Ridgell's Originals

There are clearly dangerous threats to our well-being during this pandemic.  I really think every elected and appointed political official is doing the best they can.  Local, state, national.  You may not agree with every decision, but do you actually think there is a plot by some to intentionally harm people?  Open up too soon and endanger lives.  Open up too late and crash the economy.  Easy choice.  Lives over money.  Unless you can't eat because you lost your job.  Or your landlord forgave or delayed one month's rent but he can't go another month.  Now you have no home.  It is not as easy as many would have you think.

Church leaders are trying.  This is uncharted territory.  How to connect.  When to open up.  And how.  How do even do communion together?  And don't think your leaders are not worried about building payments.  Your preachers know in the back of their mind that their salaries might be in jeopardy.  Crash the economy, crash the organized church.  But God will provide.  Just like I know he ought to, unless He knows better than me.  Oops. 

Parents are trying.  How do you help your kids choose faith over fear?  Are things really going to be OK?  Lots of stress in lots of close quarters. 

Physical danger.  Young, old, compromised.  They are still in danger.  Some old people have it and never know it.  Some young and healthy people get it and die within a week.  There are related issues also.  Wellness checks put off.  Doctor's offices not seeing sick people.  Doing the best they can.

Emotional danger.  Tempers flairing.  Abuse.  Loneliness magnified.  Fear multiplying.  Worry.  Selfishness.  Jealousy. 

Sin.  Alcohol abuse.  Pornography. Anger.

Spiritual danger.  Loss of accountability.  Disconnected worship.  Realizing church is real but not like you have always thought. 

Here is the point.  Give grace.  We are all doing the best we can.  Christians should lead this.  So stop being so quick to blame those who do not do things as you would.  Show mercy and grace.  Forgive.

Spread Jesus.  Be Jesus hands and feet.  See with his eyes.  Love lots.  Give.  Talk Jesus.  Be nice.

Be like Jesus.
         

Shut down.  Self quarantined.  Social isolation.

Now there is talk of "opening back up" and returning to normal.  And a lot of talk about what the "new" normal might look like.

But there is no normal.  Never has been.  Nothing has been normal since Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden.  Bad choices.  Bad consequences.  That is still how the world is. 

Sickness.  Corona, or a heart attack.  The Black Plague or cancer.  Whatever pandemic strikes next. 
Economic struggle.  Wondering where the next meal comes from.  Overwhelmed by bills.  Job loss.  Appreciating payment extensions while knowing the debt remains.  Depression.  Loneliness.  Addictions.  Bad choices and bad consequences.

Pain.  Work.  Lust, greed, ego.  That is the normal of this world.  And that will all be the same when this pandemic is history.

As the old saying goes... life is hard and then you die.  Truth. 

Flattening the curve may get thru this crisis.  Or a vaccine.  But it won't change things.  People are made in the image of God and so you might flashes of caring and doing for others.  It is a fallen world and so you see selfishness and hate. 

This is not the world God intended and someday it will be different.  God saw to that when he sent his Son into this world to die for our sins.  Then raised him from the dead so death would be defeated.  Those of us who follow Jesus will see this.

The day is coming when there will be a new normal.  No more pain, tears, or darkness, or sin.

Do you want to do something about the state of the world?  Share Jesus.  He changes everything.

If you are reading this and long to be part of a different world, I can help you with that.

Just let me know.
 

 

I have started a YouTube channel.  Right now just putting out thoughts on Christians and Covid-19.  Going to do occasional communion or devo thoughts.  Obviously will tell some stories.  May put up some of my seminars. Do some videos to encourage believers to share their faith.  Do some for non-believers.

And I am terrible at this. I look bad.  Sound worse. 

But I believe in message over messenger.  Always have. 

That is why the kingdom grows in spite of us.  Because we share the right message.  Jesus.  Not us.  Not the church.  Not theology.  Not service.  Not goodness.

The message is Jesus.

I am good at that.  So I am going to try this YouTube thing.

And a personal note, my grandson Jake has a YouTube channel.  JG Soles.  He has 23.000 subscribers.  I have 2.  Going to work hard for 10.

This is what happens when traveling evangelists stay home too long.

So we will see what happens.

If you want to check it out, go to YouTube.  Search Steve Ridgell.  Look for something that looks like a channel. 

Maybe.  I am not even sure I can find me on it.

But if you do, subscribe.  Hit like.  Make a comment.  Listen to it. 

Thanks.

What songs do you sing in prison?  Or during a pandemic?

It had to be a horrible time for Paul and Silas.  Their ministry disrupted.  Reputation in tatters.  Beaten.  Thrown in jail in maximum security.

Depressed, afraid, uncertain of the future.  At the very least.

And at midnight, they are singing and praying.

I don't think they were singing songs of lament from the Psalms.

I think they were singing praise songs.  Maybe from the Psalms.  Maybe contemporary hymns of the day.  Maybe songs they were making up as they went along.

Because believers sing.  And I think if Paul and Silas were in the middle of this pandemic I think they would still sing songs of praise.  Social isolation, economic distress, quarantines, afraid, depressed, uncertain of the future.

What would they sing today?  Maybe the same songs I find myself singing -- a lot -- these days.  In the shower, in the backyard, at my computer, in my truck, watching on-line worship.

So here are four songs I keep coming back to over and over.

It Is Well
 Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It Is Well, It Is Well with My Soul

Eye of the Storm 
Your love surrounds in the eye of the storm

In Christ Alone
Till he returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I stand

Raise a Hallelujah
I'm gonna sing, in the middle of the storm, Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar.
I raise a hallelujah.

Check these out.  Add your favorites for this time.

Sing them often.

And who knows, God may put someone in your life who wants to know about the Jesus that keeps us singing no matter what.







   

This is a really hard time for church leaders.  I know there are things that weigh heavily upon their mind.  Some vital issues.  Some that maybe should not be but because of circumstances really are.

so here are a few of the things weighing heavily on the minds, hearts, and souls of your church leaders.

Are my people OK?  You can call and use social media, but it is not the same as really checking on people.  Your old people.  Your single Moms.  Your first responders.  They dying.  Those that mourn. 

Money is a big deal right now.  Members are getting near desperation now.  Businesses are going to close.  Jobs have been, and will be, lost.  Debt is going to pile up.  Income is severely cut for many of your members.  How do you help them? 

Collection.  OK, this is the last thing you want them worried about, but it is a reality. Because churches have bills too.  Ministers want their paycheck.  Building debt is not waived.  Missionary support.  Utility bills for unused buildings.  And contributions are down.  Some because it is not convenient any more.  Some not giving because they are scared or nervous.  Some not giving at the rate they were because they do not have it now.  And some because they are using their resources to help family members, neighbors, and others.

Buildings.  Most churches have a lot invested in the building.  I am not debating whether that is a good or bad thing.  It is a reality.  Do you keep cleaning it if it is not being used?  If you pay someone to clean it, do you keep paying them? 

Staff.  Preachers are stressed.  Social media.  On-line assemblies.  It is not easy.  How long can they keep doing church on-line as if it were in person.  Is our congregation going to become even more accustomed to spectator church? How long before some of our members decide the church that is doing it well is a better fit than my little church?  And if they see the contribution numbers, it can be scary.  Most of your ministers get paid by the church.  What happens if this goes much longer?

Future.  Not just what everything looks like in a few weeks months years.  Or whenever.  Will our people come back.  How do we manage the finances.  And on and on it goes.  But even more, what do your leaders want the future to look like?  Think thru the whole buildings/possessions issue.  But if you want to do something different, what?  And how?  Is this a time to rethink the professional minister model?  What would a different model look like?  More evangelists?  And what is the responsibility for those ministers under the current model?

It is a little like asking our leaders to envision what a new water system should look like when the old dam is springing leaks everywhere.  Strategic thinking is hard in crisis. 

So I pray for church leaders. I don't have all the answers.  And neither do they.  And neither do you.

But I am confident God will bring something great out of this. 

We could be on the verge of an incredible opportunity to share Jesus.  I anticipate real growth for the churches that do figure it out.  Maybe some of this was needed so we can remember the real mission of purpose of Christians/church.

Seek and save the lost.

I would write more but I have someone coming over (at a distance of several feet) to talk about Jesus stories as they try and decide to follow him or not.

That is something I can do.  And maybe that is the only answer that really matters.

God please bless the shepherds of your flock.  Give them wisdom, faith, and courage to lead.  do something great thru us and with us.  In the name of your Son whom we follow.

Mimi and I put on Cousin's Camp every year for our five grands.  Lots of fun, a few fights, lots of eating, and family worship every night.  Every kid says something good about the others.  We all pray in a big circle.  One of the other things we do is memorize a Bible verse.

A few years ago we memorized Joshua 1:9 and I find myself repeating it more and more these days.

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go."

Tough news every day.

My Mom lives in a Retirement Center.  Not only can we not visit (or can she get out to visit us) but they announced today no more eating in the dining room.  No more playing games.  Going to be really tough on her and her group of friends.

My daughter works at a hospital in the O.R. department.  She has working some in the E.R.  Now she is going to have to work in I.C.U.  She's a single Mom.

One of my best friends can't see his wife.  She is in an Alzhiemer's unit and he is not allowed in.

Doing Bible studies by Zoom or Marco Polo is not the same.

Praying over the phone or from the front yard is not the same.

A traveling preacher is not supposed to be home this time of year.

And they keep telling Marsha and I that we are in a vulnerable demographic.  Old.

I know some with Covid-19.  I will know more.  Chances are I will know someone who will die from it.

I mask up and glove up to go to the store.  And yes we go.  Today we shopped for 4 or 5 people who needed help or support.

So every day I remember to be strong.  In my faith.  In my service.

Every day I remind myself to be courageous.  Not stupid.  But brave.

I read not be terrified.  God has got me and my loved ones in his care.  No matter what.

I will not be discouraged.  God is doing great things in the midst of this pandemic.  People will be stronger disciples.  People will come to Jesus.

All because the Lord my God is with me.

After all, what is the worst thing that can happen?  I die and go where I have been wanting to go for all my life.  Heaven.

So till then, I believe God has things for me -- and you -- to do.  So let's be strong and courageous.  Let's not be terrified or discouraged.

God commanded it.

Joshua 1:9.  I guess that verse at Cousin's Camp was not just for the kids.  It was for me too.

Today is my wife's birthday.  Here are just a few random reasons I love her and am proud of her.

She is 67 and doesn't care.  She doesn't look it.  Even better, she doesn't act it.  And having known her almost 50 years it is special that she is still the same in all the ways that matter.  Loves God and loves people.

People that know us say if you want to hear about Jesus, find Steve.  If you want to see Jesus, find Marsha.  There is a lot of truth in that.  She is really good at the hands and feet of Jesus stuff.

Love the way she took care of her folks.  Love the way she takes care of my Mom now.

Since I am a traveling preacher, she often does special things for me when I have been gone a lot.  Chocolate pie is one of those.  She made one the other day.  Not because I have been traveling, but because she knows how much I miss it.

And I love that she still lets me go talk about Jesus.  Lots of couples our age have retired.  She still packs for me, prays for me, takes me to the airport, and picks me up. 

Great Mom, fantastic Mimi.

Treats everyone the same. 

She is a stayer.  I can only imagine how different -- and by different I mean worse -- my life would be without her. 

Not much celebrating today because of the pandemic.  But lots of full hearts.

I read a bunch of her Facebook happy birthday to you posts.  The most common adjective used was sweet.  Sweet Marsha.  That is true. 

So love her and blessed by her.

Thanks God for Mimi Marsha.