Friday, December 14, 2012

Does God even care?

Can there still be hope? Does God care? The incarnation is the biggest testimony that God cares in the midst of all tragedy and pain...if there really is a God, and the incarnation is true, then we can be assured that no matter the circumstance, we know God cares...the maker of the cosmos and creator of us all would not have come to earth in the form of an 8 pound 6 oz baby Jesus if he didn't care. When my dad was murdered just over a year ago, I was comforted by many things, but none more central than these two; the incarnation and passion of Jesus. Praying...Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers...

Sunday, October 21, 2012

To be like your father...

Often, while I am working in my office, my daughter Faith will come and set up "her office" next to mine...I love it. She wants to be like her daddy, to be close to me, and join in the "grandeur" of study and work.

What a great picture of our own life and faith...trying to create space in our lives to be close to our Heavenly Father, trying to be like him. We fall short daily don't we...but the journey continues.

What I love most about my daughter being next to me is that we are just together...I imagine that God delights in you and I just being together with him. My daughter doesn't "do" much in my office with me...she's just here, and I look forward to it every day.

I imagine God looks forward to us being with him everyday too...

Do you create space in your life to be in your Heavenly Father's presence...I bet he loves it when you do!!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Proud of his sword...

Couldn't help share my son's excitement for his new sword. :D

How are you living your life?


Last night, I took my kids to a high school football game...it was raining hard, cold, and the team we were rooting for took 2nd place in that game. :)

Cooper (my 7 year old son) remembered he had a pair of gloves in his pocket, so in a stroke of shear genius...put those babies on.  He used those gloves for the purpose they were made to be used.

It reminded me of a talk I've given for years to teens and adults through Young Life and the church...are you living your life the way it was designed to be used?  Do you think you were created for a reason or is your worldview one of chance/accident and survival?  What if you didn't come from a pool of primordial soup, but you came from a designer, who designed you for a purpose?  What if that purpose was to be in relationship with that designer?

My hope in this blog is to provide some questions and thoughts that will help you consider some questions of life and faith...I'm convinced more than ever that who or what you decide your god will be, will shape your life and how you live it.
-Rhyan


"The unexamined life is not worth living..."
-Socrates

Friday, October 19, 2012

Customized faith...

Hello World...

I'm not sure if I am just giving in, if I'm inspired (see my good friend Jen's blog; http://athomeinthenorthwestblog.com/)  or if I read to many posts on facebook that frustrate me...but I thought it was time to start blogging.  It will be interesting to see how this all turns out.  I will post from time to time and will also try to respond to your thoughts if I am able.  I pastor a church and run Young Life in our community...my wife (high school sweetheart) and I also own two coffee shops.  But, one of the most important things I do in my life is that I am a father to 4 incredible kids...I love them, and I want to father them well.  So, if I don't respond right away, those are some of the reasons why...

One of my favorite quotes is, "Our fear should not be in success, we should fear succeeding in the wrong things."  I've heard it attributed to a few different people...but what a great thought.  What are you trying to succeed in; is it working? What are you living for; are you happy?

I look forward to exploring life and faith with you...this will be a fun journey!