Ryan's Ramblings

He put death to death - Easter Sunday

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

(Hebrews 2:14-15, NLT)

Photo by Robert J. DeGray

Up and into the day. I enjoyed listening to the song, “His Heart Beats,” by Andrew Peterson. Easter is a time to remember that Jesus came and put death to death. I am reading The Slavery of Death by Richard Beck and he states that rather than sin leading to death, death leads to sin.

Huh?

As I entertain the power of death, with the end that it seemingly holds and the emptiness and the unknown that it affords, I am affected to live selfishly—getting all I can out of life right now. JOMO, the Joy Of Missing Out, controls me rather than hope and faith in God.

If the fear of death dictates our lives then we will strive for all that we can get. We will see every person and situation that “trespasses” against us (makes us late, costs us time and money, hurts us by what they do or don’t do, etc.) as the enemy, and we will treat them accordingly. We will even treat our loved ones as enemies if they stand in the way of us getting all that life offers.

When we live in the fear of death we live under the Sword of Damocles, with persistent thoughts like: the clock is the ticking, don’t let anything stop you from getting all that is yours, and look out for number one. In the fear of death we do all that we can to avoid the ticking crocodile through things like, fitness, cosmetics, surgery, hair plugs, new stuff, a new spouse . . . and on and on it goes.

The fear of death leads to sin. The fear of the Lord leads to wisdom and life. On Easter, the Lord put death to death. Thus, with hope we can say, “He is Risen!” and we can live as if, "He is Risen Indeed!"

 

His Heart Beats

by Andrew Peterson / Ben Shive

 

His heart beats
His blood begins to flow
Waking up what was dead a moment ago
And His heart beats, now everything is changed
'Cause the blood that brought us peace with God
Is racing through His veins
And His heart beats
His heart beats

 

He breathes in
His living lungs expand
The heavy air surrounding death turns to breath again
He breathes out
He is word and flesh once more
The Lamb of God slain for us is a Lion ready to roar
And His heart beats

 

So crown Him the Lord of Life
Crown Him the Lord of Love
Crown Him the Lord of All

 

He took one breath
And put death to death
Where is your sting, O grave?
How grave is your defeat
I know, I know His heart beats

 

He rises, glorified in flesh
Clothed in immortality, the firstborn from the dead
He rises, and His work's already done
So He's resting as He rises to reclaim the Bride He won
And His heart beats

 

So crown Him the Lord of Life
Crown Him the Lord of Love
Crown Him the Lord of All

 

He took one breath
And put death to death
Where is your sting, O grave?
How grave is your defeat
I know, I know His heart beats

 

The last enemy to be destroyed is death
The last enemy to be destroyed is death
He must reign until no enemy is left
The last enemy to be destroyed, to be destroyed is death

 

His heart beats, He will never die again
I know that death no longer has dominion over Him
So my heart beats with the rhythm of the saints
As I look for the seeds the King has down
To burst up from their graves

 

I know, I know
He took one breath
And put death to death
Where is your sting, O grave?
How grave is your defeat
I know, I know
He took one breath
And put death to death
Where is your sting, O grave?
How grave is your defeat
How great, how great is His victory
I know, I know His heart beats
I know, I know His heart beats
His heart beats

 

remembering last words

 

In the hush of Holy Saturday, here is a remembering of Jesus' last words from the cross.

 

 

good friday - when even the gods speak of God

 

 

When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39, NLT)

 

 

 

SELF PORTRAIT

It doesn't interest me if there is one God
or many gods.
I want to know if you belong or feel
abandoned.
If you know despair or can see it in others.
I want to know
if you are prepared to live in the world
with its harsh need
to change you. If you can look back
with firm eyes
saying this is where I stand. I want to know
if you know
how to melt into that fierce heat of living
falling toward
the center of your longing. I want to know
if you are willing
to live, day by day, with the consequence of love
and the bitter
unwanted passion of your sure defeat.

I have heard, in that fierce embrace, even
the gods speak of God.

- David Whyte
from Fire in the Earth
©1992 Many Rivers Press

character you both admire and covet

So many books, so little time. I recently read a chapter titled, “Character”in The Aim of Life, by Philip Moxom, (p. 41). The book was published in 1894. It is an old book. According to the Smithsonian, all “true” diamonds are old—in the realm of hundreds of millions of years old. There is an amazing beauty and value in old things, and old books. I am glad I came across this gem by Moxom:

 

If you are to form such a character as in your best moments you both admire and covet, you will suffer yourself to be cowed by no circumstances, however menacing they may be; you will resist the slightest pressure either of fear or of selfishness; you will remember always that no evil can master you to which you do not submit. Your own choice determines, not whether you will be tempted or not, but whether or not you will be overcome by temptation; for the issue of the struggle turn not upon your individual strength alone, but upon your will reinforced by divine power. God is the ally of every soul that seeks wholly to be true.

may our incense rise

I am currently making my way through the book of Leviticus. The rules, the details, the ornamentation, the sacrifices, the blood, the altar, the hyper focus on purity, and the seemingly meticulous minutiae, . . . wow. I don't begin to understand much of it, nor do I find it engaging reading. But through it all, I am getting a glimpse of the One upon whom it is all focused—the "Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne," (Rev. 5:6). 

The One is Jesus, the friend of sinners and the only one worthy to receive all power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"

I was up early this morning, clicking through YouTube, listening to songs of praise and worshiping the Lord, and I came upon the live version of "Psalm 34" by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. I have twice had the privilege to worship at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City and . . . wow, what a blessing! The choir was amazing and the presence of the Lord was palpable.

This video of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir includes so many aspects of worship: scripture, sincerity, praise, joy, singing, prayer, reverence, freedom, abandon, tears and adoration. At the end it is beautiful and powerful to watch as the worshipers, awash in the presence of the Lord, lift their praise to Jesus, like incense arising from the altar,

. . . much like in Leviticus. 

 

 

ten thousand is too few

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dina,

They say a picture’s worth a thousand words,

but I say ten thousand is too few.

As I struggle, slip and slide through life,

I’m glad that it’s with you.

Your smile, your love, your constant care,

steady me as I glide;

and even when I trip and fall,

you’re there right by my side.

As days fly by, the seasons pass,

and the mirror hints I’m old;

I’m blessed by God, (and this is true),

that the one,

whose mittened hand I hold,

is you.

morning devotions: prayers, and a poem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bravest Thing

    by John Blase

maybe the bravest thing

is opening your eyes in the

morning and placing your

two feet on the cold floor and

rising up against the gravity

of the night. maybe that’s the

brave thing from which all other

bravery flows, the brave to

seek ye first, maybe that’s the

single thing God requires of you,

the spiritual discipline that takes

all your will to muster. Swallow

down the fear, my friend, and face

the dawning day for what the

surface of the world needs most

of all is bravery skipping and

you, yes you are the stone.

Up at the 4:30 alarm and thinking about the poem, “The Bravest Thing,” by John Blase. The first, most important step of my day is simply opening my eyes, putting my two feet on the cold floor and walking into the day ahead of me. My goal is to “seek Ye first,” and I pray from there,... God, get a hold of me and fling me furiously. May I skip, alight and impact the world with your aim, your impetus and your Presence.

As I drink my morning coffee, I think about the “perfect” skipping stone. It is flat, smooth, and is an ideal fit for the hand that is doing the throwing. Not all rocks are ready for skipping; only those that have been prepared by waiting at the bottom of a lake or river, worn down by sand, seasons, rushing water and time. God is ever looking for the right stone to skip into the world—for his influence, his impact and his pleasure.

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

                                            (2 Chronicles 16:9, NIV)

Lord, find me, make me, empower me and use me for your Glory. May my life give you delight and may the places where I "skip" today ripple outwards with your love, mercy and grace.

do you remember to remember?

Do you remember to remember?

I seldom do. But when I do remember to remember, it is rich.

One thing that helps me in my remembering is my journaling habit. Every morning I download onto paper all the stuff that is in my head and in my heart, and the result is a haphazard collection of thoughts, whinings, wishes, memories, thanksgivings, frustrations, rejoicings, repentance, ponderings, pontifications and desperate prayers that are barely suitable for my eyes only—and yet, somehow God uses it all for good in my life.

For me, journaling is an act of in-the-moment, short-term remembering that I find extremely helpful. But the real payoff is when I look back in my journals—at the vaporous days, months, years and decades of my life—and recall, reminisce, weep, rejoice, reflect and remember. Without fail, in all my rememberings, I see the unmistakable threads of God’s mercies (which run into the billions) and the relentless, extravagant, faithful grace of God, woven in and through the story my life. (Ps. 119:156, MSG)

When I remember to remember, it is rich. It is how I learn and grow and become.

John Dewey says, “We do not learn from experience . . . we learn from reflecting on experience.” Just doing things and experiencing them isn't enough. The power to learn, change, grow and become is primarily realized in and through those things that we think about and reflect upon. Experience teaches us that there are some things to be avoided and there are some elements of the remembered past that may well be worth repeating. In God’s economy and grace it's about becoming all that we can be in Him. A primary way to do that is through remembering.

The story of God is replete with references to the act of remembering. From the early days in the lives of the Children of Israel, to the last few hours of Jesus’ time on earth, remembering is primary to the very core of being a follower of God. With his eyes on the future, Jesus sat at the table with the disciples and he equated the bread and wine before them with his body, blood, life and impending death upon the cross, and then He entreated them to regularly partake of the elements and when they do, . . . to remember.

“We won’t walk into God’s good future if we have no memories of God’s mighty acts on our behalf in the past. Or at least, we won’t walk into the fullness of that future, with all the power and healing force for our communities that God intends. Again and again in Scripture, one of the fundamental rhythms is that of remembrance.”

                                            —Len Hjalmarson

What got me started on all this thinking and talk of remembering is a song I recently came across by Steven Curtis Chapman called, “Remember to Remember.” The song and accompanying video moved me greatly (ok, I must admit, I wept). It caused me to remember and, it called me to remember.

So, I leave you with this: take a walk, go on a hike, find a quiet place and reflect; let the memories linger, resonate and . . .

Remember the way He led you up to the top of the highest mountain

Remember the way He carried you through the deepest dark

Remember His promises for every step on the road ahead

Look where you've been and where you're going

And remember to remember

                —Steven Curtis Chapman

(Check out the song and video below.)

 

 

Some of the books I read in 2018

 

I read for growth, firmly believing that what you are today and what you will be in five years depends on two things: the people you meet and the books you read.

― Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life

 

 

 

It was my pleasure to read 60+ books in 2018. Here are a few good ones that I recommend to you.

 

 

I’m Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers

Tim Madigan

I am one of those kids from the 1970’s who was impacted by Mr. Rogers. I didn’t know he was a TV star at the time, I just knew him as a nice man (who I now know valued feelings, creativity, human capability and make-believe). Now that I am an adult, it is nice to find that he was the same person, on and off screen. This book was a moving and refreshing glimpse of the real Mr. Rogers.

 

 

 

 

The Compound Effect

Darren Hardy

Building off of the financial concept of compound interest, this book is an inspiration to steward the gifts of moments, time and life - for good. As Coleridge said, “In today already walks tomorrow.” This books provides insight, plans and motivation to live today, and subsequently tomorrow, well.

 

 

 

 

The Classroom Management Secret: And 45 Other Keys to a Well-Behaved Class

Michael Linsin

As a teacher, I highly recommend this book. Classroom management is foundational to effective teaching and learning and this book provides practical, useful, and sound material that I will revisit year after year. The author has a great blog at Smart Classroom Management.

 

 

 

 

Ampersand: Poetry (Poiema Poetry)

D.S. Martin

 

This is one of many books of poetry by D.S. Martin that I have read and will re-read. His writing is real and penetrating—putting beauty, feelings and experiences into words. 

 

 

 

 

Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue

Barry H. Corey

 

This was one of the most formative books I read all year. Since reading it I am ever asking myself, “Am I being receivable or I am I striving to be received?” I suggest you read the book to understand what that means. It is a good read.

 

 

 

 

Irresistible: Reclaiming the New that Jesus Unleashed for the World

Andy Stanley

 

This book kept my attention and continues to be on my mind. It is a book of history and contextualization about the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have read through the Bible a few times and continue to learn more and more about the relationship between the Old and New Testaments.  This book helped to sharpen my focus and give clarity to my thinking.

 

 

 

 

Father Fiction: Chapters for a Fatherless Generation

Donald Miller

 

This book was one of my biggest surprises and delights this year. I was reticent to read it due to the fact that I did not grow up “fatherless.” But through this book I now see the world around me better—with more understanding, empathy and compassion. The message of this book affected who I am, and will be, going forward.

 

 

 

This Day With the Master: 365 Daily Meditations

Dennis F. Kinlaw

 

Every single morning of 2018 I read a devotional thought from this book. I was constantly underlining passages, dog-earing pages and recording gleaned insights into my journal. This is a great book. I came across Kinlaw years ago—one of his quotes caught my attention and I looked him up and found that he had published a year-long devotional. I ordered a used copy and went through it last year. I am so glad I did.

Happy Birthday Dina!!!

 

Practically perfect in every way. — Mary Poppins

 

Today is Dina’s birthday. What a joy it is to celebrate her. Dina is a source of light, peace, strength, care and love to her family, friends, students, colleagues and the world around her. She would never say it, but to me she is “practically perfect in every way.” I thank God for the good gift of her life.

Happy Birthday Dina!! I love you. —Ryan