I’m Back…It’s Easter and Christ is Risen
I haven’t been posting much in the past couple of weeks but I’m back. It has been extremely busy. Our family is busy with two little boys and two little grandchildren and our church is busy and growing. I haven’t been overwhelmed like I have been in the past, I have let some less important things rest a while so that I could do the things that needed to be done.
Now, I don’t mean to say that the blog is unimportant, it is just that the things I have been doing these past two weeks came first. I have had lots of opportunities to spend time one on one with some people who are hurting. Matter of fact, my heart is burdened today, more than most, for those who are in darkness, those who are living lives going nowhere good, living lives where they have to constantly look over their shoulders to see the trail of rubbage left behind them. The fact is, they don’t even see it, they can’t see the way out, they don’t even understand there is a better life.
This is what Easter is all about. It is about 2000 years ago when God became man, in the form of Jesus, he came to earth, lived, died, and rose again to offer eternal, abundant, life to those who would pick up their cross and follow Him. Do you see it? He never promised if we would just ask Him into our hearts that he would wave a magic wand and make us live the good life. You see, most people come to Christ on the promise from a misguided individual who tells them come to Christ and He will make your life easy. Jesus never made such a promise. Matter of fact, Jesus said life will be difficult and you may even have to die for your faith in Him. He never promised an easy life but He promised an abundant life. Folks, there is a difference.
My life is not easy by any stretch of the imagination but my life is abundant. I have joy in my heart, I have peace in my heart, I know that I have God living inside me, that same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the grave. That same power will one day raise me to eternal life but today it has raised me to abundant life. I want the world to know, Jesus has RISEN!
Ronnie
Journey To Hope – Suffering
Here is the link, listen to the sermon: 119877659
Why suffering? Consider the source.
Job is the poster child for suffering. Job Chapter 1: 1-12
The Purposes of Suffering
1. There is no doubt we sometimes suffer because of our own sins.
There are consequences of our actions. What you sow is what you also reap. You live by the sword, you die by the sword.
2. We suffer because we live in a broken world that has been corrupted by Adam’s sin. Genesis Ch. 3
3. Suffering restrains us from falling in love with this sin stained world. I John 2: 15-17
4. We suffer because the faith we demonstrate in the midst of suffering brings honor and glory to God. I Peter 1: 6-7
5. We suffer because the enemy of our souls desires to destroy God’s children. I Peter 5:8
We have an enemy, you have a real enemy that wants to destroy you.
6. We suffer for purposes known only to God Himself. Romans 11:34 Illustration Job 38:1-12 & 33-37
7. We suffer because in the suffering we are becoming like Christ. Hebrews 2: 9-10, 18
8. God allows us to go through times of testing (suffering) because trials refine us. James 1: 2-4 & Malachi 3: 1-3
Suffering – Why???
Suffering, have you ever wondered why God allows suffering? I know I have, as a matter of fact I have to keep being reminded why, even after I know the answer. Suffering is the subject of my sermon this Sunday and it will also be the subject of Three Minute Thursday this week.
Suffering is universal, it happens to everyone and every created being, it is no respecter of persons nor of animals.
Suffering comes in physical, emotional, and mental pain. Suffering comes in the form of disease, death, and broken hearts., and it seems never-ending. Even Jesus, the creator of the universe suffered. God the Father had to also have suffered when He witnessed His only Son hanging on a cross, naked, beaten, and mocked.
WHY?
I hope you will follow along this week and see what God wants to teach us. I will be posting thoughts and questions on social media, I will blog about the matter before us, on Thursday I will do a Three Minute Thursday and post it to facebook and the blog, and then on Sunday I will preach what God has placed on my heart. I hope you will get involved and bring along some friends, maybe someone who is going through a really hard time.
Ronnie
Book Review: Temptation by Charles Stanley
I read this book the first time in 1988 when it was first published. It is one that I have kept around because there are just some authors who are strong and solid enough that their work is worth reading again and again. I find Dr. Charles Stanley to be one of the most thorough Bible teachers alive today.
In the book Dr. Stanly goes back and talks about when sin entered the world and thus the temptation of Adam and Eve. We all know that they took the bait of temptation and the human race has followed suit since that time. Dr. Stanley makes a very convincing and encouraging case for why we should continue to fight the fight. It is the battle that ensues between us and satan that makes us who we are, God mlds us through our willingness to stand strong.
Giving in to sin always leads to the death of something or someone. Relationships, marriages, etc…
This is a great little book and a fast read. It should be required reading for Christians…
Ronnie
Our Over-Messaged Lives – Finding Time for a Spiritual Life
Are you making time for “QUIET”? There is too much Noise in our world.
Ronnie
7 Ways Leaders Avoid Criticism
These come from the blog of a friend and I find them to be true. We live in a world where people do everything under the sun to avoid taking responsibility
Here are 7 ways:
- They make excuses for their shortcomings
- They dodge the bullets by hiding behind others
- They pass the blame and never own a mistake
- They keep things safe and stop taking risks
- They stifle their dreams and the dreams of others
- They limit their leadership exposure to other people
- They control information and the ability to make decisions
Some leaders have figured out how to avoid criticism… But then they are not really leading very well at all…
Book Review: Parent Church Landmines
If your church is considering how to start or should you start a new church, this book is a great tool to have. Our church has started a second campus and had we followed the guidelines in this book, some things could have been done more effectively. Most of it is common sense but some it we never thought about.
Churches have been starting new sites throughout history but most of them were separated from one another. In other words, one church would plant another church in a new neighborhood, give them some minor resources and their blessing and that was the extent of their commitment. In 2012 churches are starting new churches that remain part of the same family. Another word for these new churches is multi-site or one church in multiple locations. It is not uncommon today to hear of a church having as many as 3 to 10 other campuses.
These churches operate in various ways and some have proven to work better than others. This book is designed to help a church from the beginning thoughts of going multi-site through the first year or so of the planting. Chapter 1 addresses the “Paralyzing Fear” that so many people have that keep them from ever stepping out and growing the Kingdom of God as God intended. Chapter 2 addresses our “Values Disconnect”, what do we say the mission of the church is and what do we value and what is actually happening. Most churches in America say they value winning people to Christ but not many are growing. Chapter 3 “Lack of Trust and Accountability” this chapter addresses the fact that many times the parent church will suffocate the new start because they want to control and the new start needs to become independent and grow just as your child grows and becomes mature. Chapter 4 “Choosing the Right Model” I mentioned earlier there are several different models, Mother/Daughter, is just one model and is the model we used in our new start. Chapter 5 addresses “Choosing the right Planter. Chapter 6, Underestimating Risks, Chapter 7, Coaching issues, I am convinced in today’s world every leader needs a coach at some point, this is someone who have been where you are and has done what you are attempting to do. Chapter 8, this chapter covers funding. Today you will find grant funds in many mainline denominations to help with planting a new church and there will be churches who see the need and help support also. Many new church starts are being funding much like a missionary is funded, through individual donors. Chapter 9 addresses “Misfires”, Chapter 10 talks about when a parent church neglects their new child and we see that happen in new church starts a lot.
This is a great book with several assessment tools in the appendix for churches who want to discover if they are a candidate for such an endeavor as this. I know all of this is really new for most people and there is a great fear factor but I believe if we are going to win people to Christ, we are going to have to plant more and more new churches.
5 out of 5 starts for this one as a needed tool to follow.
Ronnie
Evernote, my new organization tool…
It is now on my Laptop, Android, and iPad, lets see how helpful it is. By the way, it’s FREE.
Ronnie
Creating New Memories – The Art of Planting New Churches
There is Great Wisdom in the voices of this Video, Path 1 and The United Methodist Church.
Ronnie
Dreaming of Vital Congregations – Church 2092
These videos are worth watching. How do you envision the church in 2092?
If we are to exist in 80 years we will have to swim in the waters of change.
Ronnie
Holston Evangelism Conference is Just 2 Days Away
There is still time, you can join us in Knoxville for a great time of learning what has worked for others, finding a renewed hope for the ministry where you find yourself, and a time of renewal. The cost is very reasonable and the benefits will be Great.
Join us this Friday and Saturday, March 16th and 17th @ Cokesbury Center
Check out all the information for the event here evangelism-conference-2012
Invite someone to church…
Some have asked where I found the video that we used in the service yesterday. Here it is…Remember, 80% of those who don’t go to church anywhere say they would if someone would just invite them.
Ronnie
We Can’t Look @ the Stitch Being Removed
Samuel and Judah have begged to go with me to the Doctor and see them work on my ear and on my stomach where the possible skin cancers have been removed. So, today I took them with me. When Dr. McPherson started to cut the stitch, this was the scene.
Ronnie
Can You Limit Your Sitting and Sleeping To Just 23.5 Hours A Day?
This is a video worth watching, that is if you are interested in improving your health.
Ronnie
My Latest App that I am Excited About – myfitnesspal
I found this yesterday and I have already started to use it, I love it. myfitnesspal.com is absolutely free, there is an app for the android, the iPad, and iPhone, and you can also use it on your computer.
I got this idea from a new book that I am reading called “Racing Weight”. It is a great book by the way. On a recent 40 day fast I lost 40 pounds and it is my goal to keep most of the weight off so that I can enjoy better health and better running. This calorie counting tool is so easy to use and it is amazing just what we consume and don’t even realize it. Studies show if we are tracking the things we eat, we will be a lot more disciplined.
Again, this app will allow you to enter everything you eat and drink in a day, there is even a bar code toll that allows you to scan the product label and then you have the exact product information. There is a place to put in your exercise for every day and it will ten tell you how many calories you need to consume in order to weigh your ideal weight.
Give it a try.
Here is the web site www.myfitnesspal.com
Download for iPhone iphone
Download for Android android
Download for Blackberry blackberry
Download for windows
A Beautiful Afternoon At The Park
We have found our project for this summer, a tire swing like this one. The boys love it.
Book Review “Outspoken”
This is an outstanding book on Communication in the Church and about the church. There are many different voices from all spectrum’s who share their stories and insights in this book. This book is so good that I am going to read through it with some of the folks at our church who are responsible for things like updating facebook groups, newsletters, twitter accounts, etc.
“The church has the greatest story ever told: the message of the gospel. Unfortunately, most churches aren’t doing a great job of communicating it. The way the world communicates has changed dramatically in recent years. With the rise of the web and social media, many churches are in the dark about where to go or what to do next. Drawing on the wisdom and insight from over 60 leading experts in various fields of church communication, this book provides a comprehensive resource for church leaders sharing how the church can leverage new media to effectively connect people with the gospel. From branding and design, to websites and social media, there are endless ways your church can cut through the static and help the message of the gospel be heard clearly. We’ve got a message worth sharing. It’s time we learn how to communicate it and communicate it well. It’s time to be outspoken!”
The way people communicate today is totally different from the way we communicated 20 years ago and things are changing at such a rapid pace. It is time the church set the pace rather than being the last to embrace something new. It’s not just anything new, it’s not a new message, but it’s a new way to get the message that never changes (the Gospel) to the world.
Ronnie
**** of 5
My ipad 2
Several people have recently asked questions about my ipad 2. I love this thing, to say the least but I will try to give you the good and the bad.
One of the biggest questions, Will it replace my laptop?
For me the answer is no. Simply because I like the screen size of the laptop and the full-size keyboard. If I have a lot of typing to do I want these two features. If you are comfortable with a smaller screen and the smaller keyboard the technology is certainly there for you to eliminate one or the other. However, it has cut down on my use of the laptop and carrying it around by about 75%.
2nd most asked question, Will the Kindle Fire do everything the ipad 2 will do? The short answer is definitely not. A lot fo complaints can be read online right now from the folks who bought the Fire thinking it would give them the same capability of the ipad and it simply isn’t the same tool. Now, I own the Kindle second generation and I love it and I absolutely love what I have seen from the Fire but they are designed for two really different purposes.
Kindle is still the best in my opinion overall as a reader in most situations, I love Kindle. However, I could do away with the Kindle at this point and for the most part I have. Misty now reads from the Kindle more than I do. I will read from it while outside because you can read in direct sunlight. I will read from it when the boys are watching movies on the ipad, and I will take it on the road because Kindle will read books to you, if they are read enabled. It is a mechanical voice that reads and not perfect by any means but it is pretty good and awesome when you are driving and can’t pick up the book to read.
Here are some of my favorite things about the ipad.
It is great now with Proclaim Presentation Software, this is what we use at Out of the Box and I can preach using the guidance of the ipad because it runs the same software as our media team. I can actually take control of the presentation and operate it from the ipad but haven’ had the need to do that. It works great for those of us who really need to wear glasses but prefer not to.
I use the Kindle Reader App a lot because the screen is backlit and very easy to read. I like to get up early in the mornings and read without having to turn lights on and this is perfect.
I can read many of the major news outlets such as USA Today at no charge. It is new and updated constantly right there on the device.
It is great for responding to and checking email. It is much easier than the android with the small screen and keyboard.
I listen to a lot of FREE leadership Podcasts and lots of sermon podcasts and it is perfect for this. I can plug and play through the speaker system in my car, awesome.
It is east to carry around, no more notepads to keep up with. Take all the notes you like and back them up to a cloud based app such as DropBox.
I use the calendar App a lot!
My Logos Bible Software is accessible on the ipad with almost $15,000 in print material at my fingertips. Commentaries, Bible Translations, Sermon Illustrations, Maps, etc….
There isn’t much that you can’t do with the ipad. I love it and if you played your cards right, the device would pay for itself in a short period of time is used for all it is worth. I think it is a great investment.
It is fast and it works. If I could recommend two things it would be to get the larger storage unit, it only cost a little more and you will eventually need it. Also, get the one that is 3G capable, even if you don’t subscribe to a service, you may be in a situation where you really want or need it and it is a small investment up front to have the capability of you want it later.
Ronnie
I Love Meeting Church Planters
Michael and Betsy Davis
I had the awesome opportunity to meet and make some new friends today. Michael and Betsy are from The Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church and they have planted a New Church called “The Journey” in Amelia Virginia. Here is a link to their web page http://journeyumcva.org/
We had some great fellowship around the purpose of the church and ways to foster growth. We shared success stories and some things that were not so successful. I believe this is what John Wesley called “Holy Conferencing.” We need each other in the church and in the world in general, we didn’t get here on our own and we won’t go very far in life on our own either.
I know that Michael and Betsy came to Hillsville and to Out of the Box Worship Center to see what they could learn about how we are doing church and to see what God is doing in building a dynamic church on Main Street but I benefited as well. I made two great new friends and I am reminded that I am not the only one who feels like at times that I’m in over my head. Matter of fact, I want to be in over my head, because if I could handle it on my own then I wouldn’t need God.
Take some time and look around their web page and I believe we will be hearing great success stories from this great clergy couple.
Ronnie
We have a New Soul
Nobody can say we don’t have a Soul anymore, lol. A lot of people have been asking about our new car, so I thought I would share a little about it here. We decided to make the purchase for several reasons. #1. the age and miles on my Jeep, it is a 2001 with 180,000 miles. We put a new motor in it 2 years ago and it only has about 50,000 miles on it, however with the amount of miles that I drive, there is just a lot that can go wrong. #2, the cost of gasoline and 14 miles to the gallon vs. 26 to 35 miles to the gallon.
It seems that everybody knows about the soul and the hampster commercial so I included that here for your enjoyment and then I included a great review for you to watch.
We purchased our Soul from Cole Kia in Bluefield WV from Salesman Brian Allen and we are extremely satisfied. It was the most pain free automobile deal I we have ever made.
Ronnie
A Most Dangerous And Difficult Calling
I don’t post many blogs that lead you away from my blog to someone else but this is really something that I would love to hear your thoughts on. Just for the record, I love what God has called me to do, to be a pastor. However, I understand everything in this post by Bill Reichart.
Here is a taste of what is in the article and then the link to the post. Please, come back and post here because it simply shouldn’t be this way.
Pastor Ronnie
Peter Drucker, the late leadership guru, said that the four hardest jobs in America (and not necessarily in order, he added) are:
- The President of the United States
- A university president
- A CEO of a hospital and
- A pastor
Journey To Hope Week 1 – The Message of Hope
Listen to the message here: 119841146
Social Media Is A Fad…
Guess again, Social Media is here to stay. I will admit that facebook and twitter may not exist in a couple of years, they may fade away just like Myspace has done. However, rest assured that some form of social media will take it’s place. We live in a FAST paced word where things change very rapidly. I wouldn’t surprise me at all to see something come along and wipe these two sites off the radar screen, almost overnight.
Regardless of what some say and think, theyre is a lot of ministry happening online, I can speak from experience. We are making connections and seeing relationships being built through Social Media and networking.
Join us……Or get left behind…
Wow, Looking Back
Wow, as we look back over the past 14 months, Just look where God has brought from and where He has taken us to. It is hard for us to grasp all of what He really has done.
We started with the names of 37 people on a sheet of paper who wanted to come to Main Street and start a New Worship Service to reach New People for Christ and we worshiped with 212 people yesterday. Matter of fact we have been consecutively worshiping with more than 200 people for several months now. We are at the place in our congregations life that we need to look at expansion.
I get the joy of hearing many of the stories that you may not be able to hear by virtue of being the pastor. The stories of lies being set free are so many. People who have testified that their families have been put back together, people who have carried a burden of past sin for years and now they have been set free. People who have carried shame are now walking in freedom and the list goes on and on and on. We have many who have come back to church after being out for more than 20 years. I am amazed and yet this is just what we prayed for, why would we be so amazed.
We have broken all kinds of records for a congregation growing this fast in a town the size of Hillsville. I am thankful for God’s blessing and His guidance and I am thankful for a lot of hard-working people.
I don’t want to miss anyone so I will speak in general terms.
We have one of the absolute best praise teams I have ever heard and many people back that up every week. They work hours and hours in practice in order to bring us to a place of worship and celebration every week. In my opinion this group is the best there is around for Christ. We have a great team who operate the sound, lights, video, and recording. These folks also put in hours and hours of work as they work with the band every time they play. We have an outstanding group of people working with the children from nursery to older children and that area is getting ready to expand to include more age groups. We have an awesome team who works hard to welcome and greet people as they come to OOTBWC, from the time they get to the door until they get inside the worship area there are people waiting to greet them and help make them at home.
We have many who have answered the call to step out (to Jump when God says Jump) and do ministry with those in need. From cutting trees, delivering firewood, babysitting, making wheelchair bags for those who are unable to walk freely, taking clothing to those in need, delivering household items to those who need them, the list goes on an on. We are a church who is taking the gospel literally and getting out where the need is.
Thank you, you are an answer to a lot of years of prayer. You are the answer to the need of a lot of people who are finding Christ. But most of all, you are answering the Call of God to be Disciples, to Follow Him.
Thank you 1st Hillsville UMC-Out of the Box Worship Center, you are Awesome!
Pastor Ronnie
About Ronnie G. Collins
I am the Planting Pastor of Out of the Box Worship Center and I also serve as the Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Hillsville Virginia. We are a Multi Site Church, one church in multiple locations. Our 1st campus is located at 225 Fulcher Street in Hillsville Virginia. Our 2nd location is on Main Street in Hillsville, FUMC Downtown, Out of the Box Worship Center, and our 3rd location is 522 North Main Street in Hillsville and this is our Youth Ministry Center, FUMC Downtown “Out of the Box”, Youth Ministry. The most recent ministry we have is “Out Of The Box Worship Center” and we are located at 516 North Main Street Hillsville. This site is now my main focus, along with the Youth Ministry.
I have a Passion to see hurting people come to know Jesus Christ. I believe that we as Christians have to demonstrate God’s Love to the world, rather than just telling them they are loved. I am married and have 3 sons two very special nephews that are like sons, 2 grandchildren, 5 great nephews, and one great niece that are like grandchildren. I am a blessed man.
I attended school at Carroll County High School, Wytheville Community College, Liberty University, and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.
My passions are as follows:
God
Family
Others
Reading
Running
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/ronnie24317
Twitter http://twitter.com/ronnie24317
Three Minute Thursday’s http://www.facebook.com/threeminutethursdays
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