20 Mile Training Run Today – October 31st, 2009

Kenneth and I did a 20 mile training run this morning. We are getting prepared for the Thanksgiving Day Atlanta Marathon, 26.2 miles. We are praying for great health and a great clock time. It was a great day, Kenneth experienced some knee pain but other than that, both of us felt great.

Here is how the run went today.

Ronnie

Mile 1     10:02

Mile 2     9:50

Mile 3     9:52

Mile 4      10:04

Mile 5     10:00

Mile 6     9:51

Mile 7     9:58

Mile 8     10:25

Mile 9     10:55

Mile 10     10:23

Mile 11     10:13

Mile 12     10:05

Mile 13     11:56

Mile 14     14:06

Mile 15     10:53

Mile 16     10:43

Mile 17     15:55

Mile 18     11:34

Mile 19     12:16

Mile 20     13:17

Total Time 3:42

Average Pace 11:06

Calories Burned 3084

Should Christians Fast?

I believe that I can show you in Scripture that we should (undoubtedly) be practicing the Spiritual Discipline of Fasting.

Come and See: Sunday Night Live – November 1st @ 6:30pm

First United Methodist Church Hillsville

Matthew 6: 16 – 18

¹⁶“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Isaiah 58

True Fasting

¹ “Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the house of Jacob their sins.

² For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.

³ ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.

⁴ Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.

⁵ Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?

⁶ “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

⁹ Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

¹⁰ and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

¹¹ The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

¹³ “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

¹⁴ then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Judah is a bear

 

Misty wanted something cute for Judah to wear for Halloween and one of our good friends gave us this bear outfit. Too cute!

Ronnie

 

The 20 Strictly Running Commandments

1. Don’t be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.
2. Don’t make running your life, make it part of your life.
3. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who is missing.
4. Don’t compare yourself to other runners.
5. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
6. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
7. Don’t always run alone.
8. Don’t always run with people.
9. The best runs sometimes come on the days you didn’t feel like running.
10. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.
11. All runners are equal; some are just faster than others.
12. There are no short cuts to run excellence.
13. There is nothing boring about running, there are, however, boring people who run.
14. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
15. Don’t try to out run dogs.
16. With out goals, training has no purpose.
17. Go for broke, but prepare to be broken.
18. Unless you make your living as a runner, don’t take running too seriously.
19. Runners who never fail are runners who never tried anything great.
20. Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated.

Runners Rule Book

I just ordered this for a good friend as a Christmas Gift. Guess who’s getting it?

Ronnie

Bob and Larry Pumpkins

 

Caitlin helped Christopher and Victoria to paint their Halloween Pumpkins as Bob and Larry. I think they may be the best I have ever seen. Great Job!

Ronnie

This day in the life of your pastor – October 30th, 2009

1. a good day. Had the opportunity 2 speak 2 a lot of people 2day who R hurting N different ways. Lets agree 2 Fast and Pray as a Communityabout 3 hours ago from web
2. asking all Out Of The Box Youth and FB friends to cover Hiwassee College in prayer next weekabout 3 hours ago from web

3. No 5th Quarter at Out of the Box tonight, sorry for the disappointmentabout 3 hours ago from web

4. SNL I think its time to Fast & Pray http://bit.ly/31srKTabout 4 hours ago from web

5. praying for Jacob Mollettabout 4 hours ago from web

6. game over, Cavaliers didn’t get a win tonightabout 4 hours ago from web

7. Praying for Jaredabout 4 hours ago from web

8. praying for the Cavaliers, down 8 pts and one player hurtabout 4 hours ago from web

9. Reading Tony Evans speaks out on Fasting, great book!about 4 hours ago from TwitterBerry

10. “Fasting puts us on the path to humility” Tony Evansabout 4 hours ago from TwitterBerry

11. Cavaliers are 1 point down in the 3rd qtrabout 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

12. Getting ready for a long run in the amabout 5 hours ago from TwitterBerry

13. Dinner with Misty and Judah @ Gondolasabout 8 hours ago from TwitterBerry

14. Praying for Jeremiah, Zechariah, and Isaiahabout 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry

15. So many people N this world have lost hope. Jesus is our hope. Cling 2 Jesus, pray, Fast, read & study His Word. Do what you know is right.about 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry

16. The property tax bills arrived today & rather than complain, I am thankful to own property. God has been so good to me!about 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry

17. Bank, post office, homeabout 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry

18. Christians on the run http://bit.ly/1VPHu6about 11 hours ago from web

19. OK, I came N 2 study & have handled emergency situations most of the day. Guess I will be studying @home, late night as usual or early mornabout 11 hours ago from web

20. Preparing 4 Atlanta Tksgiving Day Marathon http://bit.ly/2wPTYHabout 11 hours ago from web

21. oldest marathon N S east & 1 of the 10 oldest N the country, Atlanta on Tksgiving Dy is also the only U.S. marathon run on an Olympic courseabout 9 hours ago from web

22. remember to Fall Back with your clocks on Saturday night before you go to bed. If not you will be in church an hour earlyabout 10 hours ago from web

23. Check this video out — Forever Family: Through the eyes of a former foster child http://bit.ly/1iM7Cuabout 11 hours ago from web

24. Adoption doesn’t cast you a dime http://bit.ly/1jpeyYabout 11 hours ago from web

25. Check this video out — Forever Family:Adopting a Child from Foster Care http://bit.ly/IkOKIabout 11 hours ago from web

26. Check this video out — “I’m Just A Kid” from Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption http://bit.ly/468DyTabout 11 hours ago from web

27. Sunday November 8th is National Adoption Sunday, how will you celebrate?about 11 hours ago from web

28. this day has gone much different than planned but then when you are a pastor you have to learn to have your schedule change in an instantabout 11 hours ago from web

29. it is hard to decide what is most important but I think it is study first and then the restabout 14 hours ago from web

30. mistletoe run http://bit.ly/4dClciabout 15 hours ago

31. The older I get the more I love days off.about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Fasting is the topic for SNL This Week

I have read a few pages of this little book and already I can say that you should get a copy for your own study of Fasting. Great information, quick read. I will write a review later in the weekend.

Ronnie

SNL with SouledOut and Ronnie – November 1st, 2009

There is NO DRESS CODE

The band and I dress casual, jeans and sweats are cool!

Ronnie

I think it is time that we call on our church to Fast and Pray!

Scripture for this week is Matthew 6: 16 – 18

Fasting. Why? When? What is it?

Come and See

¹⁶“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Bring the Rain

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Love Your Mate – I Dare You – Couples Retreat

Love Your Mate – I Dare You!

Marriage Enrichment Retreat

Where is your relationship with your mate?

Are we putting God First in our family?

Do you remember your wedding vows?

These questions and more will be explored during the enrichment retreat.

This is an experience to strengthen a marriage with God as its center.

Come let God strengthen your relationship with your spouse!

I Dare YOU!

Information Session

Dinner & A Movie:

When:  Tuesday November 17, 2009 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Where:  Out of the Box   Dinner Provided

Enrichment Retreat

When:  December 4th & 5th, 2009

Beginning at 2:00 PM on Friday and

finishing around 12:00 Noon on Saturday

Where:  Camp Dickenson Farm House

Registration Fee: $72.00 Per Couple

This includes:

Materials for Retreat,

Dinner and Movie,

Dinner Friday Evening,

Breakfast Saturday Morning,

And Lodging Cost

Only room for 12 Couples!  Register Now!

Registration Information & Fee due to Ronnie Collins by Nov. 1st

What do I Bring?

Tuesday Information Session:

Bring an Attitude of “I want to put God in Control of OUR Marriage!”

Friday/Saturday Event: See below . . .

Registration Information:

Couples Name: ________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

Phone Number:_______________________   E-mail:_________________________

Remember: Limited to 12 Couples!   Register Now!

Enrichment Retreat Additional Information

What to Bring Friday/Saturday Retreat:

1. Attitude of I am going to make a difference in my Marriage!

2. Bible

3. Bedding for you and spouse (You will not be staying with spouse)

Girls in Girls room and Guy’s in Guy’s room

4. Towels and Personal effects needed

5. Any special snack or drink you prefer.

Homework:

Tonight you have been given a marriage survey. Please take time to fill this out individually before the retreat. Please do not discuss or share thought with spouse. We will be using this at the retreat. Please also be honest with how you feel. Rest assured that this will only be shared during the retreat with your spouse not in the group.

Special Assignment:

It is highly suggested that couples plan a together evening and/or night for Dec. 5^th following the retreat. We know the Hillsville Christmas Parade is at 4:00 PM. You might enjoy the parade and continue on for a special night out alone together. You will have lots to talk about after the Enrichment Retreat.

“Love bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

endures all things.

Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:7-8

God works through His People

Psalm 10: 17-18

Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. ¹⁸ You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them.

It is up to us to hear the cries and come to their aid. God chooses to work that way!

Ronnie

Christians on The Run – Running for The Children of Sudan

I am running the Atlanta Marathon on Thanksgiving Day to raise money for the Children of Sudan. You can join me by running, praying, and giving. If you are interested in supporting in any way you can leave a message here, e-mail, or call.

James 1:27 (The Message)

^26-27Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.

After reading an inspiring book “Take Your Best Shot” and coupling that with the Biblical mandate to help those who are in need. I have decided to run the Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Marathon to raise support for the children of Sudan.

Why not do something you love and help others at the same time?

Our Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church has partnered with Southern Sudan to help with the needs there and there is a possibility that I could travel there on a mission trip in the future. In the mean time I want to do something to help the children.

Here is how it will work. I will travel to Atlanta in November and run the 26.2 mile Marathon on Thanksgiving Day in honor of and support of The Children of Sudan Africa, “Hope for the Children”. By the way I will also run in honor of our great friend Ona Smith. Ona ran in this race several times before going to be with our Lord earlier this year.

Every gift that is given will go to support the children of Sudan, “Hope for the Children”. I will personally pay all of the expenses of entering the race as well as transportation to and from Atlanta.

There are several ways that you can support.

# 1 is in your prayers

Donate $1 for every mile = 26 dollars

Donate $5 for every mile = 130 dollars

Donate $10 for every mile = 260 dollars

Donate $20 for every mile = 520 dollars

Donate $100 for every mile = 2600 dollars

or simply Donate Any $ Amount

Special Opportunity – You could join me in the run and help raise money for the Children!

My goal is simply to raise as much money as possible and have fun doing it. I am inviting people (Runners) who would like to help raise money for the children of Sudan to join me in the run. You can sign up to run at www.atlantatrackclub.org

Make your checks payable to: The Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church or The Holston UMC

Designate your Check “Hope for the Children of Sudan”

Mail to: Ronnie G Collins, PO Box 356, Hillsville Virginia 24343

I will compile the checks and get them to Holston Conference on behalf of the children. You will receive a letter from me to signify when the gift is received.

I am excited to see just what Miracle the Lord will do.

Ronnie

Hope for the
Children of Sudan

Here‘s what is happening…

In the past two decades, more than 2 million people have lost their lives through violence, disease and starvation in southern Sudan due to a North vs. South civil war.

In Western Sudan, in the Darfur region, the Coalition for International Justice released a report in April, 2005 stating that approximately 400,000 men, women and children had been killed due to genocide in the region.

Years of food shortage, displaced children/families, and disease have forced millions (35 million+) to live in crowded refugee camps. Thousands have died and continue to die, needlessly.

This is Sudan, a country in crisis.

A Story from the Bible

Matthew 25:35-40

³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Preparing for the Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Marathon

It is hard to explain to someone who doesn’t run, the excitement you feel getting ready for a 26.2 mile Marathon.

I know how crazy it must sound to someone who has never run one but the Thanksgiving Day Marathon in Atlanta Georgia will be number 8 for me. I have run the following Marathons in the past 5 years or so.

Kiawah Island South Carolina

Myrtle Beach South Carolina twice

Nashville Tennessee Country Music Marathon

Arizona Rock N Roll Marathon

Goody Kentucky Hatfield McCoy Marathon

Abingdon Virginia Creeper Trail Marathon

The first Marathon I did was my fastest to date with a time of 4 Hours 14 Minutes & 08 seconds, Chip Time @ Kiawah Island.

457  80  4204 Ronnie Collins       37 M Cana            VA 4:15:46 4:14:08   9:42 

I am really excited this time, it has been a couple years now since my last Marathon and I honestly thought fora while that I would never do another one. The Busyness of life seemed to have taken my time to train and stay in shape away. Now I realize once again that if I don’t stay in shape I may never complete all that God put me here to do.

I am training for Atlanta with a good friend, Kenneth Dickens. This will be Kenneth’s 1st Marathon and that makes it even more exciting.

I am also taking the opportunity to raise much-needed money for “Hope for the children of Sudan” through the Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church. You can learn more about this at the following links. By the way, Kenneth is raising money for Operation Christmas Child and Shoeboxes.

Hope for the Children of Sudan

Adoption: Doesn’t cost you a dime!

Here is a message that people need to hear. There is such a fear that a person can’t afford the cost involved but thats just not true.

Ronnie

I’m Just A Kid

Adoption Story

We need to place a call to the Christian Community of this Country. There are so many children that need a family. Are we doing our part?

Ronnie

Steven Curtis Chapman Cinderella Music Video and story

November is National Adoption Month. Here is a great song and the story behind it.

Ronnie

Fasting: Quotes from those who have experienced it

Jesus has many lovers of His kingdom of heaven, but he has few bearers of His Cross. Many desire His consolation, but few desire His tribulation. He finds many comrades in eating and drinking, but He finds few hands who will be with Him in His abstinence and fasting…But those who love Jesus purely for Himself, and not for their own profit or convenience, bless Him as heartily in temptation and tribulation and in all other adversities as they do in time of consolation. And if He never sent them consolation, they would still bless and praise Him.

Thomas a Kempis

A spiritually awake person would see everything as gift, even suffering. We deserve nothing and yet we so often act as though we deserve everything. Nothing should be taken for granted. We should say thank you every day to God and to each other for all that is provided for us. This is one reason why fasting is such an important spiritual discipline. Not just fasting from food, but also fasting from cars, shopping centres, the news – whatever we have an inordinate attachment to. Fasting can help re-kindle our gratitude for all that we have been given.

Glen Argan

Bear up the hands that hang down, by faith and prayer; support the tottering knees. Have you any days of fasting and prayer? Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein, and mercy will come down.

John Wesley

Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.

Andrew Murray

Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food.

Dallas Willard

Is fasting ever a bribe to get God to pay more attention to the petitions ? No, a thousand times no. It is simply a way to make clear that we sufficiently reverence the amazing opportunity to ask help from the everlasting God, the Creator of the universe, to choose to put everything else aside and concentrate on worshiping, asking forgiveness, and making our requests known-considering His help more important than anything we could do ourselves in our own strength and with our own ideas.

Edith Schaeffer

We tend to think of fasting as going without food. But we can fast from anything. If we love music and decide to miss a concert in order to spend time with God, that is fasting. It is helpful to think of the parallel of human friendship. When friends need to be together, they will cancel all other activities in order to make that possible. There’s nothing magical about fasting. It’s just one way of telling God that your priority at that moment is to be alone with him, sorting out whatever is necessary, and you have cancelled the meal, party, concert, or whatever else you had planned to do in order to fulfil that priority.
James I (J. I.) Packer

Fasting is important, more important perhaps, than many of us have supposed,… when exercised with a pure heart and a right motive, fasting may provide us with a key to unlock doors where other keys have failed; a window opening up new horizons in the unseen world; aspiritual weapon of God’s provision, mighty, to the pulling down of strongholds. (God’s Chosen Fast)

Arthur Wallis

Fasting can be a painful admission that I am not free, that my life is enslaved, obsessed or addicted to external things such as food, drink, codependent relationships, sex, television, privacy and the like.

Albert Haase

In Shansi I found Chinese Christians who were accustomed to spend time in fasting and prayer. They recognized that this fasting, which so many dislike, which requires faith in God, since it makes one feel weak and poorly, is really a Divinely appointed means of grace. Perhaps the greatest hindrance to our work is our own imagined strength; and in fasting we learn what poor, weak creatures we are – dependent on a meal of meat for the little strength which we are so apt to lean upon.

James Hudson Taylor

The purpose of fasting is to loosen to some degree the ties which bind us to the world of material things and our surroundings as a whole, in order that we may concentrate all our spiritual powers upon the unseen and eternal things.

Ole Kristian O. Hallesby

When the devil, the foe and the tyrant, sees a man bearing this weapon [fasting], he is straight-away frightened and he recollects and considers that defeat which he suffered in the wilderness at the hands of the Saviour; at once his strength is shattered and the very sight of this weapon, given us by our Commander-in-chief, burns him.

Isaac of Syria

Do you have a hunger for God? If we don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because we have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because we have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Our soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. If we are full of what the world offers, then perhaps a fast might express, or even increase, our soul’s appetite for God. Between the dangers of self-denial and self-indulgence is the path of pleasant pain called fasting.

John Piper

Mistletoe Run 5K and Half Marathon December 5th, 2009

Mistletoe Run for Youth 5K & Half Marathon

Start Date/Time:	Saturday, December 05, 2009 8:00 AM
End Date/Time:	Saturday, December 05, 2009 12:00 PM
Recurring Event:	Every 52 Week(s) until 12/4/2010 (Total 3 Events)
Importance:	Normal Priority
Category:	Road Race
Description:	Winston-Salem, NC - 8:00 a.m Fun Run. 8:15 Half Marathon. 8:35 5K. $25/Y members., $30/non-members., by 11/18; after $35 for all participants, $40 Race Day. Info: Beth Hair, William G. White, Jr. Family YMCA (formerly Central Family YMCA) 775 West End Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27101; (336) 721-2100 x2053 or you can . Registration & Packet Pick-up: Participants can Pick-up their packets and Register during these times: Friday, Dec. 4th from 12 noon- 7:30 pm in the gym Or Saturday, Dec. 5th from 6:30 am- 7:45 am in the gym Mistletoe Race Shirts: Our 26th Annual Race Shirts are guaranteed to the first 2000 people that register. Splits: 5k: 1st & 2nd miles Half: 1st, 3rd, 9th & 12th mile markers Water Stations: 5k: 2 water stations Half: 6 water stations w/ Powerade at the Wake Forest water station Facilities: Restrooms, changing & shower facilities are available at the Central Family YMCA. Childcare: Childcare is provided for children over 3 months of age. Parents need to reserve a spot for their child by calling the Adult Welcome Center at 336-721-2100. After Race Party: We have a great after race party starting at 9:00 when the first runners come back in. We have a DJ, lots of food, door prizes & awards!! Awards: Awards will be given out after each race. No duplicate awards will be given. Awards will be given to the top 3 male & females of each race. Age division awards; 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over Awards Ceremony: 5k awards ceremony will begin at 10 am ½ Marathon awards ceremony will begin at 11:30 am Race Results: Results will be posted on www.centralymca.org & on www.twincitytc.org Race Pictures: Pictures taken during the race & awards ceremony will be available to purchase. Visit our website at www.centralymca.org to view & buy pictures! Where does the money go? With the help of our sponsors and individuals, all proceeds from this event enable families and individuals in the Winston Salem area to participate in Membership, Teen Advancement, Camp, Mentoring, After School, Sports & Aquatics programs of the YMCA that would otherwise be outside of their financial capability. Thank you to our sponsors & donors!!

Enrolled Users:

Created by Stone, Keith On 7/30/2009

This day in the life of the pastor – October 29, 2009

1. Mike is putting Kyles birthday present together Airblocksabout 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry

2. @ Prime Sirloin with the family and I am not eating bread. Touch me! I am 5 lbs lighter than 1 week agoabout 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

3. Finished 6.3 miles @ 920 pace, 988 caloriesabout 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry

4. Sign up now for a January or February race, it will help you keep at training through the winterabout 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry

5. Headed out on a training run with Kennethabout 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry

6. Eating Sport Beans, trying new things while in Marathon Trainingabout 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry

7. Just took a call from a lady who likes what Out of the Box is doing and wants to volunteerabout 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

8. March 21, 2010 is the Georgia Marathon. Who wants to run with me? You could do the Half!about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

9. 34 laps around a big rig is 1 mileabout 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

10. Excited, my December Runners World came in the mail todayabout 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry

11. Home, running laterabout 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry

12. Ok so I did but 1 book but it is a small one and it is by Tony Evans on the topic of Fastingabout 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry

13. Can anyone accurately predict earth’s final day?about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry

14. @ Lifeway’ no intention of buying any books, lolabout 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry

15. Samuel says he isn’t behaving well enough to go to the mall so we are off to see the cow @ Chick fil Aabout 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

16. Web Bots, I am learning all kinds of new things. Do you know what a web Bot is?about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

17. Praying about something that could be really big, God knows, help me pray?about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

18. On May 16, 2008 the worlds fastest computer broke the Petaflop barrier: it is 1 quadrillion calculations per second.about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

19. Even an old clock that no longer works is right twice a dayabout 24 hours ago from TwitterBerry

20. Judah is just like his daddy, he has my hairline! Awesome! Samuel is the one with hair in the family.about 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry

21. Jean Crist is covering OOTB for tutoring, awesome. We still need volunteers, txt meabout 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry

22. Awesome day! Never thought I would get to wear shorts again this year. God has blessed me with a beautiful day offabout 22 hours ago from web

23. has read Redefining Beautiful: What God Sees When God Sees … by Jenna Lucado and rated it 4 stars – http://bit.ly/1p3JbPabout 22 hours ago from weread

24. the Spirit of the Marathon http://bit.ly/4kc0keabout 23 hours ago from web

The Spirit Of The Marathon

As you know by now, I am running the Thanksgiving Day Marathon in Atlanta. Here is a clip of the movie “Spirit of the Marathon” that will help to explain what a marathoner experiences. It really is an awesome adventure. this is Marathon # 8 for me.

Ronnie

This day in the life of your pastor – October 28th, 2009

1. Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.”  Wait for the Lord to handle the matter. http://read.ly/Prov20.22.NLTabout 8 hours ago from API

2. Ears to hear and eyes to see—  both are gifts from the Lord. http://read.ly/Prov20.12.NLTabout 8 hours ago from API

3. False weights and unequal measures—  the Lord detests double standards of every kind. http://read.ly/Prov20.10.NLTabout 8 hours ago from API

4. Hair commercials, why are we so vain? Although if I could grow it I would have long hair!about 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry

5. I just need a great day of rest. Praying for a great night sleep.about 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry

6. God is faithful, you can trust Him!about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry

7. Waiting on my oldest son to call, haven’t heard from him today. Getting ready to preach the final revival service @ Fries UMC for this timeabout 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry

8. Headed out to get a snack supper and then on to revival. Day off tomorrow and really need itabout 14 hours ago from web

9. In a worship planning meetingabout 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry

10. “Death is the engine of life” Rob Bell Jesus death is the engine for my life!about 16 hours ago from web

11. working on sermons and teaching for Out of the Boxabout 17 hours ago from web

12. Planet X, I didn’t know there was such a theory http://bit.ly/6rGADabout 17 hours ago from web

13. Meeting Charlie & Maralyn 4 lunch @ Rioabout 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry

14. Praying 4 mom today. Find out the results of the new CT scan todayabout 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry

15. Samuel is swinging and singing “blessed be the name of the Lord”about 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry

16. I didn’t know there was a Planet X. It is theorized that planet X will appear as a second Sun by 2011about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

17. working on sermonsabout 23 hours ago from web

18. Praying for Marlyn Slaugenhaupt, having test done today, praying for great resultsabout 24 hours ago from web

19. Jesus said, “Come and Die” What in the world did He mean?about 24 hours ago from web

Planet X, I didn’t know there was such a theory

Please understand that I am not ascribing to these different theories on the end of the world in 2012. I do ascribe to the Bible which says that someday this world will suffer something catastrophic and Jesus will return to be with His people forever. However the Bible does not give us a date for these things to take place and goes so far to even say that even Jesus doesn’t know the day or hour.

That said, these theories are interesting and we should know how to speak with people about them. I would suggest that we in the Christian Church will have a great ministry with people concerned about the many theories of 2012 being the year of world disaster.

Ronnie

 

 

Fasting and Repentance

Fasting carries the imagery of penitence ( Repentance).

For example, Ahab, the king of Israel, fasts at Elijah’s threat to destroy his household for having taken Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kings 21:27). He tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth and goes about despondently. Ahab humbles himself before the Lord and seeks his mercy. The Lord sees this and withdraws the evil he had proclaimed against him (v. 29).

When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.

Israel as a corporate group fasts on the occasion of repentance. Particularly on the Day of Atonement, the people of Israel are commanded to fast in repentance (Lev 16:29, 31; 23:27, 29, 32).

“This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves ^(Fast) and not do any work—whether native-born or an alien living among you-

³¹ It is a sabbath of rest, and you must deny (FAST) yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance.

²⁷ “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny  (Fast) yourselves, and present an offering made to the LORD by fire.

At the time of Nehemiah the people of Israel assemble in sackcloth with dirt on them and fast. They confess their sins and the iniquities of their fathers (Neh 9:1–3; 1 Sam 7:6; 2 Sam 12:16). Fasting is practiced during the course of repentance of sins as a symbol of humility and as a means of seeking the mercy of the Lord.

I Samuel 7:6

⁶ When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel was leader of Israel at Mizpah.

Ryken, Leland ; Wilhoit, Jim ; Longman, Tremper ; Duriez, Colin ; Penney, Douglas ; Reid, Daniel G.: Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. electronic ed. Downers Grove, IL : InterVarsity Press, 2000, c1998, S. 273

This day in the life of your pastor: October 28th, 2009

1. Another great night @ Fries UMC. Let’s pray that God will fill that church. They have an awesome pastor and Lee is so hungry 4 a move of Godabout 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
2. Service starts @ Fries UMC in 5 minutes. Appreciate your prayers.about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
3. Watching Sesame Street. With the boysabout 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry
4. @ home hanging out with Samuel & Judahabout 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
5. Note to self: don’t travel 52 south @ 3:30pm. Lots of school bus stopsabout 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
6. post office, home, and Fries Revivalabout 16 hours ago from web
7. this Holy Mystery, send your questions http://bit.ly/1Jo3Snabout 18 hours ago from web
8. just ordered “This Holy Mystery” A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communionabout 18 hours ago from web
9. Divine Rhythm: January 29-31, 2010 http://bit.ly/2W5mMQabout 19 hours ago from web
10. 16,000 children die every day of hunger http://bit.ly/Q63Etabout 19 hours ago from web
11. working on Charge Conference, Ministry leadership for 2010, updating amazon seller accountabout 20 hours ago from web
12. December 21 2012 the END? http://bit.ly/3Circ2about 20 hours ago from web
13. How many youth think we should have a 5th quarter @ Out Of The Box after the football game this Friday night? We had not planned to do one.about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry
14. Headed 2 the officeabout 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry
15. “How would the governments of our planet prepare six billion people for the end of the world?… they wouldn’t” 2012 Movie Trailerabout 23 hours ago from web
16. 16,000 children die of hunger every day http://bit.ly/Q63Etabout 23 hours ago from web
17. Few people know that the Mayan pyramids are older than the ones in Egypt.about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
18. Just found out there is an iPhone App that has a 12.21.12 countdown clock for just 99 centsabout 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
19. Praying, reading, coffeeabout 24 hours ago from TwitterBerry

This Holy Mystery

I now have a Covenant Mentor group for my two years of Provisional Elder’s Orders and this is the study we are about to begin. I look forward to writing posts on what we discover. Please send questions that you may have and I will answer them here on the blog.

A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion

Ronnie

Divine Rhythm: January 29-31, 2010

Misty and I plan to attend with anyone who wishes to go from First UMC Hillsville. Let me know ASAP if you are interested so we can make travel and lodging plans. It looks like this will be a great weekend and an awesome time for Misty and I to get to know you better.

Ronnie

Registration- Registration is $35.00.

After the registration deadline of December 31, 2009, the registration fee will be $50.00 per person.

Visit www.divinerthythm.com for registration information.

This event is open to anyone ages 18–35!

Childcare is available for young adults with children 6 months to 8 years old who wish to attend.

Refunds- After December 31, 2009, no refunds will be given. In the event of a cancellation prior to the cutoff date, an administrative fee of $10.00 per person will be charged.

Children’s Ministry- The deadline for registering for the children’s ministry is December 31, 2009. Absolutely no registrations will be taken after that date for the children’s program, and no walk-ins will be accepted. There will be a $25.00 fee per child, with a maximum of $75.00 per family, for over 8 hours of childcare. The children’s program will be provided for children ages 6 months to 8 years.

Complimentary Registrations- Clergy, young adult workers and volunteers are encouraged to attend the event; however, at this point Divine Rhythm is not able to give complimentary registrations. Therefore, all clergy and young adult workers attending the event will need to pay the registration fee.

Register Now Divine Rhythm 2010 January 29-31 Pigeon Forge, Tennessee For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. -Ephesians 2:8-10 Policies the 10th anniversary For registration information, visit www.divinerhythm.com, or contact the Holston Conference office at 866.690.4080 or connectionalministries@holston.org

Our Speaker
The Rev. Grace Imathiu was born in Kenya and raised in the city of Nairobi. She is ordained in the Methodist Church of
Kenya and has served congregations there and in Washington, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Grace is currently pastor of Brown
Deer United Methodist Church near Milwaukee. She has preached and taught around the world, from Germany to Malaysia and from
England to Brazil. Grace was educated in Kenya, the U.S., Israel, and at Cambridge University, England. Grace is currently completing
studies for a Ph.D. in New Testament at Vanderbilt University. An anthology of her sermons, Words of Fire, Spirit of Grace, has been
published and she was a featured preacher at the 2004 Festival of Homiletics.

Worship Leader
Casey Darnell is a passionate worship leader of Northpoint Community Church and their 3 campuses in the Metro
Atlanta area. He considers it a privilege to be able to lead others in worship both at the local church and in other parts of the world.
Singing, writing songs and leading people in real worship to a very real God has been a large part of his life over the last decade now,
and he desires to create an atmosphere of freedom where people can experience God in a real way!
“It is my hope to see our generation continuing to be the hands and feet that God has called us to be…taking our songs and living
them out in our everyday lives, this is what the world needs to see and is what will show them He is alive & living in us!”

January 29–31, 2010.
Where?
Divine Rhythm will be held at the Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge,
Tennessee.
How Much?
The program fee is $35.00 per person if registered by the December 31, 2009
deadline. After the deadline, the cost will be $50.00 per person. This fee
includes all sessions and activities held in the Country Tonite Theatre.
Housing
Groups should contact hotels or other rental facilities in Pigeon Forge to secure
their own housing arrangements.
Register
Log on to divinerhythm.com for registration information.
Service Opportunities
In keeping with the spirit of Divine Rhythm, we will once again offer various
service opportunities. Check the website and your confirmation letter for more
information.
Who?
Divine Rhythm is an exciting spiritual-renewal opportunity for young adults in and around Holston Conference. The event is designed for persons ages 18-35.

December 21 2012 the END?

Please don’t mis-understand my interest in the 2012 theory of the end of the world. I am a firm believer in the Bible and that no one knows when Jesus will return to earth to set things right. However, I am very interested in information that may help us to understand that people are very interested in what the future holds. The following videos are a part of a History Chanel special in the ancient prediction of the Mayan end of the world prediction. Enjoy

Ronnie

Fasting allows a devotion to communion with God

Acts 13:3

³So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

While the church of Antioch fasts and prays (Acts 13:3–4), they are commanded by the Holy Spirit to send Paul and Barnabas as missionaries. Fasting and prayer are frequently associated with people seeking and preparing themselves for divine communications. Through fasting, they can devote themselves to communion with God.

Ryken, Leland ; Wilhoit, Jim ; Longman, Tremper ; Duriez, Colin ; Penney, Douglas ; Reid, Daniel G.: Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. electronic ed. Downers Grove, IL : InterVarsity Press, 2000, c1998, S. 273

This day in the life of your pastor: October 26th, 2009

1. Mapping out Kenneths marathons. Atlanta N November, Charlotte In December, Myrtle Beach N February, & Roanoke in April. What do U think K?about 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry
2. If you are part of OOTB, you are being prayed for!about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
3. Hey Jon buddy, its about time you joined us on facebook!about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
4. Bed is sounding good. All this fat burning is wearing me out. Can’t wait to eat again!about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
5. 12.21.12- The End Of the World As We Know It? Has the final countdown begin?about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
6. Another great service in Fries tonight. God wants revival, how bad do we want it?about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
7. I smell the oil! Betsy, Donna & Allen, pray!about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
8. I am preaching from II Chronicles 7:14 tonight @ Revival, thanks Allenabout 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry
9. My wonderful wife fixed me lentils, tuna and eggs for dinner. It was my request.about 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry
10. just finished running 4.1 milesabout 18 hours ago from web
11. 2012 the Bible & the End of the World arrived today. Can’t wait to read it!about 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry
12. Wow, just stopping to buy coffee as my wife is leaving me a message to buy coffeeabout 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry
13. Remembered I needed bee spray, thankful for the new dollar general @ Fancy Gapabout 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry
14. More support for my Run for The Children of Sudan today. Thanks to all who can help.about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
15. heading to the post office then home to run a few milesabout 20 hours ago from web
16. Preaching from 2 Chronicles 7:14 tonightabout 20 hours ago from web
17. working on chg conference, sermons, meeting with folks, busy dayabout 20 hours ago from web
18. facebook: don’t like the changes? http://imagebearer.wordpres…about 23 hours ago from web
19. on a conference call for Annual Conference Planning. Starting new congregations and revitalizing existing congregations. Excitingabout 23 hours ago from web
20. kyle samuel.jpg – United States, WXII 12’s u local Photo – u local, Your North Carolina Photos & Videos: http://bit.ly/Ogu6y via @addthisabout 22 hours ago from web
21. In stark contrast to Fasting is Hunger http://bit.ly/2dGmp7about 22 hours ago from web
22. burning off lbs for the next 4 weeks to get to a better Marathon weight, don’t feed me, pleaseabout 23 hours ago from web
23. headed to the office for loads of study time and office clean upabout 24 hours ago from web
24. Love your mate: I Dare You! http://bit.ly/1nYi7r4:25 AM Oct 26th from web
25. Praying that all God’s children remember that Holy Spirit is alive inside you4:21 AM Oct 26th from web