Hello dear friends - well the mix of emotions has been crazy the last few weeks here, most of you probably know why. But, as Joanna Reyburn sings in the wonderful new Prayer Room track - Lord, You'r...
Well, it's been awhile! I have had a few chance encounters with people lately who have told me they have missed our updates, and you know as well as I that there is nothing to spark up the habit like ...
Heard from a certain restaurant on University last night around 9:30 pm - "Get the Bohemoth
out of there! He's too huge! Somebody take him out!". Some crazy fan?
Some out of control bart...
Jenny and I had the privilege of attending a Mike Huckabee
rally this morning on campus, one of the many stops on his "Get the
Texan Vote" tour ahead of the March 4th voting primaries. Hav...
Couch Update, 4 New Prayer Room Tracks, Saturday Evening!
Written by Ryan Couch
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Hello dear friends - well the mix of emotions has been crazy the last few weeks here, most of you probably know why. But, as Joanna Reyburn sings in the wonderful new Prayer Room track - Lord, You're Beautiful! That beauty is displayed wonderfully by William P. Young in the great book "The Shack". More on that later, but pick it up and read it whenever you can.
C.S. Lewis called pain the megaphone of God. If that is indeed the case, he is screaming Jesus name. Not just to be religious, but to remind and show forth that we are the ones that chose independence and therefore the grief, shame, and death that followed it. But God, being rich in mercy, has always even from the fall had a plan of redemption in Jesus. Not just to defeat death and sin, but to inaugurate a kingdom of awe-inducing wonder, beautiful righteousness, and power.
It is that kingdom we desire to seek, though we are weak, and believing in His power we are moving to Grandview, Missouri June 25th. There is sadness but excitement, joy but mourning about all that we've had here and all that we will miss. Of course, there are many things that we won't, but we try not to focus on that - doesn't do much good! There are a couple new blogs I want to call your attention to if you are looking for something to read.
Also, as it is long overdue for newness, the Prayer Room player features 4 GREAT new prayer room tracks with more on the way. I am using a new recording software (thank you God, for Apple) and the quality is literally 10 times better. It sounds like it does when you are streaming it from the website (which I recommend).
Lastly, I want to announce a final Couch event at 111 Rugen Ln. - this Saturday we will host an "Open House" from 7-10 pm. There will be coffee, real informal, but if you want to bring your dinner or dessert feel free. The stated goal of the evening is to see anyone we can perhaps for the last time in awhile, and to give away lots and lots of food and miscellaenous items. So even if you can only stop by, just do and say hello and take something! See you then!
Well, it's been awhile! I have had a few chance encounters with people lately who have told me they have missed our updates, and you know as well as I that there is nothing to spark up the habit like a few people who genuinely care.
I've been meaning to get around to a few very important writings, as some significant things have happened surrounding our transition up to Kansas City. The Lord is the initiator of seasons and change, and more than focus on the events that have happened, I more want to write about the ways God has used those events to bring clarity and focus on aspects of His benelovent character. After all, I remember reading something about our testimonies overcoming the evil one or something like that :)
Therefore, over the next few weeks (we leave College Station on June 25th) look for at least the following writings, which will be linked from here as soon as they are written, so feel free to check back. A quick update is included below that.
The "It's Raining" Story
The "Show Me" State and Emotions
More Thoughts from the Mountains of Colorado
Musings on the Prophetic Future of the Brazos Valley
The final will most likely be a series of writings about some of what I believe the Lord has graciously showed me about what He desires for this area and the prophetic signposts He has physically placed in the town as a constant reminder. This is a tough place to be, no doubt, and there are many discouraged - but it is a significant battleground, training ground, and I believe will be a very strategic location for the Lord's army in the last days.
To those who are discouraged, but diligent to pray and wait on the Lord - "No eye has seen nor ear has heard the things that God has prepared for those who love Him, but He has revealed these things by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the very deep things of God." 1 Cor. 1:9-10
Jenny and I are doing rather well after quite a period of ups and downs. Our hearts have been wounded that they might be healed to a deeper level, our marriage bond strengthened through adversity, and our home finally sold! Thanks to our families for all of their loving care and support (even a wonderful trip to Colorado last week!) We are grateful for our true friends who have busy lives themselves but care about us. Most of all, praise be to the God of heaven who makes all things new, and everything beautiful in its time! (Rev. 21:5; Ecc. 3:11)a Write Comment (0 Comments)
No Love Lost. Yes Love Won, Again.
Written by Ryan Couch
Sunday, 23 March 2008
Heard from a certain restaurant on University last night around 9:30 pm - "Get the Bohemoth
out of there! He's too huge! Somebody take him out!". Some crazy fan?
Some out of control bartender? No - it was my lovely bride, rooting for
the Aggies to do what we've come out every March to do since we've been
married - rooting for the Men's Aggie Basketball team to do well in the
NCAA tournament.
If there is any sport we both like, its
basketball, and if there's any Aggie team that we both actually care to
watch - its the men's squad. Year in and year out since we've been
married, that Aggies have gone to the NCAA Tourney, and each year since
we've been married - we've watched them lose very close games in the
last minute to teams they weren't supposed to beat. Each year we watch,
and each year we've been dissapointed.
It would be so much
better if the Aggies would get blown out, or lose by 8-10 points, you
know - go down without so much drama. So I told Jenny last night as we
played the heavily favored UCLA (picked by many to win the whole
tourney). Lose by 30 - win by 10. Just don't lose in the last minute!
Especially after being up 10 points with 10 minutes to go. But, this
year was no different. Kevin Love and the Bruins pulled it out in the
final minute, spelling our doom once again.
Let's review the past
few heartbreaks - shall we? 2005 - Aggies playing one of the top seeds
in the second round - LSU. In the final seconds, their guy hits a three
pointer from WAY downtown to end our run. 2006 - Aggies playing in the
Sweet Sixteen versus big-time Memphis. In the final minute, we lose the
lead and the free throw battle, and in the final chance to take the
ball down and score, we turn the ball over and the clock runs out. So,
here we are in 2007 - a minute to go and the game is tied. After being
up 10 points, we don't score a field goal for more than 6 minutes and
our lead disappears. I hate to say it, but you learn to expect these
things in Aggieland. So much hype, so much potential, so much
dissapointment. Such it is with man's effort.
And, all credit
to the players for playing hard, in the final possession where we can
win or tie, we turn the ball over yet again. And as the UCLA Bruin
picks it up and races down the court to slam the buzzer-beating dunk -
all of our Aggie Basketball hopes and dreams are crashed with a
resounding exclamation point for another year. But, we keep getting up
and we keep trying. We may not win, but we will try again next year.
And, as usual, Jenny and I will probably be in some restaurant next
March, watching the Aggies and hoping for a better outcome. One day,
the unusual will indeed happen.
Until then, no love is lost on the Aggies. Even if Kevin Love "aka the Bohemoth" conquered us this year. May it be truly be prophetic over Aggieland.
Jenny and I had the privilege of attending a Mike Huckabee
rally this morning on campus, one of the many stops on his "Get the
Texan Vote" tour ahead of the March 4th voting primaries. Have you
voted yet? You can early vote today only (Friday) and then you'll have
to wait until Tuesday to vote. You can do so at the MSC, or many
different schools and government places around the area. Please, I urge
you, if you can, vote! And I definitely support Mike Huckabee - for His
true, genuine faith in Christ Jesus, His firm stance on life for the
unborn and His desire to enact a marriage amendment defining marriage
between a man and a woman. But, don't take my word, pray, search God's
word, and vote!
After the rally, where Chuck Norris made a grand entrance and kicked somebody in the face
told about how awesome Mike Huckabee is, we headed over to the MSC to
vote. Jenny was in awe (and a bit wigged out) of all the "Nuclear
Engineering" companies huddled into the Flag Room competing for
students in the job fair - but I was thinking about what a true
privilege it is to vote. Millions of people around the world would kill
(and actually, they do all the time) for the ability to do what I did,
leisurely at my convenience today. Vote. Vote my values. Vote for
someone who I believe has the integrity, leadership, vision,
experience, and most importantly, faith to lead this nation. Someone
who has actually led a government for 10.5 years and with great
statistics to show his accomplishments.
Make no mistake, America
is not the kingdom of God, and no man save the majestic King of Heaven
can bring lasting change on the earth. But, "Righteousness exalts a
nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34) The
blood-guilt on our nation cries out from ground to the Lord, and the
Lord is longsuffering, but we must repent and return to Him. No
president can cause this to happen, only if "my people, who are called
by my name, will humble themselves and pray, seek my face....and I will
heal their land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
And while the church is doing this, and the world sees and begins to
follow suit by that powerful witness, I do pray for a righteous man in
goverment to bring an end to abortion. 1 more judge! 1 more Supreme
Court judge is all it would take to begin the process of overturning
Roe vs. Wade. Will that end abortion in our nation? No. Only Christ in
the hearts of men and women will do that - but it will help. God is
merciful, but we must not misunderstand His longsuffering as His divine
approval of what we do, but as time to repent!
Huckabee this morning - and Ban Ki Moon tonight! Who is he? Actually
the Secretary General (head) of the United Nations, yes, here in
College Station speaking at the Bush School this evening. We will be
going to see him tonight. And Sunday? Bill Clinton will be here
stumping for his wife. We may be there for that too.
Yes, College Station is on the map. It always has been on the Lord's -
and without even knowing it, men are beginning to catch on. Write Comment (1 Comments)
To love at all is to be vulnerable - love anything and your heart will
be certainly wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of
keeping it intact, you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap
it carefully round with hobbies, attachments, and little luxuries and
avoid all entanglements. Lock your heart up in a safe place, a casket
or coffin of your own selfishness, but in that coffin, safe, dark,
motionless, and airless, your heart will change. And it will not be
broken, but instead it will become unbreakable, impenetrable,
irredeemable. The only place outside of heaven where you can be
perfectly safe from all the dangers of love, is hell. - C.S. Lewis
This sermon puts together the message of the "gospel of the Kingdom" so incredibly well. Very understandable, yet mind-blowing! Download, it's really worth the listen.
Online IPOD
Couch's Playlist - Click Below!
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Well, it's been awhile! I have had a few chance encounters with people lately who have told me they have missed our updates, and you know as well as I that there is nothing to spark up the habit like a few people who genuinely care. 
Jenny and I had the privilege of attending a Mike Huckabee
rally this morning on campus, one of the many stops on his "Get the
Texan Vote" tour ahead of the March 4th voting primaries. Have you
voted yet? You can early vote today only (Friday) and then you'll have
to wait until Tuesday to vote. You can do so at the MSC, or many
different schools and government places around the area. Please, I urge
you, if you can, vote! And I definitely support Mike Huckabee - for His
true, genuine faith in Christ Jesus, His firm stance on life for the
unborn and His desire to enact a marriage amendment defining marriage
between a man and a woman. But, don't take my word, pray, search God's
word, and vote!
