Elimelech lived in the promised land of God. A drought caused him to mortgage his land, leave his kinsmen, his friends and his country and move with his wife, Naomi and their two sons from Bethlehem to Moab. He was trying to provide for and protect them, but shortly after Elimelech moved his family to Moab he died, leaving Naomi and her sons alone in a strange land.

Naomi should have taken her sons and gone back to their homeland at that time. Instead she stayed in Moab and eventually her sons disobeyed God’s commands and married pagan women named Ruth and Orpah, who served idols. After only a few years of marriage, both young men died, leaving their mother, Naomi, and their heathen wives, Ruth and Orpah alone.

Naomi had lost everything except her two daughters-in-law. Since she had nothing left and did not know what difficulties she might face when she returned to her homeland of Judah, she prepared to leave Moab. Naomi called Ruth and Orpah to her side and encouraged them to return to their families. She was trying to protect the young women, but neither of them wanted to leave her. It was evident that Naomi was very loving and kind and that Ruth and Orpah must have experienced and learned of the love of God through her and through their husbands.

It’s hard to imagine a daughter-in-law loving her mother-in-law so much that she would be willing to leave all she knew, including her own mother and other family members. Ruth was so drawn by God’s love through Naomi that she hungered for more. She knew that she would not find that same love from her people.

This is a beautiful portrayal about how the love of God draws men to Himself. The love of Jesus shines through God’s children and draws others to Him. Their hearts begin to yearn for Him. They want to give up everything else to follow Him.

Ruth had experienced a taste of God’s love through Naomi and did not want to go back to her old life. On the other hand, Orpah had the same opportunity. She loved Naomi. She struggled with letting go, but Orpah wasn’t willing to give up her old life or leave her idols and the sinful ways of her people. She could not let go. Her flesh had a strong hold on her.

We can identify with Orpah. She was not unlike us. She loved her family – Moab was all she knew. It was comfortable to Orpah. It was familiar. Although she was torn in her decision, she was unable to let go of her past. She couldn’t step into the unknown. Orpah made a wrong choice. It was a choice that more than likely condemned her. But the choice was hers. We can identify with why she did it. We face hard decisions every day. Will we go with God or go back to what is comfortable?

Letting go of all we are familiar with – stepping into the unknown – that is what faith is.

• Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. NIV

This story is continued – Check back in a few days to see what God had in store for Ruth. Remember, she doesn’t yet know God – she doesn’t know she is actually right in the middle of His will for her life.

Please see Part I, II, III, IV, and V for the best context.

Ruth

There is only one woman in the Bible that is specifically called an eshet chayil. That woman is Ruth, the Moabitess. If it has been a while since you’ve read the book of Ruth, please take the time right now to read its four short chapters. This will refresh your mind about the context of her extraordinary life.

“Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence (eshet chayil). (Ruth 3:11)

The book of Ruth may be a small book, but it has great significance for people of faith. There are many thematic nuggets we could explore within its few pages. The following list is only a sample.

• Integrity & Kindness
• Protection & Prosperity
• Repentance & Redemption
• The Feast Cycle (harvests)
• Torah of Widows/Poor & Kinsmen Redeemer
• Torah for Strangers/Sojourners (They also are in Covenant)
• The Lineage of King David & Messiah Yeshua
• Blessings over Children
• Return from Exile & Restoration
• Allusions to Wedding Feast of the Lamb

With all these rich themes, is it any wonder that the Book of Ruth is read during YHWH’s feast of Shavuot (Pentecost)? Creation Gospel students will recognize the significance immediately: Shavuot falls on the central (main) branch of the menorah. As such, it encompasses the whole. Shavuot stands as the “servant” to all the other moedim (feasts). A careful read of Ruth will demonstrate this fullness. We will try to stay focused only on those themes that directly link Ruth to an Eshet Chayil. With so many treasures in this book, that is going to be difficult!

What’s in a Name?  רוּת     

The meaning of Ruth (Rut) is usually referred to as a friend. But, the Hebrew root for Ruth is the word for shepherd or to tend a flock; and has the idea of a neighbor or companion, often an intimate companion. Besides, the normal Hebrew word for friend is chaver or chaverah, not Ruth.

If we stop and consider Ruth’s story, we can deduce that she was indeed a shepherdess of Israel. It is her lineage that birthed King David and Messiah Yeshua, both shepherds. When we think of the relationship a shepherd has with their sheep, this notion becomes even more apparent. A (good) shepherd guards, feeds, and leads their flock. They are willing to seek out the “lost” and they will fight against dangerous predators. This sounds like the traits of an ezer or an eshet chayil, does it not?

Ruth is the only woman to receive the title eshet chayil by name in scripture. She received this designation BEFORE she was a mother and while she was a poor destitute widow, and a stranger (alien) in Israel.

Ruth forsook her birth place and family to join with the God of Israel and His people. Once she made this commitment, she never wavered. Her diligence caught the attention of a wealthy relative — one that could change her and her mother-in-law’s life. That relative was Boaz. It was he that declared that Ruth was an eshet chayil.

The circumstances surrounding this encounter and proclamation however, are quite risqué. Naomi instructs Ruth in a secret seduction plan to attract Boaz. Both Ruth and Naomi were already aware that Boaz favored Ruth. This could be seen when Boaz told Ruth to only glean from his fields[1]. Naomi, the admitted bitter woman, wanted to secure the future of her beloved daughter-in-law. The favoritism of Boaz toward Ruth must have provoked Naomi’s heart to “push/guide”[2] Boaz to do the right thing—– offer them redemption.

But Naomi’s plan was anything but orthodox. Ruth risked her reputation and future by approaching Boaz in the middle of the night. Her actions were a reversal of cultural norms. Ruth pursued Boaz. It is usually the man that pursues the woman, even in today’s world. Essentially, she got all dolled up and offered herself to Boaz in a secret proposal.

It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative.” Then he said, “May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. “Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence –eshet chayil. (Ruth 3:8-11)

Boaz knew exactly what Ruth was asking of him. Perhaps he had even considered proposing to the Ruth. But what Naomi and Ruth did was courageous and Boaz knew it. This is why he calls her an eshet chayil. She was not only an upright woman in the eyes of the people and YHWH, but she was willingly to battle (in her own feminine way) for what she desired.

I believe Ruth’s brazenness only added fuel to the fire of Boaz’s growing fascination for her. He could clearly see her attentiveness in the care of her mother-in-law. It takes a special kind of woman to CHOOSE to care for a bitter person. He could also see her strong work ethic. She was driven and steadfast. These things revealed Ruth’s heart. And when Ruth came to Boaz in the night —— well, let’s just say that the depth of her passion was revealed. Boaz probably couldn’t wait to become her husband!

The very next day Boaz seeks out the one person who could thwart their plans — a kinsmen that was closer to Naomi by blood than he was. But when this other man discovers that he will not only have to redeem the land but also marry Ruth, he concedes to Boaz. I imagine that Boaz was rejoicing on the inside at this news.

Take note of the process Boaz goes through to acquire Ruth. He scrupulously follows the Torah (instructions/law) of YHWH. In other words, unlike fallen Adam, Boaz puts YHWH before the woman. As much as he may desire her, he faithfully obeys the proper course of action. Boaz was functioning in his “redeemed” purpose. And by the looks of things, he had no problem with allowing Ruth to function in her purpose as ezer. He realized that he had found an eshet chayil!

An eshet chayil, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. (Pr. 31:10)

While all this is true, Ruth’s actions and intentions could be distorted very easily. Some would conclude that Ruth acted as prostitute or harlot when she approached Boaz in the middle of the night. Dr. Hollisa Alewine has some interesting thoughts.

“Feet in Scripture are sometimes used as a euphemism for genitals. To lie with a man can also be used as a euphemism for intercourse. Spreading one’s skirt over a woman carries the same implication. Lest we think Ruth was inviting something improper, be assured that sometimes a foot is just a foot! The duality and ambiguity of the expressions is what is important because it inserts the question mark as to Ruth’s virtue. Boaz clearly vindicates her righteousness, and the people and elders at the gate affirm it.”[3]

The duality that Dr. Alewine brings up is an often overlooked theme in the Scriptures. There are many cases where the actions of a righteous person appear to be portraying the contrary. Generations before Boaz, Judah is placed in a similar situation with a woman from Canaan[4].

Ruth, Tamar, and Rahab

When Boaz was at the city gates before the elders claiming his right of redemption for Naomi and Ruth, the elders blessed Boaz’s obedience.

All the people who were in the court, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem. “Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the LORD will give you by this young woman.” (Ruth 4:11-12)

The elders draw our attention back to Boaz’s forefather, Judah. What is so reflective about the people’s blessing is that Tamar, like Ruth, sought redemption from her kinsmen. But Judah refused to give her what was rightfully hers. If you will recall, Tamar had married two of Judah’s sons but they died before producing an heir. Judah promised his youngest son to Tamar when he came of age. However, when the time came, Judah didn’t keep his promise. Tamar ended up tricking or manipulating Judah to get him to do what he should have done all along: obey God’s Word.

Tamar accomplished her kinsmen redemption by deceiving Judah. She dressed up as a prostitute and seduced him. Later, when Judah learned she was pregnant, he wanted to have her burned alive. However, when she proved that Judah was the father of her womb —- he declared her more righteous than himself. As a result, Tamar secured the lineage of the Tribe of Judah. It is through the line of Tamar’s firstborn, Perez, that Boaz, Oved, Jesse, David, and eventually the Mashiach (Messiah) would come.

It came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were twins in her womb. Moreover, it took place while she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” But it came about as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out. Then she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” So he was named Perez. Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand; and he was named Zerah. (Gen. 38:27-30)

Thus far, we have uncovered two women in the ancestry of Mashiach (Messiah) that have questionable identities. And the book of Ruth points to both. This dichotomy between a harlot and a righteous woman runs deeper still. There is another harlot/righteous woman in Mashiach’s line: Rahab.

Rahab was an Amorite of the city of Jericho. She was an innkeeper and a supposed prostitute that had heard great stories about the God of Israel. When the Israeli spies came to her city, she placed her allegiance with them and YHWH by helping the spies escape safely. When the Israelites came back to take Jericho, she let down a scarlet cord from her window. The men of Israel recognized this sign and she and her family were spared. They joined Israel as sojourners. Later, Rahab marries an Israelite named Salmon, who was the father of Boaz[5].

Now we have found three women connected to the Book of Ruth and the Messiah that appeared to be doing the actions of a harlot. Yet, we know that in the end they are each really righteous. Since we have already explored this same dichotomy of a harlot and a righteous woman (wisdom) in the Book of Proverbs, a question arises.

What is YHWH teaching us in this duality? Dr. Alewine has this to say:

“Because the Revelation harlot is a woman, and perhaps because it is too easy to dismiss a troublesome woman with bad names or a bad reputation, we would do well to study the foundational roles of women in the Torah. Sometimes a troublesome woman who appears to be a harlot is a virtuous woman [eshet chayil] led by the Holy Spirit, she guides [ezer] men who stray back into the straight path.”[6] [brackets and bolding are mine]

Stay tuned. In Part VII, I hope that we can bring all these revelations together and make them applicable to our lives today.

In such a time, Naomi tells her daughter-in-law to

                             “Sit still, my daughter.” (Ruth 3:18)

Sit still? When there is so much to do? When there is so many things to be taken care of? Sit still? Doing nothing? Really? Why did Naomi say so? Because she knew one thing. Boaz would not rest until he had finished that thing that very day.

We may know our Boaz, our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ. But how much do we know about Him? Enough to trust Him that He will not rest until He has finished this thing this very day??? If our hearts really believe in Him, if we truly have faith in Jesus Christ, if we really have tasted the love of our LORD, then we will do one thing and one thing only. The one thing that the LORD is asking of us today: Be still.

The premise of the series is that friends are not just nice to have, but beneficial for us, for our walk with God, and for the advancement of the Gospel. God uses friendships to help make us more like Jesus.

You can listen or download this message about Ruth and Naomi here.

The lovely cover for A Little Night Music, designed by Andrew Brown from Design for Writers.

I was going to wait awhile before revealing the cover for A Little Night Music–I’m still tweaking the manuscript–but I love it so much I just had to share it.

I started A Little Night Music three years ago and then set it aside.  There were a lot of reasons I stopped working on it but then I decided to ignore them. I loved the story. I wanted it to see the light of day and people who’d read parts of it urged me to keep working on it. They cared about Naomi and Liam and wanted to find out the rest of their story.

So I resurrected the story, worked on it here and there. It’s nearly done and my plan is to launch it either late July or early August. I’ll keep you posted on the actual launch date.

Many thanks to Andrew Brown from Design for Writers for helping me with the cover design!

Happy reading (and writing)!

Broken lives
Broken bodies
Broken hearts
Broken identities
Broken relationships
Broken families
Broken mental health
Broken hopes and dreams
Broken promises
Broken careers

The world is so broken; this brokenness is so overwhelming that it breaks others.
We all have some form of brokenness in us, if we say we do not, we are liars.
The good news is that there is a Man on the throne of heaven interceding.
on our behalf to bring healing, redemption and restoration.
There is a Savior who desires to take this yoke upon Himself and help us through this process.
There is lover whose love abounds through this darkness and brings us hope.
There a Father who cares dearly….more than we know.

Admit the need for a savior,
Draw to near Jesus and He will make you Whole…….

Layla recently took to Twitter to drop a bombshell on the WWE Universe: Jimmy Uso and Naomi are dating.

“The cutest couple ever #trueLove @wwenaomi @wwejimmyuso Awewwwwwe #lol” Layla tweeted. Not only did Layla tweet this bombshell revelation, but she also provided proof in the form of this photo.

More Jimmy Uso News
More Naomi News
More WWE News

Source:

Layla’s Twitter

And it was a sacrifice indeed :( I’m not even sure how should I begin this because I’m still a bit confused about the ending and I even saw it twice just because I wanted to.Oh and the beggining with all the flashbacks with Bobby and Dead as a cowboy,Sam doing the trials on my favourite song now that was just epic,it made my heart melt from the very first seconds.

Talking like that about Crowley lol is kinda of very weird,he is the King Of hell after all but that accent and the cheeky attitude gets me everytime.

That scene with the cars reminds me of Bobby and Dean trying to fix his Impala, seriously that place makes me sad.Cas letting Naomi take Metatron maybe was a good idea because we finally found out what his intentions were,not good,I was truly surprised about that,he was supposted to be doing good,isn’t that why God let him know all his secrets? Sam confessing,that was a fine thing.For the first time I agreed with Naomi and understand why she did all that,getting in people’s minds.

She sure kicked his ass.

Dean saving his little brother once again that must be my favourite scene,he will do anything for him and he showed us that a lot over the time.

Did you really have to,Metatron?

I trusted you and you were not who I thought you were…

The angels….they’re falling

I’m just sad I didn’t found a good gif with the angels falling,I know it as a very sad scene but the way they make that moment was billiant.And the way Sammy’s hands were glowing that was so cool.I will probably go crazy until the fall to wait for the new season after this ending but this is what makes Supernatural this great,isn’t?After all that happened it was an awesome finale.

]]> http://samanddeanbrothersinarms.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/so-what-did-i-think-of-the-finale-season-8/ Sat, 18 May 2013 20:08:02 +0000 bellauk66 http://samanddeanbrothersinarms.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/so-what-did-i-think-of-the-finale-season-8/ I am on a high this afternoon. I am in such high spirits. It was wild, full of spirit and plenty of twists along the way. Here are my highlights and hates so here goes just like last week.

Sam broke my heart into a thousand tiny pieces …

What I liked:

1. That lovely little Chapel out in the middle of no where and that scenery WOW! what a back drop. It literally took my breath away. 
2. The lightning in the back ground at the chapel
3. Crowley on a date with Jody Mills, didn’t see that one coming
4. Is Jody alive or dead?
5. Kevin and the tablet how it magic itself back together like glue
6. Cas asking Metatron what God was like, and his explanation back to an interested Castiel.
7. The boys faces as they arrived back at Bobby’s junk yard a familiar haunt
8. The signing of the agenda rant & the handcuffing Crowley moment in Bobby’s junk yard.
9. The amazing one-liners from Crowley in particular
10. Cas saying to Dean is it wise to drink on the job
11. Cas talking to Dean in the bar about the mess he made in heaven wondering if they would kill him if he went back home. Dean to Cas ET goes home …. awwwh.
12. Dean looking at the gay men in the bar making a pass at each other when he thought they were chatting up the woman
13. Sam confessing in the chapel confession box, was GOD perhaps listening in
14. Crowley’s speech to Sam I deserved to be loved. He Rocked
15. Dean to Sam I killed Benny for you I’m begging you scene
16. Crowley and Abaddon we need to talk about my new regime
17. Abaddon throwing Sam out of the Chapel window OMG
18. Sammy killing Abaddon setting her on fire WOW good on you Sammy
19. Crowley lighting up the Bunker with Kevin inside
20. The boys laying on the floor by the Impala looking up into the sky and Sam asks what’s going on, and Dean replies angels are falling OMG

Oh my God – falling Angels

What I didn’t like:

1. The boys once again walking out of the chapel leaving Crowley on his own in there
2. Dean how could you throw all that back at Sam you could have handled that moment so much better I felt bad for Sam, Ruby, Lilith, Not looking for me etc
3. Dean talking to Cas and mentioning Chaperoning Sam and he over hears
4. Since when has Kevin been hitting on the hard stuff Whiskey
5. Cas was such a bad ass handling Kevin in the Bunker
6. Crowley biting Sam setting him up to bring in Abaddon
7. Metatron killing Naomi was she a good guy after all
8. Metatron slicing Cas’s neck and removing his grace sending him back to earth human
9. Metatron allowing the angels to fall just because of revenge

Crowley was for once out of his depth ….

My ear’s are still ringing with excitement, just like a little girl waiting for Christmas morning.  I was literally on the edge of my seat. I have to applaud Jared in particular you all no how I adore Jared. But he honestly has grown in leaps and bounds. It takes a lot for me to cry, and this one really got to me. I knew Dean would blow me away but Jared was just incredible. He was really struggling with his guilt, over Dean and he finally cracked under pressure. It was an apology to me, and they both new where they were finally at. At the end of the day  they were there for each other and this is after all, what basically matters. They finally got each other. I think this has been one of the best finales in years. So I hope to god, Sam pulls through and God does come through for Sam. So had this been Sam’s destiny all along that it was written that Sam would die.

Bella is early this week for once with my own take. I realize now that Sam will not turn into an angel and could see the connection in that he had to be purified to cure a demon. Mark and Jared really captivated me in so many ways. Dean and Sam well I couldn’t put it into words we know these brothers are special and what they wouldn’t do for one another leaves me speechless time after time. I have to honestly give this a 10 out of 10. Carry on my way-wood sons.

One final note, I think I have to mention both the cast and crew as they all have worked so hard for our enjoyment this season and past seasons. Jeremy I think does understand the boys, and he did come through I think for us in the end. Jared and Jensen rocked and we dearly no they adore each other. 

Drop Aunty B that amazing comment as she’s always here waiting, I am so happy

1And Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, My daughter, am I not to get you a resting-place where you may be in comfort?

2And now, is there not Boaz, our relation, with whose young women you were? See, tonight he is separating the grain from the waste in his grain-floor.

3So take a bath, and, after rubbing your body with sweet oil, put on your best robe, and go down to the grain-floor; but do not let him see you till he has come to the end of his meal.

4But see to it, when he goes to rest, that you take note of the place where he is sleeping, and go in there, and, uncovering his feet, take your place by him; and he will say what you are to do.

5And she said, I will do all you say.

6So she went down to the grain-floor and did all her mother-in-law had said to her.

7Now when Boaz had taken meat and drink, and his heart was glad, he went to take his rest at the end of the mass of grain; then she came softly and, uncovering his feet, went to rest.

8Now in the middle of the night, the man awaking from his sleep in fear, and lifting himself up, saw a woman stretched at his feet.

9And he said, Who are you? And she answering said, I am your servant Ruth: take your servant as wife, for you are a near relation.

10And he said, May the Lord give you his blessing, my daughter: even better than what you did at the first is this last kind act you have done, in not going after young men, with or without wealth.

11And now, my daughter, have no fear; I will do for you whatever you say: for it is clear to all my townspeople that you are a woman of virtue.

12Now it is true that I am a near relation: but there is a relation nearer than I.

13Take your rest here tonight; and in the morning, if he will do for you what it is right for a relation to do, very well, let him do so: but if he will not, then by the living Lord I myself will do so.

14And she took her rest at his feet till the morning: and she got up before it was light enough for one to see another. And he said, Let it not come to anyone’s knowledge that the woman came to the grain-floor.

15And he said, Take your robe, stretching it out in your hands: and she did so, and he took six measures of grain and put them into it, and gave it her to take: and she went back to the town.

16And when she came back her mother-in-law said to her, How did it go with you, my daughter? And she gave her an account of all the man had done to her.

17And she said, He gave me these six measures of grain, saying, Do not go back to your mother-in-law with nothing in your hands.

18Then she said, Do nothing now, my daughter, till you see what will come of this; for the man will take no rest till he has put this thing through.

Ruth 4

1And Boaz went up to the public place of the town, and took his seat there: and the near relation of whom he had been talking came by; and Boaz, crying out to him by name, said, Come and be seated here. And he came and was seated.

2Then he got ten of the responsible men of the town, and said, Be seated here. And they took their seats.

3Then he said to the near relation, Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is offering for a price that bit of land which was our brother Elimelech’s:

4And it was in my mind to give you the chance of taking it, with the approval of those seated here and of the responsible men of my people. If you are ready to do what it is right for a relation to do, then do it: but if you will not do it, say so to me now; for there is no one who has the right to do it but you, and after you myself. And he said, I will do it.

5Then Boaz said, On the day when you take this field, you will have to take with it Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, so that you may keep the name of the dead living in his heritage.

6And the near relation said, I am not able to do the relation’s part, for fear of damaging the heritage I have: you may do it in my place, for I am not able to do it myself.

7Now, in earlier times this was the way in Israel when property was taken over by a near relation, or when there was a change of owner. To make the exchange certain one man took off his shoe and gave it to the other; and this was a witness in Israel.

8So the near relation said to Boaz, Take it for yourself. And he took off his shoe.

9Then Boaz said to the responsible men and to all the people, You are witnesses today that I have taken at a price from Naomi all the property which was Elimelech’s, and everything which was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s.

10And, further, I have taken Ruth, the Moabitess, who was the wife of Mahlon, to be my wife, to keep the name of the dead man living in his heritage, so that his name may not be cut off from among his countrymen, and from the memory of his town: you are witnesses this day.

11And all the people who were in the public place, and the responsible men, said, We are witnesses. May the Lord make this woman, who is about to come into your house, like Rachel and Leah, which two were the builders of the house of Israel: and may you have wealth in Ephrathah, and be great in Beth-lehem;

12May your family be like the family of Perez, the son whom Tamar gave to Judah, from the offspring which the Lord may give you by this young woman.

13So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and the Lord made her with child and she gave birth to a son.

14And the women said to Naomi, A blessing on the Lord, who has not let you be this day without a near relation, and may his name be great in Israel.

15He will be a giver of new life to you, and your comforter when you are old, for your daughter-in-law, who, in her love for you, is better than seven sons, has given birth to him.

16And Naomi took the child and put her arms round it, and she took care of it.

17And the women who were her neighbours gave it a name, saying, Naomi has a child; and they gave him the name of Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

18Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron;

19And Hezron became the father of Ram, and Ram became the father of Amminadab;

20And Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon became the father of Salmon;

21And Salmon became the father of Boaz, and Boaz became the father of Obed;

22And Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the father of David.

Psalms 48

A Song. A Psalm. Of the sons of Korah.

1 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, in the town of our God, in his holy mountain.

2Beautiful in its high position, the joy of all the earth, is the mountain of Zion, the mountain of God, the town of the great King.

3In its buildings God is seen to be a high tower.

4For see! the kings came together by agreement, they were joined together.

5They saw it, and so were full of wonder; they were troubled, and went quickly away in fear.

6Shaking came on them and pain, as on a woman in childbirth.

7By you the ships of Tarshish are broken as by an east wind.

8As it came to our ears so have we seen it, in the town of the Lord of armies, in the town of our God; God will keep it fixed for ever. (Selah.)

9Our thoughts were of your mercy, O God, while we were in your Temple.

10As your name is, O God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth; your right hand is full of righteousness.

11Let there be joy in the mountain of Zion, and let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of your wise decisions.

12Make your way about Zion, and go round it, numbering its towers.

13Take note of its strong walls, looking well at its fair buildings; so that you may give word of it to the generation which comes after.

14Because this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide.

Acts 26:1-18

1And Agrippa said to Paul, You may put your cause before us. Then Paul, stretching out his hand, made his answer, saying:

2In my opinion I am happy, King Agrippa, to be able to give my answer before you today to all these things which the Jews say against me:

3The more so, because you are expert in all questions to do with the Jews and their ways: so I make my request to you to give me a hearing to the end.

4All the Jews have knowledge of my way of life from my early years, as it was from the start among my nation, and at Jerusalem;

5And they are able to say, if they would give witness, that I was living as a Pharisee, in that division of our religion which is most regular in the keeping of the law.

6And now I am here to be judged because of the hope given by God’s word to our fathers;

7For the effecting of which our twelve tribes have been working and waiting night and day with all their hearts. And in connection with this hope I am attacked by the Jews, O king!

8Why, in your opinion, is it outside belief for God to make the dead come to life again?

9For I, truly, was of the opinion that it was right for me to do a number of things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

10And this I did in Jerusalem: and numbers of the saints I put in prison, having had authority given to me from the chief priests, and when they were put to death, I gave my decision against them.

11And I gave them punishment frequently, in all the Synagogues, forcing them to say things against God; and burning with passion against them, I went after them even into far-away towns.

12Then, when I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and orders of the chief priests,

13In the middle of the day, on the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining round me and those who were journeying with me.

14And when we had all gone down on the earth, a voice came to me, saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why are you attacking me so cruelly? It is hard for you to go against the impulse which is driving you.

15And I said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you are attacking.

16But get up on your feet: for I have come to you for this purpose, to make you a servant and a witness of the things in which you have seen me, and of those in which you will see me;

17And I will keep you safe from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,

18To make their eyes open, turning them from the dark to the light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may have forgiveness of sins and a heritage among those who are made holy by faith in me.

From  The  Intrust  Bank  Arena  in  Wichita,  Kansas:

Hosted  by  Josh  Matthews,  Michael  Cole  and  John  ”Bradshaw”  Layfield  (JBL).

1.  MIZ  TV  with  The  Miz.

HIS  GUESTS:  Randy  Orton  and  The  Big  Show.

The  Miz  wanted  to  know  about  Orton  and  Big  Show’s  thoughts  on  their  match at  Extreme  Rules,  and  Big  Show  vowed  that  Orton  will  be  knocked  out.  But  Orton  vowed  that  he  will  not  lose  in  his  hometown.  This  segment  was  interrupted  by  Jack  Swagger  and  Zeb  Coulter,  Alberto  del  Rio  and  Ricardo  Rodriguez,  ”The  World’s  Strongest  Man”  Mark  Henry  and  Sheamus,  who  drove  Swagger,  Coulter  and  Henry  out  of  the  ring  with  a  leather  strap!!!  Then  SmackDown!  Senior  Advisor  Theodore  R.  ”Teddy”  Long  appears   and  orders  Swagger,  del  Rio,  Orton,  Henry,  Sheamus  and  Big  Show  into  a  Six-Man  Tag  Team  Match!!!

2.  TAG  TEAM  MATCH:  Seth  Rollins  and  Roman  Reigns  with  Dean  Ambrose  vs.  The  Usos  (Jimmy  and  Jey).

THE  WINNERS:  SETH  ROLLINS  AND  ROMAN  REIGNS.

3.  TAG  TEAM  MATCH:  Tons  of  Funk  (Tensai  and  ”The  Funkasaurus”  Brodus  Clay)  with  The  Funkadactyls  (Naomi  and  Cameron)  vs.  The  Prime  Time  Players  (Darren  Young  and  Titus  O’Neil).

THE  WINNERS:  TONS  OF  FUNK!!!

4.  Chris  Jericho  vs.  Antonio  Cesaro.

THE  WINNER  VIA  SUBMISSION:  CHRIS  JERICHO!!!

5.  Damien  Sandow  vs.  The  Miz.

THE  SPECIAL  GUEST  COMMENTATOR  FOR  THIS  MATCH:  Cody  Rhodes.

THE  WINNER  VIA  SUBMISSION:  THE  MIZ!!!

6.  A  NON-TITLE  DIVAS  MATCH:  Aksana  vs.  WWE  Divas  Champion  Kaitlyn.

THE  WINNER: KAITLYN!!!

7.  A  SIX-MAN  TAG  TEAM  MAIN  EVENT:  The  Big  Show,  Jack  Swagger  with  Zeb  Coulter  and  ”The  World’s  Strongest  Man”  Mark  Henry  vs.   Sheamus,  Randy  Orton  and  Alberto  del  Rio  with  Ricardo  Rodriguez.

THE  WINNERS:  THE  TEAM  OF  SHEAMUS,  RANDY  ORTON  AND  ALBERTO  DEL  RIO!!!

Match  #4  and  the  main  event  are  the  highlight  matches  of  the  night!!!!!

Chris  Jericho,  Antonio  Cesaro,  Mark  Henry,  Sheamus,  Randy  Orton  and  Alberto  del  Rio  are  the  wrestlers  of  the  night!!!!!

ANALYSIS:  A  three-year-old  could  tell  that  the  MIZ  TV   segment  would  not  end  well.

Fixing Sam is a must ……..

1. More brotherly bonding and less fighting 
   
2. Cas is more or less human now so it would be interesting seeing him powerless
3. A strong myth arc regarding the angels and Metatron 
4. Ditch Garth and Charlie, we could do with more mature support
5. Bring back Benny and make use out of him this time. Make him part of the set up
6. Give Kevin a new purpose and a firm role to play bouncing back between Sam, Dean and Cas possibly a partnership between Metatron
7. Heaven and sorting out Metatron. Figure out what Metatron is up to
8. Less MOTW,  episodes the rest should exclusively be myth arc related
9. Involve more guest stars so the boys have others to bounce off
10. Demote Cas to semi regular
11. Fix Sam’s health is a must
12. Sort out the trials and give us a clear indication they have been dealt with
13. What has happened to Crowley is he human or not
14. What will happen to hell if the angels have fallen is there a plan for hell?
15. Keep the Bunker
16. Bring back Naomi and integrate Abaddon into the myth arc. We need more women on this show !!!!

What has happened to Crowley – What part will he play now?

You may or may not agree with my choice, and would be great to edit the list with your feelings attached. We can then see a bigger picture of what we as fans really want to see. Its also nice to see if our dreams visualize and come true. Bella can’t wait to here from you as usual, get tapping away on those keys guys …..

1Now there came a time, in the days of the judges, when there was no food in the land. And a certain man went from Beth-lehem-judah, he and his wife and his two sons, to make a living-place in the country of Moab.

2And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and were there for some time.

3And Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, came to his end; and only her two sons were with her.

4And they took two women of Moab as their wives: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth; and they went on living there for about ten years.

5And Mahlon and Chilion came to their end; and the woman was without her two sons and her husband.

6So she and her daughters-in-law got ready to go back from the country of Moab, for news had come to her in the country of Moab that the Lord, in mercy for his people, had given them food.

7And she went out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah.

8And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go back to your mothers’ houses: may the Lord be good to you as you have been good to the dead and to me:

9May the Lord give you rest in the houses of your husbands. Then she gave them a kiss; and they were weeping bitterly.

10And they said to her, No, but we will go back with you to your people.

11But Naomi said, Go back, my daughters; why will you come with me? Have I more sons in my body, to become your husbands?

12Go back, my daughters, and go on your way; I am so old now that I may not have another husband. If I said, I have hopes, if I had a husband tonight, and might have sons,

13Would you keep yourselves till they were old enough? would you keep from having husbands for them? No, my daughters; but I am very sad for you that the hand of the Lord is against me.

14Then again they were weeping; and Orpah gave her mother-in-law a kiss, but Ruth would not be parted from her.

15And Naomi said, See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods: go back after your sister-in-law.

16But Ruth said, Give up requesting me to go away from you, or to go back without you: for where you go I will go; and where you take your rest I will take my rest; your people will be my people, and your God my God.

17Wherever death comes to you, death will come to me, and there will be my last resting-place; the Lord do so to me and more if we are parted by anything but death.

18And when she saw that Ruth was strong in her purpose to go with her she said no more.

19So the two of them went on till they came to Beth-lehem. And when they came to Beth-lehem all the town was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?

20And she said to them, Do not let my name be Naomi, but Mara, for the Ruler of all has given me a bitter fate.

21I went out full, and the Lord has sent me back again with nothing; why do you give me the name Naomi, seeing that the Lord has given witness against me, and the Ruler of all has sent sorrow on me?

22So Naomi came back out of the country of Moab, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her; and they came to Beth-lehem in the first days of the grain-cutting.

Ruth 2

1And Naomi had a relation of her husband, a man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.

2And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, Now let me go into the field and take up the heads of grain after him in whose eyes I may have grace. And she said to her, Go, my daughter.

3And she went, and came and took up the heads of grain in the field after the cutters; and by chance she went into that part of the field which was the property of Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

4And Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said to the grain-cutters, The Lord be with you. And they made answer, The Lord give you his blessing.

5Then Boaz said to his servant who was in authority over the cutters, Whose girl is this?

6And the servant who was in authority over the cutters said, It is a Moabite girl who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab;

7And she said to me, Let me come into the grain-field and take up the grain after the cutters. So she came, and has been here from morning till now, without resting even for a minute.

8Then said Boaz to Ruth, Give ear to me, my daughter: do not go to take up the grain in another field, or go away from here, but keep here by my young women:

9Keep your eyes on the field they are cutting, and go after them; have I not given orders to the young men not to put a hand on you? And when you are in need of drink go to the vessels and take of what the young men have put there.

10Then she went down on her face to the earth, and said to him, Why have I grace in your eyes, that you give attention to me, seeing I am from a strange people?

11And Boaz answering said to her, I have had news of everything you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband; how you went away from your father and mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people who are strange to you.

12The Lord give you a reward for what you have done, and may a full reward be given to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take cover.

13Then she said, May I have grace in your eyes, my lord, for you have given me comfort, and you have said kind words to your servant, though I am not like one of your servants.

14And at meal-time Boaz said to her, Come here, and take some of the bread, and put your bit into the wine. And she took her seat among the grain-cutters: and he gave her dry grain, and she took it, and there was more than enough for her meal.

15And when she got ready to take up the grain, Boaz gave his young men orders, saying, Let her take it even from among the cut grain, and say nothing to her.

16And let some heads of grain be pulled out of what has been corded up, and dropped for her to take, and let no sharp word be said to her.

17So she went on getting together the heads of grain till evening; and after crushing out the seed it came to about an ephah of grain.

18And she took it up and went into the town; and she let her mother-in-law see what she had got, and after taking enough for herself she gave her the rest.

19And her mother-in-law said to her, Where did you take up the grain today, and where were you working? May a blessing be on him who gave such attention to you. And she gave her mother-in-law an account of where she had been working, and said, The name of the man with whom I was working today is Boaz.

20And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, May the blessing of the Lord, who has at all times been kind to the living and to the dead, be on him. And Naomi said to her, The man is of our family, one of our near relations.

21And Ruth the Moabitess said, Truly, he said to me, Keep near my young men till all my grain is cut.

22And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, It is better, my daughter, for you to go out with his servant-girls, so that no danger may come to you in another field.

23So she kept near the servant-girls of Boaz to take up the grain till the cutting of the early grain and the cutting of the late grain were ended; and she went on living with her mother-in-law.

Psalms 47

To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of the sons of Korah.

1 O make a glad noise with your hands, all you peoples; letting your voices go up to God with joy.

2For the Lord Most High is to be feared; he is a great King over all the earth.

3He will put down the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.

4He will give us our heritage, the glory of Jacob who is dear to him. (Selah.)

5God has gone up with a glad cry, the Lord with the sound of the horn.

6Give praises to God, make songs of praise; give praises to our King, make songs of praise.

7For God is the King of all the earth; make songs of praise with knowledge.

8God is the ruler over the nations; God is on the high seat of his holy rule.

9The rulers of the peoples have come together, with the people of the God of Abraham; because the powers of the earth are God’s: he is lifted up on high.

Acts 25

1So Festus, having come into that part of the country which was under his rule, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

2And the chief priests and the chief men of the Jews made statements against Paul,

3Requesting Festus to give effect to their design against him, and send him to Jerusalem, when they would be waiting to put him to death on the way.

4But Festus, in answer, said that Paul was being kept in prison at Caesarea, and that in a short time he himself was going there.

5So, he said, let those who have authority among you go with me, and if there is any wrong in the man, let them make a statement against him.

6And when he had been with them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and on the day after, he took his place on the judge’s seat, and sent for Paul.

7And when he came, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem came round him, and made all sorts of serious statements against him, which were not supported by the facts.

8Then Paul, in his answer to them, said, I have done no wrong against the law of the Jews, or against the Temple, or against Caesar.

9But Festus, desiring to get the approval of the Jews, said to Paul, Will you go up to Jerusalem, and be judged before me there in connection with these things?

10And Paul said, I am before the seat of Caesar’s authority where it is right for me to be judged: I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you are well able to see.

11If, then, I am a wrongdoer and there is a cause of death in me, I am ready for death: if it is not as they say against me, no man may give me up to them. Let my cause come before Caesar.

12Then Festus, having had a discussion with the Jews, made answer, You have said, Let my cause come before Caesar; to Caesar you will go.

13Now when some days had gone by, King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea and went to see Festus.

14And as they were there for some days, Festus gave them Paul’s story, saying, There is a certain man here who was put in prison by Felix:

15Against whom the chief priests and the rulers of the Jews made a statement when I was at Jerusalem, requesting me to give a decision against him.

16To whom I gave answer that it is not the Roman way to give a man up, till he has been face to face with those who are attacking him, and has had a chance to give an answer to the statements made against him.

17So, when they had come together here, straight away, on the day after, I took my place on the judge’s seat and sent for the man.

18But when they got up they said nothing about such crimes as I had in mind:

19But had certain questions against him in connection with their religion, and about one Jesus, now dead, who, Paul said, was living.

20And as I had not enough knowledge for the discussion of these things, I made the suggestion to him to go to Jerusalem and be judged there.

21But when Paul made a request that he might be judged by Caesar, I gave orders for him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

22And Agrippa said to Festus, I have a desire to give the man a hearing myself. Tomorrow, he said, you may give him a hearing.

23So on the day after, when Agrippa and Bernice in great glory had come into the public place of hearing, with the chief of the army and the chief men of the town, at the order of Festus, Paul was sent for.

24And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all those who are present here with us, you see this man, about whom all the Jews have made protests to me, at Jerusalem and in this place, saying that it is not right for him to be living any longer.

25But, in my opinion, there is no cause of death in him, and as he himself has made a request to be judged by Caesar, I have said that I would send him.

26But I have no certain account of him to send to Caesar. So I have sent for him to come before you, and specially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the business has been gone into, I may have something to put in writing.

27For it seems to me against reason to send a prisoner without making clear what there is against him.

I can say honestly that season 8 is my new favorite season. I admit, there are aspects of it that I am still not happy with (like, say, Amelia) but all the same, it was a brilliant, heartbreaking, turbulent rollercoaster ride of awesomeness and badassery like we haven’t really seen in a while.

I have never not loved Supernatural, but I will admit that season 6 was a bit of a mess story-wise and season 7 (while wonderful) had more than its share of moments that made me wanna punch things. (Of course, if we’re looking at all the seasons, nothing in the show is worse than season 3…)

Anyway, this season really took the show somewhere new and also brought back some of the old spark that was the reason I fell in love with it in the first place.

Specifically, I’m talking about Sam and Dean and their relationship.

I don’t know if anyone noticed, but after season 5, Sam and Dean didn’t seem as close. Not that they didn’t care about each other, but there were less brother moments, there was more tension and fighting and very little of the brotherly banter in the first few seasons.

But this season really delivered on the Brotherly Love scale. We got to see Sam and Dean like they haven’t been in a long time. Sure, they were fighting (especially in the beginning when Dean was angry at Sam for not looking for him in Purgatory) but they still looked out for each other and their love for each other really became the focus of the season like it hasn’t been in far too long.

Sam’s struggle with the trials, Dean’s struggle to be there for him even when he couldn’t really do anything about what was going on really reminded me a lot of season 2, when they were freaked out about what was happening to Sam because of the YED.

And the finale… Oh god, the scene where Sam tells Dean about his biggest sin. You guys, I was crying buckets. It was so heartbreaking and so beautiful and it really was just so perfect. I was so happy they had that scene because they needed that scene. The last couple of seasons didn’t give us those kinds of scenes like they used to.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Supernatural never fails to surprise me. Just when I think I have things figured out, they change the rules on me.

I was sure that the trials would kill Sam. I was sure of it like I haven’t been sure of anything in a long time. And the worst part is, I was right, but Sam still didn’t die. I totally expected Sam to die in the finale and I have to say and I was pleasantly surprised that not one of the main characters died. We still have Sam, Dean AND Cas.

I said I wanted them to do something different for the finale this year and they did. And I truly loved it even though I’m still freaking out and the fall seems so very far away. I wanna know what happens next NOW.

I was also absolutely certain Naomi would die in the finale – I refused to accept that she would live to go to season 9. I said before that I didn’t even care who killed her or how she died so long as she did and yet again, Supernatural went and changed things on me.

Naomi had to go and apologize and act reasonable and warn them about the danger they were in. THEN they kill her. After she reveals herself to not be a total bitch, they have Metatron shove a drill in her skull.

Not only that, but I trusted Metatron, damn it. I was a bit wary, but I never thought I had anything to actually worry about. I should have listened to my own advice. I always say that you should never trust or like any new character on the show because they always, always turn evil and/or die. ALWAYS.

Supernatural is why I have trust issues.

The story line of this season was just brilliant. The episodes were brilliant. Everything was just brilliant. There was only one not-quite-brilliant-but-still-good episode this season and the only reason I didn’t love that episode was because it’s a crime to have an SPN episode with so little Sam and Dean.

I’m not exaggerating when I say I think this season is the best one yet. The acting, the stories, the cast, the directing, everything was brilliant. It was emotional, it was visceral, it was beautiful and painful and terrifically wonderful.

I only have one concern and that is this: Crowley. They did not finish curing Crowley. Does this mean he will go back to being his demonic self or did the purified blood change him too much? If he does go back to be a demon, will he escape or will Sam and Dean kill him before he can? He’s still chained up in the church. Does he get away? Did they just leave him in there? I’m very, very concerned about the Crowley storyline. I don’t want Crowley to go away just yet.

Also, I’m very interested to see if Abaddon comes back. She smoked out of the body she was in so it’s entirely possible.
And I am extremely anxious to see how they fix the fallen angel problem. (Did anyone else thing it was really beautiful in a depressing way watching all the angels fall?) How are they going to fix thousands of angels thrown out of Heaven? How are they going to solve this one? Are they going to kill Metatron?

I can’t wait to see Sam and Dean and Cas reunited again, working to fix this. I am dying for season 9 already.

Seriously. Why isn’t it Fall yet?

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130516031911/supernatural/images/4/41/Angelsfalling.gif

So I’m the resident Supernatural die-hard Shaf of the two of us, and as much as I adore TVD, the Salvatores still come in second to the Winchesters, who by far have always been the best brothers TV has ever seen.

http://supernatural-changed-my-life.tumblr.com/

Ups, downs and everything, they have literally been through it all. Maybe Drake and Josh are a close second too? . Anyways I NEEEED to post this. Because-

http://fyspn.tumblr.com/

FALLING ANGELS YOU GUYSSSSSSSSSSSSS. FALLEN FRICKEN ANGELS. ANGELS. FALLING. WHAAAAAAAAA-

The whole entire finale was pretty awesome, maybe not the awesome-est ever but still awesome and waaaaay better than last season in my opinon. From Abbadon gearing up for a revolution in Hell,

http://jojen-reeed.tumblr.com/

http://supernaturalfansecrets.tumblr.com/

To Crowly coming undone, the human in him briefly shining through (Why is Sam’s nickname Moose? Am I forgetting something?); this for me was maybe the most amazing part of this episode,

https://deathsdelaks.tumblr.com/

To Sam’s near-death experience/attempt (I guess all that effort for the trials gone to waste was pretty disappointing but if it’s Sam or the Gates, I choose Sam),

http://screenrant.com/supernatural-season-8-finale-review/

http://fyspn.tumblr.com/

https://deathsdelaks.tumblr.com/

http://fyspn.tumblr.com/

To Naomi’s death (sure, we all hated her but in the end, it was still kind of like damn :/)

http://angelsofspn.tumblr.com/

And Metatron’s betrayal/revenge, and him stealing Cas’s grace and USING it up in a spell :O. It’s gone now isn’t it? It can’t be retrieved because it was used. Poor Cas. Is human now.

http://castiels-winchesters.tumblr.com/

Okay yeah, who am I kidding, they haven’t had a finale this awesome since season 5′s I think. I mean, neither brother even died/disappeared for the first time in forever. But the final scene, that picture right up there at the top. I was just in shock and awe at the beauty and horror of the last scene as the sky rained down blazing angels like white hot shooting stars.

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130516031838/supernatural/images/1/12/Angelfalling.gif

I LOVED this finale. At the beginning of this season I was finally ready to give up. I thought it was just going to go right down the drain. And it was that episode, the hand-held-camera one about the werewolves in college that just did it for me. I have to say, for me, that was the absolute worst episode ever made on this show. I know people either loved it or hated it but I hated it. I don’t even know why I watched the next episode. But just like that it all changed and somehow, the whole season came around for the better. Whoever saved this season and turned it into this – kudos to you. And thank you. I actually cannot wait until season 9 now. Last one. It better be great.

Let’s end with a little amusing Destiel bromance moment .

http://fyspn.tumblr.com/

And a little Winchester bros too ofc:

http://supernatural-changed-my-life.tumblr.com/

-Shaf#2