My Writings. My Thoughts.
Today’s Ryan Rush Show: The President Throws Israel Under the Bus
// May 20th, 2011 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
If you’ve ever listened to my program, you know I’m not really a “ranter” – someone who just talks about how bad things are. In fact, I have taken heat for my insistence on not disparaging our political leaders. You can disagree with them, but you must respect them. His name is not “Obama” – it is “President Obama.” With that said, President Obama took an ominous step away from Israel in a speech yesterday. This move should trouble every American, every person who stands for human rights (including those of the Jew), and every individual who believes Genesis 12:3.
I mention on the program a full page ad that will be taken out in tomorrow’s Wall Street Journal to let Prime Minister Netanyahu know that millions of Americans stand with him. You can find a copy of that ad HERE: ISRAEL-AD-WSJ-JP-FINAL-5-18-11
I hope you’ll join me in praying for our President in the days ahead, praying for the situation in the Middle East, and praying for the peace of Jerusalem.
Today’s Ryan Rush Show: Should Economics Play a Factor in Having Kids?
// May 9th, 2011 // 2 Comments » // Uncategorized
The US Department of Agriculture estimates that the cost of raising a child tops $250,000 by the time they’re eighteen. We’re also discovering that there is a direct correlation between the downturn in the economy and the birth rates in the US. In other words, we are having fewer babies because we are having fewer dollars. Is this a dangerous trend? Interesting conversation. I’d be curious to hear your take.
One of the couples who weighed in was Ethan and Casey Jones – the parents featured on TLC’s “Quints by Surprise” reality show. They had their quintuplets just as the recession was hitting full swing, and they’ve made the sacrifices necessary to make it. If they can pay for all those diapers, what’s everybody else’s excuse?
A new season premiers tonight on TLC at 9PM Central. They’ve been very open about their faith in Christ – and their producer is my good friend Jonathan Nowzaradan. Check them out!
Chris Fabry Live
// March 5th, 2011 // No Comments » // Faith@Home, Ryan Rush Radio
As you might imagine, by now I’ve talked about the walls people face – and my book about Walls – hundreds of times before live and radio audiences. Yesterday was different. On Chris Fabry’s excellent daily radio program on the Moody Network, we took live calls nationally from people who were facing real walls. In several instances, you could almost feel the walls beginning to fall as we addressed the challenging issues they were facing.
What was different about this show?
- Chris Fabry is an incredible radio host. As the host of a daily show myself, I know how challenging it is to come through in such a personal way to one’s listeners. It has to, first and foremost, be genuine. Chris’s willingness to share about his own walls – and his own assessment at FaithBreakthroughs.com – was a blessing to me and to many.
I was scheduled to do a brief interview at 2PM Central, but that morning I got an email from their production staff stating that Chris really sensed that God was leading him to carry the subject over into two hours – something he stated on the program that he rarely does.
- I hate to say, “You had to be there,” but if you were listening you could actually sense the HOly Spirit working in the lives of the callers in an extraordinary way. And likewise, while there is no way to measure it, each call brought a sense that there were hundreds of other just like that caller who were receiving a special blessing by those testimonies.
Moments in ministry when you feel like God has taken over and said, “Step aside. I have some important work to do, and I’ll take this from here,” are extremely special. Thanks to Him, and for Chris Fabry’s sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading, yesterday’s show was one of those moments.
As it turns out, you didn’t have to be there! Chris puts all of his shows on podcast and you can check out Friday’s show by CLICKING HERE.
Walls and The Blessing
// January 28th, 2011 // 6 Comments » // Uncategorized
I spent yesterday in Colorado Springs in an extraordinary meeting. 20 leaders gathered in the conference room at Focus on the Family to discuss “The Blessing Challenge”: an exciting collaborative effort with the goal of giving 1,000,000 children the gift of a blessing. If you’re not familiar with the concept of The Blessing, it dates back to the very beginning of time. In Genesis 1:28, right after God made Man, the Scripture says, “He blessed them.” To offer a verbal blessing, an give affirmative touch, and to ascribe value to a life is something that can have a profound impact on the success or failure of a child’s ability to live a life of fulfillment and purpose.
More recently, Dr. John Trent wrote a bestselling book called The Blessing in 1993 along with Dr. Gary Smalley.
The book lays out clear instructions for giving – and receiving – a biblical Blessing. In a revised edition to be released this spring by Thomas Nelson, the book will also serve as the centerpiece of this national movement for sharing the importance of giving The Blessing.
The really exciting part? There is an unprecedented spirit of cooperation among competing publishers to make this happen. Thomas Nelson, Lifeway, Tyndale House, and Focus on the Family were all represented in the room – all committed to making this a major push in the days ahead. And Dr. Trent, the guy in the center of the vision, stood up in the midst of the meeting and said, “As I’ve looked back through the years at The Blessing, the one area we didn’t cover enough is what do do if you missed the blessing. I believe that is where Ryan Rush’s new book Walls takes a significant role in this project.”
As outlined in my new book to be released in February (AKA, NEXT WEEK!), walls are unhealthy mindsets that keep us from living the life God intended. Of course, these walls are invisible. But, as THe Blessing reminds us, these walls can also be inherited. That’s where the Faith Breakthrough becomes so important. With the biblical components of a Breakthrough anyone who has missed the power of a parental blessing can still walk in the blessing of God!
Earlier this week, I gathered for a prayer meeting with over 150 pastors from around Central Texas. I was asked to lead a prayer time surrounding the families of these leaders. We began by outlining the eight primary walls that people face, and then prayed specifically for the primary walls they were facing. Then, for the first time, I shared how the power of The Blessing can work for- or against – the Walls they were facing at home. After some very moving testimonies from guys who had never received such affirmation from their fathers, we gathered about twenty of the pastors who were present in the center of the room… and blessed them.
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that you cannot experience a Breakthrough without some measure of The Blessing. And you cannot fulfill the call of The Blessing without first overcoming the Walls that are separating you from this powerful, ancient principle. I’d encourage you to go out and pick up The Blessing and Walls – not just because I am shamelessly encouraging you to buy my book, but because I want you to read the chapter on “A Promise Shared” in Walls, and the chapter on “When a Child Misses the Blessing” in The Blessing. It’s amazing how these principles go hand in hand.
I’m honored to play a part in the exciting Blessing movement to come! But you don’t have to wait on the movement – make a point to bless those whom you influence this week.
Quick-Start Ideas for Connecting Church and Home
// October 21st, 2010 // No Comments » // Faith@Home
When people hear that Bannockburn is about connecting church and home, they often assume that means we’re all about parenting classes and marriage seminars. While those programs are GREAT and important, that’s not the substance of connecting church and home. Our vision is bigger than that: it is about making sure that what people know of Jesus at church is the same as the Jesus they realy know at home.
If you are in church leadership, the way to make that happen can seem overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! It’s about choosing “little wins” to help people begin to naturally live out their faith in real life. Consider trying one of these three “jump start” ideas right away:
- Home Discussion Guides: Offer a handout or section of your bulletin next Sunday featuring discussion questions related to the message. Challenge every household to set aside that day to walk through the application of the Scriptural principles that were discussed. Celebrate with those who did it the following week!
- “Man Huddles.” My friend Jim Weidmann challenges pastors to conclude the service every now and then with a “man huddle” down front – challenging the fathers to carry home a simple devotional tool for that week. This provides excitement and “peer pressure” for your congregation.
- The “Nine Minute Challenge”: Ask every household in your church to pray for nine minutes of uninterrupted, media-free time together with everyone for nine straight weeks. That may seem like a very low number, but we found this to be revolutionary in our church for many families. And once they set aside nine minutes, they wanted more!
Take the first step today in connecting church and home.
Praying for a “Miracle Well” in Guatemala
// September 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
In the poorest back-country of Guatemala sits a village of 2500 people who are desperate for life’s most simple commodity: clean water. The dirty river water that is brought in weekly is all they have, but it causing the 1000 children in the village unnecessary disease, and even premature death.
But thanks to the generosity of many around Central Texas this week, the children of Pueblo Modelo have hope for clean water. The power, deep water well, and structure necessary for this project is $65,000. That means your gift of $65 can provide one child clean water for the rest of his life, and literally transform a village for generations to come in the name of Jesus! In the past two days, the folks at KLGO radio have been gracious enough to offer their airtime for us to raise awareness of this need. And as of this evening, we have raised over $12,000 toward this well. That leads into this weekend, where a number of churches around Austin will partner together by collecting offerings on behalf of these children. I’m praying for a miracle, and I long to see the faces of these wonderful people as they enjoy a plentiful stream of clear water. Would you pray with me?
If you feel led to give to this “miracle well”, you can do so online by clicking here.
The Troubling Times in Israel… is Ezekiel 38 Happening Before Our Eyes?
// June 2nd, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Ryan Rush Radio, Uncategorized
The title of my message this Sunday is “All Eyes on Israel.” What is taking place right now in the Middle East has all appearances of a precursor to the events of Ezekiel 38 – a massive coalition that invades Israel, only to be defeated soundly by the Hebrew nation.
Joel Rosenberg has a remarkable blog about this today that demonstrates just how incredible the parallels really are – especially the unlikely involvment of Turkey.
What does this mean for us? From a concern point of view, we should pray for Israel and its leaders, as well as our own. If Israel is faced with war against everyone else, we want to be on the side of Israel. As one listener to the Ryan Rush Show pointed out yesterday, this is certainly worth a call to your Senators and Congressmen. Contact information to reach them is found here.
From a prophetic point of view, there is always reason for anticipation and excitement when prophecies are being fulfilled before our eyes. We don’t wish harm to anyone, but we are reminded that God’s promises are true. If He keeps His promises in the midst of Middle East conflict, He most certainly keep His promises to you!
In the meantime, we trust, pray, and share the Good News…
An Opportunity to Influence the Austin City Council…
// April 2nd, 2010 // No Comments » // Faith@Home, Ryan Rush Radio
Austin City Councilman Bill Spelman announced earlier today his intention to propose a new code requiring Pregnancy Centers in town to post a sign at their entrance indicating that they do not perform abortions. The argument is made that this is done in the interest of full disclosure. After seeing the vehement comments that have already been posted at the announcement on Statesman.com, I fear we may miss the opportunity to do something positive here.
Rather than automatically accusing the Councilman of an agenda to funnel women to abortion providers, why not respectfully request that the postings become effective for all pregnancy centers in town – regardless of position? That would be just fine with me. After all, it would remove the accusations that NARAL has made that pro-life centers are trying to trick women into choosing life or adoption, and provide a new opportunity for abortion providers to step up and be forthcoming about their own intentions. (By the way, I spoke with Councilman Spelman on the phone earlier, and he has agreed to call into the Ryan Rush Show on Tuesday or Wednesday and take your questions.)
Before you let the proposal ruin your weekend, I would recommend that you send a respectful email to Councilman Spelman – and perhaps the others on the Council – asking them to consider expanding the proposal to increase clarity for all women. Something along these lines:
Dear Councilman Spelman,
Thank you for all of the work you do on behalf of our city. I noticed today that you have submitted a proposal to the Council for a vote next week regarding signs at the city’s pregnancy centers who do not provide abortions. As you have stated, the signs would not be inflammatory in nature, and are not intended to be divisive, but instead are intended to provide clarity. Disclosure can certainly be a good thing – especially for those who are facing such a difficult situation. I want to ask you and other members of the Council to make one adjustment. Why not require such postings at all pregnancy centers, requiring clarity regarding their abortion services? That way, a woman could know at the entrance exactly where that center stands. A center that does provide abortions would have the same-sized signs stating simply, “This Center provides abortions or refers to abortion providers. This center also provide or refers to providers of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved birth control drugs and medical devices.”
As a supporter of area Crisis Pregnancy Centers, I believe that this could help to further enhance everyone’s understanding of the variety of clinics in the city. Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________
You can reach Councilman Bill Spelman online at this link. Before you get angry, consider the opportunity this may present. Have a great weekend!
This Just In… Family Devotions are Not the Answer.
// March 23rd, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Faith@Home
Maybe we’ve been telling people the wrong answer to success at home all along. Wouldn’t it be just like Americans to over-categorize our answer to the most pressing problem in our culture?
Deuteronomy 6 is an oft-quoted verse by many pro-family speakers – including myself. However, I must admit that we all might have taken some of these words a bit off the path of their original destination.
Verses six through nine of this dynamic chapter challenge the families of Israel as to how the wonderful book of the law should be used: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”(NKJV) In other words, the Word of God should be taught at all times!
Now, here’s where most of us take a bit of a wrong turn. I can almost hear myself tell a group of families, “Now, don’t you see? God is making it clear that we should have a specific time of family devotions every day in our homes! If it’s that important, shouldn’t we set aside a time every day to spend as a family in the Word?” While the PROMISE of that statement will always be very positive for any family, the PREMISE of it is not the content of those key verses of Scripture.
The Three Walls that Separate the Church
// March 22nd, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Church, Faith@Home
For the past five years, our church h has been connecting church life and home life using a process we call Faith Breakthroughs. A Faith Breakthrough is a turning point when a person intentionally moves beyond spiritual barriers to the blessings God has promised. There is no doubt that our walks with God were never intended to take place in one building on Sundays; yet a large proportion of American Christians find themselves stuck in their faith when it comes to real-life transformation.
The process of a Faith Breakthrough begins with identifying specific “walls” that are holding back the believer. These walls are barriers of unbelief that keep us from living the life God intended. Walls are not circumstances, as the Scripture makes it clear that Christ Followers overcame all sorts of circumstances. Instead, walls of unbelief take the shape of bad attitudes, unhealthy choices, and rebellious acts – all of which hold us back from the abundant life for which we were made. We’ve seen walls of resentment, of doubt, of anger, of greed, and many more.
We have also seen God tear those walls down, and He always uses the same weapon. Walls are built by unbelief, and walls are destroyed through a process of believing God’s promises!
