Ryan's Ramblings

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

Bring on the chap stick—31 years together

A week ago, as I was driving to work, I noticed that I had chap stick on my lips. I seldom use chap stick and thought to myself, “Where did I get chap stick?” And then I remembered that I had just kissed Dina goodbye as we both left the house.

She had chap stick on her lips.

For the rest of the drive, I felt and tasted that chap stick and was overwhelmed with love and thanksgiving for my wife.

Dina is my best friend, my partner in all things, an amazing mother to our daughters, my delight, my helper, my safe place, the love of my life and a precious gift from God.

What a joy and blessing it has been to be married to her for these past 31 years.

Happy Anniversary Dina, I love you.

Bring on the chap stick!

a glance at god

 

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish.

(John 1:14, MSG)

 

It was my privilege over the past four years to teach university students in the content area of teacher training and education. My classes met early (8:00 a.m.) each day, and before launching into the learning objective, I would kick off the session with a glance at God.

Since most college students consider 8:00 a.m. to be a most “un-godly” hour, I quickly realized that I needed to be brief and creative with my devotional thoughts. Because of this, the glance at God was realized in various ways:  a brief meditation on Scripture, thinking and talking about a quote, reflecting on poetry and even . . . watching music videos.

There was one video that I showed each semester that never failed to elicit a response from the students. After class, or via email, I would hear things like: “Thanks for sharing that video,” “I needed that,” “That helped me,” and “I heard from God this morning.”

The music video (below) is a good one. It addresses how we are inclined to see the flaws in ourselves and the world around us through a lens of failure, regret, disillusion, struggle, disappointment and loss, and yet God sees things, and us, differently.

Through His love, grace, and the cross of Christ, we are flawless. He wants our attention and is always available—early morning, late at night, all day, every day.

Give God a glance today. You might hear from Him—even through a music video.

 

 

Autumn Hope . . . a poem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn Hope

by Ryan M. Roberts

Autumn leaves flame out as they make their descent 

through the cool harvest air.

Their brilliant colors wane under foot;

    broken and crushed into the darkening earth below.

Yet even in death they yield a harvest.

Hidden in winter depths, their embers glow;

waiting,

    fueling hope,

expectant for the spark of new life.

 

- Isaiah 55:8-9 -

all in, all the time — one long obedient response

Yesterday I slipped away from school for a couple of hours and attended and participated in Volney Johnson’s funeral. It was a grand occasion, celebrating a life well-lived and remembering an amazing man for the Lord. He lived for 95 years. He was a man of prayer and loving boldness in sharing the Lord with those around him.

As his granddaughters stood and shared memories about him in the memorial service, I heard a recurring theme:

"Grandpa was all in, all the time. He was at our games, teaching us to do things, working with us on chores, always present—physically and relationally, spending time, giving attention, speaking life."

I guess the adage is true,

that "children, and grandchildren, spell love, t-i-m-e."

What a powerful testimony his life was. What a challenge and inspiration it is to me. With thoughts of Volney on my mind this morning, I was captured by these words in Ps. 119: 28-32, MSG,

[Dear God}

. . . build me up again by your Word.

Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;

grace me with your clear revelation.

 

I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me . . .

 

I’ll run the course you lay out for me . . .

just show me how.

 

[Help me to] stay the course . . .

my whole life one long, obedient response.

Volney’s life, although not influential and powerful from the standpoint of the world, was and is, a shining star in God’s economy. He ran the course for Jesus—all in, all the time—his whole life one long, obedient response.

God help me.

I thank God for Volney Johnson.

do the math, the "new" math

Lately,  my journey finds me standing in front of Fifth Graders teaching things like Social Studies, Reading, Science, Writing and the “new Math.”

This morning I awoke with story problems on my mind that needed solving—they were life problems, not Math problems.  But then in my Bible reading this morning I encountered both life and Math problems too . . . and I found the answer.

Many times over the last few weeks I have said to my students, “Please show your work and share and discuss the results with your neighbor.”

So, here you go, this is how I did the work and where I found the answer:

Man as such is smoke,

    woman as such, a mirage.

Put them together, they’re nothing;

    two times nothing is nothing.

 

And a windfall, if it comes—

    don’t make too much of it.

 

God said this once and for all;

    how many times

Have I heard it repeated?

    “Strength comes

Straight from God.” (Psalm 62:9-11, MSG)

 Where is my hope and help? Is it in men, women, institutions, programs and people? Yes—at times those things are significant and helpful, but also temporal. They are real for a moment, and then gone.

What about a windfall, easy money, the big break? Surely, therein is the answer? Nope. It’s all nice, but not the answer. (Remember 2008?)

. . . two times nothing is nothing.

The psalmist has done the Math and has found a different solution—strength, help, and life, come “Straight from God.”

We are so inclined to look elsewhere; to rely on opportunities, to hopefully “win the lottery,” but in the end our grasping and clutching hands are left empty. We try to move the numbers around, change up our routines and tweak the formula, but as Aslan says, “There is no other stream.”

Where is your hope when the numbers don’t add up?

Do the math, the “new” math.

Look to the One that leaves the 99 for the 1, multiplies 7 loaves and 2 fish into a meal for thousands, and gives the life of His 1 and only son for the world (billions).

Life, like Math, is full of problems to be solved. Where are you looking for help and answers?

“Strength comes straight from God.” (Ps. 62:11, MSG)

all in for God . . . or not — you choose

Joshua 24:14-15, NIV

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

***

In my journey through the Bible this year I read the last chapter of the book of Joshua the other day and was surprised again (and again, and again, and again) at how the people of Israel received so much help and care from the Lord and yet, they continued to abide self-centeredness and other gods in their lives. Sadly, those fickle folks sound a lot like the guy staring back at me from the mirror each morning.

In chapter 24 I find Joshua at the end of his journey, on the doorstep of death, and his last words to the nation of Israel were: either go all in for God or get out—choose now. The choice he offered Israel so long ago is the same choice that he offers to the man in the mirror today.

Whom will you fear? . . . and subsequently serve?

The term “fear” in this case is the giving of reverence, power, influence and attention to someone or something in our lives. What we fear demands, and usually gets, our attention. Fear calls the shots.

Joshua tells fearful Israel—the nation of people that he had just led into the Promised Land (the unknown)—that he and his family were all in for the one and only, Almighty God. Yes, times were tough, challenges were innumerable, confusion was rampant and fear, in all its forms, was clamoring for their attention (a reaction), but Joshua and his clan were going to “choose” their response and that choice was to fear, revere and serve the Lord in their hearts and lives.

Every morning that I am privileged to get out of bed and gaze at myself in the mirror (yipes) I am confronted with fear. But beyond the bald spots, gray hair, wrinkles, stiff joints, worries, obligations and responsibilities, I have a choice, "Whom or what will I fear, and subsequently serve today?"

My answer is Jesus Christ.

How about you? You choose.