A Close Call

As I type the words of this post I continue to wipe the sweat from my brow. I had a real close call today. I came home for lunch which I have not done for months. That really makes no sense seeing how I live only 3 minutes from my office. Anyway, I was in the mood for a peanut butter/mayonnaise/banana sandwich and was going to watch some performances from American Idol again since Tuesday night was the best night of singing so far (Jordin and Blake rule!!). I put the mayonnaise on my bread, cut up the banana and situate the pieces just right, and then I got a big blob of peanut butter on my knife. Right before I spread it on my bread I am somehow reminded of the peanut butter recall. I'm sure it was an angel sent from God to trigger my memory. I look at the jar and see that it's Peter Pan. "Is that the one that was recalled?", I ask myself. I run to the computer and google Peter Pan to find the recall notices and get the number to check on the jar lid. BINGO! The number matches. I run back into the kitchen and quickly wipe the knife clean and throw the jar away.

I admit I have no memory at all. Isn't it neat that something just didn't seem right as I scooped out my peanut butter? If I had proceeded with the making of that beautiful sandwich, the results would definitely not have been beautiful. I can only imagine the colon explosion that could have taken place. I turn into a little baby with just the slightest upset stomach. If I had to experience the sharp stomach pains and rectal eruption from some sorry peanut butter, I'm sure my life would have come to an end.

If you haven't done it yet, check your peanut butter NOW! I must be doing something right to have been spared that harrowing experience. As I'm on my knees tonight, God will hear a strong "thank you" from me.

Facing the Giants

My small group just finished studying 1-3 John and are now in transition trying to decide what to study next. Last night we decided to order pizza and watch a movie. What kind of bible study is that?...you may ask. Well, the movie was Facing the Giants . I had heard a little about it but didn't know much at all. I was very pleased with what I saw. The acting left a little to be desired but considering the movie was made by a Baptist church in Albany, GA and the actors were volunteers (including ministers and a minister's wife), I had to be impressed. The message was huge and really started my wheels turning in evaluating my life and where I am falling short.

You may find a lot of criticism of this movie because of the acting. Other criticisms include labeling it a "vending machine view of spirituality". Critics complain that the movie makes it seem so simple to put your faith in God and receive answers to all of your problems like bad grades, losing records, car problems, and infertility. The message of the movie is so simple. Put your faith in God and let Him take control. As long as you honor God in everything you do, nothing is impossible. Can it be? You mean if I increase my faith (which I really need to do) and turn everything over to God then I can be more successful at work, play better basketball, get a new car, and get pregnant? Well, I doubt I'll get pregnant...let's change that. I'll be able to impregnate somebody? Well, there's strike two. Being an unmarried man, I really don't need to do that. Ok...let's forget about pregnancy. You mean things in my life will get much better if I let go and let God as the old saying goes? Is faith that important and does it have that much of an effect on my life?

Ok, critics who think that this view of faith is too simple and too convenient...let's look at a few examples in scripture and see what God has told us long before the man who wrote this movie script was a thought in his mother's mind. Look at how individuals' faith was involved in their healing in Matthew 9 with the sick woman who had a bleeding problem and the two blind men. Jesus said they were healed according to their faith. Look at the refusal of Jesus to perform miracles in his hometown in Matthew 13 because of the people's lack of faith. Jesus then identifies the strength of a person's faith in Matthew 17 and 21 by using the same example. He said faith could move a mountain and nothing will be impossible. Faith without doubting can make a fig tree wither and cause a mountain to be thrown into the sea.

Alright, Ryan, you can't take everything that is said in the Bible literally. This is simply a use of hyperbole by Jesus in making a point. Maybe He is exaggerating a little, but that doesn't diminish the statement that nothing is impossible with Him if you have faith. Are we acting like the kicker in the movie and convincing ourselves that we can't make a field goal even before it's kicked. Do we doubt the very things we are praying for? What good is it to pray if you don't believe you will receive?!

Here's my challenge to you. First of all, watch the movie. It's entertaining, inspirational, and educational. Then look at your life like I'm looking at mine. How strong is your faith? Have you tied God's hands behind His back because of your doubt? Let God work in your life. Praise God in the defeats as well as the victories. Honor God and discover that nothing is impossible.

It's Time

I finally took the time this afternoon to check all of the blogs of my friends and see what has been going on. I was pleased to see that I was still in their lists of bloggers even though my last post was January 1. Therefore, I am proud to announce my reentry into the world of blogging. I'm sure the question "Where have you been?" has been haunting everyone who has been exposed to my blog. Well, my absence was due to several factors.

First, I had a lot going on in January and February. I started teaching a course at Faulkner University that I have taught before but they had just changed textbooks. Therefore, I had to read the entire text and redesign my course. That took a lot of time. I am also leading a small group on Sunday nights and had to prepare for that lesson each week. February was the busiest month I have ever had at work. It was good to be busy because time goes by quickly (even though I am now getting to the age where I would like for life to slow down a little bit). Another reason for not posting is a lot of things that have been occupying my mind recently are things I would rather not advertise to millions of people who may stumble across my blog site. There are some things that just need to be kept to myself.

However, I am now ready to emerge from my 2 1/2 month absence and once again share certain events and experiences in my life. Some of these may be humorous, some may be thought-provoking, and others may be just downright boring. However, I encourage all of my former readers to return and experience the Mind of Ryan.