Current Teaching Series
Invitation to a Journey
Spiritual Formation Retreat
Spiritual Formation Retreat
part of your Journey. . .
Saturday, March 24 at the Shrine Park of the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, Carey, Ohio
A Course on World Religions and Christian Faith
Study and compare Biblical Christianity with 30+ world religions,cults, and belief systems shared by many of the people who live in our community.
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Summer Sizzlers
Ever run into a topic that was too hot to handle? Ever wish you could dispassionately and coolly learn what the Bible said about fiery issues?
FOCUS 40
Perhaps you have never fasted before or it has been a long time since you have personally fasted. Maybe you are wondering why Quarry Ridge is talking about fasting. Simply put, FOCUS 40 is about each of us spending some intentional time reconnecting with God. I am convinced that a season of prayer and fasting will help us “connect” with God in fresh ways. It’s about our relational connectivity, and it begins with our personal and intimate connection with God.
This Is Your Life
Join us in May for a fun and informative teaching series from Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica.
Back to Basics 12. Christ and His Church (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Fulfillment of Human History.
Do you know what unique filming feature is used in the beginning of “The Wizard of Oz?” (It’s not the special effects of the tornado or the flying house.) What happens when Dorothy rides out the tornado in the farmhouse, suddenly lands with a plop, and then opens the door to gaze out at the wonderful land of Oz?
Back to Basics 11. Subjugation (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Return and Occupation.
“Under someone’s thumb.” Have you ever heard that old saying? To be “under someone’s thumb” is to be controlled by them completely. When you’re under someone’s thumb, you’re not in control; you’re not free; you’re somewhere between being loose and being squashed. A little more pressure – and you’re mashed. Nobody like’s being under someone’s thumb. It’s stifling; it’s stressful.
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Back to Basics 10. Divided Kingdom (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Rebellion-Disintegration-Exile.
We’re nearly finished with our 10,000 foot fly-over of the entire biblical narrative. We’ve gone from creation to the point that Chosen People of Israel are now a nation living in the Promised Land of Canaan under kings in a united Kingdom – consisting of the 10 tribes in the north and the trans-Jordan and 2 tribes in the south.
Back to Basics 9. United Kingdom (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Failures of the Shepherds of Israel.
We’ve been on a bird’s-eye tour of the biblical narrative from creation to where the Chosen People of Israel are now a nation living in the Promised Land of Canaan. They’ve been living a sort of yo-yo existence: sin, punishment, crying out to God for rescue, a hero is raised up to save them – and they go right back to sinning.
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Back to Basics 8. Judges (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Apostasy and Appeals.
I have not always been honest. I’ve rarely lied outright – but I have been known to deceive by misdirection. Fortunately, this isn’t something that happened recently – it’s something that happened a long time ago – when I was in grade school. Believe me – I learned my lesson.
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Back to Basics 7. Conquest (a 10,100 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Entering the Promised Land.
Ever heard of the term “phone it in?” It means to perform an act in an, unthinking, half-hearted, uncommitted manner, as if it doesn’t matter all that much.
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Back to Basics 6: The Law (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Our Choice – Our Curse.
I have good news and bad news – which do you want first? A pastor once said that to the congregation. “The good news is we have all the money we need for a new ministry center. The bad news is it’s still in your pockets!” You’ve heard those old jokes.
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Back to Basics 5. Lost and Wandering ( a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Faithlessness.
Have you ever stopped to think, “How is it that I got here, to this little corner of the world?” Where were you born? Where were you raised? Did you move to where you currently live from another place? If you were born or raised and did most of your growing up in one general area, this many not make much sense to you. . . but for many people who are “transplants,” have you ever stopped to think back on what series of events brought you to where you are now? It’s an important question. Maybe even if you have always live in one place.
Back to Basics 4. Israel in Egypt (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Missteps and Enslavement.
Studying the Bible is a little like digging for buried treasure. You know it’s there, but you have to go in looking for it, eyes wide open, intentionally looking, busily digging, breaking a sweat. It’s not impossible, but it’s not easy either.
Back to Basics 3. The Patriarchs (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Origins of God’s Chosen People
I remember when I went on my first airplane ride. It really was just a ride. We went up in a 4-seater airplane, circled the airport a couple of times, then landed again. But while I was up there, I thought I could see forever. It wasn’t until I road in a huge 747 that I really got the view – 35,000 feet or so – flying over ocean and land and seeing only vague outlines of fields.
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Back to Basics 2. Beginnings (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Beginnings and Relationships.
How are you with new beginnings? New job, new friends, new neighborhood, new school, new thoughts? The Bible has about 10 pages that talk about beginnings. And things are really new. Everything has a beginning: light, water, earth, trees, humanity, sin, disgrace, loss, death.
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Back to Basics 1. History Unfolds (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Importance of studying the Bible.
How big is the universe? Technology enables NASA astronauts in a space shuttle to orbit the equator at speeds up to 25,000 mile per hour. However, if people hope to get anywhere in the universe, they would have to travel at the speed of light, or seven times around the equator in one second! Even at that speed, it would take 4 years and 2 months to reach Alpha Centauri, the closest star to our own solar system. At the fastest speed we’ve ever been able to produce in rockets under full power in the vacuum of space – which is around 40,000 miles per hour – it would take us 70,000 years to reach Alpha Centauri. Even if we could attain the speed of light – which is physically impossible with today’s technology – it would take 14 billion years to reach the edge of known space. But Scientists theorize that what we can see of known space is 1 billionth of theoretical space. Some scientists say that the universe is limitless, and still expanding.
Embracing the Invisible
Some children were spending a few days with their grandparents. Grandma and grandpa both talked about Jesus a lot. When it was time for lunch one day, grandma called the children in and said, “Be sure to wash your hands.”
One little grandchild scowled and said, “Germs and Jesus. Germs and Jesus. That’s all I hear, and I’ve never seen either one of them.”
Experiencing Spiritual Breakthroughs
In this teaching series you will discover that spiritual breakthroughs have always been God’s loving - and completely possible - best for you.
The Vision and Mission of Christ’s Church
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!
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Truth Must Be Evident
Reputation. Having a good name. Enjoying good favor with all people. When we live out God’s Truth for all to see – it changes lives.
Called Out. . . which way do we go?
Starting Sunday, September 13 join us for an in-depth look into Paul’s letter to the Church in Ephesus.
Purity in Life
I want to start by telling you a story. A man once had two large clay jars that he used to bring water from the well back to his home. These jars hung on each end of a pole that he carried across his shoulders. One of the jars had a crack in it, and at the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked jar arrived only half full. The other jar was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. For several years the man bought back to his home each day only one-and-a-half jars of water.
Integrity of Heart
“Authenticity” is about genuineness of character and giving an accurate representation of the real, inner you. It’s all about “what you see – is what you get.”
The way you act is the way you really are. There’s nothing fake or dishonest or put on or false about your actions or your words. Authenticity is about having integrity of heart. You are on the inside what people see on the outside; you do and say the very things you feel and believe deep inside. People can count on you. You will always do and say what is the “authentic” you.
Being Fully Present
I want to talk to you about a mom. Her story starts when she was not yet a mom – yet she was a woman who desperately wanted to be a mother. Turn to 1 Samuel 1:1-20 for the story.
In the Lord’s Army
If you are a believer – a follower of Christ – you are in God’s Army. That’s right – you’re a soldier. You’re a different kind of soldier than you may think – but you’re in the Lord’s Army nonetheless.
Where Is Your Jordan and Jericho?
Do you consider yourself “wise?” A wise person learns from the achievements and frustrations, and from the successes and mistakes of other people. More importantly, a wise person learns from his or her own mistakes, and determines not to repeat those same mistakes, but to replicate the success so they happen more and more.
Jesus Loved Being Alone with His Father
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.
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Jesus Was Patient with People
Patience is a skill – a quality – that Jesus possessed and modeled and still shows us today. We know a lot about Jesus from Scripture, but there are some everyday traits that Jesus possessed – like patience – that we need to learn about.
Lenten Meditations - 2009
Lent is a time to remember and observe the days leading up to the death of Christ on the cross - for you. This is a special season to help you reflect on - and prepare for - the Resurrection of Jesus, and what that event means for you personally.
Two Kinds of Wisdom - which will you choose in 2009?
I know that New Year’s Eve is past and most of us have made – and perhaps already given up on – our New Year’s resolutions. You know what I’m talking about - those pesky decisions we make to change our behavior by the sheer force of our will - that same will that is so weak that it got us into whatever trouble we’re in to begin with.
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What is “Sacrificial Giving?”
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?
Meditations for the season of Advent - 2008
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.
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From Humbug to Hallelujah!
Christmas Teaching Series OVERVIEW
“Stop the ride! I want to get off!” Ever thought this way at Christmas?
When the Christmas season comes around, we strive to create the “perfect” holiday, but unfortunately, find ourselves trying to live up to unrealistic expectations. The result is that we begin to act and feel like the Grinch or Ebenezer Scrooge! When the season is filled with anxiety, frustration, and disappointment, it seems like we can’t wait to get to December 26 and put Christmas back in its boxes and get our lives back to normal.
What’s Next? A Christ Follower’s Responsibility (after the Election)
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.
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Taking my stand on Issue 6
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.
It all begins with Grace. . .
Unmerited favor. Unearned kindness. Undeserved compassion.
That is what God showed to you in giving His Son, Jesus to die in your place, atone for your sin, purchase your pardon, and clothe you with His right standing with the Father.
Jesus died the death you deserve,
in order to give you the live you can never deserve. . .
now it’s up to you to live your life for Him, because that’s what He deserves.
God rewards those who diligently seek Him
Are you seeking Him with all your heart? Does your heart – and all that it entails – belong to Jesus? Have you chosen to be a blessing. . . for life?
God rewards those who earnestly seek Him – who search for Him – who sincerely look for Him. God rewards those who diligently seek Him. (from Hebrews 11:6)
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Good servant - well done!
The Cathedral of Murcia in Murcia, Spain is an odd-looking mix of construction and artistic styles. The base was begun in the early 13th century, with the foundation being started in 1385 and the first stones put in place in 1388. The actual construction did not begin until 1394 and was not “finished” until 1467. In reality, the cathedral had numerous additions until the 18th century. The Cathedral’s interior is Gothic; the facade is Baroque. The Cathedral’s bell tower has a first stage with a 15th century Renaissance style and ornamentation from the Hispanic 16th century Plateresque. The second body is in the later Renaissance style and much more purist in ornamentation. The third floor done in the Baroque style has the body with Rococó style and the cupola in the Neoclassic style.
Sounds like someone didn’t plan ahead.
Will you see it through God’s eyes?
We’re back from vacation – thanks for the break – and I was dismayed to see that my blog entries had not automatically appeared like I planned. I entered them before leaving, and placed a “scheduled” publishing date so they would automatically be placed on the blog. Apparently, my screensaver contains a password that would not allow my blog to be updated while I was away. (Nor was my Norton Anti-Virus updated or my Microsoft Updates processed – but that’s nothing compared to three blogs going unpublished and therefore unread.) If you’d like to read them, check out “You have to open your mouth”, “Garbage in. . .”, and “The Love of God.” They’re there now – but no one read them! sigh!
The Love of God
The love of God is greater far
than tongue or pen can ever tell,
it goes beyond the highest star
and reaches to the lowest hell;
the guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win:
His daring child He reconciled
and pardoned from His sin.
Garbage in. . .
Recently, I’ve been reminded of a wonderful old praise chorus I used to sing. I wish you could hear the lilting melody that perfectly frames these words:
“Why so downcast, O my soul? Put your hope in God! Put your hope in God!”
You have to open your mouth!
As we delve deeper into our summer study on the fruit of the Spirit from God’s Word, and spend time finding some of the details of having the heart of Christ, we come face-to-face with the need to have an honest heart.
A prayer covenant – let’s ask for a move of the Holy Spirit
The summer is nearly half over, and we’re well into our study of the fruit of the Spirit – the character traits He produces in those who have surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Christ. We’re finding new ways of partnering with the Holy Spirit to bring about life-change as He transforms us into the image of Jesus. I want to expand our study of the Holy Spirit in one small, but powerful way.
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You never leave Church!
Jesus’ Great Commission to us in Matthew 28:18-20 is where He tells us to “go and make disciples. . . teaching them to obey everything I have commanded.” He concludes this tall order with the words: “And surely I am with you always. . .” That certainly goes along with the promise given us in Deuteronomy 31:8: “The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Hail to the Chief!
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.
Joy: be careful out there!
Joy is a required state-of-mind for a Christ-follower. Sometimes when life comes crashing in around you, it’s hard to remember that. With disease, war, famine, uncertain futures, broken relationships, rising costs, and more – joy can easily take a back seat in your life. Yet, joy is God’s expectation for you as your way of thinking and living and being. In God’s Word it’s spoken of as “great,” “abundant,” “exceeding,” “constant,” and “unspeakable.” How can you be joyful when life is anything but happy at times?
The power of a godly touch
We are surrounded by people in our lives that have not had the touch of a human hand in months – maybe years. People might wave at them or smile at them, and might even accidentally touch their hands when handing back change at the grocery store. But a heartfelt, compassionate, friendly touch that says “you’re loved”, or “you make a difference”, or “you mean something to me” might be so few and very far between.
How Easy is Forgiveness?
In a word: not. It’s not easy. It’s extremely difficult. It’s not in our nature.
Forgiving someone for the slightest wrong sometimes threatens to feel like chewing broken glass or walking on hot coals. We’d rather slug it out or ignore them completely than to forgive. If the affront was a major one, we might think murderous thoughts or walk out of the relationship completely before we’d even consider the painful and gut-wrenching prospect of actually forgiving the offender.
What if Jesus lived your life with His heart?
We’re off and running with our summer study at the Ridge. All of us are embarking on a summer journey to learn about the fruit of the Spirit – qualities and traits developed in our hearts by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. These are qualities that we might be able to fake for awhile with a lot of effort and very little benefit, but these character traits cannot be manufactured by us. . . they're only produced by the Spirit at work in us and through us.
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Breakthrough Momentum - why starting a church is so difficult
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.
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The Growing Season - His Fruit Produced in You - OVERVIEW
Don't Be Deceived
A few years ago, while I was working on my Master’s degree, I encountered a young man who was very interested in going to the headquarters of the Church of Scientology to be “programmed.” I did a little research (we had a Scientology Center in my hometown, donated by actress Kirstie Alley) and I found out that this young man was probably referring to “auditing,” a “counseling” process, according to the Scientologist representative I spoke with. The “auditing process helps a person confront and handle the many negative incidents which they may have experienced in past lives, and have their implanted false memories (known as “engrams”) healed and removed and the authentic memories recovered.
Expelled - No Intelligence Allowed
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.
Included
Ever heard the old adage: “In for a penny – in for a pound”?
Basically it means if you’re going to commit to something a little bit, you might as well commit entirely.
If you’re going to invest a little – then invest all the way.
Edification before an Edifice
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.
Nomads, Searchers, or Priests?
Quarry Ridge knows a little something about being a “portable church.” We’ve been a church for 3 years and 9 months – and we’ve been moving in and out of the Timberstone Junior High building for pretty much that whole time!
Every Sunday, a crew arrives with the trailer behind our Suburban, unloads a ton of carts and crates and wheeled cabinets. People set up chairs, lights, a sound system, and a computer attached to a video projector to run the videos and words for worship.
Balancing Act
Have you ever walked a tightrope? I remember pretending as a child that I was walking a tightrope in the circus – way up there in the air – when actually we were just walking on a jump rope laid out on the ground! We graduated to trying walking on a 2X4 suspended between two cinder blocks. Wow, that was tough.
Giving
I’ve had many people ask me throughout the years about giving. Their questions have centered mainly on “why” we have to give in the first place. After all, “God owns everything - surely He doesn’t need my money!”
God does own everything. Psalm 24:1 tells us that “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. . .” That includes us and everything we own. However, everything He owns He has entrusted to stewards to take care of it for Him. That’s you and I; we are stewards of God’s wealth tied up here on planet earth. He let’s us use it as we need, but He asks us to bring a portion back to Him for His use in building His Kingdom.
Grow
You are called to be Christ-like. . .
We’re to become more and more like Christ every day, bearing fruit, and living lives that glorify God (Philippians 1:21, Ephesians 5, Colossians 1:10-12, Galatians 2:20, 2 Peter 1:5-8).
Remember - you were created to be Christ-like!
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Recent Posts
Current Teaching SeriesSpiritual Formation Retreat
A Course on World Religions and Christian Faith
Summer Sizzlers
FOCUS 40
This Is Your Life
Back to Basics 12. Christ and His Church (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Back to Basics 11. Subjugation (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Back to Basics 10. Divided Kingdom (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
Back to Basics 9. United Kingdom (a 10,000 foot view of the biblical narrative)
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Quarry Ridge Community Church
419.517.7722
5845 Centennial Road
at Sylvania-Metamora Road
(across from the new Centennial Terrace)
9:30 AM
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10:30 AM
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Copyright 2009 Quarry Ridge Community Church.