How I Lost 30lbs. & Then Gained It All Back...

In September 2012, I surpassed my weight loss goal by losing over 30 pounds.  By September 2015, I had gained it all back.  What happened?! Were pizza, French fries and chocolate to blame?  Laziness? Is this just another “New Year/New You” weight loss post?!

No. Not at all.

Let me explain.  

Back in 2012, I was determined to get healthy.  I wanted to lose all the weight I had gained from bad eating habits and three pregnancies.  I didn’t like how out of shape I was and I cringed when I saw pictures of myself.  I found a diet and exercise plan that sounded reasonable.  Even my husband was on board and joined me!

Now, I’m such a rule follower.  In fact, I follow the rules so well that staying on the diet was something I was easily able to do.  Well, okay, maybe not easily. There were times when I was drooling over making my daughter a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while I knew another “carb-free” meal was awaiting me.  But, I had clear guidelines (a.k.a. rules) and I was able to stick with them.

When the diet ended, my husband and I were ecstatic with the results.  I actually had ended up losing more weight than I intended!  In fact, I had lost so much, I almost looked sick.  Like there was something really wrong with me.  My hip bones stuck out noticeably. My kiddos thought my lap was uncomfortable to lay their heads on.  (No more “cushion” I guess!)  Still, I was excited to start living in this “new” body and was enjoying working out daily.  In fact when I looked at myself in the mirror I felt like I had lost so much weight, I could eat however (and whatever) I wanted.  So I did.

There was problem though that I never tackled while I was dutifully eating right and working out.  I never addressed the fact that I use food as a comfort.  If I was stressed, taco dip sounded good!  And after the diet ended, cravings for pizza or fast food were no longer being denied but given in to.  And oh my, when the kiddos started getting crazy and my hormones were going nuts, chocolate sounded like the best decision ever! Snacking at night before the diet started was just part of my usual daily routine.  But while I was dieting, I stopped. Many glasses of water were guzzled in the evenings trying to drown out the grumblings of my empty stomach.

After the diet ended though, there was no “rule” that said I couldn’t satisfy my craving for cheese sticks or cheese curls.  There was no “rule” dictating to me that I must exercise.  So slowly but surely, the old habits returned (food = comfort) and brought the extra pounds right back with them. 

The real issue was that even though I had lost the weight and gotten healthier, I didn’t realize the comfort I was seeking could never be satisfied with food.  30 pounds later I have learned the hard way that my comfort is from Jesus and Jesus alone.  Now one would think, after all this time, after all I have seen God do in my life and in the lives of others this would come easy for me.  One would venture to guess that after all I have learned in my walk with Jesus that I would have grasped this by now.  But I’m still learning.  I’m so thankful that God is not done with me yet.

So that is why I am so eager for the upcoming 40 days of prayer and fasting that West Ridge will begin in the new year. (This special time will run January 3^rd through February 13^th.) I believe that God has asked me to cut chocolate from my diet (One of my favorites!) and to limit my food intake to three modest meals a day (That means no guacamole and chips at 9:00 at night!). And I’m sure there will be some bit of weight loss from this.  However, it’s not about losing weight right now.  For me, it is about coming to God and bringing Him the first of the new year.  There is a purpose for the prayer and fasting.  I want to be pursuing God in the beginning of this new year, this new start.  And in that time of prayer and fasting, I want to be seeking Him and learning how to truly allow Him to comfort me.  I believe that by coming to God first, by earnestly seeking Him and His heart, that our relationship will grow even closer.  I am confident that He will renew my mind, that He will break the yoke that has been bringing me down, and will bring us even closer together in unity. 

Ladies, it will be a good thing!  I’m entering in to this new season with an expectant heart and I hope you will too.  I’m not looking at this 40 day journey as a time of what I have to do without or even a time to follow a “rule” but a time of great expectation!  I’m looking forward to hearing from God, to receiving healing from God, and to gaining His vision of what He has in store for me in 2016 (and beyond)!

Sweet friends, this upcoming forty day journey, is going to be amazing!  It is going to be life changing!  Don’t hold back now.  Please don’t let 2016 kickoff and skip seeking God first!  Bring Him the first part of the year.  Come to Him through prayer.  Allow Him to speak to you in only ways He can! There probably is something God wants you to fast from. Prayerfully ask Him what it is.  It might be food, it might be technology, it may even be dare I say… coffee!  Whatever it is that God is leading you to, I want to encourage you to be obedient and participate in the fast.  God has awesome things that He wants to reveal to you, to speak into you, to show you, and to help you with!  Why miss that opportunity?

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe them,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness will go before you,

and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”

Isaiah 58:6-9(NIV)

Post by: Marcy Gates

By the way…  If you missed Pastor John Goebbel’s message concerning the upcoming 40 days of prayer and fasting at West Ridge, you can catch it right here: http://westridge.cc/display.php?s=79660

A Christmas Prayer - 2015

Ladies, as Christmas quickly approaches, we wanted to just take a moment and invite you to pause and pray with us.  Jimmie Lee DiIanni leads us in a prayer for Christmas 2015...

I am honored to stand with you as one body and lift up this prayer for all of us, daughters of the Most High King!

~Jimmie Lee

Father God,

Thank You for the amazing gift of sending your Son, Jesus! You didn’t have to but You did! Where would we be without Your love? If we climb to the heights, You are there! If we find ourselves in darkness, You are there. You are always there. Thank You that You have made a way for us. Thank You for the immeasurable gifts You have given us through Jesus! You sent Him as a babe, in a lowly manger. But He was our way out, a way out for all!

As we have embarked on this season where the world tends to be more focused on You, I pray that Jesus would shine through each one us. I pray that as Your humble servants, we would be the love that Jesus is to others. Let us shake off the pretense and everything that Christmas is not. Keep our eyes fixed on You, being Your hands and feet.  May we send forth Your love, joy, peace, grace, mercy, and kindness to all.

I pray a blessing over each family. May You strengthen marriages and relationships. May You keep Your hedge of protection around our homes, our hearts, and our minds. May You guide and direct our steps and decisions, giving us clarity and vision. Grant us grace and peace, living in right standing with You, oh Lord. Encourage our spirits as we go about our days serving You. Help us Lord, to be confident right where we are, leaning on You for our identity and freedom! And Lord God, I ask that You would quiet our hearts as we wait for You, speak life into us as we enter into a new year.

You are a good good Father, who sent His perfect Son to make new life for us. You are the Faithful One, the Holy One who calls us His! Thank you Lord!  In Jesus’ name… Amen!

“God you can now release your servant:

Release me in peace as you promised.

With my own eyes I’ve seen your Salvation;

It’s now out in the open for everyone to see:

A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, 

and of glory for your people Israel.”

Luke 2:29-32 (MSG) 

Ladies, thank you for reading the West Ridge Women's blog!  We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

'Tis the Season?!

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone.  I don’t know about you but I still have turkey left-overs in my fridge.  The feast was days ago and I can say with full confidence that I don’t want to eat anymore stuffing for the next eleven months!

You know this time of the year, this holiday season, really is unlike any other.  The stores are not nearly as crazy at Memorial Day or 4^th of July.  The demands are more complicated.  The preparation is more involved.  The stress level can rise and the faith level can drop.

No other time of the year is as crazy busy as the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas.  And sometimes we can make it even crazier for ourselves.  While we try to cross off everything on our holiday to-do lists, we can forget the true meaning of what we are celebrating.  Then… And then! We feel guilty for not fully grasping everything we are “supposed” to grasp.  Did we meaningfully reflect on God’s goodness to us this past year?!  Are we really ready to receive the most precious gift?! Before you know it, you are staring at your Christmas tree, exhausted on Christmas night after all the hubbub of the day wondering, “Did I miss it?  The trueness, the realness, the faithfulness?  Did it pass me by this year (again?!)?”

So, how do we do it differently this year?  How do we keep this season of gratitude, wonder, and joy from slipping away? This kind of question, it makes me think of Ann Voskamp.  It reminds me of her words in “One Thousand Gifts” defining Eucharisteo:  “Grace, thanksgiving, joy.”

Since Thanksgiving is still fresh on our minds, let’s start there.  One of the best ways to build your faith level up is to look back on the year.  Think about all of the things God did for you in 2015.  The blessings, the answered prayers, the encouragement, the little love notes He placed before you each day. 

Now, I know, you are busy.  I’m busy too!  There are kids to get ready for school, work to do, important things.  But, there are pockets of time in our days (aside from our "quiet time"); that we can pause and remember God’s goodness and faithfulness.  Those times when you are in the car alone, or even waiting in line at Wal-Mart (I’ve done it!).  And as you remember all those things, thank God.  Thank Him for His faithfulness, His goodness, His love, and His grace.

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:11-12 (NIV)

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5 (NIV)

As you look back on the year and remember God’s faithfulness, your stress will decrease.  I promise!  You can’t look back on what God has done for you and still be tense.  Wrapping paper and bows will fade away as you pause and remember and give thanks.  Plus, you know what dear old Ann has to say about thanksgiving don’t you?  It always precedes the miracle. 

In the pausing and giving thanks, our faith swells.  As we remember each blessing, a brick in our “wall of faith” is laid.  Plus, the act of thanksgiving leads us to recall God’s amazing grace.  The great gift of God’s unmerited favor.  Who couldn’t use a reminder of grace during this season?!  Burnt the Christmas cookies? Grace.  Forgot to wish someone a “Merry Christmas”?  Grace.  Toddler has a melt-down in Target? EXTRA grace ; )  My friends, during this season, grace is a gift we all can use! 

And you know, as we bask in the warmth of God’s grace, we find joy.  Isn’t that what we all are striving for this time of year?  To have joy in the Christmas season?  To be overflowing with joy as worship the miracle we celebrate each December?

So my encouragement for you this year, this holiday season of 2015? Well, just as the calendar begins our holiday season with Thanksgiving, we too should begin with thanksgiving!  Recall how God has been faithful to you this year.  Allow that to build up your faith.  Then rest in God’s grace.  The world’s version of the Christmas season is going to try to wear you out – physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Soak up God’s grace.  And then, then my friends, the joy will come.  Your heart will be ready to welcome the King!

“For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Post by: Marcy Gates

All The Single Ladies... (Part 2)

Have you heard the idea of finding “The One”? Have you fell in to that thought process or teaching that there is someone out there who is “The One” and at the right moment God will show you with neon signs and flashing lights that this person is, in fact “The One” you are supposed to marry? Okay, maybe that was a tad dramatic, but I believe that it is not far from the mentality that has been taught over the years. And so, if you have found yourself leaning on this way of thinking I would like to offer you a fresh perspective, a perspective that allows God to be the center rather than a puppet master pulling strings.

So here are… Three Points To Turn Your Perspective While Waiting for “The One”!

1)   Become “The One”

If you are focused on finding “The One”, are you focusing on what is happening in your heart? Are you allowing God to mold your heart to look like His? You see when we set our sights on finding “The One” we are putting this person up on a pedestal, elevating them above God. Instead we should be learning how to be the wife God is calling us to be. Allow God to teach you how to do relationships well. He has a whole instruction manual on how to love others and serve them well. This should be our goal when looking for a spouse, to love and serve them well. Let’s spend our dating or single years allowing God to teach us and prepare us for the marriage we will enter into in the future.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head,

Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first”,

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn’t revel when others grovel.

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (MSG)

2)   Keep God First

That idea of “The One” that we elevate, sets these high standards that no one can live up to! We think that when we find that perfect person that we will be fulfilled. We tend to fall into the line of thinking that they will complete us. This is dangerous territory. No person can fulfill that longing, satisfy our needs or complete us. Only God can fill that longing for wholeness! There are two mistakes that can happen when we put “The One” in that place only God can fill. First, we drum up this idea of who “The One” is and what they need to be. Maybe we meet someone who we think is “The One” but we already have this idea of them in our heads that they can’t live up to. It is a set up for failure. The second is we then wrap our identity up in that person, or who we think that person is. When we have our identity wrapped up in a person and they fail, then we get hurt. We are then left with no idea who we are.

Dear ones, we must look to finding who we are in Christ. If you are spending your time seeking the Lord, it is there you will find yourself. As you seek Him and what He wants for you, He will guide you and show you people around you that are seeking the same thing!

3)   Good Marriages Don’t Just Happen

Following the idea of “The One” leads us to believe that finding that person means we will have a good marriage. Good marriages aren’t found they are made. Good marriages take two imperfect people choosing each other every day. Finding “The One” does not guarantee a good marriage. When both of you are seeking Christ and keeping Him at the center - that is what guarantees a successful marriage.

My hope always is that you find encouragement and freedom! So I pray that you have found freedom from all that pressure! Find your identity and confidence in Him! He always, always, always, has your best in mind!

With Love,

Jimmie Lee

Blossom Retreat - Recap

Ladies, I have got to say, I’m still smiling about this past weekend’s Blossom Retreat!  I know we promised you a recap post so here it is!

On Friday evening, three cars loaded up with the girls, their small group leaders, and lots of luggage (!) headed to the beautiful Chapel Valley Estate Bed and Breakfast in Ellwood City.  Despite a few detours (yes, I got our caravan lost a couple times!) we made it to the bed and breakfast right on time.  Jennifer Goebbel and the Innkeepers, Pat and Tom Bishop, all greeted us at the door while the girls “oohhed” and “ahhed” over the adorableness of our accommodations.

Our super cute place mats

After a dinner of pizza in the dining room, which was decorated specifically just for our group (swoon!), we headed to our meeting area for the first message of the weekend.  We were so thankful to have live worship to open our first session of the weekend.  It was amazing and helped to prepare each of our hearts for the message to follow.

So ladies, this retreat was full of “firsts” for me personally.  My first time ever at a bed and breakfast, first time attending a retreat, first time helping to lead a retreat, and first time giving a message!  Yes, I’ll repeat that, giving a message.  

Let me back up a bit…  Way back in the spring, I heard that Stasi Eldredge had released a new book for teen girls that was similar to her books for women, “Captivating” and “Becoming Myself”, both of which I loved.  So I thought I’d read her latest book because I just can't get enough of Stasi’s writing and sometimes, my inner monologue is more “13 year old Marcy” than “39 year old Marcy”.

As I read the book, I just couldn’t help thinking that the topics Stasi covered were all things I wished I had known as a teenage girl.  Even as an adult woman, the areas Stasi wrote about spoke to my heart.  By the time I finished reading the book, I really felt like God was telling my heart that all the lessons I learned from the book needed to be shared!

God has such a way of working out His Plans!  I thought I would just suggest that someone, certainly not me, maybe do a book study with the teens on this book.  I never would have imagined that God would bring about a whole retreat and that I would get to be a part of it or that I would even get to speak at it!  I mean, I’ve never done that before.  But with God, you really just need to be willing and obedient and He works out all the rest : )

So anyway, back to the recap! Friday night I spoke to the girls all about our hearts.  I impressed upon them that the condition of our hearts is so important.  I told them how much God wants our hearts and how we need to be good to our hearts.  I also reminded them that a lot of times, our hearts are the way they are because of things from our past and how Jesus can come in, bringing healing and restoration.  I closed my message that night empowering the girls with five truths from God’s Word that they can hold onto in their hearts.  And can I say, my heart was so glad when I scanned the room and realized each girl there was diligently writing them down! So awesome!

Following the message, the girls had some “free time” but it was spent mostly talking and playing games.  You see, we informed the girls early on that we would be holding on to their cell phones and avoiding the tv’s in our rooms. Yep – no phone or tv – for the whole retreat (except for our selfie scavenger hunt, but more on that later)!  We wanted the girls to truly be able to focus and hear from God during the weekend. And you know what? They were all ok with that.  There may have been a tiny bit of phone withdrawal here and there but the girls did great.

Saturday morning we enjoyed a delicious breakfast that smelled so good it should be captured and turned into a Yankee Candle, lol!  With full bellies and smiles on our faces, we headed back to our meeting space for "quiet time" and then later, more worship and Session #2 of the retreat.

Jennifer Goebbel delivered the second message to the girls called “Authentic Beauty”. Her powerful message spoke to so many of us.  As she talked about what real beauty is and how God truly sees us, hearts were moved.  There were tears and smiles at the end of the message and throughout the discussion time afterward.  I believe everyone who heard it had a new definition of beauty by the time our morning session concluded.

Quiet Time on Saturday morning

Our schedule of events

After taking a break for lunch, it was time for our first “fun activity” of the day.  We headed down to the event room where each girl found a blank canvas at her seat and a stack of papers that had words like: beautiful, strong, worth it, child of God, etc. in different fonts and colors on them.  A large table was set up as a sort of “craft buffet” with a wide variety of paint, ribbons, scrapbook paper, embellishments, and lots of sparkly things!  The girls were instructed to use whatever items they desired to create a “self-portrait collage”.  We reminded the girls that this was going to be a time of hearing from God and to be listening for His Voice.

I’m not even kidding when I say that 2 whole hours later, all the girls had completed their portraits!  Each was unique and different.  Some were simple yet powerful while others took full advantage of the all the paint and Modge Podge – lol!  It was so awesome to see each girl admiring not only their own canvas but the canvases of all the other girls around them with giant smiles on all of their faces.

Beautiful ladies on the inside and out!

Having some fun ; )

Next up was the “Selfie Scavenger Hunt”.  Basically, the three small groups the girls had been divided into became three teams on a mission! From such things as “take a picture of your entire team under a bed” to “take a video of your team playing leap frog” to “take a selfie with Innkeepers, Pat and/or Tom”, silliness ensued.  These girls had their eyes on the prize though: bragging rights for the winning team and the right to be the first group to pass through the popcorn bar at our pajama party that night! 

After time had run out for the scavenger hunt, the girls were instructed to get ready for our celebratory dinner!  As we entered into the dining room, the girls were blown away not only by the table that was beautifully set for us, but by the surprise gift by each of their place settings!  Each lovely lady was given a special bracelet to commemorate their weekend retreat.  We wanted to celebrate the ladies, who they are, who God says they are and how much He dearly loves them.  It was important to us that the girls really understood that they are worthy, treasured, and deeply loved in God’s sight.  Before we prayed over our meal, Jennifer shared this empowering quote from Catherine of Sienna with the girls which still sticks with me today, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” 

As the girls were showing their bracelets to each other and discussing the events of the day, our dinner was served. It was such a special time of celebration and reflection of all that we had heard and learned from the Lord!

Following dinner, we gathered together one last time for worship and the Word.  As I gave the third and final message of the retreat, I looked around the room and was simply blown away by these amazing young ladies.  My last message of the weekend was about our names.  I reminded the girls of their true names, that we are God’s beloved. You know sometimes, we allow other people to give us names and often, we label ourselves with names that simply are not true. I impressed upon them that in those times, it is vital that we switch it up and remember and believe the truth – the name God has given us!  As I closed out my message, I gave each young lady a note card with the meaning of their name and the Scripture connected to them.  Following the message, we broke back up into our groups for another time of discussion and reflection.

Then it was time for a party – a pajama party that is! We all changed into our pj’s and settled in together for a movie and snacks from the popcorn bar.  The girls got to mix in things like chocolate chips, pretzels, etc. into their bags of popcorn.  We all got comfy with blankets and pillows and enjoyed the movie.  It was my first slumber party in ages but… some things never change.  There was a lot of laughter and silliness and even some singing!  All we needed were a few “hairbrush microphones”!

Following the movie, we decided to have an “open style” discussion.  Basically all the adults sat on the couch while the teens sat on the floor and got to ask us any question they wanted.  I gotta tell you, a lot of people worry about this generation or feel like they can’t relate to them.  But I’m here to tell you, they still have the same questions we all did when we were their age.  And I have to admit, it was really fun answering their questions from the “adult” side of the teenage years with a Christian woman’s knowledge and perspective.  

The next morning it was time to pack up and head home.  But, not before another scrumptious breakfast!  I think we all were giddy at the sight of bacon on our plates! After filling up on the delicious food, we thanked Pat and Tom and their staff for a great time at Chapel Valley.  We loaded up our cars and headed back to West Ridge, smiling as every mile melted away on the highway behind us.

Post by: Marcy Gates

I’d like to extend a special thank you to the following people who worked so hard to make the Blossom Retreat unforgettable:

Jennifer Goebbel – West Ridge Women’s Ministry Director, Speaker
Jimmie Lee DiIanni – Small Group Leader
Amy Knox – Small Group Leader
Erik Kerr – Worship (Friday)
Becca Cummins – Worship (Saturday)
Nicole Yoder – Selfie Scavenger Hunt Creator/Facilitator (& deliverer of lunch, lol!) 
Pat & Tom Bishop & the staff of Chapel Valley Estate

West Ridge Women Spotlight #6 - Shelly Bennett

Hi everyone, Marcy here!  As I prepare for the upcoming Blossom Retreat, I thought it would be a great opportunity to introduce you to one of the "behind the scenes" members of the Social Media Ministry and a super, sweet lady, Shelly Bennett!  So let's get to know Shelly a little better in her own words...

Hello Ladies! My name is Shelly Bennett. I am a wife to my awesome husband, Paul, and a mom to 3 teenagers (Pray for me please – lol!). My family and I have been members of West Ridge for about 1 ½ years. We absolutely love it! We have been so welcomed and loved that it feels as if we have been here forever. My husband serves on the Parking Lot Team. I serve on the Greeting Team and I am involved with the Titus 2 Mentoring Program.  I also help out behind the scenes of the Women’s Social Media Ministry.

Serving in some capacity has been a part of my life since I was a little girl.  My mom and dad gave their lives to the Lord when I was about 4 years old. Prior to that, my dad was an alcoholic and my parents were on the verge of divorce. Everything changed when they joined a small group, which then led them to church. God had saved them, restored their marriage and they were so grateful. They never looked back. They wanted to serve the Lord with everything that was in them and along that road they instilled in their children that same desire!

That’s where my story begins. I gave my life to Jesus when I was 5 years old. Shortly after that I was baptized.  For my family, church was our life. My dad became an associate pastor and I think I was at the church almost every day! Over the years, I have served in many areas of ministry from bus ministry, hospitality, teaching Sunday school, teaching home Bible studies, singing in the choir and on the praise team.  I even taught preschool at the church daycare.  I have a lot of great memories that made such impact on my life because my parents chose to involve us in serving others.  

One year, I remember my parents were in charge of gift baskets for the needy at Christmas time. So on some really cold, wintery Saturdays, we went door to door collecting canned goods in 3 feet of snow! I’m not even exaggerating! I would even invite my friends to spend the night and then the next day inform them they were going with me to collect those canned goods. Despite the surprise, they were all pretty good sports. 

When I was saved, I became a part of the body of Christ. As a part of His body, I have a function or service that only I can do. Just like in our physical body, the hand cannot do what the brain does, or the heart cannot do what the kidney does but each of those body parts play a very important role. Mark 10:45 (ESV) says: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Jesus lived His life on earth as a servant to others as an example for us to follow. I want to leave a legacy for my children and grandchildren to know the importance and the joy they will feel in serving others for the cause of Christ!

If you have a desire to serve at West Ridge, I encourage you to pray and ask Jesus where you can plug in.  After all you are part of the body too! The church body that is!  And whether you realize it or not, we need you.  We need your talents, gifts, and especially your heart. Serving can be a life changing experience – not only for you but for those you will be helping too!  It could be your smile at the front door that makes a visitor feel welcome.  Or it could be your ability to comfort a little one so a stressed momma can sit in the sanctuary undistracted.  Every area of service is important.

I am so excited about what God is doing at West Ridge! I guarantee you will not regret getting involved in this growing community of believers whose desire is to reach the Ridge and beyond with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! 

This wouldn’t be a West Ridge Women’s Spotlight without ending with the Super Six questions!  So here we go:

1.  Are you a morning person or night owl?  That’s a good question! The older I get the less of a night owl I am! However, I can still be a night owl especially if we are playing games with friends or just spending time with family. I love being with people!!!

2. What was the last book you read? The Mark of the Lion Trilogy by Francine Rivers. It is one of the best trilogies I have ever read!! 

3.  What is your favorite way to relax? Lounging at home with my hubby and kids!

4.  What would you have for the perfect meal? I love food!! So there are a lot of perfect meals. Since it is cold out, I will say broccoli and cheese soup, fresh baked bread, and something chocolate for dessert. 

5.  What is your favorite Scripture to meditate on in times of stress? My favorite verse is actually the whole chapter of Psalm 27. 

6.  What is your favorite thing about West Ridge? I would have to say the love of God that I feel here! I am so grateful God brought us to West Ridge!

Ladies, you can find more information about serving at West Ridge at www.westridge.cc or you can email us at women@westridge.cc

All The Single Ladies... (Part 1)

“All the single ladies (all the single ladies)... Now put your hands up!”

-Beyoncé, Singer/Songwriter 

_________________________________________

“I wasn’t looking for a promise or commitment, but it wasn’t just fun

and I thought you were different”

-Ed Sheeran, Singer/Songwriter

 “Everybody’s looking for love... Ain’t that the reason you’re at this club?”

Jason Derulo, Singer/Songwriter

“Cause I just wanna look good for you... Let me show you how proud I am to be yours.”

Selena Gomez, Actress/Singer

_____________________________________________

“35 Best Flirting Tips”, Seventeen Magazine

“Am I in Love?” Take This Quiz!, Seventeen Magazine

“17 Things That Instantly Make Girls a Million Times Hotter”, Seventeen Magazine

_______________________________________________

“Seven Crucial Rules for Dating Your Friends Ex”, Cosmopolitan Magazine

“Get What You Want”, Cosmopolitan Magazine

“Talking Tricks That Draw Him In” Cosmopolitan Magazine

And there is more where that came from...

As you can see the world has plenty to say about your love life, dating and relationships.  It is easy to get bombarded with opinions of how far is too far, what lines to cross or not cross, how to get this guy to notice you or how to break up with that guy. Frankly all the noise can make things confusing and fuzzy, conflicting with how to date well. Or better yet, how to do single life well. Because looky there, I just made the mistake of putting you in a box, assuming that as a single person you want to be dating. Luckily, I also just proved a point that everybody’s got some type of advice or viewpoint for all the single ladies.

I must confess, I haven’t been single for about 12 years now (7 of those years being marriage). In keeping the spirit of honesty, I don’t think I can say I did dating or single life well back in the day either. So I asked God about it. As I sat down to think about what I could write to the single crowd (because I feel for ya!) God laid this verse on my heart:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13 (NIV)

We are called to be the salt of the earth. What does salt do? Salt is a seasoning, it adds flavor to a bland meal. It is used as a preservative, to keep meat from spoiling. Salt is also used to purify contaminated water. But if the salt itself becomes contaminated then it can no longer be used as a seasoning, preservative or purifier. Its power and influence becomes as bland as the food it is trying to season.

As I sit with this verse, the word preserve is what I keep hearing over and over again. Preserve.

The world will tell you a lot about how to be single, how to date, who to love, how to love and on and on. It is no secret dear ones that the world gets it wrong. All of that worldly noise can contaminate your heart and mind. When you seek advice and knowledge from man and his ways, you can lose your saltiness. To retain that saltiness you must preserve God’s Word.

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

Preserve God’s way of doing things. Filter every piece of advice through His Word. It is good to seek wise counsel but align everything with what God says about you. If you are seeking God, hiding His Word in your heart then He will direct your path. Maybe the “Am I in Love?” quiz is fun, but is it getting you to where you need to be?  The song with a good beat that makes you want to dance, are the lyrics filling your heart with God things? The way you are spending your time, either alone or with another, is it keeping you salty? And by salty, I mean pure and full of flavor, seasoning those you influence with the gospel.

It can be easy to fall into the pattern of the world and follow its lead but as daughters of God you are called to be salt and light. You are called to preserve God’s Word and season everything with the taste of the gospel. You are called to be a light shining bright on a hill. It can be hard to stand on a hill and shine your light but you are not alone in it.

“You are a light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

Post by: Jimmie Lee DiIanni

Ladies, be sure to stay tuned for Part 2 of Jimmie Lee's series "All the Single Ladies", coming in early November!