“You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” (Psalm 66:12)
Transitions are never easy. Our country is going through a...
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...
“You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” (Psalm 66:12)
Transitions are never easy. Our country is going through a transition, the church is going through a major transition - it truly seems like transition is all around us! Change is the buzz word of the hour, but, as we are learning - only abiding in the changeless One can it be successful.
Jenny and I have been through probably one of the most difficult trials of our lives in the process of moving up here, and the verse above truly describes it! We left College Station with great anticipation and joy, and by grace arrived without any problems to our stuff or selves. Our new home is truly a gift, a refuge, a place that we believe God has even given us a special name.
But, often God wants us to fight for what He gives us. He wants us hungry, He wants us to yearn for Him and gain deep revelation in the who He is as the Father of lights. Its’ not that He is cruel or wants to withhold any good thing from us, but He wants us like Him. We are His gift, His inheritance even, and He went to the cross and the grave to win us.
You have to war for that which He has given you. Its' ours, and its’ no one elses, but in that war something great happens, you realize in new measure how weak you are and how strong He truly is. In that battle, the battle for the very things God is giving you, you lose and you win. You lose yourself in God, and you win way more than what you think He is giving you - you win His strength to overcome.
This time, our mortgage company completely messed up what was previously called “a perfect package” for the purchase of our home. Then, when they tried to fix it, the entire mortgage company began to crumble from the inside. An entire lending firm were pulling their accounts out of this company, as it went downhill completely out of nowhere. And why? Who knows. Our account was simply the catalyst of a great implosion of sorts.
Then, when the warrior-princess, Spirit-filled, deeply intimate with Jesus broker that God gave us tried to get us connected with a different mortgage company so that we wouldn’t be stuck here without a place to live - the new company’s entire server went down and couldn’t access our information.
We prayed, we believed, we hoped, we gathered around others and they prayed with us, not only that we would get the house, but that we would win the spiritual battle that God had predestined for us to win, and learn all the lessons He was trying to teach us in the process.
All the while God was smiling, as he “let men ride over our heads” so that we might learn to be conquerors, yea, more than conquerors through Him who loves us. We certainly aren’t there yet, but we must be in training, for one day the Lord will allow us all to crush the greatest of foes, Satan himself, underneath our feet.
And, after days and days of praying and great provision coming in other ways (and getting to meet people we wouldn’t have otherwise met) we were supposed to leave out of the country with my family. We believed God would pull that mortgage through, never doubting that it wouldn’t as he gave us a number of signs along the way to remind us to keep pressing in and believe!
Literally - on the plane to leave the country, I’m pushing the button to turn off my cell phone, and it rings. It’s our warrior broker screaming “We GOT IT! The mortgate just passed through!” She worked so hard God bless her, and as I deeply exhaled I felt the Spirit say “See, I’m never late.”
That was the fire. And boy did I really dislike it at the time! But now, I thank God for it. For I know there are other battles to come in the next few decades. And we all need all the experience we can get. Tested and tried as silver, purified and refined to walk worthy and without offense in the midst of difficult days ahead.
Then came the water. The water has been the refreshing that we’ve experienced since. The Lord has been really kind to bring favor and people into our lives that we never thought we’d get in just the short time we’ve been here.
As I mentioned before, the trial actually connected us with several people that have become and are a true blessing to us, connecting us to new relationships and even ministry opportunities. More to come about this.
Even as I write this in the Prayer Room they sing out of Psalm 23 “The Lord is my Shepherd. The Lord is my Shepherd. You lead me perfectly.” Amen! And He has led us, as the scripture above states, “into a place of abundance”.
The next verse says “I will come to your temple...” and that is what the House of Prayer is. A place where the fire of worship and intercession hasn’t gone out for 9 years. A place where sometimes you feel God, and sometimes you don’t. But, a place where those from different backgrounds, cultures, and even denominations gather to be ones to “come near and minister to God” (Ezek. 44:15) believing that “He will bring justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night”. (Luke 18:7-8).
To be in community with those who encourage each other not to shrink back in the face of your own darkness but to practice turning your eyes towards things above, towards the beauty of the Lord, towards that which is pure, noble, and ultimately satisfying and real. Towards healing, unity, and the revelation of Jesus all over the world.
Praise God, we all have a long way to go, including IHOP, but God is a good shepherd, and He has truly brought us into a land of abundance - and for that we are truly grateful.
As a final note, Jenny and I visited the local zoo on Saturday, and it was awesome!! We took some pictures from the time, and even some really awesome video. The zoo is just 15 minutes from our house, and is probably one of the nicest and coolest zoos we’ve ever been to. We'll be back.
Funny to think of now, but I think transitions are kind of like trips to the zoo - you’ll see some amazing new things, but you might go through some real poop along the way. Totally worth it in the end though!
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.
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.
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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. 
