Welcome, dear friend. Please allow me to introduce myself so we can get to know each other better. My name is Ruth Meyer, and like you, I wear many hats. I am first and foremost a child of God. Thanks to His saving work begun in me through Baptism, I have the assurance of redemption. I certainly don’t always live up to the name “Christian,” but I also know that through Jesus I have forgiveness when I fail. This is no small matter, and my prayer is that through my blog you are assured of this as well!
Switching hats, I have an earthly family as well. I am both a wife and mother. My husband and I have been married more than ten years and have had seven different addresses in those years. We have faced our share of roadblocks and disappointments, but we have also been blessed in many ways. One such blessing is our five unique children. As all parents know, raising children is a challenge! Again, I hope to offer you encouragement and support through my posts, because I know I’m not the only one to face challenges (both expected and unforeseen) in home life.
In a beautiful paradox, I also consider myself a “working stay-at-home mom.” I say this in all seriousness. I have two outside jobs, really, which reflect my passions and gifts. I am an author, for one. My first book, Our Faith From A to Z , was published by Concordia Publishing House in July 2014. I have other book ideas I am working on, and my debut novel, Grace Alone, was released in February 2017. I honestly didn’t ever intend to be a writer. I did well enough in English and writing classes in school, but I didn’t grow up thinking, “Wow. I can’t wait to get published!” As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until things in my life started getting chaotic that I ended up writing my first book. It was almost an accident. I won’t bore you with the details now, but if it weren’t for the “Job season” in my life, I probably wouldn’t have started writing at all. God has an interesting way of working through His children. Now I see book or blog ideas all around me. I have been told I have a way with words (and I’ll let you decide that for yourself), but know that I do love to write.
My other passion is two-fold, really. I love music and I love church, so my second job is a church musician. I play the organ, piano, and flute, and only wish I had the time to practice two hours a day like I did back in college. I don’t have a full-time position, mind you. Most Sundays I sit in the pew with our five children as my husband does his pastoral duties. But I do fill in as a substitute organist and have directed choirs and served as full-time organist in the past. As I mentioned, I also love church. That’s somewhat generic, so I’ll be more specific. I have a passion for theological truth. (Hence the blog title…) I belong to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and find great comfort and hope in the rich theology we confess. Another hope I have for my blog is that you find encouragement and perhaps even challenges for you in your faith walk. Nothing else has more important and eternal implications.
We’re in this together, dear brother or sister. This thing called life can be a challenge for sure. I have no idea what challenges or hardships you face. I don’t have all the answers, nor would I ever presume to think I do. I’m not an expert on any of these topics, so read my entries as I write them–from one friend to another. The name “Ruth” means “friend,” so please consider me as such. I do not write to give advice and improve your quality of life. I make no promises that any of my entries will fix anything for you. But in the end, if I can be a friend, encouraging you in the truth, I will consider that a huge success. So please, grab a cup of coffee and let’s chat, dear friend.
January 24, 2014 at 1:09 am
Welcome to the blogging world Ruth! Happy to follow along and share in your journey! Blessings.
LikeLike
March 25, 2014 at 6:30 pm
Ruth, My husband is a pastor and would like to use your blog post “Why I Would Never Force My Kids to go to Church” in our church newsletter next month. We are trying to find a way to get a hold of you and get your permission. We would, of course, reference the website address in the newsletter. Would that be okay?
LikeLike
March 25, 2014 at 7:13 pm
You certainly may. Thank you!
LikeLike
March 31, 2017 at 1:31 pm
Ruth, Great read! I, too, am looking to republish this post in our church newsletter. With your permission, of course!
LikeLike
March 31, 2017 at 2:14 pm
Absolutely. God’s blessings to you!
LikeLike
March 26, 2014 at 12:34 pm
Super, super post. I will share with others.
LikeLike
March 26, 2014 at 2:35 pm
What an excellent article!
LikeLike
March 27, 2014 at 9:50 am
You stated this,”Thanks to His saving work begun in me through Baptism, I have the assurance of redemption.” According to the scriptures baptism will not save you:
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Titus 3:5 ” Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
LikeLike
March 27, 2014 at 1:34 pm
You made this statement: “My name is Ruth Meyer, and like you, I wear many hats. I am first and foremost a child of God. Thanks to His saving work begun in me through Baptism, I have the assurance of redemption.”
If you believe that you are saved through baptism, why did Jesus shed his blood on the cross?
LikeLike
March 28, 2014 at 10:58 pm
Jesus shed His blood on the cross to atone for the sins of the world. Jesus took the punishment that was rightly ours. He suffered and died on the cross with the weight of the world’s sins on His shoulders. He then rose from the dead to declare His victory even over death. Those who believe in Him will have eternal life, as John 3:16 declares. Why do we baptize? Because Jesus commands it. He told His disciples in Matthew 28:19 to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Mark 16:16 says “Whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved.” And Romans 6:3-4 makes the connection between baptism and Jesus’ death. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Likewise, Colossians 2:12 says that we “have been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” 1 Peter 3:21 also tells us “Baptism now saves you, not as removal of dirt from a body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus.” Titus 3:5-8 says “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” My baptism was the most important day of my life. The Holy Spirit created faith in my heart in my baptism and united me with Jesus in His death and resurrection. What a beautiful comfort!
LikeLike
January 25, 2017 at 12:30 am
So True! So True. The bona fide indubitable response of a Catechized Kid! Your upcoming book sounds marvelous and so timely. http://blog.cph.org/around-the-house/book-covers/first-look-grace-alone/
LikeLike
March 31, 2014 at 10:26 pm
Excellent reply Ruth. Unfortunately many people have a very dangerous misunderstanding about baptism for the remission of sins. You gave excellent direction to the scriptures on this matter. Immersion is not a work of merit but an act of faithful submission. How can one state that baptism does not save you when I Peter 3:21 clearly states that it does. Of course it is the blood of Christ that saves and also involves belief John 8:24, repentance Luke 13:3,5, and confession Matt. 10:32-33. Baptism is from the Greek word “baptizo” which means a burial, immersion. Every example of conversion involves baptism, ACts 2:36-42, Acts 8: 5-13, Acts 8:13, Acts 8: 36-41, Acts 9:1-9, 22:6-16, 26: 12-19, Acts 10: 25-48, Acts 16: 13-15, Acts 16: 34, Acts 18:8, Acts 19: 1-7. I plead for readers to check out the verses Ruth quoted above as well as these. Or check out the free lesson at the link that follows.
http://searchingfortruth.org/home.truth?v=About-Baptism
LikeLike
April 1, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Thank you for including your denominational information in your “About Me” section. When I read Christian blogs, I am always interested what theological background the author has so that I can more fully understand the perspective of particular posts. It is surprising how few bloggers include it. 🙂
LikeLike
August 26, 2014 at 12:09 am
I recently shared your post “Why I Never Force my Kids to go to Church” in our church newsletter along with the following. Just wanted to share with you.
” My kids used to ask me why we go to church all the time, this my friends, is why. I could not have said it better myself. And for those of you who wonder if they still ask, yes they do on occasion, but they often answer their own question . . . I could share many stories with you but here is just one.
My children are very comfortable in God’s house, maybe sometimes a little much so. They miss it when we are not there on Sunday mornings. Often when we are gone or have sick kids in the house, my kids will . . .actually and truly . . . have their own church service at home, complete with music, scripture, prayer and yes, communion, without my lead or interference. Do you think I have made the right decision in forcing my children to go to church? To be continued
Feel free to visit with me anytime, I am here for you.
Cami White, Youth and Family Ministry Director “
LikeLike
November 15, 2014 at 1:55 pm
Hi Ruth, I love your posts, you are a talented writer! I hope IE uses your book for a book of the month someday (plug,plug!) Pat, Reese, MI 🙂
LikeLike
March 26, 2015 at 7:36 pm
A friend posted one of your articles on FB (Why I don’t force my kids to go to church), and that led me to read another (Brainwashing). Spot on! I was beginning to think hardly any other Christians thought fully through such terms and topics. Thank you!
LikeLike
November 11, 2015 at 6:51 pm
I love the calm, patient, Christ centered answers you give to people’s questions on your blog. The way you keep pointing them back to God’s word and never telling the questioners to take you on faith, or that they don’t have enough faith for belief, is so important and encouraging. I can imagine you answering your own children in just such a manner and it encourages me as my husband and I field all of the questions our four kids bring to us. May they never quit questioning and always have hearts that seek God’s truth in all circumstances! God bless you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 17, 2015 at 8:40 am
We would like to reprint your blog post “Why I Would Never Force My Kids to Go to Church” to share with our congregation. Is this possible? If so, what would we need to do? Thank you for your insight.
LikeLike
November 17, 2015 at 8:55 am
Absolutely! Just include a reference to the blog, if you would. Thank you, and God bless!
LikeLike
January 26, 2017 at 12:10 pm
Ruth, I so thank you for your thoughtful, well considered posts based on Biblical truth and current life’s joys and challenges. In this time of so much angry, rude social interaction, I find it quite refreshing to read someone who writes with candor and grace. Looking forward to your new book!
LikeLike
March 29, 2017 at 9:10 pm
Ruth,
Your blog is so inspiring. When I first found out about this blog at church a couple years ago I was so excited. Many at Faith follow. Every so often I think of you and your family. The year we got to know you at Faith a couple years ago was wonderful. Your musical talent is a gift from God you share. Faith is so proud of you and your book. I think it would be great if you could write a book just the way you write in blog. May God bless you in more musical and written ways.
LikeLike
April 1, 2017 at 8:04 pm
Thanks, Rachel! What a sweet comment!
LikeLike
May 15, 2017 at 9:37 am
I am new to your blog and so appreciate the loving way you point us all back to Jesus and His Word. I look forward to reading each new one. God bless you and your family.
LikeLike
May 15, 2017 at 1:36 pm
Thank you! God’s blessings to you as well!
LikeLike