The Ridge – Weekly Message

It seems fitting that as we draw our Daniel series to a close, that our final chapter should focus in the end of the world. For many however, heaven and hell can be challenging to begin to grasp both on a practical and emotional level. What will heaven be like? How could a loving God allow anyone to go to hell? Join Pastor Mike and Will as they explore these challenges as well as the impact t...

We all want to know how the story ends, don’t we? Chapter 12 is the last chapter in the biblical book of Daniel. The book doesn’t end with the lion’s den or the fiery furnace, or the handwriting on the wall. Rather, it concludes with end times along with a glimpse of the resurrection. The book of Daniel ends with this truth: Death will come, but it will not win. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture...

In many ways we live in a culture "where there is a subconscious drive to eliminate mystery.” How many calories are in an M&M? Ask Siri. How far away is Mars? Ask Alexa. Yet how does this constant conditioning impact our interaction with a God who in many ways is both above and beyond our ability to understand or comprehend? Join Pastor Mike and Will as they discover how key mystery is in...

Not knowing is uncomfortable. There’s a subconscious drive to have the answers and to eliminate mystery. Not knowing is not something we’re used to in our advanced Western culture. We can figure out and understand some things — a lot of things, in fact. But we can’t always do that with God. So, what are we supposed to do with that? Pastor Mike helps us make sense of living with the mysteries of Go...

For many, the animal sacrifices depicted in the Old Testament come across as unusual if not unsettling. Yet as we learned from Pastor Mike's message, life requires the sacrifice of life — it is a key part of our existence not only physically but spiritually. Join Pastor Mike and Will as they explore how the discipline of sacrifice plays out in our day-to-day relationship with God and others. Read...

The abomination that causes desolation mentioned in Daniel 11 is pivotal to understanding the chapter. But what is it? Remember that what was prophecy for Daniel is history for us. To topple Israel, Antiochus Epiphanes’s strategy was this: to abolish the daily sacrifice. Pastor Mike explains the meaning behind animal sacrifice, the importance of daily sacrifice, and why it’s so important that we l...

One of the many amazing aspects of the gospel is that we can experience deep transformation through the work of God's Spirit. Yet how does this change happen? And how can we know we are in the right place to encounter God in this transformative way? Join Will and Leadership and Ministry Director, Julie Wiemann as they discuss what exactly this supernatural work of God looks like in our daily lives...

As Pastor Mike mentioned, God's sovereignty can fill us with hope and encouragement from the past and for the future. And yet it can also raise some questions, particularly when things happen in our lives that are painful and challenging. Join Pastor Mike and Will as they discuss how we navigate those seasons as well as ways in which we can grow in trust in God and His ways. Read the Beyond the Se...

Kings, battles and conquests fill Daniel 11, and admittedly, it’s confusing. But it is significant for us even today. Daniel 11 shows us that God’s sovereignty doesn’t mean that everything that happens is good and happy or even what God desires. But here’s the good news: God loves us and will not abandon us. He is good despite the pain and hurt. And He brings good out of bad, joy out of pain, bles...

Daniel 10 pulls back the curtain on the physical world into the spiritual realm. Cosmic battles and angels being held captive are some of what was happening behind the scenes, yet how do we respond to this today? Are we really involved in a spiritual battle? Are there really forces at work against us? Join Pastor Mike and Will as they seek to answer these questions and more. Read the Beyond the Se...

Daniel 10 articulates another vision — one of a powerful Jesus — and a message from an angel. Through these two things we see beyond the visible to the spiritual war being waged between God and the enemy. We see that there is an adversary, there is an opponent. He is against God and against us. Satan orchestrates sickness and chaos. But regardless of what we see and feel, there is a deeper power a...

Symbolic images and biblical mathematics — Daniel 9 offers the kind of ingredients that are often hard to digest for the average Bible reader. So how do we go about tackling passages like this? Join Pastor Mike and Will as they share insights into how to approach Bible reading as well as how prophecy passages like this can break the hold of fear in our lives. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals...

Daniel 9 concludes with a rapid-fire prophecy. It’s one full of numbers and references to building and destruction and one that is admittedly a bit confusing. But if we look at it piece by piece, there is a clear message from God that something — or rather someone — good is coming to Daniel and to his people and to us. In this prophecy, God is promising a king — one who is coming not just to rule...

At The Ridge we believe that there is more to church life than simply attending services in person or online. God has made us to both live and follow Him in the company of others. But is community really that important? Isn't it possible to just fly solo as a Christian, stepping into services when you can? Join our Director of Hospitality, Joni Pine, as she shares the ways in which being in commun...

Guest Rev. Dr. Erin Clifford has spent considerable time working in the areas of spiritual formation, community and fellowship. She joins us to discuss what it means to connect and why we, as Christians, are called to do it in the first place. Dr. Clifford encourages us with the reminder that we’re invited into the community of Christ. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional ea...

Shame is an emotion familiar to most yet as we discovered in our sermon on Sunday, there are various ways we respond to it. Join Pastor Mike and Will as they review some unhelpful responses to shame while highlighting why confession proves so essential when it comes to navigating failures in our life. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Bey...

We all experience feelings of guilt and shame in our lives, and our tendency is to deny it, blame someone else, feel bad about it, or even embrace it. But God offers an alternative: Confession. Confession isn't about letting God in on our dirty little secrets. He knows. Confession allows God to forgive us, to make us clean. Message by Mike Van Rees | Scripture referenced: Daniel 9 Read the Beyond...

Does it? Does prayer change things? If we look at Hezekiah’s desperate plea in 2 Kings 20, we find clarity. We see that sometimes, yes, prayer moves the hand of God—sometimes it changes our circumstances. But what about when it doesn’t? What then? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: 2 Kings 20 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the...

For many of us growing up, prayer carried a sense of formality to the point of it becoming intimidating. Yet the Bible teaches something quite different about how we should approach God in conversation. As we enter into the new year, we begin reflecting on prayer — what it is and what it isn’t. Join Will and Pastor Mike as they discuss what the Bible teaches on this area of conversation with...

After the Manger - December 26 is more than the day after Christmas. It’s Boxing Day. Traditionally, it’s a day of charity—a day to give thanks for the abundance received during the Christmas season by blessing others. All throughout the Bible, God calls us to be prepared to sacrifice our wealth to help those in need—such as the Wise Men and their gifts for and recognition of the Messiah. Let’s se...

The shepherds left their fields and found Jesus. How? The angels gave them three signs: a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, a manger and the town of David—Bethlehem. Each of these signs of Christmas have individual meanings, yes, but Pastor Mike reveals the one thing they all have in common. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Luke 2:8–14 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get th...

This week we take a break from our Daniel series and focus on what in many ways is a prequel to the Nativity story. In the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, we witness both the experience of radical interruption coupled with faith in the midst of doubt.    Join Julie and Will as they discuss some healthy ways to respond to major interruptions in our lives, as well as what it looks like t...

A message from Julie Wiemann: This week we look at Luke 1, which is in many ways a prequel to the Nativity story. Here we see Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s responses to radical interruption and learn what it means to have faith and trust God even while experiencing doubt. Message by Julie Wiemann Scripture referenced: Luke 1:5–20 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week!...

Daniel 8 in many ways is similar to the previous chapter. We witness both the sovereignty of God over kingdoms of the earth as well as His judgement  to come. For many however, it's passages like this that turn people off Christianity. How could a loving God hand out judgement like we witness here and elsewhere in the Bible?    Join Pastor Mike and Will as they discover the ways in...

Daniel Chapter 8 - In the second half of the book of Daniel, God continues to speak to Daniel about the future in dreams and visions. Chapter 8 It builds on the prophecy of four global empires in chapter 7. Yet there’s more to it: Daniel 8 is recognition that we live in a world full of abuse of power, injustice, evil, sin and darkness—a world that is far from wonderful. So, what do we do with that...