Strengthening Soul Speak

Discouragement is a massive theme in the Scriptures. It is a massive theme in our lives as believers as well. I would like to set an example as a believer who struggles yet hopes in God. There was a combination during a recent worship service that was such an encouragement to me that I pass it along to you in the hopes that we might be encouraged in the Lord and seek to encourage those around us in the Lord. 

Enjoy!

Psalm 42 ESV

As a deer pants for flowing streams,

so pants my soul for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my food

day and night,

while they say to me all the day long,

“Where is your God?”

These things I remember,

as I pour out my soul:

how I would go with the throng

and lead them in procession to the house of God

with glad shouts and songs of praise,

a multitude keeping festival.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;

therefore I remember you

from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,

from Mount Mizar.

Deep calls to deep

at the roar of your waterfalls;

all your breakers and your waves

have gone over me.

By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,

and at night his song is with me,

a prayer to the God of my life.

I say to God, my rock:

“Why have you forgotten me?

Why do I go mourning

because of the oppression of the enemy?”

As with a deadly wound in my bones,

my adversaries taunt me,

while they say to me all the day long,

“Where is your God?”

Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation and my God.

Summer 2012

The Summer is quickly passing by and the Lord has shown himself to be our gracious Lord and Father by providing our every need and continuing to bless us and challenge us here in Louisville. The Summer months have been a welcome break from the school schedule. I have been working full time with Danny and the Serious Business crew, and I am finally starting to feel like I am getting a better grasp on this whole painting thing. I have a ton to learn and every area is in need of improvement, but lessons are getting cemented and muscles are developing memories. I am so very thankful for Danny and his willingness to take me on as an employee and show me the ropes!

We were able to get away for a nice trip North to catch up with family and friends in Minnesota. We finally got to meet little Owen, and get these three boy cousins together for a meet and greet. I'm quite certain they're scheming even now as to how they will overthrow the rule of their two older girl cousins. If the Lord is gracious to give us many years, I am certain family get-togethers will be marked with much laughter and competition. 

We got to Moose Lake in time to hear several very fresh stories of loss at the hands of the flooding that happened there. It was so good to see many of our friends and family! We thank God that he gives us his Spirit and unites us to a family that continues on even when we cease to hold a mailing address or position of employment there. We thank God for what he has done and is doing there in the people of Moose Lake Covenant.

I am taking the time to write this now because I just finished reading a heap of books for a Summer J-term class that starts in the morning entitled, Leadership and Family Ministry. The reading has been a helpful assignment causing me to revisit old thoughts and try on some new ones dealing with the important topic of the roles parents and churches play in discipling children and youth. Much of the reading put words, research, and biblical guidance to hunches and feelings I had lived with for quite a while when my life was youth ministry. There were several moments of deepened sorrow as my errors were multiplied and clarified, but also much clarity and rejoicing as I thought of a future church and future youth in a healthier ministry. Thanks be to God that our errors do not cripple his power, nor do they need to cripple us.

We had a family photo shoot yesterday, to capture this wonderful season of our lives. We had a great time with a gifted and gracious friend from church as we walked and played in the park. We're excited to see what the final project looks like. Here's a link to her "sneak peek". 

Bekah and Weston are wearing grooves in the floors as Weston guides his momma around the house as his own personal set of training wheels. He's crawling and should soon be walking! We're hoping sooner rather than later; momma has other things she'd like to do all day!

PRAY FOR US:

*Pray that God would bless Danny and his business. Pray that I would improve as a painter and that the guys we work with would come to a saving relationship with Christ.

*Pray for me and my siblings as we seek to be faithful parents and spouses. Pray that the glory of God and obedience to his Word would be the main concern in our families.

*Pray that the Lord would bless me in this class and that I would grow as a student and man of God.

May the Lord bless you as you think about the great lengths he went to rescue you from the dominion of darkness, and as you are reminded by the existence of this blog that you are precious to us!

I mentioned an attached sermon in the last post. ...it wasn't attached. Here it is!
Pastor Ryan in SBTS Chapel

Moods, Tubes, and Old Dudes

"Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts". Colossians 4:7-8 ESV

Tychicus keeps popping up in the Scriptures! It is becoming more and more clear that this man plays an incredibly important yet quiet part in the advance of the gospel. Acts, Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Timothy, and Titus all mention this man working with Paul and the New Testament church.

I must confess that I have undervalued Tychicus. But the Lord has has graciously called me out and revealed unbelief in a couple different ways this month. I hope the attached sermon is an encouragement to you as it was me.

Weston had tubes put in his ears this last week, and I don't think it could have gone any better! That boy has a strong mother, and he is practically unshakable! He was scheduled to have ear drops for 5 days after surgery, but it turned out that he is allergic to that particular medicine! We got a new prescription and now things look really good!

Bekah has been running kids to appointments and studying hard for her Seminary Wives classes. She has taken on several new challenges in the realm of "home making" that have been a really big blessing to us! She has really been enjoying the weather change that allows her to take the kids outside and wear shorts! I'm not sure which one she enjoys more!

Ella has been growing into her role as big sister. She's becoming more and more helpful with keeping Weston happy and taking care of her own needs. She loves being outside with her friends and hates when play time is over. She's getting better and better with her language and listening skills. She is a real blessing from the Lord.

Ella and I also got the chance to go and visit my friend from school in Henryville, Indiana, and see some of the tornado damage. It was an awesome reminder of the strength that exists that can quickly destroy. Cade and his church have been a major light to the hurting community. Keep them in your prayers!

I have been going to the weight room with a couple guys from church the last couple months and God has really blessed me with extra energy and happiness though this time of exercise. Unfortunately, a few days ago my body let me know that I did something I shouldn't have which resulted in a back spasm that put me in significant pain and stiffness. I saw a chiropractor the following Tuesday. After several adjustments I am now feeling much better. Things are still a bit stiff when I sit or sleep, but strength and mobility are improving every day.

We had an enjoyable visit from Andrea and Peter last weekend! We were blessed by their willingness to come all the way from MN/IN to spend some quality time with us. We had some really nice weather to get out and see some sights and an extended evening to spur one another on to love and good deeds.

Pray for us!

• Pray that God would continue to soften our hearts to the gospel. Pray that Bekah and I would be more obedient to Christ and more thankful for what has been done for us. Pray that Ella would grow in understanding and receptiveness to the Good News of Christ as we continue to share with her.
• Pray that Weston's tubes and helmet process continues. Pray that they would bring the appropriate relief and correction.
• Pray that Bekah would continue to find joy and peace in her incredibly important and difficult role in the home and with the children.
• Pray that my back continues to heal and get stronger than it was before.
• Pray for focus and perseverance as the weather gets nice and the semester hits that difficult halfway mark.