Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ!
Welcome to 2011, we hope your year is off to as exciting a start as ours is! We have a lot going on, and God seems to be ‘stepping up the pace’ for us, and we have much to share with you, so off we go:
New Year’s retreat, and William Luck
We had a wonderful time of fellowship over New Years, with some great teaching. 33 adults were present (plus children of course!), and we were blessed to hear from theologian William Luck, pretty much all day Saturday. And we are very pleased to be able to share three videos of those sessions with you here. Start with session #1, and just see if you can stop there! PowerPoint slides from these sessions, and some other resources from Mr. Luck are available on our Resources page. Let us know what you think, if you have questions or comments for Mr. Luck, we’re happy to forward them on, just send them to staff@biblicalfamilies.org – or ask him yourself on our radio show this Tuesday (see below).
Biblical Families Radio, back on the air!
Biblical Families BlogTalkRadio is back, on a new night, Tuesday, 9pm EST, with your host Doc. Two shows are scheduled: this Tuesday Jan 18th (with special guest William Luck, and Dr K.R.Allen), and Tuesday Feb 1st . Click here to listen live, or call in at the number given to participate. We expect to have special guests each show, but you may have to call in to find out who. Don’t forget that older shows are archived on our Resource page (and there’s a direct listen window to BlogTalkRadio there also.)
(Ladies, don’t forgot that the women’s chat takes place at 7:30p EST every Tuesday also.)
International Day of Prayer (and fasting) for Biblical Marriage (and families), February 4th
We are very pleased that an idea that one our members, Dr. Marvin George, suggested in the forum recently, found great support - so we are happy to carry the torch for this Day of Prayer (and Fasting, if you are able to) coming up on Friday, February 4th. Besides prayer for all things related to families and marriage, some have taken notice of a common ailment of diabetes, or even other physical ailments, that seems be affecting many that we know, and we will lift up our voices together against this or any affliction may be a spiritual attack against the saints.
We have started a thread here that you may use to communication your requests, or include a prayer. Note that on Feb 4th, we will also be organizing a conference call with 4 call-in times for folks to pray together. Those times and the conference-call number will be listed in the prayer thread. We are very blessed to be able facilitate this time of prayer, for us to be able to lift up our voices together for own families, and for the plight of families and marriage around the world.
2011 Retreat schedule
This year we are doing something a little different. We are very excited to announce our first National Biblical Families Teaching Conference and Fellowship Retreat. The primary days for the conference will be all day, July 1st-3rd. There may also be some events scheduled on July 4th – stay tuned for details on this. This conference/retreat will be located in Tennessee, within a short drive of a major airport. If you are able to travel this summer, this is the ONE event to attend this year. We expect to have a great selection of teachers (you will likely have to choose between some elective sessions) available, and extra time for fellowship, in what we believe will be the largest gathering of Bible-believing plural marriage supporters in North America. If you’d like to be on the list for more info, drop a note to retreats@biblicalfamilies.org
In addition, we will still have regional retreats, and at this time we are announcing:
West Coast, Sacramento, CA area March 11-13th Just 2 months away! Our West Coast rep and resident shepherd John Whitten should be joining us, and we’re hoping to meet new folks from all over the West Coast at this retreat. If you’d like to get the details, drop a note now to retreats@biblicalfamilies.org or johnw@biblicalfamilies.org.
Upper Midwest, date/location to be announced shortly, perhaps April (after some snow melts!) - if you’d like to have input on the date or location, write doc@biblicalfamilies.org
Southeast US, likely Florida Memorial Weekend, May 28th-30th. To get more info when available, drop a note to retreats@biblicalfamilies.org
Further regional retreats may happen after the National retreat – but we will not announce any yet, to keep the focus on that event.
Also, area get-togethers will be announced on short-notice, as they are planned. If you are interested in hosting one of these, please contact us at staff@biblicalfamilies.org
Often these are just one day long, but worth the drive! Here are two that are coming up:
Dallas, Texas area: Next Sunday! Jan 23rd, write sweetlissa2@yahoo.com for details and location.
Orlando, Florida: Saturday (and Sunday if you can stay), February 26th. We are looking forward to fellowshipping with many Florida members. Write nathan@biblicalfamilies.org for details.
As always, if there’s anything we can do for you, or you’d like to speak with a pastor, please feel free to contact us at staff@biblicalfamilies.org. We are pleased to bring you two messages from staff members this month:
BOAZ - The unsung hero of the Book of Ruth
John Whitten, Resident Shepherd
The law of the childless widow. Deuteronomy 25:5-10
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel. And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother. Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her; then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house. And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.
Boaz was wealthy and well respected. Ruth 2:1
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
Boaz was spiritual. Ruth 2:4-5
And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee. Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, “Whose damsel is this?”
Boaz was practical. Ruth 2:8-9
Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
Boaz had good values and respected the same in others. Ruth 2:11-12
And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Boaz was generous. Ruth 2:15-16
And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: and let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
Boaz was a man of higher than normal moral standards. Ruth 3:7-12
And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
Boaz knew how to take care of business. Ruth 4:1-2
Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! Turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
Boaz was used by God in the lineage of Jesus. Ruth 4:13
So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
Ruth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Boaz was likely already married at least once. Ruth 2:1
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
{A man of his wealth and power was not a young man. He would have been extremely odd indeed, had he attained his position without being married to at least one wife. Polygyny was an accepted and approved practice among the people of God, even in that day.}
Boaz was more likely nearer Naomi’s age than Ruth’s age.
Like Naomi, Boaz called Ruth “daughter” 4 times. He spoke to her in a clear paternal manner until, under Naomi’s instruction; Ruth pressed the issue of the Law of the childless widow. Boaz called her righteous in the matter.
No mention of romantic love is found in the Book of Ruth.
Honor, faithfulness, respect and character permeate the book, but not one mention of romantic love is found. Where these traits exist, love will grow and abound. Where they do not exist, initial love will wither and die, leaving a bitter remorse.
Faith
Doc Burkhart, Biblical Families Staff
Understanding the right balance to our Christian walk is important. In past church history, we have seen great extremes of following Christ. For some, it has meant a monastic lifestyle, separating from the world, and devoting time and life to study of the Word and the practice of Christian disciplines. For others, it has meant living life, taking care of families, and leaving the study and teaching of the Word, and ministry to a community of believers to a compensated clergy. As a result, we have come to a distorted view of the walk of Christ.
The Scripture teaches that we are “in the world, but not of the world” (John 17:11). Nowhere can we find the suggestion that followers of Christ are to remove themselves completely from society at large, but rather to exist within it and to be “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16). In other words, we need to be working jobs, interacting with neighbors, kids playing together, but never sacrifice those things that make us Christians.
Neither do we see in the New Testament the idea of having a hireling to do the work of ministry. Ministry is meant to be delivered by a community of believers interacting with one another and with society at large. When the values of society conflict with the principles of the Word, then as believers we are obligated to follow Christ’s example. This is not to say that the Lord has not raised up leadership within in the belief community, but rather that ministry is to be among all believers. We are destined to be salt and light, impacting lives and the world around us.
Just a brief note that at times when our beliefs run against the grain of our modern culture, we should not retreat from the opposition, but rather hold firm to the faith delivered to us (Jude 3). Always know that as a community of believers, Biblical Families will stand with you as you stand firm in your walk in the Lord.
Welcome to 2011, we hope your year is off to as exciting a start as ours is! We have a lot going on, and God seems to be ‘stepping up the pace’ for us, and we have much to share with you, so off we go:
New Year’s retreat, and William Luck
We had a wonderful time of fellowship over New Years, with some great teaching. 33 adults were present (plus children of course!), and we were blessed to hear from theologian William Luck, pretty much all day Saturday. And we are very pleased to be able to share three videos of those sessions with you here. Start with session #1, and just see if you can stop there! PowerPoint slides from these sessions, and some other resources from Mr. Luck are available on our Resources page. Let us know what you think, if you have questions or comments for Mr. Luck, we’re happy to forward them on, just send them to staff@biblicalfamilies.org – or ask him yourself on our radio show this Tuesday (see below).
Biblical Families Radio, back on the air!
Biblical Families BlogTalkRadio is back, on a new night, Tuesday, 9pm EST, with your host Doc. Two shows are scheduled: this Tuesday Jan 18th (with special guest William Luck, and Dr K.R.Allen), and Tuesday Feb 1st . Click here to listen live, or call in at the number given to participate. We expect to have special guests each show, but you may have to call in to find out who. Don’t forget that older shows are archived on our Resource page (and there’s a direct listen window to BlogTalkRadio there also.)
(Ladies, don’t forgot that the women’s chat takes place at 7:30p EST every Tuesday also.)
International Day of Prayer (and fasting) for Biblical Marriage (and families), February 4th
We are very pleased that an idea that one our members, Dr. Marvin George, suggested in the forum recently, found great support - so we are happy to carry the torch for this Day of Prayer (and Fasting, if you are able to) coming up on Friday, February 4th. Besides prayer for all things related to families and marriage, some have taken notice of a common ailment of diabetes, or even other physical ailments, that seems be affecting many that we know, and we will lift up our voices together against this or any affliction may be a spiritual attack against the saints.
We have started a thread here that you may use to communication your requests, or include a prayer. Note that on Feb 4th, we will also be organizing a conference call with 4 call-in times for folks to pray together. Those times and the conference-call number will be listed in the prayer thread. We are very blessed to be able facilitate this time of prayer, for us to be able to lift up our voices together for own families, and for the plight of families and marriage around the world.
2011 Retreat schedule
This year we are doing something a little different. We are very excited to announce our first National Biblical Families Teaching Conference and Fellowship Retreat. The primary days for the conference will be all day, July 1st-3rd. There may also be some events scheduled on July 4th – stay tuned for details on this. This conference/retreat will be located in Tennessee, within a short drive of a major airport. If you are able to travel this summer, this is the ONE event to attend this year. We expect to have a great selection of teachers (you will likely have to choose between some elective sessions) available, and extra time for fellowship, in what we believe will be the largest gathering of Bible-believing plural marriage supporters in North America. If you’d like to be on the list for more info, drop a note to retreats@biblicalfamilies.org
In addition, we will still have regional retreats, and at this time we are announcing:
West Coast, Sacramento, CA area March 11-13th Just 2 months away! Our West Coast rep and resident shepherd John Whitten should be joining us, and we’re hoping to meet new folks from all over the West Coast at this retreat. If you’d like to get the details, drop a note now to retreats@biblicalfamilies.org or johnw@biblicalfamilies.org.
Upper Midwest, date/location to be announced shortly, perhaps April (after some snow melts!) - if you’d like to have input on the date or location, write doc@biblicalfamilies.org
Southeast US, likely Florida Memorial Weekend, May 28th-30th. To get more info when available, drop a note to retreats@biblicalfamilies.org
Further regional retreats may happen after the National retreat – but we will not announce any yet, to keep the focus on that event.
Also, area get-togethers will be announced on short-notice, as they are planned. If you are interested in hosting one of these, please contact us at staff@biblicalfamilies.org
Often these are just one day long, but worth the drive! Here are two that are coming up:
Dallas, Texas area: Next Sunday! Jan 23rd, write sweetlissa2@yahoo.com for details and location.
Orlando, Florida: Saturday (and Sunday if you can stay), February 26th. We are looking forward to fellowshipping with many Florida members. Write nathan@biblicalfamilies.org for details.
As always, if there’s anything we can do for you, or you’d like to speak with a pastor, please feel free to contact us at staff@biblicalfamilies.org. We are pleased to bring you two messages from staff members this month:
BOAZ - The unsung hero of the Book of Ruth
John Whitten, Resident Shepherd
The law of the childless widow. Deuteronomy 25:5-10
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel. And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother. Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her; then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house. And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.
Boaz was wealthy and well respected. Ruth 2:1
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
Boaz was spiritual. Ruth 2:4-5
And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee. Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, “Whose damsel is this?”
Boaz was practical. Ruth 2:8-9
Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
Boaz had good values and respected the same in others. Ruth 2:11-12
And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Boaz was generous. Ruth 2:15-16
And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: and let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
Boaz was a man of higher than normal moral standards. Ruth 3:7-12
And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
Boaz knew how to take care of business. Ruth 4:1-2
Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! Turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
Boaz was used by God in the lineage of Jesus. Ruth 4:13
So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
Ruth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Boaz was likely already married at least once. Ruth 2:1
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
{A man of his wealth and power was not a young man. He would have been extremely odd indeed, had he attained his position without being married to at least one wife. Polygyny was an accepted and approved practice among the people of God, even in that day.}
Boaz was more likely nearer Naomi’s age than Ruth’s age.
Like Naomi, Boaz called Ruth “daughter” 4 times. He spoke to her in a clear paternal manner until, under Naomi’s instruction; Ruth pressed the issue of the Law of the childless widow. Boaz called her righteous in the matter.
No mention of romantic love is found in the Book of Ruth.
Honor, faithfulness, respect and character permeate the book, but not one mention of romantic love is found. Where these traits exist, love will grow and abound. Where they do not exist, initial love will wither and die, leaving a bitter remorse.
Faith
Doc Burkhart, Biblical Families Staff
Understanding the right balance to our Christian walk is important. In past church history, we have seen great extremes of following Christ. For some, it has meant a monastic lifestyle, separating from the world, and devoting time and life to study of the Word and the practice of Christian disciplines. For others, it has meant living life, taking care of families, and leaving the study and teaching of the Word, and ministry to a community of believers to a compensated clergy. As a result, we have come to a distorted view of the walk of Christ.
The Scripture teaches that we are “in the world, but not of the world” (John 17:11). Nowhere can we find the suggestion that followers of Christ are to remove themselves completely from society at large, but rather to exist within it and to be “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16). In other words, we need to be working jobs, interacting with neighbors, kids playing together, but never sacrifice those things that make us Christians.
Neither do we see in the New Testament the idea of having a hireling to do the work of ministry. Ministry is meant to be delivered by a community of believers interacting with one another and with society at large. When the values of society conflict with the principles of the Word, then as believers we are obligated to follow Christ’s example. This is not to say that the Lord has not raised up leadership within in the belief community, but rather that ministry is to be among all believers. We are destined to be salt and light, impacting lives and the world around us.
Just a brief note that at times when our beliefs run against the grain of our modern culture, we should not retreat from the opposition, but rather hold firm to the faith delivered to us (Jude 3). Always know that as a community of believers, Biblical Families will stand with you as you stand firm in your walk in the Lord.