Ryan Ching January 30, 2016 at 07:53AM

We know, Lord, that the world will never cease to return hatred for love and violence for peace. Still we pray for the courage and confidence to walk in love and peace for the sake of those who have never known love or peace, for the sake of our own treacherous hearts. Amen. #commonprayer

Ryan Ching January 28, 2016 at 07:18AM

Lord, to laugh in the midst of trial and to rejoice in the darkest valley is another way of saying, “Our hope is in you.” Fill us with laughter and joy while we work for peace and strive for justice. Amen. #commonprayer

Ryan Ching January 27, 2016 at 09:34PM

It's kinda funny now that I think about it...Everyone tonight at small group is talking about their job and their kids and I'm talking about my dog and postmodernism. #awkward #ineedalife #ineedawife

Ryan Ching January 27, 2016 at 02:22AM

"I want to be so caught up in God’s love that I stop thinking about myself. And I want to be surrounded by a community of people with the same focus, a community that builds each other up in love." #judahsmith #lifeis #churchis #whatislove #thatswhatiwant

Ryan Ching January 22, 2016 at 08:14AM

Lord, we all suffer varying degrees of blindness. We are blind to love, to justice, to grace, and to life. Help us not to condemn one another in our blindness, but rather to work together to help one another see more clearly by your light. Amen. #commonprayer

Ryan Ching January 21, 2016 at 06:59AM

Enlighten the eyes of our hearts, O Lord, so we may not only see and receive your mercy but also notice the places in our world where you call us to extend mercy. Amen. #commonprayer

Ryan Ching January 16, 2016 at 05:44AM

Lord, as humans we are always moving closer to death. Each morning is a reminder that our lives are fleeting gifts. But as your children, we are also always moving toward life. May this morning remind us that we are one day closer to the life that lasts forever. Amen. #commonprayer

Ryan Ching January 15, 2016 at 09:02AM

Lord, as we wake from another night’s slumber, we are reminded that your dreams are given to us and not merely conjured up by our imaginations. Help us understand both that your dreams come at a price and that their rewards are immeasurable. Amen. #commonprayer #ihaveadream

Ryan Ching January 12, 2016 at 06:49AM

Though you are worthy of trumpets and the song of angels, you graciously receive our daily prayers of whispered words and mundane habits. Enable us, Lord, to love you with all that we are and in all that we do. Teach us how we might truly pray without ceasing. May we sense you every moment: and make our whole life a prayer. #commonprayer

Ryan Ching January 05, 2016 at 08:13PM

"Until we realize we are loved, it’s tough—probably impossible—to truly love." — Judah Smith #whatislove #lifeis #tobelovedandtolove #loveoneanother

Ryan Ching January 01, 2016 at 10:40AM

If I had to look back in review of the year past, I'd wonder: why the heck would I wait so long to assess what's been going on, rather than being fully present in and actively learning from every moment as each one comes? But then, does the culmination of events from the entire year tell me anything revelatory at all? Have I finally arrived somewhere after a year of wandering on my own? And if I haven't, does that mean it's been another year of struggle, in anguish and alone, completely done in vain? Well, it doesn't and I haven't and, yes, it has been quite the struggle. Yet, even though I feel I haven't made much headway ― perhaps, even losing ground in some aspects ― I feel like I am exactly where I need to be, and yes, there is something just beyond the horizon. I can't yet see it, but I know it's there. Though I still find myself troubled by the same questions from year's past (i.e., what is love, what is the church, why can't I ever remember where I put stuff, where did everyone go, etc.), I don't expect quick, easy answers to these or any other issues that may be on the fringe. I don't expect all the loose ends to tie together nicely over a year's time ― or maybe even a lifetime. It is there in our acceptance of and reliance on the simple solutions and pat answers from the past ― the "that's the way it's been done before" ― that gets us into a lot of trouble. And though there's something we can perhaps build upon and learn from, more importantly, there's something we need to learn not to do ― and that's to build upon something that's not working. Using yesterday's formulas on today's problems further complicates the mess we're in. Adding swag to a system that's broken doesn't fix things, as having a latte with a pile a poo doesn't make things more palatable. "Why reinvent the wheel?" some might say. But the problem with that is, we've seen where those roads lead. They aren't going to take us where we need to go. Where are we going in 2016? Wherever the truth takes me, wherever love leads, wherever God guides, I will go. I hope you will join me. And just a warning: He doesn't use roads. #yearinreview #whatislove #whatisthechurch #deconstruction