A Grand Adventure

I know a bunch of sweet ladies who are expecting babies right now.  In fact, I know so many women who are pregnant, I’m afraid to drink the water around here. I am kidding! 

You know, when you first find out you are expecting a baby you are filled with so much joy and excitement that you almost feel like you are going to burst. Some women see those two pink lines on the pregnancy test and immediately start calling every person they know to share the news with.  Others, are more reserved, savoring this time, holding on to that special secret till they are comfortable sharing the news with family and friends.

Whether you shout your pregnancy news from the mountain tops or calmly spill the beans at the 12 week mark, there is still so much excitement and anticipation early on in pregnancy.  You ponder such questions as: Will the baby be a boy or girl? Wonder if it will have my eyes or hair? Will it love Elvis music as much as I do – oh wait, maybe I’m the only one who pondered that, ha!

While you may be suffering from morning sickness or the need to constantly go to the ladies room, you still look like yourself.  No one would know you were pregnant unless you told them. (Unless you are expecting baby number two, three, four, etc. then your baby bump just pops out immediately!) Being pregnant, especially with your first baby, is new and fresh.  A grand adventure you have only just begun.

Isn’t that similar to how we are when we are new Christians? We accept Christ as our Savior and our lives are instantly different.  You cannot go back to who you were.  After all, you are a new creation (“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Cor. 5:17). Some of us, so on fire for God, we tell anyone and everyone who will listen about Jesus.  While others hold on to this news, this Good News, not quite sure who to share it with or how they will go about this new life, but joyful and excited about this new journey.

By your seventh or eighth month of pregnancy, you feel a bit weary.  You are tired from getting up a bunch of times all through the night for various reasons.  Your back hurts, or your feet are swollen, or a food you once loved and craved is now the grossest thing in the world to you (I’m talking about you potato soup!)  You are excited about the baby’s arrival but you are really hoping these weeks would hurry up and pass already.  You are still you, but not the “you” that you used to be.  Your belly is letting the world know either you are expecting a baby or just swallowed a giant watermelon. Your feet may have gone up a shoe size. Or maybe your once straight hair is now wavy.

That time in pregnancy reminds me so much of valleys we sometimes face in our daily Christian walk.  We are still excited about Christ but some of that “newness” has worn off.  We love the Lord but sometimes we allow the trials of daily life to take our focus off of Jesus.  We make some changes in our life that will more align us with our faith but there may be some unpleasant, even painful consequences to that. 

While those nine months of pregnancy (ok, really more like ten months, about 80 percent of women deliver their babies sometime between 37 and 42 weeks) pass by, you are busy preparing.  You set up the baby’s room, get advice from other moms, read child rearing books, and pack the all important hospital bag (your own slippers, don’t leave home without them).

Isn’t that true of how we go about living our lives as Christian women? We are preparing for eternity in heaven:  Attending a church and making it your home, reading your Bible consistently, maintaining communication with God through a vibrant prayer life, and enjoying the fellowship of other Christian women.

I have to tell you that I have learned so much about the Lord and grown in my faith by having strong, Christian ladies around me.  They have taught me and encouraged me in so many ways.  If you are missing this in your life right now, please pray for God to open this door for you and bring it to you.  You weren’t meant to live life on your own.

Then, just when you think you really can’t handle being pregnant one more day, when you feel you have truly had enough.  You feel like your belly just can’t stretch anymore and you wonder if you will ever fit in to your favorite jeans again.  When you reach that point when you just want this baby to come out, you go another week and blow past your due date. 

But…  Finally the big day arrives! You deliver your baby! And then!  Then my friend, everything you thought you knew about being a mother, all flies out the window. 

It’s different and awesome and wonderfully better than you ever could have imagined!

That’s what I believe it will be like when we go and meet Jesus face to face.  You have waited and waited.  You have pondered, thought, daydreamed about what this would be like.  You’ve endured trials, troubles, and tribulations.  You have finished the race as Paul says. (“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7). You see the nail scarred hands of Jesus, and then…  Then my friend, everything you thought you knew about being a Christian, all flies out the window.

 It’s different and awesome and wonderfully better than you ever could have imagined!

The Lies Our Hearts Believe

“No one will ever love you the way I do.” Ladies, has a guy ever laid that line on you? If you have ever heard those words, did it make your heart skip a beat? Did a wave of panic overcome you, scared at the thought of being alone?

My younger sister and I were catching up the other day.  She was filling me in on the ups and downs of being a single, thirty-something woman.  Relationships are tough to establish these days.  And once you find yourself in one, sometimes they can be even tougher to maintain.  Often, you are just so happy to not be alone anymore, that you will compromise or stick around even when it may not be the healthiest of situations.

My sister’s stories reminded me of a lie that took hold of my heart for a brief time, long ago. I was not the best at relationships in the past.  I was awful at them. I seemed to always pick Mr. Wrong.  More often than not, I would pick Mr. Very Wrong.  I was drawn to controlling, manipulative men.  I stayed in relationships long past when I should have bailed.  There was a part of me that was afraid to be alone and another part of me that just wanted to be loved.  It didn’t matter if the “love” or attention I was getting was unhealthy or not.

Near the end of one of those unhealthy relationships, I actually had my boyfriend at the time say to me, “No one will ever love you the way I do.” For a millisecond, my heart stopped.  I had a life of loneliness flash before my eyes.  I allowed that lie to take hold.  My heart believed it.  Even after I finally ended the relationship, that lie still stuck with me.  After every bad date I had, those words would hit me all over again.

Not long after that relationship ended, I got saved.  I accepted Jesus as my Savior and my whole world changed.  My outlook on life and love was different.  That’s when I realized, my ex-boyfriend’s words, were in a way, true!

No one will ever love me the way he did.  Jesus loves me more!  Jesus loves me better!  Jesus loves me in a way no person on this earth could ever love me.  The love our Savior has for us is pure, true, and perfect.  Christ’s love for us is wide, long, high, and deep (Ephesians 3:18). 

So now I ask you, what lie (or lies) is your heart believing today? Have you been told you aren’t smart enough? What about not pretty enough? Were you told, like me, that no one would ever love you like a certain person does? How about, I can’t do this or that because of my past?  God can’t use someone like me.

I want to encourage you right now... that lie that has settled in your heart, release it. It is a lie. You are the apple of God's eye!  You are smart, beautiful, talented, and God most certainly can use you!  Don’t forget that God does not call the equipped; He equips those He has called!

Open up your heart to Jesus.  He knows your hurts.  He knows what lies are holding you down or keeping you back.  Allow Him to open your eyes and see the TRUTH!  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).

“Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.  Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.  You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.  For your Maker is your husband — the Lord Almighty is his name — the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.” Isaiah 54:4-5 (NIV)

Ladies, we love you and are here for you! Please email women@westridge.cc with questions or prayers.  

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!