ryanmacdiarmid

ryanmacdiarmid added a text contribution What it really means to be sent
I have frequently asked myself will my following after Jesus mean someday end with the ultimate sacrifice of going overseas to a foreign culture on the front lines of the gospel. Certainly, if I was to go there that would be the ultimate sacrifice for the gospel. The picture that God paints to Ezekiel is very different then that. God says I'm not sending you to a foreign nation with a foreign tongue, because they would surely listen. I'm giving you a more difficult task. Go to your ow… Read more »
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ryanmacdiarmid added a text contribution Whether They Listen Or Not
God give Ezekiel a very clear call. One not predicated by it's outcome or it's result. Ezekiel is told to speak truth into the stubborn Israelite community. He knew from the beginning that this was an obstinate people. He was called to speak the truth anyway. Even though we would seemingly be ineffective. Only if I had the bold fiath and clarity of Ezekiel. Read more »
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ryanmacdiarmid added a text contribution A MAN OF GOD
The world can be full of confusing messages of Manhood, but Paul is pretty clear to young Timothy on what a MAN OF GOD is. May I be a man that FLEES the distractions and temptations of the world; passionately PURSUES the things that are lasting, the values of Jesus; FIGHTS against sin, distraction, discouragement, & despair; and TAKES HOLD with kung-fu ninja grip on the greatest gift I was ever given God Himself, through Jesus. Read more »
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ryanmacdiarmid added a text contribution Salt has flavor
Often the Christian life is defined by it's abstinence from the world and its values. The interesting thing about salt is it's potency, flavor, and utility. Salt could never be defined by it's absence, but it's presence. Salt brings flavor, salt brings preservation, salt brings utility. Too often Christians get defined by what they do not do, what they do not believe in, not by what they do, who they stand for. May we bring flavor, life, presence, & utility to this world.… Read more »
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ryanmacdiarmid added a text contribution World Giving
World giving is not really giving at all. The world gives with expectation, condition, and obligation. Even when bound by the tightest legal documents worldly giving is never a sure thing. Living in the world you learn to take all promises as prospect but never guarantees. This lack of confidence stems really from a lack of trust in the guarantor. The only way to assure worldly giving is with collateral, because apart from the accountability of collateral there is confidence the guarantor will… Read more »
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ryanmacdiarmid added a text contribution We the People
This is one of my favorite passages. We were once not a people now WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF GOD. I must never mistake role in this family or God, for programs, events, services, jobs. Church is not a place but a people. Read more »
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ryanmacdiarmid added a text contribution He will Come for Me
You know I don't like to focus my Christian faith on the future. The Lord has me living today, here and now for his purposes. I do not follow him because at the end of this life I will receive a free ticket to heaven. I follow him because he is my King and I his subject. I follow him because I want to be like him. However, there is something tremendously comforting about this passage that I don't often spend time pondering. I can not forget that he has prepared a place for me and li… Read more »
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ryanmacdiarmid added a text contribution Life Giving
This analogy of vine, branches, and life is so simple. I have heard it a million times over, but no truer words have been spoken of the Christian faith. Just this week I went out to my front yard and noticed that the tree on our front lawn hadn't blossomed in spring like all the others in the neighborhood. At first I attributed this to every tree blossoming in it's own time, but after weeks had gone by and still no leaves. I took a closer look. I grabbed one of the branches and it brok… Read more »
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