It's been awhile, I know.
It takes time to do these things. Lame excuse.
My biggest blog fan, my sister, went to be with our Lord recently. So, this blog is dedicated and inspired by her.
Blood Family
When my sis was preparing to leave us, my niece sent me a message that read, "...You may want to come now." I was at work and just finished lunch. My boss just happened to be walking by me and asked if I was ok. The answer was "My sis is dying." With out hesitation he told to go. As I was packing up my stuff, he said, "It's sad, but it seems the only time family comes together is for weddings and funerals."
Those words were in my head as I was driving and I thought that's not true.
In my family, anyways.
My parents were always about family and that's how they raised us. Family first. We haven't been together like we were when all the kids were younger, but, we did get as many members we could for this or that or no reason at all. The no reason at all times were always the best.
Also, we'd come together in different ways, when things went bad. You know those things. Drama things. We'd work through them with Mom and Dad at the helm. We are a Christian family but we are NOT a perfect family. Fear God, trust Jesus and follow bible principles. Things work out. And we stick together because when all is said and done, that's your family.
Adopted Family
It was good see all the lives my sis touched over the years. So many of them showed up for her wake.
It wasn't unusual for my parents to take in people. Don't judge, just love. That was passed on to us kids. My sis took in many people for many reasons. As do my wife and I.
We have 6 kids. Yeah, I know. Anyhow, with all them, they have friends and we've had a lot of "adopted" kids. I say adopted because when we take them in, we don't just let them flop down and leave. We love on them and make them part of family and nobody leaves without know the Jesus has for them. That's the least we can do. And certainly no one leaves without doing the dishes.
The reward is when those kids, most of them grown and doing their thing, will call or send a Facebook message. "Thinking of you today"' "Happy Birthday" or "Do you remember...?" If any of you are reading this now, we love you all and still think of you often.
Gods Family
1 John 3:1
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we would be called children of God...
Probably my greatest family is my spiritual family. I say greatest for a few reasons. The most obvious one is they are world wide.
When my sis left, I got messages and texts from South Africa, Mexico, Florida, Cali, Texas and many others. People I'm not related to but know me because we share a relationship through Jesus. All believers telling me they were praying for us. Prayer. People around the world lifting up my family in prayer to our God the Father, asking for peace in our hearts. That's so awesome.
A couple weeks ago, my Mom calls to say my Dad is on his way to the ER for chest pains. While I'm sitting next to him, I get a text. It's one of kids in our group. She says "I was just thinking of you guys. How can I pray for you today?" Not 5 minutes later, a little gal we sent to South Africa texts,"How can I pray for you today?" Instantly, a dozen or people are praying for my Dad. From as far away as South Africa to right down the road. Folks, that's a God thing. No one knew we were there Except our pastor and didn't spread the word.
The Spirit gives you a nudge and you act. They were nudged and acted. I can't imagine going through life without my spiritual family. My blood family are awesome. Don't get me wrong. But they are a limited number and sometimes you need an army. I have an army. A holy army. With an almighty God as a Commander in Chief.
We have a weekly prayer group, I have the youth group and of course the church itself. Then, there is all those missionaries I have come to know. All my fellow believers that I grew up with. Then there is the prayer groups that all of them belong to. It just goes on and on. The largest, most dysfunctional family you will ever meet and you can be a part of. Because we are just as messed up as you and need a loving Father that will take you just as you are right now.
Ephesians 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,...just as He chose us in Him before the foundations of the world, that we would holy and blameless before Him. In love, He predestined us to the adoption(family)...In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His GRACE which He lavished on us.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by GRACE you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT OF GOD; not as a of works, so that no one may boast.
Just Admit you need Jesus in your life, Believe He died for you and rose again 3 days later and Confess you are a sinner that you want to follow Him. No hocus pocus. No 6 week class of purification. Nothing weird. Just trust.
Right now. Where you're sitting reading this. Admit, Believe and Confess. Then get a hold of me somehow and let me know you are now part of the family.
Love you, Sis. I miss you so much
