I had the privilege of doing some shopping with my wife, Amy, a few days ago. I actually love shopping with her, for the most part because I love spending time with her. However, our approach to shopping is very different. I tend to know exactly what I want, go straightaway after it, pick it up, and buy it. Amy tends to vacillate over what she wants, peruse in round about ways, pick out several choices, and make her way to the dressing room to try them all on. And after all of that, she might come out of the dressing room with one final choice. 

Can we all agree that 2020 looks a lot more like Amy’s way of shopping than mine? In fact, on this particular day as I was waiting on Amy to come out of the changing room, I thought to myself, “How is 2020 going to come out of the dressing room?” After all of this disruption, disorder, and chaos, what will emerge from the changing room? 

And by the way, I always love what Amy ends up coming out of the dressing room with! 

Ryan

I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried outto him, and he answered my prayer.

Psalm 120:1

I hope you will join us TONIGHT at 6:30 PM in the Aldersgate Worship Center as we cry out. 

What are we crying out for?

• For the end of this pandemic and all of those affected by it
• For front-line workers, first responders, the police, and those in the military
• For children, schools, teachers, and school administrators
• For local, state, federal and church leaders
• For an end to racial injustice
• For victims of human trafficking
• For peace and unity

We will be joined by Olympian Bradley Atkins, Texas Tech University Chaplain, Brandi Cantrell, and others to lead us in crying out.

See you tonight!

Ryan

I opened my inbox on Monday morning to the usual plethora of emails. One in particular got me to thinking and I asked for permission to share it.

As I was getting ready for church yesterday, I was thinking about…the Texas Tech football game…and how Tech underestimated their opponent. The devil is like (that).  We underestimate his ability to win. If we don’t put in the work with God to have a strong relationship with him, we remain weak defensively. Relationships take work. I need to spend more time in his presence, in his word, and doing his works to build a stronger relationship. If I don’t do that, when it is time to face the devil, I could easily fall. It’s the same with marriage. I thought about how when you put in the work to your marriage you tend not to put yourself in a position to fall.

Good word, don’t you think?

Ryan

All my friends seem to be greeting this abrupt drop in temperatures like they are welcoming a long, lost dog who has found its way home. And I’m over here like, “Can we practice that social distancing thing from winter?” I’m not a fan. Of the cold. Of the short days. Of the barren terrain. Of the icy windshields. Of my older model car without seat warmers. Mi no gusto!

But it’s that time. Winter comes around every year whether I roll out the red carpet for it or not. It brings all of its unpleasantries with it and lingers around like an unwelcome guest who doesn’t know when it’s time to leave. But it eventually does and it gives way to warmer temperatures, longer days, and fruitful landscapes. Mucho gusto! 

There are two ways I endure the winter season every year:

1. I know it will eventually end. It does every single year!
2. There are some good things about it. Like…uh…well…Christmas!

What season are you in? if it’s not your favorite, take courage. It won’t last forever. It’s only a season. It will end. And while your waiting for the season to end, find something about it you can appreciate. It’s there. Look for it!

And for now, can someone please turn the thermostat back up?

Ryan

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Remember the good ‘ole days? The days when the saltshaker freely sat on the table at a restaurant just begging to be used? I miss those days. I miss the salt. And I don’t like having to interrupt the wait staff to ask them to bring me some salt – in a paper packet – that’s hard to open – that contains a miniscule portion of the salt I wish to use to flavor my food. Anyone else?

Two thoughts:

1. The world is asking for the salt.

Yes, in restaurants across the world, people are asking for the salt. Literally. And metaphorically, the world is asking for the salt. For the seasoning to life.

2. We are the salt.

Jesus said, “You are here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste Godliness?” (Matthew 5:13 The Message).

We are the salt the world is asking for! If we are hard to find, how will people taste Godliness? The world shouldn’t have to ask. The salt should be sitting there freely just begging to be tasted.

I want to be the salt. Anyone else?

Ryan