The true story of the authors family who were living in abject poverty while he was growing up. As America was changing rapidly to the new world's order from the Great Depression to World War II, many felt left behind including the Garren family of six living in a small, one bedroom apartment, over a photography studio in downtown Enid. Each time the family tried to climb out of the pit of despair and poverty, something would come along to knock them back down to the bottom of that pit. Then a life changing experience would come along to show them they were never alone.
Early in 1954, the unthinkable happened. One night just about closing time, three or four men, Dad couldn't remember exactly which, came into the tavern. We never did know if they were there just to rob the place, or if they wanted to run Dad out of business, or if they wanted to kill him. Dad was a little sketchy on the details, but it seems they told him to give them all his money. At that point, Dad grabbed a club he kept behind the bar and went over the bar. He hit one over the head with the club, knocking him into a telephone booth on the other side of the room. The others grabbed Dad and slit his face open with a knife. They got him down and started stomping and kicking him. Luckily there were a few customers still in the back of the tavern. When they heard the commotion, they came to the front. The men still standing grabbed their buddy out of the phone booth and left the tavern. They were never caught and we don't know if Dad killed the one or not, but I doubt they had much reason for celebration.
Excerpt
God created me and you and all men, women, and children in the image of Himself and His Son Jesus Christ. He did this out of love, because He is love. He asks that we walk in that love with Him. If we will, He has promised us many things. One thing that He does not promise is that our lives will be easy and that there will never be any problems. But He does promise that if we walk with Him, He will get us through any problems that come our way. He will make us stronger through those problems. And, if we persevere, we will inherit eternal life with Him and His Son in heaven.
Professional Reviews
Tom Ward
Richard B. Garren has given to the world what many others will never give and that is a gift of love. In his book, Our Life In HIS Hands the author shares about his family's life during the 30's, 40's, and 50's living in Oklahoma in some of the hardest times in our history. While this family was basically a poor family and the parents were not "Christians" at the time, it is evident that his parents brought their family up on good moral values and the lessons that they learned from family, friends, church and school help to strengthen this family and see them through hard times. The author takes you on a tour of his life as he reflects to his reader so vividly the trials and hardships that his family endured but at every turn could see how God was leading them, even though they did not know it at the time. Our Life In HIS Hands is a heartwarming book, that will uplift you when you are down, and will encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on God and will help you to realize that no matter what happens in your life, no matter how rich or how poor you are, God has everything under control and if you will be faithful to him he will be faithful to you. This is a book that you MUST READ.
M. Jean Pike
In this most uplifting collection of memoirs, Richard Garren recounts the story of his boyhood, and the mysterious ways in which God used everyday circumstances to mold a child into the man he would become. From the Great Depression, through the uncertain War Years, and into the tumultuous 1950's, this is the story of how a family evolved; with love for one another and faith in their Creator being the only constants in an everchanging world.
The author draws upon a vast knowledge of Scripture, weaving it throughout his stories like golden threads in this wonderfully warming quilt of memories. This, coupled with a poignant honest and a delightful sense of humor made this memoir a pleasure to read. Our Life In HIS Hands is a 'memoir with a message,' and will challenge readers to listen for the still, small voice amid the clamor of modern day life, and to trust that even though a man may not always know where he is in life, he will never walk alone.
Timeless wisdom and advice on the art of living for today’s young and old: The art of thinking, the art of loving, the art of working, the art of leadership, the art of growing old.
A new translation by Sergio E. Serrano of this inspirationa
These timeless quotations culled from the celebrated corpus of writings by W.E.B. Du Bois are presented with illuminating introductory essays by Aberjhani. Narration of the Audible book performed by Catherine Byers.
