100-Word Stories

For years drugs completely dictated my life. My whole family knew addiction – taking my dad and stepdad. In high school I experimented, thinking I’d be different. It led to a year in jail. I started on meth and lost everything; my wife, house, job. Somehow I kept my son. In my darkness, I thought this was normal. In prison for a felony, someone recommended the Bible. I finally realized I was a drug addict. I hated how I’d treated others. As I kept studying, committing myself to GOD, my life changed. After 4 years, I keep growing in my sobriety and relationship with GOD. I’m the luckiest man alive.

Protection Under Authority
1 Corinthians 11:3

Eleven years into our marriage, I learned the principle of a wife’s godly submission to her husband and the accompanying protection from the Lord.

A friend discovered an opportunity to travel to Vienna for a choral music festival. My husband said no. I reluctantly obeyed. My friends went ahead and arranged for their tickets.

Two weeks before the trip, the travel agency—and everyone’s money—vanished. It had all been a scam.

Thank You, Lord, for Your protection under authority and for the gentle man under Christ’s authority you gave to me.

Before joining the staff at the Ridge, my professional focus was always inward. Thinking what I could do to make my life better instead of putting others before myself. I prayed vigorously for the Lord to deliver me away from the corporate ‘rat race’ and toward a place of HIS ultimate purpose; a place where His Kingdom and Glory reign supreme. We are not perfect, but I can say that ARBC is a place where the Truth of the Bible is preached. I am deeply grateful that God has allowed me to serve Him in this way!

For years, my brother has struggled mentally and physically. All I could do was watch from cities away as he was in and out of counseling, facilities, psychiatrists, and doctor after doctor. I would get calls from my parents begging me to pray, as he had either run away again or was sick again. So many sleepless nights praying for healing and strength. Through it all, Jesus was constant. Showing my brother he was known and loved by Him. Slowly he began to heal. As with everything, it’s been a process, but this semester my brother is back at college, stable, and excited to be in community.

God is faithful through valleys and on mountaintops. I’m so thankful He walks with me through everything and remains the same. God is good!

When my husband and I retired and moved to Austin, God sparked a dream in my heart to be part of a church startup. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for people with time and a lot of life experience to serve the Body of Christ. The first time we attended Austin Ridge, almost seven years ago, we heard about their plans to launch the new Dripping Springs campus. We jumped in with both feet! It has been a joy to be a part of so many ministry opportunities and see so many people Know, Grow, and Serve Jesus!

I was raised by Christian parents to love Jesus and trust the Bible. However, when I was in college I struggled to personally interpret Scripture. I fell into a scary season of depression when the relationship I was in fell apart, and the friends I had were no longer my friends. I attempted to take my own life. I was angry at God that I was still alive. My family pointed me to Jesus and taught me to open up to and trust Him. I slowly began rebuilding my life by going to church, reading Scripture, and making new connections. God saved me from death, literally, and I’m grateful.

Our daughter is a Young Life leader in Dallas. This last year has been one of transitioning to being married, in a new city, in a new job, leading a group of people she had never met. These things, alone or together, create lots of anxiety. Even then, her faith in Jesus provides the path and direction she needs to do His work. God shows up in a big way, through people or circumstances that let her know that “God Has This!” We are continually in awe of what God can do, and does, through His people.

I grew up in the church. My dad was a pastor every moment of my childhood. We were there every Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening. I always remember loving church, though. Not your stereotypical “preacher’s kid.” My dad instilled in us a love for the Word and a love for God’s people. I knew I needed a Savior when I was 10, and was called into ministry at 15. I have tried since then to trust the Lord with all I say and do. I fail often, but am so thankful for God’s grace.

Raised in a close-knit Italian family with loving parents. At the age of 47, my father came back from a run and died of a heart attack. As you can imagine, it wrecked me. If there was a God, I had no desire to follow Him. From age 14 to 29, I chased everything the world said was important. In 2001, I had ‘arrived’ from a worldly financial standpoint, but I felt completely empty. Two panic attacks and a trip to the hospital later, I found myself at the Ridge. It’s been a journey of many ups and downs, but God has been so good all along the way!

I was feeling lost, and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my future. I had spent months praying to God, asking what my calling was. One day I got the opportunity to apply for an internship under Students at the Ridge. After a long waiting process I got denied, however, a few days later I got offered the chance to work under Production at the Ridge. Turns out God knew what he was doing; Production is much more fitting and entertaining for me and has allowed me to grow more and explore my passion.

In May this year, I took a trip to Wyoming and had a powerful worship experience while sitting on top of a rock beside a wild untamed river. I closed my eyes and used my senses, thanking God for everything I noticed. I smelled the fresh water and the pine-scented air. Touched the smooth, jagged rock I sat upon and the sandy dirt within its cracks. I listened to the birds sing their songs and the bugs play in the air. Colors danced in the light, and I was overwhelmed that God created all of this for me to enjoy, in that very moment.

Growing up, my brother and I never really got along. After we both graduated high school, we went our separate ways and never spoke. Over time and prayer, we began to start having conversations and slowly built a strong relationship. Now our families and kids are close, and it’s a joy to see them.

This is truly something only God could have done. He was able to lay it on both of our hearts to make amends, and both of us listened.