Imagebearer’s Weblog

My Babies

Queen Victoria Our Grandaughter

Time to go to work

Our Grandson Christopher Gray

I am ready to build

Samuel our 29 month old son

There is nothing I would rather do than be with our family. God has blessed us with beautiful, healthy children.

To whom much is given much is required.

Ronnie

January 31, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Judah is applauding our speaker

Judah had a great time this weekend at Divine Rhythm. He has learned to lift his hands in praise and applaud for the folks on stage.

Ronnie

January 31, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Grace, our Divine Rhythm speaker, Mark 16: 1-8

Grace spoke on Mark 16: 1-8 this morning and she talked about Jesus saying “I will meet you in Galilee” in other words, I will go there before you. No matter the situation you face, Jesus is there before you, no need to fear.

Ray and Laura were blessed to be able to talk with Grace last night after the service and they truly received a blessing from her genuine kindness and concern for who they were.

Ronnie

January 31, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Judah is in the Jeep (Gods Jeep) ready to worship @ Divine Rhythm

January 31, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor – January 30th, 2010

1. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call on you. Psalm 86:5 http://myloc.me/3mU6O about 3 hours ago from UberTwitter

2. bed-tired-not as young as I once was- God has sent U a text message, have U read it? about 10 hours ago from web

3. @keithmusser521 that would be me and Jordan Craig Worrell http://myloc.me/3mcUO about 11 hours ago from UberTwitter in reply to keithmusser521

4. Samuel just called me crying saying ”daddy I want U” breaks my heart. Im blessed with my 4 boys, having great time but can’t wait 2 get home about 12 hours ago from UberTwitter

5. Challenge to 1st Hillsville, no church tomorrow. Read the entire book of Matthew and text or fb what you learn. It is Gods text message 2 U about 13 hours ago from UberTwitter

6. UberTwitter, I like it better than Open Beak http://myloc.me/3lWBq about 14 hours ago from UberTwitter

7. The way you live speaks to your belief in God or your dis-belief http://myloc.me/3lWll about 14 hours ago from UberTwitter

8. Had an awesome steak dinner with Marty and the folks from Mt Olivet UMC http://myloc.me/3lQ2D about 15 hours ago from UberTwitter

9. did you know it’s cool to look like you when you come to Out Of The Box? about 17 hours ago from web

10. did U know it is cool to pray @ Out of the Box with your hat on? about 17 hours ago from web

11. SNL is canceled tomorrow night along with all srvcs @ 1st Hillsville tomorrow. Next time we meet will b Super Bowl Sunday @ OOTB 5pm Worship about 18 hours ago from web

12. lake junaluska doesn’t take reservations on the weekend. didn’t know about 18 hours ago from web

13. Myrtle Beach Marathon is 2 weeks away, this is gonna hurt! http://myloc.me/3lHoG about 19 hours ago from UberTwitter

14. All Sunday Services R canceled @ 1st UMC Hillsville due to weather conditions Sunday January 31st http://myloc.me/3lGNr about 19 hours ago from UberTwitter

15. Beat her twice and she quit http://myloc.me/3lCw9 about 20 hours ago from UberTwitter

16. Scrabble, tearing Misty up http://myloc.me/3lBWj about 21 hours ago from UberTwitter

17. Afternoon break, should I work or nap? http://myloc.me/3lzbH about 21 hours ago from UberTwitter

18. Lunch @ Flapjacks http://myloc.me/3lxuP about 22 hours ago from UberTwitter

19. Ok everyone @ 1st Hillsville if u are 18~40 u need 2 plan to come 2 Divine Rhythm in 2011 http://myloc.me/3luRX about 22 hours ago from UberTwitter

20. God always asks what do u want me to do 4 u bcause you need to have a part n your healing http://myloc.me/3lsSb about 20 hours ago from UberTwitter

21. God is on the unlimited texting plan http://myloc.me/3lrvN about 21 hours ago from UberTwitter

22. RT @WXII: Correction: 1800 State Troopers deployed, 38 National Guard troops deployed in NC http://myloc.me/3lp4e about 21 hours ago from UberTwitter

23. RT @WXII: Perdue: North Carolina is in a state of emergency. 1800 national guard troops deployed http://myloc.me/3logN about 21 hours ago from UberTwitter

24. RT @RevMSlaughter: As always, was in the word early today to experience the pulse of God. What about you? http://myloc.me/3lmD9 about 21 hours ago from UberTwitter

25. RT @MaxLucado: See your struggle as God’s canvas. On it he will paint his multicolored supremacy. http://myloc.me/3lh3F about 22 hours ago from UberTwitter

26. Breakfast then spiritual food @ Divine Rhythm http://myloc.me/3lf1R about 22 hours ago from UberTwitter

27. Judah checking facebook http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2010/01/30/judah-checking-facebook-1st-thing-this-am-he-is-addicted/ about 23 hours ago from web

28. RT @shawnlovejoy: Anything other than Jesus is not living water and will not satisfy us. Period. (See Jn 4). http://myloc.me/3laTn about 23 hours ago from UberTwitter

29. RT @perrynoble: Many people would rather choose the certainty associated with slavery than the uncertainty associated with freedom! about 23 hours ago from UberTwitter

30. we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Romans 3:28 about 23 hours ago from web

31. all have sinned & fall short of the glory of God, & all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. about 23 hours ago from web

32. through the law we become conscious of our sin. about 23 hours ago from web

33. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: Romans 1:16 about 23 hours ago from web

34. reading a text message from God this morning

January 31, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Day 31-90 Days to read the New Testament (TNIV)

Romans 4

Abraham Justified by Faith

¹ What then shall we say that Abraham, the forefather of us Jews, discovered in this matter? ² If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. ³ What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” ^[a]

⁴ Now to anyone who works, their wages are not credited to them as a gift, but as an obligation. ⁵ However, to anyone who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. ⁶ David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of those to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

⁷ “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.

⁸ Blessed are those
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” ^[b]

⁹ Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. ¹⁰ Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! ¹¹ And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. ¹² And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

¹³ It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. ¹⁴ For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, ¹⁵ because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

¹⁶ Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. ¹⁷ As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” ^[c] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

¹⁸ Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” ^{[d] 19} Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. ²⁰ Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹ being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. ²² This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” ²³ The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, ²⁴ but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵ He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Romans 5

Peace and Hope

¹ Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we ^[e] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we ^[f] boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we ^[g] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

⁹ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹ Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

¹² Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

¹³ To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

¹⁵ But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! ¹⁶ Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. ¹⁷ For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

¹⁸ Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all. ¹⁹ For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

²⁰ The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, ²¹ so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

January 31, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Random Divine Rhythm 2010

Saturday was an awesome day of worship and fellowship. We were invited to a Steak Dinner with the group from Mt. Olivet UMC. Awesome time and awesome people.

Ronnie

January 30, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Hillsville’s 2nd Snow Storm of 2010 Compliments of Jordan Worrell

We are missing it, Pigeon Forge has mostly sleet, however the ground is white here and The Holy Spirit is Alive and Well @ Divine Rhythm.

Ronnie

January 30, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Judah checking facebook 1st thing this am, he is addicted

January 30, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor – January 29th, 2010

1. time for bed, been a great day of worship about 11 hours ago from web

2. Resurrection was awesome last week, Divine Rhythm is awesome this week, I know Convocation is going to top it all off next week about 11 hours ago from web

3. Divine Rhythm http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/our-speaker-divine-rhythm/ about 11 hours ago from web

4. Baptism is like a ”tatoo” on your soul, Gods permanent mark on your soul http://myloc.me/3kc9N about 13 hours ago from UberTwitter

5. If you touch me you touch Jesus because I’m clothed in the Robe of Jesus http://myloc.me/3kbyU about 13 hours ago from UberTwitter

6. Wow, our speaker is anointed, amazing grace http://myloc.me/3kaPv about 13 hours ago from UberTwitter

7. Our speaker ”Grace” calls the scripture a ”text message” booyah http://myloc.me/3k8m5 about 14 hours ago from UberTwitter

8. Oh no, the worship lerader @ Divine Rhythm just whipped out his cell phone & read the bible on stage from the cell. http://myloc.me/3k6Cb about 14 hours ago from UberTwitter

9. @ Divine Rhythm http://myloc.me/3k1Kk about 15 hours ago from UberTwitter

10. The ground is white in Gatlinburg and the snow is falling http://myloc.me/3jWOP about 16 hours ago from UberTwitter

11. Got the new motor N the Jeep and its doing great. Thank you Montgomery Auto http://myloc.me/3jWHF about 16 hours ago from UberTwitter

12. Dinner @ Cracker Barrel with Ray & Laura http://myloc.me/3jWBC about 16 hours ago from UberTwitter

13. We have arrived in Pigeon Forge http://myloc.me/3jTcH about 17 hours ago from UberTwitter

14. praying for Josh Hill, please join me about 24 hours ago from web

15. http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/embracing-the-tools-god-has-given-us-for-2010-to-reach-the-world/ about 24 hours ago from web

16. check it http://bit.ly/cEvcxq about 22 hours ago from web

17. RT @gregsurratt: Baby Boomers and Seniors Are Flocking to Facebook [STATS] http://tinyurl.com/ycdt9p8 http://myloc.me/3ji9C about 23 hours ago from UberTwitter

18. RT @FluGov: Reuters: New Study Shows Masks, Hand Sanitizers Help Halt Flu Spread. http://bit.ly/bNPShg #H1N1 http://myloc.me/3ji1l about 23 hours ago from UberTwitter

19. Are you ready to follow Jesus? about 23 hours ago from web

20. SNL January 31st http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/snl-january-31st-1st-hillsville-w-souledout-and-ronnie/ about 23 hours ago from web

21. Jesus calls us to leave behind those places that make us feel secure to those places where we are needed. about 24 hours ago from web

22. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life.” Jesus about 24 hours ago from web

23. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. BIG Responsibility 5:45 AM Jan 29th from web

24. Don’t let anyone look down on U bcause U R young, but set an example 4 the believers N speech N conduct N love N faith & N purity. Timothy 5:44 AM Jan 29th from web

25. physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 5:42 AM Jan 29th from web

26. getting used to the Curve 8330, it has some features that I really like but it is too big and bulky, I am sure I will get accustomed to it 5:27 AM Jan 29th from web

27. Salvation is free, … but discipleship will cost you your life. — Dietrich Bonhoeffer 5:23 AM Jan 29th from web

28. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35 4:57 AM Jan 29th from UberTwitter

January 30, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

50 Golden Days/Holston Conference UMC/Evangelism

Witness Team Challenge 2010

The following is a letter written by Harry Denman in 1949

Dear Friend:

This letter is to ask every pastor not to observe Pentecost on June 5, but to meet the conditions so that every church will have a Pentecost on that day. It can be done if we will organize our church to witness to the fact that Jesus is Christ and that he is alive and can save persons from sin and death.

Easter to Pentecost

Fifty Golden Days of Evangelism

EASTER, We celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Redeemer. We have a living Christ. This is the beginning of evangelism. Why shouldn’t every church organize visitation teams to visit one night each week during this period and secure thousands of first commitments for Christ and his church, to be received on Pentecost Sunday, June 5?

FAMILY WEEK. May 1-8, This is a splendid time to visit young families and secure their first commitment for Christ and his church and establish a Christian home. What holy days they are, Easter to Pentecost, Including Family Week!

There were One-hundred-twenty in the Upper Room. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Three thousand were baptized that first Pentecost. How many will be baptized in our churches on Pentecost Sunday 1949?

Let us pray and work daily that every church will have a Pentecost.

Your Friend, Harry Denman

Shepherds, May 1949

Source: The Prophetic Evangelist

In memory of Evangelist Harry Denman, the Witness Team is presenting a challenge to all United Methodist Churches in the Holston Conference.

Easter Sunday is April 4th, 2010 and Pentecost Sunday is May 23. There are 50 days between Easter and Pentecost. We are presenting the challenge to each church to organize visitation teams to visit and knock on doors in your community one night each week during these 50 days with the intentional purpose of inviting people to church.

In his book “The Unchurched Next Door”, Thom Rainer and his group conducted a scientific survey and found the following results.

• 82 percent of the unchurched are at least “somewhat likely” to attend church if they are invited.
• 8 out of 10 unchurched persons said they would come to church if they were invited.
• Only 21 percent of active churchgoers invite anyone to church in the course of a year.
• Only 2 percent of church members invite an unchurched person to church.
• Very few of the unchurched have had someone share with them how to become a Christian.
• The unchurched would like to develop a real and sincere relationship with a Christian.

“For years I have been asked how churches can grow. I have consulted with hundreds of church leaders across America, leaders who sincerely desire that their churches reach people. “Why aren’t we reaching people?” I am often asked. “Why is our society so resistant to the gospel?” many inquire.

“After nearly a decade of research and almost fifteen years of consulting with churches, I am becoming more and more convinced that the answers to most of these questions can be found in the mirror. Nearly 130 million people in the United States alone would come to church if they were invited. And if they came, many would hear about the Savior who offers the only way of salvation.”

Thom S. Rainer, The Unchurched Next Door

When is the last time you invited an unchurched person to church?

The Witness Team will offer suggestions for the teams of people in your church who will be visiting the homes in your community.

We will provide you with computer models of door knockers to leave at the homes where no one is available, post cards to make follow-up contacts and many other tools for reaching your community for Christ. We will make these tools available on the Holston Conference web site in the near future.

There will be a reporting tool on the web site as well as a phone number that you can call to report the number of visits made by your church as well as the visitors who attend your services.

Please e-mail us to let us know that your church will participate in “50 Golden Days of Evangelism 2008”. Someone will then contact you with further information.

Let us pray and work daily that each of our churches will have a Pentecost Sunday on May 23, 2010.

If you have questions, please contact Rev. Ronnie Collins of The Holston Conference Witness Team 276-728-2434 or ronnie24317@yahoo.com

There are more posts where you can read details of this event included here.

Ronnie

holston-challenge-2010

January 30, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Day 30-90 Days to read the New Testament (TNIV)

Romans 1

¹ Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— ² the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures ³ regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life ^[a] was a descendant of David, ⁴ and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power ^[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. ⁵ Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to faith and obedience for his name’s sake. ⁶ And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

⁷ To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. ⁹ God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you ¹⁰ in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

¹¹ I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. ¹³ I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

¹⁴ I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

¹⁶ I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, ^[c] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” ^[d]

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

¹⁸ The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of human beings who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

²¹ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal human beings and birds and animals and reptiles.

²⁴ Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. ²⁵ They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

²⁶ Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. ²⁷ In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

²⁸ Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. ²⁹ They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; ³¹ they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. ³² Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 2

God’s Righteous Judgment

¹ You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. ² Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. ³ So when you, a mere human, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? ⁴ Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

⁵ But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. ⁶ God “will repay everyone according to what they have done.” ^{[e] 7} To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. ⁸ But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. ⁹ There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; ¹⁰ but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. ¹¹ For God does not show favoritism.

¹² All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. ¹³ For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. ¹⁴ (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) ¹⁶ This will take place on the day when God judges everyone’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

The Jews and the Law

¹⁷ Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; ¹⁸ if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; ¹⁹ if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— ²¹ you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? ²² You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? ²³ You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? ²⁴ As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” ^[f]

²⁵ Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. ²⁶ If those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? ²⁷ The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the ^[g] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

²⁸ A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. ²⁹ No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

Romans 3

God’s Faithfulness

¹ What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? ² Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.

³ What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? ⁴ Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:
“So that you may be proved right when you speak
and prevail when you judge.” ^[h]

⁵ But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) ⁶ Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? ⁷ Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” ⁸ Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—”Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!

No One Is Righteous

⁹ What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. ¹⁰ As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;

¹¹ there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.

¹² All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.” ^[i]

¹³ “Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.” ^[j]
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.” ^[k]

¹⁴ “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” ^[l]

¹⁵ “Their feet are swift to shed blood;

¹⁶ ruin and misery mark their ways,

¹⁷ and the way of peace they do not know.” ^[m]

¹⁸ “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” ^[n]

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. ²⁰ Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

Righteousness Through Faith

²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. ²² This righteousness is given through faith in ^[o] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, ^[p] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— ²⁶ he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

²⁷ Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the “law” that requires faith. ²⁸ For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from observing the law. ²⁹ Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, ³⁰ since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. ³¹ Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

January 30, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

God’s Jeep

Lots of stories to tell about the Jeep but I am just glad to have it back. Last week the motor went out and this week Montgomery Auto in Hillsville put a new Jasper Rebuilt Engine back in. It comes with a 100,000 mile warranty and it runs like a purring kitten. Thanks Greg and Mary for getting it so quick and making it possible for us to have the Jeep to drive to Divine Rhythm.

We need it with the sleet and snow that is falling here in Pigeon Forge.

God has blessed me with a great vehicle and a great mechanic.

Ronnie

January 29, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Judah and our Divine Rhythm Trip

Judah holding Ray's finger

Judah and Ray @ Divine Rhythm

January 29, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Our speaker @ Divine Rhythm

Ephesians 2:8 it is by grace we are saved.

Speaker:  Reverend Grace Imathiu
Worship Leader: The Casey Darnell Band

Here are some memorable lines from tonight’s worship service.

Baptism is like a ”tatoo” on your soul, Gods permanent mark on your soul.

Wow, our speaker is anointed, amazing grace.

Our speaker ”Grace” calls the scripture a ”text message” booyah

Oh no, the worship leader @ Divine Rhythm just whipped out his cell phone & read the bible on stage from the cell. Pun intended!

This is the 1st year that 1st Hillsville has come to Divine Rhythm, Wow, so glad we have come and we are only past the first worship service.

Ronnie

January 29, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Embracing The Tools God has Given us for 2010 to Reach the World

When Jesus walked the earth more than 2000 years ago, He used the tools that were available to Him in that time to reach the World with the Cause of Christ.

Jesus read from the Scrolls in the Temple

Jesus taught numerous people outdoors where the most people could gather

Jesus rode a donkey

Jesus traveled on a boat

Jesus used examples of His day, such as, sowing seed, moving mountains (Herod had a mountain moved), tending vineyards, etc…

How do these things compare to today?

We can read from leather clad bibles or we can read scripture from out cell phone

We can meet in indoor arenas that hold thousands or we can use blogs, facebook, twitter, texting, and even television

We drive cars, ride motorcycles, and fly in airplanes

We use examples in video, computers, etc…

What am I saying?

We have the most opportunity in the history of the world to reach the world for Jesus Christ. Lets learn to use the tools and embrace them in order to meet people where they are and minister God’s love to them.

At 1st Hillsville UMC where I serve as the Associate Pastor on Sunday Night, we are embracing everything that God has given us to reach the world for Jesus Christ. We started a few years ago with a dedicated group of leaders and young people who led us in worship songs that were more upbeat and music styles that the youth and many adults of today like to listen to.

Music is not Godly or Ungodly – Lyrics are! You may prefer one type of music over another but it is just that, what you prefer. It may be what ministers to you the most but that does not mean what you prefer is what ministers to others the most. It is the lyrics that contain either Godly or un-Godly words, the music is a preference.

Texting, Twitter, Facebook, and even e-mail which is passse with the Youth Culture of today, all of these can be used to further the Kingdom of God. they are not un-Godly and it is not un-Godly to have them in the church building. We have consecrated (set apart) the church building as a place that is sacred and Holy and I have set apart my twitter account as something that is Holy.

I invite you to come to 1st Hillsville UMC on Sunday Night @ 6:30pm to hear God’s praises in a contemporary format, to hear sermons that use as examples things like youtube video’s.

I encourage you to bring your cell phone and text your network of friends and acquaintances to tell them about what I am preaching about. If you have facebook and twitter accounts then Please use them. What better way to witness to the world of 2010 than to use the tools that God has given us.

I look forward to reading your posts this Sunday Night!

Ronnie

January 29, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Foundation for Evangelism Spotlights 50 Golden Days

The Foundation for Evangelism

50 Golden Days of Evangelism

Category: Evangelism, Features Stories, News

In May of 1949, Dr. Harry Denman wrote a letter to “Shepherds”, a journal published between the years of 1944 to 1956. In this letter, Dr. Denman asked every pastor only not to observe Pentecost on June 5th, but to “meet the conditions so that every church will have a Pentecost on that day”. From Easter to Pentecost, Dr. Denman wanted to have “50 Golden Days of Evangelism”.

Dr. Harry Denman’s goal was two-fold.

First, from Easter until Pentecost, he wanted “every church [to] organize visitation teams to visit one night each week during that period and secure thousands of first commitments to Christ and his church on June 5th”. Next, Dr. Denman asked that during Family Week, May 1st through 8th, the teams would visit young families and secure their first commitment to Christ. A daunting task indeed. There is no record of how this was completed, but the goal was quite clear.

60 years later, the 2004 recipient of the Harry Denman Evangelism Award and a student of Dr. Denman’s approach to evangelism, Rev. Ronnie Collins, feels that this message is still important today. But, he also believes that thanks to new ways to communicate to the masses, that the completion of such a task is more easily accomplished. As Ronnie states “I have wanted for some time now to put this together and challenge the churches of Holston Conference with ‘50 Golden Days of Evangelism.’”

Rev. Collins has taken that initiative. Using the latest tools at his church’s disposal to do this work, from Facebook and Twitter, to Youtube and Blogging, Rev. Collins has been spreading the gospel in new ways. Ronnie is also sharing various resources which you may also access via his website at Imagebearer to learn what methods could work for you to join in such a commitment.

Rev. Collins has been true to his understanding of Dr. Denman’s vision. A vision reflected in The Foundation for Evangelism’s passion statement; “helping all persons experience God’s transforming love through Jesus Christ”.  Rev. Collins has a logo for his commitment on his website.  The commitment states he wants to have a “90 day investment in 3000 lives” saved, 40 Days of Preparation, fasting and prayer leading to 50 Golden Days of Evangelism. The commitment even rings true for The Holston Conference who have taken up the mantle of this monumental task. This year’s theme for their 2010 conference will be “Offer Them Christ” and follows the theme of the 50 Golden Days of Evangelism.

If you wish to do the same for your church or within your conference, click these links to find out more.

Holston “Offer Them Christ” page

Reverend Ronnie G. Collins homepage

Evangelism Resources - providing responsible evangelism resources

January 29, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

SNL January 31st @ 1st Hillsville w/ SouledOut and Ronnie

The Band for 1st Hillsville is SouledOut, if you haven’t heard them then you are missing out on SouledOut.

If you are interested in getting your year off to a great start and then getting each week of the year off to a great start, then come to SNL and get fired up, God is at work in Hillsville.

Come feed on the Word and then go Feed the World in which you live and work throughout the week.

Ronnie

Salvation is free, … but discipleship will cost you your life. — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This week, the Scripture is Matthew Chapter 8: 18-22 (TNIV)

¹⁸ When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. ¹⁹ Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

²⁰ Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

²¹ Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

²² But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Ronnie

January 29, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor – January 29th, 2010

January 29, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Day 29-90 Days to read the New Testament (TNIV)

1 Timothy 4

¹ The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. ² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. ³ They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. ⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 5

Widows, Elders and Slaves

¹ Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

³ Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. ⁵ The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. ⁶ But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. ⁷ Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. ⁸ Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, ¹⁰ and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

¹¹ As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. ¹² Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. ¹³ Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. ¹⁴ So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. ¹⁵ Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

¹⁶ If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

¹⁷ The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” ^[a] and “Workers deserve their wages.” ^{[b] 19} Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. ²⁰ But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. ²¹ I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

²² Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

²³ Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

²⁴ The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. ²⁵ In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

1 Timothy 6

¹ All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. ² Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare ^[c] of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on. ³ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Final Charge to Timothy

¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you ¹⁴ to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹ In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, ²¹ which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.

Grace be with you all.

January 29, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Preparing for a 40 Day Fast

I had a visit with my family physician today for the purpose of gaining his perspective on embarking on a 40 Day Fast. I walked away with a clean bill of health and the go ahead to Fast.

You will be hearing more about it but here are the prescriptions that I walked away with. I have already filled the orders on amazon.com.

Ronnie

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

From the Publisher

What if you could do something that would bring amazing advancement to your life? Something that would:
Give you divine revelations from God
Bring you answers to prayer quickly
Deliver you from bad habits
Give you longer life
Give you increased energy levels
Help you lose weight
Break demonic strongholds

… and it won’t cost you anything. Would you do it? –This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Find out how prayer–our link to God–is the most powerful and vital activity of our life. This book will lead you into a life-changing dimension of two-way communication with a loving God.

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

If you wish to know your Lord in a deeper way, you are invited to join the vast host of Christians who, over three centuries, have turned to this book more than any other–except the Scriptures–in order to begin that journey to the depths of Christ.

Imagine a book that is 300 years old and has never been out of print! Such is the book you hold in your hands. Other than Pilgrim’s Progress, there is probably no other piece of Christian literature that has stood the test of the centuries so well. An estimated 22 million copies of the original The Practice of the Presence of God have been printed in the English language alone. In recent years, however, interest in this book has waned as the original English edition became so outdated that it was virtually unreadable. The publishers have now revised and reissued this book under the title Practicing His Presence and the profundity, depth, and beauty of Brother Lawrence’s masterpiece lives again!

We have included in this edition, not only the letters of Brother Lawrence–from the 17th century–but also those of Frank Laubauch–from the 20th century–who, like Brother Lawrence before him, wrote a series of letters chronicling his experiences in practicing the presence of Jesus Christ.

January 28, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Samuel gets his first real haircut

OK, I didn’t cry but Samuel really looks different. Misty’s mom is a professional at cutting and fixing hair so we took Samuel tonight and got the first major cut. He just doesn’t look as young anymore but he really needed it cut due to helping keep it out of his food and just general issues. He is still my baby.

Ronnie

January 28, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Bookwalter UMC Prepares for Holston Evangelism Emphasis 2010

Just wanted to let you know that Bookwalter UMC, Knoxville District, will be participating in both the 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting and 50 Golden Days of Evangelism.  We are very excited with Holston’s vision in this area.  As  one of Holston’s 2002 Denman Evangelism Award receivers I am thrilled to see this movement in memory of  Harry Denman.  Our roots and history are so important.

The Evangelism Team is anxious to receive the 40-Day Prayer Guide.  Our pastor, Dr. David Lord, is planning a sermon series on prayer and fasting.  We will be presenting short skits every Sunday morning  during the 40 days to remind and encourage the congregation.  Two team members will be attending the February conference. Unfortunately I cannot attend due to a schedule conflict.

Blessings,
Linda Comer
Evangelism Team Leader
Bookwalter UMC

January 28, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Shane Claiborne @ Radford University

Out of The Box Youth and any who are interested. We are going to hear Shane on Tuesday February 9th. We will meet at the main church campus @ 5:30pm and leave no later than 5:45. We will travel to Radford and should return by 9:30. However, there is a chance that we could get the opportunity to meet with Shane and that would leave us returning by 10:30pm. I know this is a school night but an opportunity you will not soon forget.

Let me know ASAP if you are traveling with us. We will take the church vans.

Ronnie

January 28, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Out of the Box Youth are On Fire for God

Here are some recent posts from various youth at Out of the Box. I ask for your prayers for these and the many who will come to know Jesus through these young people. God is ALIVE!

Ronnie

everyone please pray for me and the task that lies ahead. Also pray for the less fortunate and continue to spread Gods love across the county. with the spread of God across this one county eventually we can reach the nation. All it takes is one to touch each other as long as the chain continues. God blesses always and should always be put first in our lives

Had a very blessed weekend and will continue to eat and grow in his word. God bless everyone and thanks for all you do.

Love listening to God’s music and praying myself to sleep

Praise the one who, paind my debt, and, raised this life up from the dead.

Amazing things…I finally see the work God is at! Couldn’t of asked for a better weekend! “Don’t ask whether something you do is wrong or right. But ask “Is it Holy?”

my friends…God….He is goo….no! God is grea…..wait! God is everything!

Is proud to be a part of the group of 12 teenagers who just prayed over their food at rio!

“There is NONE shining brighter than the SON of the father who has COME to bring freedom to the HEART OF MAN!” Alive and Running by Kristian Stanfill…..yes I’m aware I’ve posted it before, it’s worthy of multiple posts

Going to school. Can’t wait to how many of the fires from resurrection are still burning inside those who went.

can only think of one thing worthy of being my facebook status at the moment…”Is it holy?”

Decided to get God’s word into me, not get into God’s word.

finally realized how to put my life back together; i gave it to my Father♥ .

changing my life for the good, dedicating it to God

Jeremiah 20:9 But his word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones

Have you read your Bible today? …

So….after hanging out with Ronnie Collins and the youth of FUMC Hillsville all weekend….. I am addicted to FACEBOOK!!!! hahahaha!

January 28, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 2 Comments

God moments…Building my faith

(my response) do you live on White Pines?

You know the young man I am speaking of . I was so thrilled to find out he had lived. I often wonder about him and what he is doing with his life.

(my response) In 2001 just after thanksgiving my nephew that I helped raise after my sister died when he was 7 years old wrecked on White pines and the car was split in two pieces. He hit a light pole. When you shared that, chills ran through my body. Is this the same person?

Yes.

(my response)Wow,  you were praying for a young boy that I love with all my heart. Kevin is alive and they just had their 1st baby a little girl 2 days ago. I have so much to tell you but this is a God Moment for me. Wow. When Kevin wrecked that night we knew nothing until 5am, they didn’t even try to find us till then, they thought he was going to die. I will send more tomorrow but thank you, wow. Prayer works, thank you for praying. It feels to me like this is a confirmation that Sammy is going to also make it. I don’t know if I will sleep tonight.

I can vividly remember the very spot I stood on the side of the road and prayed for him. I can remember repeating over and over “he is very special to someone, someone loves him very much…don’t let him die”. God certainly answered those prayers.

I am sitting here reading this again this morning and the tears are running down my face. Thank you for praying.

Wow, I believe God gave me this encounter to strengthen my faith. God is at work. Kevin is indeed alive, he has encountered many medical issues from the wreck in 2001. He just recently had surgery to repair his left leg which was badly damaged in the wreck. He just celebrated the birth of his 1st daughter. I am so thankful for people who pray. It works folks, God is alive!

Ronnie

January 28, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor – January 27th, 2010

1. Feb 3rd Kris Musser speaks @ Out of the Box, don’t miss it! Feb 10 Jordan Worrell will join me in leading the Bible Study & Testimony about 11 hours ago from web

2. I am thankful for the spiritual fruit we are experiencing @ Out Of The Box, these youth are on fire! about 11 hours ago from web

3. Lord, thank You for Your Word. It keeps me stable in an unstable world. about 11 hours ago from web

4. Well I activate the Curve 8330 tomorrow. I hate to give up the Pearl, love the size and everything. But I will take one that works. about 11 hours ago from web

5. We are reading and telling Samuel stories, he is an awesome kid about 11 hours ago from web

6. Awesome night @ Out Of The Box Tonight, greatest bunch of youth around, and adults about 13 hours ago from web

7. Wow, power bill 403.00 however I am thankful to be warm and dry. We need to fight the increase about 13 hours ago from web

8. http://thecarrollnews.com/bookmark/3680612/article-Galax house offers hope about 20 hours ago from web

9. we are booked at the River Side & @ A Great Snow Rate, Divine Rhythm, here we come about 21 hours ago from web

10. making reservations for a hotel Divine Rhythm, I am a late kind of guy but I always get there on time about 22 hours ago from web

11. Headed to the office, work to be done about 22 hours ago from web

12. That is headed to coffee & Christian Conversation about 23 hours ago from web

13. headed to coffee & Christian Conversation, Wesley’s way about 23 hours ago from web

14. taking Kyle to school, he missed the bus about 23 hours ago from web

15. reading “Follow Me To Freedom” by Shane Claiborne about 24 hours ago from web

16. remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the way of error will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:20 4:43 AM Jan 27th from web

17. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 4:39 AM Jan 27th from web

18. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:10 4:36 AM Jan 27th from web

19. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. James 3:9 4:36 AM Jan 27th from web

20. All kinds of animals,birds,reptiles & sea creatures R being tamed & have ben tamed by human beings,but no 1 can tame the tongue. James 3:7 4:35 AM Jan 27th from web

21. Not many of U should presume 2 B teachers, my brothers & sisters, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1 4:33 AM Jan 27th from web

January 28, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Day 28-90 Days to read the New Testament (TNIV)

1 Timothy 1

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

² To Timothy my true son in the faith:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain persons not to teach false doctrines any longer ⁴ or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. ⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. ⁶ Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

⁸ We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. ⁹ We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers. And it is for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine ¹¹ that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Charge to Timothy Renewed

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, ¹⁹ holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. ²⁰ Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 2

Instructions on Worship

¹ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and human beings, Christ Jesus, himself human, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. ⁷ And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

⁸ Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. ⁹ I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, ¹⁰ but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

¹¹ A woman ^[a] should learn in quietness and full submission. ¹² I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; ^[b][c] she must be quiet. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴ And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. ¹⁵ But women ^[d] will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

1 Timothy 3

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

¹ Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full ^[e] respect. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

⁸ In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

¹¹ In the same way, the women ^[f] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. ¹³ Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in a body,
was vindicated by the Spirit, ^[g]
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.

January 28, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Galax house offers hope

Here is a great ministry that we need to make Carroll County Aware Of. Help me spread the word.

Ronnie

Source: The Carroll News

For more than 20 years, a local place has kept its doors open for those with nowhere else to turn.

Founded in 1987, the Hostel of the Good Shepherd has welcomed local and out-of-area homeless, giving them the opportunity to straighten out their situation and get back on their feet. Since 1989, the homeless have stayed at the newly-renamed Galax Hope House.

“The hostel has been here since 1987,” said Executive Director Deborah Payne. “It was actually started by the Lutheran Episcopal congregation of the Church of the Good Shepherd. When they started it, they were giving places for people to sleep in the Sunday school rooms in the church. They saw such a need that they decided to buy this property and set it up as a hostel. They bought the house in 1989, and incorporated in 1993.”

Payne came on board as Executive Director in January and has taken an active role in renovating the house, located at 408 W. Center Street in Galax. The interior has been repainted, the porch has been repaired and a new handicapped-accessible ramp is being installed. New floors are in two rooms and new lights have been installed. Payne said the next steps include new kitchen and laundry appliances, as well as any other needed repairs and upgrades.

The home is operated by the Hostel of the Good Shepherd corporation. Until last week, the Hope House shared the same name.

“It’s a little easier to understand than hostel,” Payne said. “This is not really a hostel; a hostel is a place where you can have a very inexpensive place to stay, and this is a homeless shelter. We’re changing name of site, not the organization. The organization will remain Hostel of the Good Shepherd, Inc.”

Payne said the home is trying to raise awareness locally, which she said she feels will help its mission. That’s another reason for the name change, to help raise the home’s local profile.

“I have spoken to people in Galax and in Carroll and Grayson who didn’t know it was here and it’s been here 20 years,” Payne said. “We want people to be aware of what it’s here for. We do not allow drunkards and alcoholics to stay here. We’re trying to clean it up so people can see it’s a nice residence.”

Payne said at any given time, 15 people can stay at the house and there’s room for single folks or families. Payne said from January to June, 28 people have stayed at the hostel for as briefly as a day or as long as the full six months.

“An average stay lasts around 60 to 90 days,” Payne said. “That allows them time to get back on their feet and decide what they want to do and where they want to live.”

Payne said any potential resident has to undergo a strict screening process. She said the candidates have to be medically and psychologically stable and they have to agree to abide by the house rules, have nowhere else to stay, and be willing to work on finding a permanent dwelling and re-establishing their independence.

“We have an emergency shelter program and a transitional living program,” she said. “We have emergency shelter offered up to 5 days, and a transitional program, where they can stay up to 6 months if they’re working toward goals. To be able to get in, they have to a drug/alcohol test and current background check. We go through a pre-interview process and make sure we can work with them.”

Payne said the home gets referrals from different area agencies, ranging from hospitals to law enforcement and churches and several former residents have gone on to better themselves.

“One came in and he worked hard and got his GED. Now he’s trying to sign up for classes at Wytheville. He’s got a Pell Grant and he’s trying to get into the construction field,” Payne said. “We had a gentleman who just got a job. Two that are now out on their own got jobs at Results. We’ve helped several get apartments or trailers or other types of housing.”

Payne said donations are what keep the home going and anything, as long as it’s usable, is welcome. Recently, the hostel received $3,000 from the Diocese of the Good Shepherd and got two grants from DHCD.

She said donations can be brought by the hostel or monetary gifts can be mailed to: Hostel of the Good Shepherd, 408 W. Center Street, Galax, VA 24333. Those who are interested in helping in any way can call 236-7573.

“We accept donations of usable clothing, furniture, food that is nonperishable and within date, anything that helps with household, especially paper goods and supplies,” Payne said. “We’ll provide information to churches if they want to do a supply drive. We can allow them to adopt a month so they can help us pay utility bills. We’ll take anything as long as it’s usable and in good condition.”

January 27, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor – January 26th, 2010

1. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” Hebrews 13:5b about 12 hours ago from web

2. Lord, help me to stay on your path where my footsteps are secure about 12 hours ago from web

3. Had a great meal with Mike, Caitlin and the kids about 12 hours ago from web

4. clergy around Carroll Co there is a ministry that cares 4 homeless men that would like 2 do bible study wekly, would U volunteer 1 dy a mth? about 15 hours ago from web

5. my heart is broken today http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2010/01/26/my-heart-was-broken-today/ about 15 hours ago from web

6. Lord help me to remember when I put myself last that I am the real winner about 17 hours ago from web

7. Lord, help me to always be willing to try about 17 hours ago from web

8. Lord, give me your wisdom in the choices I make each day. about 17 hours ago from web

9. going to pay for the new motor with borrowed money and head home to take Kyle to Sylvan about 18 hours ago from web

10. Just booked my 1st Vacation Week for 2010 in June. The Family Beach Vacation, Can’t wait and with the way time flies it won’t be long about 18 hours ago from web

11. praise the Lord, US Cellular is sending a Blackberry Curve 8330 today. I hope this will do the job about 20 hours ago from web

12. pray for the blackberry, just had this one (3rd one) for about 3 weeks now and already on the blink about 20 hours ago from web

13. It often seems there aren’t enough hours in a day to do all that is urgent but if we work together there is just enough time about 21 hours ago from web

14. Visiting @ Golden Living Center about 21 hours ago from web

15. Just set a Dr appointment with my physician. Planning an extended Fast for 50 Golden Days, asking God for 3000 Souls Pentrcost Sunday 2010 about 22 hours ago from web

16. Visiting @ Galax Hospital, little Emberlyn Ann about 22 hours ago from web

17. Visiting @ Waddell with Rita and Gladys about 22 hours ago from web

18. My heart is broken, pray for a homeless 18 year old named Michael. about 23 hours ago from web

19. headed 2 homeless shelter, pray for a young man named Michael. seems God is putting homeless people in our path lately about 24 hours ago from web

20. As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26 about 23 hours ago from web

21. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 about 23 hours ago from web

22. Every1 should b quick 2 listen, slow 2 speak & slow 2 bcome angry, our anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. Ja 1:19,20 about 23 hours ago from web

23. Blesed R those who persevere under trial, when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life God promised to U who love him. about 23 hours ago from web

24. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 about 23 hours ago from web

25. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 about 23 hours ago from web

26. Consider it pure joy, whenever U face trials of many kinds, because U know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2 about 23 hours ago from web

27. Myrtle Beach Marathon is only 16 DAYS | 23 HRS | 28 MINS | 25 SECONDS away, oh wow about 23 hours ago from web

January 27, 2010 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment