…and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies

I was reading Genesis this morning and I came across this verse:

Gensis 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

And that last bit struck my interest because a) the idea of stealing someones front door and walking off with it amuses me, and b) I seemed to remember Sampson actually doing it. (Talk about a piratical joke. And people think God’s no fun…)

Judges 16:2 And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.
3 And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron.

So it turns out that he had a good reason. It was a preemptive strike, but they were going to kill him so hitting second wasn’t such a good option. I just wonder how he kept himself from snickering (or waking anyone up while he was ripping the gates out of the ground for that matter.)

What he actually stole was the gate from the wall around the city, and the posts that hold them in place. This is a bit more important than anyone’s front door, because it was what kept attacking armies outside. (And if you read how much Samson kicked these guys asses, you’ll realize that they needed any protection they could get.)

And in case you’re wondering, Samson is in Abraham’s blood line. He was of the tribe of the Danites. The 12 tribes of Israel were from the sons of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham.

The book of Ruth - A Love Story

The book of Ruth is a Love story. It’s somewhat amazing, because it was set in a time of strict cultural rules and arranged marriages, and yet, Boaz and Ruth were able to work within the Jewish culture and it’s traditions and still came out together.

It starts off with Naomi and her husband, and they have two sons, and their two sons marry two gals. One of the gals is Ruth. A famine hits the land and Naomi’s husband and their two sons all die. Naomi tells her daughters in law to go back home and that their family’s will have to take care of them.

The daughters in law are from different religious & cultural backgrounds, and it was assumed that they would go back to those backgrounds even though they had been Jews when their husbands were alive.

The one girl leaves, but Ruth stays. She says to Naomi “I will make your people my people and your God my God.” And so the two of them go back to Ruth’s home town of Bethlehem.

In their culture, the farmers left some of the crop out in the field so that the poor could go and gather it for themselves. So Ruth went out into a field to gather some corn for the two of them.

The field she went into belong to Boaz, who had been the kinsmen (brother) of Namoi’s husband.

Boaz sees her out in the field and asks his servants who she is. And when he finds out, he tells them to be extra nice to her and leave some extra harvest behind for her. Boaz talks to Ruth and tells her not to go to any other fields, just stay at his. He lets her eat with his reapers when they eat a meal.

At the end of the day Ruth goes back to Naomi and tells her what’s happened and Naomi is pretty happy about everything. They go on like this for a while and Ruth takes care of Naomi.

Naomi and Ruth both knew what a kinsmen redeemer was but I didn’t. Basically, when a woman’s husband would die, his brothers, his kinsmen, would often marry the woman and take care of her. They “redeemed” her from the life of a widow. (It was a lot worse in their culture than in ours.)

So Naomi explains to Ruth the proper way in their culture to tell Boaz that she’d like to marry him, she’d like for him to be her kinsmen redeemer, and Ruth goes and does it. And Boaz makes Ruth a promise. He tells her that while he is kinsmen there was a brother nearer than himself. Basically in their culture, the nearest kinsmen had to have to first chance to marry the widow, then if he didn’t, the next kinsmen, Boaz, was then was allowed to. So Boaz promises Ruth that if the other kinsmen won’t marry her that he will.

The next day Boaz goes into town and gets to gather the other brother (the nearer kinsmen) and a number of the elders of the town. Boaz points out to his brother that he has this opportunity to marry Ruth. And at first the brother says he’s going to do it, but Boaz talks him out of it.

Boaz points out that the brothers inheritance for his children will have to be split among Ruth’s children too. The brother decides he doesn’t like that so much, so he gives up his opportunity to marry her. Then Boaz announces in front of everybody that he will be the kinsmen redeemer for Ruth.

So Boaz and Ruth get married and have a son. A few generations down the tree, David comes out of their bloodline, one of the greatest kings ever. The book of Samuel calls David “A man after gods own heart.” And a number of generations after that Jesus Christ comes out of their bloodline.

If you’d like to read it for yourself, here’s Ruth 1 in The King James version, and here it is in the somewhat easier-to-read New International Version

The Christian Family Fellowship also sells a class by Rev. Wayne Clapp that goes into the book of Ruth in far more detail than I possibly could.  I just got myself a copy and started going through it. The class is $30.

This synopsis  was written by fellowlaborer Nathan Friedly and is also available on his blog.

January

By Daniella Rich, Fellowlaborer ‘07-’08

 The word “consolation” indicates something that relieves or encourages. As fellowlaborers with God, we are all able to bring others the consolation of Christ. This world is hungry for such consolation - the question is how do we give others the consolation of Christ? The fellowlaborers discovered how when we traveled to Camp Gilead, Florida in December for the Florida Young Adults Holiday. We saw dynamic young believers console our brothers and sisters by giving Christ’s comfort, love, compassion, and fellowship to each other.

 Believers from Texas to Missouri with diverse backgrounds gathered at Camp Gilead, excited to meet and serve each other. Though many of us had been to the Young Adults Advances held in Tipp City, Ohio, we decided we would make this young adults retreat different from others. That’s why we spent as much time in fellowship as we did hearing the Word. We understood that the Word is delivered just as well in a late night conversation outside under the stars as it is in front of a podium.

 Whether delivered outside or inside, the Word taught us the consolation of Christ. “Fellowship in the body” was the theme, and we took fellowship to a new level. Despite differences amongst us, we experienced the unity of the body that Paul talks about in Philippians 2. Each of the young adults, working with Reverend Tonia Shroyer and Jeff Shroyer, led the way in applying what we learned throughout the week about love, giving, courage, wisdom, and witnessing.

 Fellowshipping didn’t occur only at the campsite. Trekking through Islands of Adventure gave us a fun way to grow closer and declare what we learned to the world. Bonfires provided us a peaceful time to talk as well as a time to minister to each other.  Lives were changed and delivered because we had learned and shared the consolation of Christ.

By the end of the week, we had experienced the pure joy that comes from applying Philippians 2:1-2: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort in love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Let’s continue to share the consolation that can only come by walking with Christ!

November

By Daniella Rich, Fellow Laborer’07-08

“…Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matt. 9:36-38). As fellow laborers this year, seven young adults are answering this call to action by Jesus Christ. We hail from different parts of the United States – Amanda LeBlanc and Victoria Johnson represent Florida, Mike Miller comes from Illinois, Francis Cardullo, Nathan Friedly, and Ron Shannon grew up in Ohio, and I’m from Maryland. We come from different backgrounds, different families, and different stages of our walks with God. But we all are eager and determined to work as laborers for the “harvest” of the world by becoming leaders and servants in the body of Christ.

Being a laborer with Christ is an exciting and humbling experience. In the three weeks since the Fellow Laborers program has begun, we have already grown in our walks of faith. When we first sought housing, God found houses for the four guys and three girls that are several doors away from each other in affordable, accommodating homes. As we searched for jobs, God provided work for each of us and inclusively taught us patience and peace. Our first ten-minute teachings last week were full of testimonies, principles, and lessons God has taught us since we’ve arrived.

God has not only ensured that all our needs are provided for, but He’s also given us the best support – each other! I still can’t believe how well each of us ‘clicked’ with each other since the first day of the program. Despite demanding work schedules, I see Romans 12:10-13 – “brotherly love” – come alive when we come together in our tri-weekly Fellow Laborers meetings, Tuesday night fellowships, and our Friday “Get to Know People” nights. We are confident that God has brought us together this year and at this point in our lives for His divine purpose, and we are thrilled to continue to discover what He has in store for us!

December

By Daniella Rich, Fellowlaborer ’07-‘08

As fellowlaborers, we are working with God in Christ in us to be His “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NIV). Jesus directed these words to all those who are willing to talk his talk and walk his walk. The fellowlaborers have had many opportunities to operate Acts 1:8 these past few weeks.

We witness Christ by fulfilling our fellowlaborer responsibilities. At the October Young Adult Advance, we served by maintaining the church building, helping with meals, driving the attendees, and much more. As we met the body’s material needs, God helped us see how we could serve spiritual needs as well. We ministered the power of God not for one hour or with one person, but for the entire weekend and with everyone! “Fellowship” took on a new meaning that weekend - we shared our hearts with each other. What we had to give varied with each person, but we all gave God’s Word to each other.

Others’ examples have also taught us how to witness Christ. When some of us went to the Weekend in the Word at Rockford, Illinois, we experienced Christ’s love and power as we fellowshipped with dynamic believers. Teachers and disciples from all over the world came to rejoice in God’s Word. Friendships were made, needs were met, and lives were changed – and all because believers acted on the promises of God. The Day in the Word at Tipp City, Ohio was another amazing opportunity to see the example of other leaders and grow in our knowledge of the Word. These events have given the fellowlaborers the chance to serve and individually discover our roles in the body of Christ.

Our radical expectations of God are increasing as December rolls around the corner. The December Young Adults Advance in Florida will be another opportunity to work the Word in our lives. For we now know that the works of the Church did not stop with Paul in Acts 28: because we hear and act upon the Word of God, we are living in Acts 29!

Francis Cardullo

Where I’m from: New Knoxville, Ohio

Why I became a fellowlaborer: I grew up in an awesome Christian household and spent a a good amount of time acquiring learning about God and his word, however there was little action on the word. It’s VERY easy to get so busy and caught up with your daily life that you always put off living God Word to the fullest. Fellowlaborers provided me with an opportunity to step out on his word and build daily biblical living habits that I can and will use for the rest of my life.

Coolest part of being a fellowlaborer: The people…hands down, it’s the people.

On a bad day, I: Make it a good day. Life is 90% attitude…specifically, MY attitude…As for what I do if it’s a REALLY bad day: find a quiet place and crack open my Bible for a few minutes…

Movies & TV I love: The Unit, Stargate, Heroes, Scrubs, Firefly, Amelie, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Notebook, 300, The Devil Wears Prada, Spiderman, X-Men, V for Vendetta, Shawshank Redemption, Serenity, Usual Suspects, Blood Diamond, Finding Neverland, Big Fish, The Aviator, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Cinderella Man, Gladiator, The Godfather

Music I’m a fan of: Anything classical, classical violin, classical with vocals, modern rock, 90s punk, 90s pop, anything Irish or celtic, particularly bagpipes & fiddle, light & uplifting (Josh Groban’ish), anything techno / trance / dance.

Final Thoughts: I already touched on it about what I do on a bad day, but it’s such a big and important thing that it bears repeating. ~Life is 90% attitude.~ The more you put on, believe and trust in God’s word and the concept that everything WILL work out in the end, the better your life will be. Yes we all make mistakes, but fix them (if you can… if not, God will in his time) and move on regardless. Excessive worrying about something will only make it worse, not better… give things up to God, stop worrying about them from that point forward and keeping going, comforted and in the knowledge and assurance that, regardless of how bleak things look in that moment, God WILL work everything out in the end. Speaking from my own life, which has had more than its fair share of not-so-rosy moments, God has ALWAYS made everything work out in the end, provided that I was willing to be patient, not worry about it, and change my attitude about it until he worked it out.

Beyond that, get into the word NOW, make it your own NOW. When life throws challenges your way (and it will), you’ll be prepared to correctly identify them as attacks from the devil and fight back with the power of God (which has never lost a battle). Don’t wait till your knee deep in brown stuff before turning to the word!

Ron Shannon

Where I’m from: Bryan, Ohio

Why I became a fellowlaborer: I saw that the program will help me grow closer to God, much better than I could just working on my own.

Coolest part of being a fellowlaborer: The constant fellowship with other believers.

Music style: Christian metal, with bands like War of Ages and Nodes of Ranvier

Favorite T.V. show: Firefly

Favorite quote: It’s from the song “Theocracy” by the band Theocracy: “For if I am consumed with my own cares/ What right will I have to speak the words ‘The Kingdom come’?/ And if I am consumed with my own will/ What right to pray ‘Thy will be done’?”

Favorite Scripture: I Corinthians 8:2 - “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know” and Proverbs 17:27- “He that hath knowledge spareth his words, and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit” and Romans 15:1 - “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves”.

Nathan Friedly

Where I’m from: Miamisburg, Ohio

Why you became a fellowlaborer: I love God and His Word and want to excel at studying it and at sharing it with people. I’ve seen exactly this happen in other Fellowlaborers’ lives.

Music style: I love rock and roll and techno. I got a lot of small local indie band concerts, too.

On a bad day, I: Would probably play a computer game where I get to shoot stuff.

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:8 - “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Favorite book: Tom Clancy books

Favorite saying: SOGWAP - Son of God With All Power

Amanda LeBlanc

Where I’m from: St. Augustine Beach, FL

Why you became a fellowlaborer: To become stronger in my walk with God, learn about the foundational truths of the Bible, and to improve the way I lead and serve in the body of Christ.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 100!

Music style: I love a mixture of classic rock, oldies, a cappella, hip-hop, and most of all, country!

On a bad day, I: Like to remind myself what God has done for me in my life, and what great and amazing things He has in store for me. I like to spend quiet time with God and pray, which always perks me up and makes me peaceful and happy again.

Dream dinner guests: Jesus Christ, my fiance, John Shroyer

Favorite saying: You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

Victoria Johnson

Where you’re from: Orlando, Florida

Why you became a fellowlaborer: I needed to get away from home and I needed to seek God first and not let other people’s opinions influence my life. Fellowlaborers was the way that I was going to be able to put God first.

Coolest part of being a fellowlaborer: Listening to a teaching or reading the Word and one little thing pops out - it’s really crazy because you’ll notice something and then everything else starts to click. You find answers to questions you weren’t even asking.

Most different part: My life is completely different here than it was in Orlando. I moved up here and my life’s completely changed. The way I think, my attitude, my interests, what I say, the people I’m around - it’s a total 360 turn.

Favorite band: Rascal Flatts

On a bad day, I: Call my best friend

Dream dinner guests: Jesus Christ, Condalezza Rice, Oprah Winfrey

My pet peeves are: dishonesty, when people don’t have their priorities straight, when people assume things