Study and compare Biblical Christianity with 30+ world religions,cults, and belief systems shared by many of the people who live in our community.
Continue reading "A Course on World Religions and Christian Faith" »
Join us in May for a fun and informative teaching series from Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica.
I did a wedding on Friday in the rain. It was humid, muggy, and we were outside under a tent. I was in a suit and tie – hot and confined by too many clothes! Normally, I don’t get nervous, even though I am always hot. However, on this muggy warm evening my glasses fogged up and I couldn’t read my notes!
Continue reading "The Vision and Mission of Christ’s Church" »
On my way to church a few weeks ago, I drove parallel to some cyclists riding in a triathlon through the country-side of our township. This race had started and was ending at the park-like Centennial Terrace entertainment venue across the road from our church.
When you love God your whole heart, you’ll desire to give all you are when you worship Him. It’s fun to uncover – to our modern-way of thinking – unusual, but very powerful ways of adoring God.
A life filled with reverence for God is a life filled with passion and promise. . . and that’s the only life worth living. Reverence is our heart’s attitude toward God. It’s about being in “awe” of Him. It’s about a holy trembling when we’re in His Presence. It’s about humbling ourselves before His magnificent glory, and it’s about rejoicing with a holy delight when we think about Him or talk to Him or worship Him.
Some time ago I watched a western-style sharpshooter on the History Channel use a mirror and a rifle to shoot a target behind him. The sharpshooter did alright, but any regular person would find it nearly impossible to shoot something behind them even using a mirror and even with a lot of practice.
Continue reading "Jesus Loved Being Alone with His Father" »
Did you know Jesus cried? We shouldn’t be surprised by that. When you truly love people, you’ll end up shedding tears. Jesus shared in life with us – He was fully human in every way. Jesus never skimped on emotions, but was always fully-invested in the human condition. He was sad for people – and cried for them and with them. He was sad because of people, and cried over their actions or failures.
We know a lot about Jesus from Scripture. He performed miracles. He taught. He loved people. But there’s more to Jesus. There are the every day things about Jesus we sometimes forget to notice.
Earning the right to talk about Jesus.
The Global Outreach of Quarry Ridge Community Church.
This is an important teaching series on what the world thinks of Jesus - and what they think of the Church He commissioned to complete His work.
As we approach our Commitment Sunday on December 7, I have had several conversations with Quarry Ridge folks about what “sacrificial giving” really means. Most people have said something like: “I’ll give what I can afford.” Some have said, “I’ll give all I can afford.”
Neither are really correct; can I teach you about this?
Secular preparations for Christmas seem to begin earlier each year. In the United States at least, Christmas decorations start appearing in stores before Halloween. Yet despite this early start, Christmas seems to be here and gone before we know it. Sometimes Christmas passes and we don’t feel any different. The pace of life just increases while we continue to work and go about our everyday activities. It may be that the key to Christmas making a difference in our lives is for the Advent season to be different. The more we move out of our regular routines, the more different Advent and Christmas are; the better our celebration is, the better the rest of the year turns out.
Continue reading "Meditations for the season of Advent - 2008" »
Well – I don’t know about you, but this election cycle really took it out of me! I didn’t mind the signs and banners and billboards – I didn’t even mind the television ads. But three to four phone calls every day with pre-recorded messages was a little much.
Continue reading "What’s Next? A Christ Follower’s Responsibility (after the Election)" »
I feel compelled to speak out again on an Issue that will appear on this November’s ballot: Issue 5, a proposed limit on Payday Lenders. Unlike Issue 6 which a “yes” vote would hurt our economically-challenged friends and neighbors, a “no” vote on Issue 5 will also hurt innocent people by continuing to give free reign and power to area “loan sharks.”
Every election season, various groups try to intimidate churches and pastors to be silent on the great social and moral issues of our time. But churches and pastors have a God-given right – protected by our Constitution – to speak to the issues of our day and to be, as Scripture commands, the “salt and light” for our culture.
On Sunday mornings starting October 12 and going through November 2, Quarry Ridge will use the run-up to the Presidential Election to have some fun as we study serious topics and look at the really important issues.
Do you like puzzles? Perhaps something nearly impossible as a Rubik’s Cube? How about a Sudoku or a Crossword? Maybe you enjoy a jigsaw puzzle or even a story problem you have to solve? Puzzles challenge us. They present us with a difficulty or a mystery; they’re an enigma; they tantalize us with a conundrum or a dilemma to be addressed or a problem to be solved.
Continue reading "Breakthrough Momentum - why starting a church is so difficult" »
I rarely take a political stand from the pulpit, and I try very hard to not bring up issues that have the potential to divide us as brothers and sisters in Christ. However, when I feel strongly about something that has implications for our spiritual health, I will bring it up and will try to talk about it in ways that can lead to meaningful conversations, in hopes that our spiritual lives can be improved and enhanced while not damaging relationships.
I talked once before in a blog entitled “Nomads, Searchers, or Priests?” about how God intends for us to be a “Tabernacle People.” Tabernacle means “dwelling place,” and Revelation 21:3 says that WE are His dwelling place. You and me – our hearts – are where He chooses to dwell.
Have you ever been in a special club? Almost all of them have some form of secret handshake or secret code words or secret symbols that mean something special to them. They have pledges and hoops to jump through and lists to accomplish and rules to follow.
Unfortunately, we tend to do that in the church, too. Some Christians insist on secret entrance requirements, special symbols and what amounts to a secret “Christianese” language they use when they’re together.
There are two ways to be cool.
One way to be cool is to be suave, composed and debonair – like James Bond.
One time – probably 15 years ago – when Gail and I had been married for 5 years or so, we went to a party where some of Gail’s work friends and their spouses would be.
I was dressed to kill. Very suave. Totally stylin’.
We entered the place – and several of Gail’s friends came to her to greet her, and one of them pointed in my direction and whispered to Gail – a little too loud – “Is that your dad?”
The very best way to reach people for Christ is through relationships. When Jesus sent us into the world to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20) He didn’t give us any specifics on how to accomplish the task. By looking at other scripture passages such as Luke 5:29, Acts 2:42-47 and looking at Jesus’ own example, we can see that talking to people and starting friendships with them is the best way to include them in the journey of faith.
Quarry Ridge uses a 6-step strategy for fulfilling the Great Commission. . .
You are commanded to love. . .
We’re to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). This is Christ’s Great Commandment to us.
Remember - you were led to love!
419.517.7722
5845 Centennial Road
at Sylvania-Metamora Road
(across from the new Centennial Terrace)
Coffee Fellowship
Worship Celebration
Children's Activities, Nursery