A night to remember

Who among you are like me in that you find yourself ridden with the constant temptation to jump to the end of the book and read the final chapter instead of enjoying the story as it unfolds? Well, Ridge Church and each of our lives are part of a story that God is writing. A story that I am so grateful to be a part of as I know each of you are. God is continually reminding me to enjoy each page of this story he is writing, so I wanted to give each of you an excerpt from the “current” chapter.

Ridge Church has the unique privilege of having friends and supporters in Charlotte as well as multiple other cities and states, and I want you to know and experience what you are part of whether up close or from a distance. I always carry the “privilege” of a burden and deep passion but my heart was burdened and excited in a unique fashion all week leading up to our most recent worship gathering. I had a sense that it would be a defining moment in the life of our church. I had a sense that it would be a moment of spiritual breakthrough for many people individually as well as our church corporately AND, it was just that kind of night!

The Challenge was simple. First, we invited people to consider the question “In a moment of honesty, Is there area of your life, or your life in totality, that you are running from God? Second, challenge...”who among us is ready to stop running, and draw a line in the sand?” You can listen to the entire service by clicking this link: Jonah part 1

The Result was...well, truthfully it is still unfolding, and I am convinced the intensity of that night will have a ripple effect in the lives of all that were there as well as many who were not. Many tears flowed, courageous decisions were made, and many hearts were set free from running.

In next chapter, I am convinced that God will write many stories of redemption, restored marriages, reengaged hope...there will be teenagers that stop running...there will be city “influencers” who’s hearts get in rhythm with the heart of God and begin to leverage their influence for the eternal rather than the temporal...there will be addictions that loose their power in the shadows of the newly found power of God in people’s lives...there will be conversations in the back yards of neighborhoods and office hallways, not about NASCAR, or the Panthers (most recent loss), but about the newly found or renewed purpose as a result of Jesus...there will be a wind of change and hope that begins to stir and replace the mundane and ordinary...church will be prioritized by people, no longer viewed as a place for left over time, energy and resources!!

**Call me a dreamer, but I believe that God himself left that fingerprint on my life. But, It’s not just a dream, it is a preferred future worthy of MY LIFE! It can and will be a reality. I leave you with a sneak peak of worship from our last service.