The Way of the Towel: Greatness, Redefined by Jesus

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by Bart Denny Central text: John 13:12–17 (NIV) Over the years, in church settings, I’ve done a lot of dishes. I’ve raked a lot of leaves. I’ve painted plenty of church walls. I’ve plunged more than a few clogged toilets. I don’t mind getting my hands dirty. But if I’m honest, at this age, with this many years in church, there’s a part of me that wants to say, “I’ve done my time.” I don’t usually say it out loud. I dress it up. I call it wisdom. Focus. Stewarding my time well. But the feeling sneaks up on me. It shows up when another need pops up. When the same few people carry the same load. When I feel tired. It shows up when I think, “Shouldn’t somebody else take a turn now?” And I’ll confess something else: I don’t mind serving. I just want to choose the terms. And if I’m not careful, I start thinking and acting like the low places belong to somebody else. Now let me be even more honest: I don’t struggle with getting my hands dirty. I struggle to keep my ego in check....
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Faith, Hope, and Redemption in the Book of Ruth

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by Bart Denny

When life leaves us bitter, where do we turn for hope? That’s the question the Book of Ruth gently answers—not with booming declarations, but with quiet acts of kindness, faith, and God’s hidden hand at work.

At first glance, God seems to play only a minor role in Ruth’s story. But by the final chapter, we see that this isn’t just a quaint tale of loyalty—it’s a redemptive thread woven into the tapestry of Israel’s greatest king, David. And ultimately, it’s a foreshadowing of the Redeemer of all humanity: Jesus Christ.

Hesed: A Kindness That Goes Beyond

If you had to sum up the entire book of Ruth in one word, that word might be hesed—a Hebrew term often translated as “kindness,” though no single English word captures its depth. Hesed is love in action, covenant faithfulness, and mercy. It’s sacrificial and often unexpected.

We see hesed in Ruth’s devotion to Naomi, Boaz’s generosity to Ruth, and God’s love through both. Ruth’s story is a living reminder that God often works His kindness through ordinary people like you and me.

Faith and Hope When Life Falls Apart

Naomi’s journey is one of deep grief and loss. But Ruth clings to her—and more than that, to Naomi’s God. Ruth shows up, day after day, in faith. And God honors that faith by providing more than she could have imagined. Redemption begins with trust, even when the path ahead is unclear.

Redemption: From Brokenness to Restoration

Boaz isn’t just a rescuer—he’s a kinsman redeemer, a powerful Old Testament picture of Jesus. Through Boaz, Ruth is redeemed. Through Ruth and Boaz’s son, Obed, comes David. And through David’s line—Jesus, our eternal Redeemer.

God at Work Behind the Scenes

The Book of Ruth reminds us that even when we can’t see God’s hand, He is still at work. His hesed never fails. His redemption never stops reaching. And His story of hope includes you.

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All comments are moderated. I welcome respectful disagreement with my posts. Such discussions can cause me to consider perspectives I hadn't examined before. However, I also reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason. Why? Simple enough, this is MY blog, with MY thoughts, and I want to have a civil conversation that is, at all times, God-honoring in nature.

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