tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.comments2023-05-14T16:34:38.963-04:00simply neighborsRyan Yazelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18130839312794026201noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-73839356768305445132019-08-27T10:40:59.627-04:002019-08-27T10:40:59.627-04:00Thanks Ryan, for reminding us to hold ourselves, a...Thanks Ryan, for reminding us to hold ourselves, as a city, to a higher standard, and to let our ambitious words inspire generous and self-forgetting action.Samuel Limahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14874089984890138499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-37519261398559606412012-12-31T20:21:12.540-05:002012-12-31T20:21:12.540-05:00I see... its interesting, after doing some researc...I see... its interesting, after doing some research, and looking at this article its easy to see... that Dr.Seuss was a Christian (so am I) but like all of us he had minor and major mistakes. I love thought <br />to mention that, because all of us do. But I can see now that he was<br />indeed a Christian, but not very committed ,or strong in his faith. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-43858263402343964462012-11-11T06:04:51.521-05:002012-11-11T06:04:51.521-05:00I am convicted. guilty. fatalistic in prayer. God ...I am convicted. guilty. fatalistic in prayer. God is God, who am I to question. even when my daughter died, I cried, mourned but did not question. I need time to process this as my prayers are "your will be done" and God has been addressing this with me,fatalism interferes with HOPE! <br />Please consider writing moreLindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13272371141874490195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-75739750397387373792012-11-11T05:46:37.902-05:002012-11-11T05:46:37.902-05:00Ryan, I wish you would blog more. I love your hear...Ryan, I wish you would blog more. I love your heart. I have never been able to sell "fire insurance", failed evangelism class because of it. When I try to discuss my understanding of being compelled by "the love of God" not the fear of hell with other Christians I have lost friends and the trust of others. Some of the comments were.. "what would be the point if there is no (eternal fire) hell" "you can no longer minister here" and "if you tell people that why would they turn from their sin". I am used to not fitting in, that seems to be how I roll.. was a single mom for 20 years, earned a degree to support myself and earn as much or more then the men in my church, gave extravagantly, (as opposed to needing) and refused to quit and be an impoverished single mom as instructed by the pastor was my role. Call me crazy. OH,I digress.<br />But,what if the church at large was compelled by the LOVE of God? What if we loved people enough to want them to see the live God has for them. What if we shed this attitude of serving God from fear of hell? What if we came to Him, and sought His love for others. What if the church lay down the trump card of "they are going to pay in Hell!" Maybe we would have a vital church of loving effective believers.<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13272371141874490195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-39847591764602341452012-10-23T16:13:13.939-04:002012-10-23T16:13:13.939-04:00Coming from someone who has found herself living i...Coming from someone who has found herself living in the inner city not by choice, and struggles with a newborn in a worsening neighborhood. I thank you for your perspective! Though I still desire a safer enviroment for my baby, it do feel encouraged by your perspective.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-90279799749355181732012-10-22T21:55:08.033-04:002012-10-22T21:55:08.033-04:00I appreciate all that you have shared. I question...I appreciate all that you have shared. I question whether timing is a consideration? I believe that as parents our first and foremost ministry is the salvation of our children and the training and preparation for the world because the world wants and will indoctrinate our children if they are not equipped. I have many friends who have chosen to homeschool to give their children a strong foundation in Christ and who they are in Him so that they can then go out and be salt and light. Our family chose private Christian schooling for this same reason. Our kids spend the majority of their day with outside influences which is why I believe it is imperative we mold them and have their hearts until they are called to minister. I agree whole heartedly that each person is called for a different purpose and our trust is in Him who calls us!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-87323123313313344382012-10-22T12:53:53.145-04:002012-10-22T12:53:53.145-04:00Something you didn't mention in this post (but...Something you didn't mention in this post (but I'm sure you have before) is what a difference it makes knowing you are where the Lord wants you to be. Knowing that He foresaw all you are experiencing and this is where He wants your family right now. There is an amazing peace about knowing that. Then you never have to doubt your decision, or question why, or prove to others...you just know it's the Lord's will for you and that changes everything. <br /><br />We are about to move our three young daughters to Berlin, Germany as we work with local church plants and in considering the new environment and culture they are going to be raised in, it makes such a difference knowing that the Lord called us to go there. His idea! We can trust that His plan is best. Praise the Lord!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-11781500432760552862012-10-22T10:27:54.472-04:002012-10-22T10:27:54.472-04:00Thank you, Ryan. I have been surrounded by this ph...Thank you, Ryan. I have been surrounded by this philosophy lately: if you truly love God, you must live in hardship and poverty." And I disagree diametrically (even though I don't live in privilege :)). We are called to bring the love of Christ to all corners of the world, not just those in poverty. I like your quote very much. It makes perfect sense to me. Gabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03893654710835125604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-6709127426721802002012-10-22T09:01:37.076-04:002012-10-22T09:01:37.076-04:00Thank you for sharing. I think you may be misreadi...Thank you for sharing. I think you may be misreading my position. I certainly agree that God calls people to all sorts of situations, not just into working with the under-resourced, and that those situations can be just as difficult. That's actually the point I was making -- that each calling has it's own set of obstacles and it's own blessings.<br /><br />As you read the comments we received moving into our neighborhood, it just became clear that the common perspective surrounding my life was that you lived in the nice suburb neighborhood with the nice schools unless called by God into a different situation. I would challenge people to not consider there to be a default location for life and that the suburb life has its own challenges. A conference I recently attended provided this quote: "privilege is every bit the challenge for the Kingdom of God that poverty is".<br /><br />My blog post here, then, is not a challenge against being called by God into privilege, but rather the assumption that it's better to live in privilege unless told otherwise. As you show, not everyone shares that assumption, which is greatly encouraging.<br /><br />Peace, RyanRyan Yazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18130839312794026201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-58661187492751277372012-10-22T09:00:31.930-04:002012-10-22T09:00:31.930-04:00@Katherine, thanks for sharing your heart.
The ...@Katherine, thanks for sharing your heart. <br /><br />The only reason we are able to be where we are is because of my wife, who has a story perhaps very similar to yours. I was the sheltered one from the perfectly loving family situation. But my wife's story is different at every turn. I'm not quite sure how God brought us together, but only that we would not be where we are if not for HER story. Because of what she's been through, she has empathy and understanding (in a way I could never dream)for people going through similar situations. <br /><br />Your story sounds like it carries a lot of pain, but know that you pain has also earned you wisdom and influence with others who are hurting. You can help those who would never give people like me the time of day.<br /><br />Be encouraged. Your life and story is so important! Thanks for sharing.Ryan Yazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18130839312794026201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-82358319962310641492012-10-22T08:50:32.228-04:002012-10-22T08:50:32.228-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ryan Yazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18130839312794026201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-87796000851086829362012-10-22T00:09:59.691-04:002012-10-22T00:09:59.691-04:00You know, I often try to think of intelligent com...You know, I often try to think of intelligent comments to make about things that move me in the online world....then comes.... *crickets*...<br /><br />I am living a life in Australia where I almost feel trapped within myself. Unloved and unloving and unlovable. I am not telling you this so I get a "there, there" or "God loves you" reply. I *know* that is true but today my heart struggles. A lot.<br /><br />Not only does my geographical environment keep me "sheltered from sin" (yeah right) but my upbringing of not living in a welcoming or hospitable family. My heart feels shut right up tight, good and proper. <br /><br />Thanks for helping me see something beyond me and more for othersKatherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07772752992238152419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-38617459051393817672012-10-21T22:26:10.618-04:002012-10-21T22:26:10.618-04:00So encouraging to read your thoughts on God's ...So encouraging to read your thoughts on God's grace in the middle of all this. So encouraging to know you're there and that there is a light out there refusing to hide under a basket. Thank you for sharing.Amy @ Fig Milkshakeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12633790597836151314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-85471261178559754762012-10-20T22:25:23.956-04:002012-10-20T22:25:23.956-04:00Ryan, I hear you and I hear your heart. But don...Ryan, I hear you and I hear your heart. But don't you think that everyone's calling is different? The last sentence to me is so black and white that it seems as if you are passing judgement on all those people who choose to live in the suburbs, not because it is less risky, not because it is more comfortable, or whatever selfish reason I can name but rather because God calls people to all kinds of people, not just to those who live in tough areas. The people in the suburbs, as you state, are also full of sin and what is worse, many don't recognize it, don't see it clearly for the very reasons you state. I commend you for your obedience to raise your children in the tough neighborhood in which you live. I am sure you are making a wonderful difference. But please, don't dismiss those who are ministering, sharing God's truth and love with those who "have" because they need Jesus as well. Just because someone is called to live in the suburbs does not mean they don't give sacrificially, live sacrificially, and love sacrificially. I also find value in children learning to discern the very subtle lies that lead to those very subtle sins of materialism and vanity you mention. That's what parents do: show it to them, point it out and teach them to avoid it and to stand up and out when everyone else has the latest this or that and they don't and tell them why. I hope you hear my heart: let's not draw lines in the sand. You have your call, others have theirs. Equally valid, equally hard. And just to put this in perspective, I don't live in the suburbs. I live in the heart of the city myself but I know incredible families serving faithfully and obediently among all kinds of people. Gabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03893654710835125604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-44123371253702389512012-07-20T23:54:14.079-04:002012-07-20T23:54:14.079-04:00Sent here by a friend. Your words are profoundly t...Sent here by a friend. Your words are profoundly truthful and full of so much grace. Thanks for sharing.Shannan Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06240696987027358314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-79181278414771361592012-03-14T21:51:03.115-04:002012-03-14T21:51:03.115-04:00Shelley led me here and wow! What great points tha...Shelley led me here and wow! What great points that I've never even pondered as a suburban girl(very ashamed to say it). This is really ruminating inside and will be for some time. Thank you so much.Daniellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02580413741295178649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-69946824183886222342012-03-07T10:51:07.767-05:002012-03-07T10:51:07.767-05:00Humbling ....
KeithHumbling ....<br />KeithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-16204727472680879202012-03-02T16:59:51.980-05:002012-03-02T16:59:51.980-05:00oh this was good stuff! you know the walatka's...oh this was good stuff! you know the walatka's are with ya!shellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06979460784361297277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-91202878774051632952012-03-01T11:41:49.748-05:002012-03-01T11:41:49.748-05:00Thanks for the encouragement, Angie. We're so...Thanks for the encouragement, Angie. We're so privileged to have other friends like you with similar convictions -- that we can urge each other on, and know our children will have friends doing that with them as well!Ryan Yazelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18130839312794026201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-8422617864605544942012-03-01T11:20:09.970-05:002012-03-01T11:20:09.970-05:00Ryan-- Nick made me read this today as I was shari...Ryan-- Nick made me read this today as I was sharing my anxious thoughts about public vs. private school/ city vs. suburb. It was beautifully written and I actually cried a little bit. Everything you said was true. Thanks for sharing your heart. We love you guys and your honesty and stick-ability!!!Angie Liskeyhttp://www.seekscoffeeandgrace.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-44029153582194047632012-02-28T14:46:27.015-05:002012-02-28T14:46:27.015-05:00When we lived in the suburbs our kids thought ever...When we lived in the suburbs our kids thought everyone there was a Christian because they lived pretty good lives. Going to South Bend schools was helpful for them to see themselves as salt and light. I see other Christian kids that stayed in the "safe" suburbs and they usually look like everyone else.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-56104996773525061362012-02-28T11:00:24.428-05:002012-02-28T11:00:24.428-05:00Great points! Living in challenging places also pr...Great points! Living in challenging places also prompts us to be clear on what God wants. It does require more parental oversight and involvement.Carlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-976663217203423822012-02-28T10:10:23.674-05:002012-02-28T10:10:23.674-05:00Great Blog Ryan!Great Blog Ryan!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-29283026437755884392012-02-22T11:27:07.385-05:002012-02-22T11:27:07.385-05:00ouch.ouch.blckspdrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328985637984577709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2567969448805195339.post-67306111797852621292012-02-22T10:22:25.608-05:002012-02-22T10:22:25.608-05:00Preach it, Nathan! or, um, Ryan!Preach it, Nathan! or, um, Ryan!Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08978728795312007392noreply@blogger.com