Ridgell's Originals

 So today my son Joe Don turns 43.  Here are a few of the reasons I love him and am proud of him.  

He is so intentional about his faith, his marriage, and his kids.  Jesus is the center of his life and he leads his family on their faith journey.  

He is really good at spiritual advice and counsel.  Friends seek him out for advice.  That is a rare gift.

Loves his extended family.  Not just Jamie and the kids, but us and his in-laws.  Loves his siblings and his nieces and nephews.  Cousins.  His grandmother.  Aunts and uncles.  

Gives himself up for others.  Now it helps when your boys and you Dad love sports and the outdoors, but he does not do very many things for himself.  And he genuinely does not see that as sacrifice.

Loves Jamie.  No question and everyone knows it.  

He is a very successful attorney, but his career is one of the last things I think about when I see him.  That speaks well of him.

I continually run into people who know him and without fail they speak about the kind of man he is, the things he has done for them, or the way he influenced their kids. Marsha and I are thankful that we never have to hesitate when talking about our kids, and that includes Joe Don's wife Jamie.  Never have to worry about what people think of them.

Every Dad wants his son to become a better man that he is.  Mission accomplished.

Just as special, he is actually raising his sons to be just as good a man as he is.  And showing his daughter the kind of man she wants to marry someday.

So God, thanks for my son JD.  I love him and am proud of him and I know you are too.  Bless him.  Continue to do Kingdom things with him and thru him.  Protect him.  Because of Jesus.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 Let me start off by being honest.  This is another post about evangelism.  Growing a church.  Finding the one sheep that is lost.  Being active in equipping members to fulfill the call to partner with God and Jesus in the ministry of reconciliation.

I don't think most churches object to the theory of evangelism.  I just don't think most practice it.

I am not going to try and convince anyone that reaching the lost is important.  That is a much harder job than one blog post.  I am going to try and help us process why our practice does not line up with what Jesus seems to see as our purpose.

We are all quick to say the church is not the building, but that is where we have asked people to givethe most money for.  One of the most common statement I hear from churches is that they are really going to invest in missions as soon as they pay off the building note.  Priorities defined by practice.

We actually don't go to church.  We are the church.  Yet an enormous amount of time, energy, and moneyis devoted to the worship assembly.  

Most churches don't hire any evangelists.  They hire pastors, ministers, preachers, youth ministers, involvement ministers, educational ministers, children's ministers, counselors, support and admin staff, and maintenance people.  

We cater to the flock.  Even our equipping and training is all about us.  Better marriages, be better parents, youth program with lots of activities, family nights, financial stewardship.  And there is nothing wrong with any of these.  But they grow us.  They do not grow the Kingdom.

But they could. What if we did these as outreach to a lost world?  I know we all say outsiders are welcome, but how many really show up?  And how many of our members realize they are expected to ask non-believers?

Elders should spend their time shepherding the flock.  Teaching.  Growing new disciples.  Going into the wilderness to try and bring back the sheep that wandered away.  How many elders do you know that spend their time doing this?  Or do they wear themselves out over budgets, buildings, staff, and listening to people upset that their agendas are not being met?

Now for true confession.

Some of this is frustration.  The older I get, the more I am driven to do what is really important for the Kingdom.  People are lost and going to spend eternity in hell away from God.  I get that many churches don't believe this.  But I do.  

I think about the fact that most of the apostle's lost their lives because they were confronting lost people for Jesus.

Outward focused churches thrive.  They grow in number but also in spiritual ways.

Inward churches do not survive.  Not in the long run. 

So maybe we can think about what we really believe.  

What we say is not nearly as telling as what we do.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 I like good preaching.  I love great preaching. And like all preachers, it is hard to listen to other preachers without thinking how I would do it.  But I have known some really good preachers.  Heard some really good preachers.  So here are the four things they all had in common.

Scripture.  All good preachers use the Bible.  I need preachers who share truth, not just their opinions.  I have opinions too.  And if disagree with you, I need to know that my issue is not really with you, it is with Scripture.  Even if I don't like it.  Maybe that is why I love preaching that works thru a text.  Or thru a whole book from the Bible.  It is a pretty good sermon if all you do is read the Bible.

Good Communication.  I appreciate intensity from preachers.  I want to hear in their voice how much what they are saying matters.  Humor helps.  Good visuals are fine.  I have even known a few preachers that lead songs as part of their sermons.  I want preachers that connnect the dots.  Or a least have dots that I can connect.  Not a fan of bunny trails and sidetracks.  

Practical Application.  I want to know what God says.  I appreciate preachers who make it easy to get the point.  But tell me what to do with it.  Or at least ask and make me think about what to do with the text.  After all, the assembly is designed to inspire me to love and good works.  So let me know how to put truth into practice.

Authentic lives.  I do believe that preachers have to live their sermons.  Not be perfect.  It is even OK to say this is a truth I struggle with, but let me know you listen and apply your own sermons.  The more you get to know a preacher, the more you ought to be able to listen.  Preachers should not let their lives get in the way of their message.  

So the good preachers share God's word with me, make it easy to understand, tell me what to do with it, and let their lives illustrate it.

So thanks to all the really good preachers I have known.  And to the not so good preachers.  After all, there are two ways to come up with a list like this.  What worked.  And what did not work.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 Father's Day can be a difficult day for lots of reasons.  Some of you have such a good relationship with your Dad that it is hard to figure out how to have a special day.  They are all special.  Some of you have a difficult relationship with your father and it is an awkward day.  And what do you buy a Dad?  Ties?  Nope.  BarBQue tools?  Maybe.  It is hard.  

And some of you no longer have your Dads.  Because in the natural way of life, Dads die before their kids do.  My Dad and Marsha's Dad are both in heaven.  So if your Dad is still alive, here are some things I want you to give your Dad for Father's Day.

The gift of gratitude.  You have things you ought to really appreciate that your Dad gave you.  Faith.  Or a work ethic.  Or athletic coaching.  Maybe it was a love of travel.  Or the outdoors.  Maybe he was just there for you.  But thank your Dad.  He was not then -- and is not now -- perfect.  But he tried.  I wish I had told my Dads even more how thankful I am for what they gave me.

Forgiveness and grace.  It may be that you need to ask for forgiveness.  It may be that you need to extend it.  I know that everyone has at least some baggage their Dad gave that is not helpful.  It may have been something specific.  Or you may just need to tell your Dad that you know he probably worries about what he would do differently if he could go back.  Tell him it is OK.  

Time.  Take your Dad to lunch.  Or invite him to take you.  Watch a movie together.  Go to church togther.  Take a trip.  Go to the zoo.  You know, all those things he did with you when you were growing up.  Return the favor now that he is growing old.

Grandkids.  This is not an appeal for you to have more kids.  But it is a reminder to let you Dad get to be with you and your kids.  Not just free babysitting, but real time.  One of my best gifts from my two kids is to watch them with my grands.  Trips.  Meals.  Visits.  Games and concerts.  Playing games.  Family worship.

And a quick word to moms reading this.  If your husband is working hard at being a good Dad (whether the kids or his by birth or marriage), you take the time to thank him, love him, and tell him you appreciate his leadership as a Dad.  

I realize how incredibly blessed I have been.  My Dad and my second Dad (Marsha's Dad) were not perfect men.  But they were devout followers of Jesus who loved me.  The older I get, the more I appreciate what they gave me.  

And I am proud of my two kids.  I did my job.  They know Jesus.  They will take care of their Mom if anything happens to me.  And they are raising good kids.  All five of my grands are growing into strong, healthy, believing adults.  

So tell your Dad you love him, thank him, tell him he did a good job.  And let him hang out some with you and the kids.  

The best gifts you can give him.

And to Julie and Joe Don.  You already do all these so thanks for making every day a great Father's Day for me.     

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 Numbers are tricky things for churches.  I know that numbers (attendance, baptisms, membership, budget, giving, etc) do give a snapshot of how things are going, especially if comparisons are made over time.  You can see trends -- good or bad -- developing.  

Numbers are used in the Bible (and not just the Old Testament book).  3000 baptisms on Pentecost.  The Jerusalem church had 5000 even only counting the men.  Jesus fed 5000.  Maybe with those kind of results I would report numbers also.

And I don't know the numbers, but I do know when Jesus taught the "hard" truths, people starting leaving.  I know that there was a "budget" discussion about how to feed the multitudes.  These seem to indicate that numbers can be misleading.

Preachers are hired and fired based on numbers.  Attendance going up or down.  How many baptisms.  Numbers may reflect growth.  Or they may reflect swell.  Your congregation grew by 300.  Wow.  New converts?  No -- just people who left the three congregations close to us.  So one church grew and three shrunk.  And the Kingdom numbers did not change at all.  So are the three that lost members doing something wrong?  Is the church that gained members doing something right?

The whole idea of membership numbers seems a little problematic.  That is not a concept in Scripture.  And membership rolls probably do not really line up with God's membership rolls.  I have many occassions when someone said they were members where I was an elder and I had never heard of them.  Are they really members when they don't attend, give, or participate?

I do think baptism numbers have some validity, but I even wonder about those.  Baptized 20 last year.  Great.  Except that 18 of them where children of members.  Still exciting and important but probably not indicative of evangelism efforts.  

And I am not sure baptism should be the number that matters.  After all, we cannot control the results.  That is God's business to give the increase.  Maybe number of people studied with, witnessed to, or invited to worship would be a better thing to know.  

But I do think a lack of "end result" baptisms does say something about the importance a church places on reaching lost people.  

So these were a few of my random thoughts about numbers.  

Just be careful that counting does not become the most important thing your church does.   

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 You have to make peace with your past.  You know it.  God knows it.  Often other people know it.  There are consequences to deal with.  So here is the only way I know to deal with your past.

Believe that you are forgiven.  Forgiven.  God forgives you.  Others may not, but that is now between them and God.  Consequences are not the same as guilt.  

So you had a past before you became a Christian.  God forgives you.  Be baptized and wash away your sins is a reality.  It was true for Saul in Acts 22 and it is true for you.  So if someone brings up your past, just remind them that it was your old self not the new self born again in Christ.  If they are a Christian, they get it.  If not, then this is your chance to witness.  

But what if your past is after you became a Christian?  And if you were raised in a believing family this is usually the case.  The blood of Jesus still covers you.  Confess your sins and God forgives you.  Always.  Read I John 1.  Someone brings up your past?  You are forgiven.  Just like their past.  If you have a hard time getting past your past... stop arguing with God.  If He says you are forgiven, who are you to argue with Him?  

Your sins are the old you.  You repented and became a Christian, or you repented as a Christian.  Real repentance leads you to be a different person.  It may take some time, or it may happen quickly. You may struggle with temptation, but the key point is this:  repentance leads to a changed life.  So when someone brings up your past... you have repented.  You are a different person.  

But what if you are not different?  Two observations.  Have you confessed your sin to anyone so you can get help.  Talk to an elder.  Go to someone you trust to give spiritual advice and counsel.  Confession opens the door to help.

If you have not repented, then do it now.  Then begin the process of renewing your mind and changing into the person God wants you to be.

Forgiven.  

But if you are not willing to confess and repent, you will never truely deal with your past.  It will never be "in the past."  

So deal with it.  

Then live your forgiveness.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

We all have a "past".  You know, those things you wish you had not done.  The things you wish you had done.  Sometimes it was just a mistake.  Maybe poor judgement.  Often sin.  And often sin labeled as a mistake or poor judgement.  Some of us -- most of us -- are even repeat offenders.  The same sin cropping up over and over.  Or we got stuck in a sin rut and stayed there for days/weeks/months/years.

The point is we all have a past.  You have a past.  Some people have a secret past.  No one knows but you.  Well... and God.  Others have a past very few know about.  Some have a very public past. 

The point is, we all have those things in our past that we are ashamed of or that we still feel guilt over.  

Here are three reasons it is hard to move on from our past -- to get past our past.

You know about it.  You remember it.  Memory is a wonderful thing.  And sometimes a terrible thing.  Things, dates, people, locales all can work to trigger a memory.  So you need to learn to deal with your past.  

Others know and remember.  You will see someone who knows.  Or someone you think knows.  Or even someone you wonder if they know.  Some will always want to remember your past.  They will remind you they know. Or use your past as a weapon.  So you need to be sure you have come to grips with your past.

And this may be the hardest of all.  Sometimes you have to deal with the consequences of your past.  There may be physical issues or emotional consequences.  Sometimes even legal or financial consequences.  So even when you are moving on with your life, there are things that you still have to resolve.  

Dealing with your past is a hard and difficult thing.  Even for Christians.

So next post I am going to share some helpful hints for dealing with you past failures.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 I am not the smartest person in the room.  Unless I am by myself.  And if the dog comes in, I may only be the second smartest in the room.  I did manage to get a couple of degrees from a Christian college/university, but that was a long time ago.  I tend to think like a 69 year old white American male.  Becuase I am.  Though I have spent years working with college students so that might have impacted things.  And I have traveled a lot outside of the U.S. so that might change some things.  I have been married 48 years, raised a daughter, and have two granddaughters so that probably influences how I think.  I have friends of color and that may have impacted my thinking.

And I am a Christian.  That certainly affects my world view. I was raised in churches of Christ so there was a lot of Bible.  

I said all of this to say you may not agree with me about the things I write or say.  

OK.  Because you do not have to answer to me.

Most of what I write or say is based first on what I read in the Bible.  I try and filter my thoughts thru the lens of loving God and loving my neighbor.  The cross and the resurrection are realities in my life.  And I have a lot of years reading, teaching, and preaching about Jesus.  I have a lot of years of talking, studying, praying, and helping people follow Jesus.

But I may have some things wrong.  All I know to do is speak what I believe to be true.  And since I spend a lot of time helping people find Jesus, I cannot afford to go with what is trendy and/or popular.  Sometimes the things I share are trendy and popular.  That does not in and of itself make them true.  Sometimes what I share is not trendy or popular.  Does not in and of itself make them wrong.

Sometimes people even get mad at what I share.  Once in a while they even get personal.  

OK.  Because I do not answer to them.

I have to answer to God.  And so do you.

Most of the time we will get along.  I will still be your friend and brother.  I would still be glad to help you and be there for you.

But I do have a few core convictions.  They are not many but they are not open to compromise.  

So when you read or watch or hear me, check it out for yourself.  Read your Bible.  I don't think you have to have a degree to understand it.  And you are probably smarter than me.  But you can get what God says.

After all, the Holy Spirit used a well educated religious man (Paul) to write parts of the Bible.  He used a Doctor (Luke).  And he used a common fisherman (Peter).  

Of course I think I am right.  Or I wouldn't teach what I do.

But since I am absolutely an imperfect man trying to share a perfect message, I am sure I get some things wrong.  I just don't know what they are.

Lots of Jesus.  And lots of Bible.  I do know Jesus is right and the Bible is true.  

And yes, those are among my short list of core convictions.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

Our daughter, Julie Gilbreth, has a birthday today.  And I thought I would write about why I love her and am proud of her because of her job.  She is a nurse.  

It is a family profession.  Lots of families have "family professions".  I just did a quick count and our family reunions have up to seven nurses.  I am glad Julie was the first to start that trend, tho we did have one marry in who has nursed longer.  

Because nurses are hard workers.  Julie works long hours on her feet.  Takes call.  And in her area, they get a lot of call.  Often emergencies.

Julie is really good at her job.  It is special when a Doctor tells you how good your daughter is.  And her bosses have told me.  So have some of her patients.  

She is brave.  Like most nurses.  It takes courage to work among the sick and hurting.  And for part of the pandemic, she worked with Covid units and patients.  

She is smart.  Of course, you can't be a nurse without being able to learn, study, and think on your feet.

Keeps her priorities straight.  Nursing comes behind family.  And as a single Mom, that is a critical priority.

Julie gets her faith into her work.  Sometimes patients recognize her because they have gone to church together.  She gets asked if she is a Christian.  She gets asked to pray with patients.  And does.  She holds hands when they are scared.  She sometimes stays late just to be sure they are OK.

Finally, Julie is tough.  We always worried a little about her having such a tender heart and how that would work for her as a nurse.  But she is figured out how to stay focused on her work and yet keeping her heart open to the non-physical needs of patients.

So Jules... you have done well.  

I love you and am proud of you.   

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments