Noteworthy News for your Calendar
August 31st No SNL – Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend
September 3rd Wonderful Wednesday Meals Resume @ 5:45pm: Don’t miss this opportunity for a Great Meal at $4.00 per person and Great Fellowship with the church family.
September 6th District Leadership Day in Pulaski
September 7th First Service for Youth @ FUMC Downtown Center: Doors open at 9am, Praise Music and Bible Study @ 9:45am w/ Worship @ 11am @ FUMC Hillsville Main Campus.
September 7th Homecoming Service w/ Bishop James Swanson Preaching 11am no 8:30am Service Today
September 7th FUMC Downtown Center Ribbon Cutting w/ Bishop Swanson, District Superintendent, Dr. Charles Starks and SouledOut 2:30pm and the community is invited.
September 7th SouledOut in Concert@ FUMC Hillsville 6:30pm
September 10th Ronnie is speaking for FCA at Carroll County High School
September 10th First Wednesday Evening Service for Youth @ FUMC Downtown Center: Doors will open at 3pm, come do homework, have coffee, soda or just hang out. Service time is 6:45pm
September 11-13 is XEE Launch here in Hillsville VA. Call for details 276-728-2434 and speak to Ronnie
September 14th Ronnie will Preach @ 8:30am, 11am and SNL @ 6:30pm @ FUMC Main Campus
September 14th SNL w/ SouledOut & Ronnie @ 6:30pm
September 15th Church Council 7pm FUMC Main Campus
September 19th Liberty University Lock-in Contact Gator and Stephanie King for Details
September 19-21 Family Camp Weekend@ Camp Dickenson
September 20th Ronnie is Preaching at Camp Dickenson @ 7:30pm
September 21st See You At The Pole Rally @ The Carroll County Fairw/ SouldOut and Ronnie @ 4pm
September 21st No SNL it is at the Carroll County Fair @ 4pm
September 24th See You At The Pole @ All Local Schools
September 26th CCHS Football Game @ Home
September 29th Cluster Meeting @ FUMC Hillsville
SouledOut in Concert September 7th at FUMC Hillsville
On September 7th @ 6:30pm SouledOut will be in Concert at FUMC Hillsville’s Main Campus at 225 Fulcher Street in Hillsville Virginia. Don’t miss it!
Ronnie
Me and James Carville
This is funny. I really like to listen to James Carville on the radio or watch him on CNN when I get the opportunity. No I don’t agree with all of his political views nor do I agree with all of anyone’s political views. Anyway, when I started looking at this Caricature drawing someone did of me in Moby’s on Thursday, it looks a lot like James. If you added the facial hair I believe you would have him. I thought it was kind of cool.
Ronnie
See You At The Pole September 24th 2008
SYATP is just a few weeks away. Lets make it the best one ever in Carroll County. We will start with a SYATP Rally at the Carroll County Fair on Sunday September 21st at 4pm.
Watch for details, you won’t want to miss this event.
Ronnie
My Birthday & Ronnie Sketches
The Caricatures on either side are ones that Donna G. sketched of me a couple of months back and I love them. The one in the middle is one that a total stranger sketched of me in Moby’s Coffee on my Birthday. Misty and Samuel went to Wal Mart and I drank coffee and read the Book of Nehemiah. That is a little piece of Heaven you know, coffee and reading, wow.
Anyway there was a friend of ours that came in and after walking past me she asked the gentleman behind me, “is that him”? He said that he didn’t ask my permission, he was just working and was drawing me as he could remember me coming in the door.
I have to admit, at first I didn’t think it looked like me at all. Then while I was shaving I looked in the mirror and started to see the likenesses. Donna said recently she was going to have to redo my sketch because I had lost my fat cheeks. I have lost several pounds by running and my face is getting slimmer. The mustache and goatee are also getting longer and I see the resemblance there as well. I assume the little thing on my head is the light on my bald head.
Anyway, I like stuff like this, it is fun. I only wish I had the talent to do such things. There is someone that I thought of when I saw the drawing, I will blog that in a later post.
It was a great birthday, quiet most of the day with a 10 mile run with my new Garmin 305, coffee, reading (Nehemiah) and resting at Moby’s. Lunch at Talaque Paque with Misty and Samuel. Dinner at home with Mike and the kids and Dustin and his kids and of course Misty, Kyle and Samuel.
It was just a great day! I like it and I want more of it!
Ronnie
I stand corrected. This is much better than the Garmin 305
I said this week that the Garmin 305 was the best birthday present but that was before I was surprised by this picture last night. I truly am a blessed man. God has given me more than I ever imagined.
Victoria, Samuel, Christopher, Kyle, Ethan, Alex and Seth
FUMC Downtown Opening Soon
Things are happening Downtown. Drop by and see the progress.
Ronnie
Christians come in various Cultures
Christians come in many and varied cultural likes and dislikes. One group of people that I feel we have neglected personally is those in our community who like to skate. We have not done anything to intentionally reach out to this group. They are not a bad group, they are people just like the football players and the cheerleaders. It is just what they like and just like the football and cheerleaders have a form of dress that tends to follow their culture, skaters tend to have a style of dress that follows theirs. This can sometimes cause people to judge others. We have to learn that just because we don’t have a personal taste for someone Else’s style, that doesn’t make it wrong. I wish that everyone would think and act like me but not really.
Anyway, lets find a way to reach out. Who wants to help? What are your ideas? I would like to get something on the calandar for the Fall of this year, 2008.
Ronnie
Myspace vs. Facebook
One of the Youth had a shirt on Sunday Night that caught my attention. It said “Jesus died for myspace in Heaven”.
I like that, it is just a catchy way to be a witness for Jesus in a world that seems to communicate more on the web than any other possible way.
It was a long time after these two networking sites became popular that I finally got on board. It wasn’t until one of the youth challenged me to start a myspace account that I finally gave in and I love it. I have connected with old friends, family members and people that I went to school with more than 20 years ago.
Now, which one do I like best? I would probably say that I like Facebook the most. It seems to be more user friendly. However my new intern has been helping to show me how to better use the myspace site this week and I am liking that tool better. Myspace seems to be geared more to the youth generation and Facebook seems more geared to the college and adult populations.
They both have their pluses and minuses but overall they are both pluses. If you are still waiting, bite that bullet and I think you will be glad that you did. It is a great networking tool and it can also be a lot of fun getting to know your friends better.
Ronnie
Here are the links to my myspace and facebook accounts. Check them out and add me to stay in touch.
Christian Guitar Hero
This is awesome news. Several people had said that we should have Guitar Hero at the Downtown Center and now maybe we can have a great version of it.
Christian Guitar Hero to Hit Shelves in the US
Guitar Praise - Solid Rock - Available in mid-September 2008You can place your PRE-ORDER NOW – You will be one of the first to get Guitar Praise direct from Digital Praise when it becomes available in September. (Note your credit card will be charged when you place your order.)
Grab the guitar and play along with top Christian bands! Shred those riffs or blast the bass…you add a unique sound to the solid Christian rock. But watch out: if you can’t keep up, the artists will take a break and stop the music. Crank it up and try again - you’ll soon be rockin’ with the best while praising the Lord! Key Features:
INCLUDES: CD-ROM game, wireless guitar controller, USB wireless adapter, detachable neck strap. Requires 4 AA batteries (not included).
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 1 Ghz Windows PC with XP or Vista, 650MB available hard disc space, a 32MB 3D Video Card and one available USB port.
1 Ghz Mac with OS X 10.3 or later, 650MB available hard disc space and one available USB port.
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Salem Lake 30K and 10K September 20th 2008
Several of us will be running the Salem Lake Run. We would love for you to join us!
Ronnie
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Training Training Training
It has been a few months ago that I started talking about getting back into shape and it is happening. I am logging between 20 and 35 miles running each week and I will bike a few with Kyle. Misty and I have taken the 100 Push up Challenge and that is going well. When I started this thing, this time I was back up to 220lbs and this morning I weighed in at 199. I thought I was never going to lose it. When I was running my best clock times I was 173 to 178lbs and I have a goal to go back to that ideal weight.
I know that people say I look sick at 173lbs but I have read in Runner’s World that when a person is most healthy they will look very thin and very little body fat.
I ran this morning with my new Birthday gift, Garmin 305 and I logged 10 miles in the rain. I love running in the rain and it is an added blessing when it has been so dry.
Ronnie
4 Years at Liberty University for FREE
Spirit FM and Liberty University are once again working to bless someone with a free 4 year education. Liberty is a great Christian University and where I earned my BS in Religion. http://www.spiritfm.com/pages/studio/contests/american-scholar-coming-s.shtml check here for details.
American Scholar is Back!!!
American Scholar is back! High school juniors or seniors can apply now for an opportunity to win a 4 year, tuition paid scholarship to Liberty University, valued at over $61,000!
I hope that some of our youth will apply.
Ronnie
AS TIME GOES BY … Since it is my Birthday!
1975 : Long hair
2008 : Longing for hair
1975 : Acid rock
2008 : Acid reflux
1975 : Moving to California because it’s cool
2008 : Moving to Florida because it’s warm
1975 : Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
2008 : Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
1975 : Going to a new, hip joint
2008 : Getting a new hip joint
1975 : Rolling Stones
2008 : Kidney Stones
1975 : Down with the system!
2008 : Upgrade the system
1975 : Disco
2008 : Costco
1975 : Passing the drivers’ test
2008 : Passing the vision test
1975 : Whatever
2008 : Depends
Life is like planting a field.
Sometimes planting and harvesting is difficult. We can either get too much rain or not enough. The weeds grow and require constant care. Never forget that after the constant care that seems never ending, you get the finished product and you enjoy the fruit of your labors. Do not grow tired in doing good in this life, a harvest is coming and you will reap the rewards.
Ronnie
7 Do not be fooled: You cannot cheat God. People harvest only what they plant.8 If they plant to satisfy their sinful selves, their sinful selves will bring them ruin. But if they plant to please the Spirit, they will receive eternal life from the Spirit.9 We must not become tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time if we do not give up.10 When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.
Bishop James E. Swanson @ First UMC Hillsville September 7th @ 11am
Bishop Swanson will be speaking at Hillsville First United Methodist Church on Sunday September 7th at 11am. You are certainly invited to join us for a great message, “Let The Church Be The Church”.
This is our Homecoming Service and a meal will follow the service. Everyone is welcome to stay for the good food and great fellowship.
Ronnie
James E. Swanson, Sr.
Resident Bishop
Holston Annual Conference
Bishop James Swanson Sr. was elected to the episcopacy in July 2004. At the time of his election, he was Superintendent of the Savannah District of the South Georgia Annual Conference. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Bible College and Master of Divinity degree from C. H. Mason Seminary, ITC, Atlanta, GA.He is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Evangelism at Perkins School of Theology, SMU.
His most recent pastoral appointment was St. Mary’s Road UMC, a congregation that grew from sixteen active members to a membership of 950 with an average attendance of over 525. He has served as Chair of the Board of Commissioners, Housing Authority of Columbus, GA. He received a Hope VI Grant to revitalize a depressed community in Columbus and headed the Mayor’s Task Force on Gangs. He is a popular preacher, teacher, and leader within our connection.
Bishop Swanson and his wife, the former Delphine Yvonne Ramsey, have six children and ten grandchildren. They reside in Knoxville with their two teenage children. His hobbies include golf and hiking.
Queen Victoria Turned 1 Year Old August 17th, 2008
Our granddaughter Victoria turned 1 year old August 17th. I have been busy and have been slow about putting the pictures up. We celebrated with a birthday party at Lambsburg Baptist Church. She is a precious little baby girl.
Ronnie
Traingle Fitness Labor Day 5K
Saturday, Sept 30th, 2008, 7:00 pm
5k-All individuals interested in and able to run/or walk the course.
Location
Kernersville, NC. Triangle Fitness From I-40 Business from the East take, the second Kernersville exit, turn right off the exit. From the West take the first Kernersville exit and take a left this street is Main Street. Go to Old Winston Rd, the first stop light. Take a left, appox. 1 mile on left.
Entry Fees
5k
$15.00 – Pre registration (Deadline – Aug 15th)
$ 20.00 – After Aug. 15 and day of race
(Price include tee-shirt)
Course 5k – Water at the turn around point.
Entry Fee Includes (First 150 paid runners)
Custom designed T-shirt for 5k runners, post race refreshments, awards, and door prize drawings. All this is from the Kernersville Running Club and Triangle Fitness and its sponsors.
Results will posted on the Kernersville Running Club web site and The Running Journal ’s web page and Magazine also on Cool Running web page and in Runners World’s (kernersville-running-club.org)
Awards -5k
5k trophies will be awarded as follows:
Overall: Top male and top female finishers.Age Group Prizes For Male/Female 14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44,45-49, 50-54,55-59, 60-65, 66-69, 70 +
Contact Blake Ward
380 fielding drive
Kernersville N.C. 27284
336-972-6302
E-mail- hward@triad.rr.com
Race directed by
Kernersville Running Club
Registration
T- Shirt Size: L XL
Home Phone ___________________
E-mail ________________________
Home Phone ___________________
Date of Birth _____________
Age on Race Day ____________
Sex M F
Emergency Contact (Name and Phone)___________________________
Signature (Under 18, parent must sign): _________________________________
I got the Best Birthday Present on Tuesday
Lock On to Satellite Signals
Forerunner 305 sports a unique design that wraps the GPS antenna around part of the wrist for a better view of the sky, and its high sensitivity GPS receiver provides improved tracking under trees and near tall buildings. Forerunner 305 also sports a robust ANT+™ wireless heart rate monitor with softer, more comfortable chest strap and superior battery life. It eliminates cross-talk with other devices to reliably measure and send heart rate data, and it helps you train in your optimal heart rate zone.
Take It to the Next Level
Forerunner 305’s courses feature lets you compete against previous workouts: you can compare your pace and heart rate to your past performance over the same run. You can also use Forerunner 305 to train for your next duathlon or triathlon with multi-sport workouts, a feature that lets you seamlessly transition between sports without resetting the unit, so you can use it for running, biking and more.
Train indoors and still track your distance, pace and calories burned with the optional Foot Podaccessory. This wireless sensor attaches to your running shoe and transmits distance and pace data to your Forerunner 305 so you can still use it when GPS reception is unavailable.
Get the Data You Need
You can customize any of Forerunner 305’s three main data screens — up to twelve data fields give you instant feedback on your workout. And, as with every Forerunner, each workout is stored in memory so you can review and analyze the data and see how you’ve improved over time.
Track Your Progress
As an added benefit, you can plan, analyze and store data from your workouts using free Garmin Training Center® software, which lets you analyze data with interactive graphs that chart your pace, time, distance and heart rate. Overlay your run on a map so you can pinpoint specific areas and see how elevation and other factors affect your performance. Or, upload your workout data to MotionBased.com, Garmin’s web-based application that provides in-depth analysis of your workouts, online mapping and route sharing that will take your training to the next level. Endurance athletes can also use the Forerunner with TrainingPeaks.com, an easy-to-use web-based training system designed to help athletes train for any event.
Forerunner 305: You’ll like the results
Always Exercise Your Right To Vote!
Who ever said one vote won’t make a difference?
A Tennessee woman knows better, because she was elected constable by voting for herself. According to an August 8 AP story, 32-year-old Angela Tuttle said her father encouraged her to run as a write-in candidate because no one else was vying for one of the positions in Hancock County, which is in northeastern Tennessee.
Tuttle said her husband initially didn’t even realize she was running.
“I finally told him about a month before the election,” she explained. Her husband didn’t think she would win, but now he “just grins at her.”
Hancock County election officials said 131 voters of the 674 registered in the 3rd District voted. Tuttle’s vote was the only one cast in the constable race. She will be sworn in Dec. 1.
The certified nursing assistant and mother of a 10-year-old son will help serve warrants and patrol neighborhoods in her district. She said her father, a longtime constable who won his own re-election in another district, will “show her the ropes.”
FUMC Downtown News Update August 26th, 2008
You can follow the links here to read more about what is happening at the Downtown site. Also check here often for continual updates. People are working hard to get ready for September 7th, Grand Opening Event.
http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2008/08/22/youth-ministry/
http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2008/08/22/god-is-good-all-the-time/
http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2008/08/19/downtown-update/
http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2008/08/19/fumc-downtown-out-of-the-box/
http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/43-praises/
http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/jesus-in-the-box/
http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/i-need-boxes/
http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/jesus-out-of-the-box-youth-downtown/
http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/fumc-downtown-update-sunday-august-24th/
http://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/downtown-happenings/
I love it when a plan comes together and this one is coming together fast. Be sure and stop by when you see some of the youth leaders in the building, we would love to tell you more about what God is doing in our lives. As a matter of fact, we would love to know what God is doing in your life.
You may need a dynamic, Spirit Filled Youth Group if:
You are lonely and feel that you have no friends.
You feel out of place, like you don’t fit in anywhere.
You don’t have a safe place to share your hurts and disappointments of life.
You are not sure that anyone is praying for you.
You know there must be a God but you don’t know who He is.
You would like to help those less fortunate than you but you don’t know how.
You wish that you had someone older who would mentor you and help guide you in good decision making but you don’t have anyone like that.
You love God and just need a group of people to fellowship and worship with who are excited and committed to following Jesus Christ.
If any of these statements are true with you, we can help.
We promise to listen to your concerns, your hurts and your celebrations and to help share the load of burden you have to carry in this life. If you need friends who understand where you are and where you would like to go, we will be here to encourage you. If you want to know more about the God who created the World and all that is within it, we can help.
Stay tuned for more information.
Ronnie
Bishop James Swanson will Preach @ FUMC Hillsville September 7th
If you have heard our Bishop preach then you know the passion that is within him. If you have not had the opportunity then you will not want to miss September 7th when Bishop James Swanson comes to First UMC Hillsville to preach for our Homecoming service. I am including one of his recent blogs and also links to read and hear more about the Episcopal Leader of The Holston Conference of the UMC.
Ronnie
Soaring http://holston.org/about/bishop-swanson/blog/
Holston Conference http://www.holston.org/
First Hillsville UMC http://www.holston.org/churches/first-umc-hillsville-hillsville-va/
Soaring – Bishop’s Blog
Is This a Turnaround?
July 10, 2008
Well, the membership figures for last year are in and … the Holston Conference showed a net gain of 172 members.
I commend the laity and clergy of Holston Conference for your willingness to invite, welcome, and lead persons to confession of faith in Jesus Christ and to affirm that faith through baptism. 2007 marks only the second time since 1969 that the Holston Conference has reported membership growth. The last time was in 1997, when we reported an increase of 67 members.
I want to celebrate this increase, and I trust that it is a harbinger of growth for years to come. Looking back over our records, I noticed that from 1956 to 1969 we only experienced two years of lost members. I believe we can continue our growth if we cooperate with the Holy Spirit to “Offer Them Christ.”
I realize that some of you are asking, “Who are the ‘them’ of which we speak?”
The “them” are all persons inside and outside the church in need of the grace of God. Some are in need of heeding the pull of “prevenient grace.” Then there are those in need of “justifying grace.” Last but least, those of us who have confessed Christ as our Savior are in need of “sanctifying grace.”
I long to hear more people sing, “It’s me, it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.” I want to hear more persons sing, “He touched me, and oh, the joy that floods my soul! Something happened, and now I know, he touched me and made me whole.”
And oh, I want to hear our churches filled with a thunderous singing of “take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee.” We have demonstrated that we can do it, so let us be about the joyous ministry of offering them Christ. I choose to believe that is a turnaround. Hallelujah!
God’s Children and Part of the FUMC Family
I have no reason to share these other than the fact that God is doing Awesome things in the Bolen Family. Here is a family that like mine and yours has experienced a lot of heartache with the death of several family and friends who were very close to them in just the past year. Here is a family that is active in our church and love God and most of all, here is a family that is beautiful and I get to call them friends. It is because of families and individuals like these that FUMC Hillsville is getting things done for God. It is an honor to serve Our Lord with people like you.
Ronnie
Blaze 5K in Wytheville
| Place Overall | Name | M/F | Time | Place |
| 1 | David Meyer | M | 15:48 | 1st Overall |
| 2 | Cody Hash | M | 17:05 | 2nd Overall |
| 3 | Randy Jewell | M | 17:29 | 3rd Overall |
| 4 | Dustin Payne | M | 17:43 | 1st 25-29 |
| 5 | Brian Porter | M | 18:01 | 2nd 25-29 |
| 6 | Glen Altizer | M | 19:27 | 1st 35-39 |
| 7 | Doc Weiss | M | 19:28 | 1st Master |
| 8 | Lonny Bess | M | 20:12 | 2nd 35-39 |
| 9 | Daniel Meade | M | 20:52 | 1st 15-19 |
| 10 | Jim Lovelace | M | 20:53 | 2nd Master |
| 11 | Ron Rodgers | M | 21:00 | 3rd Master |
| 12 | Stephen Pruitt | M | 21:19 | 3rd 35-39 |
| 13 | Adam French | M | 21:21 | 2nd 15-19 |
| 14 | Owen Morgan | M | 21:26 | 1st 11-14 |
| 15 | Jared Fravel | M | 21:59 | 1st 30-34 |
| 16 | Byron Guy | M | 22:06 | 1st 55-59 |
| 17 | William Hurlin | M | 22:32 | 1st 50-54 |
| 18 | Tom Knutson | M | 22:33 | 1st 35-39 |
| 19 | Rick Post | M | 23:03 | 2nd 50-54 |
| 20 | Josh Kirby | M | 23:04 | 3rd 25-29 |
| 21 | Sam Knutson | M | 23:25 | 3rd 15-19 |
| 22 | Mark Dillon | M | 23:27 | 1st 40-44 |
| 23 | Michael Hancock | M | 23:32 | 2nd 11-14 |
| 24 | Ronald Reaves | M | 23:41 | |
| 25 | DeAnna Hedgepeth | F | 24:21 | 1st Overall |
| 26 | Molly Dalton | F | 24:36 | 2nd Overall |
| 27 | Stephen Martin | M | 24:46 | 2nd 30-34 |
| 28 | Sally Campbell | F | 24:53 | 3rd Overall |
| 29 | Thomas Sheffe | M | 24:56 | 3rd 50-54 |
| 30 | Haley Auguston | F | 24:58 | 1st 15-19 |
| 31 | Zachary Freeman | M | 25:01 | 3rd 11-14 |
| 32 | Theresa Lindamood | F | 25:02 | 1st Master |
| 33 | Charlotte Reasor | F | 25:13 | 2nd 15-19 |
| 34 | Haley Stallard | F | 25:13 | 3rd 15-19 |
| 35 | Hunter Klein | M | 25:19 | |
| 36 | Vonda Wilson | F | 25:31 | 1st 35-39 |
| 37 | Patricia Crvich | F | 25:39 | 2nd 35-39 |
| 38 | Ronnie Collins | M | 25:47 | 2nd 40-44 |
| 39 | Cary Sexton | F | 25:55 | 1st 25-29 |
| 40 | Andy Kegley | M | 26:02 | |
| 41 | Tom Davis | M | 26:05 | 1st 60-64 |
| 42 | Nick Crvich | M | 26:20 | 2nd 45-49 |
| 43 | Lisa Jonas | F | 26:55 | 2nd Master |
| 44 | Mike Jonas | M | 26:56 | 3rd 40-44 |
| 45 | Mike Webb | M | 27:09 | 3rd 30-34 |
| 46 | Kelby Dove | F | 27:15 | |
| 47 | Mandy Nester | F | 27:15 | 2nd 25-29 |
| 48 | Mark Mabry | M | 27:20 | |
| 49 | Eric Deaton | M | 27:44 | 3rd 45-49 |
| 50 | Pat Smiley | F | 27:55 | 3rd Master |
| 51 | Coleman Dove | M | 28:01 | |
| 52 | Brandon Mock | M | 28:17 | |
| 53 | Michael Burch | M | 28:33 | |
| 54 | Chelsea Carter | F | 28:52 | |
| 55 | Forrest Carter | M | 28:58 | |
| 56 | Jessica Hudnall | F | 29:06 | 1st 11-14 |
| 57 | Karen Griffee | F | 29:09 | 1st 45-49 |
| 58 | Chuck Peterson | M | 29:11 | |
| 59 | Nelson Teed | M | 29:26 | |
| 60 | Jessica Bandy | F | 29:30 | 3rd 25-29 |
| 61 | Mason Nester | M | 29:32 | |
| 62 | Sue Addison | F | 29:34 | 3rd 35-39 |
| 63 | Ricky Patton | M | 29:35 | |
| 64 | Elam ? | M | 29:37 | |
| 65 | Reed Kegley | M | 30:12 | |
| 66 | Catherine Barbrow | F | 30:20 | |
| 67 | Sharon Eubanks | F | 30:28 | 1st 40-44 |
| 68 | Strickland | M | 30:55 | |
| 69 | Terri Street | F | 31:02 | 1st 55-59 |
| 70 | Stephen Wire | M | 31:30 | 2nd 60-64 |
| 71 | Caitlin Gallagher | F | 31:36 | 2nd 11-14 |
| 72 | Louis Brossy | M | 32:09 | |
| 73 | Lindsay King | F | 33:00 | 3rd 11-14 |
| 74 | Jean McHayle | F | 33:16 | |
| 75 | Sussie Slaugenhaupt | F | 33:34 | |
| 76 | Eddie Louthen | M | 33:57 | |
| 77 | Jamie Sarrge | M | 36:05 | |
| 78 | Suzanne Carroll | F | 36:15 | 1st 30-34 |
| 79 | Tim Edwards | M | 36:24 | |
| 80 | Trent Crewe | M | 36:37 | 2nd 55-59 |
| 81 | Donna Silber | F | 38:04 | 2nd 55-59 |
| 82 | Gershon Silber | M | 38:05 | 3rd 60-64 |
| 83 | Shalee Ratcliffe | F | 39:48 | |
| 84 | Brian Burch | M | 40:40 | |
| 85 | Barbara Edwards | F | 40:46 | 3rd 55-59 |
| 86 | Eddie Boyd | M | 41:12 | 1st 70+ |
| 87 | Sylvia Collins | F | 41:27 | 1st 65-69 |
| 88 | Rebecca Branson | F | 45:01 | |
The First Annual Blaze 5K was held this past Saturday in Wytheville. My nephew Dustin had his best clock time ever, there was a little issue with where the final cone was placed so the time is not correct. However it was still his fastest time. Our own Steve Martin ran his FIRST 5K and he beat me, way to go Steve. There are several folks here that we know. Brian Burch is one of our Holson Conference Clergy members, he his son ran. Mom and Sussie ran and mom did better on her time, she is doing a lot of training.
Way to go runners, I can’t wait until the Galax 5K. Maybe my sloooooooow time will encourage more people to run and attempt to beat me.
Ronnie
Cehck out the Wythe Striders http://www.freewebs.com/wythestriders/
A Riddle for Wednesday Night Youth August 27th
Riddle: Who do you get when you combine renowned success, confidence, consistent hard work, eight gold medals, an average annual income of six million dollars, broad shoulders, goggles, and water?
FUMC Interns Rock
In the last semester of 2008, Clay was my Intern. He came and helped me to prepare messages and videos for the youth meetings and was a huge help. Clay helped get me started when I got an MP3. Which by the way I could use some more help with.
This semester I have Whitney as an Intern. God is blessing me with the Youth who can help me to be technically savvy and hopefully I can help the Youth to be Spiritually Savvy. Thanks to all the Youth who work so hard to make FUMC Youth Rock The House!
Ronnie
Downtown Happenings, August 25th 2008
Everyone is asking questions about the Downtown Center. I might also add that everyone is excited! Here are a few shots to let you see the work that is going into getting the roost ready for the people. 7 of us spent most of the day on Saturday shopping for and purchasing furniture for the location. The pictures you see here have several from the church that are pitching in to help.
This thing is really coming together fast and we believe it is God’s Plan. The power is on and the coffee bar is being built today!
Check back later for more on Downtown. Our letters should be on the store front windows real soon.
Ronnie
Why Should I Be A Christian?
This is from the UMC News service and I found it to be very good. All of us need to be able to answer the question, why would I want to be a Christian? So many times I ask someone that question and they have absolutely no answer. We believe in a Risen Savior, we believe in One who will come again and soon to set the World Right.
Be Blessed,
Ronnie
Why should I be a Christian?
Aug. 21, 2008
NOTE: A photograph is available at http://umns.umc.org.
A UMNS Commentary
By Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker*
If someone were to ask you “Why should I be a Christian?” what would you say?
I cannot think of a more challenging question for a Christian. It makes us wonder if we have anything to say to a person who is not a Christian that would at least encourage him or her to consider becoming one. It also makes us think about why we ourselves are Christians.
Whenever we talk with a non-Christian, it is more important to witness than to convince. We should listen to his or her story and, when we hear some question that comes from that person’s experience, then we may share how the Gospel of Jesus Christ has enabled us to respond to that question in our own lives. We cannot argue anyone into faith in Jesus Christ.
Nevertheless, there is room in preaching, teaching and conversation for giving some reasons why one should be a Christian.
Jesus is alive
In my view, the first response is to declare that Jesus Christ is alive, and he is calling each of us to be his disciple. We who are Christians believe that the one Jesus called Abba, Father, sent him into history as “the exact imprint of God’s very being (Hebrews 1:3).” In his character, pattern of living and teaching we have “seen the Father (John 14:9).” This is a unique claim.
Since it is a claim that, if true, should cause one to change one’s whole life, then we owe it to ourselves to test it. The main way to put it to the test is to read the Gospels in the New Testament. They must be read with an open mind and heart. Reading the Gospels defensively is to fail to take seriously the Christian claim about Jesus Christ. If we are willing to read the Gospels with openness, then the person of Jesus Christ impresses himself upon our mind and heart. While there are obvious differences in the Gospels, each portrays the same Christ. That is, the person of Jesus Christ communicates himself to us through the various witnesses to him. His gift of himself to us comes with a call to us personally as if to say, “Because I am who I am, why are you not following me?” This mysterious transaction between Jesus Christ and us occurs because Jesus Christ lives as the crucified and risen Lord and gives himself to us through the church and its book of original witnesses to him.
If someone dares to read the Gospels with openness and begins to sense the call of Christ, then he or she also should meet with Christians for conversation about their own experience of Christ. In the experience of others we begin to understand what is happening to us and how we can respond to this call. Worship with a congregation that celebrates rightly the sacraments of baptism and communion is also essential because these rites articulate in action the call of Christ to accept a new identity in the world and to live in communion with Christ’ living presence.
There is no way to declare that Jesus Christ is alive and calling each of us to be his disciple without inviting someone to try a set of practices such as reading the Gospels, conversing with people of faith in small groups and participating in sacramental worship. The only reason someone would accept this invitation is because he or she senses something in our lives that he or she is seeking. Our witness matters more than our arguments, but our arguments offer a rationale for explaining why we are witnesses.
It’s the best way to live
Why be a Christian? The second response is that the life of being a disciple of Jesus Christ is the best way to live.
Someone is not likely to find this response compelling unless he or she is dissatisfied with his or her life. Still, nearly everyone feels this dissatisfaction in some way at different moments in life. One may feel anxiety as great as floating on a turbulent sea with no firm ground in sight. This anxiety comes from lacking the buoyancy of faith in a God who cares for us. One may be oppressed by loneliness, which is overcome by being baptized as a member of Christ’s church. One may feel rootless in a mobile society, but acquire a home and a heritage in the Christian tradition. Or, one may know guilt over having wasted one’s life so far or having done harm that cannot be undone and find freedom in the Good News of Christ’s forgiveness.
The Christian life offers not only a way of meeting our spiritual needs, but also a direction for how to live our lives. We are shaped by such daily practices as honesty, hospitality, kindness, charity and courage to confront wrong. Without these kinds of practices, our lives have little meaning or substance except merely trying to enjoy our existence. As we mature in the Christian life, we begin to realize that our daily practices have to be related to our responsibilities as citizens to advocate for social policies that are more just.
Our testimony that the Christian life is the best way to live is not likely to be compelling unless the person with whom we are talking sees in us a pattern of living that is attractive. Once again, we have to remember that convincing cannot be separated from witnessing.
The way things are
A third response begs time for much conversation but can be summarized by saying there is no vision of reality that is a more adequate interpretation of the way the world is arranged than the Christian view of life. Included within this view are Christian understandings of creation, the interpretation of the drama of human history, the meaning of suffering, the ordering of sexuality, the role of possessions in our life, the hope of life beyond death, and so on.
Anyone with whom we are talking probably has a basically secular view of the world. Since this is still a culture affected by Christianity, he or she probably makes some assumptions about what Christians think, which are probably very wrong. To sort through all the questions takes time.
I am convinced that there is no vision of reality that is as adequate as the Christian view. It has demonstrated its validity over and over for 2,000 years against alternative views, including Greco-Roman paganism and modern scientific materialism. It also will prevail over post-modern skepticism and relativism.
Consider one example. Christianity affirms that God created the world out of nothing. The pagan philosophers scoffed at this claim because they had inherited a worldview that assumed “matter” is eternal. The greatest of their philosophers, such as Aristotle, posited that there is a “prime mover,” but the eternity of the material universe was assumed. Today, the majority of physicists agree that evidence shows the universe had a beginning in an instant of a “big bang” of energy. While Christian teaching about the Creator is not bound to any scientific theory in any age, our best scientific evidence today is consonant with Christian teaching that has been based upon revelation for two millennia.
Many secular people assert that there is no need to posit a Creator since science offers explanations for the beginnings of things, but they fail to perceive where the “laws” of the universe, which explain beginnings, come from or why there is something rather than nothing.
In the end, ultimately everything is a mystery. Religions always will exist because their response to the mystery of being is to offer another mystery to explain it. There is no escape from being enveloped in mystery, and we who are Christians have discovered that the mystery that makes the most “sense” out of the mystery of being is the mystery of God who is revealed in Jesus Christ.
To help others begin to perceive the Christian view of the world requires that we try to understand it ourselves. That is why being a Christian witness should involve a lifetime of Christian education. The role of pastors and Christian educators is to guide Christians in studying sound theological literature so that we may be able “to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you (I Peter 3:15).”
There comes a time when each of us must say “yes” to Jesus Christ in order to become his disciple. The British evangelist Bryan Green used to say that you cannot ooze into the kingdom of God; you must choose to enter the kingdom of God. While each of us must choose, every congregation ought to have a way of inviting and nurturing persons to come to faith. And, within every congregation that is effectively making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, there are members who are giving some kind of answer to the question, “Why should I be a Christian?”
*Whitaker is the bishop of the Florida Annual Conference. This commentary was adapted from e-Review, the online news service of the Florida Annual Conference.
United Methodist News Service
FUMC Downtown Update Sunday August 24th
God is so good to us. Seven of us spent most of the day on Saturday searching for great deals on furniture for Downtown and we hit the Jackpot. We came away with several nice pieces and we will place them in the Center later today.
I love it when a plan comes together and this one is coming together fast. Be sure and stop by when you see some of the youth leaders in the building, we would love to tell you more about what God is doing in our lives. As a matter of fact, we would love to know what God is doing in your life.
You may not have a dynamic, Spirit Filled Youth Group if:
You are lonely and feel that you have no friends.
You feel out of place, like you don’t fit in anywhere.
You don’t have a safe place to share your hurts and disappointments of life.
You are not sure that anyone is praying for you.
You know there must be a God but you don’t know who He is.
You would like to help those less fortunate than you but you don’t know how.
You wish that you had someone older who would mentor you and help guide you in good decision making but you don’t have anyone like that.
If any of these statements are true with you, we can help.
We promise to listen to your concerns, your hurts and your celebrations and to help share the load of burden you have to carry in this life. If you need friends who understand where you are and where you would like to go, we will be here to encourage you. If you want to know more about the God who created the World and all that is within it, we can help.
Stay tuned for more information.
Ronnie
About Ronnie G. Collins
I am one of the Pastor’s of First United Methodist Church in Hillsville Virginia and FUMC Downtown “Out of the Box”, Youth Ministry. We now have two campuses. The main church is at 225 Fulcher Street and our newest location is 522 North Main Street Hillsville, FUMC Downtown “Out of the Box”. I have a rich history of different church backgrounds to pull from and I believe that is why I am where I am in my Christian Life today. I have a Passion to see hurting, lost people come to know Jesus Christ. I believe that we as Christians have to demonstrate God’s Love to them, rather than just telling them they are loved. I am married and have 4 sons two very special nephews that are like sons, 2 grandchildren and 3 great nephews that are like grandchildren. I am a blessed man.
