Ray Family Update from November 2022

Dear Praying Friends,

I hope that you and your family enjoyed the most spiritual of the American holidays—Thanksgiving. What a great reminder to take time to reflect upon God’s goodness. Generally, God is good to all, but specifically, God is good to me and to my family. This does not mean that trials and troubles never enter our lives, but that even in those times, God is both our companion and helper. One of the greatest reasons for which I am personally thankful is that God is “good, and ready to forgive” (Psalm 86:5). In 1996, I came to a God whom I had offended almost, if not, daily for the first eighteen years of my life. He had every reason to condemn and reject me as the vilest of sinners that I was. Yet, I found Him with open arms READY to forgive me, wash me, justify me, and give me a new life, both now and in eternity. Nearly thirty years later, I am still just as forgiven, clean, and justified as I was on that day. All of this is not BECAUSE of me, but IN SPITE of me.

On a personal front, other than minor seasonal illnesses, we are doing quite well. Within the month, we expect to celebrate the arrival of our first granddaughter, Aria. Our daughter-in-law, Julie, could use your prayers as she is experiencing some health issues making her high-risk. At the same time, Noah is heading into his busiest season at work and will not get much sleep over the next two months. Lula is doing much better and is even able to reduce some of the medication for her rheumatoid arthritis. Considering where she was just a few months back, we are thrilled with how God has helped and strengthened her. David and Hannah are doing so well in their new home. It is such a blessing to see them work together to make their house a home. Hannah always dreamed of getting married and having a place of her own and we are thrilled to see God provide that for her. Our children at home (Sara, Charity, and Isaac) remain spunky and cheerful. Each of them demonstrate unique personalities and gifts. Although we recognize our shortcomings and imperfections as a family, my wife and I can testify that we have no greater joy than to see that our children walk in truth (see 3 John 4). By the grace of God, each of our children, and the spouses of those who are married, faithfully attend and serve in our local church. Many parents, much better than ourselves, would love to be able to say the same. As stated above, all of this is not BECAUSE of us, but IN SPITE of us.

On the ministry front, I must confess that I am actually quite overwhelmed. I have some good men who have stepped up to take some of the load, but, in doing so, they actually freed me up to realize other things that are left undone. I am glad to be a part of a church that wants to occupy till the Lord comes, but it can be a bit difficult to understand all that the Lord wants you to do and when He wants you to do it. My tendency is to rely on the strength of the flesh and push through in the face of adversity; yet, the Lord needs me to rest in Him, be available, and trust Him to fulfill His will and work through me. We are currently looking into the most cost-effective and wise ways to remodel our auditorium. We truly want the Lord to show us what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. Locally, we have some ministries and individuals who need attention and care. We have relationships that need to be mended and lives that need to be improved by the workings of the word of God. We also have several massive ministries that really need stewards who will treat those ministries as though they are their own and do them with all their heart and to the glory of God. Truth be told, so many sermons have been preached and books written about the need for modern-day apostle Pauls that most local churches could not find a Timothy, Aquila and Priscilla, Tychicus, and so on if their lives depended on it. As a result, ministries that could be accomplished to the glory of God lie undone as men and women cannot see the need to adopt someone else’s vision or burden and be good stewards to make those things come to pass. All in all, brethren, please pray for our family and church. We need God’s presence and power more than we have ever needed it before.