tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60313292011-08-21T08:08:42.986-04:00by: Ryan R. Whitley - One Episcopalian's ruminations, pontifications, and oblations. <br></br> <br>"Most men tell a story straight through. Now, it won't be complicated, but it won't be interestin' either..." ~<i>Big Fish</i></br>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.comBlogger8371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-20792009452038737202007-08-06T14:40:00.000-04:002007-08-06T14:42:57.763-04:00

This is the end, my friends. The outlet that once blogging provided for me seems to have evaporated, and I find myself more and more not wanting to write. I have enjoyed these years and these writings immensely, but have now come to the end, with no regrets. Perhaps I'll take up the pen once more in future years but until then I want to say only two things: thank you and God bless you.-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-49104649252079072812007-06-22T14:39:00.000-04:002007-06-22T14:41:23.899-04:00

That's right, back to the islands fore me, but this time for work and not play. Tomorrow at 5:30am I'm off to the Dominican Republic for a week long mission trip to help finish up the construction of a school that our Deanery has been building for 2 years. We'll be hanging doors, painting, finishing up some wiring, and doing some landscaping. If you think about it, say a little prayer for us!-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-6131777825837445102007-06-20T09:48:00.001-04:002007-06-20T09:55:40.015-04:00

For the first time in franchise history, Forrest Gump did not end the season with a Championship. After being moved up a difficulty level to the Intermediate Division, we lost a few more games than we were accustomed to losing on account of the more competitive teams, but even so, we came in second place in the regular season. In the semi-final round we came away with a victory, 9-4. But we

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-37214150618503502232007-06-18T14:22:00.000-04:002007-06-18T14:39:44.085-04:00

So, Pan's Labyrinth is quite possibly the best movie I've watched from 2006. It was imaginative, creative, engaging, dramatic, a bit scary, with great acting and even better writing. Cannot recommend this film enough! I loved it! But I want to get your opinion on something, for those of you who've seen it.---WARNING!!! SPOILER ALERT!---XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOk, so at the end of the movie,

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-14916449680818085772007-06-13T09:21:00.001-04:002007-06-13T09:40:31.472-04:00

There's a Jeff Foxworthy joke going on next door, live. Every redneck joke you've ever heard from him is actually happening. The man who owns owned the property next to my house and on the highway by the church is trying desperately to move. The new owner of the property, a development group, would like to start construction on the office park they have planned there and this man's (if such a

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-60447321046909301392007-06-12T10:30:00.001-04:002007-06-12T10:44:13.624-04:00

Soon, at the office, we'll be getting out of the stone age! The call, "Hey, where'd we put the chisels?" shall no longer be heard!The state of our office technology, as you've guessed by my last remark, is abyssmal. I am working on the Boss Man's personal laptop, he's working on his personal desktop, and if the Administrator and the Verger's computers crash 10 times a day, it's a good day. In

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-79382011403828686702007-06-11T11:08:00.000-04:002007-06-11T11:33:59.681-04:00

After a week's rest on vacation in Chicago I am back in the office. My vacation split itself into two decidedly different portions, which I will aptly name "the First" and "the Second."The first portion was somewhat discouraging with moments of brightness. I went back to my seminary for graduation and to see some friends. After a distinctly cold reception on the part of the institution -

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-88823113402739483552007-05-30T09:41:00.000-04:002007-05-30T09:51:40.015-04:00

I'm packing up to head back North for a week. Chicagoland, here I come! I'm excited to see old friends and familiar Chicago sites, hope to take in a Sox game, have a sailing venture planned, and, oh yeah, get to hear the Presiding Bishop speak at Seabury's Commencement. Should be a great trip!Last weekend went well. Once I figured out that whatever awkwardness there would be didn't belong to me,

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-34136457737242893962007-05-26T12:39:00.000-04:002007-05-26T12:47:06.341-04:00

There is a lot going on this weekend. Yesterday I played a round of golf with Anthony - I shot 106, which is considerably better than where I was last time I played. It is good to watch my score continue to drop. When I get into the low 90's I think I'll be happy. Today I am headed to Brooksville to celebrate birthdays and graduations (from kindergarten!) with my father's side of the family,

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-59445742291973135002007-05-18T13:59:00.000-04:002007-05-18T14:08:26.534-04:00

All the experts say that one of the key parts of "growing up" is passing through the day when you lose the notion of your own invincibility. I think, for me, the day that happened was the day my friend Andrew was killed in the car wreck. But just because you lose your own notion of invincibility does not mean you lose the notion of invincibility for others. Allow me to explain what I mean.I

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-12664695902029576762007-05-16T10:31:00.000-04:002007-05-16T10:48:37.734-04:00

Ascension Day, which is really tomorrow, is transferred to today at St. Mark's so that we can celebrate it at our Wednesday Night service.We'll be using material, for the first time, from the Church of England's Common Worship that I've been so excited about. Drawing on both the Common Worship: Eucharistic Texts, and Common Worship: Times and Seasons, the liturgy for this evening is going to be

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-72027432075130097752007-05-15T09:25:00.000-04:002007-05-15T09:36:15.496-04:00

9-8.The worst part was how they won. In one of the middle innings, I came up to bat second with one out. I connect solidly and the ball flies hard and fast to right field, over the right center fielder's head. I round second and pull into third standing easily. A few moments pass, our next batter steps up to the plate. Then their first basewoman begins to complain. "But, he didn't touch first

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-72917395690470369272007-05-14T11:42:00.000-04:002007-05-14T12:04:31.124-04:00

There is an episode in that much beloved (by seminarians/clergy/anglicans in general, at least) BBC comedy The Vicar of Dibley in which the Vicar is invited to just about everyone's home for Christmas dinner and doesn't have the heart to turn anyone down. So she travels from home to home, eating 4 course (or more) meals at each locale. As you can imagine she winds up quite sick. While I am not

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-17026551092505349932007-05-09T10:31:00.000-04:002007-05-09T10:32:34.584-04:00

12-4. Even without Brennan, though his absence was noted. I was 2-3 with a run scored and 2 RBI's.-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-13133167711747656802007-05-09T09:39:00.000-04:002007-05-09T10:06:30.621-04:00

I just finished reading Tad Williams' The War of the Flowers, and it was a pretty good read for what it was. I picked it up after finishing my last book, Acts of Faith, which was very serious, because I wanted something light and frivilous. That was pretty much what I got. Flowers was a fast read and an engaging story about a young man who finds himself transported to a fairy tale world that is

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-8915723016143444392007-05-07T17:51:00.000-04:002007-05-07T17:59:57.616-04:00

So, there I am, on the way home from the gym this afternoon, going down the winding residential street when I notice the always disturbing sight of police lights behind me. I pull over, a little confused, as I was only going about 40mph. The officer approaches, and when he gets close to the back of my car I notice him reading the window sticker I have that says, "Episcopal Clergy". When he

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-5833655408709851052007-05-01T09:36:00.000-04:002007-05-01T09:46:06.515-04:00

Forrest Gump eeked out a slim margin victory, 11-10, last night against the previously 2-0 team M.T. Pitchers. We got ahead early by one run that proved to be the difference in the game. After a lead off pop out, I got walked for a BB, and because a female bats behind me, I advanced to second automatically. She hit an infield single, bringing me around to third, and I came home to score off a

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-48942362338461499872007-04-30T12:58:00.000-04:002007-04-30T13:15:15.051-04:00

With the Boss Man out of town this past weekend, I had my first experience "doing everything" by myself on a Sunday. This particular Sunday, "doing everything" translated into not only preaching and presiding over 2 liturgies and running an adult ed sunday school, but performing a conditional baptism at the 8am service and participating in the Deanery Confirmation service in the afternoon. It was

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-9340390088927455612007-04-26T09:21:00.000-04:002007-04-26T09:37:14.361-04:00

We learned yesterday that the Boss Man's terminally ill aunt passed into the arms of her Savior. May her soul and the soul of all the faithful departed rest this day in peace and rise in glory.The service will be on Saturday, outside of Chicago where she lived. This means that I'm it for this Sunday, and next Sunday too, cause he's scheduled to be out then for CREDO II (a clergy health and

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-35397961115707818362007-04-23T22:55:00.000-04:002007-04-23T22:58:09.838-04:00

Somewhere in the 4th inning, the Gump defense went out to lunch and never quite returned. Easy outs were missed, fly balls were dropped, and fielding errors were capitalized upon by the oppossing team. Blowing an early 8-0 lead (4 RBI's of which came off of Jeremy's Grand Slam!), Gump loses 18-12. Welcome to intermediate league.-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-26699749731213328792007-04-23T13:57:00.000-04:002007-04-23T14:12:54.067-04:00

The weekend was a lot of fun - I hosted the Forrest Gump "End-of-Season" party at my house Friday night and (after a slow start) it turned out to be a blast. I think pretty much everyone had a good time. There was a ton of food! I had almost two whole hams left over from what I grilled, but my beef satay skewers got devoured instantly. Several people stayed over and trickled out at various points

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-3399096162150814762007-04-19T09:57:00.000-04:002007-04-19T10:18:28.221-04:00

Last night, I set aside my plans to begin a study on the Epistle of James with the Youth in order that we might take the entire evening's meeting to share thoughts and feelings about what happened at Virginia Tech. It proved a worthy endeavor. I remember times in my youth when a teacher or professor would out and out cancel whatever plans they had for class that day in order to discuss some

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-23284591513727828122007-04-17T10:28:00.000-04:002007-04-17T11:04:54.286-04:00

I don't normally do these things, but in the wake of the killings at Virginia Tech I feel like anything I say that would pretend to be of import would fall well short of the intended mark.My heart goes out to those who are grieving, scared, confused, and/or in shock. May the souls of the departed rest this day in peace and rise in glory and may the holy angels attend and minister to those left in

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-41941689637844726332007-04-16T14:12:00.000-04:002007-04-16T14:19:48.430-04:00

We're beginning a new adult Sunday school class on the topic of Death, Dying, the Resurrection of the Body, and the Theology thereof. It should prove to be pretty engaging and, judging from this last Sunday's enthusiasm during the class, pretty fun.We'll be looking specifically at N.T. Wright's "For All the Saints?" and using the Episcopal Church's "Faithful Living, Faithful Dying" collection of

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-44585678339935188452007-04-14T08:50:00.000-04:002007-04-14T09:22:02.469-04:00

I have to say that I'm a little bit surprised by all the uproar surrounding Don Imus' characterization of the Rutger's women's basketball team as "nappy headed hos". Sure it was a rude thing to say, but folks like Imus have been saying rude things for years - they've made a career of it. It was only when I was talking with my brother, who either used to or still did listen to Imus in the Morning,

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-71146390619292090072007-04-12T10:59:00.000-04:002007-04-12T11:14:37.697-04:00

In an effort to reaquaint himself with frequent writing as a precursor to heading back to school, my life long friend Griffin has begun a blog. He wants to focus on literary criticism and as a person who reads both vigorously and with considered attention, he's just the man to do it. He'll be taking a far more in depth look at the books he reads than the way I "review" the novels I read. Having

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-82335946593642625492007-04-11T13:57:00.000-04:002007-04-11T14:16:13.990-04:00

Philip Caputo's Acts of Faith was an intensely involving novel and one that took me a long time to get into. However, once I did, I really couldn't put it down. The story is one that is primarily character driven as I saw it. The narrative of the Sudanese civil war is so vast that Caputo doesn't try and delve too far into it, but seeks, rather, to tell a portion of its story through the lives

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-84960596225379239002007-04-10T09:34:00.000-04:002007-04-10T10:29:11.536-04:00

Hallelujah! Christ is Risen!The Lord is risen indeed! Hallelujah!With the arrival of the Easter season, I am hereby announcing the end of my blogging fast, as it in fact turned out to be.I have thought a lot about my blog during my time away - things like: what compels me to write and why, what do I write about, who reads and who cares, the fact that now that I am in a parish, I no longer can

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-29370338831052878242007-03-20T09:44:00.000-04:002007-03-20T10:12:24.331-04:00

With much better competition this season, Forrest Gump had it's work cut out for it. The semi-final game last night, against a team with a 2-5 record, almost ended in disaster. It seemed like Gump was batting with fun noodles, and the measly 3 runs scored against us started to look scary by the 4th inning, by which time we had zero offensive production. Then we got a base hit finally, and

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-17728271307137797502007-03-15T15:10:00.000-04:002008-12-13T05:43:20.262-05:00

Reducing a person’s life to a simple statement of fact is the unique ability of news-reporters and journalists. Whereas we who knew him are as full of memories and stories as we are of grief when the news of his death is told to us, the journalists seem to be able to tell the tale of his life in seven impersonal, callous words: body of man found in Corkscrew swamp. Luckily for me, I

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-38781720595564537042007-02-28T08:37:00.000-05:002007-02-28T08:46:51.614-05:00

My brother chided me that if last Monday's game didn't make the blog (frankly, it might ought to have made the papers) he would do something dire. So, this is not a return to blogging for me right now, just an intermission between silences.On Monday we were scheduled to play the best team in the league (nope, it's not us this season...yet), Crabby Patty's. They were undefeated in their six

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-15656761847281469122007-02-21T12:58:00.000-05:002007-02-21T13:00:59.433-05:00

I have been told from multiple sources, as if I were not aware, that I've been seriously slacking on the blog lately. It is true, I have been. It is also strangely comforting to know that people actually miss it.I've been very busy recently, and there is a lot going on in my life right now. Nothing bad (so don't worry) just a lot of stuff. So, I've felt the need to take a break from blogging

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-72657225389960353292007-02-06T20:35:00.000-05:002007-02-06T20:39:19.855-05:00

Close to the end of the work day, the young lady herself called me. She was surprisingly chipper on the phone and very kind. She explained to me that the collision had resulted in her breaking her fibula, the smaller of the two lower leg bones, and likely spraining the ankle. She is going to see an orthopedist, who happens to be the orthopedic surgeon for the Devil Rays, so I'm sure he's

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-16077185261132583132007-02-06T10:31:00.000-05:002007-02-06T15:42:28.873-05:00

In last night's softball game, the first game of a double header, something bad happened. It was the bottom of the first, and I was on first base with a single. The next batter hit a ground ball to third and I knew they were going to throw to second so I was off like a shot. I knew also it was going to be a very close play with slim chance of me being safe. So, I did what anyone would have

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-50856835653893301152007-02-05T14:30:00.000-05:002008-12-13T05:43:20.480-05:00

A participant in our adult Sunday School class recently called to our attention this story about the recent removal of the 18" brass cross of Wren Chapel of the college of William and Mary. I genrally try to keep debates about issues in the news off this site, but this story got me thinking and reflecting on my own college religious experiences, and, more importantly, the question of where God is

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-62444018055251911062007-01-30T09:48:00.000-05:002007-01-30T10:28:31.254-05:00

So, I'm reading this book that you see to the left - Hungry Souls, Holy Companions - and I've only made it through the first chapter, but I really like what I've read so far. By and large, this book is describing the issues of the kids in my youth group in an honest and authentic, non-judgmental way. Not all the things it talks about apply - these kids, by and large products of a middle class

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-63821069548749746932007-01-29T13:40:00.000-05:002007-01-29T14:06:41.336-05:00

Following a successful Annual Meeting yesterday afternoon, I was milling about the parish hall talking with several teenagers and parents and helping to clean up. Suddenly, two lads of about 6 and 3 came tearing out of the kitchen and up to me, tugging on my sleeve and pulling me in the general direction of the outdoors. Their excited declarations were almost unintelligible, but I did manage to

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-31445518591094047022007-01-28T06:54:00.000-05:002007-01-28T06:56:32.549-05:00

I'll be relying heavily on the angels and archangels this morn, as I sing the Eucharist for the first time (in front of all these people). I've been practicing and I am mentally prepared. It's go time!-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-8945129293179750742007-01-25T14:21:00.000-05:002007-01-25T14:26:36.076-05:00

The January newsletter of our Diocesan Conference Center, DaySpring, features the youth of St. Mark's on its front cover this month. The picture is from St. Mark's Advent Camp and also represent pictorally the first time I celebrated the Eucharist as priest. DaySpring, as you faithful readers will know, is a place where much of my discernment took place and was the place where the seed for my

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-80037707668872228552007-01-22T19:35:00.000-05:002007-01-22T19:47:33.391-05:00

On Thursday nights, I facilitate a Christian spirituality small group on Dreams (thanks Seabury and Dan!). It is a pretty good group and we are enjoying the time together. As a part of that group, I lead a short meditation about halfway through each meeting, immediately preceding the focused dream exploration time. It is a meditation that has as its goal to say what comes next is different.

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-37217347323505812092007-01-17T09:48:00.000-05:002007-01-17T10:05:15.376-05:00

I finally finished that tome of a novel called, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, by Susanna Clarke. I must say, given all the hype surrounding this book, from both professional reviewers and friends of mine alike, I was a tad bit disappointed in the book. In short, it meandered. Throughout there was only the faintest hint of a plot and many of the characters lacked, I thought, motivation.

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-87644881423530187072007-01-15T22:29:00.000-05:002007-01-15T22:45:56.877-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me the pleasure and the honor of re-introducing to you a team that really needs no introduction: FOREST GUMP!That's right, faithful readers, the Forest Gump softball team is back and better than ever. From humble and inauspicious beginnings as a thrown together team of free agents to the league champs in just one season, this astounding team won their first game of

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-83107032935614174722007-01-15T17:11:00.000-05:002008-12-13T05:43:20.721-05:00

Due to the graciousness of the class I teach at church on Thursday nights now, who allowed me to move the time of our meeting up by an hour last week, I was able to take my father and his office up on their offer to treat me at Bern's Steakhouse. They do this every year just before tax season.This is a place which the Boss Man was telling me about by saying, "Bern's. Get someone to take you there

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-84988057902789807162007-01-13T23:43:00.000-05:002007-01-13T23:44:24.282-05:00

Tomorrow's sermon on the subject of racism is dedicated to David C. Bloodworth Jr., who once knocked me down, but in so doing, woke me up.-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-10857216878796005702007-01-09T10:24:00.000-05:002007-01-09T10:49:01.081-05:00

No, that is not to say that one should consume excellent, even miraculous, wine before preaching, but rather to say that I am scheduled to preach this weekend on the text about Jesus' first miracle: the transformation of water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana.I've long since known, as have those who have known me, that I am a storyteller. Consequently, I have a very strong narrative view of

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-15508118467873357292007-01-08T10:13:00.000-05:002007-01-09T00:19:11.196-05:00

Played nine holes of golf yesterday with a friend (I've recently re-taken up the game of golf, now that I'm somewhere where I can actually keep golf clubs) at one of the Tampa Municipal Courses. This course was pretty nice, weaving it's way through an old Tampa neighborhood. We were teeing off on hole 4 or 5 (a par 4), Anthony gives the ball a good whack with his driver. He marches up to it,

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1167696042518143892007-01-01T18:57:00.000-05:002007-01-01T19:00:42.563-05:00

My thoughts and prayers are with those taking the GOE's beginning tomorrow. It is an ordeal, and one that must be traversed, but it is not insurmountable. May you test takers be calm, be collected, be reverent, and be mindful of the moment you are in and not overly concerned with the end.-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1167586549913506262006-12-31T12:29:00.000-05:002007-01-03T11:39:01.916-05:00

Did anyone else's congregation, in the Prayers of the People, include Saddam Hussein's name in the prayers for those who have died? Ours did and received no small amount of reaction, which seemed to have been turned into a teaching moment during coffee hour.As I was saying to a friend yesterday, there is a part of me that is sad that Hussein was executed. It means, to me at least, that "

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1167354014469536612006-12-28T19:47:00.000-05:002006-12-28T20:04:16.856-05:00

I'm having some folks over for supper tomorrow and I was trying to decide what to cook for them: the main idea was between pork or fish. While talking to one of my guests on the phone, I ascertained that this person had only begun to like eating fish (and Mahi Mahi only, so far, at that) so I decided to relegate my fish idea to tonight and do an old (but delicious) pork favorite tomorrow

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1166805820270200802006-12-22T11:35:00.000-05:002006-12-22T11:44:54.066-05:00

-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1166475092593156212006-12-18T15:41:00.000-05:002006-12-18T15:51:32.716-05:00

Before the service:Fr. Bob McGee: "How are you feeling right now?"Me: "There are so many people here from so many different areas of my life. To be honest, I'm confused."Fr. Bob: "May you always be so."_________________Griffin: (says nothing, but taps the part of the service booklet that reads, If anyone knows of any impediment or crime... and then indicates he would like to be paid a

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1166358251645071012006-12-17T07:23:00.000-05:002006-12-17T07:24:36.800-05:00

"...I tell you I've had enough of this stuffI tell you what I'm gonna doI'm letting all these animals outAnd I'm gonna burn down this ArkAnd I'm going to Florida somewhere'Cause you haven't done nothin'I'm sick and tired of all this messYou foolin' aroundAnd you haven't done nothing!And you got it rainin'It's not a shower is it?Ok Lord me and you right..."~Bill Cosby-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1166132598554359002006-12-14T16:41:00.000-05:002006-12-14T16:43:18.653-05:00

Like I said in my earlier post, I believe this is the best sermon I have delivered to date. I hope you enjoy it.Make a Path - Advent II, Year C, December 10, 2006 - Delivered at St. Mark's, Tampa, FL-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1165939892547122492006-12-12T10:59:00.000-05:002006-12-12T11:14:00.970-05:00

There is a story my father tells of two of his older relatives (not knowing most of them real well, they all tend to run together in my mind), in which the husband of this couple says to his wife, "I'm repairin' to go _____." She replies, "Don't you mean preparin'?" "No," say he, "I mean repairin'." "But honey," she retorts, "repairin' means to fix." He quipped back, "I know that. I'm fixin' to

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1165690942860774372006-12-09T13:59:00.000-05:002006-12-09T14:02:22.900-05:00

On the first ballot, by an overwhelming majority of both clergy and laity, the Rev. Dabney Smith was elected to the position of Bishop Coadjutor, and will assume responsibilites of the 5th Diocesan of SW Florida upon Bishop Lipscomb's retirement. May God be with you, Fr. Smith, and with our diocese.-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1165620159527128342006-12-08T18:14:00.000-05:002006-12-08T18:22:39.566-05:00

The confluence of events occurring in my life right now, or preparing to occur, is astounding. When one considers them, it boggles the mind; when one lets them slow cook on the back burners of the mind, one finds oneself grouchy, anxious, and quick lipped. Tomorrow is the electing convention for my diocese. You may read that as: tomorrow is the day I find out if the Boss Man will be leaving us

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1165459924982244602006-12-06T21:48:00.000-05:002006-12-06T21:52:05.033-05:00

No, it's not payday, at least not cash payday. I know I've talked before on here about how, in the service of God you get paid in sometimes unconventional (at least, to the secular world) ways. When I finished my youth group meeting tonight, on the Feast of St. Nicholas, I opened the door to my house (which is the other 3/4 of the building that we use as the youth house) and found slipped under

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1165333484764157532006-12-05T10:30:00.000-05:002006-12-05T10:44:44.823-05:00

Now that the softball season is over (for a month or so until next season begins), my Monday nights are going to be boring. Last night was Monday, so I decided to watch a movie I'd gotten from Netflix. The movie was an animated one, and I typically don't go for animated films, but this one looked like it could have that independant, artistic flair that would make it worthwhile. It was called

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1165206385103576842006-12-03T23:11:00.000-05:002006-12-03T23:51:42.530-05:00

And I mean that in every sense of the word: fun, astounding, memorable, astonishing.Friday night we had movie night for the Youth Group on the new big screen HDTV someone kindly donated to us. We watched "Elf" which was funny enough, but after the movie was over, an enormous pillow fight erupted and it didn't take the kids long to discover how to gang up on ole Fr. Ryan. I held my own, though.

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1164901982131181782006-11-30T10:41:00.000-05:002006-11-30T10:53:02.250-05:00

I love movies - mostly because I love stories, narratives of most kinds. And so I really appreciate the blog that RC has going on at Strange Culture.Recently, he published a post called Measuring the Intangibles of Success, and I believe it is really well said. So well said, in fact, that I'm pointing you to it. Take five and read.Speaking of movies, I watched A Prairie Home Companion last

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1164726626018117432006-11-28T09:48:00.000-05:002006-11-28T10:13:38.673-05:00

I have always been fond of music and in general awe of musicians because I have never been one, nor likely will ever be much accomplished in that art. But, nonetheless, I have been thinking about music some lately - largely because I have begun voice lessons with a parishioner in preparation for my ordination to the priesthood, after which, my congregation will expect me to sing the 10:15 liturgy

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1164669747380423832006-11-27T18:19:00.000-05:002006-11-27T18:25:19.110-05:00

This is the one where they told us to look excited instead of demure.

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1164499860981675572006-11-25T18:59:00.000-05:002006-11-25T19:11:01.970-05:00

My trip home to Fort Myers for Thanksgiving was lots of fun, as it always is. The food was great and it was good to spend time with family and friends. I had to leave around 6am this morning in order to make it back for the "Preparing for Advent" retreat that one of the other deacons and I designed for today. It was well attended and I believe people got good things out of it - lots of time

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1164126512968987772006-11-21T11:05:00.000-05:002006-11-21T11:33:38.976-05:00

Game 1, Forrest Gump vs. The PredatorsWe had some first inning jitters and made some errors, allowing them a couple of extra outs resulting in 3 runs scoring. Our turn at bat came and went like lightning. It seemed Gump was out of sync with itself. Our defense straightened out, however, and held them the next several innings to a score of 3-0. But, the Gump bats just could not answer. We were

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1164089305568718052006-11-21T01:07:00.000-05:002006-11-21T01:08:25.606-05:00

Gump wins! Gump wins! Gump wins!More later - but we are the champions!!!-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1164062327825104442006-11-20T17:37:00.000-05:002006-11-20T17:38:47.886-05:00

Tonight is the night. Our softball semi-finals are at 8:30. If we win, (and we should win this game, having already beaten this team soundly, twice) we play immediately afterwards for the championship. Put up or shut-up time. Wish us luck.GO GUMP!-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1163780218654241622006-11-17T11:05:00.000-05:002006-11-17T11:18:49.216-05:00

God Willing and the People Consenting,the Right Reverend John B. LipscombBishop of Southwest Floridawill ordainRyan Randolph Whitleyto the Sacred Order of Priestson Sunday, December 17, 2006at five o’clock in the afternoonat St. Mark’s Episcopal Church13312 Cain Rd.Tampa, FLYour prayers and presence are requested.The Festal color is red.Clergy: alb and red stole

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1163733577139772742006-11-16T22:15:00.000-05:002006-11-16T22:19:37.180-05:00

I was awakened last night quite rudely around 4 in the morning by a sharp and severe pain in my left calf. I cried out and doubled over to grab my leg, gripping it at first and then massaging it as the pain slowly subsided. Today, it is still sore.I looked it up and apparently, I had a "night leg cramp," which normally only happens to older people, but can occur in a leg of any age. The funny

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1163692752174764312006-11-16T10:51:00.000-05:002006-11-16T10:59:12.646-05:00

The deadline for nominations by petition to be the next Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida was Nov.10 and it did not pass uneventfully. Four more names (all from within the diocese) have been added to the initial three submitted by the nominating committee. They are:The Rev. John S. Adler, Vicar of Iona-Hope Church in Fort MyersThe Rev. Michael P. Durning, Canon to the OrdinaryThe Rev.

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1163521611665456172006-11-14T11:09:00.000-05:002006-11-14T11:29:30.910-05:00

I'm scheduled to preach this coming Sunday, so, as is my custom, I read through the lessons today in advance of the clergy bible study I attend at noon on Tuesdays.Ay, Dios mio!It seems the lot has fallen to me to preach on Jesus' end times' scenarios and apocalypic preditions, as well as on the eschatological visions of Daniel. Intimidated at the outset, I set to thinking about the texts and

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1163511472685015822006-11-14T08:32:00.000-05:002006-11-14T09:27:06.100-05:00

I drove across town last night to attend a meeting that didn't happen. I should have called first.The members of the youth group are getting consistently more excited about their dreams and learning how God may be speaking to them through their dreams.Why is it that when you go to the Publix deli, you always have to repeat your order?"Can I help you, sir?""Yes, I'd like a pound of hickory smoked

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1163307240401175482006-11-11T23:53:00.000-05:002006-11-11T23:54:00.446-05:00

I'm wearing my Demon Deacons hat to church tomorrow.-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1163183503601461462006-11-10T13:23:00.000-05:002006-11-10T13:31:43.650-05:00

Both the vigil service last night and the funeral service today (at the Methodist church) for the Boss Man's mother were very nice. Last night the church was full, the lights were dimmed and there were a lot of candles around. It was very haunting and beautiful. The Paschal candle was lit and front and center along with the cremains. I ended up presiding over the service. The Boss Man had

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1163040048358050772006-11-08T21:38:00.000-05:002006-11-08T21:40:48.400-05:00

I hate this God-forsaken war.-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1162993647030975102006-11-08T08:45:00.000-05:002006-11-08T08:47:27.146-05:00

The Boss Man's mother passed away. The vigil service is tomorrow night. In all likelihood, he said, the Bishop will be in attendance. And the Boss Man as given me the honor of preaching.Do honor and terror rhyme?It's actually not that I am that fearful of the propisition, it's just that, well, what does one say?-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1162958075966658182006-11-07T22:45:00.000-05:002006-11-07T22:54:36.016-05:00

The game will go down in history as the world's first ever defensive slow pitch softball game. I mean, really, who's ever heard of such a thing? Both teams are highly competitive and played as such. It was all on the line in this game: first place for the season, number one seed in the playoffs (and thus, a bye in the first round), pride, everything. There were no errors. Every ball that got

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1162875303268144642006-11-06T23:52:00.000-05:002006-11-06T23:55:42.950-05:00

(you've gotta say that in a Skip Carey voice...)More on the details of the game later, but suffice it to say that we won tonight, 8-4, beating the other contender for first place (for a second time...) and making us the sole first place team of the regular season with a record of 6-1. Playoffs begin in two weeks.I'm excited!!!-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1162787610115835272006-11-05T23:17:00.000-05:002006-11-05T23:33:30.453-05:00

The Vocare weekend was wonderful, but perhaps not in the ways in which it was designed to be wonderful. For me, at least. The fear, the irrational fear I was mentioning last post was indeed irrational. I think the Ref's comment was right - I was afraid of how we would relate to one another as adults and that it would not be as good as I remember the so called "glory" days being. My friends and

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1162573707172234422006-11-03T12:01:00.000-05:002006-11-03T12:10:52.316-05:00

I am attending Vocare (spiritual renewal retreat for young adults) this weekend, which will begin in just over five hours, at DaySpring, and many of the people there will be old friends who I haven't seen in a long time - old Happening friends, not to mention my brother, too.I should be elated. But I am not. I find I am worried and I don't exactly know why.Is it because much has changed in all of

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1162396341798593462006-11-01T10:30:00.000-05:002006-11-01T10:52:22.186-05:00

Exciting times in the Diocese of SW FL. Yesterday morning the slate of 3 final candidates for the fifth bishop of my diocese was announced: Robert S. Dannals, Jacob W. Owensby, and Dabney T. Smith. I remember vaguely when our current Bishop was elected, but I was too young to really care then. As I read their bios and some selections from their essays, I began to reflect on what "bishop" meant

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1162345998049834502006-10-31T20:15:00.000-05:002006-10-31T20:53:18.420-05:00

Tonight is Halloween, but it feels for me as if it is already over. All the Halloween parties are over; they were this weekend. I'm not doing anything in particular tonight. I have some candy for trick or treaters, but I doubt I will get any - the house is in an awkward place for foot traffic.The lock-in was a success, but the face of lock-ins has changed dramatically since I went to them.

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1162049382373576082006-10-28T11:17:00.000-04:002006-10-28T11:43:26.313-04:00

Thursday night was the last night of sailing for the season (sort of) and we made the most of it. The Captain invited the Sailmaker to sail with us and help us tune up our technique. Immediately after the Sailmaker stepped onto the boat he started issuing orders and I thought, "Oh boy, he's not long for the world," and started looking around for the life vests to toss to him when the Skipper

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1161791418573093362006-10-25T11:45:00.000-04:002006-10-25T11:50:18.663-04:00

I've been busy planning my ordination service and all the particulars that go along with it. Though I've never done either before, I suspect this is somewhat like planning a wedding, only much lower stress. I've got the music picked out. I've got two choirs to work with, so that's been fun. Some of the St. Luke's choir from Evanston will be coming to sing an anthem, the Psalm, and the Veni,

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1161657427192715562006-10-23T22:35:00.000-04:002006-10-23T22:37:07.236-04:00

Suffice it to say, I'd rather not talk about it. We lost, 20-13 and it was 100% my fault as the pitcher. I could not throw strikes and as soon as they figured that out, they just laid off and walked.On the bittersweet side of things, I did hit a homerun. But it was worthless.Gump falls to 4-1.-R

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1161627338581999942006-10-23T14:07:00.000-04:002006-10-23T14:16:51.830-04:00

I'm working on the All Hallows' Eve lock-in for our youth group - something I originally saw done at a church in Seattle when I was there for my "Plunge" experience two years ago, then transferred to my field ed parish last year, and am now bringing here to St. Mark's. The event has multiple purposes - to give the kids a fun and safe activity, free from the temptations of the secular celebrations

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1161288946057515522006-10-19T16:11:00.000-04:002006-10-19T16:15:46.133-04:00

The Sailing Hearing I had to attend on Tuesday night was an interesting experience, one to add to the annals of my life to be sure. Now I know what they mean by "kangaroo court." Two weeks ago we were run into by another boat as we were rounding a mark. As the inside boat on a starboard tack, we had the right of way. We yelled to the other boat to give room at the mark, as we were suppossed

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1161055499275519612006-10-16T23:15:00.000-04:002006-10-16T23:34:28.400-04:00

The Forrest Gump softball team approached the field tonight confident, but with cause for trepidation. See, we were short one female, which means if we choose to field an extra male in her place, she must remain in the batting order and when her name comes up, she is an automatic out. We chose to accept this. The first half inning we were in the field and got them one, two, three. We came up to

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1161014786481573352006-10-16T11:57:00.000-04:002006-10-16T12:09:41.606-04:00

So, this weekend, I went to a wedding of a high school friend of mine. It was held at a small Baptist church in a mapdot town off of US 301 of which MapQuest was unaware. The wedding was nice and quaint, and it was a good thing to reconnect with some friends whom I haven't seen in a long while.I was sharing the story of the wedding with another friend of mine who also knew the groom, and in

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1160538292463056822006-10-10T23:37:00.000-04:002006-10-10T23:44:52.523-04:00

I'm participating in a very basic "Introduction to the Bible" study group at church based off a program by a company called "Kerygma". It's not a bad module - just very basic from my point of view. I suspect the points of view vary widely in the group, so it's probably a good place to start. Last week we looked a several selections from the book of Judges and towards the end of the assigned

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1160452434644983902006-10-09T23:48:00.000-04:002006-10-10T15:04:06.003-04:00

The good news is we won our game by a lot - in fact, I can't even remember the score. I think it was 23-12 or something like that. The bad news, well, for me anyway, was that my head was simply not in the game tonight and consequently my batting suffered. I only went 2-4 tonight, and both of those dinky singles, one of which should have been an out. I made a couple of good plays at first to make

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1160363629821723642006-10-08T23:03:00.000-04:002006-10-08T23:13:49.876-04:00

Today's St. Francis Day Festival was a rip-roaring success! Everyone with whom I spoke loved the event, including many guests who were not parishioners. Hopefully a few of them will return. We had about 57 animals in all, and around 250 humans present for the 10:15 liturgy. Several of the 8 o' clocker's came back for the picnic and the second outdoor blessing (originally reserved for animals

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1160076363709539012006-10-05T15:10:00.000-04:002006-10-05T15:28:30.516-04:00

I find I am weary today. This morning I attended a meeting that had some disconcerting notes in it, and their potential impact is weighing heavily on my mind. However, in the midst of that, I got some confirmation that I was on the right track with what I taught the youth group and discussed with them last night, so that was positive.Speaking of them, last night they brought me a picture in a

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1159845815791120552006-10-02T23:16:00.000-04:002006-10-02T23:28:45.356-04:00

Gump emerged victorious once again, with a final score of 16-12 (even if it should not have been that high against us by four runs, but more on that later)!Can I just say that our team rocks! Not only are we awesome at the game, but everyone is a lot of fun to play with. Tonight we had some amazing plays in the field. Our pitcher never let getting behind in the count bother her and she brought us

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1159826975958787712006-10-02T18:07:00.000-04:002006-10-02T18:09:36.013-04:00

Here comes Forrest Gump for week 2! Tonight we'll see if our first week's game was just beginner's luck or the start of an outstanding season. The power rankings from last week are out, placing us firmly in the #1 spot. We had the most runs in the "Scored For" column and the fewest runs in the "Scored Against" column. Will we hold onto it? Can our offense continue putting up numbers like

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1159553932414528642006-09-29T14:11:00.000-04:002006-09-29T14:18:52.516-04:00

I think it is a real privilege to have kids in our youth group who actually get excited and happy to see their minister show up at their school events. Some kids would roll their eyes, be embarrassed, be spiteful, or just generally not like it. But not this group. Yesterday I attended a choral performance and saw a smile when the young lady saw me in the audience. Later the same day, I went

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1159409849807102652006-09-27T22:05:00.002-04:002006-09-27T22:27:29.513-04:00

I got back this afternoon from a 3 day clergy retreat at DaySpring. (Well, I didn't stay over the first night because I came back to play softball, but you already read about that.) The retreat was decent as far as retreats go. I was looking forward to some time to get to know the clergy of the diocese with whom I did not have any prior relationship and I was looking forward to some time for

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1159239513009983832006-09-25T22:48:00.000-04:002006-09-25T22:58:33.016-04:00

I drove back early from the 3 day clergy conference at DaySpring this evening to make it in time for my softball game. Over the weekend there was some emailing done among teammates - someone volunteered to bring bats, someone volunteered to be the captain, positions were identified and people agreed to show up tonight. I drove back from DaySpring dressed out and excited!I arrived at the field.

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1159020960099559922006-09-23T10:12:00.000-04:002006-09-25T22:48:30.390-04:00

When I arrived at the Yacht Club on Thursday night, I learned that the First Mate would not be there this week and that there was only one other hand available for crew, and he less experienced than I. It was therefore with some trepidation that I accepted the field promotion to First Mate. Despite my shaky confidence, I discovered that I knew/remembered more than I thought I did, just from

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1158551184520509972006-09-17T23:33:00.000-04:002006-09-17T23:53:27.216-04:00

One of the most significant benefits of this job in Tampa has nothing to do with what the church has (amply) provided. Rather, it has to do with the fact that my uncle's fishing cabin (only accessible by boat and, aside from the river community, as isolated as you could desire) is only 45 minutes away. We headed up there this weekend and had a blast. It was my first trip in over five years, but

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031329.post-1158203917002560952006-09-13T23:08:00.000-04:002006-09-13T23:18:37.110-04:00

The light was dim in the chapel, as it always is for Wednesday night services. Fr. Kalisa, a guest preacher from Rwanda had just sat down after delivering his meditation and the room was quiet as we began to silently reflect. Sometimes I use this time to reflect on the Gospel or what the preacher had just said. Sometimes I use this time to reflect on my week or maybe the week ahead. As I was

Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07351638503110148974noreply@blogger.com3