Monday, October 29, 2007

Results!

Hi everyone!

Well, I have some wonderful news. Ryan is not home, but he will be soon! The judge was fair, sincere, and kind. We got a chance to observe him in several cases before he got to Ryan's, and it was actually a really cool experience. There was one case that made everyone in the courtroom cry. I would love to write about it, but I know a lot of you are anxious to know what happened. Maybe I'll save that for another time.

So basically, they were sentencing Ryan for two different charges from 2002 that have been on hold while he's been locked up in Tennessee. Both charges carry 8-10 month sentences, and the judge back then ruled that they were to be served consecutively, meaning a total of 16-20 months in prison. It is basically unheard of for a judge to overturn another judge's ruling, but that is exactly what happened today. The judge is allowing Ryan to serve the two sentences concurrent with one another, meaning that depending on the amount of time they will credit him from what he served in 2002 and what he's served since he's been there this time, he will only have to serve between three and seven more months. Yea!!! It's been such a happy day.

The officer who was taking Ryan in and out of the court room asked him as he was walking back out into the hallway, "Do you believe in God?" Ryan said, "Yes, sir." And the officer said, "Well, good, because you just witnessed a miracle. I've been in that court room for years, and I have never seen him do what he just did. Never."

Praise God. Thank you for your prayers! Now pray for three months instead of seven. :-)

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Ryan's Court Date.

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to ask a quick favor. Most of you know Ryan, or at least know of him. Tomorrow (Monday), he is going up before a judge in North Carolina to find out if he will be released and paroled to Tennessee, or if he will have to do up to a year and a half more time there. He has been locked up since September 2003.
Please be praying for him, and that the judge will allow him to come home. It's not likely, but anything is possible at this point. Most of all, please be praying that we will all be at peace with whatever happens. God's timing is always perfect, even when we don't understand it (or like it very much ).
I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for praying.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Embracing Accusation.

My friend Bryan let me listen to a song a few weeks ago called "Embracing Accusation" by Shane & Shane. As he shared its meaning with me, I knew that it was a profound song. And I listened to it once or twice. Today, I listened to it again. And this time, I really listened. I couldn't suppress my tears or my smile as I listened to these powerful words. So of course, I wanted to share it with you guys.

I will try and give you a general overview. The Bible calls Satan the "father of lies," because he does everything he can to draw us away from God. This song in particular is talking about how Satan tries to weigh us down under the guilt of our sin by reminding us how worthless we are and crippling us with self deprication when we fail. But there is truth in this lie. We are unworthy. We have failed. But here's the good news - the part that Satan leaves out: there is freedom in Christ. Jesus has taken our place and offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to cover the cost of our sins. God is not a God of guilt. He does not want us to live in shame. He desires that we live in the abiding joy that his grace and mercy bring.

Anyway, the song is on my page. So turn your speakers up, close your eyes (or read along with the lyrics below), and enjoy. I hope it means as much to you as it did to me. Thanks for sharing it, Bryan.

the father of lies
coming to steal, kill, and destroy
all my hopes of being good enough
I hear him saying cursed are the ones
who can't abide
he's right
alleluia he's right

the devil is preaching
the song of the redeemed
that I am cursed and gone astray
I cannot gain salvation
embracing accusation

could the father of lies
be telling the truth
of God to me tonight
if the penalty of sin is death
then death is mine
I hear him saying cursed are the ones
who can't abide
he's right
alleluia he's right

the devil is preaching
the song of the redeemed
that I am cursed and gone astray
I cannot gain salvation

oh the devil's singing over me
an age old song
that I am cursed and gone astray
singing the first verse so conveniently
over me
he's forgotten the refrain
Jesus saves!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

A poor attempt to describe the inexplicable.

I just listened to an amazing woman tell the story of how God drew her to him, and I find myself sitting here quite speechless, yet with the need to attempt to express some of the musings with which my spirit is currently overwhelmed.

God is amazing. It seems a trite statement, perhaps, but it is all that I can say. His supremacy and his sovereignty are beyond my limited human comprehension. Every once in awhile we are allowed to see just a glimpse of how he works all things together for his good, and these tiny windows of insight are enough to baffle our minds.

God, you are good, perfect, and worthy of more praise than we can give and infinitely more glory than we can try to reflect. We are all destitute before you. I desperately cry out for your guidance, knowing that I have not the wisdom nor the determination to make the choices I should. Lord, let me be a faithful servant. The best deeds I could ever hope to accomplish would still be but filthy rags, and I thank you that because of your grace, they need not be more than that - a meager attempt at an offering to you. Thank you for your mercy and love that has spared us the dues of our actions. Thank you for making it possible for us to have a relationship with you, and thereby experience the only true joy and peace we could ever hope to know. Thank you for seeing each of us, laid bare with all our weaknesses exposed, and lavishing your pure and perfect love upon us.

You are too marvelous for words. Forgive my poor attempt. Teach me to love you, and to love those whom you love.