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I want to pop the big. blue. balloons.

March 30, 2010 in life with 1 Comment

This picture reminds me of my life lately. There is the one thing worth focusing on. The one thing deserving of all of me. The one place where all of life is found. Then in an attempt to take our attention away from the one thing, is this big, blue, balloon.

I have a lot of these big, blue, balloons in my life. It seems that lately they are all over the place. My mind is going a million miles a minute. It’s ~~all~~ mostly a mix of good, and just ‘neutral’ stuff. Seminary, ministry, work, family, travel, dreaming about ways I could change the World for the cause of Christ, and just living life. Then things like Lost, 24, ipad’s, my fish tanks, rss feeds, naps, projects, and the rest of the things that take up my time. All big, blue, balloons.

I haven’t gotten much sleep lately, instead I’ve been consumed by these big, blue, balloons. (Again, it isn’t that these balloons are all bad) – but they are distractions. Things attempting to keep my focus off of the one thing that really matters.

I want to pop all of these big. blue. balloons.

Tonight I put away the Hebrew parsing, the mountain of books I have to read, the sermon prep for Easter Sunday’s sermon, the ministry planning, the iPhone, and all the rest, and I just sat with God. I popped all the big. blue. balloons, and just sat there, at the foot of the cross, with my God. It was nice.

I read through Psalm 63 tonight, the entire Psalm is beautiful, however I really like verse 1-4.

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.”

My soul really does thirst after God. I know this land is dry, there is nothing here for me. It’s lame in comparison to my God. No iPad, no Iphone, no degree, no anything can compare with how awesome God is. In fact, that Psalm says, “Your love is better then life.” How true is this! The fact that the Holy, Loving, Powerful, Creator, God loves a guy like me. Enough to send His Son to die in my place, and take ALL of my sin, and put it on His Son so that I could have a personal relationship with Him, that blows my mind. That is better then any of the big. blue. balloons.

God’s got a lot of work to do on me. A lot. But my prayer is God will help me to get better at popping these big. blue. balloons.

The “Blizzard” of 2010

February 12, 2010 in life, videos with 4 Comments

It’s not to often I’m able to make a video like this in Dallas, TX! (Not with out A LOT of powdered sugar!) I’m not sure how long it will be before anything like this comes to Dallas, so I thought it’d be fun to make a little video. I hope you enjoy!

God loves Uganda

January 23, 2010 in life, videos with 10 Comments

I’m currently taking a World Missions course at Dallas Seminary, and one of our recent assignments was to create a “prayer guide” that focused on a country outside of North America. We were also asked to find a few other people to join with us in prayer for the country that we focused on. I decided to create a visual “prayer guide” to help myself, and others, get a better idea of what is going on in Uganda.

I also thought I could use the “power” of the internet to hopefully get more then “a few” others to pray for Uganda. My hope is that everyone that stumbles upon this “prayer guide” would view it, and then take a few minutes to pray for the prayer requests at the end of it.

Please let me know if you took a moment to pray for Uganda, as well as any other feedback that you wish to share in the comment section below!

Do you have a love for “the lost?”

January 14, 2010 in life with 3 Comments

I am reading “Let the Nations Be Glad!” by John Piper for a class, and came across this quote tonight, and thought I would share.

“Have you ever wondered what it feels like to have a love for the lost? This is a term we use as part of our Christian jargon. Many believers search their hearts in condemnation, looking for the arrival of some feeling of benevolence that will propel them into bold evangelism. It will never happen. It is impossible to love “the lost.” You can’t feel deeply for an abstraction or a concept. You would find it impossible to love deeply an unfamiliar individual portrayed in a photograph, let alone a nation or a race or something as vague as “all lost people.”

This quote really made think about how often I share the Gospel of grace that has so radically changed my life with people in my life. How often I think I need to wait for some “feeling.” (whatever that is)

It saddens me that I’m not so in love with God that I can’t do anything BUT tell everyone I meet of us grace, and love. Not just when I’m on a stage, or “working,” but always, everywhere – sharing, and talking about God’s love and mercy, and how He made a way for us to come into a personal relationship with Him through His Son – Jesus Christ, as the Holy Spirit opens us hearts to the Gospel.

What I need to do is love my God so much, that I, like Peter, can’t shut up about Him. That it oozes out of me.

At this point in my life, it doesn’t. And I hate that.

I can’t wait for that day when the Love that God has for people oozes out of me. I know deep down in my heart how deep, and wide this love is, I just want my actions to match up with what I know.

That’s the hard part.

Mass: We Pray – “Bring your Family Closer to Heaven” …. by playing a video game?

November 18, 2009 in life, videos with 11 Comments

When I first saw this commercial I thought it was a joke; but it’s not! “Mass: We Pray” is a REAL video game produced by a company called “Prayer Works Interactive.” (I cut and copied the press release below the commercial.) I’ve seen some bad Christian “stuff” before, but this is over the top. I can’t believe this is even real, even as I type this I still think it is a joke, but unless this is a very elaborate, and early, April Fool’s Joke – it’s real! Check out the commercial below, and let me know if you’ll be getting one! (Be sure to check out their website – it’s over the top as well!)

———————————
“PRAYER WORKS INTERACTIVE LAUNCHES MASS: WE PRAY.
NOW YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SUNDAY TO WORSHIP THE LORD.
Boston, Mass., November 17, 2009 – Prayer Works Interactive is pleased to announce the launch of Mass: We Pray, a revolutionary videogame that allows families to go to church every day from the comfort of their own home. After all, a family shouldn’t have to wait until Sunday to worship the Lord.

Mass: We Pray is the first of many worship-themed games in development for Prayer Works Interactive. Just like with any videogame, families can use a television as a monitor to play. Then, they can use the CROSS, a proprietary, wireless, cross-shaped controller to participate in 24 unique and exhilarating rituals. Make the Sign of the Cross, sprinkle Holy Water, take Collection and even give Holy Communion. Every motion and nuance of a blessing or ritual is detected in three dimensions and replicated on-screen.

As they play, gamers collect Grace points. Then they can trade them in to unlock the Holy Mysteries. It’s entertaining, educational and enlightening.

To get off the couch and into the action, add the KNEELER, a pressure-sensitive accessory that allows gamers to kneel or genuflect just as they would in Church.

To extend the experience even further, download the Seven Sacraments and Holy Rituals Expansion Pack featuring: Ash Wednesday, Confession, Holy Procession, Transubstantiation and much, much more.

According to the founders of Prayer Works Interactive, “Families shouldn’t be scared of videogames. Just like television and radio before that, it’s not the medium that’s dangerous; it’s how you use it. Mass: We Pray is proof that videogames can be used to spread the Good Word.”

Don’t miss this revolutionary launch, coming Easter 2010. Visit masswepray.com for more information.

With Mass: We Pray, you can bring your family closer. To Heaven.

About Prayer Works Interactive
Prayer Works Interactive is a new game-development company founded in Boston in 2007. We believe there is a lack of quality games based upon traditional family values. Our mission is to fill that void by creating engaging, top-quality games that entertain, inspire and bring families closer to the Lord. Our first game is Mass: We Pray, but look for many more in the months to come.

Right Now 09 – Day 3 – LIVE BLOG

November 7, 2009 in life with 0 Comments

Ok, we’re back at Right Now 09′, live blogging the event for you.
{You do not have to reload the page, simply leave your browser up, sit back, relax, and watch the updates! – Enjoy!}

an [open] letter to my dad…

October 5, 2009 in life with 50 Comments

**disclaimer** – This is a letter that I wrote to express what I have been feeling. I do not believe that you can communicate with the dead, or anything of that nature. So please don’t read to much theology into this letter. Thanks!

——————————
Tuesday, October 6th – 1:06 AM

Dear Dad,

The truth is I should have wrote this letter years ago. I’m not sure why I didn’t. I guess I thought I’d have more time. I told myself that I’d do it “someday” – but I don’t think I ever knew when that day would be. In few hours I’m going to get in my car and drive to your funeral. Wow, that’s weird. I know it’s been a long time since we’ve spoke, and allot’s changed in my life. You won’t believe what happened the last ten years. I grew up – allot. So many things have happened in my life, I’m not even sure where to start.

First, I graduated college – I can’t believe it either. Second, I got into graduate school – finishing that will be another story. Third, I’m married now, for almost two years now. I have the most amazing wife, she is beyond words. I wish you could have met her. She is one of the most loving people I have ever met. We live in Dallas now, she is a pediatrician (and a really good one) – and I am a minister. Yah, that’s right, a minister. Can you believe that? I work at a church, go to seminary (graduate school), and get to speak to students about who God created them to be. I can’t believe it either. I would have never thought God would want to use a guy like me, but He did – wild stuff. I’m beyond humbled that I get to do what I do, and that I have the life I have. Its beyond humbling to me. It’s hard to tell you everything that has happened in the last ten years, but those are some of the highlights.

Dad, I have to say when I heard you passed away this weekend I wasn’t really sure if I was going to go to your funeral. I mean when you and mom divorced it seems like you sort of forget about us. I never got a birthday card, a phone call, an email – nothing. Same goes for your other kids. (my brothers). I’m not sure you have any idea what it is like being the oldest of four brothers, and trying to find a way to explain why their dad just seemingly forget about them. How could you do that to your kids? You are the only father we had. Who do you think I called when I graduated college? Or had questions about life? Or when I was getting married? I had no one to call! I always hear my wife getting to talk to her dad about important life events (tests, interviews, etc) and I always wish I had someone who called me, and asked me how my test, or interview went. I wish you called me and asked how my seminary is going. (it’s hard by the way). I can’t understand how you could do that to us. Did you ever wonder where I was? Did you wonder if I had gotten married, or what I went on to do in life? Did you care? Perhaps you did, but you just didn’t know what to say. I can understand.

I have racked my brain the last few nights trying to think about our last conversation, but I have had no luck. I’m not sure what the last words I ever heard you say were, or when the last time you ever said “I love you, son” to me. Those are the things that are the hardest for me. I know I wasn’t the best kid either – in fact I was pretty bad. There are so many things I want to tell you I am sorry about. I’m also very sorry for never trying to contact you, to be honest I didn’t even know where you were. Dad, I wish I could go back years ago, as a teenager, before the divorce, and do something about the drinking. I’ve seen first hand the effects of alcohol on a marriage, on a family, and on a life. I know you were hooked. I’ve seen you cry before because of it. I’ve seen mom cry before because you couldn’t stop. I remember you trying to go to rehab as a little kid, and to AA, but that didn’t work for you. That alcohol was bad news for you. You used to say some pretty mean stuff when you drinking that stuff. That’s my last memories of you. That makes me sad. I wish there was something I could have done to show you what the stuff was going to do to you, and to your family years down the road. I know you never thought it was going to do all of this.

Dad, one of my biggest regrets is that I never shared with you what has changed my life. The Gospel message. I was trying to think back to a time when you went to church with us, but I can’t. That makes me sad. Why didn’t you ever come to church with us on Sunday’s? Why did you just make mom sit there at church with all four of us boys, while you stayed at home and drank? How do you think that made mom feel? I have no idea where you stand before God. I have no idea if anyone ever shared the Gospel with you. If you ever responded. Dad, I know life was hard for you, but despite it all – you were created by God. He loves you, and He really wanted to make something of your life. It didn’t matter that you were 57 years old, God still wanted to redeem your life. To give you freedom from the alcohol – He could have! Dad, I know I was mad at you, but I don’t want you to go to hell. I want you to have a relationship with God. I don’t think I can ever remember you smiling or laughing when you weren’t drunk – you had no joy. God could have given you a deep down joy. He really could have. Dad, I hope in the depths of my heart that you had a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Dad, I forgive you for the years of hurt and pain. I just want to know you.

I don’t have all bad memories. I do have some good memories of you – in-between the times you were drunk. I remember the Christmas you bought us that basketball game, that was fun. And when you bought us the nintendo, and we played duck-hunt, and Mario – that was a big surprise. I also remember going to Big Bend as a kid, and to thousand trails – that was fun. Not to mention all the six-flags trips. I remember working with you at your hot dog stand, and making so-cones also – that was fun also. Every memory of you isn’t bad – in fact I try to only hold on to the good ones. That’s how I want to remember you.

Dad, thanks for providing for us as kids. For the school clothes, and the home, and the times you would bring home candy from the story. I miss you, and I love you. I am sorry things turned out the way the did. I forgive you, and humbly ask that you’ll forgive me. I know your life wasn’t easy, I really do. I know your heart harbored pain so deep that I will never know. I’m sorry that I added to some of that pain. I’m sorry for the way I treated you. I never thought the next time I saw you, it would be at your funeral. You really never know, do you? Dad, I love you. I really do. And so does God, He wants to fill that pain in your heart with joy. Dad, I hope we’ll get to see each other again one day. I really do.

Now I’m going to sleep, and I’ll wake up in a few hours and drive to your funeral. What an eerie feeling. Goodbye dad. I wish we could have hugged one last time.
I love you.

Your Son,
Rick

insufficient.

September 29, 2009 in life with 1 Comment

Screen shot 2009-09-30 at 12.06.18 AM
The following prayer was in a devotional book that I read. I like it. A lot. I need to pray this more often, becuase this prayer expresses how I feel every day. I feel so small. So unable. So insufficient.
(The good news is I have a relationship with a God who is able. Who is sufficient. That keeps me going.)

“Lord, I am insufficient in everything I will encounter today. I have insufficient wisdom to make the decisions I’ll be required to make. I have insufficient strength to resist the temptations I’ll face. I have insufficient skills to manage the conflict that may arise. I have insufficient resources to minister to the people I’ll encounter. I am entirely dependent on You.”

Wow! What a powerful prayer. May your view of God and His “ableness” grow more and more each day! He is Big!

Behind the scenes at the State Fair of Texas – Fried Butter

September 27, 2009 in life, videos with 1 Comment

R.I.P – Reading Rainbow 1983 – 2009

August 26, 2009 in life, videos with 4 Comments

“Butterflies in the sky, I can fly twice as high….”

Wow – I can’t believe this show is still on the air. Growing up I NEVER wanted to miss an episode of Reading Rainbow.

That’s why it is was deep regret, and sadness that I have to say that this Friday will be the final episode of Reading Rainbow!

So grab a handkerchief with me and watch the opening credits.

{p.s. – I’m going to miss you, LeVar.

Via MSNBC

Times Square is a lonely place

August 18, 2009 in life with 0 Comments

I have been in New York City the past few days, and every time I come to New York I enjoy spending lots of time in Times Square. I enjoy interacting with people. Ok, I thrive on interacting with people. It’s the way God wired me. If you have ever been to NYC then you know how jammed packed with people times square is. It doesn’t matter what time of the day (or night) you go there – you’ll always find someone trying to get you to buy a watch, a purse, a broadway show ticket, a comedy club ticket, or sell you a hot dog. It’s packed. With people. Lots of them.

As much I enjoy going to Times Square, I am always heart-broken by how lonely, broken, and hurt so many of those people are. Sure, most of them would never admit that. But, I wonder how many of them know that there is a God who is head, over hills in love with them . A God who created them. A God who knows their loneliness. Their pain. Their hurts. Their Fears. Their Worries. Their desire to “fix” themselves. (Adam and Eve did the same thing by the way.)

A God who desires to know them in a very personal way.

I’m not sure, but there is one thing I do know;

“Times Square is a very lonely place.”

My 15,000 tweet (or) I fall more and more in love with my wife every single tweet.

August 6, 2009 in life with 7 Comments

071027_Slaybaugh_E_307_2_2

I am sending out this blog post as my 15,000 twitter update. I worked hard yesterday coming up with a very creative idea for my 15,000 tweet (in fact I’m going to save it, and maybe use it for my 20,000 tweet). Last night as I was finishing it up, and getting ready to post it; I could see my wife through the open door in our bedroom reading her Bible, and I was overwhelmed with how much I love my wife. So I decided to scratch my “super, awesome, creative, and witty 15,000 tweet idea” to simply say – “I love my wife.” ALOT.

I could write a huge blog post talking about why I love her so much, and how amazing it is to have a wife that loves the Lord more then her husband, but since you probably don’t know her it probably wouldn’t be all that interesting to you. However; if you know my wife in “person” (of if my wife has treated your sick child), then you know how loving she is – and I’ll assure you, it’s not an act. She is just as loving, and sweet at home, as she is in public! I’m one incredibly, blessed husband.

So here it is, my 15,000 tweet – I love my wife!

{p.s. – Abbie, if your reading this – thanks for being such a great wife – your prayers, love, and support spurs me on! – I love you!}

BK Whopper Bar – Orlando, Florida

July 29, 2009 in life, videos with 5 Comments

My wife and I were trying to find some late night food at the City Walk last night when we ran across this place – “BK Whopper Bar” – curious we went in – this is what we saw…..

Universal Orlando knows how to do it…..

July 28, 2009 in life, videos with 2 Comments

I’m in Orlando, Florida at Universal this week, and I must say – it is nice. My wife and I keep such busy schedules, it’s nice to be able to take some time to just get away and relax. Here is a quick view from our hotel room.
{p.s. – if your somewhere else, like work, sorry – wish you could be here!}

The Ambassador, William Branch, Do You Care or Are You Nosy?

July 15, 2009 in life with 15 Comments

A nice brown dog with a really big nose.

Wow...! This dog has a huge nose!

For those of you who may not know; there are many tools that someone who owns a website (such as this) can use to help track how people are finding their website. Most of these tools will show you what people have typed into a search engine to get to your website – within the last month I have received a great deal of traffic to my website from people searching for the following items.

—————————————————————————–

“william duce branch”

“william branch the ambassador marriage”

“pray for william branch”

“william branch the ambassador”

“ambassador cross movement”

“ambassador moral failure marriage”

—————————————————————————–

I’m not sure why so many people are searching google to find out information about William Branch (The Ambassador), but my hope is that many of those people have a deep care to find out about William’s marriage, and ministry – and they are hoping that some where on the internet they will come across a website saying that William is back on track to restoring his marriage, and his walk with the Lord. (Side note : To this day I have not heard any update on The Ambassador’s restoration process. My hope is that he has surrounded himself with Godly men who are walking with him through this.)

As I have posted; I am a huge fan of The Cross Movement, and The Ambassador. I am also deeply saddened by all that has surfaced in the last month or so – but I am also confident of this;

That God can restore people, marriages, and lives allot quicker then it took them to mess them up.

I know that God cares a great deal for Duce, and his family – and I hope that anyone that comes across this blog will stop right now, and pray for William, and his family. If you have randomly stumbled upon this page just to be “nosey” – know this – God cares more for Duce, and his family more than any of us every could, and we should be on our faces praying for him and his family.

William, if you come across this page somehow – as a brother in Christ – I love you, and I want God’s best for you. I believe God can restore all that has been broken. Thank you for the impact your ministry has had on my life.

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