The videos below are a series of Dot2Dot stories at The Ridge. What is YOUR “Dot2Dot” story? Comment by clicking HERE share the story of how God used others as dots in your life to connect you to Him, His purposes for your life, or to give you a fresh perspective on Himself, His church, you or others. Share your Dot2Dot story as an encouragement to others and to thank, praise and glorify the Lord. If you want to read other’s “Dot2Dot” stories, click on the article title above.
Week THREE Do2Dot Story:
Week TWO Dot2Dot Story:
Week One Dot2Dot Story:
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Harmony is my connecting dot! After living off of Ridge road for the past 2 yrs., I have wondered about this church for some time. I myself am a christian, and have been my entire life. I have a 4 yr. old son and have not found a church for us. I have felt a nagging in my heart to try this church. I have had no real motivation until last week. I just knew in my heart it’s were God was putting my son and I. So, last Sunday I came to the Church @ the Ridge for the first time. I am newly married and my husband is not a Christian. I really thought that this would not effect our marriage or my relationship with God. I also have only prayed for my husband a handful of times in our 2 yr. marriage. I truly have felt like I have been out of God’s will for my life. After hearing Harmony’s testomony, I know that last Sunday I was sitting on the very seat that God wanted me to sit. I was exactly were I needed to be. I am excited to come next Sunday and see what God has planned for myself and my family. I also have faith that through prayer that maybe my husband will someday have a relationship with Christ.
Amber,
Thank you for sharing. It was random that I got on here to see what was being written & then to read what I just read! Wow! What you don’t know is that inspires me to continue to surrender, whole-heartedly, to God’s will & be the woman he has intended me to be. Then to Him be the glory! Thank YOU!
“Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start now & make a brand-new ending.” – Carl Bard
When my wife Donna and I first began coming to Church at the Ridge I was working in retail and expected to work 3 of 4 Sundays each month. My family knew that this situation was not what God wanted for us. Pastor Steve lead all the small-groups to a study of a book “Choosing to Cheat” by Andy Stanley. The book told me that in todays world we are all torn between the time our employers want and the time our families deserve. The Bible is clear; choosing to “cheat” your family is never the right answer. In discussions about the book in small-group, Lyndon Smith sensed God was speaking to me about taking a step of faith. I prayed and asked God what He wanted me to do. God seemed to direct me one week at a time to simply ask my employer if I could come in late on Sunday so that I might attend church with my family. In consecutive weeks, God provided 3 different members of management for me to ask. Clearly, God moved on the hearts of these people, so that, in each case, I was allowed to change my schedule. My small steps of obedience were rewarded soon after, as a lady in our small group, (Tara) made me aware of a non-retail job opportunity. I interviewed and was promptly hired to a good job and a great “family friendly” schedule. Thanks to Pastor Steve, Lyndon and Tara who were dots in God’s plan for my family.
My Dot-to-Dot story begins with Me as a 13-year-old, and ends, hopefully, with people I might not have ever met.
When I was 13, I wasn’t going to church – mostly because my parents and I had just left one that wasn’t working out too well. Then, we heard about the Ridge being planted right down the street from us, and we went to check out the Ridge on it’s second Sunday – after their first Easter.
Needless to say, I loved it there. I was learning a lot, and it was a contemporary, dynamic experience that made a huge impact on me. I joined the youth group, and started going there at night.
My first Dot is Shane Crider, who along with his wife, Erin, hosted the Middle School youth group at their house on Sunday nights. It was a lot of fun, and one of the first weeks I was there, I was waiting out front for my dad to pick me up, and Shane and I were talking, casually. He asked me what I liked to do, and I said video. It was really neat that he took an interest in what I liked to do, even if it was small talk. The next few weeks, the youth group was talking about ways to serve in the church, and that’s where the next dot comes in.
Next Dot – Steve Whipple. Shane told Steve that I was interested in video a little while later, and that I was interested in serving to some capacity in the church. I was 14 now, so in High School, but still -a young guy. Still, though, Steve took a huge leap of faith and saw potential that I didn’t even think I could possess, and one Sunday, say down next to me, and asked if I wanted to learn to run video on Sundays. Me! A little Freshman in school. It was a big opportunity to serve, and I was excited to see God using me in ways I never thought possible. I said yes, and Steve, the next Sunday, introduced me to my next Dot.
Dot #3 – Michelle McKee. Michelle was the ONLY one who had been running video for who knows how long, and here Steve was introducing me, a kid, who was going to learn to do it. Michelle was extremely kind and willing to teach me, but I know if I was her, I’d probably be thinking ‘Who is this kid that’s gonna try and do video?’ Nevertheless, she was extremely patient with me as I sat in the back for, literally, months learning how to run video, the music, and record the messages on Sundays. Then, we eventually got to the point where I could do it myself, and I was able to give her much-needed breaks every other Sunday. It was great being in a place in God’s church where I actually felt useful.
Dot #4 – Jerry Davison. Jerry and his family moved here from Las Vegas about a year ago – I was 16, turning 17 at the time. Jerry was taking over as Creative Arts pastor, and Michelle and I got to meet him on his first Sunday here, and we were all excited to have him and his family with us at the Ridge. Then, we discovered that Michelle would be moving away, leaving me to run video, by myself. It was okay, though. From the time and effort she put in with me, I was ready for a very legitimate role in serving God and serving the church, and Jerry, the new creative arts pastor, trusted me, still basically a kid, enough to let me go for it. Months later, Jerry has taught me a lot of things about dynamic video ministry, and has also taught me how legitimate and really purposeful my role in the church is. Jerry showed me that God can use something even as simple as putting up slides on a screen twice on Sunday mornings can be important in the Kingdom of God.
The dot that I don’t know yet is what came from what God’s been using me to do at the Church at the Ridge so far. Without sounding like I’m gloating, I know that God is using the Church to do big things, and that I actually get to be a part of that. Who knows what other dots have been printed and connected because of what these people started?? That is an exciting, encouraging thought!
Sorry for the long story, but if not for these individuals taking the time to teach me, mentor me, value and love me, I don’t know where I’d be. God is using everyone, and he’s working everything out to His glory, and for those who love him.
-Matt Walker
I found Church of the Ridge through the signage. I was looking for a new church after two I had previously attended failed. I was looking for a place that my children could connect to. They were middle-school age and early high school age at the time. I liked non-traditional churches so the fact that it met in a school appealed to me. I went and both my daughter and son liked the youth groups. Over the course of several years, they met in three different homes. My daughter especially has brought several people who needed God to the informal setting and they have been exposed to God’s truth. There have been so many over the years that have been a blessing in my children’s lives. The Walshes, Johnsons, Brices, Martins, Bullocks and Webbs. Those were just a partial list of those who have hosted the youth group or led the discussions.
I personally like the Ridge because it is so purposeful. It’s always on the move and I frequently am thinking about a subject and then it comes up for examination. It makes me feel like we are synced up; one in the Spirit.
Another plus is that the children I serve as childcare worker minister to me. I like serving with Angie Pruett who by the way I met at a swimming pool four years prior. I was playing keep-away with her middle child.
The Body of Christ is so beautiful ; how it is knit together and the great thing is that it will go on forever.
My parents got me this really expensive swimsuit from Dillard’s to take to camp (I needed something modest).
I lost it at camp. I thought I had packed it; I even double checked. However, when I was unpacking the swimsuit was nowhere to be found.
On Christmas Eve we received a package in the mail. I had no clue what it was. When I opened it, I was in complete shock. My swimsuit was in the package.
What is the connection in all this? God gives us a package its called His plan. Some leave the package on the door step and never take notice. Others take it inside and put it somewhere to be opened later. Many open it, but never look to see what it contains. However, a few open the package and accept it. They let God cultivate and use it to bring others a package. It continues till it spreads and becomes a multitude of true followers.
The second thing I learned is that we don’t know what’s in the package until God is ready to show us, and when we are ready to do his will and listen. We must be patient.
How do we open this package, this wonderful plan?
We start by accepting Jesus and letting the relationship grow into an overwhelming joy.
Sometimes the plan is not easy, it seems out of our capabilities, or is too scary for us to handle. We only see the short term. God sees the rest.We have to trust Him that He will truly provide in our time of great need.
So, What will you do with the package God gives you? Will you ignore it, or take it and run to others to give them the package?