Big Things. Dude. At least I can say that if my old buddy wasn't struggling with a medical issue or getting on TV, I'd have less to write about. [That was shockingly self-referential.--ed.] I know.
I just wanted to share a few things I appreciate about Russ Ramsey while I'm at it. In case he doesn't know, or has forgotten.
There is not a single inch of the world that doesn't belong to Jesus Christ, ultimately. And if you meet Russ, you know it. Better still, you believe it. I didn't know when I met Russ that I was a creative person; I didn't know that I had something a little unique to give. He used to have these very colorful sheets of paper outlining the talks he'd give. There'd be all these pop culture and literature and art references; he sees Christ in everything. And he never did it to be cool, although frankly, it didn't hurt the cause. He did it to show us that the reason that we resonate with so much of this stuff is because its goodness comes from God, and we are made to resonate with Him.
He always had a little space called "Kettinger's Korner" or something like that, where some question I asked would be used to clarify something. I always felt really special at those times. Would you believe that I have doubted whether I was worth talking to at all? Well, he won't let anyone pass feeling like that. And if he were right here, he'd say, "especially not you." Fair enough.
I learned that e-mails and other assorted messages from Russ were rare. It's true; he told me himself. But I have had the privilege of receiving three. One I remember distinctly. He had gone to Mexico on some kind of mission. I won't share his part of it, but I had been afraid. Well, he shared some things in a manner only creative types can, and the lesson was this: No matter what you experience, don't close your heart to God. And be prepared to be surprised.
One of his inspirations in the form of a teacher also gave advice to me. And I took it. Or at least I'm trying to. I mark the trip to PA on Spring Break in 2005 as a life-altering one. Russ wasn't there, but he was. You never realize little moments, little things, until later. And those people who bless you probably just think they're doing what they do. But they are the ones you tell stories about, the ones you give thanks for.
At the risk of overt sentimentality, Russ is one of those people. His heart isn't quite working right, but his heart in the biblical sense certainly is. And I have known the benefits. I commend him to the Heart of Jesus, giving thanks.
I just wanted to share a few things I appreciate about Russ Ramsey while I'm at it. In case he doesn't know, or has forgotten.
There is not a single inch of the world that doesn't belong to Jesus Christ, ultimately. And if you meet Russ, you know it. Better still, you believe it. I didn't know when I met Russ that I was a creative person; I didn't know that I had something a little unique to give. He used to have these very colorful sheets of paper outlining the talks he'd give. There'd be all these pop culture and literature and art references; he sees Christ in everything. And he never did it to be cool, although frankly, it didn't hurt the cause. He did it to show us that the reason that we resonate with so much of this stuff is because its goodness comes from God, and we are made to resonate with Him.
He always had a little space called "Kettinger's Korner" or something like that, where some question I asked would be used to clarify something. I always felt really special at those times. Would you believe that I have doubted whether I was worth talking to at all? Well, he won't let anyone pass feeling like that. And if he were right here, he'd say, "especially not you." Fair enough.
I learned that e-mails and other assorted messages from Russ were rare. It's true; he told me himself. But I have had the privilege of receiving three. One I remember distinctly. He had gone to Mexico on some kind of mission. I won't share his part of it, but I had been afraid. Well, he shared some things in a manner only creative types can, and the lesson was this: No matter what you experience, don't close your heart to God. And be prepared to be surprised.
One of his inspirations in the form of a teacher also gave advice to me. And I took it. Or at least I'm trying to. I mark the trip to PA on Spring Break in 2005 as a life-altering one. Russ wasn't there, but he was. You never realize little moments, little things, until later. And those people who bless you probably just think they're doing what they do. But they are the ones you tell stories about, the ones you give thanks for.
At the risk of overt sentimentality, Russ is one of those people. His heart isn't quite working right, but his heart in the biblical sense certainly is. And I have known the benefits. I commend him to the Heart of Jesus, giving thanks.
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