Marc Rylander

My favorite character in the Bible is:
Job.  Throughout my life I have faced circumstances where I had to overcome.  During my junior year in college, in particular, I was in a dark and lonely place and “met” Job and heard his story and it revolutionized my view of God—both in the valleys and in peak seasons of life.

My life verse is:
John 10:10: “I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”  I love to have fun.  Period.  And I love my relationship with Christ.  When I stumbled upon this great verse as a young believer, I realized that Jesus not only gives me eternal life, but He authors and allows the joy and life that I get to experience on this side of heaven. 

If I could ask God one question, it would be:
Why is there pain and hurt?

Nobody knows that I:
Love to country dance with my sweet wife, Lindsay

I’m happiest when:
I am doing life with my family and the friends we love

On my iPod:
2,309 songs.  I am a music addict.  All kinds.  All genres.  My favorites are George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Journey, Chris Tomlin, The Eagles and Neil Diamond.  Yes, Neil Diamond—let the jokes begin!

The one book (besides the Bible) I’d recommend to anyone is:
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman 

My last meal would be:
Fried catfish.  Lots of it.  Preferably from Huck’s in Sherman, Babe’s in Frisco or Smokey John’s down in Dallas

I’m most excited about:
Seeing what God will do through my family as we serve/lead the amazing group of people called Prestonwood North Campus

My trademark expression is:
“Do not allow yourself to become upset by people or things…. They are powerless. Your reaction is their only power.” My granddad taught me this wise nugget.

My proudest moment is:
Both times that the doctor handed me our boys

If I could, I’d:
Take off from November through January and go hunting every day 

The one blog I read regularly is:
I don’t.  That is such a weak answer, but I really don’t read them.  I personally communicate with most of the people whose opinions I respect, and I don’t have much free time to blog.

I could eat:
Something fried at every meal.  Wait…I think I do that already!

My pet peeve is:
People with no passion

My perfect day would be:
Get up on a Sunday morning.  Have a big breakfast with Lindsay and the boys.  Go to the church and worship with our Prestonwood North Campus family.  Go eat again.  Then take a nap.  And finish the afternoon alone in a deer blind waiting for a big buck.  Now THAT is the perfect day.

My favorite childhood memory is:
Spending time with my grandparents (both sets); I was blessed to know and love every one of my grandparents and great-grandparents.  My happiest times were spent with each of them.

In my free time, I:
Do handyman stuff at my house

If I could do it over again, I’d:
Fall in love with Lindsay all over again

My favorite TV show is:
Local news.  That is really about all I watch on TV.

Three people I would want to have a meal with:
Apostle Paul, Ronald Reagan and Theodore Roosevelt

I would spend $1,000:
Buying collectible items from Dallas.  I have a room in my house that is full of historical items from the city where I was raised and that I dearly love.