The Ordinary

Not too long ago, I got a bill in the mail from my friendly, neighborhood cable provider.  I opened the bill expecting my payment amount to be a certain figure but my eyes bulged and jaw dropped when I saw that the amount I was expecting and the amount my bill actually was were vastly different!  Once I cleared the sweat from my brow, I analyzed my statement.  Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. But then I saw it.  My special “plan” rate had expired and I was now being charged the regular price.

Do you have those moments of craziness in your brain like me?  I suddenly started running through scenarios in my head of how to fix the problem.  Switch providers? Skimp back on services? Or gulp; get rid of cable all together?!  I knew I needed to call my cable provider but I dread making those kinds of phone calls.  I usually end up on hold for a long time while my kids scream in the background, or I am connected with someone I have a hard time understanding, or I get disconnected, or ALL three!

Now, this was not a life or death situation.  Nor was it a dire circumstance.  If I really had to get rid of cable, I believe I could do it.  (Now, my husband on the other hand, would have some serious issues with that, especially during football and hockey season!) So this problem/issue wasn’t really something that most people would deem “prayer worthy”.  It was just one of those run of the mill, ordinary issues we face in our day to day lives.

I was all set to start dialing my phone when I remembered; God cares about our day to day problems.  He cares about our “ordinary”.  He wants to be invited in to our everyday situations, no matter how commonplace they might be.

I decided to do just that.  I am not ashamed to admit, I prayed about my phone call to the cable company. Why not? God knows me. He saw me get all frazzled by my bill. He knows what is important to me (staying within my budget and having a happy husband!).  Why not bring this issue to Him in prayer?

So, I prayed.  I thanked God for His great provision.  I told Him that this bill was not going to fit into my family’s budget.  I prayed for great favor with whoever I spoke with on the other end of the phone.  I requested that that person and I would be able to understand each other and communicate well.  I prayed that God would keep me from getting nervous while explaining my situation.  Then I asked God to give me the right words to say.

I finished my prayer, picked up the phone and dialed the number.  I was fully expecting at least a five minute wait filled with “hold music” containing the saxophone and various hits from the eighties (How did Gloria Estefan and her Miami Sound Machine make it to every hold-music station’s rotation?!). My palms were getting a bit sweaty as I held my statement, scanning it up and down.

I was pretty surprised when the customer service rep took my call just a few seconds after it connected.  I was thrilled when the very nice woman on the other end of the line, patiently listened as I explained the reason for my call.  I was shocked when she told me she would be able to help me stay within my budget and actually save an additional $10 per month! By the time our phone call ended I was smiling with joy as she told me to go enjoy my afternoon with my kiddos.

You see, God cares about what you care about.  God’s love for His children is vast yet intricate enough that He pays attention to you every single moment of every single day. There is not a minute, not a second, that you are not in God’s line of sight. He knows even those “little things” that are a part of your life.  He knows you inside and out.  That means He knows too, what causes you stress and what puts a smile on your face.

My challenge to you today is this; make it a point to talk to God today. Talk to Him more than once.  Pray about the big things and the little things.  All those small things add up to make your whole day.  God cares, and not only does He care but He wants you to invite Him into your day. I promise you it will make a difference.  If not in your situation, then in you and your perspective about that situation.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Attention Shoppers!

Grocery shopping is serious business for me.  I plan out my menu in advance and make a thorough list.  Then I highlight my list with four different highlighters (yes, I said four) to indicate which store I am buying that item from. 

When I get to the store, I am in the zone.  It is rare that an item ends up in my cart that was not on the list.  I don’t waste time gazing at all the products, picking up this one then that one.  Oh no, I am all business. 

Nor do I waste time just carelessly throwing my groceries on the conveyor belt to get rung up. There is a process for that too! Big bulky items go first, then cleaning supplies, then cold items, you get the point.  I have a system.  You can’t have your big jug of ketchup squashing the bread!

The other day, I was wrapping up my food shopping trip, placing my items on the belt to be checked out when I heard a little boy crying.  Crying is an understatement.  It was more like wailing.  This little guy was not happy.  In fact, he was unhappy the entire time I unloaded my cart.  People were beginning to stare at him and his mom as they stood at the service desk.  I felt really bad for the little boy.  My momma heart strings were being tugged and I had no idea why he was so upset. 

The cashier and I wondered out loud to each other what the problem was.  That was when the situation began to escalate.  His mom started yelling at the cashiers behind the desk.  She was pointing at them with one hand while holding her cell phone to her ear.  It was at this moment that everything in the store screeched to a halt.  (Insert sound of a record being scratched here!) Everyone in the store, from customers to cashiers, was staring at this lady and her little boy, while she screamed and he wailed.

My heart was breaking at this scene.  I didn’t know all the details but I knew it wasn’t good.  I knew too, that this situation needed some prayer.  While my cashier was ringing up my groceries, I was praying silently in my head.  I prayed for comfort for the boy, peace for the mom, and a good end to whatever the problem was that was causing so much distress. 

Have you ever had a prayer time so engrossing and so focused that everything around you melts away? A time when nothing distracts you from pouring your heart out to God and begging Him to intervene? I was so deep in prayer over this situation, the entire store and crying boy faded away.  Only when I had finished my prayers, did I realize my groceries were all bagged up and I needed to pay!

As I put the last bag in my cart, I saw a box of fruit snacks on top.  I thought to myself, “What kid doesn’t like fruit snacks?” Then I heard the Lord whisper to my heart, “You need to go over there.  Ask if that little boy would like some fruit snacks.”

Now you guys, I have shared before how I am a shy person.  I do not normally go up to strangers in the store, much less angry, screaming strangers in the store.  But I felt compelled.  I had to go over there.  I was supposed to go over to this lady and see if she needed any help.

As I maneuvered my cart over to the lady, I said one more prayer, “Lord, I am walking over here because You want me to.  Help me to be obedient to You. I pray I can help this little boy.  Give me the confidence to do this and the right words to say. Amen.”

I parked my cart next to the lady, with the box of fruit snacks right on top. I said, “Excuse me, would your little guy like some fruit snacks?” The lady, who was still holding her phone, looked at me like I was an alien from Mars with three eyes and a giant green head. Then she tersely responded, “No thank you.  He’s not hungry.  He had a stroke a while back and he gets very upset sometimes and THESE PEOPLE NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!!”

How does one move forward in a conversation when the other person has just screamed at the employees again? I just kept pressing on.  There was something inside of me that wasn’t afraid. So I said, “I see you are on the phone.  Would you like me to hold your little boy while you take care of things?” She said no.  Then I replied, “Well, you have a good day.” I patted the little boy’s back and said, “You take care, buddy!” cheerfully, as if he wasn’t a stranger but a friend. 

Seeing as how I had nothing else to say or offer the situation, I pushed my cart away.  That’s when the doubts started flying at me.  All these thoughts flooded my brain, “See! You couldn’t do anything! What good did it do to go over there? All you did was embarrass yourself!” I could feel my cheeks get red.  It felt like every eye in the store was on me now!

Just as I was feeling defeated and heading out the door, the kind, little, old greeter lady at the exit stopped me.  “Honey! Where did you get that Elvis t-shirt? I just love it!” she gushed at me. Huh? What? (Insert scratching record noise again!) Suddenly all the negative thoughts stopped as I racked my brain to recall that I had picked it up a few summers ago at a store nearby. For the next few minutes, this lovely lady and I shared Elvis facts and swapped stories only Elvis fans would enjoy!  All the lies the enemy was throwing in my ear were gone!

I walked out the automatic doors with a huge smile on my face.  As I pushed my cart to the car, it hit me.  If there was a light bulb above my head, it would have just lit up! That entire episode, from the screaming boy to the outraged mother, was not at all about God having me swoop in and save the day. It was all about obedience.

I was being obedient to the urgings to pray for the mom and boy.  I was being obedient by going over, walking in faith, and talking to those people.  I was being obedient by bringing the light of Jesus to that tense situation.  I will never know how things ended up for the mom and her little guy. They may have been changed by a stranger coming over to them or they may not have.  But I know I am changed.  I am not the same at all!

God was at work on me that afternoon in the grocery store. Can I tell you that I simply love that I am still a work in progress? God is not done with me yet.  And you know what?  He is not done with you yet either!

 We are always here for you, please email women@westridge.cc with questions or prayers.  We love you!

West Ridge Women - Spotlight #3

Our West Ridge Women Spotlight today is on the lovely Pastor Kathryn Loucks.  Kathryn is the Kids Director of North Country, our children’s ministry at West Ridge.  In addition to North Country, Kathryn also heads up the Kingdom Life Ministry and oversees the Financial Peace classes. Recently, I sat down with Kathryn to chat about the many hats she wears for West Ridge.

Kathryn lives in North Fayette with her husband, Dave, and daughter, Taylor.  They all share the home with a neurotic, fluffy dog named Patch.  Kathryn lives not too far from West Ridge and grew up in the area.

Kathryn was raised in a very loving, Christian home.  She was led to Christ by her parents when she was very young.  Kathryn recalled, “I think I said the sinner’s prayer with my mom.  My parents have always been a big part of my spiritual life.”  Kathryn attended Rhema Christian School where her mother, Wava, taught third grade.

After graduating high school, Kathryn attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Kathryn remembers, “They encouraged us to really own our faith for ourselves.” This thinking allowed her to figure out, as a young adult, what kind church she wanted to belong to and what she saw as her niche for ministry.

During this time of discovery, Kathryn never questioned God but was beginning to question people and Christianity in the organized church. It was the eighties when church scandals were frequent topics on the evening news. She graduated from college feeling a bit jaded and cynical.

The turning point for Kathryn came when she returned to Pittsburgh for a visit and attended a West Ridge service with her parents.  This was back in the early days of West Ridge when the congregation was still meeting in the Moon High School. She heard a message about being wounded by the church.  During the sermon, an apology was offered to anyone who had been hurt by the church.  Upon thinking about the message, Kathryn put her focus on where it needed to be, on Jesus and not on people. After Kathryn moved back to Pittsburgh, she experienced a new closeness with God.  She was getting more from the messages each Sunday and made West Ridge her church home. 

Kathryn has been with West Ridge since 1997.  In that time, she has served in so many different areas.  She seen many, many changes and been involved with a variety of ministries.  While Kathryn was teaching the Freedom Ministry (which is now called Kingdom Life) she felt like God was moving her from her professional career as a teacher but she wasn’t sure where.  She had taught at Rhema Christian School for sixteen years but was unsure what to do next.  After much prayer, she believed God wanted her to take a step of faith and leave her teaching position and join the staff of West Ridge full time.

As the Kids Director for North Country, getting to know all the kids that attend North Country each week has been most rewarding aspect of this ministry for Kathryn.  She has plans for the future in getting all of the kids classes learning the same theme at the same time and focusing in on one truth each week so all of the students are on the same page with their lessons.  She is also super excited for the VBS theme, “Gotta Move: Keeping in Step with the Spirit”.  West Ridge/North Country will host the free VBS July 16-18, 6:30-8:30 pm and July 19, 9:00 am – Noon.

Also this summer, Kathryn and North Country will be partnering up with the Women’s Ministry by providing classes for the kids while their moms are participating in the “Captivating” Bible/book study.  While the women are studying, the children will be learning too!  The study begins June 18^th from 9:00 – 11:30.

In addition to all of that, Kathryn is leading the Kingdom Life team. Kingdom Life will be holding the Foundations class in June for anyone and everyone.  She describes it as, “Basically about living the life God created you to have.  It’s about understanding who you are in Him, and hearing from Him for yourself.” The class will take place over a weekend and then there will be some topical, one session classes through the rest of the year.

It is time to wrap up our interview but before we finish, Kathryn has to answer the Super Six questions!

1. Are you a morning person or night owl?  Definitely morning!
2. What was the last book you read? I am a total Jane Austin lover and right now I am reading “Death Comes to Pemberley” by P.D. James.  It is a mystery based on the Jane Austin book “Pride and Prejudice”. It is a modern novel but it picks up at the end of “Pride and Prejudice”. I love mysteries!
3. What is your favorite way to relax? Read…  I love to read!
4. What would you have for the perfect meal? My mom’s homemade spaghetti. She makes homemade sauce from tomatoes in her garden.  It’s probably what I ask for most on my birthday.
5. What is your favorite Scripture to meditate on in times of stress? Definitely Psalm 23, I love that one! (“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures…”)
6. What is your favorite thing about West Ridge? West Ridge is a family.  It’s just an extension of being at home!

Seed Planting

My daughters and I were planting flower seeds in the flower beds around our house last week.  I had selected with great care which seeds I wanted planted where.  Some of the flowers I picked out do well in full sun while others need a nice shady spot.

I got all my tools ready.  Shovel, gardening gloves (ew, dirt!), ruler, and seed packets. I didn’t necessarily announce to my kiddos I was planting the flower seeds. Sometimes there are jobs that you just don’t declare a need for help for, like putting away fine china or boxing up the ornaments from the Christmas tree.

I set out carefully measuring the depth of the little hole in which I placed my seed.  Then, gently covered the hole and measured the distance recommended on the packet of where to place the next seed. I got one packet done before my girlies came over and threw a monkey wrench into my carefully crafted seed planting operation.  They spotted me and came running over to see what I was up to.

Immediately they hovered over me, each one begging to help.  Of course, I obliged.  I showed them how to dig the little hole and place the seed in it, just one seed, and cover it with some dirt.  I gave them some seeds to hold in their hands and they set out on their mission.

The girls started out fine.  Just one tiny seed in one little hole.  Then the wind blew and seeds went everywhere. Two minutes later after they all got new handfuls of seeds, all three of my girls dumped ALL the seeds in their hands into ONE hole and covered it up before I could say boo!

I was about to complain. After all, the wind just blew a bunch of seeds all over so I knew I would have different flowers sprouting up all over the place. Then for a split second I thought about digging up the dirt to try to recover the seeds.  But, I didn’t. I realized that even that pile of seeds somewhere below the dirt was going to turn in to something beautiful.  You know why? Because in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28)

The seed planting adventure reminded me that in our lives, God can take any and all circumstances, be it properly planted seeds or not so properly planted seeds, and make it in to something good.  He does that with our past when we “thought” we knew what we were doing but we never stopped to ask God for his direction or will for us.  Those mistakes we made long ago, that we still beat ourselves up over; can become something beautiful in your life. God can take ALL things, the good, the bad, the mediocre, the regretful, and the things you had no control over.  It doesn’t say just the things you prayed about or just the things you feel confident about.   No, it says all things.  And I am pretty sure with God, we can’t begin to comprehend what “all” is for Him!  “All things” could include those bad choices you made yesterday, last month, and ten years ago that you probably have long forgotten about! 

So I am looking forward to seeing the colorful flower beds that God creates in the soil around my house this summer.  I know when I see the flowers begin to spout in the flower bed that my girls worked on; there will be something good growing there!

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

We are always here for you, please email women@westridge.cc with questions or prayer requests.  We love you!

Mentors & Friends

The lovely ladies participating in our Titus 2 Ministry are preparing to wrap up their sessions for the year.  A wonderful team of mentors have come along side a group of delightful ladies in their individual walk with Christ.  Throughout this past year, the mentors have been a part of the lives of the women.  They encouraged them, prayed with them, taught them, and most importantly, loved them.   Soon they will be celebrating the end of this incredible season in all of their lives.

These ladies were not brought to together by accident.  The friendships and bonds that have been formed did not occur by chance.  The Lord knew exactly what He was doing by joining each mentor with their “mentoree”.  When I think about the friendships that have been formed, I think of an awesome quote from Stasi Eldredge’s book, “Captivating”…

“When God gives a friend, he is entrusting us with the care of another’s heart.”

Take a moment and think about the women who have made a positive impact on you.  They were not in your life by coincidence, but blessings from God at just the right time in your life.  Not only did God trust you with caring for their hearts but He trusted them with caring for yours. Mentors and friends are treasured gifts.  Their wisdom, insight, support, and love are invaluable. 

I can recall so many instances in my life when God placed a friend or mentor in my path at just the right time.  Whether it was when I was new to my faith and needed guidance, when I was a new mom with a million questions, or just trying not to burn a frying pan full of bacon! (Thank you, Grandma Radi, the height of the flame under the pan DOES make a difference, ha!)

I encourage you today to not only thank the Lord for these people in your life but to let those people know how you feel about them as well! So be sure you call, drop a note in the mail, or meet that special someone for coffee today. I’m pretty sure they would love to hear from you!

“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” Titus 2:3-5 (NIV)

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)

Please email women@westridge.cc with questions, prayers, or if you would be interested in participating in the next session of the Titus 2 Ministry.  We love you ladies and are here for you!

Truth

Star Wars - A New Hope

Recently over the last few months, two of my girls have traded in Princess Cinderella for Princess Leia.  Yes, we have gone a bit Star Wars crazy over here.  We have seen all the movies (with parental supervision of course and with one finger on the fast forward button for those scary parts), checked out a bunch of books from the library, and thanks to Netflix – we have been caught up in watching the “Star Wars - The Clone Wars” animated series.

I’ve been enjoying watching this show with my girls mainly for the cool quotes that begin each episode.  While my kiddos are watching Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, I am pondering such gems as this…  “Searching for the truth is easy.  Accepting the truth is hard.”

How true that statement is for some of us!  You can search and search for the truth.  I know I sure did.  You can attend church after church, none of them one really feeling like it is the best “fit” for you.  You can join this group or that one.  Read book upon book.  Listen to this speaker or attend that conference.  Maybe dusting off the Bible and flipping through…  Genuinely searching for the truth, trying to find the answers your heart seeks can be so easy. But accepting the truth, that God loves YOU, well, that can be very hard.

If your heart is hurting, hearing that God loves you can be difficult to accept.  A wide range of feelings like pain, inadequacy, or worthlessness can block you from letting the light of Jesus in.  Sometimes you keep searching for that one thing that will make you feel whole or complete.  When you hear the Good News, that Jesus is that one thing you have been looking for, acceptance of Him can be difficult.  You wonder, is that it? Nothing I do, no good deed, not even being a “good person” will earn my salvation? Just accept Jesus as my Savior? That can’t be it!

If you are searching today, let me share some truth with you.  My friend, God does love you!  He chose you.  He sent his son to die for you.  I know that accepting that can be so hard.  You may feel unlovable or unworthy.  But God does not see you that way.  His love for you is deeply personal.  He created you (Psalm 139:13-14). His love for you is vast.  He thinks of you more than there are grains of sand by the sea (Psalm 139:17-18). God’s love for you is intricate. He knows the exact number of hairs your head (Matt. 10:30).

Stop searching.  Soften you heart and allow the truth to sink in.  Nothing you can do or have done will earn your salvation.  There is no sin that is too big for God to forgive.  God is not waiting for you to get your act together and become a perfect person.  All you need to do today is accept the truth.  You are saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV)

We are always here for you, please email women@westridge.cc with questions or prayers.  We love you!

Spring Has Sprung!

Well, we did it! We survived the long, COLD winter!  Spring has finally sprung in Pittsburgh!  As I write this, I am basking in the glow of having enjoyed a beautiful, sun -filled, seventy degree day.  The sun felt wonderfully WARM on my skin!

In my flower beds, I have yellow daffodils and deep purple hyacinths blooming.  The tulip leaves are breaking through the mud, soon to blossom as well. I like to call them my Easter flowers.  The hyacinths are my absolute favorite though.  The fragrance immediately brings spring to mind.  I recall growing up and having them in the house every year at Easter time.  They speak of Easter more to me than the lily or any other flower.

Every spring, my Easter flowers come up through the ground and bloom.  They remind me of renewal.  Spring is the time when the icy fingers of winter finally loosen their grasp and there is hope.  The ground softens.  The dead grass turns green and grows high after a dose of sun and few good April showers. 

This winter was especially rough in our region.  Bitter cold.  Snow.  Snow.  And then more snow.  Twenty below wind chills are old hat to us now.  Below zero, been there, done that! Let the water faucets drip overnight and add an extra layer!

That’s all (hopefully!) in the past now.  It won’t be long till everything is made new.  Outside it will burst with new life.  Gardens will begin to grow.  Trees will fill out once again with green, shady leaves.  We will be able shed our coats and trade them for short sleeves and flip-flops! How freeing!

Spring is special but Easter makes this season glorious!  We celebrate that Christ has risen! We rejoice that our Redeemer lives!  The tomb was empty. 

This can also be a great opportunity to allow Jesus to renew and free you. If you have gotten bogged down in the mud and muck of life, allow Christ to lift you up like the hyacinth that rests upon its thick and sturdy stem.  If you have been depressed or shut off from the world, allow Jesus to open you up and bloom you like the delicate daffodil.  If you have been hurt and feeling dead inside, allow the Lord to heal you like the tender blades of grass and bring new life to you again.

Jesus can and will do this for you. I have seen renewal in my backyard landscape, in my life, and I have witnessed it in the lives of others.  He can make ALL things new.  Give Christ the opportunity to bring the season of spring and restoration into your heart.  Allow Him to free you to grow and bloom!  Leave winter behind and take hold of His amazing renewal!  

“The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11 (NKJV)

“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” Song of Solomon 2:11-12 (NIV)