Ridgell's Originals

Stupid flu shot.  I had mine today.

They told me older people need one.  I just don't think I am old.

I probably wouldn't get the flu anyway because I am generally healthy.

Besides, shouldn't health be proactive and not just preventative.

You know... like spiritual disciplines -- Bible reading, praying, fasting.

The truth is that of course I want my spiritual disciplines to help me be a better follower of Jesus.

But sometimes my spiritual disciplines better be preventative.

Because sometimes I am weaker spiritually than I want to be.  I don't want to think I am weak, but of course it is a good idea to build up my defenses.

And I will be tempted.  No way Satan stops fighting me now.  We have been at war for a long time and I guess we will be till I am home for good.

So the flu shot may be very smart in preventing a future illness.

And spiritual disciplines may be very smart in preventing future spiritual illness.

So God keep me healthy so I can be active doing your work.  Use the flu shot if you choose to.  And keep me spiritually healthy so Satan does not harm me.  Use our conversations thru prayer and your Word to protect me.  And grow me.

I got to hear my friend Eddie Sharp teach a class at ACU Summit recently and I did not like it.  It was about the importance of spiritual disciplines.  Prayer, fasting, reading Scripture.  I told Eddie I did not enjoy the class.

And our preacher at Southern Hills, Jarrod Robinson, is preaching a series on OPEN, It is about spiritual practices that help create space in our busy lives so God can work in us and on us.  Twelve of these.  Not enjoying it.

And here is why.  I am by nature a DOER.  I would rather preach, talk to people about Jesus, help in their spiritual battles.  Too many people and not enough time.  Not only that but I am just not naturally introspective like that.

So I did not enjoy that class and I do not enjoy that sermon series.

So thanks Eddie and Jarrod.

Sometimes what I need will not be what I enjoy..

Maybe I need to slow down and be filled. Maybe I will even be more effective sharing Jesus with others if I am sharing from the overflow of being filled by Him.

So I am trying to work on my spiritual practices.

Still not enjoying class or sermon series, but maybe that is not the point of spiritual growth.  Maybe the point of spiritual growth is to do what is good for me because I love and enjoy God.

So God thanks for Eddie and Jarrod.  Thanks for brothers who see things I do not.  Help me to slow up enough to fill up.  And then use me up.  For your Son.

Well, I made it.  I turned 65 last Sunday.  I have never put much stock in numbers but everyone seems to think 65 is a major milestone.

I act like I'm 45 and look like I'm 85 so 65 is about right for me.  And to use one of my favorite illustrations, if life was like a football game I am early in the fourth quarter.

And hee are a few of my thoughts.

Many people use milestone birthdays to look over their life and reflect on what they have -- and have not -- accomplished.  I am really not very introspective that way.  We have managed not to accumulate much.  Not much money, or possessions, or debt.  Not exactly a "big name" in my profession, but getting paid to do what I love.  And paid to do what I would be doing anyway.  Talking about Jesus.

Marsha and I have been doing life together 43 years.  I like where we are.

My kids are both faithful Christians.  Happier about that than anything else.

My five grands are well on their way to being healthy, active followers of Jesus.

That's the legacy I would choose.

Past that I really don't see much point in reflecting back over life.  Much more interested in tomorrow than yesterday.  Would do a lot of things differently.  Would do a lot the same.  I am content with who I am and where I am.

Everyone seems to want to know about my future.  When will I retire?  What am I going to do?  How about money?

I don't really have plans.  I just want to keep on telling people about Jesus until I am no longer able.

I will work for Hope for Life until they stop paying me.  Or maybe a church will want an evangelist or a full-time elder.  Or maybe we will make on what we have.  God has always taken care of us.  Always.  Can't imagine that he will not take care of us in the future.

So I am pretty much living life at 65 just like I did at 64.  And like I will at 66.

Love God.  Follow Jesus.  Love Mimi, the kids, and the grands.

Tell people about Jesus.  Help Christians to know how to tell others about Jesus.  Help struggling Christians keep their faith.

And someday go home to real home and real life.  Then wait for Mimi and the rest of the family to get there.

Not much of a plan.

Or a really, really great plan.

So thanks God for 65 years.  You have always taken care of me and you always will.  So do with me what you want till I get to be with you forever. 

He is not the first to be confused, nor will he be the last.  My grandson Austin is in Kindergarten and had a good first week.  His older brother was asking Mom to come have lunch with him one day and Austin answered "Of course we will."

Mom then had to explain that Austin would not be joining them since he had to go to Kindergarten.

Evidently Austin did not realize that it was not a one week event.  I am not sure anyone has had the heart to tell him that this will go on for longer than he can yet imagine.

It is a little like some people think about their Christianity.  It is great for week at Easter and Christmas.  Or even every week if we hold it to just a couple of hours.

But following Jesus is all day, every day for the rest of our lives.

When we were baptized into Christ we were crucified with him.  We gave up our old life to live a new one by faith in Jesus.

Following Jesus is not a matter of time.  Or a series of acts.

Jesus said if we want to come to him then we must deny ourselves, take up the cross every day, and follow him.

Give up ourselves, die, and follow Jesus.

Every day.  From now till forever.

So God forgive us when we think following you is a short-term proposition.  Today and every day from now on forever we will deny ourselves, die with your Son, and follow him.

Some of you know the story of Todd and Christian.  Todd is one of my fellow elders that prayed for God to put someone in his life that he could share the story of Jesus with.  Christian was a refugee who ended up in Abilene.  Todd hired Christian to work for him, he and his family served Christian with the love of Jesus, taught him the gospel, and Todd baptized him into Christ.

Great story of prayer, passion for telling the story of Jesus, a seeker, and how the Holy Spirit connects believers and seekers.

I have told this story all over the world.  I even included it in my book, Can I Tell You a Story.

So there is a farmer in Rupert, Idaho named Luke who needed to hire a hand for his farm.  One night he is reading about Todd and Christian and realizes he ought to pray that same prayer.  So he asks God to help him hire someone he can share Jesus with.

The next Sunday at a church meal, he asked if anyone knew someone looking for agricultural work.  Chris recommended Joe, recently released from jail.  Luke hired Joe.  Chris and Luke told Joe about Jesus.  Joe believed and decided to follow Jesus.  He was baptized into Christ about one month ago.

And I got to meet him at our evangelistic event up in Idaho last week.

Todd wanted to reach lost lost people and the Holy Spirit brought him Christian.

Todd and Christian inspired Luke.

The Holy Spirit brought Joe.

Sharing faith.  Making disciples.

Maybe this story will inspire you to pray for God to send you a Christian or a Joe.

Go God go.

God send us more seekers like Christian and Joe.  Thank you for being faithful to give the increase when we sow Jesus seeds.