u|preacher

Ryan, Thanks for sharing your experiences with us...

2009-10-14T14:46:50.858-06:00

Ryan,

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I waited expectantly for each new posting. I was not only blessed but greatly encouraged. May the Lord continue to bless you and use you for His honor and glory.

Paz,

Robert

Wow - and nobody made a comment?

2009-08-31T10:49:43.000-06:00

Wow - and nobody made a comment?

I go to church at UUMC and recently joined. It to...

2009-08-24T22:45:08.047-06:00

I go to church at UUMC and recently joined. It took me 2 years to find UUMC, but I've felt at home(away from home) ever since. Needless to say I was a little sad that I would be missing out on 6 weeks at the U to be down here in Harlingen for an away rotation for my 3rd year clerkship. I had a feeling, though, that God wanted me to be here. Sure enough, the doctor I work with runs a Christian-based clinic - a refreshing concept after hearing conflicting viewpoints from faculty regarding whether religion + work is professional or not. My very first day, after treating an 86 year old woman for joint pain, we prayed with her as she accepted Jesus Christ for the first time in her life. Powerful stuff. Successful first day? You betcha! We pray with every patient at the end of their visit, and we pray as an office and read scripture before the day begins. I am not eloquent enough to describe what it is like getting to pray with my patients - feeling God's presence in anything is... well, AWESOME. I'm so thankful for this experience here to show me that I do not have to try to separate who I am as a Christian from how I will one day practice as a physician. Gotta admit: I still miss the U. I suppose video podcasts will do until I get back to SA.

To the youth @ Cedar Creek United Methodist Church...

2009-07-27T10:51:22.970-06:00

To the youth @ Cedar Creek United Methodist Church last night I issued a challenge to the revolutionaries! I asked them what would it look like if we did things outside the walls of Cedar Creek United Methodist Church? Don't you ever get tired of just eating snacks and playing games? Don't you ever feel like we should be doing more? When you describe this youth group, don't you want to be able to say,"We do stuff, stuff that matters!"

I said I would lead the way for us to become Faces of a Revolution, that those of us apart of the Bastrop/Cedar Creek Community shall not be faces in the crowd any longer!

In my own personal life I have been ruined for Christ. I can not do anything else but follow him. ... Read More

Want to talk to me, message me on Facebook or call me. Cell number is on my page!

I got to experience the word of God in ways that I...

2009-07-19T19:19:39.702-06:00

I got to experience the word of God in ways that I never had before. Just being there, whether I was listening or reading, gave me deeper understanding of it, especially the Old Testament, which I realized I'm not that familiar with. Over time I began to connect more with the stories in the Old Testament - Joseph, Samuel, Ruth, David, and the whole story of God's chosen people. It gave me deeper knowledge and understanding of who God is to learn these powerful stories, and I began to see the parallels between these stories and the Gospel. Now I appreciate more than ever the value of reading scripture. Whereas before I thought of most of the old testament as dull, looking at the stories behind the words made me realize that ALL scripture is relevant and nourishing for the spirit.

As I have reflected back on this week, I can't hel...

2009-07-10T13:18:03.579-06:00

As I have reflected back on this week, I can't help but be in awe of the great work God did with his people. I know that greater things are yet to come. As I write, I am listening to the song "God of this City." This reminds me of a quote from Anthony D'Angelo that goes..."The most important things in life aren't things." To all the men, I say "well done good and faithful servants." May we live each day with a purpose and a focus on Christ Jesus who sacrificed all for our sake. THAT IS A GREAT THING! Go therefore.....

To me, this exercise was much more about disciplin...

2009-07-09T16:01:49.259-06:00

To me, this exercise was much more about discipline in prayer than it was a study of each book in the Bible. Our team had a task laid out in front of us and it required focus and dedication to get the job done. I found myself drawn to be a torchbearer more than I expected, and even more so in the wee hours of the night when I feared we would be too thin.

The support we received in-person and online was very encouraging. It put this "task" that we were doing into a bigger perspective and it was then that I realized that we were merely the vessels bringing God's Word to the masses. We will never know the full impact we had. Any number of our Twitter/Facebook followers could taken refuge in The Word without a single comment because of our dedication and enthusiasm.

I'm proud to have been a part of that team.

-RB

I was thrilled that my favorite verses, Nehemiah 8...

2009-07-09T15:17:37.458-06:00

I was thrilled that my favorite verses, Nehemiah 8:5-10 were read while I was present.As the builders of the wall worked with their swords, I realized how we need our sword each moment. I returned for readings from Ezekiel and Daniel. Finally, I came for Micah, Nahum and Habakkuk. Readers please know how grateful I am for your service. May God richly bless each one of you.

I was just present for a short time, about an hour...

2009-07-09T00:42:17.596-06:00

I was just present for a short time, about an hour and a half, from Eccl 4 to Isaiah 20. I read a few Chapters from Song, and read along with the readers and prayed... but my experiance started in reading your FB posts, and I was drawn to it. As I listened I heard the Word alive. There was power in it, and some awesome things were heard by me in that short time! I am still receiving!

Ryan: God bless you and all the men involved in t...

2009-07-08T21:01:25.637-06:00

Ryan: God bless you and all the men involved in this wonderful testament of faith!! We are praying for the mighty swords to overcome the evil surrounding UUMC every day. Yours in Christ, CD and Freda B.

Harry had been describing this to me - following t...

2009-07-08T17:13:38.688-06:00

Harry had been describing this to me - following the readings on the Facebook. I picked him up from his morning workout at Clark HS and we decided to just drop by and drift in. Oh goodness - you don't "drop by and drift in." Next thing we know, we have moved from standing in the back to sitting in the back row, to Harry signed up to be a reader. The gym was a powerful place to be in. I could not get hom fast enough to get my other son - just wanted him to experience the power of the men reading the bible, waiting their turn to read, listening to the Bible being read. Thank you. I know that I have listened to God, we are in the right place to raise our boys. God's Blessings to all readers, listeners and those praying. Kelly MacTough

This will be my prayer for you, my brother. There...

2009-07-07T06:56:02.328-06:00

This will be my prayer for you, my brother. Theresa

You have a great way with words, Ryan. I read thi...

2009-07-06T13:30:08.538-06:00

You have a great way with words, Ryan. I read this, not sure where it was going, and I couldn't help respectfully chuckling a little after the last sentence. It struck a deep chord with me in my personal life, so thank you for letting the Lord speak through you, and for writing this.
-Mike

I welcome the opportunity to follow your progress....

2009-07-06T06:44:02.205-06:00

I welcome the opportunity to follow your progress. Praying for your strength and courage for the long haul. God bless you!

...and visit my blog too!!

2009-04-18T12:31:00.000-06:00

...and visit my blog too!!

|Hello!!! I´m from the Methodist Church in Brazil...

2009-04-18T12:29:00.000-06:00

|Hello!!!

I´m from the Methodist Church in Brazil (Igreja Metodista do Brasil)

Nice blog!

God bless us all!!

Did you get to visit Teatro-museu Dali while you w...

2009-01-25T19:40:00.000-06:00

Did you get to visit Teatro-museu Dali while you were there?

Hey Pastor Ryan!I haven't been reading your blog u...

2009-01-23T15:04:00.000-06:00

Hey Pastor Ryan!
I haven't been reading your blog until now, but I had no idea you were up Colorado way. If you come visit again, let me know! I'd be happy to put you up. I live in Fort Collins, but have belonged to UUMC many a year.

PS. Your Intervention series couldn't have come at a better time. I've greatly appreciated it.

Tammy Hess
-Daughter of Kathy and Bob Hess (Church Connections)

Well...what happened...does what happen in Spain s...

2008-12-04T21:30:00.000-06:00

Well...what happened...does what happen in Spain stay in Spain?

Glad you are having fun! You better come home soon...

2008-11-10T07:15:00.000-06:00

Glad you are having fun! You better come home soon or your sister may try and convince you that you own a Tahoe!! You are in our prayers - love mom

glad you are off to a good start. i am keeping go...

2008-11-07T16:09:00.000-06:00

glad you are off to a good start. i am keeping good care of your vehicle! i know material possessions are not supposed to matter to us, but MAN, I LOVE DRIVING YOUR CAR!!! not that i am complaining about my free and clear tahoe...just isn't as fun to drive! ah well, have fun in spain! love from your sister!

Thanks for letting us know you arrived safely....h...

2008-11-05T21:54:00.000-06:00

Thanks for letting us know you arrived safely....have fun, see wonderful sights, and take lots of pics...you're in our thoughts and prayers...love - the family

Your poetic descriptions inspire me. I traveled to...

2008-10-23T21:39:00.000-06:00

Your poetic descriptions inspire me. I traveled to Aspen the summer after I graduated High school;it was good to be reminded of that breath taking trip and to feel a part of yours.
Blessings,
Paul

I know a couple of people who spent significant ti...

2008-10-17T22:06:00.000-06:00

I know a couple of people who spent significant time in Spain ... who could suggest more than touristy places and sites. Way cool though. You can get some good milage on your camera now. You sure the dates you want to fly aren't black out days?

When does your adventure begin?

2008-10-17T15:56:00.000-06:00

When does your adventure begin?