Today Perry and Shawna are joined by Tessa Afshar, an award-winning author of many biblical and inspirational historical fiction books, including Field of Grace, a biblical fiction on the life of Ruth. She’s also written a bible study about Ruth called The Way Home: God’s Invitation to New Beginnings (www.moodypublishers.com).

Tessa helps us kick off a week of conversation on the Old Testament book of Ruth, a true story that happens in Bethlehem about 1100 years before Jesus was born in that town.  It’s the story two women, Naomi and Ruth, who lose everything only to find themselves swept up in God’s big story to save the whole world.  It’s a story of how God provides for you and me when all hope is lost!

First Tessa gives us a great sweeping overview of the story of Ruth.  Then we see this ancient story pointing to Jesus, the Bread of Life.  Next we see the story pointing to Jesus, our great Redeemer and Rescuer.  Then we experience the bitterness of Naomi and how we can move out of our own bitterness.  Then the book of Ruth is a story for our time—a promise of new beginnings when it doesn’t seem possible.

Next, if you feel like an outsider with God and his people, the story of Ruth is for you.  (God loves outsiders).  Then, if you have been longing to be married and it just hasn’t happened, we want to encourage you.  And finally Perry, Shawna and Tessa realize that they really needed each other today!  Super-duper encouragement for you today!

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