Ryan's Ramblings

a morning stroll

I encountered some beauty on a morning stroll.  Here are some pictures:

(Click on the photo for a close up view)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

still standing

I took this picture while on a morning walk.  It is likely that the next time I walk that way, the flowers will be gone.

Graduation Announcement for my firstborn

Here is the Graduation Announcement for Becca, my firstborn.  The time has been so rich and all too rapid.  I love her and am proud of her.

indeed a narrow way

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's words below remind me that the "narrow way" isn't one of rules, restrictions, exclusivity and religion, but rather it is a way of life.  The narrow way is a path of humility, love of enemies, turning the other cheek, walking the second mile, sacrifice, perseverance and trust.  The narrow way isn't a path to Jesus--it is Jesus.

To be called to a life of extraordinary quality, to live up to it, and yet to be unconscious of it is indeed a narrow way.  To confess and testify to the truth as it is in Jesus, and at the same time to love the enemies of that truth, his enemies and ours, and to love them with the infinite love of Jesus Christ, is indeed a narrow way.

To believe the promise of Jesus that his followers shall possess the earth, and at the same time to face our enemies unarmed and defenseless, preferring to incur injustice rather than do wrong ourselves, is indeed a narrow way.  To see the weakness and wrong in others, and at the same time refrain from judging them; to deliver the gospel message without casting pearls before swine, is indeed a narrow way.

If we behold Jesus Christ going on before, step by step, we shall not go astray.  But if we worry about the dangers that beset us, if we gaze at the road instead of at him who goes before, we are already straying from the path.  For he is himself the way, the narrow way and the strait gate.  He, and he alone, is our journey's end.