Ridgell's Originals

 I spend a lot of time in hospitals, hospice, and living rooms talking with people about dying.  Some of them have been told their time is short.  Some are facing major surgeries that have the potential to not turn out as hoped.  Some are just old and aware that any physical set-back could be fatal.

Most of these people are Christians and they want to talk.  Many eagerly await their passage into real life.  Some are not afraid of dying but are apprehensive about the process.

But I have noticed that often there are things of a spiritual nature that worry them.  There are generally three areas of concern.  So here are areas to be aware of and to let people talk about.  Areas to offer comfort and to speak truth.

Am I really saved?  Spiritual security concerns many people as they contemplate dying.  I hope I get to heaven stated rather than "I am going to heaven."  Sometimes there is a major issue that is real and needs to be resolved but usually this is a generic concern.  Speak words of assurance and comfort to them.  I talk about God's love and faith in Jesus.  His promises of going to prepare a place for us. Reassurance is what they need.

Am I really forgiven?  Sometimes this is closely tied to the above question.  Share truth about God's forgiveness in Jesus.  I John 1.  Psalm 51.  This is especially difficult for Christians who were away from the Lord for a period of time.  They became active in their later years or they are now seeking forgiveness for years away.  Scripture about repentance, confession, and forgiveness again are helpful.  

I am sometimes asked if I think this might lead to false hope.  Remember we are not deciding who gets saved.  That is God's business, not ours.  But it is why I am careful to use Scripture to form and guide the conversation.  

And there are times when things come out that have to be addressed but most "long buried secrets" can stay in the "God knows and forgives" place.  

Occasionally I will even have someone who wants to be baptized.  Usually it can be arranged.  Sometimes the issue is a desire to be re-baptized just to "be sure."  Again, wisdom and discernment. 

One last question I hear:  Did I do enough?  If this is tied to the question of being saved, verses about faith and not works are appropriate.  But the other answer is "of course not".  None of us did all we could.  But for the faithful Christian, this is not a questioning but more of a regret that more was not done for Jesus.  I often ask them about some of the things they did do for Jesus.  More focus on what they did instead of on what they did not do.

Well, these are just some of my random thoughts after spending a lot of time lately with people who are -- or think they are -- dying.  

Maybe they will help you process as you face your death or as you help those you love to face theirs.   

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 Churches/congregations/communities of faith rarely admit they were wrong.  About anything.

The closest you will here about being wrong is when refering to the past -- and by past they always mean before any of this current leadership was in position.

But you just do not hear church leaders admit they were wrong.  Not about anything.  You know it is not true.  Of course churches have gotten things wrong.  They have made poor decisions.  Sometimes leaders have even acted in ways that are wrong.

Here are a few reasons I think church leaders should confess wrong.

It is the right thing to do.  When leaders have acted in ways that are not Christ-like, confess it.  If you are rude, mean, arrogent, or condescending in your decisions... admit it.  Ask the church for forgiveness.  It is the right thing to do.

It builds confidence in future decisions.  Everyone can see that some decisions were wrong.  You will lose confidence in a leadership that evidently cannot even recognize when a wrong decision was made.  

It builds trust.  Following someone who acknowledges they are not perfect and sometimes make mistakes leads me to believe they are least really trying to get it right.

It moves you out of the past.  When any issues are always blamed on the previous leadership it just keeps people looking back.  And when there is no acknowledgement of the things done well by previous leaders, you begin to lose people who were favorably impacted by those before.

Never confessing sin/mistakes/poor judgement makes it very hard to cultivate a community of accountability.  How can I possibly confront you about issues if I cannot even admit to leadership failures.

And finally, never acknowledging wrong makes it very easy to confuse God and Jesus with the leadership.  Even easy for leaders to develop a "Messianic complex" as if they are incapaple of making the wrong decision.

I have know a lot of elderships.  Not many ever acknowledge their mistakes.  But the ones that do end up with healthy growing churches.

Just my thoughts.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 My body, my rules.  My body, my choice.  

Two of the loudest statements in our society.  Made in discussions about abortion, sex, and vaccinations.  

And neither are true for the Christian.

Galatians 2:20.  You have been crucified and yet you live.  Not you, but Christ living in you.  

I Corinthians 6:19.  Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit living in you.

So for the Christian:  Jesus body, his rules.  His body and my choices have to reflect that.

The Christian discussion of sex, abortion, and vaccinations does not start with those topics.

It starts with a discussion of the truth that your body belongs to Jesus.  

Romans 6 talks at great length about living out our baptism by using our bodies for holiness not evil.

For non-beleivers, this makes no sense.  They very much want to be in charge of their body.  And their mind, and their life, and their choices.

But not we Christians. 

We live by the Jesus rules and choices.

And when we do not, we work at changing our decisions so they do line up with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

As a Christian, do not be swayed by the lies Satan uses in our culture.

It is not your body.  Your body belongs to Jesus and the Holy Spirit is in you.  

So for elders, preachers, teachers, and parents:  let's start the discussion on a much deeper level than the immediate issue.  

Teach the foundational truths and the application to life will be much clearer.

 It is not about me, but all about Jesus.

God help us realize this truth.  And help us to live by it.  Thanks for forgiving us when we do not.  Help us to hear you much more clearly than we hear the world.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

For some time now, abortion advocates have strongly made the point that a woman has the right to control her own body.  That no one else should be able to tell her what she can -- or cannot -- do with what belongs only to her.  So she -- and she alone -- should have the right to decide about whether to abort or not.  

I am not even talking about life, or father's rights, or a Christian perspective.  Just talking about a culture that has strongly bought in to the "my body my choice" thinking.

Covid.  Vaccinations.  Vaccination advocates are begging everyone to get vaccinated in order to stop this outbreak.  Do it for your neighbor.  Don't be selfish.  We could stop this if everyone would just be vaccinated.

And those who are not getting vaccinated say it is my body.  I have the right to do with it as I choose.  

So ...

Is it my body my choice or is it do with my body what is best for everyone else?

When you teach one idea as truth you should never be surprised when someone uses the exact same arguement with a different issue.

Abortion advocates drilled into our culture the idea that it is your body and no one can tell you what to do with it.  You know, the exact arguement many non-vaxers use.

It happens in other settings also.  Teaching a concept that applies to one situation and then watching someone apply it in ways you never expected.   

It always seems so clear when advancing your agenda.  And so confusing when used for a different agenda.  

I am not even using this blog to advocate for any one position.  Just pointing out that you can't always control how people think.  And people do think.

And just to be clear...

I am a Christian and I think God values life, so I will not advocate for abortion.  

And I have been vaccinated.  

Just reminding us all that the things taught as truth will be applied to lots of situations.  Not just the ones we intended.

In our culture.  In business.  Even in church.

So think.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

It is one of the hardest sayings of Jesus.  Hard to hear and hard to do.

Forgive me my sins as I forgive those who sin against me.  I am happy to pray the first part of that prayer.  Choke a little on the second.  

When Jesus teaches how to pray in Matthew 6, this is the only part of the prayer that he comments on.  If you do not forgive, you will not be forgiven.

So here are a few practical hints on forgiving others.

God has forgiven so much in your life (at least if you are honest enough to admit it).  And you have hurt people by your sin.  Let that sink in.

I want God to forgive me so I better figure this out.

You can only forgive sins against you.  So you are not forgiving people for anyone else, including God.  Your forgiveness does not affect their salvation.  But it may affect yours.

You will not forgive perfectly but you better be trying.

Do not dwell on what people have done to you.  Makes it hard to forgive.

You probably will not forget it.  Forgiveness may be the conscious choice to forgive in spite of the memory.

Forgiveness is the decision not to bring it up again.

Don't let others feed your hurt.

Don't live in the past.

Live in your today.

This is one of the hardest sayings of Jesus and one of the hardest things to do.

But it is not optional.

God forgive me my sins as I live in this world working on forgiveing those who sin against me and mine.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 Sometimes you leave your church because you change.  Maybe for the better.  Maybe not.  But you no longer fit.

And sometimes churches change.  Your conservative church may decide that they need to become more progressive or more liberal.  Or, in their view, more in tune with what God wants.  Your progressive liberal church may decide that they need to be more in line with what they believe that Bible teaches.  

Church leaders have the right to decide to be different than they have been in the past.  They may be right or they be wrong.

Some members will find the change to be exactly what they want and desire.  May even keep some from leaving.  May attract a different type of member than in the past.

But some members will not react well.  They are members because the core values of their church line up with their personal core values.  And now they do not.

It may be time to leave.  And leaving because your church changes is harder than leaving because you change.  It is more difficult if the changes are not clearly explained.  Even if they are, it is painful to realize that "your" church is no longer the church you committed to be part of -- right or wrong.

I would stress that I am generally not in favor of leaving a church just because some things change in ways you do not like or are not comfortable with.

But churches do sometimes change their core values.  Major docrines.  Moral stands.  Mission.  How to view Scripture.

You need to know what your core values are.  Every person and every family needs to decide what you believe.  Generally you worship and work within a faith community that shares the fundamental core values.  

If your core values change and the church does not, you may need to leave.

If the core values of the church change and yours do not, you may need to leave.

But please have real, meaningful discussions with you church leadership before you do.  Don't leave mad.  You may leave sad, just don't leave mad.

Also know that everyone will not take your leaving well.  So try and be like Jesus.  He often found himself at odds with the religious people.  But always loved them.  Even when he was hard on them.

Also remember that your church leaders may very much feel that God is leading them in the changes they are making.  That does not mean they are right but it does mean they are trying.  

And to church leaders.  The people that leave are very much doing what they feel God is leading them to do.  Doesn't mean they are right but does mean they are trying.

Finally, remember you answer to God.  Way above answering to your church, you have to answer to God.  So be certain of your core convictions.  Be willing to examine them.  Then stay true to them.

And for those leaving their church with a broken heart -- for whatever reason -- trust that God will heal you.  The church is much bigger that the Church you attend.

Maybe at some later date I will say more about our personal journey, but just know sometimes it is OK to leave.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 Budgets, payroll, expense reports, financials.  I don't understand any of them, but I really appreaciate those who do.

For over 16 years I have worked as a preacher for Herald of Truth Ministries.  We tell people about Jesus and help others to do the same.  For much of that time, Allison Connor has been our Financial person.  I really appreciate all she has done for this ministry. I never worried about whether bills got paid.  Or if I would get paid.  She moved money all over the world for our ministry projects.  

And she was always nice about it.  Reminding me to turn in reciepts.  Thanking me when I did.  Explaining forms required.  Asking questions when I was not clear.  Didn't ever seem to mind when I asked the same question over and over.  I am sure she did mind, she just never showed it to me.  And for many of our years together, we even went to the same church.  

But she is raising three girls (about to be four) and it is time for her to move on.  Her choice.  Bittersweet.  Happy for her.  Sad for us.  

And a little concerned.  How in the world would we get anyone as capable as her?  Or as nice?  

And then we hired Susan Hardcastle.  Her husband Jack is one of the ministers at Hillcrest.  So we go to church together.  And we are neighbers.  She comes from the ACU athletic department and is extremely talented and capable.  And nice.

And just like Allison, she knows my wife Marsha and will not be shy about communicating to her what I forget to share.  

Ministry is a special calling.  And make no mistake, handling the finances for a major non-profit is ministry.  If I don't have an Allison or a Susan, I don't get to do what I love.  

So thanks Allison for your heart and your work.  You made a difference.

And Susan, I am so excited for you.  I look forward to working with you and getting to hang out with you and Jack.  Or maybe I should say hang out more.  

You are exactly who God wanted to work in this position at this ministry at this time.

I even tried to give Susan a reference but every time I tried to tell someone at our office we should hire her, they all said we already know all about her.  Nice.  And Susan is way younger than me so she may be the last financial genius I will work with.

Susan loves God, loves people, and wants everyone to know Jesus.  She will fit right in.

So thanks God for what Allison has done to help people know your Son thru the work of Herald of Truth.  Bless her and her family.  And thanks for bringing us Susan.  You always provide and we are thankful.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 1 comments

 He is our youngest grandchild and he is turning 11 next week.  Here are just a few reasons I love Austin Ridgell and am so proud of him.

He is his own person.  Austin does not do things because everyone else does.  He is a good athlete but does not focus on basketball, football, or baseball.  He loves hockey.  He is a small, scrappy forward but it is the sport he loves right now.

He makes friends with everyone everywhere.  He really never meets a stranger.  Anywhere he is he connects with people.  That is a rare gift.

It is possible he talks constantly, but he is never rude or egocentric about it.  He is just a talker.  Yes, I am aware that may be a family trait.

He treats everyone the same.  Doesn't matter your age, gender, race, or nationality.  People are people to Austin.  His has best friends, but they are not his only friends.

He is a genuine prayer.  Thanks God for the things many take for granted.  Asks God for real life help.  Things like food and shelter.  Protection when traveling.  Always thanks God for Jesus.

Loves life.  Every day is a wonderful adventure to be explored and enjoyed by Austin.  

Confident.  Friendly.  Happy.  Loves Jesus.  

In fact, I want to be a lot more like Austin.

So thanks God for giving us Austin.  He is exactly what our family needs.  Bless Him.  Protect him from harm and from the evil one.  Do great things thru him and with him.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 So Anna is 16.  She is our oldest grandchild so I knew it was coming, but there is something different about 16.  You can really see who Anna is... not just who she will become.  So here are a few reasons I love her and am proud of her.

Anna loves her family.  She will put up with her brothers but is fiercely defensive if anyone hurts them.  Loves her parents.  She is a teenager so there are some conflicts, but she respects and listens to her Mom and Dad.  Loves all four of her grandparents.  I am sure Pops is her favorite but I suspect all four of us feel that way.  

She is not embarressed by her family.  And we try.  :)  But she does not try to avoid us or not be seen with us.  Goes out of her way to be with all of us.

Hard worker.  Has a job in a Tea Room.  Babysits.  Kids obviously love her.  They want Anna to babysit them.  

Smart.  Really good grades.  Works at it.  She thinks she may want to be a neonatal nurse.  She is smart enough.  

Athletic.  Good volleyball and basketball player.  Hustles.  Coachable.  And skilled.

But the best thing about Anna is that she loves Jesus.  Tries to figure out what that means in her school life, family life, and social life.  

So Anna, we could not have picked a better first grandchild than you.  You have brought a lot of joy into our family.  

We cannot wait to see what God is going to do with you and through you.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments