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Question for you...

I was asked this question the other day: If you were brave, what would you do? 

I understand a lot of people do not like conflict or confrontation, sometimes being brave creates a little of that.

Sometimes, we Christians like to sit back in our comfortability because we are afraid of the unknown. 

Take this question in any context you would like, be it business, church, social, however you would like to apply it. I would like to see some feedback.

Check back, I will post my reply soon :-)

If you were brave, what would you do?

Leave feedback at www.ryancook.net on the comment tab at bottom of page. 

-Peace

Excited for Tuesday

I am EXCITED for the new 6 inches of snow! Something about the landscape being blanketed by a beautiful white layer is awesome. I think that, plus the excitement of Christmas, going skiing, family, food and games- gets me out of the daily routine.

For instance, today is Tuesday. On Tuesdays we have a prayer time from 8:45-9:45am followed up w/ a staff meeting from 10-noon. This weeks staff meeting has been canceled due to the business of the season and a funeral today. So that leaves prayer time.

For some reason, be it all the above, I couldnt get into prayer today. Maybe it is because my head is filled w/ awesome and beautiful things going on around us and it probably has a lot to do w/ anticipation. (I know what I am getting for Christmas!)

I thanked Him for ALL the He is doing in and around my life and the things He is going to do, but I really couldnt get going for prayer time. This doesnt happen all the time, in fact it is very rare that I have times like this.

 

Today I just chalked it up as being overly excited for all the things going on in my life!

Chime in here guys, has this ever or does this happen to you?

Go to www.ryancook.net and click on comment tab at bottom of blog.

-Peace

Greenery

As if my office wasnt full or messy enough, someone (or a couple of people) thought I needed more greenery. I walked in and thought I was in the rain forest!


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Ryan's Christmas present to Brian

Ryan's present to Brian- Ryan's present to Brian- Ryan's present to Brian- Ryan's present to Brian
I have a co-worker, Brian, who told me he liked gifts.

I assumed he meant he liked unwrapping gifts, so I decided to get him a little present (or a few little presents to unwrap). Enjoy the slide show:


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The Angel

Last night, my family and I were at a production put on by our church, All Bow Down. It was laced w/ beautiful singers and a lot of talent. After that, we attended a choir party, so we were out late. We were out until about 10:30pm.

While we were out supporting our church and the talent in it, our friends were conniving behind the scenes to get back at us from an on-going prank.

One thing about pranks, they happen when you least expect them
They got us!

Here is what we drove up to in our front yard:

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Bad Economy- Good?

Churches across the country are starting to feel the impact of the slowdown in the economy. I’m not talking about giving. I’m talking about attendance. It seems that the sluggish economy may be leading to increased attendance across the US.

Rev. A.R. Bernard, the senior pastor of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York explained:

“It’s a wonderful time, a great evangelistic opportunity for us. When people are shaken to the core, it can open doors.”

Benard was quote in the New York Times, along w/ a few others. You can read the article in its entirety here. 

www.ryancook.net

Homeward Bound

SERVING @ HOMEWARD BOUND---SERVING @ HOMEWARD BOUND---SERVING @ HOMEWARD BOUND
Today was a great day. It seems everyday I am alive, it gets better and better. Seriously!

Chayce and I along w/ a group of friends were able to go to Homeward Bound and serve tonight. This is part of our 'Be Christmas' serving program. We showed up and was able to do it all, from food prep all the way through the serving stage. Everyone got involved all the way down to the 4yr olds. It was awesome to be able to serve along friends at the same time helping serve some less fortunate in our community.

Everyone enjoyed the food, thought it was the best dinner in a long time and was very thankful that we served them. In fact, about 75% of them personally thanked each of us for serving.

Homeward bound shelters about 100 adults a night plus kids, so a total of about 120 nightly. They check in around 5:30-6pm nightly and must be out by 8am the next morning. Although in one big room, families have priority and a 'safer' section for kids and families so they can somewhat of a tiny bit of privacy.

The shelter is supported by local donations and supporters. I encourage you, if you want to get involved in serving, this is a great place to start.

We wrapped up the night w/ all us who served w/ a little meeting an prayer. Part of our prayer was that we not only impact during this time and season, but it becomes threaded through our lives and who we are as people.

Here are a few pics. If you can not view the pics from the email or rss feed or if you would like to leave a comment, please click on my site @ www.ryancook.net and if you want to leave a comment, click the comment tab at bottom of blog.

Be Blessed!

Peace!

Reaching your Potential

As many of you know, I like to work out and exercise. I have read up on it, asked lots of people lots of questions, switched up routines, but I have NEVER hired a personal trainer-ever.

That would be the ideal thing. I would love to work out w/ Jillian or any of the trainers from Biggest loser. Currently I use people at the gym, people who looks like they have invested a lot of time into it, and ask them to help me, to spot me. Its like when I run, it helps so much to have someone beside you, to push each other.

Another example is race cars. When there is a lead car, the car behind it drafts and is sucked in by the lead car.  

You see, I am not satisfied with the way things are.  Sure, I have accomplished a little when it comes to losing weight and exercise, but I really do believe I am capable of doing so much more, and that my full potential will ONLY be brought out with someone pushing me.

Bottom line, I can never achieve my maximum potential by working alone!  

The same can be said of each one of us spiritually- we will never fully become who God wants us to be if we go at it alone!

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

One of the first things the enemy wants to do to a Leader or any believer is ISOLATE them…because after isolation comes, 2^nd guessing, mind games and then destruction.

Here are some hard questions to ask yourself-

1.     Who do you have in your life that pushes you, I mean REALLY pushes you to go to the next level in your walk with God and in your respective leaderships? 

2.     Who is it that you allow to ask you questions that sometimes make you uncomfortable?

We all need this type of ‘pusher’ in our lives to stretch us.  Whats holding you back from finding someone to push you? Who can help take you to the next level? 

It may be hard, painful and achy at first, but the pay-off and rewards are great!

Go for it- life is too short to be a passive follower of Jesus!

Please leave all comments at www.ryancook.net

-Peace