The Ridge Church

Guest Blog by Wendy Dexter

pastorjoey — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:10:59 +0000

Crazy, Freak, or On Fire?

I’m waiting at the light to go back to work from lunch and this nice blue Cadillac turns in front of me and I see something that makes me smile. On the side of the door in those white peel off block style letters is, Jesus Loves You. This “cute” old man driving his nice Cadillac downtown has bought peel off stickers to put this message on his car, a Cadillac no doubt! At first I giggled a minute. I almost rolled my eyes, which would be my reaction in the past. But this time I smiled and said, “Yes Jesus does love me, and he loves you man, thanks”. It got me thinking… That one unconventional insane action brought me a smile and inspired me to dig deeper.

The past few weeks I also keep passing this white work van that is spray painted in all neon colors different verses and “Christian” sayings. It honestly reminds me of a youth t-shirt from the 90’s, when neon graffiti was cool. Oh wait… It’s cool again isn’t it…? So back to the point, most people, including myself at one time would say what a weirdo, that’s such a turn off, he’s just a crazy Jesus freak. Your normal reaction is to be critical and negative or feel very sorry for their obvious mental condition!

Now for a moment, follow me to a different viewpoint. I would say that these types of believers are not crazy, they are not insane. They are on fire for God. They are Jesus Freaks, which is an honor to be. They obviously don’t care about what others say about them, or the dirty looks I’m sure they receive. These folks see a bigger picture, the bigger vision. They are taking their love for God, worshipping Jesus outwardly & ministering to everyone who sees their vehicle. Someone who has never heard the name Jesus may see this wonderful old man driving his slow moving Cadillac around town and start wondering who this Jesus is. The man with the van, that says Holy, Holy, Holy on the front, and Jesus is coming are you ready? May be just the thing someone needs to come back to that relationship with God that they walked away from years ago. He in his way is being a light in the world.

How many Christians are scared to even tell another they go to church or even less tell people they have a relationship with Jesus. In Luke 9:26 the word says “anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

Jesus came and was very unorthodox in his approach, his leadership, his ministry. He lived life differently. He lived an example for us to follow. He didn’t sit quietly in the temple to not upset the normal. He went beyond the borders; he truly touched people by being different, by being “crazy”. I pray that each one who is a believer can swallow their pride, be led by the Holy Spirit and live the life God designed for you. I pray that we will all may be on fire for God. I challenge you to be inspired to become a Jesus Freak. Give them something to talk about! You never know it may just lead to one life changed…

It Only Takes One,

In His Service,

Wendy

Who’s There?

pastorjoey — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:12:33 +0000

Ever had a time when your alone and hear a noise. You quickly turn while uttering the phrase Who’s There? Your thinking someone is here but you can’t see them. Are they friend or foe? Or you safe or in danger? Actually this happens to us all the time. I mean every moment of everyday of our life. There is always someone there. Psalm 27:9 of the Message paraphrase David says “God … You’ve always been right there for me!” To which I say ABSOLUTELY … Be Encouraged today … He’s There!

Until Next Time

Back to School Bash

Ridge Church — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 04:08:24 +0000

6:30pm – 8:00pm
Free for completed PreK – 5th grade
Dinner will be provided.

Great Adventure

pastorjoey — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:13:50 +0000

Wow! It took a lot of work. There were tons of ideas, many workers, but One Vision and it happened! The new Great Adventure Children’s Ministry opened here at the RIDGE yesterday and was it ever Great! A special thank you goes out to all those who spent long days and very long nights working for the completion of this new and exciting ministry. Just stop and consider “Just One” child accepts the Lord as Savior because he/she comes in here and realizes church is a cool place … You played a part in that!

To my many workers / volunteers and to my Children’s Pastor who took the Vision and worked so hard to make it reality. Thank You! It is Great to serve along side of you! All for His Glory!

Here are a couple of Pictures of the Great Work

Be Blessed,

Upwards Sports

Ridge Church — Sat, 29 May 2010 15:50:09 +0000

Upwards is a Nationally Based sports and recreation ministry that offers every child the opportunity to play, compete fairly, and learn that each one is a Winner in the eyes of Christ. Upwards is available for ages K-5th Grade, and we are currently registering for Flag Football and Cheerleading. More Information click here

Grand Opening

Ridge Church — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:08:53 +0000

EXCITING NEWS!!!!! The GREAT ADVENTURE has begun at the RIDGE. The brand new, freshly renovated and totally rockin’ children’s ministry is now open. This ministry is for children from birth to 5th grade each Sunday Morning at 11:00am.

Expand the Kingdom

pastorjoey — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:03:33 +0000

The title of this blog is really what I Believe God is doing within the RIDGE Church and to use that phrase I often use once more. “God is messing me up with it in a Good way.” See here is what I mean! We are doing Great things in our ministry and Christ is changing lives! That is Awesome! But here is the thought … we can do more! We must Expand His Kingdom! Important not OUR Kingdom – His!

See one thing I see happening in so many churches today is we get comfortable, complacent, and feel entitled that Our Church should be for us to enjoy. While we must certainly enjoy and love our church, we must remember it is not “ours” it is His. And the Kingdom we are building must never be ours … He has each person here for a purpose and a plan in order to further His Kingdom on earth. After all we pray in the Lord’s prayer, “Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven!”

Consider today How can you build His Kingdom? Is it witness to a friend? Is it listening to someone who is hurting? Is it starting a ministry? Is it being a part of another ministry? There are countless numbers of ways each of us can build His Kingdom today and frankly we don’t do it by sitting in church on Sunday.

Working for the Kingdom

4th Annual Car Show

Ridge Church — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:59:39 +0000

At The RIDGE Church
11:00am- 3:00pm
More details? Click Here

Remember Who Called You

pastorjoey — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:11:39 +0000

For a little while now, few weeks maybe a month, God has been dealing with me about something that is very common in ministry … Criticism or Negative Talk! That’s right good Christians tearing each other down. Now if your reading this thinking wow I’m in ministry or I go to church and I’ve never faced any criticism, then friend get ready it is on the way! Anytime you are doing something for God the enemy is not happy and will use anyone he can to disrupt you. And so this morning I saw a quote from Pastor Ed Young which read, “God is preparing you (even if criticism is coming your way) for what He has prepared (Called) for you (to do).” My emphasis added. Pastor Young’s quote says it best. I would say it this way Remember who Called YOU! When people are negative we have to love them because Jesus loves them and we should too, but we don’t have to listen to them. In fact if we do we are replacing Him with them. Look up, Rejoice and Smile, God is preparing you for what he has prepared for you to do!

Be Blessed,

God is A.B.L.E.

pastorjoey — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:56:59 +0000

Wow! I wanted to take a moment and update my blog so especially the RIDGE Church will know what God is doing outside the walls. If you know me you know it is my heart to see the church get outside and be the church; otherwise sitting ina building thinking we are entitled to all we have is a country club, not a church! Ok, Ok, that was the sermon part … let me tell you about last night! Last night was the first meeting of the ABLE Ministry and it was incredible: a great venue, fantastic food, a key note speaker that brought a message of encouragement and excitement and the best part was you could hear his passion and heart in every word. Maybe your thinking what is ABLE … ?

ABLE or Atlanta Business Leader Enrichment is a ministry of the RIDGE Church designed especially for Business Leaders. It’s a ministry designed to help business leaders come together with each other, share their Faith and encourage one another as we bridge the gap between the Board Room and the Church. That’s right Business Leaders growing in their faith together! So often we think of the business world as cut throat, climb to the top at any cost Monday through Friday living even though on Sunday Jesus teaches us to Love one another!

Let me tell you what I experienced last night in a room full of 60+ executives from the Atlanta Area. I heard excitement and encouragement about being a part of ministry. Business Leaders are ready to get involved in ministry. Something we all know is that the things going wrong in this world are because we are taking Jesus out of everything: Kids can’t pray in school, Ten Commandment are not allowed to be displayed publicly, business leaders are not always allowed to tell an employee who is struggling and hurting that Jesus Christ loves them and cares. Doesn’t Matthew 6:33 say “Seek First His Kingdom and His Righteousness” then things will be given … ?

The RIDGE Church and specifically ABLE is joining together with men and women business leaders to Seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness, to encourage and equip today’s leaders to make an impact for Christ in the lives of their own circle of influence … Get Ready RIDGE Church, Get Ready Atlanta … This is going to be GREAT! How can I say that, because God is Able!