Ryan's Ramblings

[The following reflection originally appeared in my book, Nudgings: Gentle Whispers, Holy Reminders.] I have always been a big fan of Pooh, that “silly old bear.” A.A. Milne, creator of Winnie-the-Pooh, wrote the beloved stories of the Hundred Acre Wood for and about his son, Christopher Robin. In the early 1900s, Pooh and his adventures…

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  — James 1:19, NIV Joseph Joubert once wrote, “Don’t cut what you can untie.” Back when I was serving as a school administrator, I found myself in a situation that showed me just how true those words can be. A student…

Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped.—2 Samuel 12:20, NIV When the first Rocky movie came out, Rocky was young and I was even younger. We were each trying to figure out who we…

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…
 — Proverbs 1:7, NIV We were talking about “the fear of the Lord” in Men’s Bible Study recently. That phrase can feel mysterious. Most of us understand that it involves awe, reverence, worship, and respect… but practically speaking, what does that look like in everyday…

“Seek first the kingdom of God…” — Matthew 6:33, NIV I’ve written a lot of letters of recommendation over the years. Some for close friends, some for colleagues, and some for people I haven’t talked to in a long time—who reach out almost apologetically with… “I know it’s been a while…” But if I know…

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.—Psalm 121:1–2, ESV Recently, on a podcast, I heard a well-known Christian musician paraphrase Psalm 121 this way: “I turn my eyes to the hills from which my help comes.” It sounds…

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.
 —Psalm 19:1-2, NLT I went for my first bike ride of spring the other day. It had been a while, and I loved it—riding along the river, the air,…

I believe God. It will be just as He said.
 —Acts 27:25, NLT “All hope was gone.” It’s the kind of line you don’t want to hear—and one you never forget. Paul and the crew were in a killer storm. They had already thrown the cargo overboard. The ship was no longer being steered, but…