tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229206142024-03-12T21:15:04.914-07:00justonemore.infoPastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.comBlogger347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-89518582405368203172008-01-23T14:33:00.000-08:002008-01-23T14:39:39.077-08:00We've Moved!!Just in case you read this blog via crosspointchurch.blogspot.com, we have made the move to Wordpress as our platform for reaching the blogosphere. So.... please redirect yourself to <a href="http://www.justonemore.info/">www.justonemore.info</a> .<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Web Management<br />www.justonemore.infoPastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-23513219991124900562008-01-23T07:13:00.000-08:002008-01-23T07:14:36.685-08:00Another Big Day at CrossPoint<div align="justify">Oh, what a day!<br /><br />I know I have written about this before, yet the Sundays at CrossPoint are increasingly better and better each weekend.<br /><br />I emailed Bryan Haskins this morning to tell him that worship was over the top. He did a great job selecting the music, preparing the choir and leading the congregation. I loved “All About Your Glory”. I hear us singing that glorious song a few more times this year, don’t you?<br /><br />It was fun introducing the many new members, and asking them to stand across the front of the room. For those of you who were there, what did you think about the new tradition we started in the third worship celebration? At the coffee bar I had potential new member ask me when the next membership class would be available so they could join. Now that is good stuff.<br /><br />Speaking of the coffee bar—watch out Starbucks! I really like all the space we have to mix and mingle. I also like the changes we made to the front entrance. We have more space for traffic flow now. Plus, I think the new coffee bar area will be a better place for me to meet and greet guests.<br /><br />Our open house was a great add on to the day. I was surprised with the number of people who attended. It was good to see so many Center Pointers come to take a tour. We were equally surprised to meet a number of guests who came in response to the advertisements we placed in the area newspapers. CBS 42 surprised us as well by recording a segment for the Sunday evening news. Did any of you see the segment during the 5:30 PM broadcast?<br /><br />Next weekend we turn our attention to the final message of our introductory series on God’s Glory. The message title is “Do All to the Glory of God” from 1 Corinthians 10:31. We will also participate in the Lord’s Supper at the conclusion of each worship celebration. I want God’s glory to consume us. If the remaining 49 Sundays are like the first three Sundays of the year, I think God’s glory will fill us.<br /><br />That’s enough about Sunday. It is my desire to return to a daily routine of writing blogs this week. I plan to do that as soon as I turn the corner on my jet lag. Now there’s a blog—overcoming jet lag. Whew! I’m tired. Is it time for bed? It sure feels like it.</div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-23627866071826931332008-01-16T04:27:00.000-08:002008-01-16T04:37:03.111-08:00This Can’t be What It’s all Cracked up to Be<div align="justify">Tom Brady is the quarterback of the New England Patriots. His team is currently on a 16-0 winning streak, with the possibility of going 19-0 if they win the Super Bowl. Brady was recently interviewed by Steve Kroft on 60 Minutes.<br /><br />The interview took a serious twist when Brady made this vulnearable comment:<br /><br />"Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, 'Hey man, this is what is.' I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think, 'God, it's got to be more than this.' I mean this isn't, this can't be what it's all cracked up to be."<br /><br />When the Kroft asked him, "What's the answer?"<br /><br />Brady responded, "I wish I knew. I wish I knew. I love playing football and I love being quarterback for this team. But at the same time, I think there are a lot of other parts about me that I'm trying to find."<br /><br />Wow! This guy has it all—according to the world’s standards. He dates actresses. He makes big money. He owns three super bowl rings. Again, by what the world says, this guy is the epitome of success, and he still says, “This can’t be what it’s all cracked up to be.” Even though Brady is surrounded by all the accouterments of success, it is apparent his life is empty.<br /><br />If you had 60 minutes with Brady, what would you say to him?<br /><br />First I would commend Brady for his honesty. I appreciate his transparency. Brady is more forthright than most people in his shoes. I would encourage Brady to remain open. His openness will lead to his answers.<br /><br />Next, I would let Brady know that God has the answers to his questions in the Bible. For starters, the Bible has something to say about this thirst in Brady’s heart. This emptiness in his heart is there for a reason—it’s a desire God placed there. The Bible says,</div><em><blockquote><p align="justify"><em>He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.<br />Ecclesiastes 3:11</em></p></blockquote><div align="justify"></em>The Bible is clear; every human has a God-given desire for eternity in his heart. Yet man’s biggest problem is that he cannot quench that desire on his own. God must fill that void.<br /><br />Obviously, I would communicate with the All-Pro Quarterback everything Jesus says about life, death and eternal life. I would begin with these truths:</div><em><blockquote><p align="justify"><em>“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”<br />John 10:10<br /></em></em><br /><em><em>“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."<br />Luke 19:10<br /></em></em><br /><em><em>“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."<br />Mark 10:45<br /></em></em><br /><em><em>"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”<br />John 14:1-7<br /></p></blockquote></em><div align="justify"></em><br />Then, I would inform Brady that a heart filled with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the answer. The thirst in everyone’s heart is a thirst for meaning and significance. Super Bowl rings, dates with super models, endless wealth and everything else the world says we need is not the answer. The answer to life’s quest is a life filled with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.<br /><br />The Apostle Paul said,<br /><br /></div><em><blockquote><p align="justify"><em>12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.<br />Philippians 3:12-14</em></p></blockquote><div align="justify"></em>Finally, I would inform Tom that he is not much different from anyone else. Sure, Brady is mega-wealthy and extremeley famous, yet his struggles are the same as everyone else’s. Brady’s answer is found in God’s Word. And God’s Word will tell Brady that someone who has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ finds meaning and purpose in life. That is when I will give Tom the opportunity to repent of his life of sin and place his full confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ. Until then, Tom will continue to say, “This can’t be what it’s all cracked up to be.”</div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-74256239268493204312008-01-14T08:55:00.000-08:002008-01-16T04:27:08.250-08:00Chelsea Lee's Story<div align="justify">Three years ago I shared a powerful a story in one of my messages of a very brave girl. Her name was Chelsea Lee. Perhaps some of you will recall her story.<br /><br />My mentor Harry Lucenay was Chelsea’s pastor. Chelsea was a courageous young girl who fought a long and arduous battle with cancer. The Lord took Chelsea home to be with him after living on this earth only 7 years.<br /><br />Chelsea was the first one in her family to be born again. Soon after receiving Christ she requested Dr. Lucenay to come to her hospital room to talk about being baptized. She was too sick to follow through with that biblical command of immersion by water. That is when my friend, Harry, used his creative gifts to ensure the young girl’s heart’s desire was fulfilled.<br /><br />Harry went to her home just days before she died to “baptize” her. The baptism was unconventional, yet meaningful. Harry anointed Chelsea’s forehead and face with peppermint oil as a symbol of her death, burial and resurrection in Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Chelsea said to Harry during her baptism, that “the smell of my baptism in Christ is sweet.”<br /><br />Soon after, Chelsea went home to be with the Lord.<br /><br />My family had the distinct honor of sharing a meal with Chelsea’s parents, James and Melissa Lee before departing Hong Kong. As a result of Chelsea’s faith, her mother, Melissa was born again. Six months later, her father repented of his sins and placed his faith in Jesus Christ. One of Chelsea's aunts, received Christ in the automobile with Dr. Lucenay on the way to Chelsea’s graveside. An uncle, one of James's brothers made his profession of faith soon after driving home from the graveside.<br /><br />James informed me that more than half of his family has come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ as a result of Chelsea’s faith and subsequent death. He has requested we pray for his eldest brother who has not yet been born again. </div><div align="justify"><br />If you want to experience a very real blessing, then I encourage you to click here and learn more about Chelsea’s testimony:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.chelsealee.com/">http://www.chelsealee.com/</a><br /><br />Take a moment to listen to her radio interview by clicking the Audio Clip from ‘RTHK’.</div><div align="justify"><br />Only the Lord Jesus Christ can use the battle of a brave child, and her faith in Him to introduce so many others to their own salvation.</div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-33655884929618708182008-01-13T08:35:00.000-08:002008-01-16T04:17:09.419-08:00Trust In the LordPsalm 115:4-9<br /><br />4 Their idols are silver and gold,<br />the work of human hands.<br /><br />5 They have mouths, but do not speak;<br />eyes, but do not see.<br /><br />6 They have ears, but do not hear;<br />noses, but do not smell.<br /><br />7 They have hands but do not feel;<br />feet, but do not walk.<br />and they do not make a sound in their throat.<br /><br /><br />8 Those who make them become like them;<br />so do all who trust in them.<br /><br />9 O Israel, trust in the Lord!<br />He is their help and shield.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpBSllke5SiXt-y1VrhABlEOKLGAdnmNjqg8D4JpDsSFCHc9fZkJHBTjI5xOddLs_afiHQa9y2nU-iWpH9LGwc4pEwcbX7YkWguvJsuLCXGo6r-UNv6woav2ieQ8_FSkiXMBa/s1600-h/P1070002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155745685868922626" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpBSllke5SiXt-y1VrhABlEOKLGAdnmNjqg8D4JpDsSFCHc9fZkJHBTjI5xOddLs_afiHQa9y2nU-iWpH9LGwc4pEwcbX7YkWguvJsuLCXGo6r-UNv6woav2ieQ8_FSkiXMBa/s320/P1070002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2-PD8_6RxOfpHqxXo1t1_CP0eQ_2J_8B3InDrr-a90AwNqXZEjpRHFhmSznw5btg49lKVtNTuv4UtVV9WMMfXxunk576QZhpXei56p12r5GbP2Rez_6c9lIjmssDiXpHI-Rp/s1600-h/P1070027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155745698753824530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2-PD8_6RxOfpHqxXo1t1_CP0eQ_2J_8B3InDrr-a90AwNqXZEjpRHFhmSznw5btg49lKVtNTuv4UtVV9WMMfXxunk576QZhpXei56p12r5GbP2Rez_6c9lIjmssDiXpHI-Rp/s320/P1070027.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYeBq1b4WNfDJjY3jZpnXVPE2QB8SneWm2wY9v-Up0luT1rZy5ELkMcuji7TYirPJahDlunW3c4Q3jOmDv-SoWG06IVU8kaVaie9WTiZ2MhUZWnFoLDi67rycJNEhpRK0TwIC/s1600-h/P1070036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155745711638726434" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYeBq1b4WNfDJjY3jZpnXVPE2QB8SneWm2wY9v-Up0luT1rZy5ELkMcuji7TYirPJahDlunW3c4Q3jOmDv-SoWG06IVU8kaVaie9WTiZ2MhUZWnFoLDi67rycJNEhpRK0TwIC/s320/P1070036.JPG" border="0" /></a>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-52535790817954978322008-01-11T06:41:00.000-08:002008-01-16T04:16:12.936-08:00A Report From Some of Our Missionaries<div align="justify">Alan and Melissa are really special people. They are missionaries of the Southern Baptist Convention. Fifty percent of our World Missions Offering goes to support more than 5000 mission personnel like these dear people. Alan and Melissa have been on mission in Asia for 14 years, and have spent the last four years in Hong Kong, where Alan is the Property Manager and Treasurer of the Hong Kong Baptist Mission.<br /><br />During a meal with these folks, they recounted for us some recent stories and statistics about Southern Baptists’ efforts in mainland China.</div><ul><li><div align="justify">More than 700 mainland Chinese students each year study at Hong Kong Baptist University. The IMB along with Kowloon International Baptist Church is targeting these students during their four years of study, and we are successfully reaching many of them for Christ before they return home upon graduation.</div></li><li><div align="justify">Taylor has befriended a new convert from the mainland. His name is Edward. Edward was recently baptized at KIBC. He participated in his first Lord’s Supper last Sunday, and he could not thank me enough for what he learned. It was refreshing watching him participate and learn from the Bible.</div></li></ul><p align="justify">Brian spent the day with us the other day while we toured Lamma Island. Brian is a Chinese national who is not a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, but he is a seeker. Maik, the student minister for Kowloon International Baptist Church, brought him along on our excursion so he could hear more about Christ. Brian is the President of the Chinese Student Union of HKBU. Imagine what the Lord will do through him once he repents of his sin and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ.<br /><br />I am so thankful CrossPoint is part of the Southern Baptist Convention, where we are making a difference for the kingdom of God. Please pray for our mission efforts in this part of the world.</p>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-39395331230280082792008-01-09T06:25:00.000-08:002008-01-11T06:38:16.142-08:00Another Photo BlogEnjoy!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLPK0EWv4mVWEI_rYd52FnQeXXuIWBLWENcWfj6NSHf9OrHIHtj8lCFQ7vFSu6SSU659LjJ8Hs-9J4LwPPkohy-4CZ-CBUrhyPyfzDG43Zpzk9Ih9Z6f-twOCvcjR1orHPE-I/s1600-h/P1070067.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154226890943776498" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLPK0EWv4mVWEI_rYd52FnQeXXuIWBLWENcWfj6NSHf9OrHIHtj8lCFQ7vFSu6SSU659LjJ8Hs-9J4LwPPkohy-4CZ-CBUrhyPyfzDG43Zpzk9Ih9Z6f-twOCvcjR1orHPE-I/s320/P1070067.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Taylor dropping to a knee and praying for me after he found out I spent the day shopping with my girls at the Ladies Market</span></em><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpYsDp3m0smwpMjAaaj2xbQBA8Lglg7eLS9R6EDbYZjXR0VW9qsSuLa2yAu3letW383u2VX7_MUJMXQicdeI-znGbdAERZy1QzIPDnx2mhe4taGoSDfA3kc1ceQI8f25n_0yM/s1600-h/P1070024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154226143619466898" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpYsDp3m0smwpMjAaaj2xbQBA8Lglg7eLS9R6EDbYZjXR0VW9qsSuLa2yAu3letW383u2VX7_MUJMXQicdeI-znGbdAERZy1QzIPDnx2mhe4taGoSDfA3kc1ceQI8f25n_0yM/s320/P1070024.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Kelsey and her new boyfriend</span></em></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm94Nri7DgT2L20535ssqCieef6Wo9odoPwAgIts3btNSXenyegwpThgkVfk_vtLZiOwS9MTslfy9aySsFg34dCD7WTo_RPp167lkCtrf6Jod8r5JRRDiHMKfhiSn-L7rRhWrr/s1600-h/P1070029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154226152209401506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm94Nri7DgT2L20535ssqCieef6Wo9odoPwAgIts3btNSXenyegwpThgkVfk_vtLZiOwS9MTslfy9aySsFg34dCD7WTo_RPp167lkCtrf6Jod8r5JRRDiHMKfhiSn-L7rRhWrr/s320/P1070029.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">people praying at the Temple of 10,000 Buddhas</span></em></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUSume1HHZ08uUjTW30pILMsQfTSO6lDnjv8rn4hiHUtsdN0qVCzOfQZ64AOlKi-6Bc64j9gPZiXhjTiEZKtiK8drZQpp0gwCch7exVIjPDjkVceX8rzIh1rWcVP3IqXsHNRY/s1600-h/P1070033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154226156504368818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUSume1HHZ08uUjTW30pILMsQfTSO6lDnjv8rn4hiHUtsdN0qVCzOfQZ64AOlKi-6Bc64j9gPZiXhjTiEZKtiK8drZQpp0gwCch7exVIjPDjkVceX8rzIh1rWcVP3IqXsHNRY/s320/P1070033.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Taylor and Kelsey at Temple of 10,000 Buddhas</em></span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCq7Ia2Cdfg3iSdZ2F4PD5F7iavO4dwVxzDRk44csX3ph4kuTX7Vw-62lwc0nPX9ONNCiR1b8iHmwuryBwPVrQgnY2j6ZG7CBuIjk2T470Cq1CGZ2BxrxEm-pIHihyHzubFxl/s1600-h/P1070062.JPG"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154226160799336130" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCq7Ia2Cdfg3iSdZ2F4PD5F7iavO4dwVxzDRk44csX3ph4kuTX7Vw-62lwc0nPX9ONNCiR1b8iHmwuryBwPVrQgnY2j6ZG7CBuIjk2T470Cq1CGZ2BxrxEm-pIHihyHzubFxl/s320/P1070062.JPG" border="0" /></span></em></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></em></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">My family atop Victoria Peak</span></em></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmivcbKzLRDmqYpgRLu4Mdem8x_wtbajk0zJmOGpJxOJfVSEFLz8QCZYRCI7ea1YaIbhlC2MYg6B99118BknYyBIAB0RVNQ_O8SkJ2hgQEshRyAZqWh7WqmJZ88UvOHPauz23Q/s1600-h/P1070064.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154226165094303442" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmivcbKzLRDmqYpgRLu4Mdem8x_wtbajk0zJmOGpJxOJfVSEFLz8QCZYRCI7ea1YaIbhlC2MYg6B99118BknYyBIAB0RVNQ_O8SkJ2hgQEshRyAZqWh7WqmJZ88UvOHPauz23Q/s320/P1070064.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Family at Victoria Peak, overlooking Victoria Harbor<br /></span></em></div></div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-6531676572008864362008-01-08T06:20:00.000-08:002008-01-11T06:25:42.996-08:00Thank the Lord for His Protection<div align="justify">Okay, I am glad I did not know last week what I know this week about Beijing. <br /><br />Last week I knew the communist party controlled many things in China. However, I did not know the government monitors everything that goes on in many central areas like Tiananmen Square with spies, secret police and video monitors. For example, I learned last night from some of our IMB missionaries that even street sweepers in the Square are government spies. Their job is to listen for fools like me who spread the gospel or who try to usurp the government. <br /><br />Can we all just take a moment to thank the Lord for protecting your boisterous and obtrusive pastor who asked more questions than he should have the day his family toured the Square? <br /><br />I now know why so many people were staring at me the morning I stopped to take a break from my run through Tiananmen Square. Additionally, no wonder our tour guide was not interested in disclosing much information about the June, 1989 student uprising where more than 7000 students were killed by the government.<br /></div><div align="justify">For those of you too young to know or for those who have forgotten this horrible event, check out this video on youtube:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TDKVEprC948&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TDKVEprC948&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />My children were appalled when they viewed this and many other videos.<br /><br />It is my understanding that many of the Chinese nationals who have relocated to Hong Kong believe this videos are staged and that this event never happened. One recent convert cried as he watched the video. After watching it he said, “I used to live around the corner from Tiananmen Square and no one ever told me this happened.” And that is exactly what the Chinese government does; they treat this incident as if it never happened.<br /><br />Once again, now I know why our tour guide would not divulge much about the uprising. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Perhaps he did not know about it.</div><div align="justify"><br />Speaking of government control, when television reports from other parts of the world tell something about democracy or free elections, the Chinese government interrupts the segment with a commercial, with music or most of the time with a blank screen. It is also my understanding that not too long ago, Google agreed to let the government monitor web the citizen’s web searches so that too can be controlled. Once again, no wonder I could not connect to my blog. So, believe it or not, the Chinese people really do not have much flow of information from the outside world.</div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-64400711195700391592008-01-07T18:48:00.000-08:002008-01-07T19:24:01.669-08:00The Whitleys in China Photo Blog<div>If a picture's worth 1,000 words, then this could be the longest blog yet. You can click on each picture to enlarge and get more details of each photo. Enjoy!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYSlXgDVtLNB7DWyaDTTirb17MEXNkcDDW6gi2D0peRRMMQoBRFAYp4vILU7wacifVfjSV9CZOQwjKn59mifq6w4fq4xwnaRT7FlCh0-AQQUtCm85n_K97L6bNXQWEqS_8KBZ/s1600-h/P1010101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152938027092821634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYSlXgDVtLNB7DWyaDTTirb17MEXNkcDDW6gi2D0peRRMMQoBRFAYp4vILU7wacifVfjSV9CZOQwjKn59mifq6w4fq4xwnaRT7FlCh0-AQQUtCm85n_K97L6bNXQWEqS_8KBZ/s320/P1010101.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Taylor and Kelsey at Tiananmen Square</span></em><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSHhsBZXnP3bvpPwUkekyvmaTZIAe3RjbhlerfKKOOsVcRE_u9jn2Ti-wXUk8DOFSxhK8U-wKFXX3C-b5kVJtlyMH6SSzJTEztMSoYWX-4C1ZAdZEJNKezWj-mTedCdGBs7lD/s1600-h/P1060335.JPG"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152936923286226546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSHhsBZXnP3bvpPwUkekyvmaTZIAe3RjbhlerfKKOOsVcRE_u9jn2Ti-wXUk8DOFSxhK8U-wKFXX3C-b5kVJtlyMH6SSzJTEztMSoYWX-4C1ZAdZEJNKezWj-mTedCdGBs7lD/s320/P1060335.JPG" border="0" /></em></a></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>The only part of a new suit I could afford</em><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OstNO_Htj6KAps2nn-Q1m4cexiAlmkmoJLEQzeDcitYxfd74k8BwGhbEKdCeSBPeGRegMkrVZtGu9o2YdvrO7frc_EYWTYwxow0v0fdZI5XuzhGC8so0ZOdKSbTWU1-1P0Bb/s1600-h/P1050315.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152935127989896802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OstNO_Htj6KAps2nn-Q1m4cexiAlmkmoJLEQzeDcitYxfd74k8BwGhbEKdCeSBPeGRegMkrVZtGu9o2YdvrO7frc_EYWTYwxow0v0fdZI5XuzhGC8so0ZOdKSbTWU1-1P0Bb/s320/P1050315.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Vonda, Kelsey and me at a beautiful village off the coast of the Pacific<br /></span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTENMvkAbwpbb58axZLvQJhPDqJTx_qGoyCjkvxoDXdrRmUdiLOl59Fdr6E7jTX-jAPUNm4Ud0QdsJbpMZ8UhQN3dgR9PsSjLtacr7IBWy_ku0PL-pFeSXj0opOEeBfA2KW6P8/s1600-h/P1010134.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152933839499707906" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTENMvkAbwpbb58axZLvQJhPDqJTx_qGoyCjkvxoDXdrRmUdiLOl59Fdr6E7jTX-jAPUNm4Ud0QdsJbpMZ8UhQN3dgR9PsSjLtacr7IBWy_ku0PL-pFeSXj0opOEeBfA2KW6P8/s320/P1010134.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Kelsey holding a building at the Forbidden City<br /></span></em><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV90X7_DusR0zAKsDDe0nMfVINjXKv2oe28oWxkUVlURbEa_0ux4403MOXOL7WJQ-y7YGEAS5a1c0HoQsUgxpbMXeSMaUaVfxbHFoJfYXLU11ipNYEuT-lgVpBUm0e79oMkk0/s1600-h/P1010164.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152933848089642514" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilV90X7_DusR0zAKsDDe0nMfVINjXKv2oe28oWxkUVlURbEa_0ux4403MOXOL7WJQ-y7YGEAS5a1c0HoQsUgxpbMXeSMaUaVfxbHFoJfYXLU11ipNYEuT-lgVpBUm0e79oMkk0/s320/P1010164.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Me with the kids on a frozen lake at the Summer Palace<br /></span></em><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2FDuTifqcP1HEUoXtM-It6qzd3IsBxm4VeQziK_IuBhZZgumQ5l2yMxkm0BhO2C2Uh89KifU9k_VDDhczwruu6hdVurLCjyryfB9CeuVNALtDJln9rz1GrmMZS8WmdF6ronn/s1600-h/P1020184.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152933856679577122" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2FDuTifqcP1HEUoXtM-It6qzd3IsBxm4VeQziK_IuBhZZgumQ5l2yMxkm0BhO2C2Uh89KifU9k_VDDhczwruu6hdVurLCjyryfB9CeuVNALtDJln9rz1GrmMZS8WmdF6ronn/s320/P1020184.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Family at Great Wall (20 degrees with 40 MPH wind). Don't you love Vonda's new hat!<br /></span></em><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpoV_kROto8JpG474PxGrBpd_7CxCyKr_PzzdsuLxor9yQxuw7gbOZMOAgwvFijg98zbUzvIYN8IrZJnKm-vYykIi7tyv_T_75KDp0U-3mM0gcRbn1YsWhMdQOL63ki78VC_b/s1600-h/P1040306.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152933860974544434" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpoV_kROto8JpG474PxGrBpd_7CxCyKr_PzzdsuLxor9yQxuw7gbOZMOAgwvFijg98zbUzvIYN8IrZJnKm-vYykIi7tyv_T_75KDp0U-3mM0gcRbn1YsWhMdQOL63ki78VC_b/s320/P1040306.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Taylor picking up our "rental car" in Hong Kong</span></em><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzBm_JOPsDi2DLzZ4xHOL6DxoxcxDY4e3Q-H-RoBrHAVKH7oFs1NsXEAesyc_xbqaR_VM1RID3cY-mOerUfBKUyv9tm4uDgTkPvWYgITjQ2lZyZLPQst0Owi8rd0Cbm0fA1DX/s1600-h/PC300030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152935115104994882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzBm_JOPsDi2DLzZ4xHOL6DxoxcxDY4e3Q-H-RoBrHAVKH7oFs1NsXEAesyc_xbqaR_VM1RID3cY-mOerUfBKUyv9tm4uDgTkPvWYgITjQ2lZyZLPQst0Owi8rd0Cbm0fA1DX/s320/PC300030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Taylor's new girlfriend<br /></span></em></div><br /><div></div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-7177676154039702122008-01-07T07:26:00.000-08:002008-01-07T07:27:20.114-08:00Has She Ever Heard of Jesus Christ?<div align="justify">The last day of our stay in Beijing included a tour of a personal home in the Hutong Village. We met a woman and spent about twenty minutes with her in her home. During the conversation my family experienced something we had never before encountered.<br /><br />As we did in all of our conversations, we asked the interpreter to inquire if this woman had ever heard of Jesus Christ.<br /><br />The interpreter was puzzled by my question, wrinkling his brow and shrugging his shoulders. At first I thought he did not understand my inquiry, so I explained it with a few more detail. Yet when I probed, I realized the interpreter himself did not know who Jesus Christ was. <br /><br />This was a moment of sheer amazement for my family.<br /><br />I said, “Jesus Christ, God’s son.” Still the interpreter looked puzzled. <br /><br />Then I said, “God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins.” Again, the man was confused.<br /><br />That is when I went into a full blown explanation of the gospel. It was not until I said the word “church” did the man have a clue. Additionally, when the woman responded she said she did “go to church.” There was no mention of Jesus Christ.<br /><br />I probed deeper by asking if she believed in God.<br /><br />As many people in this part of the world do when asked that question, the woman talked about her parents belief in Buddha, yet she said she did not believe in God.</div><div align="justify"><br />This is the same answer our daily tour guide gave us when we talked to him about Jesus. <br /><br />Jacky said his parents worshipped Buddha, and they believed in good luck, but that he did not have time to think about God because he was so busy working. Jacky said people in their 50's and 60's usually think about God, and that maybe when he reached that age he too would think about God.<br /><br />When I asked him what would happen if he died before he reached that age he said he did not know. My family spent the remainder of the week discussing the Gospel of Jesus Chris with him. The message of eternal life through Jesus Chris was obviously something Jacky never before heard or considered. Each conversation we had with him was a challenge.<br /><br />Please join me in praying for Jacky, and many of the 1.4 billion people in China who have not heard of Jesus Christ.</div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-77769023509296005142008-01-06T05:06:00.000-08:002008-01-06T05:07:42.457-08:00Catching Up<div align="justify">It has been a while since I have written my blog. Beijing was a 24/7 trip. Anyone traveling on this side of the earth must go to Beijing. It was an unforgettable experience.</div><div align="justify"><br />Okay, so where do I begin?In three hours I will lead HKIBC in the Lord’s Supper during both morning worship celebrations. I am excited about that awesome privilege.<br /><br />While in Beijing, my Internet connection was limited. I could not connect to my blog, or to any other Christian websites. I was informed last night from some Hong Kong residents that the government monitors and literally controls the web. How chilling is that?Speaking of the Communist Government, one night a maid knocked on our hotel room door to tell us to close our curtains. What did I do? You guessed it; I opened those puppies in democratic defiance.<br /><br />The Beijing people were just as gracious as the people of Hong Kong. <br /><br />It took us 24 hours to get adjusted to the culture. After that we soon found our way around our part of Beijing. <br /><br />Having a guide with us each day helped immensely. There would be no other way to see Beijing, than with an English-speaking guide. <br /><br />As for historical sites, you name it we experienced it. Each day was better than the previous day. We experienced many different venues. <br /><br />The Temple of Heaven was fascinating. This is the place where the emperor would offer sacrifices for the fall harvest. It is now a park where the retired people of Beijing spend their days. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of retired people gathering there that morning. They were singing, dancing, playing games, exercising all over the place. That was really neat.<br /><br />Included in our final day was a tour of private home in Hutong Village. We met a woman who lived in 300 square foot flat with her husband and daughter. Now that was interesting. <br /><br />During the visit I encountered something I have never witnessed before in my years of ministry. I will try to post that story, along with a few others later this week.<br /><br />Before leaving Saturday morning I decided to take a run through Beijing, and I am so glad I did. I think I ran about five miles; I am not sure because I stopped so many times to watch what was happening in front of me.<br /><br />My goal was to run around Tiananmen Square, which I did. The Square was about a mile from our hotel. The closer I approached the Square, the larger the crowd continued to grow. People were flocking to the northern end. I ran down to that end to see what was happening. I estimate at least 3000 people gathered that morning to watch the military raise the Chinese flag. I stood along the street’s edge. <br /><br />For some goofy reason people were staring at me just as much as they were staring at the flag-raising ceremony. I think it may have had something do with my goofy running attire. By the way, did I mention it was about 22 degrees that morning? When I arrived back at the hotel and saw what I looked like I realized why they were staring at me.<br /><br />We have more pictures to post. Taylor and I will do that later today, when we have time to work through all the photos.</div><div align="justify"><br /> Thank you for praying for us. We are experiencing the power of your prayers firsthand. We look forward to our return, and to sharing with you what we experienced.</div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-47507325252044152372008-01-02T05:00:00.000-08:002008-01-02T05:53:34.922-08:00OK, Beijing Is Awesome!<div align="justify">I think we have finally adjusted to the time change for the other side of the world. We went to bed last night (Tuesday) at 7:30 and woke only once around 1:00 AM and then slept a little longer until 5:00 AM. That is a good night’s sleep.<br /><br />We spent the day at Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Summer Palace. All three experiences were just too much to handle in one day. The history behind each location is so comprehensive. Tiananmen Square is a great symbol of communism. I will write more on that later. The Summer Palace puts Biltmore in the ground. The Forbidden City is 600 years old and looks like it was constructed last year.<br /><br />We should be sending photos in a day or two. Believe it or not, Internet connection in Beijing is not too swift, plus it is expensive to access from our hotel. Taylor and I are looking for an Internet Café each time we venture out.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">By the way, my kids are treated like rock stars around here. At Tiananmen Square a family approached us to have their photo made with us. Of course, we had our photo made with them.<br /><br />Okay, it’s time now for a few insights:</div><ul><li><div align="justify">Who is telling all these people about Jesus?</div></li><li><div align="justify">Always take an extra potty break before you leave your hotel.</div></li><li><div align="justify">I find it humorous that it takes the sun so long to rise here in the East. Ha! </div></li><li><div align="justify">Seriously, the sun does not rise in Beijing until 7:30 or later.</div></li><li><div align="justify">If you grew up in Beijing you would be used to the restroom facilities.</div></li><li><div align="justify">Chinese children are precious.</div></li><li><div align="justify">Be sure to carry toilet paper with you, wherever you go.</div></li><li><div align="justify">Who is telling these people about Jesus?</div></li><li><div align="justify">Who is responsible for telling these people about Jesus?</div></li><li><div align="justify">Who has accepted responsibility for telling these people about Jesus?</div></li></ul><div align="justify">There is so much more I could write. I must stop for now. We are heading out to eat, and then we go to a martial arts show at 7:30 PM.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="justify">Below, you'll find a few pictures of our journey so far. </p><div align="justify">Grace always.</div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZoXAq8YzItAUTLqTYn4ngrsOneuGnNe5V90wGeGAkOkxjVGkQ1R5g1oVxSCHxVHFQJl7OaUd2y-d_hnFfcr1SXKWj1K6tppMOiH7Un19LY9Sem3w6JJvJOJ2q3A8q4jXq_dW/s1600-h/PC280006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150875424883492290" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZoXAq8YzItAUTLqTYn4ngrsOneuGnNe5V90wGeGAkOkxjVGkQ1R5g1oVxSCHxVHFQJl7OaUd2y-d_hnFfcr1SXKWj1K6tppMOiH7Un19LY9Sem3w6JJvJOJ2q3A8q4jXq_dW/s320/PC280006.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>29 hours later, we arrive in Hong Kong</em></span></p><p align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEP3rVpdQDjThL1Dc3_nRkppxglvaENSTkOU0lGhSL3vOqxOhbX914P1gv5AFUWhyphenhyphen3zfcMAc_dZq8Pk4jXUPjg_ZdsrHiEgUD1YXJo-b0mwZzZS4GkmPUdRtwXtol88eyiNzp/s1600-h/PC290011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150875433473426898" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEP3rVpdQDjThL1Dc3_nRkppxglvaENSTkOU0lGhSL3vOqxOhbX914P1gv5AFUWhyphenhyphen3zfcMAc_dZq8Pk4jXUPjg_ZdsrHiEgUD1YXJo-b0mwZzZS4GkmPUdRtwXtol88eyiNzp/s320/PC290011.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></em></p><p align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">the chapel where Taylor preached last Sunday. See if you can spot my 3 blondes.</span></em></p><p align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHs4iO1ZExb4b3D0_xJ9Fcvz0jVU7XyK2sAp88JBkPlcZNUL6FZI3Vk_jYRbwsyJ0nKsgWbksqMIL9LACgutEHZeMQ5_Wedm98H-NXJOEZUqiuM8g3NkE21MTsKAL0f8ej9vI/s1600-h/PC300043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150875446358328802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHs4iO1ZExb4b3D0_xJ9Fcvz0jVU7XyK2sAp88JBkPlcZNUL6FZI3Vk_jYRbwsyJ0nKsgWbksqMIL9LACgutEHZeMQ5_Wedm98H-NXJOEZUqiuM8g3NkE21MTsKAL0f8ej9vI/s320/PC300043.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></em></p><p align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Whitleys at Victoria Harbor on New Year's Eve</span></em></p>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-61677429048362358782008-01-01T19:57:00.000-08:002008-01-01T19:58:52.607-08:00We're in Beijing<div align="justify">I have no idea where to begin with today’s entry. We are wide open. We have not stopped since we left Birmingham. This is a 24-7 venture for my family. <br /><br />As I posted earlier, where are we? What day is it? What time is it? Time, distance and location have no meaning in a trip like this.<br /><br />We departed Hong Kong early this morning for Beijing. The difference between Hong Kong and Beijing is much like the difference between New York City and Remlap. Hong Kong is more westernized, while Beijing looks and feels like a third world country. Do not get me wrong, however, Beijing is unique, and it is beautiful in its own way. More than beautiful, this place is matchless in its history.<br /><br />After checking into the hotel, Kelsey requested some real food. We have already had our fair share of Chinese and Thai food the last three days. So we asked the hotel concierge where we could find some western food. She sent us to the Beijing Hard Rock Café. Yes, we splurged. The bill was $721!!!—that’s RBMs.<br /><br />Our hotel is just blocks away from Tiananmen Square. We head there in the morning, followed by a visit to Temple Paradise and several other places.<br /><br />Speaking of Tiananmen Square, it is extremely unsettling seeing the numerous Peoples Liberation Army soldiers posted throughout the city. I think our hotel is near a PLA base. Speaking of the PLA, just about every other block has a government building in place.<br /><br />In addition to the old buildings, you also find new construction every where. Buildings and stadiums are going up in many areas due to the 2008 Summer Olympics being hosted here. We caught a glimpse of the Olympic Stadium while driving down an 8-lane boulevard.<br /><br />One more note and I am off to bed.<br /><br />Please pray for Josh. He came to Hong Kong International Baptist Sunday morning. I met his father first. His father is a believer and about my age. Josh is 19 years-old. He confided in me that he is now seeking God in his life. He’s home from school in the UK for the holidays. He told me he came to church that morning to find out more about God. How awesome is it that the Lord inspired me to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.<br /><br />Please pray for Josh.<br /><br />He wants to meet Taylor next weekend, and I am excited about that meeting since I know Taylor will explain the gospel to him in an easy-to-understand manner. So remember to pray for Taylor as well.<br /><br />Okay, it’s late (6:30 PM!) and I am exhausted.</div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-33992370983584085392007-12-30T05:56:00.000-08:002007-12-30T06:03:03.648-08:00Day One, Hong Kong<div align="justify"><strong>We’re Here!<br /></strong><br />We here, although I am not sure where here is! Where are we? Who knows! What time is it? I have no clue. Better yet, who am I?</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Twenty nine hours is a loooooooong time to travel! We are soooooooo tired!</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">We finally made it to Hong Kong, at 11:00 PM on Saturday, December 28. We landed here purely by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, especially since it involved three different flights. It is my understanding that Chicago shut down for two or three hours soon after we departed. We breezed through there in a matter of minutes. We were the last to board our flight. Apparently United knew we had just landed, so they held the plane for us.</div><div align="justify"><br />After arriving in Hong Kong safely we made it to our apartment around 12:30 AM, and we were in bed one hour later. Every one in my family slept well, except me. My motor was running in overdrive. I have had about four hours sleep since Friday morning. I am intentionally staying awake until 9:00 PM tonight (Sunday) so I can sleep through the night.<br /><br /><strong>Busy Day, Today</strong></div><div align="justify"><br />Today was exciting, and very busy.<br /><br />Taylor preached at a Filipino Chapel. Vonda says he did a great job. He’s already asking when he can return to Hong Kong. He left us about three hours ago to hang out with some students. I can tell he loves this place. He just called to tell me he was going to see a Chinese movie. My kids are treated like rock stars with their fair skin and blonde hair.<br /><br />I preached for Dr. Lucenay this morning at Hong Kong International Baptist Church. They have two worship celebrations—a contemporary worship at 9:30, followed by a traditional worship at 11:00 AM. Both worship celebrations were meaningful. Of course, I preached 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. What better message is there to communicate than Jesus Christ and him crucified?</div><div align="justify"><br />The people here are very magnanimous. They have a very friendly congregation. Their worship will inspire you. Everyone sang so loud. A friend of mine says you can tell much about a church by their singing. He says a singing church is a sign that it is a healthy church. If that is true, and I think it is, then this is a very healthy congregation.<br /><br /><strong>I Know Where Your Church Is</strong><br /><br />Here is a wild story.<br /><br />When I arrived for the first worship a woman from India approached me and said, “I know where your church is. I have driven by it before.” I laughingly said, “Are you sure you know where my church is?” She retorted, “I sure do. It is on 1-59 South coming into Birmingham, just outside of Trussville, in an area called Argo.” Only God! Only God would have her to be the first person I met in worship.<br /><br /><strong>Thank You for Praying for Us</strong></div><div align="justify"><br />Tomorrow we spend the day in Hong Kong, and then we head to Beijing on Tuesday. I plan to post more each day. Thank you for praying for us. This is already a memorable experience just from the first few hours. We cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for us next.<br /><br />I promise to pray for you. When I lay my head down on a pillow for the first time in about three days, you will be starting worship. Please know that I am praying for you.</div><div align="justify"><br />Speaking of praying for you; I left my CrossPoint prayer journal at home. So, this morning when I could not sleep, I jumped up to read my Bible and pray. When I came to praying for you—as I do every morning—I started praying for you by name. Although my journal was not handy, I started with the families whose names began with an A and prayed for them. I was surprised how many of your family names came to mind. That was really neat.<br /><br />Pray for us while we travel to Beijing. Dr. Lucenay’s Student Minister, Mike, has arranged for us to meet with a brand new convert they baptized less than a month ago. He wants us to minister and witness to his family. Of course we said yes.</div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-72704263909299323192007-12-28T11:09:00.000-08:002007-12-29T11:28:39.618-08:00We are on Our Way to Asia<div align="justify">By the time you read this, my family will be on our way to Hong Kong. It is my desire to post several blogs, and try to post a few videos while we are away. So, check back each day to see what we are doing.<br /><br />I am posting our itinerary for those of you who would like to pray for us.<br /><br /></div><blockquote><p align="justify">December 27 Atlanta<br /><br />December 28 Atlanta to Chicago<br />Chicago to Tokyo Narita, Japan<br />Tokyo Narita, Japan to Hong Kong<br /><br />December 29-31 Hong Kong<br /><br />January 1-5 Beijing, China<br /><br />January 6 –10 Hong Kong<br /><br />January 11 Hong Kong to Los Angeles<br />Los Angeles to Washington, DC (Dulles)<br />Washington, DC (Dulles) to Atlanta<br /><br />January 12 Return to Birmingham </p></blockquote><div align="justify">If you are wondering how you can pray for us, I will list a few specific needs: </div><ul><li><div align="justify">Pray for our safety</div></li><li><div align="justify">Pray for good health</div></li><li><div align="justify">Pray for specifically for Vonda on our 16 hour flight to and from Tokyo. (She does not do well on airplanes) </div></li><li><div align="justify">Please pray for my son, Taylor. He has been invited to preach in a small chapel service of Filipina maids on one side of the island our first Sunday there. His mother and sister plan to worship with him. (I guess they have heard me preach enough through the years.)</div></li><li><div align="justify">Pray for me as I preach at Hong Kong International Baptist Church on December 30 and January 6 </div></li><li><div align="justify">Pray for doors of opportunity to open for us as we are given opportunities to share the gospel </div></li><li><div align="justify">Pray for our physical stamina since our schedule will be full of non-stop activity </div></li><li><div align="justify">Pray for anything else the Holy Spirit leads you to pray </div></li><li><div align="justify">Pray for Steve Holloman, Harry Lucenay and Tim Tidwell, who will be preaching in my absence at CrossPoint </div></li></ul><p align="justify">To the CrossPoint family of faith, I want to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to experience this kind of venture with my family. You know me; I will have plenty of stories to share upon my return.</p>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-70462574557432595202007-12-27T05:32:00.000-08:002007-12-27T05:34:17.627-08:00Birmingham Past<div align="justify">Although I was born in Jefferson City, Tennessee, I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. My family moved to the Iron City in June of 1970. My extended family has lived here ever since. So when my dad sent me the following website link, I reflected on parts of Birmingham I remember.<br /><br />For those of you interested in the Birmingham of yesterday, <a href="http://www.birminghamrewound.com/">click here</a>.<br /><br />For those who have lived here for more than a few years, I would be curious to know what part of the webpage you remembered most. </div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-36292638516243166822007-12-24T06:03:00.000-08:002007-12-24T06:05:43.596-08:00The Twelve Days of ChristmasThis is great!!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Fe11OlMiz8&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2Fe11OlMiz8&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />MERRY <strong>CHRIST</strong>MAS!!Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-50956474974297151242007-12-20T19:59:00.000-08:002007-12-20T20:00:17.124-08:00Jesus: Living His Life Backwards<div align="justify">Today I am thinking about Christmas. While doing so, I am reminded of an A. W. Tozer quote about Jesus:</div><em><blockquote><p align="justify"><em>“Jesus is the only man who lived his life backwards. Your life runs from birth to death. But Jesus’ lifeline runs from his death to his birth. The only reason there was a Bethlehem is that there might be a Calvary. At Bethlehem, he was surrounded by beasts so at Calvary he might be surrounded by beastly men. At Bethlehem, he was wrapped in swaddling clothes, at Calvary, he was wrapped in his own blood. He was laid in a wooden manger so that one day he would be laid on a wooden cross. He is the Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world.”</em></p></blockquote></em>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-53262797626296067622007-12-19T09:29:00.000-08:002007-12-19T09:37:08.901-08:00Some Alarming Data about Abortion<div align="justify">A month or two ago I sat down to write something about abortion for an upcoming blog, yet each attempt was incomplete. Abortion is a broad and painful subject. It is so broad that I was too exacerbated to complete the blog.<br /><br />I am confident more than a few people who attend CrossPoint each weekend have had or have been associated with someone who has had an abortion. Thus, it should be noted that before you read this blog, I want you to know that ABORTION IS NOT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN. Anyone who has had an abortion or who has been associated with an abortion can be forgiven of that sin. And that is why I am so glad CrossPoint is a WHOSOEVER church. CrossPoint preaches and teaches the gospel truth that Jesus paid the price and absorbed God’s wrath for every sin of the sinner who acknowledges Jesus is Lord when they repent and place their full faith in Him.<br /><br />Now back to my subject.<br /><br />Like so many of you, I am appalled by abortion. Abortion is terrible. It is a horrible practice. We should be convulsed by the mere thought of it, and even more shaken by the practice of it.<br /><br />My approach to abortion goes beyond protesting it, however. I have never been one to carry a sign during a public protest. I believe if we are going to be pro-life, then we should think of all of human life—not only birth, but also life after birth and even through death. By the way, I think the abortion movement has done much to help the euthanasia movement—something else that I am against. Now, that’s another topic for another day.<br /><br />While thinking about abortion again today, someone did me a huge favor and sent me this enewsletter by Thomas Euteneuer from Human Life International. After reading his remarks I knew this was right for my blog.<br /><br />If you are like me, you will be shocked and saddened by what you read. I think it is fitting to post this blog as we center on the birth of a baby in the next few days.</div><div align="justify"> </div><blockquote><div align="justify"><strong>How Many Heisman Winners Has Abortion Killed?<br /></strong>The sports world recently greeted the news that this year's Heisman Trophy Winner, Tim Tebow from the University of Florida, was almost a casualty of abortion. Twenty-some years ago he was not the strapping 6'3", 235 lb. beloved sports hero that he is today. At that time he was a one-inch-long unborn child whose existence, because of an amoebic infection, was defined as threat to his mother's health. Pam Tebow, his mother, was told by a doctor that it would be in her best interests to abort this baby, and she refused. Her husband backed her up on that generous decision, and seven months later they gave birth to a perfectly healthy boy. Little did they know that twenty years later they would be standing on a national stage with a Heisman Trophy winner giving that magnificent witness to life. The world thanks you, Mr. and Mrs. Tebow! There cannot be a more touching Advent story than this. I wonder if anyone has ever asked how many potential Heisman Trophy winners abortion has actually killed. The answer is, twelve. Reflect on that a bit as you read further because there is a larger lesson in the Tebows' witness. Dr. Brian Clowes, HLI researcher, has examined the data from the 2007 Statistical Abstract of the United States (most recent census data) and extrapolated the numbers of the various professions and categories of Americans who have been eliminated in the wake of nearly 49 million legalized abortions, one third of all Americans conceived since 1973. The following numbers are based on the actual government estimates of the professions represented in America. So then, who have we lost to abortion?</div><ul><li><div align="justify">2 US Presidents</div></li><li><div align="justify">7 Supreme Court Justices </div></li><li><div align="justify">102 US Senators and 589 Congressmen</div></li><li><div align="justify">8,123 Federal, district and local court judges</div></li><li><div align="justify">31 Nobel Prize laureates </div></li><li><div align="justify">328 Olympic medalists including 123 Gold medalists </div></li><li><div align="justify">6,092 professional athletes </div></li><li><div align="justify">134,841 physicians and surgeons </div></li><li><div align="justify">392,500 registered nurses </div></li><li><div align="justify">70,669 priests, ministers, rabbis and imams including 6,852 priests and 11,010 nuns (vocations "shortage"?) </div></li><li><div align="justify">1,102,443 teachers (K-12)</div></li><li><div align="justify">553,821 truck drivers </div></li><li><div align="justify">224,518 maids and housekeepers </div></li><li><div align="justify">336,939 janitors </div></li><li><div align="justify">134,028 farmers and ranchers </div></li><li><div align="justify">109,984 police officers and sheriff's deputies </div></li><li><div align="justify">39,477 firefighters </div></li><li><div align="justify">17,221 barbers</div></li><li><div align="justify">24,450,000... women (the gender of roughly half of all children aborted). </div></li></ul><p align="justify">These numbers of course are only the tip of the iceberg. Keep in mind that we get our statistics about abortion from the abortion industry itself which has a vested interest in under-reporting the numbers. Likewise, these categories are only a few of the professions that Americans actually work in and are by no means a full portrayal of the total American workforce. What they represent, however, is the immense human toll that abortion takes on a society. Abortion-promoters present abortion as an exclusively private choice, but thirty-five years of abortion exposes the perniciousness of that lie. There is a social toll that comes from abortion which cannot easily be corrected. For three and a half decades the feminists have reveled in a misleading "freedom to choose," and on the basis of that false "right" have eliminated their children and done immense damage to the family as the basic unit of society. Those who respect these sacred realities, on the other hand, have their wives and husbands to grow old with, their children to enjoy and their grandkids to play with and spoil. The love of life, marriage and family never leaves its adherents penniless, lonely or abandoned, and every now and then God throws in a Heisman Trophy just to show the rest of us that it's all worth it.</p></blockquote>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-24869191234149693222007-12-18T09:24:00.000-08:002007-12-18T09:29:57.062-08:00More about God’s Glory<div align="justify">I concluded yesterday’s by wrestling with why I am preaching God’s glory for all of 2008. <br /><br />The short answer is I firmly believe this is where God wants to take CrossPoint in the coming year. <br /><br />Can the people of God ever know enough about God? Can the people of God ever know enough about the glory of God? I don’t think so.<br /><br />I like what A. W. Tozer says about knowing God, in <em><a href="http://www.heavendwellers.com/hdt_knowledge_of_the_holy.htm">The Knowledge of the Holy</a></em>:<br /><em><blockquote><em>"It is impossible to keep our moral practices sound and our inward attitudes right while our idea of God is erroneous and inadequate. If we would bring back spiritual power to our lives, we must begin to think of God more nearly as He is. ...What comes to mind when we think of God is the most important thing about us."</em></blockquote></em>One of my pastor friends interprets the Tozer quote this way: The most important thing about you is your concept of God. Your concept of God determines everything about you.<br /><br />I agree with Tozer as well as with my pastor friend.<br /><br />It is my desire in 2008 to talk about God and His glory and nothing else. During the year we will refer to several basic Scripture passages. We will quote Romans 11:35 each week, which reads,<br /><em><blockquote><em>For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.</em></blockquote></em>Get that passage memorized. We will refer to it often.<br /><br />Another passage we will refer to in the year will be 1 Corinthians 10:31. Paul teaches, <br /><em><blockquote><em>So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.</em></blockquote></em>Our goal is simple: we want to know God better by knowing more about God’s glory. I want us to see God’s glory, to enjoy God’s glory, to know God’s glory, to live for God’s glory, and to share God’s glory. In doing this, I am convinced we will definitely learn to live for God’s glory.<br /><br />Centuries ago the Puritan preachers would say to their people, “If you pray me full, I will preach you full.” This is my request as well as we seek to learn more about God’s glory. <br /><br />God alone be the glory!</div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-57571972650912814672007-12-17T05:54:00.000-08:002007-12-17T05:55:03.551-08:00Glory to God Alone<div align="justify">I am in trouble. I have bitten off more than I can chew. I am in water over my head. I have out-kicked my punt coverage. My mouth is writing checks my brain cannot cash.<br /><br />What’s all the fuss, you ask.<br /><br />For those of you who do not know, if the Lord is willing, my plan is to preach the glory of God throughout 2008. I made this decision a few months ago, thinking I had more than enough inspiration at my disposal to preach all year. At the time I thought preaching on this subject was a good move. A few months later, however, I am not so sure it is something I should do. Or should I say, I am not so sure it is something I am capable of doing.<br /><br />And what is my dilemma? My dilemma is the more I study the glory of God the less I understand the glory of God. Or, to put it another way, my brain is incapable of processing everything the Bible says about God’s glory.<br /><br />The glory of God is a voluminous subject. In a very practical sense, God’s glory is humanly incomprehensible. And, whatever is humanly incomprehensible is usually, ten times out of ten, humanly incommunicable. <br /><br />Preaching is already an arduous task. What makes preaching for me more laborious is speaking on a subject beyond my level of comprehension. Now some of you know why I stick to the simple subjects. Anything beyond salvation through Jesus Christ is out of my league, way out of my league.<br /><br />Yes, I know the Lord will help me. It is His job to equip me to preach His word. The problem I am encountering has nothing to do with God, however, but with me. The hard drive of my brain is so small I am not sure there is anymore room for ram space. <br /><br />My understanding of God is weak, very weak. And what makes that statement so ironic is that I earnestly believe I know and understand more about God than I have ever known or understood before. Perhaps the more we think we know about God, the less we realize we really do know about God. <br /><br />Does the preceding statement even make sense?<br /><br />To put it bluntly, I am overwhelmed by the task of preaching the glory of God in 2008. What was an enthusiastic interest two months ago is now a heavy burden. I am all over the Bible. The glory of God is noted on every page. Let me give you an example. It is a small, yet profound, example.<br /><br />Complete this sentence, “The glory of God is…”<br /><br />If you were to study the word glory, this is a small tidbit of what you would discover. The actual word glory means to describe anything that is heavy, such as a man (1 Samuel 4:18) or a rock (Isaiah 32:2), but it can also be used figuratively to describe blindness (eyes that are “heavy”; Genesis 48:10), or unbelief (a heavy or hardened heart; Exodus 9:7), or wealth (“heavy” with silver and gold; Genesis 13:2). I also know there is a related meaning, “important” (i.e., throwing ones weight around). A derived meaning is “to treat as important, to honor” Get this, the word for “liver” in the Hebrew language is a related noun to the word glory, for the liver is the heaviest organ and therefore thought to be the most important, or at least at the center of human life. [Source: Recalling the Hope of Glory: Biblical Worship from the Garden to the New Creation, Allen P. Ross, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2006), pp. 46-47]. And this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding ONLY the word glory, much less how word glory applies to God! <br /><br />So why print all the fuss about God’s glory? Why all the explanation about not comprehending God’s glory? Why not just change topics and move on to something more manageable, more palatable?<br /><br />I will save my answers to those questions for tomorrow’s blog.</div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-2039231293192069812007-12-12T20:42:00.000-08:002007-12-12T20:49:11.271-08:00Shocking StatisticsDid you know that in the USA…<br /><ul><li>Over 50% of people over age 16 are functionally illiterate.<br /><br />A person who is functionally illiterate lacks a sufficient foundation of basic reading and writing skills to function successfully in our society. A functionally illiterate person..</li></ul><ol><li>Can read some – signs, food labels, advertisements and parts of a newspaper.</li><li>Cannot locate two pieces of information in a news article.</li><li>Can locate the expiration date on their driver’s license.</li><li>Cannot successfully fill out a social security card application by themselves.</li><li>Forms opinions from conversations with friends, the radio and TV.</li><li>Learns through stories, anecdotes, proverbs, songs, and practical experience.</li></ol><ul><li>58% of the U.S. adult population never reads another book after high school.</li><li>42% of college graduates never read another book.</li><li>80% of U.S. families did not buy or read a book in 2002.</li><li>57% of new books are not read to completion. Most readers do not get past page 18 in a book they have purchased.</li><li>Each day, people in the US spend 4 hours watching TV, 3 hours listening to the radio and 14 minutes reading magazines.</li><li>65% of American children have television sets in their bedrooms.</li><li>It is estimated that people spend as much as 80% (38 hours per week) of their non-working, non-sleeping time in front of a television or computer screen.</li><li>Nearly 70% of the world’s people (4+ billion) are oral communicators.</li><li>That means... only 20% to 30% of the world’s people are print or literate communicators.</li><li>Researchers believe that 70% or more of the people in North America prefer non-literate means of communication.</li></ul><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.echothestory.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">www.echothestory.com</span></a><br /><br /> Shocking, isn’t it?</p>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-62193682237786373932007-12-11T14:08:00.001-08:002007-12-11T14:08:55.496-08:00WorshipWorship.<br />Worship is a huge thing.<br />We look forward to worship every week.<br />When the worship includes one of our favorites we say, “The worship was great.”<br />When the music stinks we yawn and wonder why the worship wasn’t very good.<br />We leave churches because of the “styles of worship”.<br />Worship is a huge thing.<br />Have you ever wondered if we are more concerned with what worship does for us… and less with the Object of worship?<br />It seems like it’s more about what we GET not what we GIVE.<br />It would be like taking a gift to a friend’s birthday party, but keeping it for ourselves.<br />Worship is all about giving our lives – again – to God.<br />Worship is NOT about the feelings we receive.<br />Worship is NOT about convincing God to bless us.<br />Worship is NOT about whether or not the guitar was too loud.<br />Worship is NOT about what’s happening on the stage.<br />Worship is NOT about lighting, entertaining or sound.<br />Worship is NOT about us at all.<br />It’s NOT about us.<br />Worship is about Him.<br />It’s about Him.<br />We enter worship through the gateway of the cross.<br />At the cross<br />We kneel<br />We surrender<br />We confess<br />We cry<br />We repent<br />We gaze<br />We respond<br />We cling<br />We wait<br />We worship<br />Worship is about looking at God and placing Him above all things.<br />-copiedPastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-64885052296375882682007-12-06T05:01:00.000-08:002007-12-10T05:03:00.741-08:00The Painful Reality of Death<div align="justify">My dear cousin, Danny, called me this morning. His heart is so full of grief. You could hear the deep sorrow in his voice.<br /><br />Danny and I spent several minutes on the phone talking about his son’s funeral and graveside service. Danny was calling to ask permission to read part of yesterday’s blog in the service. Of course I said yes. My prayer is that anything and everything that is read or said in Timmy’s funeral service would be used for God’s glory as well as for the salvation for all those who need to repent.<br /><br />I could tell from his weary voice that Danny was exhausted. I am not sure Danny has had too many hours of sleep or rest since receiving that fateful phone call Saturday evening. And, I am sure he will not get much rest in the days to come.<br /><br />When I asked Danny how he was holding up he said, “It feels Christ is breathing for me.” Wow, what a powerful image—Christ breathes for you!<br /><br />In many respects, I think that is exactly what Christ wants to do for us. Christ wants to breathe for us. Christ also wants to think for us, love through us, serve through us, provide for us, and meet all of our needs for us.<br /><br />While talking to Danny I kept running Philippians 4:19 through my mind. Paul writes,<br /><em><blockquote><em>And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory<br />in Christ Jesus.</em> </blockquote></em>It is “according to the riches in glory in Christ Jesus” that all of our needs are met. Christ Jesus wants to and is completely able to meet all of our needs. Before hanging up the phone, Danny and I spent time praying together over the phone.<br /><br />After talking to Danny I called on Christ to meet my needs. I, too, am weary today. The news of Timmy’s death has also saddened my heart. I can only imagine the despair his parents feel today.<br /><br />The painful reality of death reaches deep into one’s soul. And, it is in times like these the only relief we can ever received will be found in calling on Christ to meet all of our needs according to His glorious riches.</div>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22920614.post-76411638394136921252007-12-05T08:59:00.000-08:002007-12-05T09:02:52.369-08:00Are You an Organ Donor?<div align="justify">My extended family received some terrible news Sunday afternoon. My first cousin’s son, Timmy Henley, was shot and killed during a drug deal in Atlanta Saturday night.<br /><br />Timmy was only 33 years old. His life was marked by drugs, prison and many other problems. However, the last two or three years of his life were noted by a continual effort to overcome his addictions.<br /><br />I last visited with Timmy on the night of October 15, the date of his grandfather’s (and my uncle) 80th birthday. Timmy visited with us for about three hours that night. I commented the next morning to my uncle how proud I was to see and hear of Timmy’s great progress. He had been drug free for almost a year, had a job and it seemed like he had turned a major corner in his battle against the demons of drug addiction. Little did I realize then that would be the last time I would see Timmy alive.<br /><br />The authorities believe the execution-style murder was due to a major debt Timmy owed a local drug dealer. They believe Timmy’s friend was also set up for her execution as well. She, too, owed the drug dealer money. How tragic it is to think two lives were taken because of debt for drugs.<br /><br />My uncle and cousin’s families are devastated. His funeral service will be this Thursday night in Knoxville, followed by a graveside on Friday morning. My mother and I will be heading that way very early Friday morning.<br /><br />I called Timmy’s father and my first cousin, Danny Henley last night. Danny was so grief stricken he could hardly speak. Danny expressed a wide range of emotions throughout the call. He was so full of despair. He was also angry, angry enough to take revenge into his own hands. Thankfully his older brother helped him leave the murders in the Lord’s hands.<br /><br />Even in the midst of tragedy, there are some glimmers of hope. <br /><br />One shining ray of faith all of us share is that Timmy was born again a few years ago during his drug rehab treatment in Atlanta. He told his father and grandfather that one day during his rehab he got on his knees before God, admitted that he was a sinner and submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. For that decision we are all eternally thankful. Now, rather than just saying Timmy is gone, we can say Timmy is gone home to be with the Lord.<br /><br />Another spark of hope that has encouraged us was that Timmy was an organ donor. Even though Timmy was pronounced brain dead upon arriving at the hospital, his heart continued to beat for several hours. Thus, the medical team was able to put his body on life support in order to harvest some of his organs for transplant patients across the country. The medical team honored a request Timmy made years ago after a terrible traffic accident where 30% of his body was badly burned. Soon after that wreck he noted on his driver’s license he wanted his organs donated.<br /><br />Even in the midst of tragedy Timmy’s family can rejoice because…</div><ul><li><div align="justify">a 16-year old girl in Georgia was given a new hear</div></li><li><div align="justify">a 30-year old man in Tennessee was given a new lease on life</div></li><li><div align="justify">his stomach was given to a man in another part of the country</div></li><li><div align="justify">Timmy’s large intestines were given to a grandmother battling cancer</div></li><li><div align="justify">His corneas were donated to an 18-month old baby who could not see</div></li><li><div align="justify">His bones, ligaments, tissue and skin were donated to various hospitals across the country.</div></li><li><div align="justify">The only organs the transplant team could not use were his lungs because they had already started to fill with fluid</div></li></ul><p align="justify">My cousin tells me an entire team of doctors, surgeons and nurses were on hand with airplanes waiting as they received each of these organs. Additionally, a nurse from the organ transplant group in Atlanta remained with Timmy’s body through the autopsy performed by the police coroner. She wanted the family to know that someone was with Timmy’s body at all times during this life-giving process. Danny said it was ironic how thankful he was even in the midst of all this tragedy.<br /><br />I apologize for the graphic nature of today’s blog. I was compelled, however, to write this story in memory of Timmy and in honor of his life-giving donation to so many people. Yes, Timmy had his faults, foibles and sins. Don’t we all, though? The only difference between Timmy’s sins and many others was that they were so public.<br /><br />Are you an organ donor? Many years ago I noted on my driver’s license that I wanted to be an organ donor. It is easy to do. Organ donors are live-savers. Timmy wasted many years of his life on drugs. Those years can never be taken back, yet nothing about his life was wasted in his death. Even in his death, Timmy was a life-saver.<br /><br />To learn more about being an organ donor, <a href="http://www.organdonor.gov/donor/index.htm">click here</a>.</p>Pastor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01061141879262373167noreply@blogger.com5