Month: December 2018

I want to take a moment and explain a few things.  I just wrote a strong post this morning that many people may find offensive.  That is fine.  I am not apologizing for what I said and I stand by it.  I would like to explain the kind of American Christian man I am because a lot of people think Christians are pacifists and that is just not true.  I have had enough of holding back what I know I need to say regarding the state of the world, so here it is.

People may read what I wrote regarding muslims and say, but Ryan, we should “turn the other cheek.”  Let me tell you something straight up and explain my frame of mind when I hear people say things like that.  Do you think God is telling you to just let somebody hurt you or just sit by while somebody else is being hurt?  No He is not.  That verse is about forgiveness.  It doesn’t mean we sit back while some young girl is being assaulted by some muslim!  Do you understand that?!  You are a coward if you don’t help that girl and God hates cowardice!  Do you also understand that?!  I can forgive the guy before, during, and after, but you better believe I am stopping him from assaulting the girl.

I am the kind of American Christian man that will help somebody if I see them being assaulted and that is the most loving thing you could do in that situation!  We have all seen the news!  I could literally list hundreds of thousands of links to violence done by muslims all over the world!  Rapes, gang rapes, murders, acid attacks, suicide bombers, stabbings, shootings, and the list goes on and on.  Europe is in ruin because of it.  Look at France!  I guarantee if you were being assaulted and I ran up and helped you, you would be feeling the love from me as I beat your attacker into submission and hold him for police.  I might be skinny, but these two big fists descended from Cellachán King of Munster can still do the job when needed.  I am willing to put my life at risk and I cannot just sit back while somebody is being hurt.  No sir!  May God use me as He sees fit as His instrument of battle against evil as He needs me.  I roll with angels folks and God fights for me!  You do remember I wanted to be a cop and I received firearms training from a guy who taught SWAT teams for 25 years, right?  So, you understand me then.

God disciplines people for committing the kinds of violence muslims commit.  Is He forgiving and good?  Yes!  That doesn’t mean He turns a blind eye to it!  He is also just and He will bring justice down on the wrongdoer with His rod of discipline!  Don’t make God less than what He truly is.  He is 100% grace and 100% truth.  He will not be mocked.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.  Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority?  Then do what is right and he will commend you.  For he is God’s servant to do you good.  But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing.  He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”

Romans 13:1-4

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.”

Galatians 6:7

I want the muslims to be disciplined hard for the violence they have done all over the world and here in my country.  I don’t want them here in my country doing violence to my people whom I love so much!  I am the kind of American man that if I see your daughter being attacked by a muslim or anybody else, then I am going to protect your daughter and I will give that attacker the discipline he deserves.  Will that be violent?  Yes it will be.  Am I going to hurt the attacker?  Yes I am.  Is that just and loving to help the young girl?  YES IT IS!

If you are a person that has the ability to help and you want to be a coward and tell me turn the other cheek and do nothing while somebody is assaulted, then let God deal with you and your cowardice.  Me and mine protect each other and we protect the innocent and I am ready to do so at the drop of a hat.  Jesus fights for us and He won’t just stand by!  Jesus fought for me and He rescued me with an angel who carried me away from a knife wielding psycho in Denver!  Jesus defeated a demon for my family!  Jesus fights for us!

So, take heed muslim invaders.  If I see you attacking somebody, I am coming for you and the wrath of God will be poured out on you through me!  Do not ever underestimate who God will use to accomplish His will.  I am an American Christian and I will fight you to my death!  Do you understand that?!  You will not win.  You will lose and you will lose badly as the Lord goes before me to fight for me.  I rebuke your violence and hatred and if you continue to bring that to our country, you will be dealt with harshly until we drive you all the way back to where you came from!  I also pray you repent and repentance is God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness to you.  You still have a chance to repent and turn from your sinful hatred.  Jesus loves you too and He offers you eternal life!

Have you all forgotten about the American militiamen and our Constitution?  We have the right to fight back.  We even have the right to fight our own government if we need to!  Our ancestors were the ones who won their freedom in our American Revolution!  Our people died in our American Civil War!  My Mom and Dad even live in a house that was built just after the Civil War!  This land does not belong to muslims and it never will, do you understand that?  Stand up and fight back for this land you should love!  God tells us to love, so love your country and protect her!  Love each other and protect each other!  Love your neighbors and protect them!  Love the innocent and protect them!  Love children and protect them!  Wake up from your stupor and stop submitting to evil!

Do I pray for muslims and do I want them to be saved?  Of course!  I have love and compassion for my enemies too, but God is also just and they need to be disciplined for what they have done and for what they are doing.  Let God bring justice and may He protect our country and spread Holy revival through our land.

I forgive them in the Name of Jesus, but the violence cannot continue!  About a year or so ago, there was a muslim from Mogadishu, Somalia who was made a cop in Minneapolis, Minnesota and given a gun and power through a badge.  One day a beautiful young white girl who needed help came over to the police car and before she could even say a word, that muslim cop pulled out his gun and shot her dead.  She had done nothing wrong and she didn’t have a weapon.  She was asking for help due to a domestic issue.  His American partner sat there in total shock asking him why he did that.  Why?!  Because he is a muslim and he hates women, especially American women, that’s why!  His American partner should have stopped him, but it happened so fast and no American cop would think another cop is going to just shoot some young girl asking for help.  That Somali muslim is a murderer, not a cop…and he sure isn’t American!

Somebody made a terrible mistake giving him power like that in our country over our people!  That is just one example.  There are so many more heartbreaking tales of violence out there.  Too many to count.  Minneapolis has real problems with muslims now.  They call Minneapolis “Little Mogadishu” now.  This is not something we Americans are ever going to accept!  This is a land of freedom and opportunity to live in peace under our laws and way of life.  It is not a land for you to come in as invaders as you preach you will rule America within a few years.  None of the other immigrants do that.  Just muslims.  If you truly want to come live in peace, you can practice your religion freely like everybody else.  You don’t have the right to come over here and run around in our streets with guns and bombs killing people and you don’t have the right to rape people!  That may be normal in your culture, but those are heinous evil crimes here and you will be punished severely for such acts.

It is godly and loving to stand up for people who are being assaulted.  Remember that folks.  Don’t be a coward.  Stand up for each other like my friend Damien did for me when I was in Middle School!  He rescued me from being choked to death in the stairwell of my school and he beat my attacker to a pulp on my behalf.  He was my best friend.  He is black and I am white and we had great love for each other.  So, before you call me a racist against muslims, remember that.  Stand up for each other like I did for the girl in Middle School who was being pushed and punched by some guy in gym class.  She appreciated how I intervened and slammed him to the floor.  She was happy as we watched him run away like a coward.  She also wanted to date me after that by the way.  Just saying.  Thank You Lord for using me to help her and thank you for using Damien to help me!  I pity the person who tests the Lord and stirs Him to fight!

Before I go, I am also the kind of American Christian man that still holds the door for ladies and for everyone else.  I remove my hat during the National Anthem, put my hand over my heart, and I sing every word with love in my heart.  I salute the brave men and women who have earned that respect by serving our country.  I believe in helping people and loving my neighbor.  I believe in protecting women and children and those who can’t fight for themselves.  I believe in giving without needing anything in return.  I believe in hard work.  I believe a man should protect his family and his countrymen.  I believe a man should have courage and be ready to offer that in a situation of need.  I believe a man should put himself in harm’s way for those he loves even if that means his death.  I believe a man should stand up and tell the truth no matter the cost.  This is the love I have in my heart for my country and for all people and that love comes from God!

Wherever you live in the world, start standing up for each other and fighting back!  Don’t let muslims rape and kill and take over your cities!  Wake up!  I don’t know the times and dates of the end, but the end is coming and World War 3 will be a big part of it.  Love each other and love your country and fight to protect it!  I don’t hate muslims.  I hate the sinful acts of violence they keep committing.

Jesus is coming back and He will defeat the Islamic armies that gather against Israel in the end.  Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  In the end, Jesus wins and Jesus reigns!  Amen, come Lord Jesus!

Remember, love always protects!  Thank you to all of our law enforcement and first responders who protect us every day!  You are truly courageous!

Grace and peace to you all–even to muslims (turn from darkness and receive His light!)

“Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails…”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

 

Christmas is the worldwide celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  He is our Lord and Savior and we honor and celebrate Jesus!  We all announce the birth of our children in a variety of creative ways.  God also announced the birth of His Son and it is very encouraging to read about the very creative and miraculous way His birth was announced!  I would like to share that with you during this time of celebration, so without further delay, may I introduce you to the historical record of the shepherds and the angels.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;  he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the

highest,

and on earth peace to men

on whom his favor

rests.”

Luke 2:13-14

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Luke 2:15-20

I once heard our previous Pastor give a sermon on this at Christmas and he talked about the status of a shepherd at that time.  Shepherds were considered “lower class” people in their society.  They were generally poor in material wealth and not many people would have considered what they had to say as of any importance.  It is beautiful and powerful that the Lord revealed angels to them and He chose them to spread the word about Jesus!  It is also a testimony of God’s power that people were amazed at what the shepherds said.  I’m sure people could see the wonder and amazement on their faces as God was in the midst of using them to spread the most important message the world has ever heard!

I’m also sure they felt a bit crazy telling people about angels announcing the birth of the Savior of the world to them.  I felt crazy telling people about my angel encounters too, but I’m glad they did and I’m glad I did too.  We must tell the world about our experiences with the Lord and glorify His Name no matter what people think about us!

It is awesome that God sends angels to help us and communicate God’s messages at times!  It is awesome God chose a few humble shepherds to witness His glory and tell the world!  It is awesome God came to earth as a man to die for us, so we can be with Him forever in eternal glory!  That is the powerful message of Christmas, and to that I say Merry Christmas to the whole world!

Grace and peace to you all!

“For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will

be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

 

 

This is a very good word from Jesus.  I have never added a single hour to my life by worrying.  None of us have.  Believe me, as many of you know, I have plenty I could worry about.  I say this from what I have learned after many years of suffering, give it all to God!  Whatever it is, lay it down to the One who can carry it for you.  Lay it down to the One who loves your soul!  He will take care of us and meet all of our needs.  Just look at the pretty little birds and remember His words.

Have a blessed and encouraging weekend!

Grace and peace to you all!

Here is a new song called “Bring On The Holidays” that Toby Mac just put out for Christmas!  He just tweeted it out yesterday–enjoy and Merry Christmas!

The Lord has been speaking to me about my suffering and the plans He has for me.  He has been showing me that even my suffering is for my benefit somehow, and all the pain and anguish I have been through are still part of the good plans He has for me.  I have talked about the above Scripture before and the suffering Hezekiah endured and how He cried out to God.  I understand his heart and the anguish he suffered described in Isaiah chapter 38.  In His great love, God kept me from the pit of destruction and let me live too!  In His grace and mercy, He has put all my sins behind His back!

The Lord spoke Isaiah 38:17 to my heart along with Jeremiah 29:11 this morning.  He wanted me to see the connection and remember both verses together at the same time.  Why?  Because He wants me to trust in the plans He has for me, even when those plans require anguish and suffering.  He wants me to trust that even my suffering is beneficial.  When you follow Jesus, He makes beauty from ashes in every area of your life and nothing is wasted.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

We have to trust that even the suffering we endure as part of God’s plan will somehow prosper us and not harm us.  Somehow His plans will always bring hope and a future.  Yes, when we follow Jesus, even our suffering is for our benefit.  We might get angry and we might not understand, but He will see us through.  All we have to do is trust Him and keep walking by faith.  Easier said then done, but with God nothing is impossible and He holds our hearts.  Whatever troubles you are facing today, remember, if you know Jesus, then He is working on your behalf for your benefit!

May His will be done today and every day!

Grace and peace to you all!

In the midst of my troubles, the Lord gently spoke this verse to my heart as I drove the kids home from school today.  As we drove south and looked west to the Rockies, I quoted that verse to my kids and afterwards I said, “remember that every time you look at the mountains.”  I was choking back tears as I spoke that Scripture to them because at the same time I was teaching my kids, the Lord was speaking to my heart to trust Him.

He knows I have been struggling.  He knows I’m thinking about selling my truck, so we can pay bills.  He knows I was struggling to write a single word today because of discouragement.  My wife is working late tonight at the school, so it has just been the kids and I hanging out.  I was doing the dishes and I was thinking about calling the guy I know at the Chevy dealership in Aurora.  I was also thinking about listing my truck on Craigslist for at least $25K.  As I was thinking about these things while I loaded the dishwasher, I heard the Lord speak softly to me, “Don’t sell your truck.  I will make a way.”  As is the Lord’s way with me, He nudged me to repeat out loud what I had heard, so I did and said, “Don’t sell your truck.  I will make a way.”  I just smiled and said, “Okay Lord, your will be done.”

I don’t know what God is doing folks.  Celiac has really been beating me up lately and we are struggling financially, but I know He is going to make a way somehow.  I have been praying for a breakthrough for almost 7 years.  I trust what He told me today.  He reminded me to lift up my eyes to the hills and remember where my help comes from.  He touched my heart to the point of tears and I am humbled and encouraged.

Where does your help come from?  I hope it is from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth!  He loves you more than you can imagine!

Grace and peace to you all!

Hello everyone!  I wanted to take some time and share some photos I took with my good Canon camera in November.  I took the sunset picture above and the pictures that follow on the 10th between 5:07 and 5:09 P.M. Mountain Time.  I hope you enjoy the colors as much as I do!  When I zoomed in, the shades of purple were amazing!  God is amazing!  I will also share some pictures of a Rocky Mountain morning and the friendly animals that live around our home.  I pray the peace of the Lord enters your heart as you ponder the wonders of God in all He has created.  May His creation encourage and inspire you!  God bless you all in the Name of Jesus!

Praise the Lord!!!  All of that beauty in only two minutes!  God never ceases to amaze me!  You want to see God?  Look at His creation around you and He will show you His glory!

Here is sunrise shining on the Rockies in the West just a few days later.  This was just before 7 a.m.  It was cold and a bit overcast, but the rays of light still kissed the Rockies.

We have many animal friends that live in our neighborhood and many of them like to chill near our home and in our backyard.  The deer like to rest right behind our fence next to the big Austrian Pine trees we have.  Our yard offers them protection and warmth.  I thank God for that.  It’s cool to see them every day.  The babies are so cute!

Such a good mama!  Look at those big beautiful eyes!

Here are some of the little critter friends that like to visit.

That is a little Colorado woodpecker.  There is a different species that is bigger and that one likes to peck our house.  This little guy sticks to the trees.

Last, but not least, may I introduce the little squirrel and sparrow that live here.  The squirrels came into our area over the last few years as everyone’s trees got bigger.  Our neighborhood was a brand new development when we moved in 12 years ago.  There are only a few squirrels around, but this little guy loves our trees.  The sparrow has a bunch of buddies and they are always singing beautifully for us.

I pray for all of you today that the Lord will lift you up and you will notice His touch in everything He created in your part of the world too!

Grace and peace to you all in the Name of Jesus!

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

Romans 1:20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello everyone!  It has been crazy busy for us since last week.  Our son is doing the kids Christmas choir at church, so I had to take him to practice, and our daughter performed in the Nutcracker ballet at school and she had three shows to do over two days.  The ballet was really good too!  Our kids go to a charter school that specializes in performing arts and they have great programs for music, dance, theater, and art.  The dance teacher is a professional ballerina and she did an amazing job teaching the Nutcracker.  We did our tree early last week and I hung the lights up on our house yesterday.  It took me a couple hours and lots of prayer, but I got it done without much trouble.  I prayed that it would remind people of Jesus and encourage people’s hearts.  Remember, Jesus is the Light of the world!

Welcome to our home!  It is filled with the Love and Light of Jesus!!!

Here is our 8 foot Rocky Mountain Christmas tree!  It is so fresh it had sap on the branches and our fingers got sticky as we put the ornaments on.

The kids also made wreaths out of paper and decorated their bedroom doors.  Our son’s door is on the left and our daughter’s door is on the right.  Great job kids!  Very creative and joyful!

The kids also decorated their windows.  They have the best views in the house!  It’s kind of cloudy today, but you can usually see Pike’s Peak and the front range of the Rockies.  Awesome job on your windows too kids!

Here is our daughter’s window:

Here is our son’s window:

And just for fun, this is how Coloradoans celebrate Christmas!

So much fun!  Shout out to all the mountain riders!

Grace and peace to you all and Merry Christmas!!!

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21