Articles by Steve Ridgell at Heartlight

What Good Is One Puzzle Piece?

steve@hopeforlife.org (Steve Ridgell) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

One of the grandchildren brought me one puzzle piece the other day. I am not sure exactly what she wanted me to do with it, but I found myself attempting to explain how one puzzle piece is not good for much. It's true. It does not matter how pretty, or how intricate it looks -- there is just not much you can do with one puzzle piece. It needs the rest of the pieces to make a picture. That is the way puzzles are designed.

Christians are that way too. The Christian life was never intended to be lived in isolation. In fact, one of the great attractions of following Jesus is that you live in community with other believers. So when we are not in community with other believers, we are like that puzzle piece. We are not going to function the way we are supposed to function. And if God's plan for His people is like a puzzle ... we do not want our piece to be missing.

Christian community is where we find support, encouragement, and accountability. The Christian family -- the church -- takes care of each other. We provide for needs, we provide resources to help strengthen weaknesses. We show up at weddings, funerals, hospitals, and living rooms. We are there for each other. We rejoice together, we cry together, we pray together, we sing together, and we remind each other that we are not alone.

This is one of the reasons Christians meet together. We get to know each other. We demonstrate our unity around the Communion meal as we remember together the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are inspired to love God and His Son Jesus. We express our love to each other. We are motivated to do good works for the glory of God.

If you believe in Jesus, but are not connected to a body of believers, I want to encourage you to find your place in the family of believers. If you want to visit more about this, join our blog at www.hopeforlife.org. If you are looking for a group of believers near you, I can help you find one. Write me at steve@hopeforlife.org.

(Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing, retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article.

Steve Ridgell serves as the Director of Ministry for Herald of Truth Ministries in Abilene, Texas and writes for Hopeforlife.org. You can reach him by writing to sridgell@heraldoftruth.org.

Website: Hope for Life!

I Never Dreamed It Could Be This Good ...

steve@hopeforlife.org (Steve Ridgell) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

I was checking in at London Heathrow airport for a trip back to the States when the most amazing thing happened. The ticket agent told me that they had overbooked the flight and would I take a complimentary upgrade to Business class. My first reaction was to look for the hidden camera. I was sure it was a prank. But it was real. I flew across the ocean in Business class. I never dreamed anything could be that nice.

I had seen glimpses of that section of the plane before, and I had heard stories about what it was like. But I had no idea. I could stretch my legs out. I could recline my seat in four different configurations. Flight attendants kept bringing me drinks and snacks. The meal was like something I would expect at a nice restaurant. I never even waited in line to use the restroom. I just never imagined.

That is exactly what it is like to live in Jesus. Our world is full of those who cannot imagine a life full of joy and peace. They have no idea concerning the hope within each of the followers of Jesus. They only dream of a life of purpose, glory, and immortality. So I am reminded not to take this life for granted. I am so thankful for abundant life now. I am even more thankful for the life to come.

I doubt I will ever fly in Business class again. I cannot pay the price for that ticket, and it may never be given to me again. And I certainly cannot provide that service for my fellow airplane travelers. But I can help others know the life they only imagine. The ticket for that life has been paid for ... they just need someone to tell them the good news.

If you are reading this, and have wondered about the life fully given to Jesus, it is better than you have ever dreamed. There is a life of joy, peace, purpose, and hope available to you. I can help you find it. Write me at steve@heraldoftruth.org. Or join our discussion blog on HopeForLife.org.

(Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing, retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article. Contact us at info@hopeforlife.org)

© Herald of Truth Ministries

Steve Ridgell serves as the Director of Ministry for Herald of Truth Ministries in Abilene, Texas and writes for Hopeforlife.org. You can reach him by writing to sridgell@heraldoftruth.org.

Website: Hope for Life!

They Don't Know Me at My Gym...

steve@hopeforlife.org (Steve Ridgell) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500
I walked into my health club the other day and was immediately impressed. They had remodeled and added a number of new workout stations. I went to the front desk to ask how they were paying for this. I was a little offended that they did not seem to know who I was, but I asked my question anyway. It seems that health clubs have a number of people who pay dues but do not show up to work out. They love the idea of a healthy body, and the club seems like the right place to accomplish that, but they do not want to actually come in and exercise.

I admitted that I only came to the gym a couple of times a week. Then I confessed that over the past few months it may have been more like a couple of times per month. Then they had the nerve to ask me if I was serious about a healthy life style. They suggested workout partners to encourage me and hold me accountable. They challenged me to decide if I was serious or not.

The whole experience reminded me of the discussions I have had about Jesus. There are many people who like the idea of going to heaven. They consider themselves to be Christians. They are "members" of a local church. And they are offended if no one recognizes them when they show up.

Jesus intends for his followers to live in community: to help each other, to hold each other accountable, to encourage each other, and to be family. The Christian life cannot be lived in isolation. If you want to be serious about Jesus, get serious about being connected to His people. I can help you find a group of believers in your area. Write me at steve@hopeforlife.org or visit our blog at www.hopeforlife.org.

(Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing, retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article.

© Herald of Truth Ministries

Steve Ridgell serves as the Director of Ministry for Herald of Truth Ministries in Abilene, Texas and writes for Hopeforlife.org. You can reach him by writing to sridgell@heraldoftruth.org.

Website: Hope for Life!

Great Smokey Mountains and Tourists

steve@hopeforlife.org (Steve Ridgell) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500
My wife and I visited the Great Smokey Mountain National Park this summer. It was beautiful, breath-taking, and spectacular. While there, we stayed in Pigeon Forge. I was amazed. There is a twenty mile stretch of road leading from Interstate 40 into the Park and it is solid tourist attractions. Bumper-to-bumper traffic and an endless array of shops, restaurants, attractions, and shows. The people, the traffic, and the tourist venues were enough to overwhelm me. Yet every time I looked up I could see the mountains.

I could not help but wonder what the real attraction was for all the people we saw. It appeared that most of them spent their time in the man-made tourist center. The National Park was less crowded, cheaper, and more beautiful. I am sure the mountains were the original attraction for this area, but they have been overtaken by the modern tourist hustle and bustle. Yet, there they are ... just a short drive away.

It occurs to me that some people live their lives like the tourists I saw. They are busy with the life they created. Yet it is often too busy, too crowded, and too artificial. And all the while, there is a different life available -- the life God designed us to live. God created each of us. He has a purpose for each of us. He wants us to live a life full of hope, joy, purpose, and peace. But most of us will choose to live as tourists in a society absent of those emotions, never looking up to see that there is a different life to choose.

If you have a sense that you are missing something real in your life, and you would like to know if there is a different way to live, then write me at steve@hopeforlife.org. Or check out the blog at www.hopeforlife.org.

(Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing, retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article.

© Herald of Truth Ministries

Steve Ridgell serves as the Director of Ministry for Herald of Truth Ministries in Abilene, Texas and writes for Hopeforlife.org. You can reach him by writing to sridgell@heraldoftruth.org.

Website: Hope for Life!

I Thought I Was Right

steve@hopeforlife.org (Steve Ridgell) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500
"I thought I was in the right yard." That is what he told me when I found the person who had mowed half of my yard. He had gotten the wrong address. He was supposed to be mowing the overgrown yard next door, and he was to mow it as low as possible. By mistake, he was scalping my yard. He thought he was doing the right job. He had good intentions. I would even concede his heart was in the right place. But he was wrong. He damaged my yard. Good intentions and a certainty that he was right did not change the facts.

I know that is how some people view their relationship with God. If we have good intentions, or really believe that what we are doing is right ... then everything will be fine in the end. Why would anyone believe that we, the created, have the power over God, the Creator? Or, why would anyone assume that if it turns out that the God they have denied actually exists, that He will overlook their ignorance.

God is either real ... or He is not. If He is, then He sets the rules, not us. Being mistaken about God is not a decision without real consequences. It is a matter of life or death. Literally!

I believe He is real. I have staked my life on it. But I cannot make that decision for you or anyone else. I would if I could. But I can't. You are the only one who can make that decision. But I would be honored to visit more about why I made my decision. Just write me at steve@hopeforlife.org. Or join the blog at www.hopeforlife.org.

(Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing, retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article.

© Herald of Truth Ministries

Steve Ridgell serves as the Director of Ministry for Herald of Truth Ministries in Abilene, Texas and writes for Hopeforlife.org. You can reach him by writing to sridgell@heraldoftruth.org.

Website: Hope for Life!

Real Family

steve@hopeforlife.org (Steve Ridgell) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500
We were a thousand miles from home at a conference when we got the call. Our granddaughter had fallen off the back of the couch and was at the hospital. They had already diagnosed her with a severe concussion, but were running more tests. We could not even get a plane flight out until the next morning. We wanted to be there for our kids. We needed support ourselves. We had to do something. So here is what happened.

Team members from the ministry I work for gathered to pray for her. A local pastor was standing nearby, heard what had happened, and prayed with us. We had gone to have lunch with a preacher friend and his wife. They prayed for her, for us, and continued to check up on her by phone. A lady we did not know overheard my wife on the phone, introduced herself as a Christian, and prayed and cried with my wife.

We made two phone calls to members of our church back home. We left a message with the first couple. They thought it indicated that our children and granddaughter were out of town with us, and they were prepared to fly up and be with us. We talked to the other couple and within an hour they were at the hospital praying and being with our kids.

Even the Doctor reading the test results was a member of our church.

So here is the point: when my family needed help and care, our Christian family was there for us. We all worship together. We are all believers. We are all family. And I could have called any number of others who would have done the same. As we would -- and have -- for them. This is not unique to my church family. I know of communities of believers all over the world that would have reacted the same way.

Our granddaughter is fine now. But I have to wonder, what in the world do people do without community like we have? Christianity is not just about the life to come. It is also about relationship here.

If you are not part of this kind of family, I can help you find one. Write me at steve@hopeforlife.org. or visit our blog at www.hopeforlife.org.

(Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing, retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article.

© Herald of Truth Ministries

Steve Ridgell serves as the Director of Ministry for Herald of Truth Ministries in Abilene, Texas and writes for Hopeforlife.org. You can reach him by writing to sridgell@heraldoftruth.org.

Website: Hope for Life!

Are You Ready to Die?

steve@hopeforlife.org (Steve Ridgell) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Maybe it is time for some of us Christians to apologize. In our desire to have others become Christians, we may have been less than honest with our non-Christian friends. We have talked in terms of "converting," "being saved," "joining with us," and other religious sounding words. In truth, becoming a Christian can be explained by a much simpler term: it is an invitation to die.

Becoming a Christian requires you to die. Jesus came to this world because God wanted you to live with him forever. He offers eternal life. The perfect God wants the imperfect man to live with Him forever. He made that possible by letting Jesus die for all the things we did that were unlike God. Jesus came here to die for you, so you could live.

But to do that requires you to die with him. Jesus often talked about losing one's life to find it. He used illustrations of seeds dying to produce life. Paul, one of the early followers of Jesus, talks of being crucified with Jesus. The response to Jesus of being immersed in water is referred to as being "baptized into his death."

So if we as Christians have ever left the impression that following Jesus is anything short of dying to yourself so that you can live ... then we are sorry. It is the ultimate commitment -- just as Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice. So following Jesus is not really about us. It is about him. We surrender, give up our lives, and die with him. All so we can live. Forever.

Maybe that even explains why some who would call themselves Christians do not live much differently than the world. It is because they never died. So the decision to be baptized into Jesus is not an act you do. It is not a step you take. It is not a doctrine you believe. It is a death you die.

If you would like to visit more about dying to live ... write me at steve@hopeforlife.org. Or join our blog discussion at www.hopeforlife.org.

(Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing, retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article.

© Herald of Truth Ministries

Steve Ridgell serves as the Director of Ministry for Herald of Truth Ministries in Abilene, Texas and writes for Hopeforlife.org. You can reach him by writing to sridgell@heraldoftruth.org.

Website: Hope for Life!