Kill the Noise: Finding Meaning Above the Madness

by Ryan Ries

It doesn't matter who you are or what you've done—God wants a relationship with you.
 
Social media, television, video games, drugs, pornography – there is so much noise distracting us from what is important in life that it is nearly impossible to hear God’s truth that He will take you as you are. When we finally kill the noise of the world, we’ll discover in the silence a loving Savior who is waiting to forgive us and offer us a purpose for our lives.
 
Ryan Ries is living proof of this truth. Growing up in Los Angeles as the son of a mega-church pastor but surrounded by the music, skate, and snowboard industries, Ryan felt a tug-of-war between the church and the world. It was in the skate and music culture that he found his passion and his identity. As a result, he walked away from God and dove head first into the world, losing his way in alcohol, drugs, and sex, which led to anxiety, brokenness, and emptiness.

Kill the Noise tells Ryan’s story about finding God in the messiness of life, and lets you know how you too can find peace, joy, and purpose in Jesus Christ. This book will be a tool to help you kill the noise of the world so you can hear God’s voice telling you that He loves you and that you belong to Him.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 2021

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite a prodigal son story. Although the son of a Calvary Chapel pastor, Ries went into a life of partying, music, drugs and sex. He shares many of his experiences and then how he finally got saved as an adult. He writes that his parents were aware of his lifestyle and tried to get him help but he refused. I found it interesting he either ignored childhood Christian influence or was not given any as he later in life did not know where Romans was in the Bible nor who Habakkuk was. (71)

This combination memoir and life lessons book would appeal to young people, people who speak about dudes and cribs and say a friend is dope. This book is for people who don't look like nor worship like traditional Christians and would appreciate Ries writing about Jesus kicking butt.

Unfortunately, Ries says he has no answers as to how he got so far off the rails. (119) So those who hoped to find some parenting advice in this book will be disappointed.

There is good teaching in the book but some of it might be a bit confusing. Ries writes, “One of the things you learn by reading the Bible is how easy it actually is to not do the wrong stuff.” (77) Then he goes on to tell us how hard it actually is to not do the wrong stuff. He writes about having to get strong, how he had to build resolve as he was in a daily spiritual battle. (102, 112) He encourages us to not think stopping sinful behavior is easy. (102) “Living for Christ is a battle,” he writes. (114)

This is a book for young people who think God could not possibly love them or want them. Ries' story of bad behavior and return to faith is a good example of God loving the prodigal back to a relationship with Him. God will not kick you to the curb if you mess up, Ries says. “Whenever you turn back to God, He will be there waiting for you with open arms of forgiveness and acceptance.” (35)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Susan Shipe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ries is doing a good work. Empowering students in public schools, colleges, and universities to make good and Godly choices - no matter the circumstances.
A preacher for our younger generation - Ries relates where they are, where they come from, and hoping to change the trajectory of their futures with the Gospel.
Ries is a cool guy, married, father of triplet girls and one son - he's in the mainstream of life reaching the youth in this very hard worldly environment.
I recommend this book for all youth workers and young adult readers. Good job, Ryan, keep killing the noise!

[Beattz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an open and honest memoir of a life completely changed by the True and Living God, proving once again that it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, or what awful things you have done, God loves even you, and wants to have a deep, personal relationship with you.

[Lacy Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for outreach. It explains the gospel in layman’s terms and was relatable to many different walks of life. I loved reading about Ryan’s faith- especially in regards to his triplets. Such a beautiful story that made me tear up. Would recommend!

[Brent T. Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equipped & Activated

Real TESTimONy that is engaging & life changing. This book will strengthen & encourage you to go & do what the LORD designed you to do 💯‼️

[Lance Lumley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will be a good read and guide for newer Christians and teens. The writer tells how he lived a life of partying and drugs as part of a Skateboard company that promoted concerts. Through his journey he becomes a Christian and writes about his public speaking and radio shows, along with some things he learned in his walk.
The teens will like his wording, where he uses things like the disciples were "chillin" and slang words that teens would like. There is a good chapter using fishing as an example to explain how Satan uses "lures" to get Christians to "bite".
This would be a nice graduation gift for teens and younger Christians as well.
For an in depth review, visit my blog at : https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/202...

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Kill the Noise, Ryan Ries walks readers through the process of killing the noise and distractions and silencing them and listening and finding God. The noises can be social media, video games, drugs, sex, porn, TV, and anything else we place before Christ. In the book, he opened up about his life story. He begins sharing how his father was a pastor at a megachurch and had two older brothers. He explained how he loved rock and roll and got sucked into drugs and alcohol. He explained how his addiction grew and how this hurt his ability to produce and create events. He described how he felt into the lust of the flesh and it started in first grade when he discovered x rated porn magazines behind his school. He shared how this opened the door and the images got saved in his memory. He revealed how this affects the brain, messes up relationships and marriages, and how it can also lead to impotency. He opened up about how he was sleeping around and he got a girl pregnant. She made the decision to abort the baby and she didn’t tell him into after she did it. Eventually, she got pregnant again and they both agreed to stop the partying. Shortly, they learned they were having twins and they discovered that she had a vanishing twin syndrome. She changed her mind and ended up having another abortion because she thought she was too young to become a mom. He found out she was also cheating on him and she also cheated on him between the abortions. He shared how he flipped God off and was hurt at Him for taking his kids. He also went into details about how he come to know Christ in Panama City and how he received his wake-up call. He also shared how he is a co-founder of The Whosevers movement and what all they do.


I would recommend this life changing book to anyone who is looking for an inspirational book about finding God and silencing the distractions from the world. I immensely enjoyed how real he was in sharing how he was a little rough around the edges and how he came to know Christ. I liked how discovered his true identity in Christ and found his passion. I also connected with how we can turn down the noises in our lives. I also liked how he told his whole story about his rebellion days, coming to know Christ, and how he met his wife. I also appreciated how he discussed his marriage and how they struggled with infertility and their experiences with vitro and how they ended up with triplets. I liked the vast areas, he looked at in the book and how we can all learn to kill the noise and build a better relationship with Christ.


"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.”

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for those early in their walk with Christ, the skeptical, and seasoned believer.
Ryan shows his life before following Christ and doing life his way and how empty and painful that had become. He reached the end of himself and went to the One he heard about his whole life and was changed. He continues to encourage the youth in skate culture as well as those of us who hear his radio show, Live with Ryan Ries.

The book is a quick read and Ryan's voice comes through with humor, intensity, and genuine love.

[Caleb McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The deep hole temptation can leave you in is tremendous. This book shows how easily you can fall into your fleshly sin and allow it to absolutely ruin your life. Though this hole appears to be insurmountable, Kill the Noise displays how powerful God's mighty hand is, able to pull you out of any circumstance. It doesn't matter how far you are from Him, you are His, and you were made for so much more. This book expressed the powerful love of Jesus Christ, and that it has NO limits.

[Darrell Halk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the honest tone of this book and the way Ries is able to translate spiritual truths in a way that anyone can understand. Would be a great read for someone struggling with addictions or with their relationship with God.

[L Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for those new to the faith or those who come from a rocky past.

[Andrea Hargrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read

This is a great book! It was easy to read and relate to. This book is perfect for teens and adults alike