Imagebearer's Weblog

You will never be satisfied…

imagebearer — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:47:41 +0000

I went for my morning run yesterday morning in one of the upscale neighborhoods of North Myrtle Beach, in the Cherry Grove section. When I went into this housing area I was in awe of the beauty of the homes. Some have as many as 6 car garages. They are huge and expensive. The pavement was bright and without blemish. It appears they even wash the street signs and keep them free from the grime that builds over time. The yards were pristine with nothing but the best grass and it was manicured, not a weed to be found. I ran for a couple of miles looking at these houses near a golf course.

Then something amazing happened. I came to a gate and as I ran through the gate the pavement was dull and there were patches and in places there were even holes. The houses were big and in their time, they were the place to be, they were in their time the envy of the people who drove by them.

“In their day.”

You see, there was a time when these houses were the top, the best, the most beautiful. But now they have been dwarfed by the neighbors who moved in next door. Their yards are no longer bright green, they have weeds, they no longer replace the palm trees that die with new ones, they replace them with something much cheaper. Don’t get me wrong, they are still big houses, in a nice neighborhood but they are no longer the envy of those who drive by them. There is no longer a gate that leads in and out of these places, the gates have been replaced by posts that symbolize the entrance.

The funny thing, in a few years and it wont be long, the new neighborhood that held me captive for a few minutes, it too will be dwarfed by houses bigger and better.

Ecclesiastes 5:10

“Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!”

I was thinking yesterday during my run. We are here on vacation, staying in a really nice condo right on the beach front. There are 8 of us in a really nice room that is really first class. We come this time of year because what we are staying in cheap gets really expensive in the busy season. It is a condo that is very roomy but compact. Two bedrooms, two bath, kitchen, dinning room, living room, washer, dryer, and dishwasher. It is really nice. But as nice as it is, it would be unacceptable for most of us to go back home and build our homes this compact.

Deuteronomy 6:10-12

When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, ¹¹houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, ¹²be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

As I ran through that nice community I saw something else. I saw two snakes and I have never in 25 years of coming to the beach seen a snake here. I was reminded, “You knew I was a Snake when you picked me up.”

Ronnie

What Breaks Your Heart?

imagebearer — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:08:40 +0000

I am preparing for a new series that I will preach at Out of the Box Worship Center beginning May 27th, it is called “Change Your World In 52 Days.” The series is about a man by the name of Nehemiah and there is a book in the Bible named after Nehemiah who wrote it. Our worship leader said this past week, after looking at the series, “I believe God is going to make some major change in people’s lives through this series.” I believe that to. I am excited, probably more than any series I have done so far. The Book of Nehemiah is written 425 years before Christ came on the scene and here are the first 4 verses of the book.

Nehemiah 1: 1-4 NIV

The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, ²Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. ³They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire. ” ⁴When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah was broken by the fact that the city walls in the city that represented the God he served were in ruins. This place was a testimony to Nehemiah of who God is and he was distraught that it had been allowed to lie in ruins, his heart was broken.

I want to know what breaks your heart. Would you take just a minute to leave a comment here. It may be that it makes you weep like Nehemiah, it may be that it makes you angry, it may be that it causes you to be depressed. Tell me what it is and be part of the sermon series coming May 27th.

Ronnie

Consumed Series – Out of the Box Worship Center

imagebearer — Sun, 13 May 2012 19:02:01 +0000

Consumed: Week 1 119907659

Consumed Week 2 119914336

Three Minute Thursdays – Video’s that have exceeded 1000 views

imagebearer — Sat, 12 May 2012 01:55:47 +0000

What Does God Think About Tattoo’s?

What Does The Bible Say About Interracial Dating?

Three Minute Thursday – Can A Person Who Commits Murder Go To Heaven?

imagebearer — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:51:53 +0000

Are People Born Gay?

imagebearer — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:17:34 +0000

With all of the conversation going on the past few days on the issue of gay marriage, etc. I decided to try and speak to the issues and try to help people find the tools, not the tools to beat people over the head but the tools to decide what you believe to be right. The following is a Three Minute Thursday video that I made several months ago. Let me say up front, if you are not a Christian and you do not believe the Bible to be true, then this video may mean nothing to you. However, if you are a Christian then you have to wrestle with the issues and determine how it is that God expects and desires for us to behave. If there were no rules, there would be pandemonium.

Ronnie

The Bible and Homosexual Practice

imagebearer — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:05:33 +0000

Wow, it’s everywhere. If I log on to facebook, twitter, or look at the news, it’s all about the United Methodist Church and their stance on “homosexual practice is not compatible with scripture”, or the vote in North Carolina this week to not allow same sex marriage. I believe that every person should take a stand for what they believe but I also believe that if we are going to take a stand that we need to do our homework and understand what is at stake. When I was in Seminary I had the opportunity to read Robert Gagnon’s book “The Bible and Homosexual Practice.” Notice the book says “homosexual practice.” This is the most thorough work on the subject that I have found and it is good. No matter where you stand on the issue, you should take a bold stand and read this work.

Ronnie

How Great Is Our God

imagebearer — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:33:59 +0000

I am preaching a short series right now on the topic of worship and tonight I was introduced to this video. It is 40 minutes long and worth every minute of it. You will come away with a new perspective on the awesomeness of the God we serve, the Creator of the World.

Ronnie

Book Review: Barefoot Church by Brandon Hatmaker

imagebearer — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:30:02 +0000

Barefoot Church is one of the books in the series for the Exponential Conference that I recently attended in Orland Florida, and it is a really good read.

It is in line with so many of the books coming out today regarding the church and where the future of the church lies. We are definitely in a cultural shift, not only in the way we do church but in the way we do life in general. In the book, Brandon begins by telling about a church service he and his wife attended where the speaker challenged everyone to leave their shoes at the altar at the end of the service to give to the homeless in that town. This is where the idea for Barefoot Church comes from. It is about a culture of reacjhing out and being the church and not just going to church.

I’m in…

I believe that we live in a culture of people of all ages that are tired of going to church and having a boatload of programs, they want to get their hands dirty and do the work of God.

Get this book and be challenged to the core of what you are doing as individuals and as the church.

Ronnie

Change Your World in 52 Days – New Series Coming Soon to Out of the Box Worship Center

imagebearer — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:53:54 +0000

There’s a slice of the world just waiting for your imprint. How will you shape it? Learn how you’re uniquely qualified to make a difference in Change Your World in 52 Days.

The following messages will be preached at both locations of 1st UMC Hillsville

FUMC Hillsville @ 225 Fulcher Street @830 and 11am

and

FUMC Downtown “Out of the Box” on Main Street @9 and 1030am

May 27th “Ordinary World Changers”

June 3rd “The Leader In You”

June 10th “Defeating Discouragement”

June 17th “Finishing Strong”

Consumed Series: Week 1

imagebearer — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:39:28 +0000

Link to the sermon 119907659

How Should We Read the Bible?

imagebearer — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:27:17 +0000

One of the ways God has gifted me is to be a resource person. I love to pull together resources to help people grow in their walk with Christ, as well as other things that I am drawn to in life. One of my greatest joys is to see people digging into the scripture and learning to know and love God better.

When I was in seminary, one of the resources that was recommended to me is the works of Gordon Fee. I own three of his books and all are very helpful and very good. They are written in language that is not for theologians only. They are written so that you and I can understand God’s Word. Here are the ones that I have in my resource library and I am sure these would serve anyone well.

What I have found about Gordon Fee is that he teaches us how to read and understand scripture while remaining true to scripture and not a denominational slant. This is so important.

Ronnie

I for one believe the best days of the Church are ahead of us and not behind us…

imagebearer — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:58:49 +0000

I know there is a lot of talk in the church world today about the glory days behind us and the fear that the church is dying. I don’t believe it is dying, I believe it is in constant change and change is good. We have great opportunities ahead of us and right before us, don’t miss the opportunities that are staring us in the face for the sake fo what is known and comfortable..

Ronnie

Bishop Will Willimon on Guaranteed Appointments

imagebearer — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:43:00 +0000

I am an advocate of doing away with guaranteed appointments for Elders in the UMC. Here is an interview Shane Raynor recently did with Bishop Will Willimon at the 2012 General Conference of the UMC on this topic.

Ronnie

Consumed – Two Week Series May 6th & 13th OOTBWC

imagebearer — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:33:03 +0000

What you consume will eventually consume you. Every person worships something or someone because we are made to worship. May 6th and 13th we will dive into the topic of Worship. Is Sunday morning about worship? Do we all worship alike? (Not) Do we even understand worship?

I hope you will come and invite your friends.

May 6th and 13th

Out of the Box Worship Center

516 Main Street in Hillsville

9am & 1030am