Ryan's Ramblings

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed by day.—2 Corinthians 4:16, NIV The Old Tire
 As one of four, I carried a car;
On business of utmost import.
From summit to shore, I traveled afar;
All the while my time growing short. I rolled along, till my tread was all spent;
Tossed away—thin, worn…

“I will follow you, Lord; but…” —Luke 9:61, NIV I used to be an elementary school teacher. A few years ago, I sent out an email to let my colleagues know I’d be leaving the classroom to become an associate pastor. They were all kind, supportive, and excited for me — but inside, I was feeling…

“Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there!” -Psalm 77:19, NLT In the year 155, Polycarp, the elderly pastor of Smyrna, was dragged into a Roman arena. He had been discipled by the apostle John, and he had known people who had seen the risen…

“He gave him no answer, not even to a single charge…” (Matthew 27:14, ESV) We’ve all been there—accused unfairly, talked about behind our backs, ambushed in a conversation, criticized, or “set straight” by someone who didn’t come with kindness. It wasn’t gentle correction—it was an attack. If you’re like me, you wanted to defend yourself. And…