The Purpose of Marriage: The Crucible for Growth

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Scott Ranck

Gayle&meIt is amazing how when two very flawed people come together in marriage, most expect the perfect marriage to be the result. At minimum, most expect to be happier together than they were by themselves. Analyzing those statements reveals our expectation that someone else will be able to do for us what we were never able to achieve on our own, feel fulfilled and happy!

Fortunately that isn’t how life or marriage works. Gayle and I have been married 42 years and 8 months as I write today. Many of those years I wasn’t terribly happy. Some years were better than others. We’ve enjoyed some amazing times but then it seemed I could always find something to be discontented about. Possibly, there is a direct correlation between the level of discontentment within marriage and the amount of work that needs done inside me!

For the last eight months I have been working hard on surrender, emotional and spiritual health and amazingly, the healthier I get the better our marriage gets! It dawned on me last week, I’ve been married to this amazing lady all this time and haven’t been able to fully enjoy her because my own growth has been stunted. Gayle would be the first to admit she isn’t perfect but the point is, when two imperfect people are joined in marriage, God intends to use that crucible, up close and personal, to refine us of our selfish ways.

I cannot be focused on my own happiness, or making sure my own needs are all being met and expect to find happiness. Until I can surrender my life fully to the Lord and to my partner and look for ways to serve them both with no expectation of return, my happiness will always be just out of reach.

When frustrated with your marriage ask simply, what is God trying to teach ME through this frustration? While you are waiting for the answer to come, put a serving towel over your arm and do something kind for your partner! Stay in the crucible till the refiner’s work is done and you may find a deeper joy than you thought was possible.

blessings,

Scott

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Ferguson, Baltimore, Roanoke & Houston?

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Scott Ranck

I was just reflecting this morning on the different reactions to these four situations. I’m totally baffled for the vast difference between how communities reacted to the situations. The first two had the deaths of two black men at least one of dubious character. The second two cities saw the deaths of three outstanding white people, a news reporter, camera man and police officer, at the hands of black people.

The first two brought the President into action calling for federal investigations, huge riots and destruction of communities and cries of racism.

The second two, gained no attention from the federal government, no riots in the streets and no one saying much about racism.

There are a few differences that I can discern. The white community has no one like Al Sharpton stirring the pot. There is no underlying anger in the white community toward blacks. There may be some fear but not volatile anger. On the other hand, we have a president, Al Sharpton and others who seem to thrive on stirring up the black community. There is among many black communities, an underlying seething anger ready to explode given an opportunity.

The solution is for all people everywhere to submit to God, love Him and their neighbor as themselves and even to love your enemies. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

All lives matter so why is the reaction so different?

Blessings,

Scott

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Into Action

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Scott Ranck

For most my Christian Life, the emphasis has been more on intangible things. I cut my teeth in a church and went to a Bible College where the emphasis was on “Believing” the right things. We learned to know and defend our brand of Christianity. I still believe accepting the gospel by faith is the only way of salvation but it is only the beginning.

I absorbed a practice that guarding my “testimony,” that is what other people saw me do and say, was almost more important than who I was when no one was looking. I also learned to hear people share their needs and the Christian response was to say, “I’ll pray for you.” The next best response was a tuna casserole!

James says in the Bible, faith without works is dead. If a man says he has faith but has no works can that kind of faith really save him? Biblical faith is believing something enough to act on it. God told Noah, build an ark, and by faith Noah built the ark!

What I’m learning is true faith leads me to a life of taking action. As long as I believe the main thing, God desires me to live out my beliefs not just be proud of my orthodoxy! So, what does that look like? For me lately, it looks like if any man wants to be my disciple he must take up his cross daily, deny his own selfish ambition and follow Me. When I wake up, I ask, who can I serve today? Help me to stay out of your way. Let me serve with no expectation of return. When I hear someone share a story and request prayer, rather than praying for them, I pray for what my part may be in helping with the situation. In thinking more of others and how to serve people, I’ve found more joy, more emotional stability and a settled sense of well-being.

I’m looking for the next right thing to do. If I don’t know what the next right thing is then I try to do the next thing right. I’m thankful for the Spirit’s continued work in educating me to His ways.

Blessings,

Scott

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Summer Transformation

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Scott Ranck

During the summer, the leaders in our men’s ministry have been teaching on Monday Nights. Each man has wrestled with what to prepare, how to prepare and the courage to stand before the other men and teach. Each man has done an outstanding job.

A week ago, John R shared a message on “Entitlement.” He taught a passage concerning Jesus telling the disciples He would be going to Jerusalem and would be spit on, beat and ultimately killed but he would rise. Two of the disciples response was, “Can we be seated at your right and left hands when you come into your kingdom!” The other disciples were irritated and they all got into a pissing contest! Then John R, said, the only really entitled person in the room got down and washed the feet of the others. He came to serve not to be served. John R sat down with a challenge, “Think about some way you feel entitled.” With that my life of the last decade or more was wrecked!

A decade ago, after 18 years of being the lead pastor in a church, Gayle and I moved to Florida. When we began attending Bay Life Church, my internal thought was I deserved something. Some special treatment, invited to leadership meetings and asked to speak on regular occasions because, “Apparently, you don’t know who I am.”

This entitlement mindset created in me an “armchair quarterback mentality.” I always knew better, wouldn’t have done something the way they did and basically made me a pain in the ass! Through John R’s talk and the Spirit’s ministry that mindset has been shattered. The Lord is showing me, I am here to serve and give away everything He has freely given me. I have no privilege. I have an opportunity to lend a hand, to serve where I can with no expectation of return. I have made some amends to those I needed to and am really excited about my role. It is amazing how much has changed in a week. The strange thing to me is nothing has changed outside of me but everything outside of me appears to be improved.

Blessings,

Scott

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Gay Marriage, Confederate Flag Ponderings

Posted on July 2, 2015 by Scott Ranck

On a motorcycle ride down the Gulf Coast this morning, I was pondering the national news events of the past week. Here is the conclusion I came to for me.

I am a Christian who believes the Bible is the very Word of God. I believe it is my place to humble myself and allow the Bible to show me what God has revealed to me about Him. If I go to Scripture to attempt to validate what I have already chosen to believe, I put myself in the place of God. So here is what I gleaned for me today.

The Bible teaches each person will give an account for himself or herself before God one day. That means, I need to do my best to surrender to the will of God for my life, seeking to know what it is and then have the power to carry it out. That means my primary task is to make certain I am right with God. That I have peace with Him. That I deal with my own junk and make things right as quickly as possible. I need to be in such a surrendered state that His Spirit’s fruit is the dominant traits in my life. That means when you see me and I am in a right frame of mind, my life should be dominated by love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The Bible tells me to live at peace with all people as much as it is possible from my side. It also tells me to keep Christ in His rightful place in my life and be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within me. I am taught to love God, love my neighbors, and even love my enemies.

When I read that paragraph and stay focused on what is my responsibility before God, what I will answer for, it dawns on me, I don’t need to have an opinion on anything homosexual because, that isn’t my battle to fight. I’m not gay. I’m not doing weddings, it is outside of my circle of responsibility. My place is to treat people with love and respect no matter who they are or what they profess themselves to be.

Though I live in the south, I was born in the north. I have no allegiance to the confederate flag and therefore it is outside my circle of responsibility. Only those who have that flag flying in their yard need to make a choice what they will do. Only those who feel they are gay need to deal with what their responsibility is toward God. All of us have our own host of issues to deal with.

I have enough on my own plate to take care of without worrying about what everyone else in the world is doing. The only thing God may want to know from me on the Gay issue is how did I treat people He brought into my life who are gay. He may ask if I was a peacemaker or a pot-stirrer.

I know for me personally, I have no peace when I think somehow I am responsible for world events. I believe firmly two things. There is a God to whom I will answer and I am not Him.

Blessings,

Scott

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Gay Marriage, Good News & Bad News

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Scott Ranck

I’ve got good news and bad news. For those who believe they are gay and have dreamed about how great it would be to be able to marry their partner, the good news is, the USA now says you may.

The bad news is that marriage does not have the ability to make you happy. Years ago, I read, until a person does the hard work to become whole, all relationships are an attempt to complete oneself and therefore will fall dismally flat.

The truth about life is true happiness comes from within, from surrender to God, from being spiritually and emotionally healthy and not from some other person or even the right to be with another person.

Often we are under the illusion that if I could only have this one elusive thing, all would be well in my world. Unfortunately, until you discover what I wrote in the previous paragraph, there will always be just one more elusive thing you need to gain then you will be happy.

Right after high school graduation, some friends of mine said they were moving to California. My dad said to me, Scottie, if you can’t be happy in Williamsport, PA, you won’t be happy in California either. I thought he was crazy then, but I know what he meant now.

The Supreme Court’s ruling will help some, there is great celebration today from the victory that has been achieved and fought long and hard to gain. The reality is the decision does not have the power to deliver happiness. For all who thought that decision was the one thing standing between you and being satisfied in life, you will soon discover you were sorely mistaken.

My desire would be for everyone on the planet to find surrender of their will to God’s will and to know peace and serenity from deep within.

Blessings,

Scott

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Jim Jones and Climate Change

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Scott Ranck

I recently was discussing climate change with some of Florida’s University PhD students. It was interesting none of them really knew anything except what they’ve been spoon fed. I talked to them about computer modeling of energy and how it is not a very exact science. The entire hypothesis of climate change is based on computer modeling of temperatures that were never actually taken. There is a much larger cone of uncertainty with thousands of years of climate than with trying to predict where a hurricane will land! I told the kids, “Don’t be so quick to drink the Kool-Aid.” Then I asked them if they understood that expression and where it came from. Of course, they didn’t.

Religious cults and climate change is almost identical. The common threads are only a few special people really are “in the know.” The common people have opinions but no way to actually do global research to verify what we are being told is really true. So, the masses are at the mercy of a few. In both cases, people are asked to make life changes based on the “wisdom of the few,” who know better what is good for us than we do for ourselves.

The truth is most people want to save the planet but not if it cost us anything. So, how is this phenomenon powered? Who stands to benefit through these policies? There are only a few benefactors. The federal government, developing nations who want our money and some creative energy related companies who have their hands in all types of energy development, like General Electric and others.

Don’t be too quick to drink the climate change Kool-Aid, if you do, history may look back on you as one of the casualties similar to those in Jonestown!

blessings,

Scott

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Memorial Day 2015

Posted on May 24, 2015 by Scott Ranck

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Thank you to every military family and every veteran for your service to our great country. Especially to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, trading your life for our freedoms. I want to thank every family who has suffered losses of all kinds as well. For those who have lost body parts, or parts of yourself in other ways through the trauma of war.

I want to apologize to every soldier and family who has sacrificed. I’m apologizing for our nation and our political leaders who to cover their own asses, shuck and jive when it comes time to answer questions about a war they committed our troops to fight. Not all wars are popular, unfortunately some may only be political but once we commit you, our troops, to them, WE SHOULD NEVER undermine your sacrifice by back peddling on whether we should have gone or not. It is time to focus on the job that was done by the best military in the world rather than arm-chair quarterback whether we should have went to war.

I’m imagining some of my friends who have seen and done unspeakable things at war. I think of my own dad who was a WWII POW. I think of friends who have left, arms and legs on the battle field and buried way too many of their friends. I think of soldiers who came home and could not readjust and ended up taking their own lives because of the war that continued between their ears.

I say to my soldier friends, square your shoulders and know you did your job to the best of your ability. You did what a nation asked of you. Your side of the street is clean.

To our politicians on both sides of the aisle, I say if you cannot support the wars we have fought and the soldiers who fought them, SHUT YOUR F_ _ _ _ _ _ MOUTHS! You have no business being in office or running for office. I have no respect for you!

I focus on the heroes of this nation. The men and women in uniform! You have my utmost respect. Thank you for your sacrifices! Pardon my language it is out of passion and for emphasis of the importance of this matter!

Blessings,

Scott

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The Next Right Thing

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Scott Ranck

I’m starting to have an awareness, knowing what the next right thing to do and pulling the trigger and actually doing it are two different things. I also am beginning to understand how not acting on the next right thing causes us to be very discontented and down on ourselves.

So, what is the next right thing? I don’t know, it is probably different for each of us. For some it is that one person you know you need to make things right with. For others it is finally going to the gym we joined on New Year’s Day. I can’t answer that for you, but for me it is finally becoming open to whatever it is I’m resisting the most.

What if what I need the most, I resist the hardest? I am intentionally looking at those things I’ve resisted and embracing them instead. For example, I don’t like a lot of structure, I like winging it. But, what if what I resist (Structure) I need to be more successful at what I do? By embracing what I once resisted, I will grow to become a more complete person.

Take a peek under the hood and see what is stirring in your mind. What is something that continually pops up you know you could do something about but keep putting off? Its time to pull the trigger. Move from your mind into action. Do the next right thing. Keep doing the next right thing and watch your life blossom!

Blessings,

Scott

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Into the Pond

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Scott Ranck

What is a good plan of action, once we’ve made a decision to believe? I’ve been pondering this since my last blog. Here is what I’ve come up with. Rather than just busying yourself with activity, do some serious internal work that will have external results. I believe when you read carefully Jesus teaching in Matthew 5-7, you will come to see a valid decision to believe will involve a deep internal transformation that results in positive external behavioral changes directly linked to loving God and loving people. If you only have the internal (Frog on the log) or you only have the external (Pharisee) you are missing something. So, once you’ve made the decision to believe, you are now called to action.

I believe full surrender is the first action, Jesus said, if you are not willing to die to yourself and take up your cross daily you cannot be his disciple. That seems fairly clear. So, surrender your will and your self as fully as you can to Him.

Second, clean house. Yes, Jesus forgives us of all our sin but I’ve seldom met a Christian who felt clean. We carry a lot of baggage around with us from our shame and guilt over past actions. It is very beneficial to ask God to bring to mind specific sins you have committed, make a list and bring them before Him. It humbles you. Then practice James 5 and confess your faults one to another so that you may be healed. You may want to consider your resentments, fears and anything that is inside you bugging you.

Third, make things right with people you have hurt through the years. Don’t sweep stuff under the rug. Begin to humble yourself and sweep up your side of the street. As much as is possible on your part, live at peace with all people. Make things right.

Finally, Once you’ve gotten right with God, yourself and others, serve. View your life as an opportunity to bless and serve others on the journey.

Practice these four things and you will not be a frog on the log who made a decision to jump in the pond. You will have jumped and you and your world will become a better place because you are in it!

blessings,

Scott

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