Home for Christmas

Well, unlike many who traveled this Christmas, my plans lined up perfectly with nature. I left Memphis a few hours before it started sleeting, and I awoke for my first day in Abilene to lots of snow!

Some highlights of the trip:
Re-united with family at the airport
Taco Bueno was also waiting at the airport (way to go, sister!)
I got to drive my Dad's Porsche everywhere (it's an '88 944--too much fun!)
Lunch with Bob Strader, Jan Meyer, and Jackie Beth Shilcutt at Los Arcos (ah, fajitas)
Hang out with Josh Herchenroeder
Hang out with Amos and Dewby Ray
Laughter with family
Christmas with Dad's side of the family--much laughter
Christmas with Mom's side of the family--much laughter and awesome food!
Lytle Land and Cattle Company's New York Strip
Hang out with Mark and Gina Lewis
Hang out with Mike and Diane Cope
Steve Hare
Wayne and Mimi Barnard
Getting to Sing Bass again at Highland in Abilene
Shopping with Sister (the usual-she shops and I buy)
Ocean's Twelve (I enjoyed it much more the second time)
The Polar Express
Jonny Carino's
Lots of great new clothes
Several great books and cds
Great gift certificates
Watching home movies
Have I mentioned eating good food yet? Two words: chess pie


Okay, well, the moral of the story is that every aspect of my trip home was a memorable highlight. I'm grateful for many good friends and lots of special family whom I love to spend time with.

The other side of the coin is that these last couple days have been very difficult. Most people in Memphis are still gone--it's been a bit miserable trying to "go back to work" when almost everyone I know is still on vacation. Ah, well. Apparently the homesick battles are not finished as I had hoped. But it's a part of the deal. Takin' it one day at a time.

My First (and last) Taxi Ride

Last night, my flight arrived in Memphis pretty late. The whirlwind of busy-ness before I left inhibited me from determining who was in town to give me a ride. So, I decided to take a Taxi home. I had never done it before, and I figured it would be a good experience. Here's what I learned:

1.) Taking a Taxi is the absolute last resort.
2.) If you should have to take a Taxi, be sure to ask the driver to first stop by an ATM machine--the cost of your ride will be way, WAY more than you could ever anticipate.
3.) Don't get in a Taxi whose driver has just been "wronged" and who is cussing up a storm.
4.) Don't try to decipher any of the Croatian your Taxi driver is speaking on his/her cell phone.
5.) Expect to be made fun of if you have a lot of luggage.
6.) Expect your driver to remain on his/her cell phone for the entirety of the trip, including unloading.
7.) Don't be distracted by your driver not wearing a seat belt, never signaling, and having a radar detector.
8.) Don't expect to be impressed by your driver's skills on icy roads.
9.) Don't expect correct change.
10.) It's best if you just don't say anything.

Though I learned a lot, I'm still not sure I got my money's worth.

The Jingle Bell Rock

Yesterday Chris Altrock preached a great sermon about not missing the point of Christmas—not missing the joy that is staring us in the face. We responded by spending an extended time of joyful praise to God for His indescribable gift! We ended the morning with “The Joy of the Lord.” It was energetic and a few people were clapping.

A friend of mine who attends here has an eight-year old daughter. During this song, her daughter was really “gettin’ her grove on.” She was clapping and twisting and dancing! Her mother looked down and told her to stop: “Calm down! We can’t do that!”

“Why not?” her daughter replied. “Ryan is!”


Don't miss the point, dear friends. Celebrate with joy! Merry Christmas!

All We Have Been Given

Yesterday, I was asked to lead us to the Communion Table by reflecting on all that we have been given in Christ. Here's most of what I shared:


As we gather around the Lord’s table today, let’s reflect on all we have been given in Christ:

love
constant joy
salvation
mercy
blessings
hope
holiness
healing
grace
gladness
goodness
gentleness
gifts
abilities
faithfulness
future
forgiveness
pardon
pasture
perseverance
passion
prayer
power
peace
purpose
worth
strength
escape
abundance
comfort
truth
wisdom
knowledge
the ministry of reconciliation
deliverance
direction
determination
daily bread
courage
self-discipline
a cloud of witnesses
Spiritual armor
His Word
His body
His Spirit
a clean slate
a family
a garment of praise
a crown of beauty
a new song
an inheritance
an unshakable kingdom
sight
light
rest
refuge
riches
righteousness
recovery
resurrection
reward
release
freedom from sin
freedom from fear
freedom from guilt
victory
destiny
unity
security
eternity
glory
life

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness…” (II Peter 1:3)

“For we know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor, so that we through His poverty might become rich.” (II Corinthians 8:9)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him may not die, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (II Corinthians 9:15)

I thought it was the season for giving...

One of the administrative assistants here at Highland Street, the one who helps me organize the worship assembly every week, had her car stolen yesterday--from the church parking lot. As she left yesterday around 5 to go home, it was gone. This has disturbed me since her car was parked about 50 feet from mine yesterday. Further--it was in full view of mulitple office windows--but no one saw anything. It is a very tough situation for her.

But I'm sitting here struggling a bit myself. The Lord has been teaching me so much recently about possessions and finances. Truly, it would not be the end of the world if my Buggy wasn't waiting for me tonight when I leave--but it would sure be a bummer. How many precautions can I take? How many precautions are really worthwhile anyway? Her car was stolen in broad daylight behind the offices!

The Evil One will do anything to distract us from the Kingdom. Jerk.

Headlines--in 3rd Person

1. Sweet Potato Pancakes—Ryan’s breakfast of choice on Saturday at the famous “Pancake Pantry” of Nashville. This meal was later described as “life altering.” He was very blessed to enjoy this meal event with his friend and fellow worship minister Jon Eppley.

2. He’ll be home for Christmas—Porche to arrive in Abilene late Tuesday, December 21st. Minimal crowd expected. Will be at Highland on Dec. 26th.

3. Spiderman Breaks Arm—The President of the Student’s Association at Abilene Christian University (aka Spiderman, aka Ryan’s best friend and roommate for the last two years), took a horrible spill today around lunch and has suffered a severe broken right arm. Surgery is planned for tomorrow morning.

Please keep Layne in your prayers this week. If you’re in Abilene, go see him at the hospital tomorrow afternoon.

Fun Weekend

This time of year is always…full. This weekend is going to be great though. I’m leaving in just a few minutes for Nashville to have my first voice lesson with Melissa Kirby later this afternoon. This is important because I must learn to take care of my voice! I need it to last awhile!

Then, I’m going to dinner and hang out with some friends from ACU: Cole Young, Melanie McRay, and Molly Mankins. It should be a fun evening. After staying with the Young family, I will have breakfast tomorrow with a friend named Jon Eppley at the world-famous Pancake Pantry of Nashville. I’m excited.

Then I head back to Memphis to get together with a friend and Bible professor from ACU.

Sunday, it looks like I’ll be at the building from 7am-6pm. Should be fun! Study hard all of my friends out there preparing for finals—I am not jealous.