Category: ambition

• REFRESHING MY SOUL

  

  I need to rest. This is an everyday truth for me. But it is hard to rest because I have so much to do each and every day. How will I get everything done if I take time to rest? Who will take up the slack, especially in a busy season of life? These are […]

  Ryan Stratton

  06/12/2022

  ambition, belonging, calling, career, Christian Life, Christianity, glory to God, God’s grace, Life, ministry, pastor, remember, renewal, rest, Sabbath, Truth, uncategoried

  burnout is real, loving God, loving my family, refreshing my soul, signs of burnout, time to rest

• Asking the Right Question

  We have all been at crossroads and have to figure out which path to take that will be the best for your life. Some of the questions we ask are, “Which way does God want me to go?”, “How do I know if I make the right choice?”, “What is the best option for me […]

  Ryan Stratton

  11/06/2020

  ambition, anxiety, beauty, belief, believe, belonging, Bible, challenge, Challenges, character, Christian Life, Christianity, church, disciples, faith, faithful, God, God’s grace, God’s promises, good news, Holy Spirit, journaling, journey, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, miracles, mission, motivations, pain, passion, patience, peace, possibilities, Prayer, prayer life, questions, repentance, resurrection, revival, temptations, testimony, thankful, transformation, trials, trust, Truth, uncategoried, Worry, Worship, writing, youth ministry

  Asking the right questions, Christian life, Christian living, faith in Christ, God has a plan, God is already there. trust God, God is with us, God is with you, God loves you, Jesus changes everything, journey of life, know God, live by faith, power of the Holy Spirit, way of life

• I Don’t Want to Return to “Normal”

  Last Sunday, I preached on the leadership qualities found in 1 Peter 5. During the course of the sermon, I mentioned how people are desiring to return back to “normal.” Here is what I said: “What I hear people say they are ready for things to get back to “normal”, what they are saying is […]

  Ryan Stratton

  05/22/2020

  ambition, beauty, belief, belonging, bible, Christian Life, Christianity, church, disciples, faith, God, God’s grace, good news, gospel, holy life, Jesus, Jesus Christ, leadership, Life, Love, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, mission, possibilities, renewal, writing, youth ministry

  compassionate life, hindsight is 2020, Jesus, living new normal, normal Christian life, normal life, the great realization, way of life, what is God doing?, work of God

• Leaders Are Learners

  We are well into the new year. How’s it going for you? Are you feeling productive, or do you feel as if you are in the same routine, the same way of thinking, feeling like nothing as changed except the numbers on the calendar? I would like to offer this question, “If, for you, everything […]

  Ryan Stratton

  02/15/2019

  ambition, believe, challenge, Christian Life, church, example, facing challenges, faith, God, God’s grace, gospel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, leadership, learn, learning, legacy, Life, methodism, methodist, mindset, priorities, renewal, transformation, Truth, writing, youth ministry

  change comes from God, improving ourselves, Leaders are learners, leaders are readers, making lasting change, new year resolutions, spiritual transformation, what to learn first

• Convincing Arguments

  

  Click here to read Acts 26. When was the last time you tried to convince another person (not family or friend) about coming around to your way of thinking? How did it go? I love talking with sales people. They really know their stuff, and you can tell the ones who are passionate about their […]

  Ryan Stratton

  12/12/2017

  ambition, Apostle Paul, belief, bible, character, Christian Life, Christianity, church, confession, conflict, controversy, devotionals, disciples, evangelism, example, faith, God, God’s grace, good news, gospel, grace, Holy Spirit, humanity, invitation, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Lord, Love, memory, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, mission, pastor, preach, preaching, proclaiming Christ, revival, trials, trust, Truth, uncategoried, Worship, writing, youth ministry

  Acts 26, Apostle Paul, book of Acts, closing arguments, convincing arguments, giving your testimony, God’s grace is incredible, new chances through grace, passion for Christ, perception of reality, sharing our faith

• Holy Interruptions

  

  Click here to read Acts 9:1-20. We have all had those days. Days when we are so focused on completing our job that we do not pay much attention to anything else around us. It can be very easy for “workaholics” to be so engrossed in the day to day tasks and work that we […]

  Ryan Stratton

  07/07/2017

  ambition, Apostle Paul, belief, believe, bible, challenge, character, Christian Life, Christianity, church, controversy, conversion, devotionals, disciples, glory to God, God, God’s promises, good news, gospel, grace, holy life, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, leadership, Life, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, pastor, Prayer, preach, priorities, relationships, repent, resurrection, revival, transformation, trust, Truth, uncategoried, Work, worship, writing, youth ministry

  Acts 9:1-20, Apostle Paul conversion, book of Acts, Christ getting your attention, Colossians 3:17, give praise to Jesus Christ, holy interruptions, life in line with Christ, road to Damascus, work for the glory of God

• Not For Sale

  

  Click here to read Acts 8:5-25. When you go to a garage sale, one of the first questions asked is “how much is _______?” We want to know how much it is going to cost us to get what we want. There is a sweet couple who grow produce in their garden. The husband refuses […]

  Ryan Stratton

  06/30/2017

  ambition, Apostle Peter, belief, bible, Christian Life, Christianity, church, control, devotionals, disciples, Ephesians, eternal life, evangelism, example, faith, gift, God, God’s grace, good news, gospel, grace, Holy Spirit, humanity, humble, hypocricy, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, miracles, motivations, power, praise, repent, spiritual growth, trust, uncategoried, Worry, worship, writing, youth ministry

  book of Acts, devotional, Ephesians 2:8, following Jesus, gift of grace, God paid the price, God’s grace is free, God’s great love for us, motivations for joining, power of the Holy Spirit, revelation of God

• Beyond Jealousy

  

  Click here to read the passage for today: Acts 5:17-42 CEB. Jealousy. We all get jealous at times. Sometimes we don’t even want to admit we feel this emotion. Jealousy, when left unchecked, causes us to act in irrational and hurtful ways. Oh, we want to feel excitement for the accomplishments and gifts of other […]

  Ryan Stratton

  05/26/2017

  ambition, apostles, bible, character, Christian Life, Christianity, church, community, control, devotionals, disciples, faith, faults, freedom, gifts, giving thanks, glory to God, God, God’s grace, Golden rule, good news, gospel, grace, happiness, Holy Spirit, humility, Image of God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, leadership, Life, Love, maturity, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, motivations, praise, priorities, Relationships, repent, success, thankful, trust, Truth, uncategoried, writing, youth ministry

  Acts 5:39, book of Acts, finding joy in other people success, gifts of the Holy Spirit, knowing our own flaws, letting go of jealousy, made in the image of God, praising God, praying for others, presence of God, stop fighting God, Ten Commandments

• SENT OUT: to Follow

  

  What do you seek? Why are you Christian? Why do you go to the church you attend? When was the last time you thought about the consequences to following Jesus? Do you really like to be a follower? Or, would we rather be the one(s) in charge and receive the glory and recognition? Last week we […]

  Ryan Stratton

  01/20/2017

  ambition, anxiety, apostles, beauty, belief, believe, Christian Life, Christianity, church, compassion, confession, daily devotinals, devotionals, disciples, eternal life, evangelism, example, faith, faithful, glory, glory to God, God, God’s grace, good news, gospel, Gospel of John, grace, holy life, holy living, Holy Spirit, invitation, Jesus, Jesus Christ, leadership, Life, Love, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, pastor, peace, people, perfection, power, Prayer, reconciliation, relationships, religion, renewal, revival, Savior, sharing our faith, Spirit, Spirit led, spiritual gifts, spiritual growth, trust, Truth, uncategoried, wisdom, worship, writing, youth ministry

  empowered by the Holy Spirit, following Jesus Christ, Gospel of John, Jesus’ invitation fo us, John 1:29-42, lamb of God, leading and following, love of Jesus Christ, mission to the world, offering Christ, sent out, sermon series about following Christ, what can I do?

• Sabbath Retreat

  

  I came back from a week in the mountains with some great friends as well as some new men I haven’t met before. This was an incredible week to take time away and rest in the Lord, intentionally. Sabbath rest is extremely important and it is a discipline that is overlooked. One of the books […]

  Ryan Stratton

  10/06/2016

  ambition, anger, anxiety, attitudes, awakening, belief, believe, belonging, Blessings, calling, career, character, Christian Life, Christianity, church, disciples, ego, Emotions, failures, faith, glory to God, God, God’s grace, good news, gospel, grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, mercy, methodism, methodist, ministry, relationships, time, transformation, Truth, Uncategorized, Work

  Jesus refreshes the soul, let God work in your soul, relationships are important, sabbath rest, time off for God, work 6 days a week