3 Crosses 
by Reece B. Sherman

3 crosses on a skull shaped hill
Crucifixion was a cruel way to kill
2 were thieves and deserved what they got
One was innocent and he did not

He saw the crowd who were witnesses to his death
He prayed for their forgiveness with his dying breath
The crowd mocked him as he hung up there
They cried “save yourself” but they didn’t care

The thieves on either side joined in with the crowd
“Save yourself and us” they cried out loud
Then one of the thieves looked at the man beside him
And the hatred in his heart began to dim

He realized this was the Lord who was hanging there
And although he was dying he felt no despair
“Remember me when you enter your kingdom today”
“You will join me in paradise” he heard the Lord say

He turned to the other thief and said “Don’t you see
This man doesn’t deserve to die like you and me”
The other thief was not convinced and kept mocking the Lord
But the first thief was convinced of his reward

3 men on 3 crosses hung there that day
One looked to the Lord and found the way
One looked at himself and was filled with hate
While one knew that in his hands was mankind’s fate

If we were there that day would we join with the crowd
And be bloodthirsty and cry insults out loud
Or would we see what one thief saw
The Lord suffering and dying as we stare in awe

We have a choice in which way we see
Just as we have a choice in who we will be
Would we seek the Lord’s forgiveness or would we deride
Which thief would we be, You and I must decide

SHOW US THE WAY   By: Reece B. Sherman

God when we feel discouraged
And dread the drudge of the day...
When life is overwhelming
And we feel we’ve lost our way Help us to know your presence
And that you are always near
And because you are present and powerful
There is nothing we need to fear

Life has a way of dragging us down
But you will lift us up
Life Smakes us feel empty inside
But you will fill our cup

Help us to remember your promise
That you will never leave us alone
The darkness cannot overcome
The light your Son has shone

So give us peace and purpose
And lean on you each day
Because if we are attentive
You will show us the way

Oh, dear Lord, three things I pray 
That you give me more serenity, 
Wisdom, and love along the way. 
Blessed Lord Jesus, three things I pray 
For mental stability, physical strength, 
And spiritual guidance so I will not stray. 
Loving Lord Jesus, three things I pray 
That I will take time to smell the roses, 
Touch someone's heart, and feel their 
Love and heartaches along the way. 
Kind Lord Jesus, three things I pray 
To see your beauty, hear your songs, 
And speak of goodness along the way. 
Holy Lord Jesus, three things I pray 
That I will worship the Father, Son, 
And Holy Spirit each and every 
Day, so I will not stray. 
Merciful Lord Jesus, three things I pray 
I will always take your mercy, grace, and 
Love each and every day. 

By: Ann Huckabee (c)

My Parents

My parents taught me well, when I was a child. 
My parents taught me well, to live and not be wild. 
My parents took me to sunday school, when I was a child. 
My parents bought me a bible and I read it for a while. 
I had a bible in my hand, when I was a child, 
And put it aside when I grew into a man. 
I sailed my own way and didn't listen to God's plan. 
I sinned every day and threw my bible in the sand. 
I turned my back on God, family and friends. 
I turned on my parents and found no peace within. 
My repentance came at last as my mother and daddy prayed. 
My repentance came at last as my friend prayed, every day. 
I asked God for forgiveness, his mercy and his grace. 
I thanked God for his love and thanked Jesus for taking my place. 


By: Ann Huckabee (c)

 
I Can Leap Over a Wall

Psalm 18:29

For by thee I run after a troop, And by my God I leap over a wall.


The language is general, but it seems to contain a reminiscence of two memorable events in David’s life: the successful pursuit of the predatory ‘troop’ of Amalekites which had sacked Ziklag (1 Samuel 30; in Psalm 18:8; Psalm 18:15; Psalm 18:23the same word troop is used of the Amalekites): and the capture of Zion, effected with such unexpected ease that he seemed to have leapt over the walls which its defenders boasted were impregnable (2 Samuel 5:6-8).


2 Samuel 22:30 For by you I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.


Military.com

1. Walls close in
   
   

Walls are barriers

Barriers

WE all experience barriers

• life situation
  
  
• health
  
  
• money
  
  
• timidity
  
  
• color of someone’s skin
  
  
• fear
  
  
• procrastination
  
  
• lack of motivation
  
  
• weaknesses: imaginative or real
  
  
• communication or lack of it
  
  

     2. Walls can block us


OTHERS:

What others say about you...


OURSELVES:

temper

cynicism

prejudice

hatred

secrets...”Secrets make you sick”

lies

unforgiveness

physical problems...”Do you want to be healed?”


     3. Walls can be jumped over


“What separates me from my present is like a fine mist, an intangible veil, an invisible wall. They don't put up the slightest resistance. Nothing would shatter if I were to walk through it. Because there is actually nothing at all between me and the world. A single step would be enough. Why didn't I take it long ago?” 

― Pascal Mercier


Our faith must be greater than our fear!


By My God!


God can help us leap over any wall/barrier

Jesus' Bucket List 5/27/2015

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 Many people have a Bucket List, things they want to accomplish before they die. They list things like “I want to parachute”, “I want to see the Grand Canyon,” “I want to learn a new language.” Perhaps you have a Bucket List. There are websites that help you to decide what items to put on your Bucket List. http://personalexcellence.co/blog/bucket-list/ or www.bucketlistjourney.net, or for some crazy ideas, there is www.todayicanchange.com/25-crazy-bucket-list-ideas/.  These and other websites can get you started. If you don’t have a Bucket List, maybe you’ll start one now after I have put the thought in your head.

I even  have a small Bucket List. It has changed as I have grown older and hopefully wiser. Seeing the Grand Canyon is on my Bucket List, along with doing stand-up comedy on an amatuer night. I know I will be adding and subtracting from the list as I grow older and (hopefully) wiser. You will probably do the same.

But what if you knew you had a week to live on the earth? What would you want? What would you need to do or say? Who would you spend time with? Jesus knew he was riding toward his death on the back of that colt on Palm Sunday, no matter how many “Hosannas! he heard. This week he had some things that needed to be said...things that needed to be done. World-changing events needed to take place.

Just before riding into Jerusalem, in fact, John’s Gospel tells us that it was just six days before the Passover, he was in Bethany reclining at a table. Mary was anointing him with expensive perfume, nard, as Judas protested. Judas said it was a waste, the perfume could have been sold and money given to the poor. Although Jesus knew that Judas didn’t care about the poor. Neither did the Gospel writer, he said Judas was a thief. Jesus said “Leave her alone, she is preparing me for my burial.” Yes, he knew what the week would bring.

The question I want to ask is “What was on Jesus’ Bucket List?” What did he need to accomplish before the week’s end?

I want to suggest Ten Items that were on his Bucket List. Note that these are topical, not chronological.

(1) SPEND INTIMATE TIME WITH AND TEACH IMPORTANT LESSONS TO HIS DISCIPLES: (REASSURE THEM, LESSONS AND WARNINGS)

(2) POINT OUT WHAT TRUE RELIGION IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT: (TO TEACH WHAT GOD EXPECTS)

(3) TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF AS THE MESSIAH

(4) TO TEACH CROWDS WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT

(5) TO WARN

(6) TO FIND OUT AND DO GOD’S WILL

(7) TO FULFILL PROPHECY

(8) TO WITHSTAND OPPOSITION

(9) TO DIE PURPOSEFULLY

(10) TO TEACH ABOUT AND PROVE THE RESURRECTION

3 Crosses 
by Reece B. Sherman

3 crosses on a skull shaped hill
Crucifixion was a cruel way to kill
2 were thieves and deserved what they got
One was innocent and he did not

He saw the crowd who were witnesses to his death
He prayed for their forgiveness with his dying breath
The crowd mocked him as he hung up there
They cried “save yourself” but they didn’t care

The thieves on either side joined in with the crowd
“Save yourself and us” they cried out loud
Then one of the thieves looked at the man beside him
And the hatred in his heart began to dim

He realized this was the Lord who was hanging there
And although he was dying he felt no despair
“Remember me when you enter your kingdom today”
“You will join me in paradise” he heard the Lord say

He turned to the other thief and said “Don’t you see
This man doesn’t deserve to die like you and me”
The other thief was not convinced and kept mocking the Lord
But the first thief was convinced of his reward

3 men on 3 crosses hung there that day
One looked to the Lord and found the way
One looked at himself and was filled with hate
While one knew that in his hands was mankind’s fate

If we were there that day would we join with the crowd
And be bloodthirsty and cry insults out loud
Or would we see what one thief saw
The Lord suffering and dying as we stare in awe

We have a choice in which way we see
Just as we have a choice in who we will be
Would we seek the Lord’s forgiveness or would we deride
Which thief would we be, You and I must decide

Welcome to our new Website
06/20/2013

1 Comment


 
Ryan Baptist Church has been in existence for 78 years. We are active in the Shelby Baptist Association. Most who attend have been in the church for many years, but don't let that scare you. The members of Ryan Baptist are some of the most loving people you will ever meet. I have served in churches in Georgia, Florida and Alabama. I have never been a part of a church where those who attend care so much about one another. When one hurts, we all hurt. When one rejoices, we all rejoice,
One thing you will notice when you visit for the first time is that we are a small congregation. As Pastor, I teach the only Adult Sunday School Class. I lead the music during the worship service and I preach. Sometime I feel like the "Swiss Army Knife" of Pastors.
We have visitors often. You may feel that since we are a small congregation that you will be put on the spot. But, I assure you, if you visit us (AND WE WANT YOU TO) you will feel a warm welcome. You will feel at home. I have been in church ministry for over 30 years, and have been Pastor of Ryan Baptist for a year. The people of Ryan Baptist have Open Minds and Open Hearts. My family and I felt right at home on our first Sunday.
So, PLEASE, Join Us For Worship. Bring a friend if you don't want to come alone on your first Sunday. You will be doubly blessed if you show up on a Sunday when we have a meal after the worship service...and we seem to find every excuse to do that as much as possible. And don't be surprised if you are given a "to go" bag full of muffins and jams.
If you have any questions about any topic, go to our comment page and ask any question you may have.
Also, visit this blog page often. I may not write something every week, but I promise that I will write as often as I can.
God Bless,
Reece