Ridgell's Originals

 I teach a lot at Hillcrest church in Abilene where I am on staff as a local evangelist.  One of my favorite classes to teach is in our Life Groups.  They are smaller and more informal.  So there is a lot of discussion and comments.

One of the participants last Sunday night made the comment that they often prayed for someone to be in their children's life to influence them for Jesus.  I have heard many similar comments from many people.  Marsha and I get it.  We often pray for Jesus people to enter the lives of our kids and grandkids.  The more the merrier is our philosophy.

But it was a follow-up comment that really struck me.  

He said that he imagined this prayer was being prayed by many people all over the world  Well sure, that makes sense.  It was the follow-up comment that really struck me.

What if we are the answer to someone's prayer for a Jesus person to be in the life of someone they care about .

It made me think.  Marsha and I are in the lives of a lot of people.  People that do not know Jesus.  People trying to find their way back to Jesus.  People struggling to stay in Jesus.

That is who we are and that is what we do.

But I am not sure I think very much about the fact that we may be the answer to someone's prayer.

It has made me even more intentional about being aware of opportunities.

You should be too.  God may be listening to a prayer and then using us as the answer.

Jesus people in the lives of someone.

So let's pray that prayer.  God put Jesus people in the lives of those we love.

And let's be aware that God may be expecting to be that answer in someone's life. 

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 I was talking to my granddaughter the other day and she made an interesting observation.  She saw lots of Tik Tok posts about worship and being kind and being like Jesus.  And she knows many of them.  She also knows that many them are not kind or nice.  They do not always treat people like Jesus.

So we got to talk about living the Jesus life.

Sometimes it is hard to line our life up with our faith.  Sometimes because people do not try.  Church and social media are separate from your school and social life.

Some people do try but need help to learn how to line up life with faith.  They are sorry when they do not reflect Jesus the way they should.

Then the discussion turned to worship and life.  Same kind of issues but we started thinking about how you need to live like what you worship.

If Jesus is who you worship, then you need to live like him.  If you worship other gods, you will live like they do.  So if your god is popularity or grades.  Or athletics, music, or drugs.  You will eventually live for those gods.

It is hard to follow Jesus.  Harder when Christians fail to live up to their calling.

Grace and forgiveness.  

Focus on Jesus, not those who claim to follow him.

Jesus not church.  Jesus not trendy religion.

And I am hoping the students that are struggling with this disconnect in their lives will grow in faith.

And praying the ones that are living intentional lives that do not reflect their social image will come to faith.

And that those trying to decide about Jesus will see him, will see authentic Christians.

Let's all do better.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 There is only one God.  He is jealous.  He does not want a place in our hearts.  He does even want the place in our hearts.  He wants our heart.  We Christians get it.  But we also get that we are not perfect.  Sometimes we lose focus.  Sometimes we even put other gods before our God.

And we do not even realize it.  Maybe that is why it is so easy to follow the wrong gods.  They seem very "godly".  

So here are a few idols we Chrisitans need to be careful about following.

Church.  It is really easy to confuse God and church.  We are church.  Those of us who belong to Jesus are part of God's church/family/community.  But it sure is easy to get caught up in Church.  Budgets, buildings, programs.  Place membership.  I know why we want people to identify themselves, but you will not find this in the Bible.  Budgets.  So we have a professional staff.  And a building.  So good deeds will be done in the name of the Church.  Feed the hungry.  Give weekly so the Church can have a program for the hungry.  But what if that makes it easy for us to not feed the hungry personally?  After all, I give for those programs so get me the benovolence deacon.  I never even have to interact with the hungry.  And the service gets done in the name of the Church.  It should be done in the name of Jesus.  Come to church.  Parents will even get a youth program at growing churches that will raise their kids for them.  Oops.  I mean help them raise their kids.  You get the point.

Preachers.  This temptation comes in two ways.  We preachers sometimes get confused ourselves.  We tend to equate whatever we say with the Word of God.  Not the same.  And members often elevate their preacher to being some kind of god.  So preachers run the church.  While denying that they run the church. But we often expect them to and want them to.  It is dangerous.  Just ask Paul and Barnabus.  There was a city that tried to make them into gods.

The Bible.  The Bible is the word of God not God.  There is a difference.  The Bible is true.  Jesus is the truth.  I believe in the Bible.  I think it is true and does not contradict itself.  Nor does it conflict with God.  But it does not love us.  It will not save us.  It will teach us and correct us. It will point us to God and Jesus.  But it is not God.  

Church.  Preachers.  The Bible.  All good things.  All things I love.  I am two of these.  But none of these will save me.  They can't.  Following God will bring you close to all of these.  You can even love every one of them.  But don't worship them.  And do not put them above God.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 1 comments

 Christians sometimes change churches.  It is never an ideal situation and I don't know any mature Christian leaders who are happy that people do this.  Soemtimes they leave your church and that should make you sad.  Sometimes they come to your church.  That is good but sad they felt they needed to leave.  

I know some people leave mad.  Maybe because they did not get their way.  And they will eventually be a problem at whatever place they go.  But most leave sad.  I am not sure anyone enjoys changing churches.  

Right now I am on staff at a church that is getting a lot of people who left their previous church home.  We have had discussions about it.  Many show up wounded from their last church experience.  Some probably are rebellious sheep and that won't change.

But some are dedicated faithful believers who want to expand the Kingdom.  We are glad to have them.

So why do Christians change membership?  Is it ever legitimate?  So here are a few of my thoughts.  

They need a change.  Some people just can't stay where there has been a traumatic event.  A death.  Or a sin struggle.  Some can stay.  Some can't.  Some have family circumstances.  A teenager that they believe will do better in a different church enviornment.  Maybe the preacher leaves and there was just such an attachment to him that they feel the need to move.  I don't know that any of these are great reasons to leave, but I don't know that they are poor reasons either.  Different strokes for different folks at different stages of life.  And after all, we are all in this together so if they need to be somewhere else then God bless them.

Their church changes philosophies.  This is not a matter of doctrine, theology, or core beliefs.  But it is a matter of emphasis.  Some people are passionate about different ministries.  If your church decides to change ministry emphasis from youth to foreign missions, or from building expansion to seniors ministry that may trigger a desire to be in a congregation that fits your philosophy better.

And sometimes your church does change their fundamental beliefs.  I get that there is lots of room for discussion on what core doctrine is.  Personally, there are things that I like but I don't think are that clear in Scripture.  Or it may be that I think a better decision could have been made, but I understand the reasoning behind a decision and can live with it.

But sometimes churches change what you see as core.  Churches have that right.  They may decide that the previous beliefs that they held are not really in keeping with Scripture.  And members have a right to diagree.  And to leave.  For example, I am convicted that Scripture is the actual word of God and that it is true.  If I don't agree or understand it, the problem is me not God.  So there are things I believe about life, marriage, how we live that I think are true.  A church could decide to interpret Scripture in a way that seems to contradict what is said.  Or interpret it in a way that enforces what does not seem to be there.

So people leave.  But here is what we have to remember.  Changing churches does not mean you have left the Kingdom.  Nor does it mean the people that stayed have left the faith.  Sometimes faithful Christians must leave.  If they are leaving, then maybe they will show up at your church and bless you.

But if you leave, don't spend your time talking down the church you left.  It is appropriate sometimes to explain why.  But even then, do it gently and with love.  After all, part of your family may still be at the church you left.

And we have to stop hurting people who leave.  It is so frustrating when someone does not agree with your decision to change things.  But we cannot lie, abuse, bully, and wound them.  Especially church leaders cannot do this.

Lose them to you congregation.  Do not wound them out of Kingdom work.  Or even out of the Kingdom.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 I tell the story of Adam and Eve, the Garden, Satan, and God a lot.  It is found in Genesis 2 and 3.  I tell it to non-believers who wonder why this world is so bad if God is so good.  I tell it to Christians who struggle to understand that we live in a fallen world and that means evil is present.  I tell it to Christians who struggle with their sin.

In fact, I have a short video series on my You Tube channel right now telling this story.

Here are the reasons I believe this story has value.

It reminds me that God made a perfect world.  He did not make the world like it is not.

God had one basic rule.  Don't eat of the tree of knowledge.  There was no need for more rules then.

Free will.  Choices.  Consequences.

Satan wants us to doubt God and not believe what He says.

Temptation is attractive.

We are not God but it sure seems like a good idea sometimes.  It isn't.

When we break our relationship with God, He comes after us.  Even sent His Son to bring us back.

It is easy to blame someone else for our sin, even God.  Hard to take responsibility and confess.

God will fix our broken world by sending Jesus.

Great story.  

Creation, love, faith, sin, choices, consequences, excuses, Satan, and God's forever love.

It is one way to address the problem of good and evil.

It is a way to introduce the good news of Jesus.

It is a way to be aware of Satan's battle plan.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 People live in different cultures.  Political systems are different.  Economic systems are different.  Cultural belief systems are differnt.

Jesus is not different.  God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

So no matter the culture, people sin.  No matter the culture, God loves the people that live in that culture.  Jesus died for the people of all cultures.

I believe the Bible to be true in every culture.  I do not think the truth of Scripture is a moving target depending on the culture you live in.  

But how we live that truth is different in differnt cultures.

Here are a couple of examples.  

I believe baptism is our participation in the death of Jesus.  Our sins are forgiven and we get the Holy Spirit to live in us.  True across every culture.  

But baptism does not look the same in every culture.  I grew up in a church culture where the preacher did 90% of the baptisms.  Now you see a lot of Dads and granddads baptizing their kids.  I think that is a great development.  Don't think it was wrong before.  There are cultures where almost all baptisms are in bodies of water like lakes, rivers, ponds, etc.  And I live in a culture where almost all baptisms are in water help in baptistries or pools.  Still baptism.

Chrisian service is different in different cultures.  I grew up in a culture where if someone was hungry, you would take something to them from your garden.  Today, we do shopping trips or even give gift cards. 

There are cultures where taking care of the sick is literal.  Not so much in the culture I live in.  But praying for the sick is the same.

Worship looks different in different cultures.  Singing.  How you take communion.  In my culture, it is almost always grape juice.  In other cultures, wine.  Sometimes homemade.

And it sure is easy to confuse truth and culture.  

Everyone has heard the stories of American missionaries who taught the gospel.  And then taught the gospel of the American culture.  Buildings and budgets.  Worship order and style.

Some even try and determine truth based on culture.

But here is the one thing I am absolutely sure about when it comes to Chrisitans and culture.  Christians will never be at home in any culture.  Never.  This world is not our home.  Our allegiance is to a greater Kingdom than anything here.

And if your faith is really comfortable in your culture... you probably need to examine your faith more closely.

Just thinking out loud...

But I think truth is truth in any culture.  How we live out that truth may look a little different.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 0 comments

 Wow.  71.  Don't feel like it.  But it is true.  So I have lived most of my life.  I have -- well, only God knows -- how many more years to be active and productive for Jesus and His kingdom.

So here are a few thougthts on getting another year older.

I am not going to change anything.  Not going to retire.  Not going to slow up.  Still going to work at Herald of Truth and Hillcrest.  I suppose at some point I won't be able to travel like I do.  That may change Herald of Truth.  But I will keep talking about Jesus until I can't.

I have been blessed way more than I could ever have expected and certainly way more than I deserve.  

The fact that God loves me and Jesus died for me is overwhelming.  To live in His forgiveness and love is the most amazing thing I could ever have imagined.  

Marsha and I have had a great life.  She is such a great wife for me.  Still having fun.  Still having adventures.  Still doing ministry.  

My kids are so great.  Joe Don and Jamie.  Julie and Tim.  They are both happy and in healthy marriages.  God is so good.

My grands bring me joy every day.  All five.  Each of whom is absolutely my favorite.  Anna, Jake, Avery, Andrew, and Austin.  

We love developing our ranch.  Building a Barndo/retreat center out there.  Hoping to have elder retreats.  Family gatherings.  Maybe even some spiritual warfare retreats.  

So I am really happy at 71.  Everything can change in an instant but that will be OK also.  I'm going to live forever anyway.

so...

Talk about Jesus.

Hang out with family and friends.

Ranch.  

I have a couple of more books I'd love to write.

A few weeks.  A couple of decades.  

Either way, God has got this.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 1 comments

 Unity is going to be embraced more than ever.  In a culture that is increasingly anti-Christian, I believe all Christians will be driven to band together.  

I think Jesus and the Bible will be the unifying force.  Jesus because he is the Savior.  The Bible because it is the word of God. 

We will never agree on every thing in Scripture but I just think there is a lot that is clear in the Bible.  We will generally figure out most of that.  Even those things may keep some from embracing unity.

We will quit fighting and dividing over things that are not clear in Scripture.

Jesus, the Bible, baptism, communion, living life together.  That is the future.  It is coming even now.

And small assemblies are the future.  I think most Christians will meet in groups of 10-30 in homes or offices.

I think budgets are a dying tool for most churches.

So are full time ministers.  I think in the near future every member ministry will make a come back.  I think most preachers will be teachers, Drs., plumbers, lawyers, or ranchers.  Or whatever. 

More inter-generational teaching and seeing how to live as a Christian.  Older teaching younger. 

More communal life.  More shared study.  More helping each other.

If there are any full-time preachers running around, they will be traveling evangelists.  Going from house church to house church to evangelize.

You may see more "supported/income supplimented retired shepherds actually working in the lives of their flocks.

I think we will baptize more than we ever dreamed.  All without budgets, buildings, or staffs.  

But...

Yes I am aware that some of this is ironic.  I work part-time for a large congregation.  And part-time for a large para church ministry.  But I am supported to be an evangelist.  So maybe I am a split personality thinker.  :)

I could also absolutely be wrong about all of this.

I don't study church growth patterns.  Or church trends.  

So if this bothers you, there are lots who think differntly.

So I may be wrong.

But I don't think so.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM 2 comments

 I live in West Texas and we have been in a horrible drought.  Over a year.  And hot.  Wildfires.  Threats of wildfires.  Cattle hurting.  Ranchers buying water.  Lakes low.  Economic stress.  The heat stretching emotional boundaries.  Utility bills rising.

So Christians prayed for rain.  And prayed some more.  Begging God for rain.

And it didn't rain for a long time.  God did not answer our prayers as we asked.

Then it did rain.  A little.  In some places.  Then more rain.  But not everywhere.

Then finally rain.  Lots.  Not yet enough.  But rain.  

So...

Why did God wait?  Why did some places get more than others?  What is God thinking?

Here are a few thoughts on God and how He answers prayers.

Maybe we did not pray hard enough.  Or often enough.  Jesus does tell a story about a persistant widow who got what she wanted by wearing out the judge.  

Perhaps God wanted us to learn that we needed to depend on him more.  

Or maybe He wanted people that did not love Him to be driven to pray to Him.

But here is the real truth about God and prayer.

God knows best.  I can never explain why God answers prayers the way He does.  If He explained it to me, I still wouldn't get it.  But I trust Him to know what is best for every single person in this world.

He is God.  And I am not.  That pretty well sums up my thinking about God and answered prayers.

He knows what is best and will do what is best.

So my job is to ask and wait.  To trust and to be thankful.  To be faithful.

So thanks God for the rain we have gotten.  We need more.  So we ask you to fill out tanks and refresh our land.  

But You know best.  You are so far above me that I will never understand.

But I will trust You.

# posted by Steve @ 6:05 AM 3 comments