Ryan's Ramblings

Salt and Grace vs. Pickles and Ketchup

I heard the Rev. Tim Dilena preach at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City last May.  He is good.  I like this little devotional thought that he posted the other day on his blog.  It hits home for me--so, I share it with you.

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Can I Take Your Order?

by Rev. Tim Dilena

The other day in McDonalds, they just couldn’t seem to get the Happy Meal order right.

It started to get frustrating as I kept saying…

“a plain cheeseburger with nothing on it”

and they kept saying..

“so no cheese either”.

“No that would then be a hamburger” I responded.

As the dialogue went on my mind went back to one of the ancient fathers who said….

“Be Kind! for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle”

I started to see the person behind the counter as someone who needs kindness not my frustration.  And then Paul’s words popped in my heart

Col. 4:6
Let your speech always be  with grace, seasoned, as it were, with  salt….

I realized that in the end, as a Christian, no matter if they put  ketchup and pickles on the hamburger, the more important issue is that I had salt and grace  on my speech.

It Is Making Me

My friend Virginia sent me a link to a sermon that referenced a dulcimer player named Garrett Viggers that then led me to view the video by Third Day that I have posted below.  As one who loves music--and more than that, loves God, the coincidental strand was no coincidence, it was a blessing. 

So, I share the video with you, hoping that you find it a blessing too.

I believe what I believe...
is what makes me what I am.
And I did not make it,
no it is making me
It is the very truth of God
and not the invention of any man.

 

Sharing the Wealth

I am one of those people that likes to share a good find with others.  It must be the teacher in me.  I feel like I send way too many emails to friends with just a link and a subject line that says, "look at this."  At the same time I feel like I don't share enough of the good things that I come across in my educational experiences and in my feed reader roamings of the internet.

So here is my answer: I am going to share the wealth of my wanderings via my blog.  Every once in awhile I will be "Sharing the Wealth" by posting links and comments about things that I have learned from, have found interesting and/or have enjoyed on the internet.  Please click on the links and enjoy.

Here goes:

This post made me homesick for Montana and it inspired me.

Intention vs. Decision:  After watching this brief interview, Andy Stanley has my attention.

Change some names, apply it to your context and this post by the Tall Monastic Guy touches a nerve.  It almost sounds like something Jesus would say.

I like to listen to audio books while I walk/run and workout.  Here is a link for a free book (every month)... 'nuff said.

I wish I disliked criticizing others as much as I dislike criticism.  Mark Batterson offers some solid counsel here.

Psalm 121:2-5 (NIV)

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip--

he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you...