Views from The Ridge 09.20.23
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This Week…
Saturday, September 23, 10am La Luz Opening Reception
Sunday, September 24
9:15am Life Groups, children’s Roots gathering, teen gathering (see website for more info)
10:30am Worship (Thanks - Psalm 34)
4:30pm Chapel Worship
Wednesday, September 27
10am Women’s Wednesday Fellowship
Upcoming…
Sunday, October 1
6-7pm Youth group gathering at the Stirman’s
6-7pm Parent group (see below for more information)
Trust The Relationship
Riley Stirman
We adopted our dog, Copper, from the animal shelter in Abilene just over three years ago. He has these enormous, gentle eyes that make you melt, and he's (for the most part) incredibly calm and affectionate. Plus, the first time we were ever in a room with him, he urinated for about two straight minutes while making unbroken eye contact, and you have to admire that kind of boldness.
Copper was only about four or five months old when we adopted him. He'd clearly had other owners - he knew the command to sit and was sort of potty-trained - but we knew nothing about them or how they'd treated him. We just caught glimpses every now and then of what he'd learned to expect from them. Notably, he HATED being put in a kennel. He couldn't stand to look at one, touch one, hear one, and it was torture to try to get him into one.
It makes me sad that he has this negative association. It makes me wonder whether his previous owners would lock him away in a kennel for long stretches. Maybe he associates it with the pound, with being abandoned, I'm not really sure.
But we've been working to get him some better training recently, and we were strongly advised what a beneficial thing it can be to have a dog be crate-trained. Not only does it keep you from having to wonder what your dog might be getting into when you're away, it actually serves as a safe and peaceful place for the dog. It's a place all their own, and most dogs actually feel soothed by the close confines.
The advice we were given when we told our trainer about his strong dislike of kennels was to do whatever we could to make him associate happy and positive things with it. So every meal is fed to him in his kennel with the door open. He's free to come and go as he pleases, but he knows that's where food shows up! And that's so exciting! And every now and then he'll find peanut butter, or a pile of cheese just waiting for him! How amazing!
And it wasn't long before we were able to actually close the door on him without him losing his mind. Partially because he'd begun to feel better about being in there, but also because I think he trusts that we will always be there to open the door again.
This Sunday, I talked about the importance of identity when it comes to trust. The psalms reveal that part of what helps us hold out through difficult periods of waiting on God is remembering who God says he is and who he says we are. We trust God because we have seen him move just like he said he would. And we trust him because we know without fail what we are to him: his beloved.
I have cared for my dog. I have fed him consistently. I have held him when he's scared. I have given him medicine to make him better. And I have shown him every day for three years that he is mine, and that he has a safe home with me.
Hasn't God shown us exactly the same?
I know trust is difficult. I know feeling lost or out of control or alone is terrifying. But there is a God who calls you beloved, who wants you home with him, and who is eager to prove to you just how safe you are with him. I'd say that it's worth sitting back once in a while to just tell him - even if you don't feel it - "I trust you, God."
Around the Community
Agape Ministry Requests
We have had a great response to Agape’s request for non-perishable food items. Please continue to bring your donations (canned goods, cereal, and peanut butter are especially appreciated) and place them in the boxes in the Fellowship Hall and foyer.
Agape is still seeking donations of new or like-new items for their silent auction. (Costume jewelry is an example of a “like-new” item that can be donated.) Please do not leave silent auction donations in the Fellowship Hall or foyer, but arrange to give them directly to Glennie Scalercio or Joann Thompson - you may also contact them with any questions.
We’ve been updating our spaces! Our children’s ministry will now be located in the second nursery room and the connected classroom, both of which have been adapted to better suit their needs. If you see any new families wandering around, please help point them to the nursery foyer so they can check in their kiddos.
We are thrilled to share a new opportunity for gathering created specifically for parents of children and teens. We will come together starting October 1st to work through Kayla Craig’s new book, Every Season Sacred.
Blending thoughtful musings and practical resources, author Kayla Craig meets parents in their actual lives, offering:
honest and hopeful reflections for every season of the parenting journey;
encouragement to parent with intention and imagination, presence and purpose; and
open-ended discussion prompts and prayers to explore and practice as a family.
Contact jess@sunset-ridge.org for more information or to express interest.
Praises & Prayers
Sterling Smith has returned home to Regent Care following a recent hospitalization.
