The Life and Times of Naomi, Mother-in-Law of Ruth

As a secondary character in the Old Testament book of Ruth, often times we don’t give too much attention to Naomi. Naomi was an extraordinary woman; even though it never says so in the bible explicitly, we can glean some wisdom from this woman from Bethlehem (Ruth 1:1). She was a Godly woman and strong in faith. She was a good wife, mother, and mother-in-law. With these credentials, one can hardly say much more.

When a famine was in the land of Judah, Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, moved his family to the land of Moab. While in Moab, Naomi’s sons grew up and married. One of these new daughters was Ruth whom is the main focus of the book. It is through Naomi that we are introduced to Ruth and through Ruth we see the attributes of Naomi reflected. You see when Naomi’s husband and sons died; she decided to return home to Bethlehem (1:5), and her daughters-in-law followed after her. Naomi told them this was unnecessary and to return home. This next part (1:8-14) is truly touching. It is our first glimpse into the personal life of Naomi. When she had told them to go back to Moab, the women did not want to leave. In fact they wept and pleaded with Naomi to stay. Naomi tried to reason with them and succeeded with one, but in verse 14 we see Ruth clinging to Naomi. How touching is this? What a great mother-in-law and what a Godly woman Naomi must have been to cause such distress in these two young women.

The next verse is perhaps the most touching verse of all. Verse 16 says "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. (17) Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me." What an impression Naomi must have had on Ruth! What kind of a person Naomi must have been to cause such loyalty, honor and friendship.

Further on into the text, we see Naomi urging Ruth to seek the hand of Boaz, a rich relative. Ruth succeeds with the aid of Naomi and the two are married. This marriage is an extremely important. It is through this line that Jesus the Christ is born (Matt 1:5). You see, this son of Ruth and Boaz had a son named Jesse and Jesse is the father of King David. Picture what it would have been like if Ruth had not come home with Naomi.

Because of this friendship Naomi became the great-great grandmother of one of the most influential kings of Israel all because she lead a life for God. Naomi had a profound impact on Ruth, we can know this by the behavior of her on the road to Bethlehem.

I ask this question in closing. Christian, are you leading a life of Godliness? Are you the kind of person that would cause one to desire to leave all they know, follow after you and your God? Ruth had no idea she would marry a rich, handsome man and as a result, be in the lineage of the savior of the world when she begged Naomi to go with her. We as Christians, however, can know our actions and words will lead to salvation and a much greater inheritance than mere silver and gold. We have the opportunity and duty to live a life like Christ in order to seek and save the lost (Matt. 28:19-20)

The Life and Times of David Son of Jessie

David, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), but how does one achieve such a high compliment? This statement was originally recorded in 1Sam. 13:14 and was spoken by the Prophet and last Judge of Israel (1Sam 3:2; 7:15-17), Samuel. Commentators maintain that the statement was made about David’s public life as King and not about his private life; which was riddled with valiant victories, noble acts, love, lies, adultery, and murder. Nevertheless David was a great king and a great man, for many spoke of Jesus as the Son of David (Matt. 9:7; 12:23; and 21:9). So who was this great man? David was not a perfect man, but I believe that merely a glimpse of his life will reveal to us a man that truly is “after God’s own heart”.

First of all, his private life as a sinful King yet striving to do the will of God is a major part of who David was. David was thrust into many dangerous situations for a variety of reasons. However a constant factor of his many victories over his enemies is quickly reviled. The Lord was on David’s side when he killed the lion and the bear as described in 1 Sam 17:34-35. He also gave his faith over to God to defeat the giant Goliath. He protected his friend Jonathan who in turned protected him. Jonathan told David of the plot his father Saul had on his life (1Sam 19:1-7). David in turn showed unparalleled kindness to Mephibosheth because of his best friend, Jonathan, who was killed in battle (2 Sam 9). David refused to harm the anointed of God on multiple occasions out of respect for God (1Sam 24). In all David did, he gave glory to God and a cursory glance of the Psalms written by David will be sufficient evidence that he honored God and gave him all the glory.

However, he did have his short comings as we all know. Perhaps the most famous of which is his dealings with the wife of Uriah, Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11). This sad story involves the death of two innocent people, dishonor to Israel and to God. David lusted after Bathsheba, committed adultery with her, and then to cover up the pregnancy that was a result of the adultery; he had her husband murdered. David’s following punishment was the death of the child. What a sad story from such a great man. David did repent but only at the unveiling of the sin by the prophet Nathan. But he did repent. Some of his lesser shortcomings are his failed parenthood with many of his children and the last sin of David coming at the end of his life. He numbered the men of battle (2 Sam. 24). This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but when God gives David 3 choices of punishments, one begins to realize that something is wrong. 70,000 people died as a result of this sin. One major difference between David’s failure with Bathsheba and his failure here is that he didn’t need someone to tell him he had messed up (2 Sam. 24:10). He knew he had done wrong and accepted responsibility.

An amazing portrait of David’s personal life is woven throughout scriptures. Several points that need to be understood are that David learned from his mistakes, he accepted responsibility for them, and begged God for forgiveness (ex. Ps. 51). Furthermore, he gave God all the glory and put his full trust and faith in God.

Atheism a religion?

Recently on Fox News a story was covered in the Philadelphia area about an atheist group wanting to put up a religious symbol in front of City Hall. This idea strikes me as humorous because is atheism really a religion? I will come back to that momentarily but for now the two people interviewed was a spokes woman for the atheist group and a Catholic Priest. The two were arguing weather the symbol was appropriate. The symbol the atheists want to use is called “The Tree of Knowledge” (I think God may have that name copyrighted from way back in the beginning). It is basically an evergreen tree decorated like a Christmas tree but instead of lights and ornaments it has book covers (including the Bible and Koran).

This argument is absolutely absurd and one would think that a group that so strongly promotes knowledge would know that Christmas was started by pagans, not Christians. If you want to get technical the Catholic church; in order to counteract a pagan holiday for the return of the “Sun God”, created Christmas and said it was Jesus’ birthday; Which by the way there is no evidence to support that claim. Oddly enough, the symbol used by pagans was a Christmas tree. One could say the same for Easter with all the bunny rabbits and Easter eggs, guess what pagan god that represents. You guessed it, the fertility god! It is funny how the Catholic church enjoys all of these “Feast days” and “Religious Holidays”, while accepting the pagan symbols passed down for many years. A careful look into the Bible would reveal Colossians 2:16-17 as well as 1Tim. 4:1-3.

Back to the “is atheism a religion” question. I leave that to the good folks at Apologetics Press to answer that question from their November and December publications of Reason and Revelation. Enjoy.

I have added a link to my page called Apologetics Press. If you have not herd of this group before than you are in for a real treat. They print material arguing the point that there is a God (if you want a more complete definition than check out the website.) Any way you can get all kinds of free stuff. They do sell books but at a very minimal price and many of books you can print online for free. I especially enjoy Reason and Revelation because you can go back and look through an entire years worth of articles they have done and print them off individually or the entire issue.

Commin' Home

I am enjoying my day off by watching an old time favorite, Braveheart. I don't think I have watched this movie for at least 2 years.

The past two weekends have been extremely hectic for me. Last weekend we had a youth activity every night starting Thursday and ending Sunday after PM. It was crazy but a good weekend. This weekend will be no less hectic. We have a men's retreat and I am speeking Friday night and Saturday morning. In addition to those two 45 min speaking engagements I am preaching Sunday morning. After AM we will be heading home.

Did you here about the guy who tried to burn down that Episcopal church building in San Francisco? What a crazy world.

The Weak Minded

Raise your hand if you think it was cowardly of JK Rolling to wait until all of the books were out and the sells went down for her to make the “BIG” announcement. If she was really wanting to make a statement she would have either written it into the books or informed the world long ago. If she really believed that it doesn’t make a difference if you are a homosexual or heterosexual than she would have been straight with the details from the get go (no pun intended).

On a separate note did you all hear about the transvestites who went in dressed in nun outfits to take the “holy sacraments” from a bishop? Guess what happened. Not a single thing. In a country where we are given the freedom of religion and the right to assemble without persecution that is pretty sad when a group working to gain “equal rights” does so by denying another group of there rights.

I Remember.

I haven’t forgotten about filling those of you in on the apostasy I received at Harding a few weeks ago.

Info.

I’m about to venture on a trip with 6 boys and 1 girl to an unknown camp for the weekend. It should be a lot of fun.

On a separate but equally important note I just wanted to say . . .

Dashing and daring,
Courageous and caring,
Faithful and friendly,
With stories to share.

All through the forest,
They sing out in chorus,
Marching along,
As their song fills the air!

Gummi Bears, bouncing here
and there and everywhere!
High adventure that's beyond compare.
They are the Gummi Bears!

Magic and mystery,
Are a part of their history,
Along with the secret of gummi berry juice.

Their legend is growing,
They take pride in knowing,
They'll fight for what's right
In whatever they do!

Gummi Bears, bouncing here,
and there and everywhere!
High adventure that's beyond compare.
They are the Gummi Bears!

They are the Gummi Bears!

Erin and I watched a few episodes on DVD this morning. She bought them a while back for me because I used to love watching them. It is fairly entertaining.

Bible Belt Apostasy

The Harding lectures were everything I hoped they would be. I got a little truth mingled with apostasy. What a tasty treat it was. It leaves a kind of bitter-sweet after taste. Of course the “boat”, as they say, was not rocked. I haven’t the time to go into any of the details at the moment but I assure you they will come.

While in Searcy I did get to spend a good deal of time with the family and friends. We stayed with Casey and Kayla and that was nice to see there apartment and to be so close to campus. I think Erin wants to get separate beds now that we slept in two different beds. Wayne of course put all of his work off until Tuesday night so he could hang out. Bryan hung out a little bit but he had to work a lot. Jenny took off Tuesday and got to hang out some. Erin, Kayla, and Jenny went to lunch. Tuesday morning Wayne, Casey, and I went to Bobby’s for breakfast. It was glorious. Also we went to Little Rock for dinner and Josh showed up after work. That was nice.

I bought some DVD’s on sexed. They are great.

The Return of Mr. Crazy

Mr. Crazy roach motel called me Friday night on the way to Henderson and proceeded to yell at me on the phone for not showing up. He tried to charge me for the two nights I was supposed to stay there. I told him since I tried three times and was under the impression that the reservations were canceled that I would not be staying there and would not pay. He screamed at me for a while longer and hung up the phone. You know what is funny? I think it is the same guy that I spoke to just with out the thick accent.

The old bamboo the old bamboo

Tonight at approximately 8:46 I began to act very strange. I wasn't board but I was acting like I was all hoped up on something that makes you hyper. I began to sing the song from Mary Poppins as well as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Not the songs one would think to sing from those fine films but the obscure songs like Step in Time and The Old Bamboo. It was very strange.

Tomorrow I venture to Freed for RUSH. I originally booked a room at the College Inn and was informed today that that is a Prostitute motel. They in fact sell the rooms by the hour. I proceeded to call and cancel the room reservation and spoke to a man with very broken English. In fact I called no less than 3 times to cancel and every time I called the guy tried to rebook a room for me.

- Dude - "Hello" (but spoken in very broken English).
- Me - "Yes my name is Andy McDonald and I need to cancel my room reservations for Friday and Saturday night."
- Dude - "Ok, name."
- Me - "Andy McDonald"
- Dude - "Please spell your name."
- Me in my thoughts - [Are you for real?]
- Me - "A-n-d-y M-c-D-o-n-a-l-d"
- Dude - A single or a double bed"
- Me- "I think it was a single"
-Dude- "Smoking or non-smoking?"
- Me - "Non"
- Dude- "Card number"
- Me - "Why do you need my card number to cancel a reservation?"
- Dude - "Oh, Ok. Name"
- Me - "Andy McDonald"
- Dude - "Please spell your name"
- Me - "Sir I just gave you my name"
- Dude - something not understandable
- Me - "I didn't understand that could you please repeat it?"
- Dude - "Oh, ok"
~Silence~
- Dude - "Hello"
- Me - "Yes"
- Dude - "Oh, ok. Goodbye."

I had almost the exact same conversation with him every time but I couldn't tell it was a different guy. For all I know there may be 4 rooms booked under McDonald. It is a good thing I have good credit.

Prayer Group and the Redneck

I started a new program at Arnold tonight called Prayer Group. Very original, I know. Basically what we are going to be doing is, well, praying. I worked up a kind of prayer journal for the kids to use. The idea is for them to write down things they are thankful for, concerned about, any prayers that have been answered, or goals they have. Then as they pray use the book to remind them what they want to pray about or to look back on what they have already prayed for. I am real excited about it and hopefully the kids will like it and embrace the group.

Last night I felt right at home. We went to a wedding in the middle of no where. It was out side and muddy so we had to park a long ways away then were carted to the location in the back of a pick up truck. There were people wearing rubber boots and a bluegrass band was playing at the reception. Classic redneck, I went home missing home.

the big switch.

I started this because it seemed that most of the people who still write on these things use this sight so I switched. Enjoy.