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