Views from The Ridge 7.26.23
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This Week…
Wednesday, July 26, 7 PM - Youth Group at the Stirman’s
Sunday, July 30
9:15am Life Groups, children’s Roots gathering, teen gathering (see website for more info)
10:30am Worship (How Much More - Luke 18:1-8)
4:30pm Chapel Worship
Tuesday, August 1, 9:30am Storytime on the lawn with breakfast tacos from Mission Bell at One Another Coffee
Wednesday, August 2, 6-9pm Kids’ Night Out - Sign up here
Upcoming…
August 12, 9:30-11:30am Second Saturday
August 13 Seasons Sunday - Join us for a special time of blessing for our babies and those who are headed back to school. We love sharing in celebration of new seasons with our families!
Returns on Investment
Riley Stirman
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing." - Annie Dillard
I've often wondered if, when I join the afterlife, I'll get to see the statistics of my lifetime. Will God humor me if I ask how many miles I walked in however long I was alive? Will he indulge my curiosity about the total number of people I ever met? Will he hide his disgust at how many gallons of Dr. Pepper I consumed? These are the things that keep me up at night.
There are certain statistics that I think would bum me out: how many times I chose not to check in on a friend, how many times I chose not to give someone money when they asked me, or the sheer number of people to whom I extended harsh words.
American author George Saunders once said that the greatest regrets of his life were not the various disappointments or hardships that he had to endure. Instead, the times he regretted, more than anything, were his failures of kindness. These are the times where another human being was before him and he responded . . . mildly. Sensibly. Reservedly.
The parable of the minas (or the talents, if you prefer Matthew's version) challenges us to look for the many gifts that God has given us. Unfortunately, we're also challenged to recognize all the time we spend wasting the gifts given to us.
We're frequently presented with opportunities to invest God's gifts of love, grace, and kindness in the people who surround us. We have no guarantee we'll see a return on investment. But I think it's important that we try all the same. One day our time will be up, and our king will ask how we spent our days - which is, of course, how we spent our lives.
On this day and in the coming days, which feel so much like any others, let's keep paying attention to the gifts we've been given. And let's be extravagant to the point of recklessness in the ways we spread kindness. Who knows? You could make it a day someone will remember for the rest of their life.
Around the Community
Our Young Adult group had a great time at Topgolf on Saturday! They enjoyed good food, better company, and some questionable golf swings. If you’d like to be kept up-to-date with Young Adult activities, please reach out to Chelsea to be added to the GroupMe. August gathering details TBA.
This past Sunday during our morning worship service, Ed George and Erin Webber blessed us with a beautiful saxophone and oboe duet during our intercessory prayer time. If you missed it, you can watch it on our Instagram.
Prayers & Praises
Jenice Morris, Des Weatherford’s sister, is scheduled for surgery Thursday, July 27.
Mary Lee Embry still lives at the same address that was previously listed; however, please note that her room number has changed. She loves mail if any members would like to send her a card! Heritage Place of Boerne, 20 Cross Point Rd. #503, Boerne, TX 78006
Do you follow us on Instagram? Find our Daily Bible Readings in our stories, and updates throughout the week in our feed.
God, we gather in gratitude, thankful for the ways you seek to revive us! Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts work together to praise you in this hour. Grant your Spirit to move our hearts and inspire each of us to share your steadfast love with all whom we encounter. Help us to join in giving only what is good, not only today, but every day. Amen
