What makes us whole?

What makes a man whole? Is it his ability to do all things with the skills that he was born with? Is it having a brain that overcomes all trauma and wills the future into existence? Is it having friends or companions who can stick with you through thick and thin?

-- "Darren's Story" by Ian Tan, Empty Vessel

I haven't had the time to blog, which naturally also means that I haven't had the time to read very many blogs, which also means that if I did happen to read something that would lead me to take the time that I do not have to post it here...

***

I was listening to a Beth Moore sermon the other day, and she was talking about how even though God, during Saul's reign, unequivocally told the Israelites that David ("a man after His own heart") would be king, it was to be many years and through a ridiculous amount of hardship on David's part before that happened; God is interested in the process as well as the progress, she said, using every step of the way to mould us into who He has designed us to be.

I need that. I need to always be reminded of that, and I am thankful that even though I foolishly fail to abide in the constant assurance of His love, He continues to drop me unmistakable memos, in shocking pink post-its. Or tear-jerking blog posts.

Ruth

A refreshing perspective on Ruth's popularly bold "pursuit" of Boaz.

Not only was it Boaz who initiated their first conversation, but what he said was significant. He was caring for her by providing for her physical needs for food and water as well as protecting her from harm at other, less honorable, men's hands.

[...]

Then, in a public gesture of provision, Boaz included Ruth in the afternoon meal, offering her bread and wine vinegar. She was the only one among the gleaners — those in poverty and foreigners who were permitted to pick up what was left behind in the fields — who was part of the mealtime invitation.

When Ruth relayed the day's events to her mother-in-law, sharing with her leftover bread from the meal and an abundance of grain, Naomi immediately recognized the high character of Boaz and his potential as a husband for Ruth. "Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!" she exclaimed.

Boaz was already husbanding Ruth, and Naomi recognized it... Naomi was not encouraging Ruth to "go after" Boaz in a modern-day type pursuit. She was guiding Ruth to respond to what Boaz had already initiated. By the time Naomi told Ruth about the kinsman-redeemer system and asked her to go to Boaz at the threshing floor, she had every reason to believe Boaz would respond positively. Naomi said with confidence, "He will not rest until the matter is settled." How could she know this? Because she had evidence of his character.

This is no small oversight. In order to "pull a Ruth," you have to be dealing with a Boaz.

-- "Ruth Revisited" by Candice Z. Watters, Boundless Webzine

Blogging

On the internet, it's tough to manage word of mouth. It seems like we're bombarded now with viral advertisements, odd promotions, and strange product tie-ins. No one can look you in the face over the internet — which means that it's tough to establish trust, conversations can get angry a lot quicker, and civility is often in short supply. It's tough to prove to people who don't know you that you have something worthwhile to say. It's tougher still to reach strangers on a personal level, operating just through words on a computer screen, an ongoing virtual conversation.

And yet, somehow, it happens.

-- "Blogging: The History and the Spirit" by Ben Domenech, Boundless Webzine

Boundless has a focus on blogs this week; they've even started one of their own!

It's interesting, seeing that I've just put an end to one that I'd been writing regularly in, the reasons for which are partially explained in the Boundless articles. Maybe one day I'll explain this in greater detail -- one day when I'm not totally exhausted from work and in need of sleep. :)

Golly gee

Yesterday afternoon, as we met for lunch, Jolene jumped up from her seat and clapped her hands in glee: "OH MY GOSH, I found Kazakhstan on the map the other day!"

Despite myself, I burst out laughing.

Um, yes, it exists. ;)