Comments for MikeRamsdell.com

Comment on Thoughts on my trip to Rwanda by Rand Jenkins

Rand Jenkins — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:43:27 +0000

I amaze myself at the number of times I get discouraged about something I don’t have despite knowing (and experiencing) that I live a most certainly comfortable life just by having a lot of food in the pantry, permanent shelter, running water and electricity.
Thanks for the continued reminder of our blessing and the need that others have.

Comment on Sunday in Africa by Diana Gerrard

Diana Gerrard — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:11:50 +0000

Africa is such a wonderful place!

praying for you guys!

It’s such a blessing to be able to read your experiences while you are there. I miss the culture and the hearts of the people in such a challenged place.

Stay safe,

Diana

Comment on The Giving Hope (ZOE) orphan families by Kimberly Stratman

Kimberly Stratman — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:49:34 +0000

Howdy!
I hope yall are doing well and gathering all types of stories to share when you get back.
I look at the picture you posted and I see the teenage boys. As a mother of two boys, I can not help but see the similarities…. The same smiles, bravado, tilt of the head, etc. I am so glad there are people and organizations that help them. Thank you for allowing my family to contribute to the power of ZOE.
stay safe,
Kimberly

Comment on Rwanda by Kimberly Stratman

Kimberly Stratman — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:43:51 +0000

Mike and Theresa,
Please tell Epiphany we said “Hello”! I think of her often and the stories she told us a few years ago. I also think of and pray for her and all of the other folks helping the children of ZOE. The thought that it could be my own children who needed help is never far from my thoughts.
Have fun!
stay safe,
Kimberly Stratman

Comment on Church, 3 hours with Jesus in Butare, Rwanda by Tracy Selle

Tracy Selle — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:29:56 +0000

We love the pictures and the blog updates. Matthew says to watch out for those birds.

We’re keeping you and the whole team in our prayers!

Comment on Rwanda by Mary Beth Mayo

Mary Beth Mayo — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:41:32 +0000

Praises for a safe arrival!
Prayers for everyone continue throughout your mission.

Papaya-eehhh…but if you get a chance to taste Mango jelly it’s GREAT! The Mango fruit is a little tart but the jelly is fine.

We know you are making a difference and God is with you.

Comment on Ethiopia by Tracy Selle

Tracy Selle — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:33:11 +0000

Oh Mike! It sounds so exciting. I am praying for you and the whole team.

Matthew says to watch out for the lions. And….if you can catch one, he would like it. : )

Comment on Julie’s letter by Jamie Sue

Jamie Sue — Tue, 18 May 2010 22:10:27 +0000

A comment on Sundays (5-16) message concerning the woman at the well. Few thoughts came to my mind as I heard you speak.

1. Some think they gotta have a bucket to drink. Which means they gotta prepare, clean up, make things just so-so (perfect) to receive God’s blessings.

2. If you don’t provide the effort to dip the bucket, you cannot be filled. There is a point one must choose to be vulnerable, and ask for God’s help.

3. God’s love is FREE – come w/ nothing and get something!

This week I was getting my hair done and had an inspiring conversation w/ my hairdresser. She told me about The Truth Project and she was super excited about it! The one thing that really hit home from our conversation is that you can’t reach the lost if you don’t love them first. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the person who stands on the street corner trying to reach the lost, but I wonder if every christian took the time to show love, how much more real would Christ be and how many more folks we could reach?!!

Thanks for the work you do – God bless!

Comment on Health Care Reform Bill by Robyn Doty

Robyn Doty — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:19:51 +0000

Pastor Mike,
I am so grateful that you have taken the time to write your position on Health Care Reform…and for three key reasons:
1) You point out that faithful Methodists (and Christians) can have differing opinions on this issue; and that’s okay. This seems so simple; but as people get overly emotional about the issue, that truth can be lost.
2) You clearly state your personal point of view which you support through fact/belief.
3) Most importantly for me, your comments helped me step away from a purely POLITICAL stance on the matter so that I might search for God’s purpose in this. I’ve not heard a network or cable news program come close to expressing the complex Christian feelings/issues tied up in this bill like you have in this message.
Thank you. I’ll be encouraging others to read your message.

I appreciate the wisdom and leadership you offer to us all.
Robyn Doty

Comment on Health Care Reform Bill by Chuck Newman

Chuck Newman — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:52:41 +0000

I attempted to email a plea to all of the elected congressional representatives from Texas three days prior to the announced vote on the health care bill. I soon found out that, if I could find a way to email a US representative, there was a screening process that would not allow me to send an email if I did not reside in their respective district. I found a web site (I think it was built by Mike Huckaby’s folks) that provided fax numbers, so I went to the office an hour early the next day, and attempted to fax my letter to all of the representatives. Coincidentally, all of the faxes to Republican representatives went through, but there were seven Democratic offices that were busy, even after three tries. No one, Democratic or Republican, responded to my faxes. So much for open communication. Even though I cannot vote for a US representative from another district, his/her vote most certainly affects my life. So much for political comments. The gist of my letter was to ask for congressmen to actually read the bill before voting on it. How do you read and digest a thousand pages in a couple of days? Now, even though the bill has been signed into law by the President, the wording is still being revised because of some pariamentary errors that included provisions that were not appropriate for this bill. I had also mentioned the Christian relevance of public funding for abortion (this was before the executive order from the President). The real meat of my comments, however, was to require the Christian attibutes of personal responsibility and accountability to be applied to the various aspects of the bill. I have personally had times in my life when I had very little, and have had times when I had much. The faith acquired from the times with the least has allowed me to appreciate the times of plenty with a proper perspective. Although we must provide for the last, the least, and the lost, there needs to be a personal investment on the parts of both the giver and the receiver. Without a relationship, there is no connection, just as if a Christian goes to church, but never really connects with God and understands the significance of Jesus. How successful was the “War on Poverty” that was launched in the 60’s? We now have fourth generation welfare recipients. To use the old cliche, I only want a hand up, not a hand out. Feed a man a fish, and you feed him for a day–teach a man to fish, and he can be self sufficient. Habitat for Humanity is, I think, an example of a successful program because everyone is involved in a relationship of one sort or another. There is a personal investment of everyone that is involved with a habitat house. This health care bill (law) is wonderful in that it offers everyone the chance to have health insurance. But where is the investment on the part of many recipients? If some don’t have to have any responsibility, will they become just another generation of welfare/health care recipients? Jesus said that the poor will always be with us–focus on Him.