Boy, this summer is flying by! I am finishing up the laundry and packing our bags to head to Indiana. We are leaving tomorrow when Mike gets home from work and driving all night. (We decided that supper time and after is the best driving time with the kids because they are worn out) That will give us all day Friday in Columbus, as well. Looking forward to fireworks at the in-laws. I must admit, I am a bit disappointed I won’t get to see my brother. I am looking forward to visiting our home church and small group on Friday night.

Greg Fielder’s blog

Vintqage21 Jesus Videos

It is hilarious! To bad Grace is almost done with their series on My Feltboard Jesus. These would make for a great intro.

(Note to those who may be offended by these videos: They are NOT making fun of Jesus. They are making fun of people’s misconceptions of who Jesus is.)]]>

and that Warren Buffett will be donating $37 billion (that’s billion, with a ‘b’) to Bill’s foundation.

Kudos to both of them. The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation was already the world’s largest charitable organization worth over $29 billion, now it will more than double. Their money and efforts can go a long way to meet the physical needs of the entire world. With these guys taking care of the physical, what better opportunity for the Church to follow behind and meet the spiritual needs.

Having said that…

While all of this is great, I get a little put off by the news media’s comments and the fact that they are overlooking past great philanthropists, mostly Christians. Buffett is giving away 85% of his wealth late in his life. He’s still got $7 billion in his pocket, at 75 years old I don’t think he will be burning through it anytime soon. I’d like to hear at least one news story comparing Buffett to R.G. LeTourneau. That guy gave away 90% of his money and lived on 10% for most of his professional career. Or even C.S. Lewis who, while not in the same wealth ball park as these other guys, lived on a small portion of his income and gave away a large portion of his wealth through what he called the Agape fund.

Anyway, I’m glad to see these guys not loving money but recognizing the responsibility they have to use their wealth for good.

In my quest, I stumbled across this site. Looks to be a valuable resource:

http://community.gospelcom.net/Brix?pageID=4130

It has lyrics, sheet music and recordings of hymns.

It was about 45 minutes up, hung out on top for about 45 minutes and then another 30 minutes back down.

Man it was hot! But we had plenty of water and we had a good time.

I need to get into the habit of going up once a week.

The other day at work, we had a discussion about the generic term for soft drinks. Do you call it soda, pop, the generic “coke” or something else. One co-worker pointed us to this map that gives a county-by-county breakdown:

Man, I’m glad people have that kind of time on their hands to waste because this stuff is fascinating to me.

The Arkansans seem to favor “coke.”
One guy is from Michigan and was a strong “pop” proponent.
I’m from central Indiana (Bartholomew Co) where it seems to be an even split between “coke” and “pop.” I’ve said both but I don’t think I’ve ever used the term “soda.”

On a related note, I am a connoisseur of fine root beers. Something I’ve encountered more than once in restaurant when asking if they have root beer. “No, but we have Dr. Pepper.” What?!?! Since when is Dr. Pepper anything like root beer? I guess they are both brown but beyond that, I got nothin’.

Oh, and by the way, Barq’s is not root beer.

Here is something I meant to post last month when I was on my trip to Virgina. A post over at the G Sides reminded me of it.
Grant said:

To imagine that the pimple-faced kid who can?t look anyone in the eye could one day be the reason thousands know Jesus is hard - no, impossible - when he (or she) has just spilled the 4th Dr. Pepper on your white carpet. Years could go by without affirmation that what you do is working and the parable of the 10 healed but 1 returning makes perfect sense now. 

My trip was to Williamsburg, VA. The last time I was there was 16 years ago on a mission trip with my church youthgroup. My youth pastor at the time was from the area and while I was there last month I tried looking him up. After about 3 minutes on Google I discovered he was pastoring a church in North Carolina. Since I was already in a nostalgic mood I decided to give him a call. We talked for a few minutes about what we were doing now and about our trip way back in 1990. A few days later I got an email from him and he said this:

Just wanted to drop you a quick line to say ?thanks? for your phone call the other day. It really has been awhile since I thought deeply about my experiences back in Columbus, but the contact from you was a welcome invitation to reminisce a little. I enjoyed our conversation so much, in fact, that I?m using it as a sermon illustration this Sunday?it (along with some other experiences of this past week) allows me to consider how the various ?stories? of our lives are never really finished, but are continually being used by God to keep writing the ?grand story? that he is creating in and through our lives. 

Wow, I’m a real life sermon illustration!

But seriously, it is neat to see how God uses people in our lives to help guide us and form us into who he wants us to be. And you don’t have to be a youth pastor to do it. Every time we come in contact with someone, we have the opportunity to be used by God to make an impact on their lives.

The flip side of that coin is I pass up those opportunities on a daily basis. I need to find the “ON” switch for that radar.

As I’ve been reading my Bible the past two mornings, I have been going over Matthew 6:25-33. In light of my last post, it is something I am needing to learn right now. I didn’t go looking for that passage, as so often happens, it just happened to be the next chapter as I’ve been reading through Matthew and it ended up being very applicable to my current situation. 
But, I did go back and revisit it yesterday and I kept coming back to this phrase:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness 

I’ve read that countless times, heard people talk about it, even sang about it but I’ve never really thought much about how to actually do it.

How do you seek first his kingdom and righteousness?

I don’t know. I think I have an idea, there are all kinds of things I can do, good works, reading my Bible, praying, etc. But is that really what “seeking first his kingdom and righteousness” means?

I’ve got questions, time to look for answers.

Sunday afternoon, our van’s transmission began to slip in and out of gear. Got it to the shop and found out it will be $1200 - $1400!

Still not sure how we are going to pay for all of it. Sure would be nice to have back the $$$ we spent on our trip.

Fortunately, it did not die on us on our trip.

On top of that, Karen has been sick, and I have been trying to find ways to get to and from work without being to much of a burden on others.

And… I have a bunch of ministry support raising stuff to do this week and next.

It all keeps adding up.

We made it back from Destin over the weekend and we had a GREAT time.

We spent most of our days like this:

- Got up, fixed breakfast while watching cable TV. The kids and I fought over Cartoon Network vs Discovery Channel. Most of the time, they won.

- Spent a half hour putting sunscreen on everyone.

- Made the 150 yard trek to the beach and set up camp.

- Played on the beach for a few hours.

- Go back to the condo and eat lunch.

- Visit the pool.

- Head back to the beach.

- Eat dinner back at the condo.

- Take a walk on the beach.

- Play in the pool until bedtime.

We fought off some sickness and had some “rough seas” for a day due to the tropical storm but a good time was had by all.

Our Condo, we are on the right.

Playing on the beach

Isaiah found a shell

At the go-cart track, look at the intensity!

At the pool.

You can see all our pictures here:

http://www.therileyfamily.org/photos.php

Mike said the blog about vacation made it sound like a horrible time. There is the humor, to me at least. Despite all of the junk surrounding our health and the van, WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME!!!

The Lord is gracious to let me see through the affliction and trials. There, are you happy, my sweet, honey?

I had to pick up Luke’s t-ball trophy, pick up a medication refill, make a doctor appointment, and get some groceries.

On the way to Florida we had to stop so I could get some Robitussin and Hall’s for my cough and congestion. The whole time it kept getting progressively worse. I called yesterday to schedule an appointment and the first thing was that I have a balance I needed to take care of. Mike was in training all day and was hard to contact.

I ran out of Zoloft while on the trip and yesterday was the 5th day without it. NOT Good. I know when my kids pray about me being grouchy, something’s gotta give or be tweaked. I NEEDED a refill.

While on our way back from Florida the van was jerking alot and not running smoothly. Yesterday, I dropped off the kids and the van was going very slowly. Right after I pick up my Zoloft I am headed toward Wal-mart and drive into the FamilyLife parking lot because van is REALLY acting up by this point.

I finally coasted into the parking space in neutral and call Mike on the cell through tears. He comes out to help me switch car seats and boys over to the car. Tells me to pay the balance at the doctor and call my friend to babysit so I don’t have to take all 4 with me. Thank God for Holly. He prays for me and our vehicles in the parking lot and I make it to Wal-mart before time to pick up Elizabeth and Luke.

I get to the doctor and am thinking, I will just go in, get an antibiotic and be on my way. ahhahahahaha… I am in the patient room and looking at the brochures on the wall. Not a good thing for someone to do who hasn’t had a quiet/prayer time in over a week and having 5 day Zoloft withdraws! By the time Dr.Felton got into the room I had diagnosed myself with heart disease, skin cancer, and menopause, yes, menopause. Anyway, back to the symptoms at hand….allergy symptoms began when I was taking care of extra pets for a friend (she has cats, which I am +4 allergic to)and progressively got worse. I came out with a steroid shot in the right hip, a prescription strength sudafed, and a script for an antibiotic if it gets worse. Worse? How can it get worse? I have been blowing green and yellow snot out for over a week, have had itchy, watery eyes along with headache and cough! Anyway, the steroid has been extremely helpful and am feeling better today.

As for the van…NOT GOOD….the transmission must be completely rebuilt……

We are suppose to leave a week from Thursday for Indiana. I am trusting the LORD for His provision. We have been looking forward to this trip about as much as we were the beach.

Know anyone who would like to donate a year 2000 or newer van or Suburban? If donated through church or Campus Crusade for a receipt it is tax deductible!

We had a great week of fun in the sun! We experienced everything you might expect for a first time family vacation.

allergy sinus flare up~ Robitussin and Halls` me

upset stomach~live with it~ Karen, Luke

diarrhea~ Luke, Isaiah, Elijah, Karen

vomit~Luke, Isaiah, Elijah

headache~Luke and Karen

Karen and Luke downed Pepto chewables (first time I have ever had Pepto and it did NOT make me vomit)while all of the boys had increased water, Gatoarade, and Pedialyte.

After realizing our “waterproof SPF 45″ sunscreen really wasn’t waterpoof, we lubed up even more. (we switched to another brand and went through a total of 2 1/2 bottles of sunscreen. Still got sunburnt!

I came to the conclusion the boys were drinking the sea water everytime they were splashed. Elijah’s diapers were strangley smelling of salt water. Luke had more fun in the pool at our complex than he did in the ocean.

Despite the mucous, diarrhea, and vomit, it was very relaxing to just sit and listen to the waves. The water was extremely clear and very warm. It felt good when the waves smacked up against my back. We were fortunate that we only received a tiny bit of rain and thunder from Tropical Storm Alberto. That happened in the overnight hours. The LORD really blessed our trip.

Elizabeth and Luke chose body boards for their souvenirs so they had fun riding the waves. I was in college the last time I was on one of those things. I couldn’t seem to hit the wave at just the right time so I ended up flipping over the board and losing my headband and sunglasses. I recovered the headband but not the sunglasses. A couple days later I tried relaxing in the tube Mike had bought. Same thing…missed the wave and toppled over to come up with my headband down over my eyes, sunglasses in hand and the rope of the tube wrapped around my neck. I gave up on the toys at that point. I stuck to hunting seashells after that. Ironically, on our last evening while looking for shells, I found a pair of sunglasses. If I hadn’t already bought a funky new purple pair I would have kept them. The lady I was talking to kept them instead.

The kids also enjoyed viewing Cartoon Network in every free moment they had. (we are too cheap to pay for cable!) Mike enjoyed the history and discovery channels. I have to admit the Discover Health channel had some very interesting programs.

There was obvious, but minimal, hurricane damage from last year. Looked like minor things likes decks and steps and driveways. A few homes/condos had been completely destroyed.

It is a beautiful beach. I have been to the beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Daytona Beach in Florida, and Pismo Beach and LaJolla Beach in California. I have to say, Destin, was by far, my favorite.

First time at the beach for the kids. Well, Elizabeth was at a beach when she was 1 1/5 and Isaiah went when he was a few months old. But now they will remember it.

Oh, and Karen has taken Draconian measures. No laptops for the WHOLE TRIP

I guess I’ll be forced to enjoy the sand and water…

1) I guess if “gay rights” activists want to press the issue we need to protect an institution that has been around since Adam and Eve. But I’m still not sure that a Constitutional amendment isn’t an over reaction.

2) I’ve heard several radio ads by Focus On the Family and I’ve got to say, I’m pretty disappointed in them. Can’t remember the exact phrasing but in them they say something to the effect “Gay rights advocates don’t think children deserve a mom and a dad.” That is way too much like political campaign speak for a Christian organization for me. At best its stretching the truth, at worst an out and out lie. Isn’t that more of an adoption issue?

I don’t like the attempt at pulling at my heart strings with a half-truth.

3) .This blog got me thinking about it.

Homosexuals have the very same right to marry that heterosexuals do - to marry one person at a time of the opposite sex. No rights are being denied to anyone. 

I’ve said that to people whenever the subject comes up. I’m all for gay marriage. A gay person can marry one person of the opposite sex.

Anything else and we are no longer talking about marriage.

File this under “Useless trivia that only Mike and Karen would find interesting.”

Indiana license plates use an ingenious system that informs you of the origin of the car just by looking at the first two numbers. The number represents the county by alphabetical order. Adams County is 01, Whitley County is 92.

When we first moved to Little Rock, we noticed several Indiana plates. Ah, a little piece of home. One day Karen came home and said, “Hey, I saw a Columbus car getting onto 430 today.” (Columbus is our hometown, Bartholomew County, 03) Then, a week or so later, I saw a Columbus car, then another and another. I would see them on the interstate, at the grocery store, or just going down the street. Really strange. Bartholomew County is about 70,000 people, 40,000 of which live in Columbus. Seeing one 03 Indiana plate in Little Rock would be a rarity let alone seeing several a month.

We finally saw a lady getting out of a “Columbus car” in the zoo parking lot sometime last Summer and discovered that they are rental cars. For some reason, most of the cars of a local rental place (not sure which one) have Indiana plates with a large percentage of those being from Bartholomew County.

If you read this far… like I said, at least its interesting to Karen and I…]]>

I ran across this story today:

Lioness in zoo kills man who invoked God.

Basically, a guy at a zoo in Kiev jumps into the lion enclosure and runs up to a lioness yelling, “God will save me if he exists.” And then the lioness does what God created her to do: “A lioness went straight for him, knocked him down and severed his carotid artery.”

OK, for the moment lets forget that the guy was either deeply disturbed or just an idiot.

Many people might ask, “if there is a god, why didn't he save him?” and conclude that this is proof that God does not exist… not so fast.

There are several things wrong with this guys “logic.” It is apparent to me that he did not actually spend much time looking for God or if he did, he didn't pay attention to his findings.

If he was really looking for God, he would have come across the Bible somewhere in his search. He would have seen in the Old testament that Israel was warned numerous times not to test the Lord (Numbers 21, Deuteronomy 6)

And there are reminders in the New Testament that, guess what, God still doesn't like to be put to the test. (1 Corinthians 10)

The other very important part of this guy's story is the second part of his statement, “if he exists.” If you are going to put your life on the line, God is going to require a little more faith out of you than “if you exist.” That is always a requirement in the instances in the Bible where God does miraculous things through people. Look at Gideon “casting fleece.” (Judges 6) Gideon wasn't short on faith in God, he had a relationship with him. He was wanting to know what God wanted him to do.

Every other instance I can think of, the people have no question of God's existence or who he is.

If you are going to try and play games with God, do a little investigation work first to learn the rules.]]>

Hey, a lady can dream, can't she?! First of all, with the history of skin cancer in my family, it is Coppertone SPF 50 or BUST!!! As for the bathing suit…I have been pregnant and given birth 5 times, need I say more? Now for the drinks……..I may have a nonalcoholic one on our anniversary (10th). (they are way overpriced, anyway!)

We are looking forward to putting our toes in the sand and seeing the kids' reactions the first time a wave rolls up. It will be fun! Tonight we get to dig out the suitcases and the pack-n-play and begin the tedious job of washing clothes.

We made hotel reservations for halfway…Haddiesburg, MS. Looking forward to stretching out after a day in the car with 4 kids.

What I am really looking forward to is no computer, internet, etc. I am banning all of it from our vacation!]]>

The teachers have already sent home pencils, crayons, glue, etc. They have already torn apart some of the classrooms because ALL of the classrooms are moving for next year. So, tomorrow is probably a wasted day for many of the teachers who have to have everything moved out of their rooms by the 6th.

We are getting up early tomorrow and taking our time. We are taking the kids to Burger King for breakfast and then taking them into their classrooms. I think tomorrow will be kind of quiet at Fulbright. Almost every parent I have talked to is keeping their child home. Ah, the last day of school is always fun…..for the kids. I, however, find myelf saddened that my kiddos are a little bit older.]]>

They showed me great hospitality even though they are extremely busy right now. They let me stay in their home and provided me with a long list of contacts. They were able to offer help to me in the midst of a very hectic life (Dave has a new job which is currently in the midst of a crisis and Rebecca has two under the age of 3 at home.)

Thanks so much for your help!]]>

I just wanted to say a word or two about the friends I stayed with in South Carolina, Greg and Fonya Page. We met the Page's in our hometown back in 1998. They started attending our church and our small group Bible study. Got to know them and their kids very well and even started our own Bible study with them.

Here is the deal about the Page's they are all about showing the love of Christ to others. They were always there when anyone has needed help. They moved to Mexico for a couple of years. While they were there they befriended a local woman, helped her out financially and spiritually. They helped with a rural church plant there as well.

We were in the middle of our initial support raising when they moved back to the states. They were a huge help during that time, watching our kids at least one night a week.

They helped me tremendously while I was on my trip. Never had to pay for a thing. Every time I reached for my wallet, Greg was in front of me paying already. They also got me in contact with some quality people in SC. And Greg is already talking about how he can help us again in the future. Something about using he Sky Miles…

I have seen the love of Christ in action because of the Pages.]]>

When that happens we discovered if we ignore it they go back to their bed. Not that night. A few minutes later they were back, this time louder and they sounded really scared. So I gave in and let them in and we all went back to sleep.

The next day, after school, Luke told Karen about seeing two men in our living room when he was banging on our door. He gave very detailed descriptions. A fat guy wearing a hat and a normal sized bald guy. I repeatedly asked him details about it and he gave the same details every time. Isaiah went along with the story too, but did not give any details, he just confirmed what Luke said.

We checked all the windows and doors. No signs of entry. Luke said he heard them come in the front door but it was dead bolted.

We have concluded that it was a vivid dream Luke had and that Isaiah was a victim of the power of suggestion. Luke has vivid dreams almost every night and recounts them the next day with details. I think that is what happened that night too. However, it is a little unsettling when our 6 year old tells us that he saw people in our house.

I have been double checking the locks at night.

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