Hannah Ruth
Updated 9/18/2009
As we approach the Fall Feasts, we recall that there has
frequently been persecution and ridicule to those who hold fast to the practice
of YHWH’s instruction. This is
often at the underlying direction of the Roman church and based on fear and
ignorance.
People who observe the Feast of Trumpets have sometimes been
subject to ridicule or condemnation.
Here is some of what the Roman Catholic saint John Chrysostom
preached the following in 387 A.D.:
The festivals of the pitiful and miserable Jews are soon to
march upon us one after the other and in quick succession: the feast of
Trumpets, the feast of Tabernacles, the fasts. There are many in our ranks who
say they think as we do. Yet some of these are going to watch the festivals and
others will join the Jews in keeping their feasts and observing their fasts. I
wish to drive this perverse custom from the Church right now...If the Jewish
ceremonies are venerable and great, ours are lies...Does God hate their
festivals and do you share in them? He did not say this or that festival, but
all of them together. (John Chrysostom. Homily I Against the Jews
I:5;VI:5;VII:2. Preached at Antioch, Syria in the Fall of 387 AD. Medieval
Sourcebook: Saint John Chrysostom (c.347-407) : Eight Homilies Against the
Jews. Fordham University. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/chrysostom-jews6.html 12/10/05).
YHWH has not appointed us to fear…and we look forward
excitedly for the fulfillment of prophesies in and around the fall feasts. We pray blessings to the faithful few.
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one
without faith, no explanation is possible.”
Thomas Aquinas
This is the text of an email reply sent to a person who inquired
as to the status of the Hannah Ruth story.
The Hannah Ruth miracle is certainly the greatest thing my wife,
Mary and I have ever witnessed. It is indeed unusual and we know of no
other occurrence of this type of miracle. That is the classic definition
of a miracle...something that does not occur routinely within the realm of
normal possibilities.
Much of the scoffing, which admittedly affects us sometimes, is
based on a question of "Why would YHWH perform this miracle through US? Who do WE think we are? Our answer is simply HE chose us for HIS
own pleasure, and as far as we know it is simply so HE can use two
deeply flawed persons who are willing to go where HE sends us, in order to show
HIS power.
The main thing we have tried to express is that this event is NOT
about US, but about YHWH, HIS power, HIS mercy, and HIS will. We
are like the children of Israel standing on the banks of the Red Sea...waiting
for YHWH to open the next path for us to take...and until HE does, we
stand still and watch.
We believe there is a prophetic message that Hannah Ruth's
story will reveal, and in times past we have attempted to determine and
promote our suppositions. Those were our conclusions and were
never promoted as the words of YHWH. Since some of those assumptions have
not been accurate, we have stopped making public our attempts to explain
YHWH's purpose. HE routinely gives us nuggets of insight and
encouragement along the way, which we cherish but we do not make them
public. We are absolutely convinced that HE will give us HIS
public message we are to disclose when HE is ready.
In the mean time, many who believed earlier have fallen away after
asking for physical proof from the medical establishment or a definitive answer
as to What YHWH is
doing and Why!..
Their belief was snatched away because it was not deep rooted enough, or they
think our credentials as participants are lacking. We read in Acts
Gamaliel's advice about Peter and the disciples...if this is of man, it
will fade away...if it is of YHWH, men cannot stop it...and those who attack it
are striving against YHWH. That would be good advice for today.
Some think there is a tumor, some think we are just
crazy; some think we are possessed by evil spirits; some think Mary is
just fat. Most all want sonograms or some sort of verification from man that
this is genuine. Sadly many are like Thomas...they will believe only
when they see. But sadder still are those who will find a way to discount, deny,
or explain away the miracle when it is finally manifested.
Ask yourself, Wayne, if you had been alive during biblical times,
would you have believed? Would you have believed plagues, pillars of
fire, burning bushes, water from rocks, blind men seeing, lame men walking,
sick people healed, the dead raised? Most reply that they certainly would
have believed...but that is ONLY because they have the benefit of YHWH's word
in history that it has already happened...they have proof!
A real test of your faith is to project yourself back before
you had proof and take an honest
look inside yourself to answer these questions?
1. Would you have believed the Red Sea would
part as you were staring at the Egyptians bearing down on you?
2. Would you have believed the account of the
floating axe head if you have not seen it?
3 Would you have believed Lazarus would
walk out of the grave as you were grieving with Mary and Martha?
4 Would you have believed Peter
could walk on the water as he was climbing over the gunnels of the boat?
5. Would you have believed the women who came
to tell the disciples that Yahshua had risen from the dead, before He
appeared to the many?
6. Would you have been one of the eager
believers and followers of The Way...anxiously awaiting further details of the
miracles in your midst?
How excited would you be to be able to tell your family and
friends that you were around at that time, and that you had eyewitness
experience of one of the great workings of YHWH in scripture?
Blessedly, there are a small group of brothers and sisters that
YHWH has put in our lives to support us and walk along with us who
wholeheartedly believe. We hope and
pray that you are one of this small group.
And there are some who still have questions, but accept that YHWH is
supreme and recognize evidences that HE works in our lives and we are not
possessed or evil driven...and thus have chosen to believe and wait.
Scripture says faith and belief are gifts from YHWH that only some
are given and it is given in different degrees. We are blessed to be
participants, and you are blessed with a front row seat to one of the greatest
miracle in our times...we get to experience a miracle of biblical
proportions! How awesome is that?
YHWH used you to show us that there are those out there in
cyberspace we do not even know who have an interest in Hannah Ruth, and we
need to feed those sheep. We truly thank you for keeping tabs on this
miracle and we pray that YHWH moves in your life to profoundly use you for HIS
purpose.
Shalom,
Rusty Ames
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without
faith, no explanation is possible.
Thomas Aquinas
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We believe that
Congregation of YHWH, Jerusalem has valid teachings but has a problem in the
leadership. Therefore, we have terminated our affiliation until the situation
is rectified.
We have been studying
the concept of YHWH's sufficiency. While most routinely thank YHWH for
leading us each day and giving us "our daily bread", few actually
know the reality of what that means.
This concept can only
be understood when we are immersed in a situation in which YHWH is the only
form of support, relief, and deliverance.
Only then can we
internalize the reality that YHWH is the source for all good, and not we
ourselves. When faced with a trying situation, too often the independent
believer will rally to inject worldly actions to alleviate any form of
discomfort and to guide and control the events.
Instead, we must
accept the situation that YHWH has put us into with thanksgiving, understand
that any dissatisfaction with the circumstances is tantamount to questioning
YHWH. We must look immediately to our Creator for direction and
resolution. We must resist the temptation to take matters into our own hands.
This grasp of a
concept foreign to the independent, self-sufficient western mindset is a
critical precursor to spiritual preparation for troubled times. It
is a vital step to obtaining the degree of humility which is necessary to be
meek enough to inherit the earth.
Blessings to the faithful
few.
To A Concerned Sister 12/08/2008
Thanks for your
contact...it is good to hear from you, although it is sad that it is not a
communication of agreement and joy of the greatest miracle I have ever
witnessed. I know that you and your husband are loving, caring, strong
believers and that you do not want to offend or harm us in any way. We
welcome the opportunity to discuss the matter with you. We look forward
to the day when we can share many of the fantastic details this wonderful event
has entailed. We pray that because YHWH is an elohim of reconciliation,
the fulfillment of this wondrous event will cause many to hear and fear.
As I
understand the gift of faith, it is not an all or nothing situation. but it
ebbs and flows throughout life; it can grow; and it can even be
destroyed...thus at any given point in time, anyone could have more
or less faith than someone else. Additionally, a believer can be strong in
faith in one area and weaker in another. The essence of faith is belief
without physical evidence according to Hebrews 11:1.
During the pregnancy of Miriam
(the mother of Yahshua) there was no public proof of her virginity
and it was a miracle indeed. A miracle, by definition, is an
event that does not routinely occur, is unexplainable or happens in an
atypical fashion. The Hannah Ruth event meets the criteria of a miracle..
Thus disbelief of this miracle
would seem to be a shortage of faith. I think those who
disbelieve the Hannah Ruth story lack faith, (but not necessarily are
devoid of faith) and I hold firm to that belief.
Interestingly,
the physical part of this extended pregnancy has been easy for
Mary...pregnancy becomes her. She has always declared this pregnancy is more
spiritual than physical.
You believe that YHWH would
not put a woman through an extended pregnancy. With that
reasoning, HE would not allow terrible things to happen in life at all.
Why would HE cause Isaiah to lie on his side for 390 days and then
have him turn over and go 40 more days? Why would he allow Jeremiah to be
hung in a well? Why would be allow the disciples to suffer terrible
deaths, Why would HE allow Paul to be shipwrecked, stoned, imprisoned,
snake-bit, etc.?. Why would HE allow Lazarus to die and be buried to test
his sisters? Why does YHWH choose to heal certain ones and not
others?
There are many examples in
scripture and life in general where YHWH has used unusual events, trials, pain,
or suffering for HIS purposes. YHWH often does things in a different fashion
that we mere mortals do or would. The why questions to YHWH often go
unanswered. Remember YHWH uses the foolish things of the world to
confound the wise. 1Co 1:19 For it is
written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the
understanding of the prudent.
You ask why
would YHWH do this miracle. But, if we are deceived (as some think); the
greater question is why would YHWH allow us to be deceived for all this
time? We are striving to live in accordance to Torah, staying out of
the world to a great extent, crying out regularly to YHWH to correct us
when we are in error and willing giving up whatever HE tells us to
forgo. If we are misrepresenting this as a great miracle of
YHWH and it is not, why would HE not send a word to tell us to cease and
desist? YHWH tricking us is totally uncharacteristic of HIM.
Scripture is
full of mighty miracles and of instances of believers being
challenged...although this specific one is not found
there. However, the two basic elements of the Hannah
Ruth story of renewing of a post menopausal womb and the slowing of time are
indeed in scripture. YHWH routinely shows that HE operates in a
different time dimension than we humans do. Mortals struggle understanding
time issues with YHWH. The disciples were told that the Kingdom of YHWH was
imminent. Most of us think 2000 years hardly qualifies for imminent.
Yet the Word cannot lie. With such examples being
commonplace; it is totally plausible that YHWH might use a Hannah Ruth type
event for HIS purpose.
Few have the
knowledge and the facts (6 journals full) we have of YHWH's intervention in
this miracle. We acknowledge it may be difficult to those outside to
believe. We do not expect anyone to believe...we simply hope that
all acknowledge that it is a possibility and be open to enjoy the
magnificent acts that YHWH has performed along the way.
We do not need
proof, and neither do many others. Seeking man's medical proof would
be breaking a vow that Mary and I made to YHWH 10 years ago and renewed at the
onset of Hannah Ruth. This is not an illness. If you were to see
Mary, you would see a picture of good health. We do not declare that all
illness is the result of a demon or sin, but often is cause and effect from lack
of knowledge, lifestyle, or dependence on man for health and safety. (Jer.
10:14)
Be assured that
we have routinely with great zeal asked for correction and guidance and
intervention from YHWH all along the way to keep us on HIS path for
us. HE has never suggested a course other than the one we are
on. It is very significant, while several have received unsolicited word
from YHWH in confirmation of this miracle of Hannah Ruth, there
has not been one person come forth with a word from YHWH that this is a
deception, punishment, or anything other than a miracle.
We have not
determined the why of this miracle, but YHWH does not often tell us why HE does
many things until after the fact. We never claim that we are
special...in fact we are greatly flawed people. Our selection for this
miracle is not because of who or what we are; but what and who YHWH is.
In fact, we often say we are like the children of Israel when they were on the
banks of the Red Sea, simply walking through the doors that YHWH opens before
us, experiencing HIS might, HIS protection, and letting HIM decide what is on
the other side. On the way, we are living a glorious life than most would
envy...enjoying the marvelous works of YHWH with the Ames family.
We praise YHWH
for loving questions and concerns from those who struggle to believe the
miracle of Hannah Ruth. It shows there are many out there who love us,
and it forces us to pray, search scriptures, and review logic and our own past
experiences with YHWH for verification. We are saddened that so
many whom we love and respect have not seen this as a mighty work of YHWH.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss the greatest miracle we have
witnessed with those with open hearts filled with hope.
I appreciate your interest
in this miracle...it is interesting that you and others who
never contacted us to ask questions or comment any time before (even in
the first 9 months before it was unusual) are now coming to ridicule us and to call
us liars and false prophets. We have not posted the hateful
contacts since that would do nothing to clarify the situation or
build up the body of Yahshua....it just caters to the flesh. Yahshua's
followers are known by their LOVE. In the entire time of our
waiting, we have only had about 4-5 contacts from those who question
this miracle requesting information, and lovingly urging us to
reconsider by offering knowledge or explanations of this
event. Neither have any come forth saying they had a direct
word from YHWH negative about this miracle. Perhaps they realize
that attributing a work of YHWH to the devil is tantamount to blaspheming the
Holy Spirit. In fact, the
silence has been deafening from so called Brothers and Sisters who have not
bothered to contact us but have whispered and gossiped to each
other. Perhaps they are hoping that we would be wrong and the bar of
faith would not be raised to a new height. As the disciples in the boat
may have felt when Peter stepped out onto the water. But also interestingly enough,
the Hannah Ruth miracle has not been forgotten even by the scoffers, and the
attacks continue. Praise YHWH, we
have over the past months received many encouraging contacts, emails, phone
calls, etc from a faithful few. And there has even been positive
words to some from YHWH about this miracle. In fact, we recently received
word that we would be challenged by unbelievers. The personal attacks
are prophesy being fulfilled. As far as being
false prophets, we do not claim to be prophets....but watchmen. We
have not declared a specific due date as given to us by YHWH. Our
only declared inspiration regarding timing has been "during the
feast". Scripture says there are about 60 feasts each year, so it is
understandable that we have assumed incorrectly which feast.
We have drawn conclusions based
on the progression of the calendar to the next feast. And while our
conclusions have been wrong...we have not declared "thus sayeth
YHWH" on our assumptions. I suppose our qualification as
false prophets is our inability to predict an exact birth date?
Once we passed
the typical gestational period, I assumed, that "during the
feast" must mean the next feast coming...also somewhat understandable
given the circumstances of a pregnancy without a due date....ask your wife, or
any woman, about having an overdue pregnancy without any due date known,
and you have an idea of our circumstances. Scripture tells
us that we see through the glass darkly, so absolute accuracy in prophesy
is difficult at best. And as Abraham died without having received
the fulfillment of the prophesy of inheriting the land...it may be
premature to declare that the miracle of Hannah Ruth is not going to happen.
Some say they trust no
man. With that attitude, had you been alive during Biblical times,
you would not have trusted Noah, Abraham, Moses, Peter, Paul, James,
John, or even Yahshua....since each were fully men. They were simply
living out the direction given them by YHWH. We do not claim to be any of
those men, or even remotely compare ourselves to them...we are simply
illustrating how ridiculous it is to declare to never trust a man. There
are thousands of strange and patently false religious views on the
internet...how many have you contacted to correct, called liars or false
prophets? Why do you and others feel the need to combat this?
If this miracle is just another wacko lie and false prophesy, it
would have died out long ago and the Ames family would have been laughed off
and forgotten. But that is not the case; doubters are up still in
arms about it. Go figure. And
now I say to you, draw away from these men and permit them; because if this
counsel is of men, or this work, it will be destroyed. But if it is from YHWH,
you will not be able to destroy it, lest even you will be found fighters
against YHWH. (Acts 5:38-39) I
have not lied about Hannah Ruth. We are in uncharted waters, and living
out day to day. Our faith has been constantly stretched and tested beyond
expectations and increased. Though it has been an extremely difficult
experience, we have received grand blessings along the way that are
incomparable. And that is exactly how YHWH works...HE tests HIS
followers and lovingly rewards us for faithfulness in waiting on HIM. 10/31/08 As the fall feasts
pass... celebrations approach, excitement builds...great things are happening.
Halleluyah! But the doubters persist and
strive against us with unrighteous behavior. This is an excerpt
from an e-mail we received. "I
am disgusted that people would send you hateful comments. That is not what
YAHWEH'S people would do. If they don't believe
that is their privilege but there is no need to beat you all up over it. That
comes across to me as self righteous and judgmental. They need to look at the
plank in their eye................. I want you to know that
if Mary is pregnant for the next 20 years we will still love you all the same
and will still be anxiously waiting for her." The faithful stand firm and know that true followers of Yahshua hear HIS voice and are known
by their LOVE! (Habakkuk 1:5) Look among
the nations and see, and be amazed. Be amazed! For a work is working in your
days which you will not believe, though it be told to you. YHWH has already begun
the reconciliation of brethren through the Invitation to Believe. There
are evidently more "believers" out there than we had thought.
Some declare their solid belief in the miracle of Hannah Ruth, and others have
commented on how difficult it is to believe but they are trying. The first step to
belief is choosing to believe...even though rational thought is against
it. We can only begin to believe when we choose to do so. That is
the first step to accepting the virgin birth and the resurrection of the body
and the other miracles we learn about or witness ourselves.. Rusty and Mary Ames P.O. Box 901 Proctor, TX 76468 Hab 2:3 For the revelation is still for
the appointed time, but it breathes to the end, and it does not lie. Though it
delays, wait for it, because coming it will come; it will not tarry. Yahshua said to him, “Because you have
seen Me, Thomas, you have believed. Blessed are the ones not seeing, and
believing.” (John 20:29 We remind you who are trying to believe, that even the
disciples had trouble believing Yahshua had risen from the tomb when first told
of the miracle. This even after they had personally witnessed many incredible
actions, and in spite of the fact that Yahshua had told them beforehand what
would happen. We want to encourage each of you who has a shred of belief
in the miracle of Hannah Ruth as the marvelous workings of YHWH for HIS
purpose. As you hope and wait silently for the physical manifestation of
the birth of Hannah Ruth; ponder and pray. Mat
9:13 “But go and learn
what this means, ‘I desire compassion and not offering.’ For I did not come to
call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.” Yahshua wants us all to walk in
faith...believing...and hoping. HE wants the strong of faith as well as
the weak of faith to grow stronger, For if we can believe the miracle of
Hannah Ruth, we can also believe that there is cure of a broken back,
regeneration of an ill body organ, physical restoration of sight, freedom from
addictions, comfort for a widow's heart, conversion of a wayward child or
spouse, seed for the childless, or companionship for the isolated and lonely. We know that problems sometime
come upon us because of sin or bad choices. But scripture tells us also
that trials are for our purification and they are to strengthen us in our faith
in YHWH and HIS power. And we know that the darkness is put into the
world to magnify the light. Without darkness, we cannot distinguish
light. Without trials, there is no overcoming. Many are coping with great
problems, trials, challenges, and it is so easy to become self focused and
concentrate on our situation while we ignore brothers and sisters who are
actively walking the path that YHWH has put before them. Each has a
different gift and a different challenge. And what seems monumental to
some is trivial to others. The hands find it easy to clap, but the ears are
unable. Your challenges and faith steps may seem greater or lesser than
ours...but, in fact, they are simply the ones that YHWH, our wonderful
and perfect Father, has custom designed for each of us individually. Our entire walk has been one of “WAITING
ON YHWH”. Our life in the world and the business arena consisted of
breaking down doors to force action and results. This is not what
scripture indicates is the proper method for believers. . I reject
the oft quoted but unscriptural, “Yah helps those who help themselves”. Certainly, we are to sow if we intend to
reap, and this we do. However, YHWH opens the door HE wants us to walk
through; we do not have to open it. We must simply seek it out, and knock
on it. We use scripture, prayer, and fleeces to determine HIS desire for
us. When YHWH opens a door for us…it is incredibly obvious that the door is opened. YHWH’s passageways for us skirt the worldly
systems, not plunge us into the midst of them. Our lack of involvements
with the Babylonian system is what gives a unique vantage point for serving as watchmen. Our physical isolation allows us to seek
purity in the many aspects of life. YHWH has brought us into contact with
those HE intends us to know thus far. YHWH will provide fellowship,
interaction, and opportunities to give the testimony of HIS power through the
miracle of Hannah Ruth at HIS time. Those who have ears will hear and
give HIM praise. We ask forgiveness if we have
been unduly harsh. We know that there are many who are stepping out in
faith daily in some fashion or another and we want to encourage you who are
doing so. And in those instances where you are weak and seem to waiver, cry out
for YHWH to help shore up our weakness.. Mar
9:23 And Yahshua said to him, “If you are able
to believe, all is possible to him who believes.” Mar
9:24 And immediately the
father of the child cried out and said with tears, “I believe Master, help my
unbelief!” What a mighty El we serve. HE is able! Though there is genuine interest in the story of Hannah
Ruth, and hope in the miracle, folks are silent in their support. Perhaps
this is due to the unpopularity of belief in today's world, or the ferocity of
the response of the doubters. This is ha Satan trying to divide and conquer. We pray for you daily and thank YHWH that
HE is an Elohim of reconciliation, and that we are given
an opportunity to serve HIM through HIS ministry. We hope for the
opportunity to chat and visit with our friends soon. We excitedly wait for the
appointed time for Hannah Ruth to be delivered, and we
anticipate the testimony of the faith walk of our brothers and sisters. We thank YHWH for
HIS wonderful revelations and work within us. And we sincerely praise HIM
for those who regularly encourage us who delight and share the joy of the
miracle of Hannah Ruth. We pray for blessings upon the faithful as well
as the doubtful.
Life is a Miracle
