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Today’s post is just a friendly shout-out to my “freaky” friends at Life at the Ridge. Yup, that’s them in the picture above – and you’ll see the Fearless “Freaky” leader below.
But before I tell you why these people are freaks, let me tell you what Life at the Ridge is. It’s just a friendly community of Christ followers that meets every Sunday AM at Rosa Parks Elementary School in Redmond Ridge (Redmond, WA). We gather each week to sing, pray, and learn together – and keep up with the goings-on in each of our lives.
The Life at the Ridge community is not all that big in size, but what it lacks in numbers, it makes up with some “freaky” characteristics. Read on and you’ll understand my “term of endearment.”
I have to admit that I’ve got a few church services under my belt, and unfortunately, more than one friend has had to listen to me express my one real concern with church bands: By and large, band members don’t smile. And that bothers me.
The logic in my head tells me that as Christ followers, we belong to Christ and the “joy of the Lord” should be evident in our lives regardless of what’s going on – good, bad or sad. If Christ doesn’t have the power to transform our lives and how we respond, then really, what’s the point? When we come together to worship and celebrate our unity in Christ, shouldn’t that joy show itself – like even in a simple smile?
And, of course, I hold the band to a higher standard (sorry!) because they’re bringing the musical element and leading us through a worshipful experience. I mean, how kewl is that. They get to play with their instrumental “toys” and sing their hearts out.
So when a church band leads a group – large or small – in a series of songs with that Solemn Musician Face and without a smile – or without the sense that they’re just delighted to be alive and be there leading God’s people in worship – it’s really hard for me. Especially when we’re singing one of our favorite, fast-tempo songs. Because when the band is solemn, so is everyone else. Where’s the celebration and joy in that?
At Life at the Ridge, the band members smile. And in my book, that makes them “freaks” because that’s just not what band members do. And that’s why I love this band.
I don’t always know the songs we’re singing and some of them I’m not fond of, but I love being there, listening to the band, and “hearing” what the smiles on their face are saying. They know the “joy of the Lord” and they don’t hesitate to share it with us each week.
On top of that, this band is rock star material! The musicians and the vocalists have it going on, and our small community is blessed beyond words each week. Much of this is because of Jireh Ang, the band’s leader. He is very humble, very talented and pastors this team well.
Last, but certainly not least, is our Fearless Freaky leader, Josh Hebert. He is the lead pastor for Life at the Ridge, and he’s respectfully earned the title of freak because of how he leads us. Josh is real with us. He doesn’t have all the pat “pastor answers” and he doesn’t pretend to. Instead, he shares what God puts on his heart – even if it makes him uncomfortable.
After attending this church for over a year, I can boil down what Life at the Ridge is all about: It’s about having a real, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. This is the theme that Josh continues to stick to week after week. Plain and simple.
Lives are being transformed at Life at the Ridge. The truth is that we’re all freaks. We’re Jesus freaks. And we’re kewl with that.
Day 25 of my 28-Day Blogging Challenge completed. Over and out.
