Ryan's Ramblings

"Avail"-ability

God is looking for more than giftedness; He's looking for people who will commit to His calling and His will.— Ron Mehl

When I read this quote my mind went to another quote that I have gleaned from a valued mentor of mine.  It may not be originally his statement, but I have heard him say it and have seen him live it enough that in my mind--the words are his.

Here is the quote:

"When it comes to serving God, it is not about your ability--it is about your availability."  --Ernie Thompson

Good stuff.

Smorking?

Smorking?  Is this a form of underwater smoking?  Who do you use for the advertising icon for this?...Aquaman?

Full Surrender

"The real enemies of Christ are not the poor fallen people on the streets, but those who profess holiness, yet never let Him eradicate the self-centered disposition inside of them."  --Oswald Chambers

Within the devotional thought that the above quote comes from Oswald Chambers refers to the "reins of our lives" and inquires as to who is holding them--us or Jesus.  The issue is not how dirty or immoral we are, nor how clean and upright we are.  The issue is our hearts and who is in control.  

We may hold Jesus in our minds and hearts in a sentimental, honoring and admiring way and yet still hold the reins of our lives in our own hands.  Maybe, at one time Jesus held the reins of your life, but at some point along life's journey you have taken them back from him.

There is a daily dynamic at the core of our lives with God that is called "relationship."  Every day we are faced with the choice to live for ourselves or live for God...to live in self-centeredness or to live in trust.  We can either take up the reins of our life or hand them over to Jesus.

In Luke 9:23 Jesus says, ""If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

The friend or foe of Jesus is not realized in sinfulness or sanctity, but in surrender.

Short-sighted

I don't now about you, but I tend to be somewhat short sighted and untrusting at times.  Eternity will tell the story of our lives and God's fingerprints will be all over it.

Eric Liddell is the man and runner that was made famous via the movie, "Chariots of Fire."  He was an amazing man of God.  I love biographies and I read a great one about Eric Liddell called "Pure Gold."  I recommend it.

Circumstance may appear to wreck our lives and God's plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins.

                                           --Eric Liddell

Article about TCIS

If you are interested, I had an informational article published about my school in the Association of Christian Schools International 2008-2009 publication of the Christian School Education (CSE) magazine, Volume 12, Number 2, titled, 

“Within and Beyond the Walls of Taejon Christian International School.”

Here is a LINK to the on-line version of the article.

Golden Apples

Here is a fantastic video that I ran across.  It is well done and has a powerful message.  It is fifteen minutes long but worth every second.   According to the YouTube stats it has been viewed over 1.5 million times but I hadn't seen it until now so I suppose there is a chance that you haven't seen it yet either so, I pass it along.  Enjoy.

Buried but Inspired

Currently I am feeling overwhelmed and buried as it relates to my Doctoral studies.  I found this quote inspiring.

"Never regard study as a duty, but as the enviable opportunity to learn to know the liberating influence of beauty in the realm of the Spirit for your own personal joy and to the profit of the community to which you belong."--Albert Einstein

Walk of Worship

Tonight our high school student ministries department sponsored a Walk of Worship (W.O.W.) night for any interested staff and students.  It was a great event.  There were five worship stations that we moved through as a group.  The first involved corporate prayer, the second was a skit/message that my daughter, Sarah, participated in--it was powerful.  (Below I have included a video of the presentation done by a different group of students in a church in the USA.)  The third station involved a journaling/reflecting process on our response to the skit's message and the promptings of the Holy Spirit upon our hearts.  The fourth station involved praying in small groups for one another and the final station involved a time of celebratory singing, praise and worship.  It was an incredible night of worship--and it was completely led by high school and middle school students.

Here is the video of the skit.  Actually, it is a skit done to a song by Switchfoot.  The combination of the skit and the lyrics are very meaningful.  Take a moment to watch and listen to the video and be ready to be challenged and blessed.

Doubts and Expectations

Everybody has doubts at one time or another…even John the Baptist.

Matthew 11:1-5 (NIV)
After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” 

“God in Christ doesn’t come among us to meet our expectations, but to save us from our sins.”—Eugene Peterson

We all have a lot of questions and that is ok.  John’s questions in Matthew 11 are spoken from a jail cell.  He is hours away from losing his life and he knows it.  Oftentimes our questions come with expectations of how they should be answered by God.  We must be careful to not let our expectations supersede our faith and trust in the answer—Jesus Christ.

“Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."  Matthew 11:6 (NIV)

Life to the Hilt

“Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be in the will of God.”—Jim Elliot

These are the words of a man who lived his life in the light of the Resurrection.  Just over fifty years ago Jim Elliot and four missionary companions were speared to death on a remote river beach in Ecuador, South America.  The missionaries were there to share the gospel of Jesus Christ—the Risen One—with the Auca Indian tribe.  They gave their lives to share with others about the God who is greater than death.  In the light of the Resurrection, they found the freedom to truly live.

How are you living your life?  Are you living in freedom?  As the sun rises over the empty tomb on this Easter morning are you living in the light of the Resurrection?  Are you living to the hilt your life and your situation in God?  Regardless of where you are, what your condition, or whom you are with—you can live your story fully and completely for Jesus Christ—leaving the details to be played out in the eternal light of the Resurrection.

Today, the Auca Indian tribe exists as a community of Christ followers.  The warriors who brandished the machetes and spears so long ago are now preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to their own people and to neighboring tribes.  Some of the warriors have passed on from this life and are now walking the streets of heaven with Jesus, Jim Elliot and the other missionaries.  In the light of the Resurrection, their story continues—and so does ours.  Eternity will tell the stories of our lives.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.”—Jim  Elliot

He is Risen!  Live life to the hilt.