Imagebearer’s Weblog

Ash Wednesday @ Out of the Box Worship Center

“Lent is the preparing of the heart for Easter. Like going with Jesus into the wilderness for forty days, that we might come face to ugly face with our enemy. Our sacrificing that we might become more like Christ in His sacrifice.”

Mark 8: 31-37 The Message

He then began explaining things to them: “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive.”
He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it. 32–33 But Peter grabbed him in protest.
Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. “Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.”
34–37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how.
Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self.
What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?
What could you ever trade your soul for?

#1. It is Necessary?

Mark 8:31
31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. (NRSV)

Here is a question that Samuel asked Misty last week as we were riding down the road.

“Did the people who killed Jesus do wrong?”

Misty answered, Yes

To which Samuel replied

“But it’s because of that, we get to go to Heaven.”

Samuel Collins (4 Years Old)

Luke 22:31
31“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. (TNIV)

Satan has not only asked to sift Jesus and Peter but all of us.

Luke 22:32
32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (TNIV)

#2. You Have No Idea How God works.

Mark 8:33
33 Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” (NLT)

James 1:12
12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (NRSV)

Ephesians 6:10–12
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (TNIV)

#3. Follow Me And I’ll Show You How It’s Done.

Mark 8:34–37
34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.36What good is it for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your soul? 37Or what can you give in exchange for your soul? (TNIV)

How might our life’s journey be different if we truly let Jesus be ―in the driver’s seat?

What would we have to adjust in our carefully laid plans, i.e., roadmap?

As Christians, we know the journey to the cross takes us to Easter. We can’t bypass the pain of the journey, nor do we lose sight of the hope that comes in the morning.

Lent is the act of beginning our spiritual life all over again refreshed and reoriented.

Brenda Harmon

“My Lenten Journey”

Ronnie asked me to write a letter to you all about this Season of Lent. Specifically, what I expect from the next 40 days, what anxieties or issues I will confront, and how I plan to share with others and interact with the community. I have been learning more about this season and what it represents. It is more than “giving up something” to me now. As the church, we set aside this time to search our hearts with God. I see it as a time to clean house with reflection, repentance, and preparation. We follow the 40 days our Savior spent in the wilderness.

Matthew 4:1 says “The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days.” Do you see that the same Spirit that came down upon Jesus when He was baptized then led Him into the wilderness where Satan tempted Him for 40 days? So, if our loving Father leads us into the wilderness, scary as it may seem, we can trust Him, that He is with us, and it’s for His purpose in us. I want to, and I hope we all will, take time to reflect-to be reminded of our sins-not to relive our anguish over them, but to remember what our Savior did out of love to remove them as far as the east is from the west and the death in us that was conquered. I want to feel that sorrow of how I hurt Him so I may then remember the great love of His sacrifice. I told a friend tonight that my sins are no longer a deep scar of shame in me. As God is healing me, all that is left is a mark of where His Grace entered me. If it helps someone, I will gladly show the world my marks.

This past Sunday, I took the ugliest part of me-the part that Satan had convinced me I had to hide, and held it up for you to see. That did two things. It released the hold of it over me, and maybe it touched someone else with hope. Don’t run from confronting the darkest parts of yourself. During the next 40 days, allow your heart to be reminded of how God has worked in your life, and ask God to show you how your testimony might help someone who is struggling. He heals us by His grace, so that we can then extend that same grace to others, so they can know Him. I want my soul to be reminded that the Son of Almighty God loved me enough to die for me, and continue to let that love remove anything that separates me from Him. Let our hearts sorrowfully groan for all the ways we fail Him daily, and ask God to dig down deep within us, ripping away the deadness inside us and renew our resolve to put on the armor new every morning.

I feel God calling me to tend the new growth of His life in me very carefully. He has started a new work in me, as well as a growing desire to pour out His love to those around me, my church, and my community. Do you sense that, too, my church family? I pray that you do. It’s what we’re called to do. To get out there. To be in the trenches with the hurting, lonely, addicted, and hopeless. Yes, it’s more comfortable to listen to someone preach on television than to get out our Bible, get quiet, and let God speak to our hearts. It’s more comfortable to pray over the fast food, asking God to nourish our bodies, than to take time to prepare food that is good for us and discipline ourselves away from what is unhealthy, or even more than that-take that nourishing food to a family that has none while we go without.

It’s more comfortable to sit inside on a cold night, that get out on the streets and talk to people who have no blankets or coats, and give them some-maybe even give them the one off our backs. It’s more comfortable to say “I’ll pray for you”, than to say “Can I pray with you?“ and then stop right there with even a total stranger and do just that. Every single one of us is an outreach ministry every day, to everyone from the stranger behind us at the checkout, to our family down the hall in our own homes. We are God’s Ambassadors! We don’t have to have a name for it or a facebook page. Right now, there’s someone out on the street who’s only pair of shoes are falling apart. There’s someone you work with who is hurting right now who maybe has never talked to God, but she will talk to you. There’s a person who crosses your path daily that you shy away from. The people that God introduces us to in every circumstance is an opportunity to show them the love of Christ. During this next 40 days, let’s want more of God . He wants more of us. Let’s crave only to share Him. Let’s listen to our Father speak to our hearts and focus on how He wants to prepare us for the next steps of our journey.

As we prepare our hearts during this time, remember that preparation takes sacrifice. We must sacrifice the parts of ourselves that keep our hearts from being completely God’s. This time is a call to battle any sin that dwells within us. Jesus’ weapon in the wilderness was the Word of God, and I feel also the resolve that His next 40 days had to be completed in order for Him to finish what He came to do. Let us remember that the battle is still raging for the lost, and we are now the foot soldiers. As we begin this journey, let us also arm ourselves with God’s word, engraving it on our hearts. We need to dive into God’s word and eat it like it’s Mama’s cooking. If it’s too hot and burns, it’s just right. As we do that, the hunger for the things of this world will fall away.

Let us resolve to examine ourselves–honestly and without filters. I want to pour out my heart to my Father, trusting that no matter how ugly it is, He is doing a work in me. He is doing a work in you. Jesus trusted His Father even as He was being led out into the wilderness. He trusted the process of what God was doing in Him. If we truly want more of God in our lives, that means we want less of us, which means we have to die to ourselves and LET GO. It also means we’re going to have to be willing to go wherever God wants us to go-even a “wilderness”. I beg you-don’t run from it anymore. We may feel alone, but we will know in our hearts that we’re not, won’t we? Because God promises us in His word. He will never leave us or forsake us. God is always working-even when we can’t feel Him. The same God who sent His beloved Son to die for you is with you in the darkest wilderness of your life, not just on the mountaintops. Don’t ever let Satan whisper to you the lie that He is not. The end result of this process will be victory in Jesus and God glorified.

Do you sense the urgency of the unseen battle that is all around us? What Jesus must have felt in the desert? Treat the next forty days as our time with God before we reenter the wilderness of this world. Don’t you get it? We’re in it daily, and don’t even realize it. It’s backwards-which is how satan wants to trick us–we think of following God and the discipline of a daily walk with Christ as sometimes uncomfortable and confining, when it’s really the things of this world that are making us downright miserable and choking us in bondage. If Satan can keep our focus in the wilderness of this world, then our voices to shout the Good News to the world are silenced. Wake up! Throw those things away. Let them burn. Let God remind you-you have the power that raised Jesus from the dead coursing through you. You are stronger than you think through Christ. Take hold of that! Remember His love. Remember the sorrow that led to you giving up your life. Renew your life in Christ and reconnect with Him over the next forty days. This should be a constant thing, but will you give God at least the next 40 days?

Take your eyes off the world and fix them on Him. Want nothing of this world and everything that God is waiting to give you. That’s what I hope to revive in my self over the next forty days, and it’s what I hope the church will seek as well. If we truly want to follow Jesus’ journey, we must be willing to become uncomfortable. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness-he was hungry, and thirsty, but He was cared for. As we battle the temptations as Jesus did, we’re going to have to feel that hunger that can only be satisfied by the very words out of the mouth of God. We’re going to have to truly live by faith-not by sight. We’re going to have to be content to know that God IS working, instead of continually asking Him to show us that He is. We’re going to have to take our eyes off the “kingdoms” and the things we want of this world that pull us away from God, and refocus them on drawing closer to God’s Kingdom. It’s time to get real-we cannot move closer to God if we are hanging on to the temptations and things of this world.

I’m starting with prayer. I’m expecting a radical shift of my daily walk. I’m confronting the things that still have a hold on me and fighting to rid myself of anything that I put before God and my family. My only anxiety is that at the end of 40 days, I will feel no different. I will walk prayerfully on the streets of my community, in my job, and in the rooms of my home, willing to engage with anyone as God leads, with the prayer that God can use the ashes from the death in me and the transforming power of that process to nurture new life in them. I pray that this season will be a time for us as a church to draw closer to God and remember, and then for God to transform that into the growth in us individually that will ultimately become the church reaching out to those who are still lost in the wilderness. God always wants us closer.

I am thinking that maybe over the last few weeks you have become aware of something that is keeping you from moving forward in your faith. I think this season will be a time with God’s help to move past those things. As we receive the ashes, let us be reminded of the brevity of this life, but that it is for a precious purpose in God‘s eyes. We just have to stop running from the suffering and discipline that God uses to bring us closer to Him. Stop running away and let the cleansing fire of love that held Jesus to the cross come in…it is through the pain that growth and new life begins.

Much Love in Christ,

Brenda Harmon 

February 23, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 2 Comments

What temptations will you give up for Lent?

Where the season of Lent begins is in Matthew Chapter 4 where Jesus was led into the desert to be tempted by Satan for 40 days. Jesus was there without food and repeatedly facing temptations to have the comforts he had been use to. Jesus was obviously being prepared for something that would have an impact on eternity.

What is it that tempts you? What is it that God may have given you as a gift and yet it now holds you captive. It holds you captive because you have come to depend on it, you have come to find your comfort in it, you have come to be dependent upon it and you didn’t even realize it. Maybe you don’t believe there is anything you can’t do without. I would challenge you to a test of your own.

During these forty days leading up to Easter, not including Sunday’s, what are you possibly addicted to, good things mind you, that you are putting before God and your service to Him that you would be willing to give up for 40 days.

Here are some things others have chosen to give up as examples.

No food for 40 days. (If this is your first time, I don’t recommend trying this until you become accustomed to shorter times of fasting)

No solid food for 40 days. (This is quite healthy if you choose to take juice, broth, only liquids as a cleansing process. However if you overdo the juices, ect… you will defeat the purpose. It is designed as a sacrifice.)

No Red Meat for 40 Days (I plan to do this for the 40 days)

No Sweets for the 40 days (I plan to follow this as well)

Daniel Fast for the 40 days (Only fruits and vegetables, no bread, no sodas, only water with the food, some say no dairy, this is up to you)

No Sodas for 40 Days (I plan to follow this)

No Social Media for 40 Days

No Television for 40 Days

No ipod for 40 Days

No Radio for 40 Days

Whatever it is that tempts you to be drawn away from time spent with God, you should consider giving it up. These things are designed to draw us closer to God and to remind us of our dependence on Him. By the way, anything we give up for Christ, we will be better for doing so.

A few things to remember. When you make this commitment, don’t make it lightly. If you tell God you are giving something up for Him, stick with it. You won’t be killed if you don’t but let your yes be yes and your no be no. Be a woman or man of your word and stick to it. After all, what does it say about us if we make a commitment to give up music for 40 days and we cane in after 2 days? It says that we are addicted and that we are being controlled by a gift from God rather than by God Himself.

Keep in mind, some people use the Sunday’s as celebration days and do not observe the fast on these days. It is up to you and may give you something to look forward to and therefore encouragement to keep your commitment.

Here is the account of what Jesus gave up. He gave up food for 40 days, surely we can part with some things of much less significance that could draw us closer to the One who gave up His life for us.

Ronnie

Matthew 4

¹ Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. ² For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.  ³ During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”  ⁴ But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” ⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, ⁶ and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.”  ⁷ Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.” ⁸ Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” ¹⁰ “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,    ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.” ¹¹ Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

February 20, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Thoughts On Worship Today at Out of the Box Worship Center

Today was one of those AWESOME services at OOTBWC as they all are. However, today was different. Today we did cardboard testimonies. This is where I preached on the Spiritual Discipline of Confession and then we had several people who walked across the stage confessing publicly some of the things that had tormented them for many years of their lives.

My favorite Bible teacher, Dr. Steve Brown says we all should go to church each Sunday morning with a sign hung around our neck listing our three greatest sins. I don’t know about you but I’m not getting in line to participate in this. However, Steve says we wouldn’t have to be concerned about anyone seeing our sign because others would be too busy trying to cover their own and I know this is true. All of us have things that sometimes keep us awake at night. Those things where we cringe every time we are reminded that we actually did such things.

The Bible teaches us there is great value in confession and we can participate in confession in two ways. Confession to God is number one and confession to others is number two. There is freedom in confession. We find freedom when we learn that we are not the only one who has had the struggle that we wrestle with. There is freedom when we feel and experience the Grace and forgiveness of God.

Today there were people who gave testimony of being addicted to drugs and then their deliverance from that addiction. There were people who made the choice to have an abortion and have struggled with their decision for years and finally found Gods grace and forgiveness. There were those who had struggled in marriage relationships and found victory. There was one young lady who was adopted at birth and she was thankful for parents who love her and take great care of her. There were so many, I wish I could share them all. But that is why I was so moved, I get to share in all of these, I get to be with these folks and be their pastor. I get to see the victories in their lives and I get to share in their struggles.

These are the most awesome people in the world.

Helping to start a new work like Out of the Box is hard and at times it seems overwhelming but days like today make it all worth it. We are watching lives that are being changed by God. I have never seen anything like this in my life. It is real and you can feel it when you walk through the door. I am just thankful to be part of such a MIGHTY work of God.

I want to say thank you to the band, to sound techs, the greeters, the ushers, the child care workers, the hospitality crew and to every person who comes to the services. You are making history and changing lives. You are on God’s team and what you are doing will count for Eternity.

Thank you Out of the Box Worship Center. You are awesome, thank you Jesus, you are MOST Awesome.

Ronnie

February 19, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 2 Comments

A Week Of Eating After A 40 Day Fast

It has actually been 10 days since I started eating and I can’t even believe it. My eating habits have absolutely changed. I have been set free from a strong desire for sweets. I have said for years that my favorite food is cake and at the moment and for the past 50 days, that hasn’t been true.

During the 40 day fast I didn’t crave sweets but things that were good for me, such as vegetables, grilled foods, and fruits. Amazingly, I am still craving these foods rather than the cake and candy. One of my favorite parts of the day is breakfast and my favorite food is now oatmeal with honey, bananas, and a spoonful of peanut butter.

I have no desire for sodas and Sprite has been a favorite of mine for several years, since giving up dark sodas over 10 years ago. I am drinking mostly water, some propel zero water, and a good bit of V8 Fusion and I love it.

I feel the best physical that I have felt in many years. I have plenty or energy and I don’t get that mid-day sleepiness.

Isaiah 58 is TRUE! God has removed through fasting the chains that had me bound in the area of food addictions.

Ronnie

February 18, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Book Review: The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg

I love to read John Ortberg and this one if a great book for many reasons. Number one, John is a great story-teller and number two this book is about the spiritual disciplines. I actually read through this book almost 10 years ago and led a Bible study group through the disciplines in this book. It was eye-opening then and again the second time around. It is amazing how different people find different spiritual disciplines listed in the scriptures and this one is different from all the rest.

The disciplines covered in this book: Celebration, Slowing, Servant-hood, Confession, Receiving Guidance from the Holy Spirit, Secrecy, Reflection on Scripture, The Rule of Life, and Suffering.

John Ortberg does an outstanding job in this book helping us to see what seems to be every-day, mundane life as “spiritual life.” All of life teaches Bible Doctrine, all of life will be better if we learn to put into practice the Spiritual Disciplines.

I love this book.

Ronnie

February 18, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Book Review: How To Lead From A Distance by Debra Dinnocenzo

I purchased this book because we are dealing with issues of communication in our multi-site church. It is not so much that there is mis-communication as it is that there is too much information and yet some people just don’t get the messages. I am on a journey to find a solution.

This book is definitely not the solution to our issues and concerns but it is a quick read and could be helpful to someone just starting to manage a team of employee’s or a volunteer group from a distance. It wasn’t a total waste of money but it is very simple and basic so not much help to me.

You will learn things here about effective ways to use media and the online community to have meetings and stay connected.

Ronnie

February 15, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Book Review: Three Free Sins by Dr. Steve Brown

Dr. Steve Brown has done it again. I read everything that he writes and I own more of his sermons than any preacher I have ever listened to. Steve Brown has taught me more than any other preacher in my entire life. He has taught me about leadership, he has taught me about being a teacher, and a preacher, but most of all Steve Brown has taught me about the Radical Love of God.

That is what this book is about, “Three Free Sins” is not a joke and it isn’t a gimmick to get people to read another book. Steve really believes that God loves us and that is what matters. He is not advocating sin, he is advocating taking God at his word when he says, he took our sin when he died on the cross.

This is not a book for the faint at heart, the judgmental, or the religious, or maybe it is. It might oil a person’s mind and heart and help them to see truth. Steve says when one has seen truth, one cannot un-see truth.

In my opinion, everyone should read this book to find the truth about what God thinks of you. You might be surprised that He loves us in spite of us and in spite of our sin.

56 out of 5 stars, lol

Ronnie

February 14, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Book Review: Everyone Communicates Few Connect by John Maxwell

I started reading this book several months ago and finally have it finished. I have this habit of getting started in a book and something in the book sparks my interest and I set off on a trail to research whatever it is further. This book sparked my interest once again to develop my leadership abilities. There is one thing that John Maxwell has taught me over the past 25 years and that is “A leader has to continually grow or he or she will cease to be a leader.”

One way you know that you are a leader is that you have people following you. This doesn’t mean they are blind followers, it means that you have influence in their lives and they trust you as someone who walks the talk. This book backs that up ever so wonderfully. Here are some of the takeaways I received from the book and they are HUGE takeaways.

In order to connect with people, they have to know that you care about them.

Good communicators, leaders, connectors, do not see themselves as the center of attention. They see their audience as someone they care about and want to help them understand something that is important. We are co-laborers so to speak, each one as important as the other. They see themselves as guides offering help.

Connecting is never about me, it is always about the one with whom I am connecting.

When we communicate. What we say accounts for 7% of what is believed, the way we say it accounts for 38%, and what others see accounts for 55%. WOW

Here is my favorite takeaway from the book. “You must be the message that you want to deliver.”

Effective communicators are high-energy.

Here is my 2nd favorite takeaway from the book. “Connecting requires stamina-Recharge. Connecting can be draining. If we aren’t careful we can be completely depleted of energy! Find out what energizes you, and take time for it. Then you will have reserves to draw on when needed.

As a communicator, it is our job to bring clarity to a subject.

The fundamental law of learning is repetition. Say it over and over, studies show a person has to hear something 16 times before they believe it.

People need to see your passion, conviction, and concern for the subject matter you are communicating. This gives you credibility and people will listen. By the way people can see a fake. Walk the talk or you will never succeed in being a leader/communicator.

If you want to move people to action, give them an action plan!

Of course it is 5 stars out of 5, every John Maxwell Book I have read has been 5 stars, this one is no different.

Ronnie

February 13, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Book Review: Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

This is the third time I have read this Outstanding book by Richard Foster. The first time I read it many years ago, it changed my life. It was here that I found a need and a love for the Disciplines or what John Wesley calls, “The Means of Grace.” It was in this book that God started a love for fasting and other ways that we are to seek the Lord and to draw closer to Him.

The second time I read this book was with my staff of about 20 people in a Christian Children’s home and again, many of them said this was a life changing book for them and their spiritual lives.

Now, the 3rd time through I have had the joy of preaching a series on Sunday mornings through some of the disciplines listed in this book. I hope to be able to go back later in the year and address more of them.

Richard Foster is someone you can trust, if the book has his name associated with it, you can rest assured that you are going to get quality teaching. Foster has written several books expanding on particular disciplines in the book. Two that have are “Prayer” and “Freedon of Simplicity.” I also have other books by Foster and all of them are outstanding.

Covered in the book are Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Worship, Guidance, and Celebration. I have only just begun to preach through them, covering only 5 of the 12.

This book could change your life and draw you closer to the Creator of the Universe.

5 out of 5 stars for this great book.

Ronnie

February 12, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

A New APP I Am Excited About

Being in ministry and having to keep up with miles and expenses, it gets hectic and I don’t like paperwork. I just picked up this app for $2.99 and I’m pretty excited about it.

Ronnie

Here is a Youtube with details on how to use the app. By the way, there is a youtube explaining almost anything we might buy and need instructions for.

February 11, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Book Review: Wesley for Armchair Theologians by William J. Abraham

I read this book for the first time in 2006 when I was digging for information that was written in contemporary language and related to Wesley. I just read it for a 2nd time. This is a great book for anyone interested in understanding more about who John Wesley was and what he believed and taught.

The book is easy to read and not that long but full of great information.

Learn what Wesley meant by prevenient grace, you will seldom if ever hear this term outside of Methodism.

Learn what Wesley thought about a person being able to live a holy life.

Learn where works comes into our Christian life and how it relates to our salvation.

Lots of good historical information written in a way that is easy to follow and understand.

There is not a lot of depth on any subject but a great overview of what we as Methodists believe.

Ronnie

February 10, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Book Review: Buy in by John P Kotter and Lorne Whitehead

Have you had those great ideas and when you introduced them to a group of decision makers the naysayers brought up every objection under the sun and killed the idea? Here is a great book for you to peruse.

There is no fool-proof way to make sure that you can win but there are 24 great ideas in the book that will help to prepare you to present your ideas with confidence and at the same time treat those with questions with respect and kindness. Even when someone attacks, we need to treat them with respect.

Here are some common roadblocks people tend to bring up.

What we’ve been doing has worked and been successful, why change?

What about money?

What about the unknown?

But we need more details.

There are too many questions for us to proceed.

We tried it before and it didn’t work.

It’s a good idea but it’s not the right time.

This is a good little book and if you have a presentation coming up where you are presenting a new idea to a group of people, it would definitely benefit you to read this book. The authors work from 4 suggestions for handling the arguments you will receive. They are respectful of everyone involved and should help you to move the idea along.

4 out of 5 stars.

Ronnie

February 9, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Day 40 of 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting

It doesn’t seem possible that it has been almost 6 weeks since the fast began. The time has flown by and it has been and still is amazing. I am more convinced than ever that God has given us fasting as a gift and it is one of those gifts that seem kind of strange until we discover the true value.

If you have an addiction of any kind, you need to be fasting and praying and seeking God’s hand in the issue.

Isaiah 58:6 is overlooked in 2012 as an answer that God has given us to many of the vices that hold power over us.

⁶ “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.

New Living Translation

What is your vice, Lust for food, lust for sexual pleasure, lust for financial gain, lust for material things, lust for alcohol, lust for drugs, lust for attention, lust for affirmation? I don’t know what your vice is, I don’t know what anyone struggles with except the many who have confided in me but I know this, my temptations can be the same as yours and they can be very different from yours. The truth is that some people wear their emotions on the outside and the world can see what is going on but most of us keep them concealed deep inside and we will go to our graves without ever having told anyone.

Guess what, God already knows what it is and He really does want you to have the victory in your life. He is not going to tell anyone and by the way there is power in telling someone, there is power in getting into the light what satan would prefer you keep just between you and him. Confide in a pastor whom you trust. As a pastor we take vows of secrecy and trust when our parishioners come and confide in us. We do that because we know the Bible teaches us there is freedom in confession. Don’t suffer alone when God can and will use others to help you through the struggle.

Well, it has been 6 weeks minus 2 days since I ate my last solid food, wow. I say wow not because I have done anything great. I say wow because as I sit here typing this, I am 40 pounds lighter. I am right where the medical charts say that I am at my most healthy weight. Regardless of the people who tell me I have lost too much and that I look dead and on and on and on. I feel like a new person. My body is cleansed, my heart is cleansed, and my soul is cleansed. I feel like a New Man. Thank you Lord.

We pride ourselves on our commitment to Christ and the truth is that few ever sacrifice anything for Christ. We eat until we are full and until we are literally overflowing and the end result is that we are fat and sluggish. I am not talking about literally fat or am I. In some instances I am, some people are genetically inclined to be larger than others. I have struggled with my weight forever while some people eat and never seem to gain an ounce. the fact is, I run 25 to 40 miles a week on average and still manage to gain weight. That is simply an eating problem. It is time we get honest. As a pastor I have to live what I preach or I have no authority to stand before my congregation and proclaim, “here is what God says.”

Enough of that. I plan to break my fast this evening with potato soup, it won’t take very much, my stomach has shrunk and my body is about to get a wake-up call. Tomorrow I plan to have a lite breakfast, something small for lunch and pasta and salad for dinner. By Saturday I may have a piece of flounder, if I feel up to it but no fries or anything like that. Then by Sunday I hope to be able to eat Mexican food. Hey, I have been planning this out. I have craved flounder, beef barbecue, french fries, burgers, and several other food items during this fast.

I plan to get started back on my running by Saturday. I will start slowly with a run/walk but I do plan to complete my traditional 6.3 mile course. It won’t be any problem. During the fast I have walked more than 40 miles and God has kept me strong. We must realize that God created us with bodies that will do so much more than we require of them. We must take care of ourselves physically so that we can be most effective spiritually and carry out the work God has given us to do here on this earth.

If you have questions feel free to ask, doesn’t matter what it is. I have been asked all kinds of questions and some that people have been embarrassed to ask but they did anyway, so ask whatever you like.

I thank God for this 40 day experience and I cannot wait to see the results through eternity. I am excited about 2012, more than ever before.

Ronnie

February 9, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Life Group Opportunity for Couples

God has put something on my heart and I want to let you in on it. I am at Minister’s Convocation at Lake Junaluska and I had the opportunity to sit in on a conversation about Life Groups. I know that one of the best things we can do as a church body is to form small groups of people who grow together in their knowledge of God and each other. We need each other, we need to be able to lean on each other in hard times and we need to be able to celebrate together as well.

Out of the Box Worship Center has been extremely successful. We have grown to an average attendance of 200 each week in under a year, this is almost unheard of in a small town such as ours. This just means that God is in control of this church and what is happening. Where we haven’t been as successful as I believe we need to be is in connecting our body on more occasions than just Sunday morning and I want to change this. It was mentioned today that unless the pastor gets things rolling, Life Groups will not get off the ground. Now, I don’t know that this is exactly true. I appreciate the folks who to this time have led groups and they have been great, thank you.

But I did feel the nudging of the Spirit today to try something. Here is what God has placed on my heart and in my spirit.

The only way I can lead or be involved with a group is if Misty and I both can work on this together. We are just going in different directions too often. I have numerous meetings each month that I have to be involved in and another night away from home is just not acceptable for us right now. I have spoken with Misty and we are excited to offer what we will call a “Leader’s Life Group.”

This “Leader’s Life Group” is going to be specifically for couples (just trust me, I’m not wanting to leave out singles but this is what God has led me to offer) we will work with up to 10 couples and this will be a large group. We will meet each Thursday night at 6:30pm to 8pm at the Out of the Box Youth Center starting March 15th and ending on Thursday evening May 31st. We will read together and discuss the book ”Not A Fan” by author Kyle Idleman. We will each bring finger foods for a lite supper together, we will share together and get to know each other better, and we will study this book and the Bible together. A couple of times during this we will plan an evening to get out of the box and have dinner together in a local restaurant.

Now, if you have children don’t count yourself out.

Here is what has to happen for this Life Group to Materialize.

#1. We have to have 10 Couples Let me know they are ready to Sign Up by February 22nd.

#2. Each Person has to purchase the book “Not A Fan.” It is available for less than $10

#3. Each Person has to agree that they will miss no more than 2 nights unless there is an emergency or sickness.

#4. Each person has to agree to pray about becoming a Life Group Leader soon after our session ends. (Have to pray about it.)

#5. We have to find 4 Volunteers who will agree to volunteer to do Quality Child Care at the Worship Center on a rotational basis for our 12 week Life Group. (So we need 4 who feel called to this ministry of Child Care) These people will have to be Safe Sanctuary Trained and we have a training coming up February 18th at the 1st Hillsville Site. It is a Saturday training.

Misty and I are excited about the opportunity of getting to know 10 of our couples better. Pray about what you should do in response to this and if the above 5 items do not materialize, we will take this as confirmation that we are not supposed to follow through. However, we feel this is so important that we are anxious for God to bring it to pass.

Pastor Ronnie

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February 8, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

There’s An App For That – Prayer

There’s An App For That Sermon #5 Prayer – Spiritual Disciplines for Living A Spirit Filled Life. Listen to the sermon here 119820664

February 8, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Ash Wednesday Service February 22nd @ 7pm

Ash Wednesday Service

Location: Out of the Box Worship Center

Downtown Hillsville Virginia @ 7pm Scripture Focus: Mark 8: 31-37

The Message

30-32Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive.” He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it. 32-33But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. “Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.” 34-37Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?”

February 8, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Courageous Movie Night, Sunday February 19th @ Out of the Box Worship Center

Sunday Evening February 19th @ Out of the Box Worship Center

6:30pm

Come experience the movie everyone is talking about.

Downtown Hillsville on Main Street

First United Methodist Church

and

One Church In Two Locations

February 7, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Credo Confirmation Begins Soon…

INVITATION FOR YOUTH AGE 12

  Know Your Story…

Encounter the faith narrative from creation to Christianity.

Confirm Your Faith…

Embrace the essential beliefs and practices of The United Methodist Church.

Live Your Commitment.

               Embody the confirmation vows and embark on the Christian discipleship journey.

CONFIRMATION CLASS                            

BEGINNING SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26^TH AT 5:00

NOT ONLY WILL WE LEARN ABOUT OUR FAITH AND OUR CHURCH

WE WILL ALSO WATCH VIDEOS, PLAY GAMES, AND

MAKE CRAFTS TO EMPHASIZE WHAT WE ARE LEARNING.

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!

 EVERYONE WHO REGISTERS TO ATTEND CONFIRMATION CLASSES

WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY ATTEND CONFIRMATION CAMP AT

CAMP DICKENSON – MARCH 9^TH  & 10^TH

DON’T MISS THE FUN!

 TELL YOUR PARENTS TO CONTACT PASTOR PAM AT THE CHURCH OFFICE BY FEBRUARY 15^TH TO SIGN UP!

1st Hillsville United Methodist Church

and

 One Church In Two Locations

February 7, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Prayer Walking for Our County

We are a church that is serious about introducing our community to Christ. In Carroll County 78% of the residents do not attend church anywhere on Sunday mornings. We are Praying and Fasting and now we are Prayer Walking. Two ladies in our church have begun to walk through our community downtown and they are inviting others to come along.

This is a ministry that we need to saturate our county with. We have seen in the scriptures where our prayers have a part in God’s plan to reveal Himself to those who do not know Him.

If you’re interested, please contact Donna Godwin and Brenda Harmon.

First United Methodist Church

and 

One Church In Two Locations

February 7, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

A Call To Fasting and Prayer

As many of you know, I started a 40 day fast on January 1st of this year and on Thursday evening I will break the fast. However, I intend to live a fasted lifestyle as part of the means of grace in my life to walk Spirit Filled.

I was blessed this past weekend when one of our members called me to say that God had placed it on his heart to continue the fast and to continue praying for our church. This gentleman will pick up when I break my fast on Thursday evening and fast for 10 days. He also shared with me that he feels that God has impressed on him that we as a church should continue this fasting and prayer through the remainder of 2012.

I am in awe of what God has done through this body already and I too believe this is a move of dedication and devotion in honor of our God. I can’t even imagine the miracles that God will do and how many of the 78% will come to know Him through this kind of dedication.

I am asking everyone to pray and seek God to see if He would have you participate in the fasting and prayer. We will have a calendar at the Worship Center this Sunday for people to sign up to say, “I will do a 1 day fast on a certain day or a 10 day fast, whatever it is that God is leading you to do. There may be more than one at a time, that would be awesome. I get filled up every time I think about this and I know a lot of others do as well.

This is a time for us to go back to the roots of our faith and just seek God with reckless abandon.

Who will join us?

Pastor Ronnie

By the way, there are lots of helpful hints on my personal blog about fasting. Just go to my site and search the term “Fasting” and there are many posts there. There is also a lot of great information on the web and there are a lot of great books on the topic. I have reviewed several of them on my blog. www.imagebearerblog.com

First United Methodist Church

and

One Church In Two Locations

February 7, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

WHAT IS A LIFE GROUP?

A Life Group is a place for you to connect with others in the church outside of regular church services. It is a place to relax, learn,
share, and encourage one another in our Christian lives.

New Life Groups are forming soon – men’s & women’s groups in Hillsville based on the movie “Courageous” and “The Resolution for Women”. If you are interested in hosting a group, or being a part of a group, please contact Pastor Pam at the church office for more information.

276-728-2434

First United Methodist Church

and

One Church In Two Locations

February 7, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Day 38, I eat on Thursday Evening

I am at Ministers Convocation at Lake Junaluska and last night our speaker Kent Millard made a statement in his opening prayer that sums it up.

“Lord, help us to become masters of ourselves so that we might become servants of others.” Kent Millard

This sums up a lot for me in this time of fasting. With the help of the Holy Spirit , we are to become masters of ourselves.

1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV)

February 7, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

There’s An App For That – From Fasting To Feasting

There’s An App For That – Sermon #4. From Fasting To Feasting – Study 119816646 Listen to the sermon here.

Ronnie

February 5, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

There’s An App For That – Desperate Times Require Desperate Measures

There’s An App For That – Message #3 – Desperate Times Require Desperate Measures – A Practical Application of Fasting 119805652 Listen to the sermon here.

Ronnie

February 5, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

There’s An App For That – Fasting

Applications for living the Spirit Filled Life – Message #2 Fasting 119793368 Listen to the sermon here.

Ronnie

February 5, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Day 35 and 5 more to go…

Today is day 35 of the 40 Day Fast. I would love to tell you that it has been easy and it has at times but overall it has been a hard thing to do. But then what isn’t worth a lot of hard work if it brings the blessing of God into your life. Now, I am not saying that if you do not fast that you will miss the blessing of God. What I am saying is that God led me to do a 40 day fast and because of following through I believe with all my heart that God is pleased. I actually hope that He allows me to do shorter fasts in the future and that I am not called to do another 40 Day. I also pray if he calls that I am attentive and obedient.

The first 27 days I took only water and an occasional spoonful of honey and for the past 8 days I have had a combination of water, a plain broth, a V8 Juice and an occasional spoonful of peanut butter. It is amazing how one spoonful of peanut butter a day after eating nothing for 27 days makes you feel as if you have eaten at the buffet. Physically I have done great, I had a check-up with my family physician this week and he said that I was doing great. There have been times when my mind was very clear and I was able to study and see scripture come alive and there have been days that I just prayed for bedtime to roll around quickly. Just being honest.

To date I have lost 35 pounds, I have walked 42 miles and this amazes me. The first time I did 40 days I was afraid to exercise at all but this time I didn’t want to start the New Year off with inactivity.

I don’t know what all God will do through this fast but I know what He has done.

He has taught me discipline that I didn’t know if I really had.

He has shown me that food holds great power over me and that is not what he desires for His people.

He has shown me that when His Word is the most important thing to us, His Word will suffice.

He has driven home the point that He expected that His people will Fast.

He has shown me that I really do want my relationship with Him more than I want anything else.

He has shown me that I can withstand the daily temptations that come my way.

The next 5 days I will continue to read, study, and pray. On Thursday at the evening meal I will break my fast and have some type of solid food. I have craved everything from flounder, to barbecue beef, to french fries, to pasta. Amazingly enough, I have had little temptation to have junk food. I think I see the effects of the junk to such a degree I almost abhor it, at least I abhor the effect it has on our bodies.

I am making some New Years Resolutions that have come from this fast and what God is speaking to my spirit, I will share these on Thursday morning, just before the fast ends. However, this fast has just begun for me. I have made a commitment with God, I will continue to live a fasted lifestyle.

More about this later.

Ronnie

February 4, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Book Review: Prayer by Richard Foster

This is my second time through this great book. Let me just say, anytime Richard Foster writes a book, it is going to be good and it is not going to be fluff. Foster is one of the deepest thinkers that I read. Foster is one of the best at relating the truths of scripture so that everyone can relate. With this said, he doesn’t take the easy approach to any subject and I believe from his writings, he lives what he writes. I am reading another Classic by him now, “The Celebration of Discipline” and it is equally great.

This is not a book that you will want to read through fast, I just did because I am preaching on the Spiritual Application of Prayer on Sunday morning and I just wanted a refresher of what Foster had to say on the subject. There are many works on prayer and this has to be one of the top 10, at least in a lot of people’s view, including mine. It may actually be number one for this Century.

Foster covers here just about every issue of prayer one can think of. From prayer for others to healing prayer to just having a prayer life, a life of communicating with the Creator of the Universe. Good, Solid, Biblical, worth your time and the money to purchase this book. This is one that will always be on my reference shelf as with any book Foster writes. Some book are good for one read, not this one, it is good for life reference.

Ronnie

February 4, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Book Review: Awakening by Stoval Weems

Awakening is a church movement started by the ministry of Celebration Church under the leadership of Pastor Stoval Weems. This church starts every year with a 21 day fast to start the year off right. In the book Stoval explains the different types of fasts people undertake for the 21 days, he shares stories of answered prayer and changed lives, and the tremendous impact these 21 days and living a fasted lifestyle have blessed the church to grow from 7 people to over 10,000 in attendance each week in just 12 years.

They have invited other churches across the globe and across denominational lines to join them each year and I would certainly like to  offer this to my congregation in 2013.

The greatest lesson I learned in and from this book is that God uses fasting in us to make room for new things He wants to do in and through our lives. I give this one 5 out of 5 stars.

Ronnie

February 3, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Book Review: Lord Teach Us To Pray by Andrew Murray

After reading this little classic I am burdened that we have to get back to reading the wisdom of these older Christian thinkers and scholars. There is so much wisdom and grace they have to offer. In this book Andrew Murray goes back to where the disciples ask Jesus, “Lord teach us to pray.” He goes step by step through this passage and mines it and brings out gold.

You can read it in under an hour and you can even find it for free on Kindle, it is worth your time and you could spend months contemplating it’s richness. I will give it 5 out of 5 stars. Because of this work, I will spend more time away from the world and in the prayer closet.

Ronnie

February 3, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Book Review: In Constant Prayer by Robert Benson

I think this one is a must read for those wishing to understand prayer better. Wow

In Constant Prayer is a book about the “Office of Prayer.” In other words, Office means in this instance a “ceremonial observance.” The Office of Prayer has been around for 6000 years and again I say wow. It is said to date back before Jesus and that Jesus would have participated in this discipline of the church. A few years ago I would have had a hard time accepting that we were to read prayers from a book as though we are praying them to God but not anymore. After coming into the Methodist Church more than 10 years ago and finding the value or the Liturgy, this is similar.

The Office of Prayer gives one the discipline of praising God, praying the scriptures, confession, and the ability to pray with others across the globe. It is a tradition and discipline mainly practices today by Monks and Nuns.

If you are familiar with “The Book of Common Prayer” the office of prayer is in this book. If you are familiar with John Wesley, you may know that The Book of Common Prayer is one book that he valued greatly. It is a book he carried with him and used on a daily basis. As a matter of fact, our modern-day United Methodist Book of Worship, includes the Office of daily prayers. The daily office is filled with scripture, prayers, and praise to our Father and follows the lectionary.

The author makes such a convincing argument of how the words that we say over and over, they have the power to change us and eventually things rise up in us. Not every day and not with every day will you sense the power of God, matter of fact some days will seem just to be dull and exactly that, dull. However, it is through plowing, planting, weeding, and tending a garden that we grow fruit and that is what the “Office of Prayer” offers us, it is a tending to the garden of our souls.

I am convinced and I for one plan to dive in to the “Office of Prayer” and mine some of the riches that have handed down to us from many generations of believers and even participated in by Jesus Himself.

Get this book!

Ronnie

February 2, 2012 Posted by imagebearer | Uncategorized | Leave a Comment