See Ya 2011 Welcome 2012

As we move through the rest of 2011 today there are many things that come to mind. Times of greatness, times of sadness, but most of all I am reminded about the protection and grace of God everyday. No matter how 2011 unfolded it's pages it was like each and every page had a copyright mark on it that said Copyright Elohim. Like no matter what the pages of 2011 had written on them they had to go through the author before it could be published. How amazing is that...!!!!! No matter what this year desired to throw at me and or you it had to go through God first. That shows me that no matter what 2011 threw at me I knew I could handle, although there are times when we feel like giving up because its too hard we must turn to the bottom of the page where God puts His finger print on the page of your life. It gives a different perspective on living day to day for sure. As I move into 2012 there are a lot of changes going on that at times seem scary yet rewarding. Choices have been made and I believe they are the best decisions for this stage in my life. 2012 will bring new successes but before the success there is always a challenge. The challenge is nothing to crush and destroy us but to form us into something better. To bring us to another level of our lives, isn't it interesting when you think of life as a practice field that never ends. I remember very clearly football practice everyday, though it was fun it also sucked on many levels. :) It was hard and it was tiring at points feeling like giving up and quitting because you were so angry at what you were forced to do. Hmmm sounds familiar..., God why do I have to do this? I don't wanna! I bring this all up to remind myself and those who read this that 2012 will not be easy, but it will be rewarding if we stay the course. The great part is that we have comfort even if we take a detour along the way God is always faithful to put us back on the right road for a successful year.

So what do we have to say to 2012? BRING IT!!! :) We can do this, not alone though! We have to do this together! So gather up all you have been given and let's work together to build a year to remember. 2011 is honestly a year I will never forget! NEVER! I learned a lot this past year, some good, some not so good. But I learned! That is the major difference, people will just ride the bus through life without picking up the lessons along the way. If that is the case you are wasting your life away. The lessons of life are meant to gather and store forever, so you will not only not make the same mistakes again, but now you have a testimony to assist others in situations you have been through. So gather the lessons of 2011 put them in the chest of life and take on 2012 like it's the last year you will ever have to celebrate! What do you want to accomplish in 2012? Figure it out, write it out and plan it out! Make this year count!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Merry Christmas

I want to write tonight and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. As Christmas comes upon us it is amazing to sit back and recollect on my thoughts of the season. Even for me a lot of the times I don't sit back and think I am grateful for God sending His Son for us. It is more like ok what shopping list do I have and have I started yet... It is amazing how far we have gone from the reason for the season. We all say it every year, but never truly act on it...So this year I am going to really look at what can I do to show the Love of God this Christmas season in a way that will honor Him. There is nothing wrong with gift giving and celebration, I love that part my kids eyes so excited to see the gifts under the tree. It is amazing, but we have to be careful to give honor to whom honor is due. So I ask you what will you do this Christmas season to show that it is more than just about the toys and gifts...?  I will post later this week when Em and I decide what we will do. Our hearts are for the nations so we will see.

The step of faith is always the hardest.

As I come to my last week at SGS I look at the opportunity that is before me, and like any natural person the security of where you are tries to discourage the doors opened before you. I know there is purpose in what lies ahead. I look at all that has happened in the last four months and I see something some may not see. I see God's hand in it all. Lately I have been able to really step outside my current situations and gauge life as if I was an innocent bi-stander and I can say I'm going in the right direction. I can see the bridges mending together that were damaged and the lines of communication that were down are back up again. I see friendships growing and new ones being built. Purpose, and love are at hand and I feel more comfortable with the steps ahead of me. There is much to do in the months ahead but I know the path I am standing on leads in the right direction. That feeling of ok I'm doing everything I can to prepare and mend bridges is enough security for me to follow through. His hands will secure me His voice will guide me. 

Is Survival an Option?

Here is a blog from my heart, a guy who lives every day to accomplish something before the next day arrives. This is not coming from a Pastor's mind or a person who is a great spiritual leader etc, this is coming from me, Ryan Peters. Too often people expect pastors to be people who do not mess up who do not live life in the same world as others do, but that's not true. We are temped just as much if not more, we screw up prob just as much hopefully not more :). But the fact is we are human and have all the feelings anyone else would run into. So I say all this to ask a question; is survival an option? We go through so much in life whether it be our careers, our goals and dreams, our families, and our spouses. Wherever we live we are fighting a battle, and the victor of the battle is often decided by who ever has the most stamina and patience to hold out to the end. You say Ryan it would be so much easier to call it quits and move on and past that career goal, to move on beyond the relational struggle and call it quits and start somewhere else. But I ask is that really what you want to do? I would venture to say no that really is not what you desire to do in life. What the problem is-is that you are tired and get in moods where fighting doesn't seem like something you can do any longer. So is survival an option for you? Are you willing to hold on to that dream and not let go no matter how tired you are? Are you willing to hold on and nurture that relationship and continue to give it all you have to make survival not an option but the only thing?  It is easy to look at other people though and say oh friend just stay strong it will get better. When in all reality the person you are talking to is saying would you shut up and just be there for me. :) There is hope friends no matter what it is you are going through. Don't give up on your dreams because the road is bumpy and doesn't seem to be going in the right direction. Hold on tight and think about what you can do to make your career more profitable and enjoyable. Hold on to that relationship and be proactive in making it not only survive but thrive in the world we are in. No matter what we do we have to try and keep our heads up because there are a lot of people out there watching us and they will be effected by how we react to certain situations in life.
I myself have been going through some trials in life. Not everything I am a part of is perfect, not everything I am I am working towards is easy. But what I can say is I am extremely (here is a word I learned from my friends in Davao) MAKULIT it means stubborn in Tagalog. But I am extremely stubborn and will fight to victory no matter what it takes. One of the aspects of life I am going through right now is I am in the middle of a job change. It is extremely bitter sweet. I am excited to be able to move in to a position and do something I love and will get paid a wage that I can support my family on. I cannot wait when it comes to that, but with every opportunity there is always a challenge just as big to overcome. I am leaving a job that I love now and friends that I have acquired over the last two years. I believe that things happen for a reason and the people I have met and built relationships with were for a reason and this does not mean the end but a new avenue to connect on. To be honest it sucks, I am not excited about leaving the people I have grown so close to. This is something I do not often talk about because you often look weak in the eyes of people when you say this stuff but it is true. I have built a friendship with my boss that has been beneficial in many ways. I have build relationships with people who at one point said I was on their sh!t list. :) I have also built relationships with our team in Davao all of them over there are great my heart go out to the people of Davao. I love them all so much and I know that there was a reason I met you all and will continue relationships with you all. I know for sure that there is a reason I had the opportunity not only to work with you but to meet and hang out with all of you. Although it would be alright if I never had to see John dance ever again. :) But in all honesty is it extremely hard leaving those relationships that I have daily. And I don't want to do it to be honest. But I know this is a season in my life where the snow is melting and a new season is upon us so like the weather I will walk in to the change of the wind and say to myself there is no question on whether survival is an option, because I know that I am blessed and walking in His presence He will guide me in to rivers of plenty and to the direction my family and I need to follow. So is survival an option not it is not an option it is the only thing.
You can survive anything in life if you are willing to live longer than the opponent. I once talked to a Pastor who was complaining about his church and he told me Ryan there are a few options, kick the ones causing trouble out, resign, or out live them... how true you must out live your demon and gain the victory. So if you are battling yourself, your job or your spouse remember you can survive and thrive. With your job think of ways you can gain happiness, with yourself just shut up and get over it :) with your spouse work together to find peace and excitement once again. Victory is not for quitters but for the bold and strong at heart. Be strong and know that failure isn't an option!

We are different...

There are many scriptures, events and circumstances in life that often prove this to be so true. Men are different than women in many ways beyond the physical. I started reading a book again written by John Elderidge "Wild at Heart", this is a book that confronts how the world is forcing men to become a person without a backbone and at his core be a sissy. And yet this is not how God has created us as men. He has created men and boys to be different, not to be delicate but to be rough and adventurous creatures. You hear it all the time oh men you will never understand the woman's heart and mind, I think the same is true with women they will never really understand the heart of men. That's why society said it would be easier to try and change it to what they think they want the man's heart to be.
What goes on in a man's mind and heart? What are the topics men think about and desire to be...? Yes ladies we think about more than sex, there is something inside of us that craves danger, that desires to be on top of the world and master whatever we put our hands to. Now that I am a father of four boys I see it more than ever! My boys all four of them love to fight and wrestle with who ever they can. It is something I as a child will never forget wrestling with my dad and my grandfathers. My boys are the same way, they love to explore the excitement of danger and adventure. Just yesterday they were misbehaving while I was at a men's breakfast and my wife was disciplining them and my oldest turns around and says "I'm moving out! I love Santa more mom...I am going to move into the woods for 7 weeks.I will invite you over but I'm moving out." Oh how I knew one day I would reap what I sowed. :) The heart of a six year old boy yearning for independence and freedom! Wanting to go in to the adventure of the woods and eat off the land. I had to laugh when my wife told me this story yesterday because I knew it would come and was ready (for the most part). I got home and they were tough guys until I walked in the door. They learned their lesson after being on the porch for an hour in the cold... man life with mom and dad isn't so bad right now. But after these events yesterday it made me think a little more on how we as men were created and how do we learn to mend and mingle with the ladies. Because we do not want to be push overs but also do not want to be abrasive and untouchable. I think if the woman would attempt to understand the wildness of a man's true heart and men would understand the delicateness of the women's heart we could accomplish more together. We men screw up and ruin a lot but in life it is something we need to be able to do. Take that risk, give it our all, and shoot for the stars. If we miss at least we have a story to share for the rest of our lives.
I begin this series of writings on how we are different so maybe someone will read this and understand us a little bit more. Please know we will screw things up! I guarantee it! But we always make a way to fix it and try to rectify the situations. We do not do it to try and upset people but to live out a dream of freedom and adventure in the belief that we can do it! So if you stay by our side and support us and remind us that you are delicate and need the attention and love this can be a ride like no other! One of adventures, failures, and much success, but overall one that we will never forget!

Hmmmm... Peace it sounds good....

I want to talk about a word that came up today in service, that completely changed the events that happened. The word is peace, it is a word that everyone knows about but few experience. As I was thinking about the people in the congregation and those I am in contact with outside the church, and how many  were going through tough times in their lives it came to me that we above all should know peace on a daily basis. Yet too often we do not know peace, all we know is complaining, whining about this and that in life. Oh this is going wrong and that is going wrong, but why is it that we say we serve a God that is bigger than the boogy man but can't handle the stress I myself am placing on my life. The bible says in Ephesians 2: 14 says For He himself is our peace! He is our peace, well in word I guess we can say He is. Most people will say of God you are my all in all, and I would walk a thousands miles for you but to trust you with what I am going through, not happening.  It gives a reality check of who really is in control of your life, because if all we are doing is whining and complaining, it is obvious that God is not in control. It goes on to say in Ephesians that Christ is the Chief Corner Stone of the building, of our lives, yet many want to only live with Christ when it suits their lifestyle. The building never stands without the chief corner stone. Same is true with our lives, we can never experience peace in our lives without the peace that passes all understanding Jesus Christ. I do not say this to condemn anyone but to encourage you that Christ never asks for you to be perfect that is why he died for you. What I am saying is that if we get back to our first love which was Christ we can experience the truth of peace in our lives. I am making a path for Christ to be the one and only one I serve so I may know peace in all circumstances, the free gift many often neglect.

~Ryan

It's a Day of Thanksgiving!

As we move in to a day filled with family, friends, football, and well of course food, we must be careful to remember what this day has been set aside for. To give thanks for all of the blessings in our lives, large and small. I am reminded as I think of this day of the things that really matter in life, that being relationships. You know materialistic possessions fade and loose value over time, but true relationships are something that should never fade but grow in love, trust and depth. I am thankful for the many relationships God has blessed me with! First off my wife and family, I have been blessed with an amazing wife that is awe striking in many ways, she is understanding and forgiving... ( a must to still be married to me...lol.), and completely supportive of all of my dreams and visions in life. I am thankful for my children yes all 7 of them...jk all 6 of them. From the oldest to the youngest they have all blessed my life, no matter what we have gone through as a family and through the wonderful learning experiences we have had the kids have always greeted me at the door when I come home and when I leave in the morning they wave and blow me kisses. I am grateful that I have a family that I can come home to every day and know that there is always someone there with unconditional love. I am also thankful for extended family, these are wonderful people that accept you for who you are and love you even if you do not see them for years on end because of the miles between you. True relationships, family, and love have no boundaries, no mileage can stop a true relationship from existing. We have had the opportunity of seeing some family members this year more often than we have in the last 8 years.

 It has been a great year, and I have so much to be thankful for! I had the opportunity to travel the world and make friends 8,000 miles away that opened my eyes to a real joy in life even when you may not make a lot of money and or have all the stuff we often will judge one's success by. There was a genuine joy that I noticed in people, this opened my eyes how materialistic mindsets can skew our way of life negatively to always deserve the next best thing. When in all reality the next best thing may be sitting right next to you, or be a phone call away. I say all this to encourage you to be thankful for more than just your BMW or your new computer, or jewelry, but to look at the things in life that bring real joy. Things are good if you can keep yourself humble, believe me I can't wait to be able to buy a new truck and boat. But keep your head on straight and do not over look the real blessings in life, family friends, and faith. 

Which brings me to the next thing I am thankful for, my faith in Christ. There is a scripture that comes to mind when I think of thanksgiving, it is Philippians 4:6-7 it is one that speaks volumes to people's lives as they battle not only stress and fears, but our daily lives are filled with busyness and trials.

Philippians 4:6-7

^"6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ^7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Be anxious for nothing, but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving! Basically saying hey why are you worried? Don't be worried! Something I like to say a lot is "no worries" because in the grand scheme of life what we are currently going through or worried about doesn't have much weight in the big picture. But in this time of thanksgiving we must remember that we are to come to God with our prayers, but not only come to Him with our prayers but come in an attitude of thanksgiving. Believing what you are coming to Him for He will take care of like a good Father. Come expecting is something we need to start doing, are we coming just for a pity party or are we coming for solutions? I come for solutions, so I come expecting my life to be fixed and better after meeting with Him . I come with thanksgiving because I know if I screwed it up only God can fix it. lol . So I challenge you this thanksgiving to look at your life and what you have to be thankful for beyond your materialistic possessions, and truly see who you have to be thankful for. Always remember that Christ is there for you and we are to come with prayers, supplication, and with thanksgiving!

So as we come to this day of thanksgiving I am looking forward to saying thank you to my Father in heaven for all that He has blessed me with! To all my family and friends I love you all and am sooo thankful that you are in my life! You have blessed me with a life that I will never forget! 

A Comeback to Remember

Did you ever wonder how sport teams gather the adrenaline and tenacity to comeback from what seemed to be a sure defeat? Have you ever sat in your chair and said to yourself, I might as well just quit it's not worth it I am too far behind; we are losing by too much! Then that weekend you watch an amazing game of a team being down 43-0 and find a way to come back in the second half and win the game. Sitting there you think to yourself "God why can't I come back like this... why can't my life rebound like this team. Most of them don't even believe in you let alone serve you." I want to just say a couple things quickly today about a comeback to remember. I have come to find out that life is not always fun and rarely is it ever easy, but we need to stay focused on what we truly desire in life. There are so many road blocks and distractions along the way that can deter us from the goal. The odd thing about the distractions along the way in the purest sense are not usually a sin and or negative but it's that slow fade we allow to creep in along the path that deters us from the real desire to serve God and follow the original mapped out journey. This can lead to a difficult detour in life that if not caught in due season can be years of retracing your steps to get back on the right path. Yet with Christ all things are possible and with Christ all things can be brought into subjection of the cross, no matter how distracted in life you have been and or allowed yourself to get, know that the greatest sports comeback in history has no match for Christ's ability to rebound you right back in right standing with Him and His purpose for your life.
Every Sunday I ask my church questions so they can evaluate where they stand towards the Word. I will do the same today... are you on the right path? Or have you allowed the distractions and slow fades of life to pull you astray from where God desires you to be? Are you in need of a major comeback? Are you in need for the grace of God that can wash away all of the areas of your life where you would rather not talk about? He is able to set you free from all the dirt in life and place you right back in the game! Jesus said it Himself,

^{Luke 4:18}

 “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,

       Because He has anointed Me
      To preach the gospel to the poor;
      He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
      To proclaim liberty to the captives
      And recovery of sight to the blind,
      To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

So no matter what road you are on right now friend, God is able to bring you back! To bring you back to a place where you are moving forward not backwards! Take the invitation to be on the right team once again! We have all fallen short and screwed up along the way, what matters is how you finish not necessarily how you start. 

May God Bless You!

Pastor Ryan Peters

Faithfulness

Faithfulness, A lady once asked John Wesley that suppose he were to know that he would die at 12:00 midnight tomorrow, how would he spend the intervening time. His reply: “Why madam, just as I intend to spend it now. I would preach this evening at Gloucester, and again at five tomorrow morning; after that I would ride to Tewkesbury, preach in the afternoon, and meet the societies in the evening. I would then go to Rev. Martin’s house, who expects to entertain me, talk and pray with the family as usual, retire to my room at 10 o’clock, commend myself to my heavenly Father, lie down to rest, and wake up in Glory.”  True faithfulness stays the course!


I ask you if you value faithfulness as you should? What does true consistency mean to you? I pray that the words of Christ would reign in your life, in a way that would cause people to realize there is a different spirit in you working for the glory of God!




Pastor Ryan Peters

2011 Theme

Interesting study on fulfillment. It has been something on my heart quite a bit lately, and I believe this is going to be the theme of 2011. The year of fulfillment. Fulfillment is a great aspect of life for something to come to fulfillment something must end... maybe it is a struggle you have had trying to get somewhere in life that is going to be fulfilled...? Meaning it is time for the struggling to end and the peace to begin. I am excited for 2011 for it brings much hope and peace to a year's past that was of much struggle and survival. But I believe 2011 will be a fulfilling Year!

We still believe that God has a grand plan in 2011 to unfold to His people! Stand strong in the gap where God has you for the mighty plan and purpose he has for you will unfold as you listen and obey His words!

Flying beyond ourselves!

<sup>It has been a while since my last blog, mainly due to the busyness life has enthralled itself with. I wanted to leave a quick word here today as I prepare for a funeral. All of life has choices attached to outcomes. This is not saying you have a choice to everything that happens to you, what it is saying is even when something tragic happens we have the choice on how we will deal with the circumstance. I encourage you today to reach out and fly beyond yourself to handle the situation with the grace of God, peace in your heart, and love on your mind! The scripture below speaks of how we are made complete in His will. If you search the scriptures about God's will you will find that the mysteries of God have been made known. So I ask when is the last time you spoke with Him about your life, and His will? Take some time today and reach out to Him! 




Hebrews 13: 20-21
20</sup> Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ^21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.