Sacred Presence

From my previous post, you know that it is by God's grace that I have my current job which is a blessing indeed!  Prior to my current employment, God permitted evil to come into my life for His good reasons.  This has been hard for me to accept and understand, but I would not be where I am today had God not permitted it.  With this said, I am brought back to write about my current work.

 There is certainly nothing glamorous about my work.  You can imagine--I work in the soil department in the textile industry.  Let me tell you, though, God can be found in the most unexpected places.  Like Brother Lawrence in the book  The Practice of the Presence of God which was rewritten by Harold J. Chadwick "...[my] soul has been filled with joys so continual, and sometimes so great, that [I am] forced to use means to moderate them, and to hinder their appearing outwardly" (p. 73).  I know that my management and coworkers have seen my smiling expression and wondered what was up.  If so, they have done so without passing judgment.  As a matter-of-fact, a coworker recently said that I always come in the morning with a smile.  This smile is the joy of the Lord coming with me in the morning!

More closely to the point that I am trying to make is that I am blessed with the Presence of God in my work as well as wonderful management and coworkers.  For these reasons, I find my job one of the best! You can make your job one of the best also by inviting God's presence.  Listen closely to the words of the song above called "In the Presence of Jehovah".  Glory to God!

Much Ado about Grace

God continues to have me search for the treasures in the book of Ruth.  One of the treasures found is that of grace.  Ruth finds grace in the eyes of Boaz.  Ruth asked Boaz, "Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me seeing I am a stranger?" (v. 10).  It turns out that Boaz was kin to Ruth.

I can closely relate to Ruth because of the grace I found in my temporary employer's eyes I was led to my current permanent employer.  Even while I worked as a temporary employee, there was something about the work environment that made me feel a sense of kinship.  A sense of family.  A sense of belonging.  I was so thankful to become a permanent employee.  The only thing I can attribute it to is grace.  God's amazing grace in action!  Amen.  This calls for Chris Tomlin's version of Amazing Grace above!

The Words of Ruth to Naomi in Song

Here are the words of Ruth to Naomi in song plus additional sentiments.
   

Ruth Respects the Living and the Deceased

The book of Ruth speaks to the family condition in relation to the respect shown for the living and for the deceased family members.  Naomi had lost her husband and two sons. Orpah and Ruth had been the wives of Naomi's sons.  The time came when Naomi wanted to return to her homeland of Bethlehem, Judah and tried to part ways with Orpah and Ruth.  Orpah decided to return to her people and her gods (Ruth 1:15).  Ruth, however, wanted to remain with Naomi.  Ruth said, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me and more also, if ought but death part thee and me." (vs. 16,17).  Naomi acquiesced to Ruth's wishes and the two traveled to Bethlehem.

Ultimately, Ruth and Naomi were blessed.  Ruth remarried their next of kin named Boaz.  It was through this marriage that Ruth became a part of Christ's family tree with their son Obed.  For Naomi, who was bitter when she first returned to Bethlehem, Obed would be a restorer of life and nourish her old age for she would be his nurse (Ruth 4:15,16).

Aunt Shirley--You Will Always be Remembered

I have mixed emotions of happy and sad today because my beloved Aunt Shirley passed away.  I am happy because I know she will be in a place specifically prepared for her by Jesus! Amen. (John 14:2).  I am sad because I miss her already.  I shall miss the lengthy telephone conversations.  I shall cherish the wonderful memories. 

Aunt Shirley, you no longer have to imagine what it will be like when you walk by God's side.  Remember the above song?  Now, I am the one who can only imagine.  Rest in Peace!  You will always be remembered!  Until I see you again, "Good night, sweet dreams, I love you!"

Turn to God's Holy Word

The Lord wants me to continue in relationship with Him through His Word, however, for the time being, He wants me to discontinue writing this blog.  Christ's Word stands for all of us in the Bible.  Amen!

Walk Continued through the Book of Matthew

We are all faced with good and evil everyday.  In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expands on the laws of the Old Testament to help us overcome evil.  We must always keep alert to avoid Satan's subtle snare.  Search and you will find ways to overcome evil in Jesus' teachings.  Through Jesus we will overcome!  Matthew 5:21-48 and Matthew 6 and 7 continues the walk through the gospel of Matthew.