Family...that Octopus

The Family...that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish too.    

--Dodie Smith

Confidence in faith

"that takes faith" Ephesians 5:20 "always giving thanks to God the Father for everything" That's tough stuff...you know? Cause things happen to me, & on the surface they look 'wrong' and so horrible that I'm prone to really cry out to God against these things. But God knows Best, and He's far-far, wiser than me! I don't always understand, but He's gotta plan...and He will be glorified!!
All things that happen, happen for His purpose because He loves me...and He knows me better, than I know myself...I can give thanks even for those things that I do not understand yet what the purpose is. That takes faith.
"Lord, I know you are trying to 'increase my faith', forgive me when I grumble...help me in those times, give me the confidence I need in Your plan..!"

Come Meet Our Clan

Saturday April 31st, 2011 my Aunt Barbara Lou Rider (Mom) went home...yesterday Thursday May 5th, 2011, we buried her...during these last two days, emotions have 'ran hard'...as I was once again forced to remember, re-visit, re-create, yes even re-live our family's history! Barb & Jack Rider did something very amazing in 1977, as my brother Dennis reminded me in Mom's Memorial yesterday...they took us in! Their house was for most practical purposes, an empty-nest, except for Tammy...and they took all 4 of us in! Amazing! And what a history, what a family...we do indeed have..."Thank You Lord!" Amongst other things, I found out my mother Carolotta has a sister....Aunt Annabelle Fulk...and she came yesterday to Mom's funeral...and I got to hold her and hug her, and cry with her...after 50 years, I find this out...there's word she lives in Kendallville Indiana...."Lord, make a way for us to get up there and visit with her, please?"  Riders, Adangs, Walters, Anweilers...what a clan! "Thank You Lord!"

Another reminder of decay

I tried, after all these years...to play slow-pitch softball last night...another reminder, of how my frame has, and is decaying!   "Lord, I hurt all over, but especially in my knees...is there any hope? I ask You Lord for strength..."

On my own...or drawing near to God

"me...unswervingly?" Romans 10:23 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." In a tough time? Discouragement can make us 'swerve' from the 'truth'. When times get tough, don't pull away, Romans 10:22 says, "Let us draw near to God"...the reason we can stand strong is because He who promised is faithful. It is far better to trust in His faithfulness instead of ours!
It would seem to me, I am constantly in need of encouragement...I mean, I try to go on facebook every morning, and be an encouragement to others, hopefully while bringing glory to God...but all the while, I am yearning for encouragement myself. The truth of the matter is.........God's Word is 'stock-piled' with encouragement! God's Word is 'stock-piled' with Truth....God's Word is 'stock-piled' with Promises! So, why don't I rest in it? "Aw, help me Lord!"

Belonging...has it's privileges

"Who am I?" Trying to describe one's self, trying to make myself sound impressive, is tiring, to say the least. I think especially when it comes to trying to 'secure' employment..."be confident", "be cocky"..."rattle off all these things you can do"..."be convincing, don't hesitate, or they'll see right thru ya"..."Thankfully" Galatians 3:29 says "If you belong to Christ...you are heirs according to the promise." The issue is not "can you keep the law?"...the issue is not "what denomination are you?"...or "are you man or woman?"...the issue is not even if you are impressive or not... the only issue is "if you are Christ’s." This place of high privilege comes according to the promise, God's Promise, not according to law or works. It is belonging to Jesus that sets us free! "Thank You Jesus!"

No Good in Me

"look at me, don't you wish God could love you as much as He loves me" Romans 7:18 "and I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature." Ever since I can remember...I am constantly looking for some good in my flesh, some redeeming characteristic, trying in the flesh to give God some cause to love me so that I can boast a little bit in myself and say..."Ah, that's why God loves me!" The absolute truth of the matter is..."It's All Of God's Amazing Grace...it's All of Him!" We all so want it to be about us, something we've done or do....but it's All of God...."Thank You Jesus!"