Ridgell's Originals

Male leadership and authority seems to be quite a topic these days.  Or maybe the topic is female  leadership.  Or maybe just leadership and authority.

But I am firmly in the camp of male authority and leadership.  In the home and in the church.  I appreciate the people that actually ask me why.  I would like to think we all have a strong basis for what we believe about something so important.

Though there are lots of things I could point to that convict me on this topic, there are three things that I keep thinking about, so...

When Jesus picked the twelve apostles, he picked twelve men.  There were women deeply involved in his ministry, but the apostles were men.  And when they replaced Judas, being a men was a requirement (Acts 1:21)

When the early church was in strife and turmoil over complaints about caring for the Grecian widows among them, the apostles said to select seven men full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit.  Acts 6:3.  I would not argue that there no spiritual women full of the Holy Spirit.  But the apostles said to choose men.

When Paul gives the blueprint for the spiritual elders/overseers for the church, they are to be married men.  I Timothy  3:2 and Titus 1:6. 

So Jesus selected male leaders.  So did the apostles.  And so did Paul.

There are other reasons from Scripture that convict me about male leadership, but I think these three certainly have to be considered in any discussion about spiritual authority and leadership.

So for those that wonder why some of us are convicted about this issue, here they are.

Not to be contentious, but because I sure think we all better have reasons for our convictions.

And these are some of mine.

So Avery Gilbreth turned 12 last week.  And here are just a few of the reasons I love her and am so proud of her.

She gets along with everyone.  Everyone.  Old, young, male or female, a lot like her or not at all like her.  She is friends with everyone. 

She just does not get bent out of shape.  She gets over things quickly.

Loves animals.  Dogs, cats, goats, pigs.  She loves them all.  Really has a heart for strays and cripples. 

Younger kids love her.  She is sweet to them and treats them the way she wants to be treated.

Great athlete.  Gymnastics is her thing but she could have played any sport she wanted.  Fast.  Strong.  Smart.  Coachable.  Determined.  Competes fiercely.

Loves her family.  Mom's girl.  Mimi's girl.  They really are three peas in a pod.  Very alike.  And that's a good thing.  Loves her Pops and brother.  Aunt, uncle, and cousins.

She is beautiful and doesn't even know it.  Maybe because she is even prettier on the inside than on the outside.

Loves God and Jesus.  I am really enjoying watching her start to form her own faith. 

So thanks God for letting me be Avery's Pops.  Do great things thru her and with her.

Our family has a thing about names.  Maybe every family does but we seem to really make names a big deal.

My wife's maiden name is Herttenberger.  All she ever wanted was to marry someone with a last name that was easy to pronounce. So she picked Ridgell.  Oops.

My dad was Joel Wesley.  I am Stephen Joel.  My son is Joel Don (named after both granddads).  His oldest boy is Andrew Joel. 

We have a Julie, Joe Don, Jamie, and a Jake.

An Anna, Avery, Andrew, and Austin.

Even our dogs have some kind of naming thing going on... Lucky, Lincoln, Luke, and Lulu.

Names. 

But I am going to get a new name someday.  So will they.

God promised it in Revelation 22:4

Some day I will see God face to face. 

And his name will be on my forehead.

My new name.  When I see His face. 

Best name ever.

So my son and his wife, Joe Don and Jamie Ridgell, celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary a few days ago.  Just a couple of days after his birthday.  So I have been thinking about them.  And Jesus.  And their anniversary. 

It seems to me that they have a great marriage.  Here is why I am so proud of them.

Their marriage is not about how much they love each other.  It is about how much they love Jesus.  They are each passionate Jesus followers.  And that makes them a really powerful kingdom force.  People have come to know Jesus because of them.  They are strong spiritual counselors to lots of their peers.  They mentor younger couples.  They give, serve, and teach.  They hold each other accountable for how they live out their faith.

But boy do they love each other.  Love that they still hug and kiss when they get home in the afternoon.  They compliment each other.  Not just to the other, but to everyone else.  They are unfailing supportive of each other.  They are blunt, honest, and loving.  They each have amazing talents but together they are greater than the sum of their gifts. 

Amazing parents.  Calm, firm, grounded, fun, and confident in where they are leading their kids.  Lots of love talk, discipline, hugs, church, prayers, and sports.

Their home reflects Jesus.  That is intentional.

And it hasn't always been easy.  Health scares.  Life.  But they keep on.  Leading their kids and their friends to heaven. 

So  thanks God for connecting Joe Don and Jamie.  They have blessed our family and so many others.  Do great things with and thru them.

My son Joe Don turned 41 the other day and here a few of my thoughts about sons, birthdays, and what matters.

I love him for the thousands of great memories.  Fishing, hunting, playing ball, wrestling when he was small.  Going to the zoo.  Roofing.  Well, not so much the roofing but the working together.  Vacations.

Baptizing him.  Hearing him preach.  Watching him grow into a passionate Christ follower.  Seeing him be an amazing husband.  Seeing his kids blessed by the way he raises them. 

Lots of laughs. 

But here is the thing.

I am not near as happy about the past as I am about the future.

Every Dad wants their son to be a better man than they were -- or even are.  Check.

But I am so excited to see what the future holds for Joe Don.  There are kingdom and Jesus works coming that will be greater than I can imagine.

Can't wait to see the incredible way he continues to raise Anna, Andrew, and Austin.

I get to watch their laughter.  See him baptize his kids.  All over again I get to enjoy the fishing, sports, and life.

And he adopts all his kids friends.  He is that Dad.  Funny, aware, God focused, cool.  He is the crazy uncle that makes every gathering fun.  And the one you can call if you ever need help.

And someday he will lead our extended family.  He will be the go-to guy.  He will be -- and in some ways already is -- the leader.  And he is great at it.

Because above all, he knows who he is.  And whose he is. 

So to adapt the words God spoke about his son...

This is my son Joe Don.  I love him and I am proud of him.  He is worth listening to.

So thanks God for JD.  You have done so much in his life.  Continue to bless him, protect him, and use him for your glory.