Meat for the Hungry

     With M e m o r i a l D a y   2 0 1 4  upon us, I was up for a history lesson; how and why it came to be. I was also curious about the red poppies and thought you might be as well. According to  http://www. usmemorialday.org , “ M e m o r i a l D a y was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11. General John Logan http://www.usmemorialday.org It was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrat

sarahbmartin.wordpress.com Ruth 4:13-22: Joy exploded as shouts of mazel tov came to Boaz. Wasting no time, he mounted his steed and rushed from the city gate to Naomi’s home. Today he would purchase her field and redeem his beautiful bride. “So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife…” But what was Ruth’s redemption price? Leviticus 27:4 reveals the price of a female is thirty shekels. In Exodus 21:32, thirty shekels will also purchase a gored slave. Since ancient Israel’s shekel was a silver coin, i s it possible Boaz paid thirty pieces of silver to redeem Ruth? Again, there’s a hint of symbolism:  Boaz spiritually representing our Lord and Ruth, the Church.

    Today is Mother’s Day and pulpits once again will turn to Proverbs 31 to preach about this most wonderful woman.     To me, it always feels like a checklist of qualities I must strive to accomplish. “She does [her husband] good and not evil…” Check – got that one. “…she brings food from afar…” Yep! Got that one too – from the far place of the grocery store. “She also rises while it is night…” – still working on this one. “…considers a field… buys it… [and] plants a vineyard.” Not!     The list goes on and on, but I fear the unchecked qualities far outnumber my checked ones. So, does that mean my children won’t “rise up and call me blessed” or my husband won’t “praise” me? No, my desire, like hers, is to be the best wife and mother I can be; to make sure my family has all they need for healthy living. But, there are only twenty-four hours in the day and unfortunately, I’m not perfect. I can’t do it all or fix everything, even though I try.     Throughout t

www.sarahbmartin.wordpress.com The morning sun was mid-sky when Boaz acquired the sandal from the nearer kinsman. In this crowded, open-air courtroom, Boaz held the sandal high and shouted, "You are witnesses to this transaction. I have bought all that was Elimelech's and his sons. In addition, Mahlon’s widow, Ruth, will become my wife and I will raise a son for Mahlon, so neither his inheritance is lost nor his position at the city gate.” www.anewdaywithchrist.blogspot.com “...All the people…said, ‘We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.’” What an amazing and grand blessing. This very wealthy, prominent Israelite would marry a Moabite, and they were excited about it. Nevertheless, what did their blessing mean, especially since they referred to Rachel and Leah building the house of Israel?