Marathon Update

Here are my mile splits for the Marathon today.

The race started at 730am. It was about 42 degrees, really perfect for any run, and especially 26.2 miles.

Kenneth & I both made it a priority to hydrate well the past several days and we ate a lot of stuff preparing for the race today.

Mile 1. 924
Mile 2. 915
Mile 3. 934
Mile 4. 929
Mile 5. 934
Mile 6. 919
Mile 7. 936
Mile 8. 1108
Mile 9. 905
Mile 10. 908
Mile 11. 1001
Mile 12. 951
Mile 13. 943
Mile 14. 936
Mile 15. 936
Mile 16. 901
Mile 17. 853
Mile 18. 919
Mile 19. 848
Mile 20. 848
Mile 21. 840
Mile 22. 1150
Mile 23. 1128
Mile 24. 1058
Mile 25. 1126
Mile 26. 837

It was an outstanding day and check out the last mile.

Ronnie

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers. It has been an awesome day and I am thankful for many things today.

I am especially thankful for my good health today. As most of you know I ran the Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Marathon today.

It was my second best time in a Marathon and I have now run 8 of them. I completed it in 4 hours 19 minutes. My best time was 413 and I was 25 pounds lighter.

Anyway I am thankful for my good health and I love running.

Then I am thankful for my family. Misty looked after all the kids so that I could run. She is an awesome wife and reminds me of Ona Smith in many ways.

I am thankful for my 4 boys, 2 nephews, 2 grandchildren, and 3 great Nephews with a great niece on the way. I am so thankful for a mom and dad who love me and do so much for and with me. I am also thankful for Mistys family who are also a blessing to us.

I am thankful that God has called me into the ministry. I love to preach and I love working with Youth and I get to do both.

I love God with all my heart and I will based on the Bible, spend eternity with Him and I am thankful for that.

It is my prayer that all of you will stop and count your blessings today as well.

Ronnie

Gary and Samuel IMG01954

IMG01953

We are getting close to 26.2 IMG01951

Thoughts on the Marathon

As most of you know by now I am running in The Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Marathon this Thursday at 730am. I am excited, I am feeling really great right now. No aches or pains and I feel the need to run. I haven’t done any miles since Friday when I did 3 easy miles. I will be walking a couple of miles tomorrow in Piedmont Park in Atlanta just to walk off the anxieties that tend to build before an event like this.

I was just thinking on my drive home yesterday that 26.2 miles is a long way when you are running and even a good distance in the car. However our bodies are capable of doing much more than we normally demand of them. I have had a great time training for this Marathon. I have a friend running this one with me (Kenneth) and we both have seen a lot of change in ourselves. We have both slimmed down, eaten better, and drank lots of water.

We are both confident that we are well-trained and going to have a great race. We appreciate your prayers and I will let you know when the race is over how each of us have done. By the way, Kenneth and I run pretty much together in our pace so we hope to finish strong and in the same time frame but we both know that race day can bring lots of things, including one of us having more energy than the other.

Again, we appreciate your prayers.

Ronnie

This day in the life of your pastor – November 23rd, 2009

• Lists

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Your lists:

1. Thanking God for my family. I am rich! about 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry

2. working on Witness Team Ministry Items about 11 hours ago from web

3. Race week is finally here! 26.2 on Thursday @ 7:30am about 11 hours ago from web

4. watching Everybody loves Raymond about 11 hours ago

5. The Witness Team Evangelism Emphasis for 2010 http://imagebearer.wordpres… about 11 hours ago from web

6. Sussie has come for a visit. She wanted to eat our food. Lol about 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry

7. Fasting and Praying, dining @ Gods Table about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

8. Praying 4 Jessica, hope she has the baby while we are in Atlanta, that would be extra special! about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry

9. post office, home, dinner with the family and fasting for 24 hours about 17 hours ago from web

10. wow what a busy day. I have met with people who have lifted me up and several who need to be lifted up. Lets Pray and fast, God is @ work about 17 hours ago from web

11. Holston Evangelism Announcement http://imagebearer.wordpres… about 18 hours ago from web

12. wow, it is a full dy. lots of ppl N hospital, people with so many relational & physical needs, depression, etc.. join us fasting and praying about 20 hours ago from web

13. fast and pray for revival in Carroll County http://imagebearer.wordpres… about 20 hours ago from web

14. Sundown tonight begins our 24 hour Fast for the week. 200 people are fasting and praying for revival as well as many needs. about 20 hours ago from web

15. had a great mentor meeting with my Provisional Elder Mentor about 20 hours ago from web

16. multi-tasking this morning like never before. 100 e-mails need to be dealt with before the end of the day about 24 hours ago from web

17. Praying for the Bill Horton Family about 21 hours ago from web

18. praying for a friend this morning, God knows his name and his needs… about 21 hours ago from web

19. Kenneth has Race #936 & I have #618, remember those numbers and pray! about 21 hours ago from web

20. working on a date for Team Impact 2010 about 22 hours ago from web

21. working on an Evangelism Workshop for the Jonesboro Tennessee area for January 2010 about 22 hours ago from web

22. Praying for Micah this morning, little boy, 102 fever. Praying for healing quickly about 22 hours ago from web

23. Praying for Audrey and Cindy this morning about 22 hours ago from web

24. In the midst of it all, taking Sophie to be groomed about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

25. Praying for Ann Branscome this morning, heart cath scheduled this morning. about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

26. Reading “The Sacred Meal” lots of great material here about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

27. heading to the office for most of the day, lots to do about 23 hours ago from web

28. Looks like Team impact will be coming to Hillsville in the Spring 2010 about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

29. 1 Timothy 6:18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. My Race # Thusday is 618 4:36 AM Nov 23rd from web

30. Countdown 3 Days to Marathon

The Witness Team Evangelism Emphasis for 2010

3000 Baptisms in Holston on Pentecost Sunday

50 “Golden Days” of Evangelism

40 Days of Prayer and Preparation

TELL ME MORE!

You may remember hearing from the stage of Annual Conference that the Conference Witness team would challenge us to celebrate 3000 baptisms on Pentecost Sunday (May 23, 2010) in Holston Conference.  The Witness Team would like to take this opportunity to “brief” you, our Conference leaders, on the plan, invite you to ask questions, share comments, and help publicize as we continue refining and developing this time for an exciting and potentially Conference-transforming Spring in Holston Conference.  Info coming soon in the Call, Call 2 and a save the date(s) letter to each pastor under appointment in Holston.

In the book Prophetic Evangelist, Harry Denman called the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost the “50 Golden Days of Evangelism”.  He also wrote a letter in which he called on every pastor not only to observe Pentecost, but to lay the groundwork for experiencing Pentecost.  That is what we are praying for in Holston in 2010.  Here is an outline:

* Feb 19-20  Holston Evangelism Conference

This event will be held at Cokesbury Center in Knoxville, TN. We welcome the Rev. Rudy Rasmus and Bishop James Swanson to lead us through this inspirational and motivating event.  We will celebrate the past year’s theme and covenant to “Offer Them Christ” and to invite Holston to the next steps toward Pentecost 2010.  Friday: Optional Mission Outreach (“Grace bags” to Knoxville Homeless) 3-5; Registration 5-7; Session I begins 7pm.  Bishop Swanson will conclude the conference by 3pm on Saturday.

* 40 Days of Prayer and Preparation — beginning on Feb 23rd, we will encourage every congregation to pray, fast and ask God for a burden for the lost. Churches may organize specific prayer groups, teaching or preaching about prayer and fasting, or other creative Holston ways of preparation.  The Witness Team will provide a 40 Day Prayer Guide which will be daily devotions written by lay and clergy members of our Conference.  (District Superintendents – if you haven’t already, there may still be space for you to add a day’s devotional writing…) At this time we are working on the best delivery of these guides, but at the least we will be emailing copies to local church pastors and designated leaders for copying and distribution. The Witness Team is asking that every Pastor and Lay member who has a blog to add the daily devotional to your church and personal blogs.

*  50 Golden Days of Evangelism — from Easter to Pentecost 2010, each congregation will be asked to intentionally concentrate on evangelism in their community. Again, the Conference Witness Team will supply a guide (“50 Days of Evangelism”) with concrete, specific suggestions for individuals and groups within churches to start conversations, build relationships, and offer Christ in your community.  Some congregations may plan for a Pentecost celebration with dinner on the grounds where river baptisms and all other forms of baptism recognized by The UMC may take place.

*** 1 Great Day of Pentecost *** — baptisms, renewals and lives transformed for and by Jesus Christ

40 Days of Preparation + 50 Days of Evangelism = A 90 Day Investment in 3000 lives. Sound unlikely? Unbelievable? Too much?  In our 904 churches, this would be an AVERAGE of 3.1 baptisms per worshipping community.  What do we have to lose?  Suppose we ONLY baptize 1000???  Help the Witness Team make this Spring of Pentecost preparation a reality for Holston.  No single group, ministry team or leader can do this.  We believe that God is in this… and we ask for your support, feedback and most importantly for your prayers.

With Bold, Passionate, Risk-taking love –              The Holston Conference Witness Team

Contact Ronnie Collins         ronnie24317@yahoo.com or (276) 728-2434

or Amy Rollins Probst     pastor@broadwayumc.net or (865) 202-3019

with feedback or suggestions.

Holston Evangelism Announcement

You may remember hearing from the stage of Annual Conference that the Conference Witness team would challenge us to celebrate 3000 baptisms on Pentecost Sunday (May 23, 2010) in Holston Conference.  The Witness Team would like to take this opportunity to “brief” you, our Conference leaders, on the plan, invite you to ask questions, share comments, and help publicize as we continue refining and developing this time for an exciting and potentially Conference-transforming Spring in Holston Conference.  Info coming soon in the Call, Call 2 and a save the date(s) letter to each pastor under appointment in Holston.

In the book Prophetic Evangelist, Harry Denman called the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost the “50 Golden Days of Evangelism”.  He also wrote a letter in which he called on every pastor not only to observe Pentecost, but to lay the groundwork for experiencing Pentecost.  That is what we are praying for in Holston in 2010.  Here is an outline:

* Feb 19-20  Holston Evangelism Conference

This event will be held at Cokesbury Center in Knoxville, TN. We welcome the Rev. Rudy Rasmus and Bishop James Swanson to lead us through this inspirational and motivating event.  We will celebrate the past year’s theme and covenant to “Offer Them Christ” and to invite Holston to the next steps toward Pentecost 2010.  Friday: Optional Mission Outreach (“Grace bags” to Knoxville Homeless) 3-5; Registration 5-7; Session I begins 7pm.  Bishop Swanson will conclude the conference by 3pm on Saturday.

* 40 Days of Prayer and Preparation — beginning on Feb 23rd, we will encourage every congregation to pray, fast and ask God for a burden for the lost. Churches may organize specific prayer groups, teaching or preaching about prayer and fasting, or other creative Holston ways of preparation.  The Witness Team will provide a 40 Day Prayer Guide which will be daily devotions written by lay and clergy members of our Conference.  (District Superintendents – if you haven’t already, there may still be space for you to add a day’s devotional writing…) At this time we are working on the best delivery of these guides, but at the least we will be emailing copies to local church pastors and designated leaders for copying and distribution. The Witness Team is asking that every Pastor and Lay member who has a blog to add the daily devotional to your church and personal blogs.

*  50 Golden Days of Evangelism — from Easter to Pentecost 2010, each congregation will be asked to intentionally concentrate on evangelism in their community. Again, the Conference Witness Team will supply a guide (“50 Days of Evangelism”) with concrete, specific suggestions for individuals and groups within churches to start conversations, build relationships, and offer Christ in your community.  Some congregations may plan for a Pentecost celebration with dinner on the grounds where river baptisms and all other forms of baptism recognized by The UMC may take place.

*** 1 Great Day of Pentecost *** — baptisms, renewals and lives transformed for and by Jesus Christ

40 Days of Preparation + 50 Days of Evangelism = A 90 Day Investment in 3000 lives. Sound unlikely? Unbelievable? Too much?  In our 904 churches, this would be an AVERAGE of 3.1 baptisms per worshipping community.  What do we have to lose?  Suppose we ONLY baptize 1000???  Help the Witness Team make this Spring of Pentecost preparation a reality for Holston.  No single group, ministry team or leader can do this.  We believe that God is in this… and we ask for your support, feedback and most importantly for your prayers.

With Bold, Passionate, Risk-taking love –              The Holston Conference Witness Team

Contact Ronnie Collins         ronnie24317@yahoo.com or (276) 728-2434

or Amy Rollins Probst     pastor@broadwayumc.net

or (865) 202-3019             with feedback or suggestions.

fasting and praying for Carroll County

Fast and Pray for Carroll County

 

Look us up on facebook and join us!

Name:

Fast and Pray for Carroll County

Category:

Common Interest – Religion & Spirituality

Description:

A group who is asking God to bring Revival to the Christians and Salvation to the lost of Carroll County Virginia. Fasting one day each week for the remainder of 2009

Privacy Type:

Open: All content is public.

Contact Info

Office: 276-728-2434

Location: Main Street Hillsville, VA

This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor – November 22nd, 2009

1. Time for bed. It has been an awesome day. 3 great worship services, great fellowship tonight at Thanksgiving Service, Choir was outstanding! about 8 hours ago from web
2. working on Witness Team “Holston Evangelism Conference” save the date, February 19th & 20th, 2010. God is up to something life changing! about 8 hours ago from web

3. Just received my Race number for the Atlanta Marathon Thanksgiving Day. RONNIE COLLINS Bib 618 about 9 hours ago from web

4. @ community Thanksgiving service about 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry

5. is God calling you to start a church http://imagebearer.wordpres… about 13 hours ago from web

6. Out of the Box is re-thinking church http://imagebearer.wordpres… about 13 hours ago from web

7. OK, please tell me how you have gotten children to take medicine. It is liquid and we have tried putting it in things with no success. about 13 hours ago from web

8. wow, I have a lot to accomplish in the next 10 days and running 26.2 miles is on top of the list about 14 hours ago from web

9. good news, the butterscotch pie is all gone, no more temptation. But guess what happened to the pie? Kenneth we need to log some miles! lol about 15 hours ago from web

10. received several gifts for the Children of Sudan this morning. I am over $1,000 & I think this is awesome. I am really excited about the run about 15 hours ago from web

11. there is no Sunday Night Live service @ 1st Hillsville tonight but come to the Community Thanksgiving Service @ Hillsville 1st Christian about 15 hours ago from web

12. Lunch @ Rio with the family about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry

13. called to be a spiritual leader http://imagebearer.wordpres… about 20 hours ago from web

14. the end of all things is near http://imagebearer.wordpres… about 20 hours ago from web

15. 830 service is now! Join us! about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

16. 4 days and we will be lined up ready to start 26.2 miles and I am running for the children of Sudan about 24 hours ago from web

Is God Calling You To Start A Church?

Check out Path1. The United Methodist Church is dedicated to starting new places of worship to introduce new people to Jesus Christ.

Path1

Out of the Box is Re-Thinking Church

At Out Of The Box we are Re-Thinking Church.

We are located on Main Street in Hillsville Virginia and we are not your typical place of worship. We are a place for youth to come and hang out with friends and learn about Jesus Christ.

Come check us out!

Wednesday evenings @ 5pm the doors open for time to hang out and 7pm is time for a Message that is relevant to your life.

Look me up on facebook ronnie24317

Called to be a spiritual leader

Recently I heard Bishop James Swanson say as clergy “you are called to be a spiritual leader, you are not called to change people”.

Being in ministry this is the hardest thing with which I deal. When people come to me and they often do, with problems of every kind. I go to scripture and show them what God’s Word says and they walk away because they don’t want to do it God’s way. For some reason it seems too difficult, for some reason the worlds way seem better, less painful, easier.

Often this can become such a heavy burden that it makes me want to throw up my hands and just quit trying and then Bishop Swanson reminded me that I am not called to fix people. Since the beginning of time people have decided to do things their way and not God’s way. God Himself has not forced people to change therefore when He limits Himself to working through the means that He does and not forcing change in people, even God has not convinced some people to change and do things His way.

In Mark Chapter 10 and verses 46-52 there is a story of a blind man.

NIV

⁴⁶Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁸Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁹Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

⁵¹“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

⁵²“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Why did Jesus ask the blind man, “what do you want me to do for you”?

Because some people don’t want to be well!

I am not called to change people, I am called to be a spiritual leader. Lord help me to remember that your Word will do the work, your Spirit will do the convincing and the convicting. I am only called to be obedient.

Ronnie

The end of all things is near…

Can you imagine the things that were being said to and about Noah when God told him to build an Ark. I imagine based on the fact that Noah’s family was the only ones who made it out alive that everyone thought he was a joke.

Genesis 6: 5-8

⁵ The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. ⁶ The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. ⁷ So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.” ⁸ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

Genesis 6: 13-14a

¹³ So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. ¹⁴ So make yourself an ark…

Genesis 6: 17

¹⁷ I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.

The following quotes are from The Good News magazine;

world.htm

Potential devastation from the sky

Although some of these possibilities are unlikely, others present a real threat. Based on the increasing number of gigantic impact craters discovered in recent years, scientists believe that a collision between earth and a killer asteroid is inevitable.

What would be the result of such a violent encounter? “An asteroid only a kilometer across would create cosmic havoc by impacting on the earth,” writes Michio Kaku, professor of theoretical physics at City College of New York. “. . . The shock wave would flatten much of the United States. If it hit the oceans, the tidal wave it created could be a mile high, enough to flood most coastal cities on earth” (Visions: How Science Will Revolutionize the 21st Century, 1997, p. 317).

In 1908 a meteor or comet exploded over a remote area of Siberia. Though it was relatively small, with an estimated diameter of only about 50 yards, it flattened 1,000 square miles of forest, felling 80 million trees. The energy released by that celestial missile is estimated to be about equal to that of a large hydrogen bomb. The resulting tremors were recorded as far away as London. (To learn how such events might tie in with Bible prophecy, see “Will Civilization End in Global Cataclysm?“)

The increasing nuclear threat

Experts generally agree that, of all possible means of destroying humanity, nuclear weapons pose the greatest threat.

And the genie cannot be put back in the bottle. Austrian theologian Ulrich Kortner put it this way: “The nuclear threat . . . constitutes not a temporary, but rather an irrevocable global threat. The actual possibility of an end to all life is now a constituent part of our reality” (The End of the World: A Theological Interpretation, 1995, pp. 229-230, emphasis added).

Some sober scientists go even farther, saying that nuclear annihilation is inevitable. The late Carl Sagan, perhaps the world’s best-known scientist before his death in 1996, wrote that “the development of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems will, sooner or later, lead to global disaster” (Cosmos, 1980, p. 328).

With the Cold War ended, the probability of all-out nuclear war between countries has lessened for the time being, but the continuing addition of more nations to the nuclear club ratchets the threat back upward.

If North Korea has successfully developed nuclear weapons—as it has strongly hinted it has done—the nuclear club of nations now totals 10. More than 50,000 nuclear weapons exist in the world, many in dangerously unstable places. No one dares dismiss the idea that terrorist groups, if they can get their hands on nuclear devices, will use them in pursuit of their deadly aims.

Optimistic scientists believe that, thanks to continuing discoveries in science and technology, the nations will realize they must cooperate and work together to develop a unified global civilization. However, admits Dr. Kaku, “in the background always lurks the possibility of a nuclear war, the outbreak of a deadly pandemic, or a collapse of the environment” (p. 19).

Is time running out?

Reagan expressed concern that Armageddon may occur in our generation. His defense secretary, Casper Weinberger, observed: “I believe the world is going to end—by an act of God, I hope—but every day I think time is running out” (quoted by Reginald Stackhouse, The End of the World, 1997, p. viii).

Former French president Valery Giscard d’Estaing commented on the state of humanity: “The world is unhappy because it doesn’t know where it is going and because it senses that, if it knew, it would discover that it was heading for disaster” (ibid.).

Former U.S. vice president Al Gore speculated on the longevity of the world: “Two world wars, the Holocaust, the invention of nuclear weapons, and now the global environmental crisis have led many of us to wonder if survival . . . is possible” (Earth in the Balance, 1992, p. 366).

Indeed, experts from many fields share the concern that we could see the end of civilization as we know it. These concerns have created an age of anxiety, especially in a world where so little seems certain anymore.

Many others, however, say there is no need to be concerned about the world ending. They point to epidemics of end-time panic that have raged in the past. They list many failed past predictions regarding the end of the world.

Such criticism is justified to a point. Doomsday predictions have abounded for centuries; date-setters have been wrong many times. The problem with most of these prognostications was that, though well intentioned, the specific chronological details were the ideas of men who badly misinterpreted information in Scripture.

Is there a source to which we can go for reliable information? There is! That one reliable source is the Bible—what it really says. Many people today have a vague idea that the Bible says something about the end of the world. Does it? Most certainly!

The end of an age

Although we do not know the time, one thing we know for sure is that the Bible prophesies the end of the world as we know it. But what does that mean?

When Jesus’ disciples asked Him about “the end of the world,” they weren’t talking about “world” in the sense of our physical planet, the earth. The Greek word translated “world” is aion, from which we get the English word eon. The two mean essentially the same thing—an age, an epoch, an era .

Christ’s followers well knew the many prophecies of the Old Testament that foretell the coming age of the Messiah. Our present time, the time of human rule on earth under the deceptive sway of Satan (1 John 5:19), is described by the apostle Paul as “this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4).

Another Greek word translated “world” in the New Testament is kosmos, which denotes the ordered world around us—that is, not the physical planet we live on but man’s society and geopolitical dominion. This is what will end.

Paul and the other apostles understood that, at the end of this age, man’s corrupt civilization will be swept away and a new era will dawn at the return of Christ. Peter described this change as one in which “times of refreshing” will come from God the Father through Jesus, who will return from heaven when “the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets” (Acts 3:19-21, New International Version).

This transition from man’s misrule—which is, in reality, the unrecognized rule of Satan—to Christ’s divine reign in the Kingdom of God was at the heart of the messages of the biblical prophets as well as the gospel Jesus taught. (For more information, request our free booklets The Gospel of the Kingdom and Is There Really a Devil?)

Scripture proclaims that the present age—the civilization and societies we know today—will terminate in a cascade of unimaginable destruction and violence that will climax at the return of Christ. In the New Testament alone, more than 300 verses refer to these events.

I fear that like Noah, people will say that I am crazy, I fear that people will just ignore the signs of the times in which we live. I fear that there will be very few that make it out of this world to the next because so few take it serious.

What did Jesus say about the end of the world?

Matthew 24: 3-8

³ Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”

⁴ Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, ⁵ for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. ⁶ And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. ⁷ Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. ⁸ But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

You may be saying, but yes there have always been famines, nations have fought with each other. there have been earthquakes all over the world and that is true.

However, Jesus said these were just the first of the birth pains. As we all know, birth pains intensify and with each new day these things intensify and multiply around the world.

The world today is just like the world when Noah lived and the flood came and caught them all off guard.

In Noah’s day there were those who said a flood would never happen. We know from the Biblical account that only Noah and his family were saved from that great tragic event.

Luke 17: 26 -30

²⁶ “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. ²⁷ In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all.

²⁸ “And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building—²⁹ until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. ³⁰ Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

I couldn’t wait for the movie 2012 to start and I went on opening day. The movie is based on the Mayan calendar which runs out on December 21, 2012 and many people believe that will be the end.

Just for the record, I don’t believe that 12-21-2012 will be the end of the world, I believe it could be before we take the next breath. If I didn’t believe this I wouldn’t be wasting my time preaching. No, I would be somewhere making a lot of money and living it up, because if this is all there is, i would want to live it to the full. i would want to grab all the gusto I could grab.

No, I believe the Bible teaches that the end could come at any second.

Back to the movie. I love the movie, not because I believe the date is right but I believe it is a wake up call. It is something that will hopefully make people think about what God said was going to happen and not what the Mayan’s said would happen.  The entire time I was watching the movie, all I could think about was getting out of there and going to find all my children and just hold them close. I believe with all of my heart that the end as we know it is near.

There are more than 300 verses in the New Testament that speak of the end as we know it!

In Romans 13: 8-14, Paul says it is time to wake up!

⁸ Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. ⁹ For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

¹¹ This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. ¹³ Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴ Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Here is the movie 2012’s depiction of the end of the world as we know it.

I Peter 4: 7-11

⁷The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. ⁸Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

In light of the end, Peter says we are to do 4 things

1. Live self-controlled

Vs. 7 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”

Newspapers and cable network news channels overflow with headlines and articles about:

drug-related deaths of popular actors and rock stars, not to mention missions that no one seems to know

abuse of power and corruption

to the abuse of substance, one theme is crystal clear: our society is in a corporate crisis caused by individual indulgence

Lack of self-control kills self-respect, friendships, marriages, careers, and it even kills ministries.

(Beth more, Living beyond yourself bible study)
What is the key to living a self-controlled life? The key to living a self-controlled life is the refusal to allow our enemies, which are the world, the flesh and the Devil, to rule or hold us captive in any way.

Jesus has given us victory over all of these and over the accuser the devil. If any of these things hold something over us then it is because we have opened the door and invited them to reign in Jesus place.

Peter is telling us in this passage to live in these last days a life controlled by the Spirit of God and practicing self-control.

2. Live a life of love for others

Vs. 8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

The original Greek word for deeply or fervently is an athletic word meaning to reach out or strain or exert an utmost amount of energy.

This is so interesting to me as I am preparing to run in a Marathon this Thursday on Thanksgiving Day in Atlanta. I have a great friend, Kenneth who is running this race with me and these last few days before the race we are starting to wind down the miles. We have run a 15 mile training run, 18 mile, 20 mile, and a 22 mile training run to prepare for this race. But yesterday morning as we met and went out to run just 3 miles, Kenneth said “I don’t even put my shoes on for 3 miles”, we both got a great laugh out of that.

You see, we have poured our hearts into this race, 26.2 miles. This is Kenneth’s first Marathon and it is my 8th. We have put in the hard miles, we have taken good vitamins, we have tried to eat well, we have searched and found the best shoes to wear for out needs in 26.2 miles, we have drunk bottles and bottles of water to maintain hydration, and we have even forced ourselves to eat energy gels during the long runs in order to have sufficient energy to finish the race.

We are to love each other with the energy it takes to run a Marathon because love covers a multitude of sins!

“Because love covers a multitude of sins.” What does this mean?

True love ignores the faults of others!

This is just to qualify the above statement: Jesus never told us to be ignorant and to allow people to harm us. That is not love. There were two blind men in the bible and as Jesus passed by where they were they called to him and said, Lord have mercy on us and Jesus said to them, what do you want me to do for you? Many ask why would Jesus have to ask what two blind men wanted but the truth is that many people do not want to be well. Many people no matter how much we love them, they will take advantage of us again and again. You can love people without letting them take that kind of advantage of you. Sometimes tough love is in order. Ask people what it is they want God to do for them through you, that is true love.

When we love “Above All” we are living a life of love which will more than likely reach those who do not know Jesus The Christ.

3. Serve others and oh yeah, do it without grumbling

Vs. 9 “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

This verse means that we are to be generous with strangers. Food, shelter, and in general being nice to those we don’t know.

And by the way, do it without complaining!

Jesus said, feed those who are hungry, clothe those who have so little, give a drink of water to those dying of thirst. Give a home to a child who has no mom or dad. Interrupt your comfortable life to make a life for someone else.

4. Live a life of service through your gifts of the Spirit

Vs. 10-11 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”

Romans 12:6-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a person’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

Conclusion

No one knows when Jesus will return or when this world as we know it will end, but we do know that it is closer now that it was yesterday.

Jesus could come back at any moment.

Will he catch you by surprise?

Maybe you need to rededicate your life to serving the Lord, maybe you need to publicly profess Jesus as Lord and repent of your sins and follow Him with all that you are.

You can do that right now. Ask God to forgive you and empower you with His Holy Spirit to live a life that is pleasing to Him. If you have done this, drop me a note to let me know, If there is any way that I can help you in your Christian walk, please don’t hesitate to ask. As Jesus said to the blind men, “what do you want me to do for you?”

Ronnie

This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor – November 21st, 2009

1. lots of people are still up, I have received several e-mails in the last few minutes about 10 hours ago from web

2. I am not the only pastor still up working on sermons and Witness Team Ministries. I am in great company. Blessings Amy about 10 hours ago from web

3. Still working on the sermon about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry

4. Operation Christmas Child, bring a lunch & join Pati after church workin @ Joy Ranch 2 pack boxes. Yth & Tween interested there will B a van about 12 hours ago from web

5. Oh my, Misty made butterscotch pie and I can’t stop eating about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry

6. Kyle just said “God made us and filled us, He filled our body, he filled our hearts” Ronnie ” what did he fill us with Kyle?” Kyle “wood?” about 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry

7. the dishes are clean and we are ready to just relax, except the kids are all excited about 14 hours ago from web

8. The end of all things is near: come hear the sermon 830 & 11am tomorrow about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry

9. Cooking spaghetti for the family about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry

10. Ironing clothes about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

11. “Holy Communion was a web, a web of people being stitched together. And tomorrow, we would need 2 B sticthed together again.” Nora Gallagher about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

12. “It is often harder to do good than it is to do evil” Nora Gallagher about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

13. China 1, I wouldn’t recommend it, lunch was filling but not great. about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

14. Chinese food for lunch. Samuel speaks a little Chinese about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

15. Glad we took Samuel on, still has ear infection. Another prescription with a cough syrup also this time. Thankful we went early. about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

16. Just received $100 more for the Children of Sudan. If anyone wants to give to the children there is still time. The run is Thursday. about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

17. Taking Samuel back for a check up before leaving for Atlanta. Seems like he is still congested. about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

18. Going out for 3 easy miles, mostly trying to rest these last few days before the Marathon about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

19. Samuels routine is now to come lay on the couch with me in the mornings. Reminds me of how God wants to hold us. I love my boys. about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

20. working on Sunday Morning’s Sermon: the end of all things is near about 23 hours ago from web

21. fb is riddled with problems this week. Beware, don’t click on links that appear to be sent by your friends. If it looks strange don’t click about 23 hours ago from web

22. Countdown to Marathon, 5 Days

This day in the life of your pastor – November 20th, 2009

1. Should be 41 degrees in Atlanta on Thursday morning when we start the Marathon with a high for the day of 55. Perfect weather for 26.2 miles about 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry

2. Dustin, Yolanda, & the kids are @ Myrtle Beach. Wish we could be there with them. about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry

3. Mike & Caitlin are celebrating 4 years of marriage today. I love my kids so much. God has blessed me beyond measure. about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry

4. Ok, Kenneth and I have a goal of 9:30 to 9:45 pace for the Atlanta Marathon, That will mean an overall time for 4:08 to 4:15 about 13 hours ago from web

5. running heart rate http://imagebearer.wordpres… about 13 hours ago from web

6. Tulsa Marathon Route 66 http://imagebearer.wordpres… about 13 hours ago from web

7. Marathon http://imagebearer.wordpres… about 13 hours ago from web

8. just talked to Kenneth, running 3 easy miles tomorrow and walking a couple, 9am join us about 14 hours ago from web

9. the discipline of grace http://imagebearer.wordpres… about 14 hours ago from web

10. blogging www.imagebearer.wordpress.com about 14 hours ago from web

11. has read Souvenirs of Solitude: Finding Rest in Abba’s Embr… by Brennan Manning and rated it 3.5 stars – http://bit.ly/n3bNS about 14 hours ago from weread

12. Book Review; Souvenirs of Solitude http://imagebearer.wordpres… about 15 hours ago from web

13. Fixing pancakes and breakfast beef for dinner. Misty is at a baby shower. Just me and the boys and Sophie of course about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry

14. I had decaf coffee this morning and now I have a headache. May be an addiction? about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

15. Long day shopping and didn’t find any shoes that seemed to work. I’m just not a shopper. about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

16. In Winston looking for some good shoes that will be comfortable and support my feet @ the same time. about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

17. 1 edition of the New York Times Sunday ed contains more information than the average person in the 19th Century was exposed to N a lifetime! about 24 hours ago from TwitterBerry

18. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. http://read.ly/Luke21.26.NLT about 21 hours ago from API

19. But he said, “Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end. http://read.ly/Dan12.9.NLT about 21 hours ago from API

20. I heard what he said, but I did not understand what he meant. So I asked, “How will all this finally end, my lor… http://read.ly/Dan12.8.NLT about 21 hours ago from API

21. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and… http://read.ly/Mark1.15.NLT about 22 hours ago from API

22. 6 days to Marathon, rest day today, no running, just shopping with Misty

Running Heart Rate

Here is a great tool for you runners and walkers. I found my resting heart rate to be 57 earlier this week and that is excellent according to this site. My average heart rate during a run is between 134-155 so I should be burning off some weight. At times climbing hills my heart rate wil climb to 170.

You can click the link below and check out how you are doing.

Ronnie

Heart Rate Zone Calculations

Based on the simple Heartrate calculation, your max Heartrate is: 176.To get the most out of your workout, you should work out in one of the “zones” described below, depending whether your goal is weight loss, an aerobic workout or an anaerobic workout.
Zone 1 – Low Intensity zone: 50% – 60% of max	Zone 2 – Weight Control zone: 60% – 70% of max	Zone 3 – Aerobic zone: 70% – 80% of max	Zone 4 – Anaerobic zone: 80% – 90% of max	Zone 5 – Maximal zone: 90% – 100% of max
123-134	134-145	145-155	155-166	166-176

These are basic estimates, based on averages for age and sex – and your Max Heartrate may vary. If you know your Max Heartrate, you can view the training zones with the Heartrate Zones Calculator

Return to Basic Heartrate Calculator

Tulsa Marathon “Route 66″

I just read about this. 2 men are running the Tulsa Marathon “Route 66″ this Sunday while pushing their toddlers the 26.2 miles and their goal time is to break 2:42:21 wow, my hat is off to them.

I would like to run this Marathon in 2010 for many reasons but mainly so I can visit with my Aunt who lives in Tulsa.

Can’t wait to see how this one turns out for these guys.

Ronnie

One of the most unique world records in the marathon world will be battled (strollered) over on the streets of Tulsa on November 22, 2009. Elite marathon runners Michael Wardian and Zac Freudenburg and their children 11 month old Grant Wardian and 10 ½ month old Liam Freudenburg will be recipients of a free ride via their strollers as these two world class athletes race against each
other and the clock to break 2:42:21, the current Guinness World Record set by Wardian and
his older son Pierce at the 2007 Frederick Marathon in Maryland.

Executive Director Chris Lieberman states, “We are thrilled to have two of the world’s finest
endurance athletes come to Tulsa’s Williams Route 66 Marathon to attempt to set a new world
record with their children. We have taken every precaution to make sure this is a safe event for
the children and everyone else in the marathon. It should be great fun for the spectators along
the course and at Veteran’s Park.”

Michael Wardian, who runs for Team MarathonGuide.com and is also sponsored by The North
Face is coming off a 3rd place finish at the World Championship 50K race is ready to rock Route
66, “I heard from one of my friends and sponsor at MarathonGuide.com that Zac and Liam were
trying to break Pierce and my Guinness World Record at the Route 66 Marathon so we are going to Tulsa too and it is going to be “pram pushing duel” for the Guinness World Record. So,
we intend to break the record with my son Grant on board.” Zac Freudenberg, a 180 Energy
Drink and Michelob Ultra Runner replies, “Liam and I have been training hard and we think we
have a great shot at that world record.”

Both kids involved in the competition declined comment at this time. However, the excitement
is building in both camps as the days get nearer to race date.

About the Contenders

Michael Wardian
Current World Record Holder Marathon while pushing a stroller: 2:42:21
Most recently ran 2:23:13 at the Twin Cities Marathon in October and a personal best of
2:21:09 at the Vermont City Marathon in May 2009
Finished 3rd in 50K World Championship October 31st in Gibralter with a time of 3:00:15.
Reigning 100K and 50K National Champion and USATF ultramarathoner of the year for 2008.

Grant Wardian hails from Virginia and is 11 months old and weighs in at 18 lbs. He likes
climbing stairs, opening cabinet doors and throwing food on the floor. Hobbies include daily
naps, playing with his older brother, Pierce, and chasing the family dog (Maggie). Grant hopes
to one day to be able to brag to Pierce about besting his World Record.

Zac Freudenburg
Winner of the 2009 St. Louis Marathon in 2:23:57 – April, 2009
2008 World Mountain Running Championships (short distance team) – Bronze Medal
Ran 2:21:40 in his debut marathon in Boston in 2007
Third place finisher at the grueling Pikes Peak Marathon.

Liam Freudenburg
Liam was born on January 6th, 2009. He has dual Dutch and American citizenship, but not sure
yet if his first words are Dutch or English. His post race press conference will hopefully indicate
his preference. His favorite book seems to be ‘The Hungry Caterpillar’, but he does not watch
TV yet. He eats most things we put in front of him, but seems to really like bananas.

Marathon

Most participants do not run a marathon to win. More important for most runners is their personal finish time and their placement within their specific gender and age group, though some runners just want to finish.

Strategies for completing a marathon include running the whole distance and a run-walk strategy. An intermediate approach is to run from water stop to water stop, and walk through the water stop area to ensure the fluids are consumed instead of spilled.

In 2005, the average marathon time in the U.S. was 4 hours 32 minutes 8 seconds for men, 5 hours 6 minutes 8 seconds for women.

The marathon is a long-distance foot race with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (26 miles 385 yards), that is usually run as a road race. The event is named after the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens. The historical accuracy of this legend is in doubt,^[1] contradicted by accounts given by Herodotus, in particular.

The marathon was one of the original modern Olympic events in 1896, though the distance did not become standardized until 1921. More than 800 marathons are contested throughout the world each year, with the vast majority of competitors being recreational athletes. Larger marathons can have tens of thousands of participants.

The world record time for men over the distance is 2 hours 3 minutes and 59 seconds, set in the Berlin Marathon by Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia on September 28, 2008, an improvement of 21 minutes and 40 seconds since 1947 (see Marathon world record progression). The men’s world record represents an average pace of under 2:57 per kilometre (4:44 per mile), average speed of over 20.4 km/h (12.6 mph).^[24] The world record for women was set by Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain in the London Marathon on April 13, 2003, in 2 hours 15 minutes and 25 seconds. This time was set using male pacesetters; the fastest time by a woman without using a male pacesetter (“woman-only”) was also set by Paula Radcliffe, again during the London Marathon, with a time of 2 hours 17 minutes and 42 seconds, on April 17, 2005.

Just ordered it to read and review

Product Review from Amazon

We know we need grace. Without it we’d never come to Christ in the first place. But being a Christian is more than just coming to Christ. It’s about growing and becoming more like Jesus. It’s about pursing holiness. The pursuit of holiness is hard work, and that’s were we turn from grace to discipline. Grace is every bit as important for growing as a Christian as it is for becoming a Christian in the first place. Grace is at the heart of the gospel, and without a clear understanding of the gospel and grace we can easily slip into a performance based lifestyle that bears little resemblance to what the gospel has to offer us. The Discipline Of Grace offers a clear and thorough explanation of the gospel and what it means to the believer, and how the same grace that brings us to faith in Christ also disciplines us in Christ, and how we learn to discipline ourselves in the areas of commitment, convictions, choices, watchfulness, and adversity. The Discipline Of Grace is highly recommended reading for anyone struggling to overcome the world in Christ. — Midwest Book Review –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Review: Souvenirs of Solitude

Souvenirs of Solitude, Brennan Manning writes about the importance of meeting God in solitude. Brennan reminds us how important it is to be alone and just spend time with God. When is the last time you spent a couple of hours fully focused on communing with the Creator of the Universe, or how about a whole day? In the back of the book Brennan gives us some great suggestions for time alone with our Lord and Savior through solitude.

Brennan says these are the times that our Heavenly Father (Abba, Daddy) lavishes us with his unrelenting love. These are also times of refreshment.

“When I am able to disengage myself from others and allow the Lord to liberate me from an unhealthy dependence on people,” Manning says, “I can exist more for them, listen more attentively, love more unselfishly, speak more compassionately, play more playfully, take myself less seriously, and become more aware that my face is bright with laughter in the midst of a game I thoroughly enjoy”.

The chapters are short, mostly 3 or 4 pages with a prayer or poem, making this book a great resource for your devotional, and contemplative time with God.

Brennan is a great writer, a reformed alcoholic, a priest, someone who loves God and hopes to help others find that God loves His Creation and that God wants more than anything else to be in relationship with you and me. He loves us in spite of what we have done and that is always the theme of what Brennan writes.

Here are just a few of my thoughts and quotes from Brennan.

“Fasting is a cry of the whole body-person, a yearning for the justice of God to be revealed”

“Physical fasting from food is the joining of the body to the spirits hunger for God”

“the mission of the church is preaching the gospel to all creatures, inviting them to repent and find salvation.”

“Failure to act on the gospel imperative to evangelize has resulted in holding to the form of Christianity while denying its power.”

“War, loneliness, world hunger, abortion, R rooted in mans rebellion. Man must submit to faith in Jesus Christ & repent.”

It is a great book and for those who are familiar with Brennan and have loved his other writings, you will be pleased.

Ronnie

This day in the life of your pastor – November 19th, 2009

1. You who love the Lord, hate evil!  He protects the lives of his godly people  and rescues them from the power of… http://read.ly/Ps97.10.NLT about 12 hours ago from API
2. Reading “How To Smell Like God” by. Steven James about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry

3. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will n… http://read.ly/John3.16.NLT about 12 hours ago from API

4. Jesus died because He loved you so much that He couldn’t stand the thought of spending Eternity without you. about 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry

5. God doesn’t look @ outward appearance-color of yor skin,new prom dres,makeup,muscles, bdy piercings, He looks @ what no 1 else Cs. The heart about 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry

6. Before you can begin smelling like God, you gotta meet Him. And the amazing truth is: God is already waiting to meet you. about 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry

7. Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless.  Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. http://read.ly/Ps10.17.NLT about 13 hours ago from API

8. When you get saved, you begin to smell like God! about 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry

9. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to suc… http://read.ly/2Cor2.16.TNIV about 13 hours ago from API

10. Our offering to God is this: We are the sweet smell of Christ among those who are being saved and among those w… http://read.ly/2Cor2.15.NCV about 13 hours ago from API

11. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those wh… http://read.ly/2Cor2.15.NLT about 13 hours ago from API

12. In 2008 the New York City Marathon had 100,000 applications and 40,000 who were picked to run. I hope to be picked in 2010 about 13 hours ago from web

13. 1992 Fred Lebow ran the NYC Marathon for the 1st time. He was the founder of the race and he found out in 1990 that he had brain cancer, wow about 14 hours ago from web

14. 1970 was the 1st New York City Marathon about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

15. I have watched 4 movies in the past 10 days and that is about how many movies I have seen all year. 3 of them have been about running. about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

16. Watching “Run for your life” the story of the most significant running event in the world. The New York City Marathon about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

17. Great dinner mom and dad, I am blessed with awesome parents about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry

18. 1400 vol will B helping w Atlanta Marathon, over 280 officers from Atlanta, Chamblee & DeKalb will make sure that participants remain safe about 17 hours ago from web

19. T-minus one week until race day! 26.2 about 17 hours ago from web

20. Misty is fixing one of my favorites for dinner, hamburger steak and potatoes about 14 hours ago from web

21. Children & Grandchildren R a gift from God. I am enjoying an awesome day with mine or those God allowed me to be a dad and grandfather to. about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry

22. “Fasting is a cry of the whole body-person, a yearning for the justice of God to be revealed” Brennan Manning’ about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

23. Samuel just set the door alarm off in McDonald’s, lol about 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry

24. Headed to McDonald’s Play place with the kids and grandkids about 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry

25. 6.3 miles complete, feel great, ready for the 26.2 about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

26. My resting heart rate is 57, that’s about to change! about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

27. “redemptive wrestling” Faith is all about struggle. Its about getting to what is really real in a world that does not always welcome reality about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

28. The purpose of a spiritual practice is to help us stay awake. about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

29. To engage in a practice is 2 show up & not get attached 2 the outcome. Unlike a habit, like driving down the same st every day, about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

30. The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. http://read.ly/1Pet4.7.NLT about 24 hours ago from API

31. Going on a slow & easy training run, marathon is one week from today about 24 hours ago from TwitterBerry

32. Countdown to Marathon 7 Days 5:16 AM Nov 19th from web

33. I think I could have slept longer today

Spending the day with the kids

This day in the life of your pastor – November 18th, 2009

1. Looking forward to a day off tomorrow and hoping for 2 in a row! about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry

2. Great service @ Out Of The Box tonight. 62 people there. God is at Work in Hillsville about 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry

3. Evan Nester @ OOTB http://imagebearer.wordpres… about 14 hours ago from web

4. 62 @ Out of the Box for Bible Study, Evan Nester is preaching about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

5. 60 @ Out Of The Box about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

6. It has been an awesome day, God is at Work, Out of the Box next… about 17 hours ago from web

7. God is at work! Carroll County is blessed with some awesome youth and adults and God is showing me answer to prayer today! More later about 18 hours ago from web

8. the paper work never seems to get finished but the ministry is most important about 21 hours ago from web

9. who wants to see Team Impact come back to Hillsville 1st UMC early in 2010? Shout out! about 22 hours ago from web

10. how did I get back up to 200 e-mail, you know e-mail is passe, right? about 22 hours ago from web

11. beware! there are obviously some bad viruses going around facebook. Dont open any mail that U get from anyone that looks at all strange about 22 hours ago from web

12. Misustry opportunities abound all around us! about 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry

13. Kyle just told me that i need to look nice when I come to school for thanksgiving lunch today. lol, sounds like he is taking after Misty about 22 hours ago from web

14. 1 in 5 children waiting N foster care 2 B adopted will leave the system without a family @ age 18 or 21. about 23 hours ago from web

15. 129,000 children are waiting in the U.S. foster care system, and another 30,000 in Canada, for loving, adoptive families. about 24 hours ago from web

16. Countdown to Marathon, 8 Days, I can’t wait!

Out Of The Box w/ Evan Nester

Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.-

2 Chronicles 25:8

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

⁹But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Ezekiel 3:18-19 (NIV)

¹⁸ When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.

¹⁹ But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.

This day in the life of your pastor – November 17th, 2009

1. I have a lot of new ministry items on my To Do List from our meetings today! Goodnight all about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry

2. Home sweet home, praise the lord for an awesome day and a safe trip to alcoa and back. Very productive day! about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry

3. Looks like there is another fb virus. My tip off was when 2 friends supposedly sent me mail saying how good I look in the video, beware about 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry

4. Iphone now has a cry analyzer App. Within 10 second it will tell you what your baby needs. Lol Just change & feed & keep your money about 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry

5. I’m FBO with Misty about 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry

6. Fast is over for today. God is good, great day about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

7. Praying 4 our youth leaders @ 1st Hillsville UMC. They work hard, U could make their day by thanking them! about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry

8. Out of the Box, Rocks! Join us tomorrow night. about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry

9. There is fun in sin but I promise U, in the end it is never worth it. Please don’t fall 4 the devils lies! He will leave you miserable. about 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry

10. This meeting is about to adjourn about 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry

11. Looooonnnnngggg day, and its not over, still in Alcoa about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry

12. Logos Bible Study Software has been down loading for 10 plus hours now, 65% about 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry

13. Holston Annual Conference is June 13-16 2010 and its going to be a great week! about 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry

14. Annual Conference Planning Team Meeting is now about 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry

15. Witness team meeting has adjourned, great meeting about 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry

16. Praise: Christopher is getting a shot and being sent home and not to the hospital. Keep praying for speedy recovery about 24 hours ago from web

17. Witness Team meeting is now in Alcoa about 24 hours ago from web

18. Celebration: Betty Key Ridge is being honored by the Governor of Virginia today as Caregiver of the year. Congratulations Betty about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

19. Please pray for my grandson Christopher. On the way back to the Dr and maybe the hospital. Asthma issues about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

20. Another senseless murder, little Shania Davis. When will it all end? about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

21. 40 Days of Preparation (prayer & fasting) 50 Days of Evangelism. A 90 Day investment N the lives of 3000 people. Will U take the challenge? about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

22. 200 people are fasting & praying for revival in Carroll County about 24 hours ago from TwitterBerry

23. Witness Team Meeting 10am today @ Alcoa Conference Center Office about 24 hours ago from TwitterBerry

24. What evidence is there in your life that you have decided to follow Jesus? 4:48 AM Nov 17th from TwitterBerry

25. Prayer & Fasting are weapons of warfare & we are in a battle 4:23 AM Nov 17th from TwitterBerry

26. Praying 4 students 2day. I challenge U 2 find a way 2 share Christ 2day! Let me know how it goes? 3:52 AM Nov 17th from TwitterBerry

27. “Physical fasting from food is the joining of the body to the spirits hunger for God” Brennan Manning’ 2:59 AM Nov 17th from TwitterBerry

28. N 2007 41,059 Americans were killed N traffic accidents. They categorically state that 1 half of all accidents in the US R alcohol related. 2:53 AM Nov 17th from TwitterBerry

29. “the mission of the church is preaching the gospel to all creatures, inviting them to repent and find salvation.” Brennan Manning’ 2:43 AM Nov 17th from TwitterBerry

30. “Failure to act on the gospel imperative to evangelize has resulted in holding to the form of Christianity while denying its power.” Brennan 2:40 AM Nov 17th from TwitterBerry

31. “War, loneliness, world hunger, abortion, R rooted in mans rebellion. Man must submit to faith in Jesus Christ & repent.” Brennan Manning’ 2:36 AM Nov 17th from TwitterBerry

32. Countdown 9 Days to 26.2 miles 2:17 AM Nov 17th from web

33. Ready to start the day! Praying to see Gods Hand @ Work in Awesome ways Today

This day in the life of your pastor – November 16th, 2009

1. Pray that Christopher will take his medicine, he is fighting it and needs it now! about 10 hours ago from web
2. Evan Nester is preaching @ Out Of The Box Wednesday Night. 5pm hangout time, 7pm message time about 10 hours ago from web

3. logos download takes several hours & is slowing the comp down so I am off 2 get ready 4 bed. Rise time is 4am, travel to Alcoa Tenn tomorrow about 10 hours ago from web

4. Mike had a good day at work. 1st day in the prison, pray for continued safety and thank you in advance. about 10 hours ago from web

5. my blackberry is acting very weird the last 2 days, how about anyone else? about 10 hours ago from web

6. My 1st computer which was just a few short yrs ago and was cutting edge was a 1.2 gig hard drive & the new Logos I am downloading is 7.1 gig about 10 hours ago from web

7. Logos now works with ipod touch, one more reason to get one? about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry

8. getting ready to download Logos Bible Software 4 “Bible Study re imagined” about 10 hours ago from web

9. Fast started @ 7pm. Praying 4 family about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry

10. Just completed 5.13 miles about 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry

11. Appreciate your prayers 4 my grandson christopher. Asthma flared up again about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

12. headed home and then for a training run, slow and easy one today about 16 hours ago from web

13. 21 e-mails left N the Nbox & I know that will grow by 2morrow, e-mail is passe & not many people like it anymore. still good for documents about 16 hours ago from web

14. Just upgraded my Logos Bible Software, great stuff about 17 hours ago from web

15. remember when you are on top of the world, the world has just rolled over on someone else. Remember those around you. about 18 hours ago from web

16. Convocation 2010:Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations: February 2-5, 2010 @ Lake Junaluska about 18 hours ago from web

17. A new report U.S. Department of Agriculture says 14.6% of U.S. households — or 49 million Americans R low on food, highest since 1995 about 18 hours ago from web

18. lunch was a bad choice, eating only makes me more hungry in the middle of the day about 18 hours ago from web

19. Just received another $100 gift for the children of Sudan about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

20. Post office, bank, grab lunch, back at the work of God, love it! about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

21. preparing for Witness Team Meeting in Alcoa Tennessee tomorrow, lots of work to do… about 17 hours ago from web

22. B joyful always, pray continually; give thanks N all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 about 17 hours ago from web

23. just 10 more days to raise support for The Children of Sudan in the Thanksgiving Day Marathon about 17 hours ago from web

24. twitter in plain english http://bit.ly/3q2Fv8 about 18 hours ago from web

25. working on Sunday Morning’s sermon Nov 22nd 8:30am and 11am about 18 hours ago from web

26. the end of all things is near…the sermon http://bit.ly/PfRCw about 18 hours ago from web

27. I thought we would have more time http://bit.ly/x1Phx about 18 hours ago from web

28. selling, packing, and giving some books to the church library about 19 hours ago from web

29. Absolutely gorgeous day! about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry

30. Countdown to Marathon 11 Days about 22 hours ago from web

31. God is too good to be un-kind and when you can’t see His hand, you can trust His heart.

twitter in plain english

For those who want to know what in the world twitter is.

Ronnie

The end of all things is near…The sermon…

“An Outline Of Sunday Morning’s Sermon”, November 22nd, 2009

I Peter 4: 7-11 (NIV)

⁷The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. ⁸Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

The end of all things is near…

be clear minded…

be self-controlled…

love each other deeply…

offer hospitality…without grumbling…

serve others…

administer God’s Grace in its various forms…