Joe Ragan

Last week I had a conversation with a professional woman.  She shared with me how she is volunteering at a local animal shelter, along with some of her friends.  I congratulated her on the decision to volunteer and give back to her community. Then, I shared with her that I learned at an early age [...]

Recently, I watched a movie.  I know that is a shocker!  I don’t watch a lot of movies.  I have several reasons, but won’t get into them here. After watching the movie there were several things I took away from it.  One, I was impressed that the director allowed a woman to state she was [...]

Nineteen years ago (1994), around this date, I arrived in Ukraine for the very first time.  I still remember vividly those first few days.  While I won’t recount all of them at this moment, I would like to share one that stands out. I arrived in Ukraine not knowing any language other than English.  I [...]

This is my fourth day being home sick.  It has allowed me to watch a couple of movies, “The Impossible” and a Tyler Perry movie (which wasn’t nearly as funny as the one I watched in Dnipropetrovsk).  I don’t watch a lot of movies as I think most of them are not well done and [...]

Many are probably asking that question?  Where in the world have I been and why haven’t I updated the site.  Well, I don’t have a good excuse.  I spent the whole month of January at home, so I don’t really have a reason. By the way, time really does fly, doesn’t it?!  I mean, it [...]

During the last several weeks, I have been seeking the Lord concerning a scripture passage to be my focus during 2013.  I attended church last night and one brother’s sermon brought my attention to a passage from Colossians 3: 12-17 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, [...]

It is hard to believe that I haven’t posted in more than 2 months.  I actually thought I might make it to the 1,000th post by New Year, but that ain’t happenin now! I had a great trip to the US and really enjoyed my time at First Baptist, Stephenville, TX.  I made a trip [...]

After several months of pain in my left elbow, finally, I went to the doctor two weeks ago.  After doing some preliminary strength tests, he suggested that I have an MRI done.  I agreed and the receptionist at the clinic called and made the appointment. That MRI was scheduled for today at 12 noon and [...]

I love the written word.  It began in high school as I took a journalism class.  It led to me being named the editor of my high school newspaper during my senior year. In college, I didn’t know for certain what I wanted to do.  I loved debate, but didn’t want to go to school [...]

Yesterday, our church planting group met for a time of worship.  I thoroughly enjoyed singing praise songs and hearing a great word from Psalm 63: O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you. David wrote this Psalm during a dark time of fleeing his enemy.  While it was [...]