50 Golden Days of Evangelism; I need your help…
In February 2010 we will start what is called 50 Golden Days of Evangelism in The Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church.
I am excited about this as we are going to challenge our 904 churches to spend 50 intentional days in Evangelism and then on Pentecost Sunday 2010 our goal is to baptize 3000 people in Holston Conference.
Is anything too BIG for GOD? No!
You will hear more about this later as well as The Holston “Conference on Evangelism” scheduled for February 19 & 20th, 2010 @ Cokesbury Center in Knoxville Tennessee with speakers Rudy Rasmus and God’s own Bishop James Swanson.
Stay tuned for more details coming soon.
Where I need your help is in the 40 Days of Preparation for this God Ordained Ministry. I am in process of preparing and writing a 40 day devotional that will lead us up to the 50 Golden Days of Evangelism.
The 40 Days will start February 23rd, 2010. I will not be able to use everybody’s devotion that is submitted but I will use all that I possibly can. I am looking for devotions that will fill not more than a standard 8.5 by 11 sheet of paper with a closing prayer. All of these devotions will be around prayer and evangelism. You will receive credit in the devotional guide for your submission by having your name listed.
These are Exciting Times, be a part of what God is doing in Holston Conference.
The deadline for these submissions is September 30th, 2009 and I would appreciate it if you would drop me a line and let me know that you will be submitting one.
Ronnie G Collins
Holston Conference Witness Team Chair
American Scholar 2009!
Posted Friday, August 28, 2009
If you are a high school junior or senior, you could win a full tuition scholarship to Liberty University! Applications will be available August 24th – September 11th. All contestants must fill out an online application with Spirit FM and a Liberty University Admissions Application (the fee will be waived).
HOW TO PLAY THE CONTEST:
Round 1 – Application (8/24/09-9/11/09)
Application Process
Submit the 2 online applications (i.e. Spirit FM Preliminary Application and the Liberty University admissions application).
Round 2 – Roll Call (9/8/09 – 9/18/09)
Qualified applicants should listen to Spirit FM Monday-Friday at 7:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 4:30 pm, beginning Tuesday, September 8, 2009 and ending Friday, September 18, 2009. At that time, applicants will be announced on air as possible qualifiers of the American Scholar contest. The applicant or any of their “call team” (named on the Sprit FM application) will be directed to call Spirit FM within 30 minutes.
A team member is an individual that was designated by the applicant as a “call team” member and has been given permission by the applicant to call Spirit FM at 888-774-7482. If a call is received by Spirit FM from the applicant or member of the “call team,” the applicant will move to the next round.
Round 3 – Review Process (9/21/09 – 9/23/09)
Eligible applications will be forwarded to a review board at Liberty University. From these applications, ten will be selected based on the application to move to the next Round.
Round 4 – Semi-finalists Announced
(9/24/09 – 9/30/09)
Semi-finalists will be announced – two per day.
(9/24/09 – 10/7/09)
Semi-finalists will schedule a time to come to Spirit FM studio and record an interview with Spirit FM. Each semi-finalist must also submit a biography statement and color picture (that will be forwarded by Spirit FM) to post online. Failure to do so will eliminate the candidate.
(10/8/09 – 10/20/09)
Semi-finalist interviews are aired. Bios and photos are posted on-line. This time period is when listeners are introduced to the American Scholar Semi-finalists.
Round 5 – Voting (10/14/09 – 10/20/09)
Listeners may vote online for their favorite applicant. Only one vote per email address will be accepted. More details and specifications of the process will be explained on-air. Three finalists will be determined from a combination of the on-line voting results, LU review panel board ranking from 1 to 10, and Spirit FM.
Round 6 – Contest Wrap-up
Finalists Announced (10/22/09)
The top 3 finalists are announced at 7:20 AM on Good Morning Radio.
Interview with Top 3 on Good Morning Radio (10/30/09)
The top 3 finalists will be interviewed live on Good Morning Radio. Candidates will be invited to appear live at the Spirit FM studio from 8AM – 9AM.
The Winner Announced (10/31/09)
The winner will be randomly selected at Liberty University’s home football game during half time on October 31st, 2009. The top 3 finalists must be present at this game for the duration of the game. The winner must report to the Spirit FM booth for photos and interviews directly following the award presentation.
NOTE: By submitting an application for the American Scholar contest, the submitter agrees to having read, understand, and accept all rules and regulations specified herein.
Find this page online at: http://www.spiritfm.com/pages/studio/contests/american-scholar-2009.shtml
What Parents Don’t Know About How Their Kids Use Facebook, MySpace
Parents of teenagers know how important texting and social networking sites like MySpace, Bebo, and Facebook are to the over-13 set. But if we think we know what our kids say and do on the sites, we’re kidding ourselves. My 13- and 14-year-old nephews kindly remind me more often than I’d like of my cluelessness, and a new survey confirms that I’m not the only parent who has no idea.
Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that tracks children’s use of media, commissioned a poll of teenagers and their parents this spring. It turns out that teens are way more active online that most parents realize:
* 49 percent of parents said their child was 13 or older before starting to use the Internet unsupervised. Just 14 percent of teenagers said they were that old.
* 23 percent of parents said their children log onto social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace more than once a day. But 51 percent of teenagers said they check in more than once a day.
* Just 4 percent of parents think their children check social networking sites more than 10 times a day; 22 percent of teenagers said they’re online that often or more.
* When it comes to “sexting,” or posting explicit photos, 2 percent of parents believe their child had posted naked or near-naked photos or videos of themselves or others. But 13 percent of teens admitted they had done that.
As one of those parents who needs to wake up and smell the latte, I’d better ask my nephews for more in-depth instruction. Sexting is just one worry. The survey, which polled 1,013 kids in the seventh to 12th grades and 1,002 parents, also found that 39 percent of the teenagers had posted something they later regretted and that 28 percent shared personal information online they normally wouldn’t have shared publicly. Nothing posted on the Internet is ever truly private, and it’s there forever, so it’s not hard to imagine college applications being derailed by derogatory comments about teachers (which 54 percent of teens say they had posted) or hacking someone else’s social networking account (as 24 percent of the teens said they had done).
Ah, but kids need to wise up, too. Only 14 percent think their parents know their Facebook or MySpace password; in fact, 51 percent of parents said they do. And 82 percent of parents check their child’s online profile regularly, while barely one quarter of children think they’re being watched. Tip to observing parents: Monitoring children’s social networking activities is essential to helping them become safe and wise users of the Web, but hacking into their accounts or using monitoring software isn’t the way to do it, according to an article by my colleague Lindsay Lyon on Mastering MySpace Dangers. Instead, explain how even privately posted photos or information can become permanently public, and don’t be afraid to set rules on how your children use social networks. One clever idea: Ask the kid to help you build your own Facebook profile.
Social networking is here to stay. I’m greatly enjoying becoming part of communities I’ve found on Twitter and am even getting used to Facebook, though I use it more for professional networking than for keeping up with friends. And I’m facing up to having to add teaching my little girl to have a healthy life online to my long list of parental responsibilities.
Source
http://health.usnews.com/blogs/on-parenting/2009/08/13/what-parents-dont-know-about-how-their-kids-use-facebook-myspace.html
This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor: August 30th, 2009
- Time for bed but both little ones are wide awakeabout 8 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- We trust annituties & pensions to the point that balance statements determine our mood levelsabout 8 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- What if we took all our money to God & said “what do you want me to do with it?”about 8 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- It is not in error to plan. It is in error not to include God in your plans.about 8 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- SouledOut did an awesome job as always and thanks to Tom J. For standing in for me.about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- We have a new dance, the Jay Holderfield dance! Come to A SNLabout 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Heavens best took hells worst and turned it into hope.about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Matthew 10:28 Reading Fearless by Max Lucadoabout 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Headed to Jailhouse Square for Sunday Night Live with SouledOut, Join us to Worship the Creator of the Worldabout 13 hours ago from web
- Speaking this Wednesday Morninig @ CCHS FCA and Wednesday Night @ Out Of The Boxabout 13 hours ago from web
- I am just net feeling great so I have asked SouledOut to do a concert tonight. Come join us at Jail House Square for SNL 6:30pmabout 14 hours ago from web
- Sunday Night Live will be held at Jailhouse Square downtown Hillsville tonight with SouledOut 6:30pmabout 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Playing with the kids, riding and swingingabout 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Getting ready to preach @ Camp Dickensonabout 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Happy Birthday Ben Mullins 18 todayabout 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Almost time for breakfast by the river, awesomeabout 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Great night sleep @ Camp Dickenson, refreshedabout 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor: August 29th, 2009
- Ah the camping life. Looking foreword to going home tomorrow.about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Smores by the campfireabout 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Headed to Camp Dickenson, lateabout 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Wow I have never been dunked so much1:45 PM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- Ok I am in the dunking tank for a while. Hopefully Ramon will take up my slack.12:58 PM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- Hello David G, just rolled through your town11:54 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- When Keith doesn’t slam me in more than a 24 hour period I worry he is sick. Hope you didn’t get sick on Monster KM11:52 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- Saturday Sept 12th is District discipleship day in Pulaski. I am doing a run on ministry through technology in the 21st Century. Yalll come11:47 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- That dunking tank should feel good this afternoon if anyone can hit the target11:28 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- Mocha Joes are a perfect example of why I could never drink alcohol. I can’t stop!11:26 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- It is Mocha Joe time and not a Burger King in sight10:53 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- Heading back to Virginia, it has been a great day, been with outstanding folks10:08 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- Class is going well here @ Wesley Memorial, how about in down there Ramon anf Jeff8:44 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- Dr. Randy Frye is at the podium for District discipleship day Johnson City District7:06 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- @ Wesley Memorial UMC6:38 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- Hardees big fluffy biscuit5:19 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- Heel pain this morning. I remember this pain before Brooks Addiction but the verdict is still out.4:43 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- On the road to Tennessee4:06 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
- blogging http://bit.ly/IMh3i3:42 AM Aug 29th from web
- A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. Proverbs 14:293:08 AM Aug 29th from TwitterBerry
This day in the life of your pastor: August 28th, 2009
- Have to get to bed. Up early to speak N Johnson City in the morning, in the dunking tank @ Joy ranch @ 3 and speaking @ Camp Dickenson @ 6pmabout 6 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- The new shoes felt great today. However it is amazing how sore I am in new places. Shoes make a real difference. Time will tell if I switchabout 6 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- blogging why I am online so much www.imagebearer.wordpress.comabout 6 hours ago from web
- Thank you to everyone for all the birthday wishes and cards. It has been an outstanding day.about 6 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Go Cavs, 14 to 14 @ half timeabout 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Just got the front yard mowed. Birthday dinner with the family now.about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Ran 6.2 miles in the new Asics and it felt great on the feet.about 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Just talked to Caitlin and the grandbabies, they are almost home. Can’t wait to see them.about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Going for a runabout 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Our problems are Gods possibilities. Romans 8:28about 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- There are very few monsters that warrant the fears we have of them. Max lucadoabout 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Bring your fears out of the dark into the light. Most fears are a hell-hatched joy stealing pranks!about 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Evangelism & Church Growth, You are the Key. My topic for Johnson City District Training in the morningabout 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Fixing pancakes for the familyabout 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Prudence calculates the risk & takes the plunge. Paranoia never enters the water.about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Storms are not an option but fear is!about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Jesus doesn’t call us to be oblivious to overwhelming situations. He calls us to pay closer attention to Him & His promises.about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Give the storm waters more attention than the Storm Walker & get ready to sink.about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Look into the storm, that is Christ coming toward you. Max Lucado in Fearlessabout 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Praying for Caitlin, christopher, & Victoria traveling home from Tennessee today. Can’t wait to see them!about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Its my 44th birthday! I was blessed with breath to get up this morning. Looking foreward to an awesome day.about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
This day in the life of your pastor: August 27th, 2009
- Headed to bed, had no idea how late it is until just now, goodnight9:21 PM Aug 27th from TwitterBerry
- My new Asics Gel-Keyano 15 came today and they feel great. Think I might beat Kenneth in a 5K with these light weight baby’s3:15 PM Aug 27th from TwitterBerry
- Had lunch w an awesome bunch of youth leaders today. Planning great things for the Wytheville district, God size things!2:42 PM Aug 27th from TwitterBerry
- Praise the Lord, the final paper that stands between me and graduation is in the mail. Its official!2:31 PM Aug 27th from TwitterBerry
- Chris is the man, checks his IPOD for the # to call from his blackberry1:00 PM Aug 27th from TwitterBerry
- Hanging out @ Out of the Box with district youth leaders11:37 AM Aug 27th from TwitterBerry
- Here we sit, waiting on Chris. He is our fearless leader. But we are afraid because he is not here.10:03 AM Aug 27th from TwitterBerry
- Lunch with District Youth Leaders @ The Hardware Co9:55 AM Aug 27th from TwitterBerry
- I’m done except for one correction, print & mailing. Whew, but still afraid to breathe until it is in the mail.9:31 AM Aug 27th from TwitterBerry
- Kyle is hvaing the typical back to school anxieties, could use your prayers5:16 AM Aug 27th from TwitterBerry
- coffee-writing-gotta finish today-no more tweets unyil I finish!5:07 AM Aug 27th from web
- blogging Shane’s Tool Kit for Radical Methodists www.imagebearer.wordpress.com
Tool Kit for Radical Methodists: Group Prayer
Tool Kit for Radical Methodists: Group Prayer
Are prayer meetings becoming a thing of the past? When I was growing up, there was a Wednesday night prayer meeting at the small rural United Methodist church where my family attended. I vividly remember showing up for another activity at 7:30 PM many Wednesdays and seeing a handful of faithful attendees leaving the church building. I sometimes wondered what went on at a “prayer meeting”. I figured it must be extremely boring since only 4 or 5 people (including the pastor) ever showed up.
I seldom hear the term “prayer meeting” anymore. I occasionally read about prayer services, and there’s usually some prayer in small groups and home fellowships. Committee meetings open and close with a token prayer, and many of us pray over our food when we dine with others. But how often do we get together with at least one other person for the express purpose of praying? I’m talking about prayer with no business meeting, no luncheon, no Sunday School class… where nothing is on the agenda except going before the throne of God with other Christians. The kind of prayer where you don’t stop until God shows up, and then you don’t want to stop!
John Wesley believed in group prayer. His journals give accounts of prayer meetings that lasted late into the night. I get the feeling Wesley’s kind of prayer meeting would seem strange to many of today’s Methodists. The truth is, more than a few of us are a little uncomfortable praying aloud in the presence of others. But there are some advantages to praying with groups. Here are just a few of the benefits:
- People learn how to pray when they hear other people pray. When I’m praying with a group, I always try to listen closely to how others speak to God, especially if I consider them to be effective at praying. Sometimes I sense something going on spiritually when someone prays, so when that happens I try to pay special attention to how they pray. Some people pray with so much faith that their prayers literally instill faith in me.
- Praying with others builds us up. I don’t know why this is the case, but I find it to be true in my own life. When my own prayers don’t seem to be getting past the ceiling, I can pray with someone else and almost always sense a breakthrough.
- Jesus seems to be present in a special way when two or more people get together to pray. That’s not saying he isn’t present when we pray alone. But it’s like he’s present on a different level when a group of people pray. He even said in Matthew 18:20, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (NRSV).
- Group prayer can be more potent in some situations than individual prayer. Jesus said, “…if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19 NRSV). Perhaps praying with others helps us have more faith than when we pray alone. I’ve observed that faith is contagious, and since faith seems to be a condition for answered prayer (see James 1:6-7), it makes sense to pray with a group (i.e. bring in reinforcements), especially when the need for God’s intervention is critical.
- We are less likely to focus only on ourselves when we pray with a group. If you’ve become the subject of most of your prayers, then praying with others is the best antidote for that. It’s easier to think about others when you aren’t by yourself.
- Group prayer sessions are an ideal place to practice spiritual gifts. And the funny thing is, people sometimes start using their spiritual gifts and have absolutely no idea that something supernatural is going on! I’ve heard new Christians begin to prophesy while interceding for someone else, and I’ve personally received some cool visions and words of knowledge when I wasn’t expecting anything.
Here are a few tips on how to do group prayer:
- Start small. Find one or two others and get comfortable praying with them before making the group bigger. When groups start too big, the temptation is to worry too much about what other people are thinking when you pray.
- Find the right person to facilitate. Some people seem to have a gift of spiritual sensitivity. They flow in prayer and in most situations can sense the direction the Holy Spirit ants to take a prayer session. They don’t control the prayer meeting- they simply keep it from getting off track by gently prompting everyone to switch gears when God wants to move things in another direction.
- Use Scripture generously. When you want to hear from God, nothing “primes the pump” like God’s word. Use Bible passages to prepare your heart and mind for praying, and pray some prayers directly from Scripture. Bible passages are also helpful for getting your group back on track when you reach those occasional “dead ends” in prayer.
- Expect big things. If you expect a boring meeting, more than likely, that’s what you’ll get. But if you expect God to show up, chances are he will (but rarely in exactly the way you thought he would.)
- Make group prayer a priority. And don’t wait until you feel like praying. (I hardly ever feel like praying until after I’ve prayed!) Figure out a way to get together with others regularly to pray. Start with meeting once a month, then twice monthly, then weekly. Some groups pray even more often than that.
Remember that group prayer isn’t a substitute for private prayer. Both types of prayer are important for Christians who want to grow spiritually. John Wesley knew this well, because the rapid growth of the early Methodist movement was fueled by prayer, much of which took place at prayer meetings. I believe that rediscovering the prayer meeting for our time could potentially fuel another history-shaping movement.
Posted by Shane Raynor on August 27, 2009 at 02:02 AM |
Source:
http://www.wesleyreport.com/2009/08/tool-kit-for-radical-methodists-group-prayer.html
This Day in The Life of Your Pastor: August 26th, 2009
- God is @ work, another great night @ Out of the Box. Happy Birthday Benabout 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Headed home, homework time with Kyleabout 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Keith M just got his hug for the dayabout 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- When you least expect it Keith!about 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- 60 plus people at Out of the Box, awesomeabout 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- headed to Out of the Box, we’re having a party!about 13 hours ago from web
- been answering, filing and deleting e-mail all day. Started with 100 and now have 104about 13 hours ago from web
- if I get this project ready and mailed in tomorrow to the seminary it will be the best birthday present I could receive. I think I canabout 14 hours ago from web
- calendars: having more than one is a lot of work but the schedule is getting so challenging that I am going to multipleabout 14 hours ago from web
- watching Nooma Rob Bell “Rain” going to use it at OOTB tonightabout 15 hours ago from web
- Mocha Joe Time and Mailing books, keep those sale’s comingabout 15 hours ago from web
- 100 e-mails, they just never stop, but then I love it all at the same time!about 16 hours ago from web
- Praying for Mason Graham who is not feeling well and is at the doctor this morningabout 18 hours ago from web
- Looking for a good used 4 wheeler with a great price. 4 wheel driveabout 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Guess what were riding 4 wheelers and wishing we were going to the beach. Not fair Cindy but I don’t blame youabout 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- only 2 more shopping days to the big day, know what it is?about 22 hours ago from web
- helping to update church membership records. Has anything changed in your membership status that we need to know about?about 22 hours ago from web
- Praise, we have every 1st & 2nd Thursday of each month covered 4 tutoring @ Out of the Box. Who would like 2 take the 3rd Thursday each mth?about 22 hours ago from web
- Oh no, Kyle says he is being pinched by a girl on the bus, could be love!about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Waiting @ the bus stop with Kyleabout 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I am praying today is the day for the paper to go out. I have a lot of other things to do.about 24 hours ago from web
This Day In The Life of Your Pastor: August 26th, 2009
- bed time, Samuel will not go without daddy anymoreabout 8 hours ago from web
- homework with Kyle and it is past his bed timeabout 9 hours ago from web
- Great meeting, the committee is working hard, done early, late dinner with the familyabout 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Thinking about Kyle and Judah’s baptism. Gotta set a date.about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I am speaking for FCA september 2nd. Wonder what I should speak about.about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- going to a nominations committee meeting, then home for a late dinner and more writingabout 12 hours ago from web
- Speaking of Powerful music. You need to hear SouledOutabout 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- The music seems to have helped in my thoughts and writing. Oh the power of music!about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- watching David Crowder play an altered Guitar Hero, Awesomeabout 15 hours ago from web
- Look over your shoulder; that’s God following you.about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Mocha Joe time-writing-listening to David Crowderabout 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Don’t be afraid, He said, Take courage. I am here! Matthew 14:27about 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Reading Fearless and having a bite for lunchabout 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- blogging if I could only be so cool www.imagebearer.wordpress.comabout 19 hours ago from web
- We have the 1st Thurs of every month @ Out of the Box covered 4 tutoring. Who would like 2 take another time & be a part of changing a lifeabout 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Samuel just barricaded the door with his body to keep me from leavingabout 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Going for a 2 mile walk with Misty and the little onesabout 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Swinging on the sky fort with Samuelabout 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Riding 4 wheelers with Samuelabout 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- ASICS Men’s GEL-Kayano 15 Running Shoe by ASICS http://amzn.com/B0029F2GOCabout 22 hours ago from web
- oops missing a meeting on Thursday. Have 2 schedueledabout 23 hours ago from web
- good morning-coffee-writing-answering e-mail4:30 AM Aug 25th from web
This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor: August 24th, 2009
- A blessed day. Worked hard, ran, quality time with the family, tired. God is @ work @ 1st Hillsville & in our livesabout 8 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Doing spelling words with Kyle. This is why I have no hair!about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Just finished 5.2 milesabout 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- lots of things accomplished today.Can’t wait to see the family, go for a run and dinner out with my wife, all my boys, and mom and dadabout 15 hours ago from web
- having lots of slow problems with yahoo mail today. Could just be the internet connection.about 17 hours ago from web
- working on filling the Committees for 2010 with just the people God would have in those Ministry positionsabout 18 hours ago from web
- wishing Girls V-Ball the best for tonight, Go CCHSabout 18 hours ago from web
- I have to learn how to respond to direct messages on twitter, confused a bitabout 18 hours ago from web
- Not after they went to pay onlyabout 19 hours ago from txt
- just ordered See You At The Pole t-shirts & arm bands to give away at the Rally September 16th @ downtown stage, Hillsvilleabout 19 hours ago from web
- youth have completed budget request for OOTB and Youth in generalabout 19 hours ago from web
- just turned in budget request for web ministry siteabout 19 hours ago from web
- just talked w Misty & Mike on the ph, lv both of em so much,I am so blessed. What did we do w/out cell phs, youth will not understand thatabout 19 hours ago from web
- attitude will make or break another persons day and by the way, it will make or break yours also!about 19 hours ago from web
- Mocha Joe timeabout 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Just mailed care packages to college students. Praying for all of them!about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Wow, God is good!about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- sending letters to the college students, bunch of them, Awesomeabout 21 hours ago from web
- Jesus is not a crutch. Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother or sister. Go out and be Jesus to your world today.about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- It is going to be an awesome week. Getting ready to head to the office in a few. Working on the paper today along w nominations committeeabout 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Coffee-writing3:55 AM Aug 24th from TwitterBerry
This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor: August 23rd, 2009
- Praise, Mike got home safely. Praying for a great work week for him. Lots of exercise for him this week.about 7 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Made some good progress on the paper but Samuel refuses 2 go 2 bed without me. He fell asleep N my arms. paper will have 2 wait till morningabout 7 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- working on the paperabout 8 hours ago from web
- praying for the members of St. Elmo UMC, Chattanooga. Their church burned this evening.about 9 hours ago from web
- Dinner with the family, pastors tend to eat after servicesabout 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- שָׁלוֹםabout 14 hours ago from web
- anyone want to make a difference in the world? Kyle has an 11 year old sister who needs a forever family! Lets Talkabout 16 hours ago from web
- Everyone is welcome @ Sunday Night Live 630pm 1st Hillsville No dress code, come in your shorts and sandals. SouledOut is leading worshipabout 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Just saw someone pop their false teeth out in the restaurant and clean them with their tongue. Don’t know about that?about 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- What is the opposite of a peacemaker?about 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Getting takeout from Hungry Farmer, love their gravy!about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I miss Mike and the kids. On vacation, Mike is traveling home today. Pray for safety.about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Sunday Morning Church attendance: the day of the week doesn’t matter but your attendance does. It is what undergirds everything that we doabout 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I have a new theory on baldness & I think I could start a new denomination with it. Come to SNLabout 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- getting ready to start the 11am worship service @ 1st Hillsville UMCabout 20 hours ago from web
- just opened the 8:30am service, now headed to Out Of The Box to hang out with the coolest youth in Carroll Countyabout 22 hours ago from web
- Would it be better to be like God and know everything or to be a child of God and heirs of His Kingdom? I have the latter!about 23 hours ago from web
- absolute pwr is unreachable, pole 2 the top is greasy, & the ladar rungs R made of cardboard, Wn U stand @ the top the only way 2 go is downabout 23 hours ago from web
This Day In The Life of Your Pastor: August 22nd, 2009
- Have you seen Jesus today? I have!about 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Francis of Assisi’s great prayer “Make me an Instrument of Thy Peace”about 10 hours ago from web
- blogging blessed are the peacemakers www.imagebearer.wordpress.comabout 11 hours ago from web
- working on SNL Sermonabout 11 hours ago from web
- Our new Chamin toilet paper says it is durable & long lasting. Would someone xplain why it would need 2 B long lastingabout 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Just finished 4 miles, feel energizedabout 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Tired, mentally and physicallyabout 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Ok can’t get Keith to man up and go run with me so I am going for a leisurely 7 milerabout 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Thinking about going to K Ville to run in a 5K. Too bad my friend K Musser aint tuff enough to make it.about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I love to mow and I will miss it this winter which seems to be already upon us.about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Wow Keith, Sussie just ran 13.1 milesabout 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Congratulations to Sussie, finished her half marathon 13.1 miles under 3 hours, a PRabout 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Yard mowing timeabout 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Sermon prep: tell me what area in your life you need peace the most.about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- 10 pages written this morning. Going out to play with the kids now! More writing later.about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Coffee-writing4:34 AM Aug 22nd from TwitterBerry
Blessed are the Peacemakers
Telemachus was a monk who lived in the 4th century AD. He felt God saying to him, “Go to Rome.” He was in a monastery. He put his possessions in a sack and set out for Rome. When he arrived in the city, people were thronging into the streets. He asked why all the excitement and was told that this was the day that the gladiators would be fighting and killing each other in the coliseum, the day of the games, the circus. He thought to himself, “This many centuries after Christ and they are still killing each other, for enjoyment?” He ran to the coliseum and heard the gladiators saying, “Hail to Caesar, we die for Caesar,” and he thought, “this isn’t right.” He jumped over the railing and went out into the middle of the field, got between two gladiators, held up his hands and said, “In the name of Christ, forbear.” The crowd protested and began to shout,” Run him through, run him through.” A gladiator came over and hit him in the stomach with the back of his sword. It sent him sprawling in the sand. He got up and ran back and said again, “In the name of Christ, forbear.” The crowd continued to chant, “Run him through.” One gladiator came over and plunged his sword through the monk’s stomach and he fell into the sand, which began to turn red with his blood. One last time he gasped out, “In the name of Christ, forbear.” A hush came over the 80,000 people in the coliseum. Soon a man stood and left, then another and more, and within minutes all 80,000 had emptied out of the arena. It was the last known gladiatorial contest in the history of Rome.
This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor: August 21st, 2009
- Good kicking tonight Mason King!about 7 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Keith Musser director of SHLABAM!, I like turtles.com, and all burns towards ronnie. Too funny Keith!about 8 hours ago from web
- Having dinner w Kenneth, Teresa, chase, and momabout 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- “Peacemaking requires people who work tirelessly 4 a just society that mirrors, however obliquely, the Kingdom Of God” James Howellabout 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Reading “The Beatitudes For Today” by James Howell, a pastor in Charlotte NCabout 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Wish I could go to the Cavs game. Honestly I think rain games are the bestabout 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- headed to the post office then home. yard has to be mowed, sold a bedroom suite and moving that today, busy dayabout 16 hours ago from web
- just created an event on facebook for Divine Rythem group from Hillsville 2010, go sign upabout 16 hours ago from web
- working on Divine Rythem Group from Hillsville for January 29-31, 2010about 16 hours ago from web
- just received a huge blessing, a member brought lunch to me, Lasagnaabout 18 hours ago from web
- we have just been blessed with a gift of $100.00 for the down payment on a Wii for Out Of The Box, who would like to help finish that gift?about 18 hours ago from web
- we need party foods for Out Of The Box Youth Night this Wednesday night. Who can help?about 18 hours ago from web
- working on schedules for OOTB Tutoring, this is a great opportunity. I am signing people up nowabout 18 hours ago from web
- Praying for Anne Travis Mother, Anne you work hard and we appreciate youabout 18 hours ago from web
- working on theSee You At The Pole Rally @ Downtown Stage in Hillsville September 16th @ 6:30pm. Gonna be a BLAST!about 19 hours ago from web
- I will be in the Dunking Booth @ Joy Ranch @ 3pm this Saturday: Busy Dayabout 19 hours ago from web
- working on the community partnership with Carroll County Schools, Awesomeabout 19 hours ago from web
- sortin, filing, answering, and deleting 300 e-mailsabout 19 hours ago from web
- Only 6 more shopping days until my birthday & here is a wish Misty: Youth Ministry 3.0: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are & Where We Need to Goabout 19 hours ago from web
- Mocha Joe time, did you doubt it?about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- One of my flaws is that I am a stress eater & right now I can’t get full!about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I am preaching 5 times from this Sunday through the next. Desire your prayers. Pray for truth and radical life change for allabout 21 hours ago from web
- SYATP is September 23rd @ Local Schools www.imagebearer.wordpress.comabout 21 hours ago from web
- blogging SYATP Rally is September 16th Downtown Hillsville www.imagebearer.wordpress.comabout 21 hours ago from web
- packing up books and moving them out!about 22 hours ago from web
- Cavalier Football @ Galax tonight, Go Cavsabout 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Working on Sunday Night Live Sermon “Blessed are the peacemakers”about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Downloading AVG Free Virus Software onto Misty’s Netbookabout 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- For those who trust God, death is nothing more than a transition to heaven.about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Have I accommodated Jesus into my own world view or have I allowed Him to radically transform my worldview?about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.about 24 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Blessed are the PeaceMakersabout 24 hours ago from TwitterBerry
MORE BULLETIN BLOOPERS
(or, “Does anyone ever proofread these things?”)
~ Please welcome Pastor Don, a caring individual who loves hurting people.
~ Come out this evening for a time of prayer and sinning.
~ A woman’s blouse was found at a table in the middle of the servant appreciation dinner. If you lost your blouse, please come to the church office.
~ Overeaters Anonymous meeting will be held at 8 p.m. in the large room.
~ The ladies in the style show will meet with their dresses down in front after morning worship.
~ A worm welcome to all who have come today.
~ Sermon Outline:
I. Delineate your fear
II. Disown your fear
III. Displace your rear
~ Next Friday we will be serving hot gods for lunch.
~ If you would like to make a donation, fill out a form, enclose a check and drip in the collection basket.
HOLY SPIRIT, THE CHURCH
A character in John Updike’s novel A Month of Sundays, reflecting on his youthful experience of the church, says, “Churches bore for me the relation to God that billboards did to Coca-Cola; they promoted thirst but did nothing to quench it.”
The Holy Spirit empowers the church to be the agent of change in the world, a counter-cultural entity. The task of the church is to breathe in the Spirit and be inspired by the Spirit to act on behalf of God. But the church has been waiting to exhale far too long. As the Spirit of God flows into us, it also ought to flow from us in the way we treat one another, the way we speak to one another, in the way we treat others in our community, in the way we live out the new life we receive when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord. (eSermons.com newsletter)
Highlights from the Church Council Meeting – August 10
Highlights from the Church Council Meeting – August 10
- The process for obtaining speakers to deliver messages at any worship service was clarified. All speakers must be approved by the senior pastor.
- The work of our youth under the support and guidance of our youth pastor and leaders is continuing to impact the spreading of the gospel through the Out of the Box ministry. Attendance at the Wednesday night Bible study on August 5 was 54; 82 participated on August 12 and 62 were present on August 19.
- The Fellowship Hall will be the site to host members of the Carroll County High School JV and Varsity football teams and cheerleaders. Five churches will take turns to provide a pre-game meal for each of the home games on September 11,18 and 25; October 23 and 30.
- Beginning August 25, our church will join with the Carroll County Public Schools to provide after-school tutoring for students each Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM at the Out of the Box site. Teachers from the school system will serve as tutors; volunteers from our church will be present to assist with any special needs.
The Church Council meets the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Upper Room. Members of Council include the chairpersons of the church’s twenty ministry areas, nine at-large members, the pastors and those serving in positions as Church Treasurer, Lay Leader and Recording Secretary. Church members are always welcome to attend these meetings. The next Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 14. Highlights from that meeting will be in the October newsletter.
See You At The Pole Rally is September 16th in Downtown Hillsville
Stay Tuned for Details coming SOON!
Ronnie
This Day in the Life of Your Pastor: Auguat 20th, 2009
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Praying for a great night of sleep for all the family and travel safety for mike and family, traveling to Gatlinburgabout 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I have said it before, I am a blessed man.about 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I am blessed, sold 103 books on amazon so farabout 11 hours ago from web
- Eating takeout from Odellsabout 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Ok the 1000 harleys turned out to be about 50, guess the rain scared them offabout 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I love the rain but I want the little ones to see the Harley Parade, not looking positiveabout 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Headed downtown Mt airy to the Hogg Parade. Supposed to be 1000 Harley’s. Taking Kyle, Christopher, & Samuelabout 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Reading Fearless by Lucadoabout 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- 1st Hillsville UMC is doing our 1st Couples Retreat. “I Dare You, Love Your Mate” December 4th & 5th @ Camp Dickenson. Make the investmentabout 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Couples Retreat: I Dare You, Love Your Mate! December 4th & 5th check facebook eventsabout 16 hours ago from web
- Riding 4 wheelers with Samuelabout 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- @ the grave site of my sister. Judy has been dead 20 years now, how can that be? I wish there had been a group like Out of the Box for her.about 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- @ the funeral for Kenneths dadabout 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I have finally started to get the flow for my writing but just remembered that I have a newsletter article due today, yikesabout 23 hours ago from web
- Fixing breakfast while Misty gets the kids ready to go for a check-up at the doctor6:39 AM Aug 20th from TwitterBerry
- Heaven is gonna be a party so next week were havin a party @ Out of the Box. Stay tuned for details6:00 AM Aug 20th from TwitterBerry
- Just discovered something in Matthew 14:16 it is not recorded that the people ever asked to be fed. Jesus told the disciples, you feed them!4:59 AM Aug 20th from TwitterBerry
- “If all your facebook friends jumped off a cliff, would you do the same thing”? Jeff Scott4:45 AM Aug 20th from TwitterBerry
- Worry has more questions than answers, more work than energy, and thinks often about giving up. Max Lucado in Fearless So true!4:42 AM Aug 20th from TwitterBerry
- Still no internet @ home this morning, thankful for the blackberry.4:38 AM Aug 20th from TwitterBerry
Making Disciples @ Out Of The Box
I know what some are saying, that these pictures are not signs of making disciples but they are.
Jesus made disciples one at a time. He spent time with them and taught them. They were the ones he spent day and night with. The multitudes only had brief intervals with him.
I will be the first to say that these pictures look like a bunch of people drinking monsters and having a good time and they are drinking monsters and having a good time. Just before we took these pictures 62 of us were involved in Bible Study and prayer time. In these pictures 62 of us are involved in fun and fellowship. We are building relationships, we are listening to their hopes and their hurts. We are getting to know who they are and helping them discover who Jesus is.
There is a lot of work that goes into having a night at Out of the Box that most people never see. However, it all goes back to building relationships and we are doing that at OOTB. Join us!
Ronnie
About Ronnie G. Collins
I am the Planting Pastor of Out of the Box Worship Center and I also serve as the Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Hillsville Virginia. We are a Multi Site Church, one church in multiple locations. Our 1st campus is located at 225 Fulcher Street in Hillsville Virginia. Our 2nd location is on Main Street in Hillsville, FUMC Downtown, Out of the Box Worship Center, and our 3rd location is 522 North Main Street in Hillsville and this is our Youth Ministry Center, FUMC Downtown “Out of the Box”, Youth Ministry. The most recent ministry we have is “Out Of The Box Worship Center” and we are located at 516 North Main Street Hillsville. This site is now my main focus, along with the Youth Ministry.
I have a Passion to see hurting people come to know Jesus Christ. I believe that we as Christians have to demonstrate God’s Love to the world, rather than just telling them they are loved. I am married and have 3 sons two very special nephews that are like sons, 2 grandchildren, 5 great nephews, and one great niece that are like grandchildren. I am a blessed man.
I attended school at Carroll County High School, Wytheville Community College, Liberty University, and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.
My passions are as follows:
God
Family
Others
Reading
Running
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/ronnie24317
Twitter http://twitter.com/ronnie24317
Three Minute Thursday’s http://www.facebook.com/threeminutethursdays
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