Ruth - A Woman of Virtue

source: https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRN3jUs7rwS_GbICBj8rSZKJ2OHaYHqWt52TTjiK-BLPRScyTdiww

I love reading and hearing about the story of Ruth in the Bible. (The book comes after the book of Judges and before 1 Samuel in the Old Testament) Ruth is an interesting character for so many reasons. I think I am drawn to her for her wonderful faith, character, and determination. These things I know about Ruth:

•   Faithful: Ruth was not, by bloodline, a Jew.  However, she was the wife of a Jew (Ruth 1:1-5). Yet, in faith she became a believer of God, instead of the god’s the Moabites had. As her mother-in-law quickly pointed out, she had many reasons and opportunities to leave and go back to her people and their gods.(Ruth 1:11-15)
•  Loyal: There are several times in this story where we see the loyalty of Ruth shine through. Ruth clung to Naomi, here mother-in-law. 
• Hard Worker: Ruth gleaned in the fields all day,(2:1-7; 2:14-15; 2:17,23) so that Naomi and she would have something to eat. Solomon writes, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." (Eccl 9:10, KJV)
• Had a Good Reputation:  (Seen in 2:11,  3:11, and then in 4:11-12.)   This she earned by her decent and caring lifestyle and decisions. She was humble and called herself a servant to others (2:10,11,13; 3:9)

The story of Ruth and Boaz is also a "romance of redemption" of sorts (and since I am a romantic at heart, her love-life grabs my attention, as well.)

source: http://www.bibleprophecyupdate.com/http:/www.bibleprophecyupdate.com/controversial_subjects/is_the_bible_the_word_of_god/ruth-a-prophetic-romance-of-redemption/

Upon returning to Bethlehem, Ruth encounters the hero of this tale, the handsome landowner, Boaz. He save the day by becoming a "Kinsman-Redeemer" to both Ruth and Naomi, by purchasing the land owned by their husbands and marrying Ruth. This love story is a beautiful depiction of how Jesus loves us, and how much God wants to bless us. Ruth's persistence and obedience to Naomi's instructions also became a prophetic story that lead to the bloodline of the Messiah.


Let us all strive to be like Ruth and declare ourselves of virtue by following in the
same qualities as Ruth.

Sharing the many graces God has shown me as I continue to take part in the Joy Dare.

A gift found on a paper, in a person, in a picture. 

    429. A homemade thank you card from a new friend

    430. That friend, being my son's girlfriend.

    431. The two playing/singing together at the local coffee house.

 

    A gift at 11:30, 2:30, and 6:30

    432. Some quiet time in Bible study

    433. Meeting up with my hubby when he gets off work.

    434. A wonderful healthy light dinner - clam chowder and salad.

    Three things overheard today, all gifts.

    435. Someone speaking kindly about another church member and sister in Christ.

    436. A mother talking to her infant and the baby babbling back.

    437. Small talk in the coffee house - people caring about other people.

    3 gifts found in writing

    438. Reading about the story of Ruth
439. Words of encouragement from other bloggers on the internet. 
440. A text message from my friend I miss, who is on vacation.

    3 gifts found when bent down

    441. Closeness to God (on my knees in prayer)

    442. Reflections in a puddle of water

           

    443. A cracked paved road(reminds me of my 'cracked' life before I knew Jesus)

      

    One gift stitched, hammered, woven

    444. An antique family quilt

    445. A bridge for my garden (my husband and son built)

    446. Psalm 139:15 "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth."

                     linking over at these blogs:

A Pause in the Path

 

Barking Spiders and Other Funny Poems

A joyful heart is good medicine...

(Proverbs 17:22a)

 A 'real' spider from my garden.

Sometimes it's just fun (and good for us) to laugh a little bit! I found this children's author/poet  (CJ Heck) who writes some cute and fun poems specifically geared for kids. The title of two of her books have a specific theme that caught my attention. . . they're about 'barking spiders'. Have you ever heard about barking spiders? My first memory of hearing about them was through my dad. My father was always kind of a quiet, serious guy. Most of the time he was all business, probably because he had to raise a family of 4 kids on a home-owned and run business that wasn't the biggest success in our small town. He was a very hard worker, though. So when he mentioned to us kids that there were barking spiders nearby, that got our attention. We soon learned what it meant and would go running the opposite direction, as to not get a "whiff" of these invisible arachnids!

Barking Spiders
by CJ Heck

The barking spiders all march in
just past dinnertime.
Some big, some small, they come to call
 floating on the wind behind.

Each is clearly noticed,
although they can't be seen.
You're positive they're there though,
'cause your nose is very keen.

You know you can't outrun 'em
and a net won't get 'em caught.
Your friends laugh 'cause they're funny ...
Your mom yells 'cause they're not.

So open all the windows!
Crack the vents real fast!
'Cause these aren't normal spiders 
...barking spiders are just gas.

 

 Barking Spiders in Church
Those pesky barking spiders
followed me to church Sunday.
I tried to make them stay at home,
but they came anyway.

Then I did something naughty
'cause they were being bad.
When people turned and looked at me,
I pointed at my dad.

Here are some more funny poems this author wrote that I just thought were cute. . .

 Toe Jam
Can anybody tell me
what's that stuff between my toes?
My daddy says it's 'toe jam'
but I don't think he really knows.

It's icky and it's fuzzy
and I think I'll tell my dad ...
I wouldn't put it on MY bread
if it was the ONLY jam we had.

Wedgies 
You know what makes me laugh
and puts me into stitches?
It's when I grab ahold and pull
the waist of someone's britches.

It’s fun.  It's called a WEDGIE
and what a super name,
just pull and yell out WEDGIE!
It‘s really the coolest game.

Hmmm ... who should I get,
lil sissy or my big brother?
Or maybe I should get my dad
but definitely NOT my mother!

And you NEVER do grandmas and grandpas.
To do that you‘d have to be nuts
('cause everyone knows that old people
don't even have any butts).

 Take some time to just laugh throughout your day! It's good medicine! (It's also cheaper and tastes better than most medicines.)

Linking up at:
Brag on God Friday
In Search of Beauty