Ridgell's Originals

 I think it is important to know what God says so I believe we need to know Scripture.  It will help us live and give us resources for helping others know God's will.  

So here are a few suggestions for learning Scripture.

Read your Bible.  A chapter a day.  Right thru the Bible.  Or a chapter from the Old Testament one day and a chapter from the New Testament the next day.  Or read a chapter once a day for three days or a week.  Find a reading plan or just make one up.  The point is read your Bible.  You will be amazed how much you will learn.

Be sure you spend more time reading your Bible than reading about the Bible.  It is easy to assume that studying the Bible means reading a lot of commentaries or listening to a lot of sermons.  I read a lot of commentaries and I hear a lot of sermons.  Preach a lot of sermons and teach a lot of classes.  None take the place of reading Scripture.  

Do not study the Bible just to find your proof text.  This is harder than it seems.  Everyone has that experience of thinking there is a verse or passage that speaks to certain situations.  So you search for that passage.  That is fine but it is easy to slip into thinking that I know truth and there must be a Scripure that supports my position.  

Always read it for yourself.  Preachers and teachers sometimes say something about a passage that is not what it says.  Not always intentional.  We may think that is what it says, we may be conflating it with another passage, or we may be straining to make our point.  Read it for yourself.

Read aloud.  Sometimes my wife and I read Scripture to each other.  Sometimes I read it aloud in my office.  Where we attend church, Scripture reading is part of our corporate worship every week. 

Memorize Scripture.  I am trying to get better at this.  I don't always remember in a week what I tried to memorize, but I think somehow it is still in my mind. And my heart.

Write Scripture.  I never really have used this technique but a lot of people I respect use it and say it really helps you remember Scripture.

Learn Scripture.  It will change your life.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 I Corinthians 5 is a hard chapter.  A man has either married -- or is having an affair -- with his father's wife (evidently the man's step-mother).  The church is supportive, even proud, of this relationship.  Paul is hard on the man and the church.  Calls for action against this man in an effort to save his soul.  Condemns sexual immorality.

What is Paul thinking?

If this woman is not a Christian -- and I assume she is not or she too would need to be dealt with -- then how will you ever convert her if you throw her man out of church?  

In fact, this man is liable to never set foot in church again if you treat him this way.

Maybe they are in love and how can you be so opposed to love that you would put someone out of the church. 

She could have been in a horrible relationship.  Even abused.  Surely she is better off with the son.  Finally found happiness.  God wants us to be happy.  So what is Paul thinking...

The church is being called to repent for being supportive of this couple.

Maybe Paul knows the circumstances that would make this so wrong that drastic action has to be taken.

Or maybe Paul does not know the circumstances and should not be so judgemental.  So unloving.

OR...

God is right about marriage.  And right about how you behave in marriage.

When someone does not live harmony with God's truth, there are two options.  Repent and change.  Or be put out of the fellowship.

Circumstances do not change God's plan for us.  Nor do they make wrong right.

It is not judgemental to expect Christians to accept and follow God's direction. 

It is loving to call people to the life God wants for us.  It is unloving to support a life contrary to God's will.

God knows best.

Churches cannot celebrate -- even be proud of -- what is immoral and wrong.

The Holy Spirit inspired the Bible.  This is Paul inspired to write truth.  Not Paul deciding what is right or wrong.

Personally, I hope the son repented and left the woman.  Became a faithful and active member of that community of faith and helped many others live the life God intended.

I hope the woman was so struck by his action that she decided to follow Jesus.

I hope the father and son were reconciled thru Christ.

So I do think there is truth in I Corinthians 5 for Chrisitans today.  

That is why it is in the Bible. 

# posted by Steve @ 5:37 AM 0 comments

 It is a great story found in Mark 14.  A woman is so overcome with her love for Jesus and desire to worship him that she pours a whole jar of very expensive perfume over his head.  And some people didn't like it.  Thought the perfume should have been sold so the money could be givne to the poor.  The even rebuked the woman.  That were critical of her act of worship.  Then Jesus rebuked the critics.  Commended the woman for her act of worship and adoration.  Reminded them that the poor were always going to be around and they could help them anytime they wanted.

Then he said that wherever the good news was preached all over the world that this story would be told in memory of her.

So a couple of things I have thought about from this story...

Go all out in worship.  Honor God and Jesus.  Do the radical things in your life.  After all, the greatest command is to love God with all you have.  And do not criticize how others worship.  How they give.  How they sing.  

Jesus over people.  The poor are always going to be here.  Jesus is not saying to ignore the poor.  He is saying He is more important.  We can -- and should -- help the poor (and serve people) anytime we can.  There will always be opportunities to help.  But be sure and keep Jesus first.

So when deciding what to do in any situation, the first question is not "what loves people?", but "what loves God."  Then the second in people.  

And I love the reminder that our stories matter.  Her story is still being told.  Tell your story.  Those people that you influence may tell your story.  Those that see your story and hear your story may share it.

The gospel is good news.  Good news we are invited to join in.  Good news we live in.  Good news that forms our stories.  

Stories we share because we love God and Jesus with everything we have.  Stories that we share because we love others.  

Stories that we share to announce the good news in our world.    

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

Irma Archer and Cynthia Coates.  You wouldn't think they would have much in common.  30 year age difference.  One was in a memory care unit.  One was on staff at a large church. I don't suppose they would even have known each other.  Probably never met.  But I kew them both. 

They both died last week. And that is when I started realizing how much alike these two women were.

It starts with Jesus.  Both committed their lives at a young age to following Jesus.  They both powerfully impacted a lot of people for Jesus.  Both served as elder's wives.  

They both loved music.  Singing, musical instruments.  Both pretty accomplished.  And they both enjoyed worship and singing.  

They both loved teaching children about Jesus.  Irma even wrote material for Bible school that ended up being used all over the nation.  Cynthia served on staff at our church as the Children's minister.  

I never would have connected them except for the fact that they went to meet Jesus at the same time.

Now I find myself a better disciple because of Cynthia and Irma.

I am even more conscious of hugging my family and telling them how much I love them.  Because Irma couldn't any longer.  Couldn't really recieve or express her love the way she wanted.  Because Cynthia was unexpected and her family would give anything for a little more time here to share love.

They have reminded me to focus even more intently on Jesus because this life is hard. Life is not always how we think it should be.  I want to hold on to what matters.

I may have teared up Sunday singing.  Thinking about Cynthia and Irma.  Different circumstances but thinking how they would enjoy singing.  So I am a little more intense in my worship.  

And I have prayed a little more for the little ones in our churches.  Thankful for those who are teaching them to love Jesus.  Those who are helping parents raise believers.  

Jesus sure loved the little children.  So did Irma.  So did Cynthia.  

So thanks Irma and Cynthia.  I hope you two have connected around the throne.  I imagine you are enjoying worship and talking about you families.  Maybe you are singing "Jesus loves the little children."  

It would fit. 

So thanks to both for influencing me.  

See you soon.    

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 I never thought it was a big deal but sometimes people notice that I do not capitalize the c in church when talking about where I go or speak.  Hillcrest church of Christ not Hillcrest Church of Christ.  I have even had people try to tell me why I do it and they have some pretty strange thoughts about it.  So I thought I would just share why I write church names that way.

I want to be sure the emphasis is on Christ not church.  I would write church of Jesus.  Or family of God, not Family of God.  

I think it is already hard in our culture to keep church from being very corporate.  Just my reminder that church is not part of title.  

I think church is a description of who we are.  We are the church/body of Jesus.  Maybe it helps me be sure the priority is clear.

I like to think church is our identity statement.  It is not our name. 

I don't even know that we have to be called anything.  But I get how hard that would be in our culture.  And how would you legally incorporate without a name?  How could you get tax breaks if not incorporated?  Maybe those are important things in our culture.  Maybe someday they will not be.  

I just know I don't want church to be a title.  Especially I don't want church of Christ to be our name.  I want it to be our description.

So maybe it is just a silly quirk I have.  Certainly not the only one.  But it helps me remember that we are a "who" and not a "what".  

The people, disciples, church, family of God and of Jesus.  The way.  

I really want people to know that above anything else.

And church of Christ helps me remember the correct priority.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 It is easy to get so caught up in looking for ways to advance our agenda that we miss the main point of what Scripture is saying.

Lest me illustrate by a quick look at preaching agendas.

If you want to push the point about males being the ones to do the preaching, look no further than Acts 2.  It was the apostles that preached and so ...

If you want to push the Senior Pastor model, stay with Acts 2.  After all, Peter is clearly the lead preacher.  So every church must have a lead pastor/minister.  Of course, Pentecost was not exactly a local church setting, but ...

How about pushing woman preachers.  Go back to the resurrection story in Matthew 28.  Women were told to tell Peter and the apostles the amazing news of the resurrection.  Some argue that this is the first gospel sermon and it was entrusted to women.  Just don't talk about the fact that the angel actually announced this news first, so...

Which brings me to my real point.  

While you may, or may not, gain insight into preaching/preachers from these stories, they are not the main point of the story.

The empty tomb is so amazing that an angel from heaven announced it.  The main point is not who tells it.  The main point is HE IS RISEN.  Amazing news that changes everything.  Don't miss the main point trying to prove another point.

Pentecost in Acts 2.  The crucified Jesus is both Lord and Christ.  Repent.  Be baptized.  Forgiveness of sins.  Holy Spirit.  Those are the incredible points at Pentecost.  The main point is not who preaches it.  The main point is Jesus.  

So be careful.  Draw appropriate conclusions, but do not miss the main point trying to prove a lesser point.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 So I turn 70 this Saturday.  Most of my comtemporaries have officially retired.  I haven't.  So here are a few thoughts on what happens now.

I don't know.  I mean, I don't know how long I have left in this phase of my life.  My health is good, but at 70 that could change overnight.  My energy level is really high but maybe it will all of a sudden go away in the next year or two.  

But here is the truth.  We are all dying (at least in this life) and none of us know when.  So I just don't think in terms of how long do I have.

I think I will just keep doing what I am doing today.

I want to find people seeking Jesus or looking for hope.  I want to share the good news of Jesus.  I want to motivate and equip believers to talk about their faith.  I want to be active in the Kingdom harvest that is coming.

I want to keep shepherding the people that follow me.  I am not an official elder right now, but there are people that trust me to shepherd them.  So Marsha and I are going to keep ministering to those in crisis.  We are going to keep loving, walking with, and speaking truth into those who are hurting.

So how is that happening?  Are you still going to work for Herald of Truth or a church?  

I guess.  I don't know.  Those are details.  The call and the ministry are the important things.  God will take care of the details.

I am still preaching for Herald of Truth.  As long as I can travel, and my preaching is effective, and they want me... I am happy to keep doing that.

Still enjoy fill-in and interim preaching.  Happy to do that.

Maybe some church will want someone on staff as an evangelist.  Not a program or director of ministry but an actual evangelist.

Maybe I'll even be a paid elder some day.  

Or maybe I won't be supported by anyone.

The point is to do what God calls me to do.  The rest is just details.  And God has always -- always -- taken care of our needs.  

I just want to go hard for Jesus until I cannot.  

I encourage you to do the same.  How ever old you are.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 God's people are out of Egypt and on to the promised land.  Then the Amelekites attack.  You remember what happens next.  

Moses holds his hands up and the Israelites, led by Joshua, win.  When he lowers his hand, they lose.  When his hands get tired, Aaron and Hur hold his hands up.  

The Israelites overcome their enemies.

So many great lessons.  It takes leaders and soldiers.  There is so much to be taught from Aaron and Hur.  

They won when Moses held his hands up.  Symbolic of prayer?  Worship?  Acknowledgment of where the power comes from?

So what does that have to do with us?

The rest of the story in Exodus 17.

After the battle, Moses built an alter called The Lord Is My Banner.  Because hands were lifted up to the throne of God.

So I am a hand lifter.  To the throne of God.  Because He is my banner.  

Lifting hands when praying.

Lifting hands when singing.

Lifting hands in support.

I get that it is a different experience for many Christians.  

But it is there.  Not as a command but as a reason to do it.

You don't have to but maybe you might should want to.

And then just do it.

To praise and acknowledge the One who is our Commander sitting on the throne.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

Let me start by saying that every church I know is really trying to get it right about meeting/not meeting/going back to on-line church.

But let's not act as if on-line worship is just as good as in person.  It is not.  

If you think the sermon is the main point of worship, then it gets you by to do it on-line.  After all, I know many small churches that for years have used video sermons during their worship.  Most preachers are better in person, but some are really good on-line.  

If communion is an act of worship that has to be done, then you don't even need on-line church to do it.  Just do it with those in your home.  

Contribution can certainly be handled in any number of ways on-line.  

Singing to each other is a little problematic, but I guess those singing on-line are singing to you.  

In other words, it is hard to really worship together on-line.  

Some churches have told me they are actually growing.  Getting members from hundreds of miles away to place "on-line" membership.  Give their contribution even.  And if on-line church is just as good as the old way of worshipping, then why not.

And on-line church may be a better way to protect our brothers and sisters from Covid.  At least physically.

Maybe on-line church even motivates you to love and good works.  Maybe visitors on-line are awe-struck by what God is doing on-line.

Perhaps non-believers do see what we are doing and are moved by our love and protection of those in our communities when we do not meet in groups.

I am not even suggesting that we go back -- and stay -- like it used to be.  But someone has to think outside the box as to how to gather together even if it is in smaller groups.  

Because with on-line church we are missing...

Fellowship.  Seeing each other.  Praying together.  Singing together.  Inspiring and motivating each other.  You know, all the things church really is outside of the formal worship activities.  

Loving God and loving our neighbor.  Faith over fear.  Smart.  Sharing the good news.  

There are no easy answers.  I just want us to be sure we are actually thinking this thru.

So ask God for wisdom. 

And yes I keep writing about this.  Because I am spending a lot of time with people who have fallen thru the cracks.  That are not being cared for.  That are not being loved.  That are spiritually fragile.  

Keep trying. 

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments