perfect day?

I sent a text message to a few friends that said, “Describe the perfect day.” Their responses (and lack of responses) were interesting. I didn’t really have anything in mind when I send the message; I was just passing an idle thought. But, the responses I did get got me to thinking about how I would answer.

I think the perfect day is one that is unexpected. It isn’t scripted or planned. It just unfolds like a flower in bloom. You really only see the beauty once it is complete.

I find this to especially be true when a day gets suddenly redeemed. You know, one of those days that is booked from one end to the other that suddenly breaks loose when things get cancelled or rescheduled. All of a sudden you have absolutely nothing constructive to do because you had been planning on doing something else. Those days tend to turn out especially well for me.

How would you describe your perfect day?

da beach

I am definitely enjoying my time at the beach. The other evening, I was sitting on the balcony and the sunset just seemed to linger for me. It is amazing at how little one mind can think in moments like those. I don’t know if it is a human trait, a male trait, or a Ryan trait, but my mind can go completely and totally void. It just fills with what my five senses bring in and that is the sum of what I am able to comprehend in that moment. In everyday life, this is not the case – but in certain spots during the right times, I simply exist. Nice.

hans and frans

I have a love/hate relationship with the gym. (I love to hate going.) My favorite part about going – the part that gets me there is that I get to hang out with my work out partner and shoot the breeze for a couple of hours a week. In fact, when he is out of town I don’t ever make it over to the gym. My problem is, I am not really committed to it. I want to be in better shape, but don’t want to do the work that would show results. Since I don’t see any real results, I am not very motivated to go do the work. Hmm. I am sure there is some spiritual parallel that I could draw here if I was a really good pastor . . . well, I’m off to lunch.

the sparkling city by the sea

I spent last week at annual conference in Corpus Christi– and came home tired and frustrated. I thought I had left my political career behind me when I went into ministry, but alas I was slightly naïve. Annual Conference this year held elections for delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences. General Conference is our governing body who meet once every four years. Jurisdictional Conference also meets every four years to select and assign bishops to Episcopal areas. University should be proud of Mark Nerio who was elected to serve at General Conference as a layman along with former senior pastor, Mike Lowry who was elected to serve on behalf of the clergy. In addition, Walt Lengel was elected as a delegate to Jurisdictional Conference. Walt is a youth who has been providing great leadership for the conference camp ministry for a number of years.

On the plus side of my week in Corpus, I did really enjoy seeing good friends who are doing amazing things for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. It was great to hear the way that faithful people are transforming their communities and changing lives. As serious as things seem when you are in the midst of voting and politicking, I was reminded that the true battlefield is not in a convention hall stuffed with religious leaders. Rather our fight is for the hearts and minds of those who are perishing in their sin for lack of knowing Jesus Christ. It is there that our victory lies and there that our hope comes.