Ruth again!

Four years ago I studied the Book of Ruth with the Women of Calvary Chapel Rochester.  http://calvarychapelrochester.com/

This morning I read the Book of Ruth again. 
In my previous post "Naomi",
I stated, "I'm sure there is more.", boy was I right! 

As I read, the Lord gave me an outline. 

Introduction: Kinsman Redeemer
                      Famine Leads to God's provision
                      God's plan for Salvation  in the life of Ruth.

 Naomi:
        Determination
            Difficulties
               Devastation
                  Despondent

Ruth: 
         Responds
            Romantic
               Restorative
                  Redeemer

Boaz:
        Bethlehem
            Blessing
               Barley
                  Baby

Savior:
       Selfless Life
           Sacrificed Life
                 Sinful Life-mine
                     Salvation

Comfort for a longing heart.

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever." John 14:16

The Holy Spirit, my Comforter so sweetly spoke to my heart today.

Because of my upbringing, spending years in foster homes or with extended family members, losing my father when I was 7 years old, being physically and sexually abused, and experiencing neglect : "I always felt the deep sense of lack of acceptance."

When I would go to live with a family, I had always hoped to be accepted "as part of the family". But that never happened. When I would do something to upset the family, I was quickly asked to leave. Mind you, none that I did was outrageous-just crying out for attention. But instead of helping , I was discarded. Each time it hurt, as if it was the first time.

What is "acceptance" mean to me?

Acceptance is : an abiding love

a sense of belonging

an identification

not forsaken

value placed

a welcoming heart

a forever kind of love

Acceptance, most definitely is an action that is engulfed with true love.

The Holy Spirit sweetly reminded me this morning that He, the Comforter....MY Comforter has engulfed me with His Acceptance the very day I gave my heart to Him on March 5, 1977. His love is abiding and forever!

What was so transforming for me this morning was this realization of His engulfing love toward me. I lave always longed for a love from my earthly parents that only could come from an eternal God.

I am now 50 years old with the deepness in my heart for that family love.

I saw today that that love and acceptance has been given to me 10 times over.

They are in the form of my most precious grandchildren.

James 1:17 says, "Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights, in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow."

These beautiful grandchildren love their "Oma".

they identify with me as I am their "Oma".

They open their hearts to me.

They want to be around me

This kind of love can only be from my Comforter!

I am eternally grateful and full of His love!

Josiah, Jaelle, Enoch, and Elias(dob-12/29/2011- passed on 5/18/2012) Ivy

                                    Elle and Nora Rypstra with Catharina and Thor Rypstra

                                                       Aurora-Jane and Lucy Rypstra

Naomi

Naomi, Naomi, Naomi!
Oh how deep is her character!

I have studied the Book of Ruth over the summer, in preparing for our Women's study.
I have read and reread it. I have worked through a few book studies, and I have dug into the meanings of the names and looked into the history.

What amazes me is how deep the Book of Ruth is.

This past week we dug into Chapter 1:1-5.
In my study I focused on  Naomi. I imagined what it would be like to be in her situation. I asked myself; "How would I handle the situation?"

Here are some of the topics I discovered in the first five verses.
Hunger-spiritual and physical
Submission
Fear
Backsliding
Death
Suffering
Widowhood
Relationship to daughter-in-law
Unequally yolked
Cultural acceptance

I am sure that there is more.
It was amazing when you realize that the Book of Ruth isn't just about the romancing of Ruth. The life lessons are deep!
Naomi has allot to say and allot to learn from-both "what to do" and "what not to do"!

I am excited to dig deeper into the book!

Here are the two Studies I worked through this summer.
http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/the-girls-still-got-it-book/


http://www.lenyaheitzig.com/

Choosing to forgive.

Choosing to forgive isn't always easy.
Yet we are told to forgive.
I have had many opportunities in my life when I have had the chance to  forgive NOT.
I have learned that  forgiveness is the best choice. Often the flesh and spirit fight against each other.

I was currently reminded in our actions, one can tell if you have forgiven them or not.
 
I am presently ministering to someone who has hurt me deeply, yet they are in great need of the Saviors love. He has called me to minister to that person.

The only way I can do that is by

chosing to forgive,

forget about self,

and follow Christ's example of loving one another.

Ephesians 4:32
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (NLT)

I am currently working through Kay Smith's study "Reflecting God".
 The study touches on how to Reflect God's character in our lives. No matter what you are going through.
I am currently in the midst of some difficult storms of life.
This study has encouraged me and challenged me to put my faith in God's wisdom.

Last night, Don and I rode, the motorcycle, 50 miles south to a quaint little resturant for our "date night". It was dusk as we were heading home down the 50 miles of country roads.. The sky was turning from hues of pinks and blues to darkness. I was gazing heavenward to watch for the stars to begin to appear.

Then what appeared next was amazing.....I was amazed as I looked into the fields where , what appeared to be, thousands of fire flies lighting up the fields.  Then I gazed again toward the heavens and I saw millions of stars reflecting in the dark sky.

The fields lite up from the lightening bugs was like a reflection of the sky filled with stars!

That is a small glimpse of what we are like when we reflect God's character.

Here is a song that I learned when I first got saved.

It is in His handiwork that reflects His beauty!