Read the Bible Through This Year 2009
“I’ve been telling people for years that every Christian worth his (or her) salt ought to read the Bible from cover to cover every year.”
J.I. Packer
Misty and I have made the commitment to read the Bible through from cover to cover this New Year, 2009. I would like to invite you along for this Awesome Journey that we are about to take together. I am including a couple of tools here so that you can easily do your daily 15 minute (JUST 15 Minutes A Day) reading either online or you can print out the reading plan and use it with your own Bible. I will do a little of both.
This could be a great way for our church members and I to have great conversations around what God is teaching us daily through His Word.
Ronnie
Go here for the One Year Bible NLT Online http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/
You can add this to your Facebook Page for easy use.
There is also a mobile version if you have the technology to do that. I wish I did but not yet.
Here is the site for the One Year Bible Blog that looks great http://www.oneyearbibleblog.com/
Let us know if you are going to be reading through with us. Really, I think it is the best investment you will ever make.
We were blessed to see the baby on Monday
On Monday Misty and I along with Kyle, Samuel and mine and Misty’s moms were blessed to see little baby Collins through the technology of a sonogram. We were able to see right off that he is a boy. At one point it appeared that he was waving to us, his little hand was held above his head and making a very distinctive waving motion. Either way, we see it as God’s affirmation once again that He is in charge.
With Samuel we were further along in the pregnancy when his sonogram was done because he looked like his sonogram when he was born and this little one was more skeletal at this stage. The due date we are now being given is May 30, 2009 but I still say he will be born on May 25th. Stay tuned to see if I am right. By the way Stephanie, has God told you the date? Stephanie is our resident Prophet who first told us we were pregnant this time.
We are still unsettled on a name. Wayne will be his middle name after Misty’s dad. Samuel is named after my dad. It will either be Joseph, Judah, or Emanuel. I also like the name Israel but Misty is not keen on naming him that. We are reading the Bible through in 2009 and the Genesis readings may help to secure our decision.
Either way, we are blessed. The baby is healthy and Misty is doing great.
Ronnie
American Electric Power and more Rate Increases
My most recent power bill has increased more than $100.00 form the previous month. Amazing, in a time when people are losing their jobs by the thousands every day, people are still trying to break the bank.
How long will America stand for Corporate Executives making multi - million dollar salaries with benefits and perks every year while the majority struggle to pay their bills each week?
http://www.wset.com/news/stories/1208/576803.html
Across Virginia – Appalachian Power customers, your rates are changing once again. The Virginia State Corporation Commission approved the new rate Wednesday. It goes into effect immediately. Here’s a look at the changes.
For the average customer using a-thousand kilowatts, their October bill would’ve been around $77. After the interim increase, it would’ve been around $94. Wednesday’s adjusted rate will bring that bill down to $90.53.
You’ll get a credit for the difference on your bill in the next two months.
My toothpick habit…
Laura sent me a txt yesterday and said she discovered in her sociology class that a man with a toothpick in his mouth is 10% more attractive. That is why Misty wanted to be my wife, no doubt.
I knew there was a good reason for my toothpick habit. It is a habit I have had for as long as I can remember. My grandfather Collins always had one, my dad always had one and I always seem to have one. If you haven’t noticed the caricature drawing of me here on the blog has a toothpick behind the ear. That is where I often carry spares.
I like round ones especially the ones from Cracker Barrel, they don’t splinter as bad as others. I don’t like flat toothpicks, flavored toothpicks or plastic toothpicks.
Many people have given me gifts of toothpick holders through the years. I have toothpick holders to carry in my pocket and toothpick dispensers.
It is just a habit, I don’t know why but you will seldom find me without a toothpick.
Ronnie
Souper Bowl of Caring @ “Out of the Box”
Only 33 Days until Super Bowl Sunday!
It is only 33 days until the day that so many people anticipate every year. Super Bowl Sunday is not just about the game. For many it is a time to celebrate around the television with family and friends and have a party.
That is just what we are doing at “Out of the Box” FUMC Downtown @ 522 Main Street Hillsville.
The event will begin at 5pm on Sunday February 1st with the SouledOut Praise Band and Ronnie G Collins as the speaker.
Praise, Worship and Message from 5 to 6pm.
Approximate Game Kick Off Time is 6:28pm
We will watch the game on the BIG SCREEN, with friends and family and a PARTY!
Everyone is invited!
We are asking each person to bring canned goods, non perishable items for the Community Food Pantry housed at First United Methodist Church Hillsville. We have seen a HUGE Increase in people in our local community who have lost jobs and cannot afford groceries.
Lets come together and have a PARTY, CELEBRATE with Freinds and Family and FEED THE HUNGRY!
Sunday February 1st 2009 @ FUMC Downtown “Out of the Box”
SouledOut and Bring The Rain
Blogging my way through…….
If you are interested, here is what I am doing today and tomorrow and for how ever many hours it may take. I am in the process of becoming an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. As you may know, this is a long process and one that I have be in for the past 3 years.
I am at the point in my journey now of becoming a “Provisional Elder” and if all goes well I will be Commissioned in June at Annual Conference. I hope you can come,it wall be an Awesome Event.
I have to answer the following questions and or address these statements: (By the way, this is a work in progress, it is added to daily, there is no way you could get it finished in a day and that is why we have had the work for more than a month now)
Describe your personal experience of God and the understanding of God you derive from biblical, theological, and historical sources.
What is your understanding of evil as it exists in the world?
What is your understanding of humanity, and the human need for divine grace?
How do you interpret the statement Jesus Christ is Lord?
What is your conception of the activity of The Holy Spirit in personal faith, in the community of believers, and in responsible living in the world?
What is your understanding of the kingdom of God; the Resurrection; Eternal Life?
How do you intend to affirm, teach and apply Part II of the Discipline (Doctrinal Standards and our Theological Task) in your work in the ministry to which you have been called?
The United Methodist Church holds that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason. What is your understanding of this theological position of the church?
Describe the nature and mission of the church. What are it’s primary tasks today?
Discuss your understanding of the primary characteristics of United Methodist Polity?
Explain the role and significance of the sacraments in the ministry to which you have been called.
This is just the tip of the Iceberg but it lets you get a glimpse into what I am doing.
Ronnie
We are broken!
“The only way to keep a broken vessel full is to keep the faucet running.”
D.L. Moody
I am reading Max Lucado’s book “Just Like Jesus” and in the book he speaks to this issue. In chapter 5 entitled “Being Led By An Unseen Hand”, Max quotes John 17:23.
I will be in them and you will be in me so that they will be completely one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you loved them just as much as you loved me.
John 17:23
In the book there is a statement that reads, “It was as if he heard a voice that others were missing.”
We are broken vessels and we have to keep the Spirit of God flowing into and through us in order to hear that voice that the majority of the world is missing. It is so easy to put on the new man and take off the old in order to pick up the old man and put him back on once again. Christianity is a challenge, it is a challenge to close out the influences that the world sends our way and keep the Christ influences in. It is a challenge to keep the old man down. Anyone who tells you that it is not a challenge just doesn’t understand.
I was thinking this morning of pride. It is so easy to get victory over something in Christ and through the Spirit of God and then pride comes along and we find ourselves defeated once again. Look out for pride. Maybe we can focus our thoughts this week on, I have taken that old coat (old man) (old nature) of and put on the new (Christ). The old is staying off and the new is staying on.
God, help me to stay focused. Help me to keep the old sin nature put down and the new Christ nature lifted up. Help me to stay in constant contact with you, help me to hear the voice that not many seem to hear.
Amen
Ronnie
“God desires to be as close to you as he was to Christ –
so close that he can literally speak through you and
all you need do is translate;
so close that tuning in to him is like putting on headphones;
so close that when others sense the storm and worry,
you hear his voice and smile.”
Starting New Congregations in the United Methodist Church
The following is from Bishop Scott Jones blog and he addresses starting New Churches for the future growth of the church. Path 1 is a United Methodist Group who plans to revive the tradition of starting a new church every day of the year. They make a great and convincing argument. http://www.path1.org/
Ronnie
Bishop Scott Jones Blog Site http://www.kswestumc.org/bishop_blog_recent.asp
The case for new congregations
Published: 8/4/2008
I am at the School of Congregational Development helping lead the Annual Conference leaders track. Dr. Lovett Weems, formerly President of St. Paul School of Theology and now with the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary, presented yesterday.
It was a compelling case for starting new churches. He gave statistics showing that as the age of a congregation increases, the proportion of churches in that age bracket experiencing growth declines. Existing churches cannot be expected to match the population growth in a given geographical area.
This means we have done well in Kansas to give emphasis to starting new congregations. We must continue to strengthen our existing ones and help them to prove the statistics wrong. But our existing congregations can do three things. First, they can consider being supportive if a new congregation is being planted in their area. Second, they can pay their “Bridges to the Future” campaign pledge in full. Third, they can pray for the new congregations being started in the Fort Riley area and in northwest Johnson County.
For many years, Methodism was starting one new church every day. Weems said that in 1906 there were 57,087 Methodist churches, and one-half of them were less than 25 years old. We were growing! We need more new churches today!
Blessed with children — 41 times
| ADEL, Ga. (BP)–Often, a picture in the mail was all it took. Word had gotten out about the couple willing to take in children, no matter if they were minorities or a sibling group or had special needs. Drew and Nancy McDowell — married as teens and childless their first five years — made room. Some came alone, but six times they came in groups of three or more. Today the McDowells count 41 children, all but one of them adopted. |
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CLICK HERE to Read Entire Article www.baptistpress.com |
Anger and Frustration Feed Misbehavior…Reminders Fuel Both
This time of year can be stressful on everyone, especially parents. From money issues to the kids being home from school, it can be difficult to remember the basics of Love and Logic. This week, Dr. Charles Fay reminds us it is better to stay calm when enforcing limits instead of getting mad and lecturing.
Have a safe and happy holiday season from all of us at Love and Logic!
Anger and Frustration Feed Misbehavior…Reminders Fuel Both Some kids are like solar panels. Instead of collecting their energy from sunlight, they gather theirs from the heat radiating off of our red faces. When we get frustrated and angry, they think, “Wow! How exciting! Let’s try that one again!”
I struggle with this, too! Without thought, I start giving too many little reminders or warnings. Instead of simply enforcing limits when I’m still calm and collected, I let my lips flap until I’m nice and hot.
Bad idea!
When I remember to follow through without too many words, my kids behave better and so do I. For example, in our home we don’t allow food outside of the kitchen or dining area. Since our two-year-old already knows this, there’s no need for me to tell him again. When he breaks the rule, all I need to do is say, “Oh, how sad,” and take the snack away. End of story.
When our 15-year-old doesn’t do his chores, there’s no need for discourse. All that’s required is action. I can do his chores for him…AND let him find out that I drive kids where they want to go when I’m not worn out from doing their chores.
In our new CD, “Keeping Cool When Parenting Heats Up,” you’ll hear more ideas for parenting in a way that makes you proud.
Thanks for reading!
Dr. Charles Fay
Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado
“I am going to risk something here. It’s dangerous to sum up grand truths in one statement, but I’m going to try. If a sentence or two could capture God’s desire for each of us, it might read like this”:
“God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.”
Max Lucado in Just Like Jesus
Baby Collins @ Week 19
Your pregnancy: 19 weeks
How your baby’s growing:
Your baby’s sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don’t be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.
See what your baby looks like this week.
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby’s development.
www.babycenter.com
SNL Text for January 4th, 2009
Matthew 3: 13-17
SNL Text for January 4th, 2009
What does this text have to say to us today?
People Never Crumble In A Day!
There is a Horrible Price to Pay, when you give yourself away!
Listen with all your heart, mind and soul to the words of this song.
e-mail addiction
I will say more about this later, I just want to share some stats with you. I have been a little burnt out on e-mail lately, actually just a little burnt out. It would appear that the World is getting overwhelmed with technology and the ability and availability of such.
This is from an article that appeared in Outreach Magazine January/February 2009
Where do people check their e-mail?
39% In a bar or club
38% In a business meeting
50% Driving
34% At happy hour
67% In bed in their pajamas
59% In the bathroom (and you thought you were the only one)
15% In church
Ronnie
Happenings @ FUMC Hillsville December 28th
“EARLY LIGHT” for Dec. 28th @ 8:30 a.m.
Jeff and Patti Holderfield are singing “Who Would Imagine a King?” with Jared, April and Jacob Iroler portraying JOSEPH, MARY AND BABY JESUS.
Laura Holderfield and Janie Napier are doing a flute/piano duet – “Angels, We have heard on High”. THANK YOU and see you Sunday.
SNL for Dec. 28th @ 6:30 p.m.
Alex Wood, one of our many amazing youth, will be brining the message, AND the SouledOut Praise Band will be there in true form, supporting Alex with powerful music! What a combination!
Blood Drive Update
From Bill Webb
Giving the Gift of Life
I gave blood for the 3rd time today at church. To be honest I never really thought that much about donating blood until dad had open heart surgery and had to receive blood a couple of years ago. It really is a shame that it takes a personal tragedy to wake us up to such needs.
The goal for today is 30 pints of blood. While I was there we had 25 people who had signed in to donate and they still had better than 2 hours to go.
I think there are several reasons why people do not donate.
#1. They are uninformed
#2. They are busy
I know when I went in today, I expected to be there about an hour and it turned out to be 2 hours. I always take a book so that I can make wise use of the time and today was no exception. I was able to speak to a couple of church visitors and that was great. I ran into a couple of old friends and re-connected with them. It was a great day and the gift of my blood may save a life.
I will let you know the next time we are having a drive so that you can join us. It feels good to do something for others and it doesn’t cost us a dime.
Ronnie
Ouch!
Great for a few Laughs!
New Years Resolutions
I like this time of year because it gives us the opportunity to reflect on the past year and set some new priorities for the upcoming year. It is a great time to establish or re-establish some much needed, good habits.
To be honest, it usually comes down to this. I need to exercise more, read the Bible more, have more quiet time alone with God and more reading in general. I also need to watch less TV. The fact is, Misty and I only get NBC, ABC 45 and Public Television but it never fails, we still spend a good bit of time in front of the television.
We need to set goals for ourselves. For example, reading through a new version of the Bible on a daily basis through the next year. J.I. Packer said: “I’ve been telling people for years that every Christian worth his salt ought to read the Bible from cover to cover every year.”
Wow, what a statement, kinda makes you mad huh! Let’s turn it to joy and take the challenge.
Fasting is a great way to reestablish habits and priorities. It helps you focus and get on the right track with your Spiritual life as well as doing great things for your health.
Ronnie
Just for Laughs
I have blogged Momsense before but I just found Dadsense. Watch them both, even if you have seen this. It gets better every time.
Dadsense by Anita Renfroe
I really Needed To Laugh This Morning
This did the trick, Enjoy!
Sunday’s Sermon
Repentance, Kingdom of Heaven, Commitment, Confession of sin’s, getting baptized, bearing fruit, and fruit trees getting cut down. What does it all mean?
Come Sunday morning and we are going to look at what this means for us in 2009. God is at work and you need to be a part of the work.
Ronnie
Matthew 3: 1-12 NIV
Sermon Title: Preparing for a Productive Year in 2009
Alex Wood, SouledOut and Jesus
We will be celebrating Jesus Christ this Sunday night at 6:30pm. SouledOut will be playing and Alex Wood will bring the message. Don’t miss this one!
Ronnie
Collins Family Christmas
Just a few Family Christmas Photos!
Give The Gift of Life December 27th here in Hillsville
Holiday’s emphasize the importance of family and friends. many patients in area hospitals will need life saving and life sustaining blood products this holiday season.
Will you help a patient in need?
PLEASE GIVE BLOOD!
“Together we save lives”
Saturday, December 27, 2008
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
First United Methodist Church
in Hillsville VA
The Appalachian Regional Blood Services recruits blood donors and collects blood products for area hospitals in 32 counties in Virginia and 11 counties in West Virginia. The central office is located in Roanoke, and the blood services staff rely on volunteers and donors from local communities to keep the area’s blood supply adequate to meet emergency and routine needs for trauma victims, surgery patients as well as treatment support for cancer and leukemia patients.
The Appalachian Blood Services must collect approximately 75,000 pints of blood this year from local citizens in order to meet the need for safe and reliable blood products in our communities.
Merry Christmas to my Readers
Wow, Christmas 2008 is here! I can hardly believe it. As I sit and think about all that has happened in 2008, it is unimaginable. More has happened in the past year it seems than has happened in the past twenty. God has been the friend that sticks closer than a brother.He has been the Peace that passes all understanding and God has guided me every step of the way in 2008. Now, I Didn’t say that He was responsible for the steps I have taken out of His Will.
No, He was there to guide me and I didn’t always listen. I have such a desire to walk with God in 2009, to hear every Word He has to say to me and to take every step that he lays out for me. I desire your prayers as I try to do just that. i know it will not be easy so I invite you to send e-mails, txt messages and phone calls just to remind me that I have made a commitment to follow Him in every moment in 2009.
I once heard a preacher say, “It is yet to be seen what God can do with a man or woman who is totally committed to God and doing His Will for their life”. I want to be that person!
I don’t say that in a prideful way, not in a way to look great in the eyes of people. I say that in such a way that I want people to be saved and enjoy a relationship with God. Iwant people to be able to look at me and my life and say, “he has something different and I want it too”. God is so Awesome and I don’t know what I would have done without His fellowship these past 20 years and I don’t know how others stand it either,those who do not know Him.
Merry Christmas to you and I invite you to walk with me as I follow Him in 2009 and beyond. I will be blogging some New Years Resolutions in the next few days. I will let you in on some of the things that I am planning for 2009.
I hope this is the best Christmas ever for all of you!
Ronnie
Four Drinking Glasses $42.00
I was in a store today shopping for a last minute gift and the family in front of me purchased 4 drinking glasses that held 4oz each. I was shocked when I heard the cashier say $42.00. Wow, maybe I am in the minority but I will just take the Wal Mart $2.99 Special. The sad thing is, they are probably a part of a collection that will be on display somewhere and never used. Honestly there is a set of glasses at Wal Mart that looks just like them for less than $10.00 for the set of four.
Why are we so spoiled? How many hungry people could have eaten a meal for $42.00.
Ronnie
Christmas Cookies
My prayers are being answered. I have prayed that God will lead me and that I will have ears to hear. “Obedience”
We had a great turn out for the Christmas Eve Service this evening and many people brought cookies to be delivered to various service organizations. We covered all of the Nursing Homes, Police Stations, Hotels and the Hospital. As I was loading up for my run I decided to deliver to all of the hotels. I had one left due to one scheduled stop being closed and decided to stop at a place in Fancy Gap. I would never have believed it but a gentleman I worked with more than 15 years ago greeted me as I walked through the door. We had a great time catching up and he said our visit had made it a great Christmas.
I had no plans to stop there and had to choose between a couple more options. God is Good!
Ronnie
P.S. Thanks to all who baked cookies and to those who delivered them.
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.
