“Press on.” “Surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.” “god of their stomach.” “Without fault in a crooked and depraved generation.” “Work out your salvation.” “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” (segments from Philippians)

Wow. Philippians is a powerful little book. There are so many little nuggets buried; well, not even buried, just laying out there for us to take hold of.  What stood out to me today was in chapter 2 verse 12. “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, buy now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” I know that we don’t work to earn our salvation and there is noting that we can do that makes God love us more but God spoke to me this morning and gave me this picture: move the the work “out” over one space and it gives a whole different perspective that we can totally understand and connect with.  Just about all of us have played sports or understand the concept of athletics.  With anything from baseball to jenga practice makes perfect.  We have to workout in order to train our bodies to be better at what we do.  I believe that this is what Paul is talking about here.  We have to work at being a better Christian (little Christ).  Just seven verses up Paul tells us that our attitude should be the same as that of Christ. That is going to take some practice!  I think Paul was either an athlete or at least was a fan because he used sports analogies to communicate the struggles, victories and process of living for Christ.  Bottom line: I have to continue to train myself, to workout, and “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me…”

Crazy! More scriptures on unity:

…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the pond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit– just as you were called to one hope when you were called– one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all… (Ephesians 4:1-6)

ONE. That was the them of a youth conference not too long ago and I didn’t get it (for one the didn’t convey the message of Unity very well in my opinion, but that’s another story). But in light of what God has been showing me the past few days, this is just another example of what our life and attitude should be as followers of Christ.  “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received,” Paul could have stopped right there. That’s enough to make me see that I don’t measure up.  Just a chapter over Paul tells us to be Imitators of God… and to live a life of love, just as Christ love us and gave himself up for us… (Eph. 5:1) Unity could be summed up in this unselfish love because we’ve all heard it said that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for another. But there is also this in Romans 13:8-10:

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing deby to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’Do not steal,’ ‘Do not covet,’ and what ever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

In closing…

UNITY = LOVE

As I read this morning I flipped to one of my old bookmarks in my Bible and began to read,

“… clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

I found that this passage helped frame what the true Christian life is supposed to look like.  Much like my last post, the thought ends in UNITY.  What is God telling me? Is it that we as the body of Christ really need to be acting like the body of Christ.  It wouldn’t makes sense if a horse barked so why wouldn’t The Church truly be and reflect the hands, feet and heart of Christ?  Maybe this is only for me, but maybe this is for you too.  It’s very easy to get our focus off center in this world but it’s good for us to allow the Word of God to shine it’s light in us and reveal the truth about ourselves and what we see around us.  I for one fall very short when it comes to reflecting Gods compassion, kindness, humility, gentlenesss and for sure His patience. BUT, the fact that I fall short doesn’t mean that I have to embrace my failure and except it. I can and should die to my self and allow God to work in me and change me.  Will it be fast? Will it be easy? Will it be comfortable? No, probably not, but in this case the end justifies the means.

It’s interesting to me that when Jesus Prayed for the future believers (John 17)  he didn’t pray for great leaders, amazing worship experiences, compelling authors, captivating graphics and videos or self help mega churches.  He prayed for one thing, one simple thing that seems to be the hardest for us to grasp…UNITY.  What I want to point out is not even focusing on unity in view of denominations or the question; why are there are 3 or 4 Baptist churches in one town, but rather unity in the body of one “church.”  Paul, in Acts, describes the first church as being, “devoted to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer…had everything in common…everyday they continued to meet together…broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”   Does that sound like your church?  If so where do you go? I want to go!  Somehow, somewhere we decided that a life disconnected from the unity of The Church, and settling with attending a weekend church service was better than living life together.

Well…Here I sit waiting on Gustav to hit even though they said to get out I decided to be one of those that you see on the news except I have teeth. All the news talks about is New Orleans… WOOOPEEEEE. Tired of hearing about it.  It’s going to be sad when Gustav doesn’t even hit New Orleans… what will they have to talk about?   Well… bring it Gustav!

I have been working on really learning how to do web design.  I have struggled to learn it…tutorials didn’t seem to help.  I made few sites from templates that look great but they’re templates and my creative side of me was never truly happy with them because they are someone else work…and they really weren’t what I would have like to have done in the first place.

BUT FINLAY!!!  I have made a HUGE break though and I have just created an entire site from the ground up.  I even used original photography taken by my wife or me.  I had been struggling in the realm of confidence lately because I can’t seem to find a place that will hire me.  I mean crap, I couldn’t even get a job at a T-shirt shop! How lame is that?  But, completing what I have so far on this website has boosted me confidence and I can now say, I DON’T SUCK…I just can’t get a job. If you care to see what I’ve done visit SunStandingStill.com

Well, in the attemptto score the DREAM JOB in Paradise (no really Paradise, TX it’s a place – look it up…just another sidebar…My brother lived in Utopia for a couple of years…cool huh?)  I was browsing aroung their website and came across a form to fill out if you are interested in helping out in the different ministries around the church.  Taking another chance at being the anoying guy…I filled out the form for being interested in the creative arts area.  It was worth a shot. I was hoping that the form would be emailed to the guy who would be hireing me.  Well, it didn’t.  It went to a lady name Christi.  The funny thing is she emailed me this:

Hi Ryan,
I received your on-line interest form for serving at Grace Fellowship!  I’m a little curious though – do you really live in Orange, TX?  If so, that is going to be a mighty long drive on Sunday morning!
Thanks so much for your interest!
Blessings,
Christi Pitts
Grace Fellowship Church
              940/969-2427        office
              940/969-2431        fax

Well that just made me want to work there more.  For one she actually took the time to email a bogus form lead and with a sense of humor.  I emailed her backand told her that I had applied for the Graphic Designer job and that I would like her to tell Jerry to hire me to save me from the long drive on Sunday’s.  She said she would tell him, and that was that.

You know this might have been an OK idea.  Or they just wrote me off as a physco.  It’s a toss up.

Well that Sucks.  I finally heard from the church in Paradise, TX I wanted to get hired at.  They are currently seriously pursuing someone else for MY POSITION.  But, he said… 

“God has not shut any doors yet and I am just walking through until he does. If he shuts
them with the current guy, I will holler.”

So pray for shut doors! I know God knows what He is doing I just wish I knew just a fraction of what is going on.  Why would He dangle the DREAM JOB in front of my face and say….”see it?  want it?  looks good huh? YOU CANT HAVE IT!”   I can’t help but wonder what is wrong with me. Am I completely out of God’s will? Have I done anything to make God mad and make Him want to tease me?  That’s absurd I know, but I can’t help but think that.  But then I think of what I read yesterday morning…

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  – Romans 15:13

Is this all a leson to be learned? Is this just spiritual school for Ryan? If so then I better start learning it so I don’t have to go back to class again. 

What an amazing song. What an amazing thing to say to God. Reminds me of the Samaritan woman who was denied by Jesus 3 times before he gave her what she wanted. Persistance in humility and worship and the feet of GOD. That’s how we need to live….completely dependant of GOD.

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If you don’t know. I have been trying to start a business and it just hasn’t been the best. So, I have been on the job hunt again.  Searching for the elusive, perfect church job-FULL TIME GRAPHIC DESIGNER or CREATIVE DIRECTOR or whatever you want to title it….just something creative in ministry.  I have been waiting for 2 weeks to hear from churches that I have applied to and nothing doing.

Well I got tired of sitting around the house waiting…so I took the family to the park and MISSED A CALL! No big deal…The guy just called back while writing this blog. cool.   Hopefully – No- I know God is going to do something great… Just have to wait.  Don’t you love waiting.