Texas Plains

“Howdy,” from all the way out here in Texas! It’s been good being at home, being with family, and spending time with some old friends. I got off the plane in Dallas and we set off across the Great Planes toward Wichita Falls, home of your very own Youth Minister. Even though I lived in this part of the country for the first 22 years of my life, I was in awe at the beautiful flatness. Some of you are probably thinking, “I’ve been there and it aint perdy.” There is something about actually being able to see the sun touch the horizon that is beautiful to me.

As we drove home, I just gazed out the window at the great vastness of the planes and was reminded of how much we take for granted the thing that are around us so much. I did not appreciate the beauty of this area of the country till I was away from it for five months…not that I plan on moving back to it anytime soon. I realized something though. When we see something every day, we take for granted how amazing they are. Think about the stars…How often do you stand in amazement of them and think how much God cared about you that He put them up there for you to look at? We would appreciate them a lot more if they only came out once or twice a year.

How often do you sit in amazement of how Great God is? I often take Him for granted. I’m not saying that you need to leave Him for five months to appreciate Him. Don’t let yourself get so disconnected from Him that you have to look at Him from a distance. Sometimes in our lives we only allow Jesus to be beautiful to us on Christmas when He is just a baby. This is true for most of the people around us. We have a great opportunity to remind people that Jesus is always beautiful…not just as a baby but as a risen Savior! Do not miss the opportunity to help people realize that Jesus isn’t just beautiful when you visit Him once a year but that He is beautiful all the time!

GO!

The other day one of the ministers I work with called me into his office to ask me a question. "You've been here for almost five months now. How do you see this congregation in terms of evangelism?" The answer was simple, I didn't. It isn't that we aren't an active congregation...we do tons of things so that the world will know that we are here...but in terms of evangelism (in my mind...going into the world) we aren't doing it. I went on to explain that this isn't just a problem at Northview but a problem in the church as a whole.

This conversation led to a much longer conversation at our next elders-minister's meeting. We've realized that, as the LORD's children, we are commanded to share Him with others. This is an amazing command that we have lost sight of. I personally blame Constantine because if the institutionalization of the church. Because of this we have started seeing the building at "the church." We "go to church." We "do church." All the while we have forgotten that we are the Church.
Also because of this I believe that we have made this our home...the world that is. We have grown accustom to the world around us and see it as our existence. We exist for somewhere else and this is all just temporary. "This world is not my home, I'm just..." you can finish it. We forget that so often. We also forget that we're supposed to bring people with us. We neglect the relationships we have with the people all around us because we think we live here and forget that we are made for something different. We don't take advantage of the many opportunities we have to tell those around us about Jesus.

I was reading my bible this morning and got hit really hard by the Mac Truck of Truth. Jesus says something in the Gospel of John that sounds like a nice verse but is something that should worry us a bit. Jesus says, "If I be lifted up, I will draw the world to me." - John 12:32 - Why am I not drawing the world to Jesus? Am I lifting up my wants? My desires? Often I/we focus on ourselves and our location and forget that we told Jesus that we were dying to ourselves (The whole baptism thing), and we forget that we were made for something different (The whole heaven thing). John the Baptist was a pretty smart guy and I think we should learn something from him. In reference to Jesus he said, "He must increase, I must decrease." - John 3:30
I know it has been a while since I've updated but God has really put this on my heart and I am very excited about where Northview is going. The leadership is excited about evangelism and we're set out to change the world...I hope. Find ways to be lifting Jesus up to people around you. During the Christmas holiday is a great time to talk to people about Jesus...He had to be born to live, die, and be raised didn't He? Why not start with His birth to tell people about his death and resurrection. Going into all the world starts here friends...GO!

To Own a Dragon...

Even though it happened at such a late time in my life, I am glad I fell in love with reading. I just finished the book “To Own a Dragon,” by Donald Miller, this afternoon. It is a book about growing up without a father. You might be wondering why I read such a book since I grew up with a wonderful father who is complimented by a loving, kind, and generous mother. I figure that since our world today is filled with broken homes it would be a good idea to have some sort of preparation for dealing with guys in my youth group who have and are growing up without a father. I recommend this book to any man who feels like he might end up being a part of or having any influence on the life of a fatherless guy. I also recommend this book for any guy growing up without a father.

Out of all the things that I took from this book the biggest is that our role in this life is to help our children know who their real Father is. I don’t have a good grasp on this because I don’t have any kids…that I know of…just kidding…mom I can assure you that I do not have any kids. Anyway…I see that my role in the lives of my teens and the people around me is to help them see, know, and grow in their relationship with their real Father. We have a great gift in that we can call God our Father and there is no relationship that is as important as this one. I’d like to thank everyone in my life, too many to be listed, who have helped me see who my true Father is. I am thankful that I have grown up with both of my parents who have loved and supported me in my life and most of all…have helped me come to know my true Father.
Find a way to show someone this week who their real Father is.

Be Holy,

Ryan

Hello everyone! I’ve stated the next big chapter in my life. I now live in Statesville, NC working with the youth group at the Northview Church of Christ. God is doing amazing things with this congregation and I am happy that He has made me a part of these plans. I’ve been here for about a month now and I am getting settled in nicely.

I just wanted to start this blog to keep anyone who cares updated with what is going on in my life out east. I’ll try to keep this somewhat updated. Enjoy…