Reflections on faith, Scripture, and the everyday places God meets us. I share devotionals, sermons, and thoughts from life and ministry.
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I am the good shepherd.— John 10:11, NIV My daughter and son-in-law have a German Shepherd named Rio. She’s the smartest dog I’ve ever met—alert, calculating, and watchful. She doesn’t just look at you; she reads you. One glance and she seems to know whether you’re calm or anxious, confident or uneasy. She’s not like…
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Wow… Nudgings: Gentle Whispers, Holy Reminders was just listed as the #1 New Release in Spiritual Meditations on Amazon! I’m so grateful—for every reader, encourager, and friend who has shared these reflections, prayed, or helped spread the word. My hope is still the same: that these pages help people slow down and hear God’s gentle…
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“Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite.” — Hebrews 12:15–16 (MSG) When I was a kid, I’d ride with…
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Friends, Today’s the day — Nudgings: Gentle Whispers, Holy Reminders is now available on Amazon! This book began with a few reflections in my journal about the ways God was nudging me — gentle reminders of His grace and presence. I shared a few of them on my blog and social media, and over time…
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The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. — John 1:14, MSG Years ago, when my wife was teaching kindergarteners, I’d stop by her classroom from time to…
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Friends, I have some exciting news — my new book, Nudgings: Gentle Whispers, Holy Reminders, will be available on October 15 on Amazon. I never set out to write a book. I just started journaling the ways God was nudging me — small reminders of His presence and grace. When I shared those words on…
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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…
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“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…
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“The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 15:33, ESV) In life we all face situations—and people—that feel impossible. A marriage frozen in years of tension. A fractured friendship that never healed. A blow-up at work that left scars. And now we’re stuck. What do you do when…
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“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…
Ryan's Ramblings 