My social media scrolling led me to 2 very different and opposing video's of parental experience. God is a faithful loving Father, not a father (or parent) who leaves. He does not come and go, reject you, or make you prove your worth. He is a faithful father who never leaves. His love is steadfast and unearned. 

2 Thes. 3:5 "May the Lord direct your hearts, to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ."

Let's close out the book of Ruth with the climax and conclusion of chapter 4!

We see a plan unfold in Ruth chapter three, and we see grace and righteousness (hesed) displayed yet again!

Let's walk through the second chapter of the Ruth Scroll together.  If you haven't listened to the Intro and Chapter 1, start there. If you have already, listen in :) Let's talk about Ruth, Boaz and HESED!
 
You can view the class slides HERE if you would like to follow along. 

 

Let's jump into chapter one, and look at the two scenes set before us. We will look at the 'Emptying of Naomi' and the 'Interpretation of her Emptying' - while seeing a picture of true covenant/biblical love - Aheb - in the actions of Ruth.

Join me as we talk about some important background information for the Book of Ruth, before we jump into the book and it's important lessons over the next few weeks. This is a class I am teaching in person and am recording for you as well, so I have included the classes slides HERE for you if you would like to follow along.
In this episode I refer to Gideon and Jonah; both of which I have previously recorded episodes on. If you would like to go back to those, Gideon is episode 3 and Jonah is a short series of episodes 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54.

I have 'priorities' that I value and hold in high esteem in my head and heart, but don't always show that value in my day to day life. What are some priorities that you really hold dear to your heart? Do they align with God's priorities for your life? Let's pray today and ask God to search our hearts.

The Middle Eastern way of thinking is very different from Western thought, and that applies to how we read the scriptures as well. Reading the scripture in context can be challenging and can add great understanding to the things we have already learned.
Kristi McClelland and her study "Jesus and Women" does an amazing job showing us these differences and walking you through how Jesus interacts with women in his life on earth. If you haven't done that study - I know you will love it.

How do you handle a change in plans? I'm not necessarily talking about BIG life challenges and hurts, I'm talking our daily plans. Do they throw you into a bad mood for the rest of the day? Or do you roll with it? I, honestly, can do either...it really depends. And today, I'm needing to renew my mind so that I can roll with it, with a godly perspective.

I at times wrestle with the purpose of prayer, and whether or not I should even ask for things, even though scripture says I can. Am I asking for the right things? I'm sure many of you have had the same questions.
This week I was working through The Weekly Prayer Project Journal (affiliate link - I think) and week 4 got me thinking about prayer and what peace comes through knowing that you have been "Heard".

Let's read some scripture together today, and let it speak to us, meditate on it and pray over it.

We are exposed to all sorts of things, good and bad, all day & everyday. We also expose others to both good and bad, every day - through our influence. How are you influenced? And how do you influence those around you?

Let's talk about it...    Why is it so hard sometimes? Why don't we always use them well?  How do we use our words?!

The New Year is always a time to set goals for ourselves, buy the new calendar, and be really motivated for a time. Let's take a look at those goals through the story of Joseph and God's sovereignty, providence and promise keeping that he shows us in Genesis 37-50.

Join me as I welcome a friend and guest, Jessica Craig, as we talk about 'buffering'! It was a new term for me, but a concept I'm incredibly familiar and skilled at. Listen in to see if you are a 'buffer-er' as well! 

Do you have a 'word' of the year for 2022? Do you have plans, goals and resolutions? Listen in - I think this talk will be a great help - I know it is for me.

Christmas countdown is on! Let's talk about music, Christmas, Emmanuel - "God with Us" - and the history of 'Silent Night'!

This advent season I am once again going through a study called 'HE IS', a study focused on a different attribute of God each day - this week the characteristic of "Eternal" really stood out to me, and I share it with you.

The  seasons and holidays are great reminders of where our focus should be. As we head into this next week of Thanksgiving, lets remember that it is God's will for us to Rejoice, Pray and be Thankful. What are you thankful for? Can you get into the habit of writing out what you're thankful for each day? Are you having a hard time being grateful at the moment. Let's pray with and encourage one another in the effort of living a life of gratitude, because it will change us.

Let's Be Real is all about honestly and humbly evaluating ourselves, and today we talk about hypocrisy, and how hard it can be to see it in ourselves, and just how plain difficult it  can be to not eat our words.

What does the Old Testament have to do with the command for us to be disciples?  It's so very important, its the 'Why?"!!!

I welcome my friend Sarah to the podcast today to recap her talk from the Let The Women Retreat Weekend, on what discipleship isn't, and what some of the myths of discipleship are that we tell ourselves. Join in for a great conversation.

We wrapped up our 3rd Let The Women Retreat Weekend, where we spent our time talking about discipleship. For those of you who weren't able to join us, we are going to recap our time together and what we learned about discipleship. 
What does the 'Divine Council' have to do with discipleship? A lot....and I'll explain more fully in the next weeks, but for now some groundwork needs to be laid.

Does it feel to you, like it does to me, that the world around me is very angry...all the time...?
Don't you wonder if anyone sick of being angry yet? It's almost feels like our culture is stuck in an anger rut...are you? What does that mean or look like for the Christian? Let's talk about anger...

We are called to share the hope that is within us....Jesus. But sharing the gospel can be scary, sometimes we shy away from telling people about our faith. Join me and my special guest, my awesome husband, Will, as we chat about the gospel. What is it? How would you define it? How can we share it with the world around us?

Hope, it is necessary to have to live this life well. It is the very thing that helps you grieve from the loss of this life. Many go through this life without it, and it is heartbreaking, or at least it should be...will you share your hope with the hurting world around you? You don't know how? Wonder what you should even say? Come back in the next weeks as we talk about ways, and equip ourselves to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us!