Rich's Story
During a time of physically healing from an injury, I met a staff guy from Ridgeline at my outings to the park with my daughter. When I first met Jay my life was very different, I too was very different, very intense, angry and outspoken. My relationships with family and friends was often strained. I knew that life had to be better than what I was making of it. Prior to meeting Jay my father passed away which was a difficult thing for my family, particularly my mother, and there was a huge rift within my family. I could see the strain on my marriage and myself. However at that time I would not turn to God for anything!!!! I was such the sceptic.
It was the Community Groups that Ridgeline organized that really helped put things into perspective for me. When I first attended the groups I believed the Bible was nothing more than a book of laws to scare the masses into conforming to what religious leaders wanted. As I continued going with my wife, Jennie, I became a little more open to other views. Then my mother’s house caught fire. I spent several weeks on the east coast tending to her needs and trying to make sense of what was happening. My faith in God was at an all time low, I could not understand why God would do this to my family, once again it was easier to blame than to take responsibility for what was happening. (we were able to save a lot from the fire.) I received messages of support from several Ridgeliners.
When I returned home it was nice to be back among friends, but I was angrier than ever and still could not believe God could do this to my family.. Things got even worst, my marriage was close to a divorce my attitude was so bad. Then things spun out of control finally reaching an all time low in my life, when my wife and I decided to go to counseling and continue to do so on a regular basis. I have gone through a lot of changes over the past several months and continue to grow everyday with my wife, my daughter, my family, my friends and my Ridgeline family.
I truly believe that If I had not found Ridgeline Church my life would be a lot less meaningful and a lot more broken. I would still be angry & confused about God. I have come to think of Ridgeline as my extended family here in California and look forward to our church growing as our message of community and changed lives spreads.