feast of Harvest which is better known as Pentecost, because the majority of the book is set in the harvest fields.

The Book of Ruth is special because it reveals that God chose Ruth, who was not even an Israelite, but was from pagan descent, to further show us what His wonderful plan is all about. At the end of this marvelous little book it is revealed that Ruth is part of the ancestors of King David (she his great-grandmother) and thus in the ancestry of Jesus.

Ruth lived in around the 12^th century BC It’s often hard for those of us living today to grasp how a story so old could be relevant. But, strangely, even supernaturally, it does. God reaches across the centuries and touches our hearts by telling us the story of a young woman named Ruth who would be a great part of His plan.

The story begins like this: “In the days when..." It reminds me of how fairytales start ~ “Once upon a time…" Already I feel connected because of all the fairytales that my mother would read to me started out that way. The Book of Ruth is anything but a fairytale. There are no dragons do be slain or wicked witches to melt. But rather there is famine and death ~ love and loss. 

So we start out with a once-upon-a-time and then meet get our first person in the story.  Elimelech was his name and he was from Bethlehem of Judah. Interestingly, the Hebrew name “Elimelech” means, “God is my King.” That's a cool name. However, I don’t think it will be on the top ten baby names anytime soon.

I mentioned in yesterday’s devotion that “Bethlehem” means, “house of bread.” Interestingly the “Bread of Life” (Jesus) was born there. Isn’t God cool? He focuses on the details of everything but is never distracted by them. Do you know anyone else capable of doing that?

Elimelech was married to a lady named "Naomi" which means “my joy.” They had two sons "Mahlon" which means “sick” and "Kilion" which means “failing.” I find it interesting that Hebrew names often reflect what is going on with that person. 

God knows what your name means and it is positive. In fact, He has a new name written in heaven for you. 

Revelation 2:17 (MSG)"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I'll give the sacred manna to every conqueror; I'll also give a clear, smooth stone inscribed with your new name, your secret new name." 

Those who follow Jesus have a clear, smooth stone with our new, secret name written on it. The things we faced on this earth in our failing bodies will be no more. Jesus renames us and gives us a new heavenly body for eternity. He doesn't erase who we are, He completes us!

Sometimes we define ourselves with negative words. They do not jibe with the true one that God  gives us. Satan wants nothing more than for God’s people to believe the untrue and hurtful meanings of our names on this earth. God wants us to know that we are special to Him. He has a new name written on a stone smoothed by the wind of His Spirit.

The evil one loves to distract us from the things that God has planned out for us. He lies, steals, cheats and destroys because he hates anything that God loves. God does dearly and honestly love you. I lean heavily on this truth. 

So many times we focus on things that are happening to us or our bodies and lose sight of the plans that God has for us. You’ve heard the phrase, “It’s not about us” tossed around nowadays. (Sometimes I get tired of hearing it.) It isn’t about us. God’s plan is for our good and for the glory of His great name and reputation.

We will see that God does provide for those He loves in the Book of Ruth. He often uses the unexpected to get our attention. From the first two verses of the book we find that He is very present and very active in the lives of those written about in this fabulous little book.

God does love you and wants nothing more than to be in a delight-filled, promise-keeping, need-providing relationship. Are you ready to walk toward His excellent intentions for your precious life? Hopefully this study will take you many steps closer to His loving arms.

The Book of Ruth ~Devotion One

"Keep The Hope Rope Tight"

None of us can ever really comprehend the immensity of how God works. As we look at the Book of Ruth we discover how wonderful His plans come together even though things seem dismal. Could He really have that kind of story for you and me?

So often we get caught up in the circumstantial aspects of people’s lives. If we dare look closer we would see the paths they took and understand why God took them there. It's hard to imagine something good coming out of something so hard. We don't see the intentions of God and forget they He has the best plans for us, even through the rough spots.

GOOD INTENTIONS

Ruth 1:1-2 "In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there."

Famine was beating down on the land of God’s people. In fact the little town of Bethlehem, known as “House of Bread” was experiencing the hunger pangs of being without. Elimelech knew he needed to take care of his family. We see that he made a critical choice that wasn’t preceded by the most important thing ~ seeking God through prayer.

You see a crisis can spur us on to making poor choices and Elimelech was definitely making a poor choice. He chose to act without seeking God’s leading. A crisis can spur us on to making poor choices. Our choices always affect others.

BAD CHOICES

Ruth 1:3-5 "Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband."

Elimelech chose to leave the Promised Land that God had given His chosen people. Even through crisis God will provide. All we have to do is ask Him. When we leave God’s will we turn our backs on Him and walk away from His solutions and provision. We may not like what is happening to us, but running away to find a better path isn’t the answer.

Jesus talks about God’s provision in Matthew 7:7-11. “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him."

God provides for us and He provides nothing but the best. Where else can you find that? The sparkle and shine of the yellow-brick-roads of this life cannot compare to what He has in store for those who choose Him.

Isaiah 40:18 "To whom can you compare God? What image can you find to resemble him?"

Nothing compares to God. If nothing can compare to Him, then wouldn't His actions toward His children be incomparable? His ways are the best. Why do we doubt this so often? So as we study this book, let's open our eyes to the ways of God.

HOPE CAN DIE

Elimelech died and along with him the hopes of his family died. Not only that, 10 years and two daughter-in-laws later, the two sons die. More hope died. Left without any hope, Naomi was at the end herself. She was at the end of her rope.

When we come to the end of hope, all we have to do is to look up and find it.

HOPE IS CONTAGIOUS

Ruth 1:6-7 "Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. So Naomi and her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland. With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah. Naomi heard that God has come to the aid of His people by providing food for them. She packed and left with her two daughters-in-law to find this hope."

Someone spread the news that God was providing for His people in Naomi's hometown of Bethlehem. A small spark of hope was flickering in her heart. When we hear about the Good News of God’s kindness and provision our hope can be re-kindled. We want to share in this hope and a light begins to spark in our hearts. That little fire drives us forward.

The road to Judah for them was the road to their true home ~ the place where God intended. Where is the place God intends for you? Do you know? Better yet, have you asked Him? Sometimes we don't want to hear where our place in His will is. We may be scared that it will be away from the life we know or that He will ask us to do something we can't do or don't want to do. No matter what we think, God's plan is always best. He always gives us the ability and means to get where He wants us to go.

BRING OTHERS WITH YOU

Ruth 1:8-10 "But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, 'Go back to your mothers’ homes. And may the Lord reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me. May the Lord bless you with the security of another marriage.' Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept. 'No,' they said. 'We want to go with you to your people.'"

Naomi didn’t want to force Orpah and Ruth to go with her. She still wasn’t sure that the news of God’s provision was true. If only she had known that it was true she would have begged them to go with her.

God’s love and provision is for everyone and we should show the way for others to receive it. Do you know the way to find Jesus? Are you willing to share this with others? Why do you think it's so hard to share this? Jesus commands us to tell others where to find Him and why. We are all just beggars telling other beggars where to get bread.

Mark 16:15. "And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.'"

If Naomi hadn’t heard the good news that God was providing for His people back in her hometown she would never have survived. Bethlehem means, "House of Bread." Many years later the "Bread of Life" ~ Jesus the Christ ~ would be born into this world, there in Bethlehem.

MAKING THE HARD CHOICE

Ruth 1:11-14 "But Naomi replied, 'Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands? No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what? Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? No, of course not, my daughters! Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord himself has raised his fist against me.' And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi."

Orpah and Naomi had a choice to make ~ should they go back to a land without hope or go forward to a land of promise. Orpah returned home to the things that she knew. She wasn’t ready to move toward the hope of God’s provision. Ruth made the choice to follow the path of hope to the land of promise. Choosing the land of God’s promises is often a hard choice to make because letting go of what we know for what we haven’t seen is a scary thing.

God’s promises are true. He does provide. It’s our choice to believe Him or not. Every day we are faced with choosing God or choosing what we want. Believing God propels us forward on the path of Hope.

Colossians 1:4 “The lines of purpose in your lives never grow slack, tightly tied as they are to your future in heaven, kept taut by hope.”

The lines of purpose in your lives will NEVER grow slack. I love the fact that our hope is in Jesus and the future we have is in Him. Let’s travel like Ruth and Naomi on the path towards Hope.

I "hope" you continue on in this study of Ruth with me. It will be an interesting and faith inspiring journey. Grab onto the "Hope Rope" and let's travel on together.

Keep the hope rope tight.

Treasures

"Shoot!! Why didn't I see that crayon?"I was angry and frustrated because a crayon had melted in the dryer again. I wondered what was ruined this time and if I could "Shout" it out. My little boy, 5 years old, was always putting things in his pockets; little pieces of crayon, rocks, sticks , dead bugs, just about anything he thought was interesting. They were his little treasures to look at later and keep forever.

Twenty years have passed, and that 5 year old boy has grown up to be a very fine man, with a wife and baby on the way. Where did the time go? His twin sister lives in another state, 20 hours away by car. She had her treasures too you know. She had babies and stuffed animals tucked away in her "secret" places ~ precious to her ~ things that comforted her and let her drift to a wonderful fantasy land.

At the time I was too busy being a mom to enjoy their treasures. Sometimes I would let myself wonder what was going through Johnny's mind when he was placing that "precious something" in his pockets with his dirty little hands. I would chuckle thinking about the possible scenario that had brought him to the delight he had found. Other times I would sit down with my girlie-girl Katie and brush her dollies' hair or arrange the Barbie house with all the little extras of Barbie's immense wardrobe. When I did, those where memory treasures I would tuck inside my heart to enjoy later.

I store up treasures in my heart, places to travel to in my mind, that will bring me joy later on. They are like love letters read over and over again. I store up treasures today. For instance, like watching my grand-baby grow in my precious daughter-in-law's belly. The other day, Marcy had me and my sister feel her belly because the little one had hiccups. Joy ~ delight ~ treasures stored up in my heart ~ good stuff ~ great stuff ~ all mine for sharing or remembering on my own.

This life is a treasure even when we find the melted crayons that show up and make a mess of things. The question is, how will we react to their waxy greasy mess. Does "IT" become our focus or does the treasure that is found in the mess?

Jesus talks about treasures. He knows exactly what to do with them. And He defines the real ones. Jesus says this, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (Matthew 6:19-21 NLT)

So what does He mean by treasures? We can't physically place items in our treasure box in heaven. That means, anything physical isn't what matters. What about people? We can touch and see people, does that mean they can't be in the treasure box? The people I love matter don't they?

These are all good questions, so let's examine them. It's easy to understand why things can't be an eternal treasure. The cars we buy we will eventually loose their shine. The clothes we just had to have, wear out and go out of style. The money we make is never enough. The food we eat and the liquid we drink ends up in the toilet ~ literally! We know this, or should know this, but we still pursue them. Jesus agrees and points us toward things eternal ~ treasures that will last forever ~ treasures that touch our hearts and point us towards Him.

Next,let's examine the people who are important in our lives. Why aren't they eternal treasures? Well, of course they are eternal, (their spirit and soul), but their physical bodies aren't. Each person dies and their bodies turn to dust. And yet, our society places great importance on the appearance of the physical body. Every magazine cover shows us what we SHOULD look like. Young is in, old is out. So we grab onto what we look like to others and judge the importance of others by what they look like to us.

Jesus doesn't want any part of that. He wasn't even good-looking. "There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to Him." (Isaiah 53:2 MSG) But, we know people were drawn to Him. They were drawn to the eternal part of Jesus. The eternal part of them was drawn to Him. His love, His care, His Words drew people to Him. That's the treasure He's talking about.

The treasure we find in others, is the spiritual "insides" of people. It's the gifts God has given to them and we have enjoyed. It's the comfort we've received ~ the joy we've shared ~ the delight we've had ~ those things we can store up in our treasure box in heaven.

There are spiritual treasures we have when we hear a good sermon ~ read in the Bible ~ learn in Bible Studies ~ say in prayer ~ playing music that helps us a we clean the house ~ found in the presence of a godly person leaving this earth ~ the miracle of birth ~ the joy of love ~ the hope of tomorrow ~ the music that soothes the broken soul. The list of treasures is as infinite as it is eternal.

"He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God." (Psalm 40:3 MSG)

The eternal treasure we want to store up are the ones that lead us to praise our God. He helps us with this by providing the song we sing. It's ours to sing and the more we sing, the more people will be attracted to what we have. They will, as the scripture says, "enter the mystery and abandon themselves to God."

Seeing and experiencing someone enter the mystery of God's love and abandon themselves to Him, is a wonderfully exciting treasure that sparkles and gives you chills. Oooooo... put that in your treasure box!

I've heard it said, "You can"t take a U-Haul to Heaven." This is so true. We won't need to pack a bag or worry about what we'll be doing when we get to heaven, because we have a King to hug and a treasure box to open. So let's start now storing up the eternal treasures that Jesus told us to store up ~ cause our mansion awaits and we have songs to sing to our Eternal King who loves us as His treasure.

It's time to clean house, to sort through the mess we've saved. Let go of the past, the hurt, the people, the shame, the what-ifs and the never-was. We need to ask Jesus to clean our house and put things in order. We must ask Him to stay and make His home within our hearts, because if we don't, the junk and lies will make their home there instead. It's time ~ store up God's treasures and leave the mess behind.

"Living an Extraordinary Ordinary Life"

No Oscar, Emmy or cover of People magazine can match what God has awarded me. I am living an extraordinary life. And guess what? You can be too, if you aren't already.

The Academy Awards, a.k.a. "The Oscars" was on the T.V. last Sunday evening. Of course I watched the red carpet interviews and the critiques of the gowns and tuxes the stars were wearing for this big event.

The Hollywood elite would step up to the mic and answer questions about their outfit and movie. Some would answer with a upbeat casual response, others would answer aloofly as if they wanted to be elsewhere. (Who knows their spanx, girdles or shoes may have been killing them). I've heard that stars will actually go through bowel cleansing so their stomachs will be flat and their attire will fit. But, I digress, my apologies.

As they vie for the place of honor in their trade, I began to think about how ordinary they all are underneath the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. They have needs and desires just like we do.

Inside the theatre awaits the trophy they all long for; a thin gold image of a faceless man with their name and accomplishment etched on a little plaque fixed below on the wooden base.

Well, what does all that have to do with living and extraordinary ordinary life? It just reminded me that we all have a desire for our "oscars" in life. We long to be appreciated and acknowledged. Somehow this need seems to give us reason to keep on going. Don't fool yourself if you think you don't need accolades. Everyone needs a good pat on the back or "ata boy or ata girl."

I remember when I was changing the diapers of my twins, getting up over and over in the night to feed them and rock them back to sleep so I could sleep. I'd get up the next day to do washing, cleaning and cooking, all the while feeling like I was never going to get back to living. I wondered if anyone was noticing.

Now, at 50, I ponder the "what-ifs." What if I had continued on with my nursing career...what if I had pursued music...what if I had been a better money manager...what if... The pondering just seems to screw me into the ground, each time I ask what if, cementing me in place. What if...one more pondering turn...what if...another haunting turn. Soon I can't move.

I am not alone. Those famous actors have their "what-ifs" too. Young adults are facing their "what-ifs" as they ponder the future. Young teens ponder the "what-ifs" in their budding relationships. Most of us ponder the "what-ifs" of our appearance, wealth, intelligence, or fame. The problem is that if these "what-ifs," if not coupled with a perfect plan and a perfect guide, will immobilize us, as they screw us further into the ground. What if...turn...what if...turn, turn...what if....

There is a plan ~ a perfect plan ~ a perfecting plan ~ a plan that continues throughout life. There is a guide ~ a perfect guide ~ a perfecting guide ~ a guide that continues throughout life and on into the next life. His name is Jesus. He has made a way where there is no way.

There is an award given to those who love Him. He's enamored with everyone who belongs to Him.

Jesus, the Creator of the universe, deemed me extraordinary when I was knitted together deep within my mother's womb (Psalm 139:13-14). So, why do I seek acknowledgement by anyone else? Why do I chase the proverbial "oscar" of life? Why do I think and ask the "what-ifs?"

So here's to the extraordinary ordinary life I have been awarded. Raise your glass with me and let's say thank you to the One who knows us best and loves us most ~ Jesus! Really nothing can compare.

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10


Be blessed my friend ~ be blessed.

"They Say"

"They say..." Who are "they?" They-sayers, always have the stats hidden behind the phrase, "they say." I'm guilty of using the phrase. I use it when I want to interject into a conversation. It makes me feel like I am contributing and kind of smart sounding. Hmmmmm, maybe not so much.

Here are some things I have heard recently from the benign to the ridiculous:

"They say we are going to have sun all week." That's a really good "they say" I think I'll hold on to.

"They say that the economy is slowly bouncing back." Good news which I receive into my noggin with a slight hesitation because I want it to bounce back quickly.

"They say that 40 is the new 30 and 50 is the new 60." If this is true, common logic would continue and they would say 100 is the new 90. Why can't we all just accept our age?

On and on and on the "they sayers" go. Interjecting and citing things that may or may not be true. Rumor upon rumor ~ back and forth ~ chitter-chatter. What is true? What may be true is just really interesting. Why do I listen? Why do I throw my "they say..." into a conversation? Why do I have to make myself look good and have the last say?

As a believer in Jesus, He calls me to listen to "He says" instead of "they say." Because He says it I know it is true. Here are some "He says" that thrill my heart and help me learn to be a better person:

Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone (Jesus) in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on.
Whoever believes need never be shaken. Isaiah 28:16

Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid!" Matthew 28:10a

There are so many words that came from our Lord's mouth that speak to those who choose to believe and trust Him with their lives. What is amazing is that we have it as close as a mouse click away at BibleGateway.com and other similar sites.

We, here in the U.S.A. are free to have as many bibles as we want. Those is China, Iran and other countries like them, hide as they read the Word of Jesus. These words are life to them and can spell death if they are caught with a Bible. Because we have free access, sometimes I think I take for granted that I can read the Bible whenever I want.

So as for being a "they-sayer," I am choosing now to listen to Him say words of life to me. His Word is my foundation and it is alway true and never failing. What about you? Will you continue to base your life on the "they say" heard daily?

Fun note: What are some "They say..." you have heard? What are some "He says..." that you base your life on?