This Day In The Life of Your Pastor: July 31st, 2009
- Bed time @ the Collins Home. Kyle has a friend sleeping over.2 minutes ago from web
- Cool #12 just sold!about 2 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I have sold book #11, yahoo. Maybe I can pay for a DMIN this way!about 2 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Samuel may not sleep a wink tonight. He got a 4 wheler 4 his birthday & we made the mistake of showing it 2 him, knowing it had 2 B chg 6 hrabout 2 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Just finished 2.5 miles in the dark. Kinda Kool!about 2 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Going for a run before darkabout 3 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Home, want to go for a run and need to mow. Such a dilemma!about 6 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Hanging out with Kyle & Samuel @ lowes Hardwareabout 6 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Mocha Joe time & Kyle is having an Oreo shakeabout 8 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Can’t do yard work due to rain so I am ironingabout 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Samuel is excited and keeps saying”birthday coming”about 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Working with the attorney on Kyles adoption. Should be done pretty soon.about 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Misty has gone shopping and I am making breakfast for the boysabout 14 hours ago from web
- We have a very nice queen size Elvis Presley Collection bed that we do not have room for. Anybody want it for 150.00 with good mattress set?about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I never sleep this late but I was exhausted. Yard work today.about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
This Day In The Life of Your Pastor: July 30th, 2009
- Mike & the grandbabies are here. I love it!about 3 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Harding out to play with the kids before it gets dark.about 3 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Samuel’s Car’s Bed was delivered today, birthday present. Party Saturday!about 4 hours ago from web
- we are cleaning out the clutter. Loading books @ Amazon to sell, NOT BUYING! so thereabout 5 hours ago from web
- heading home to hang out with the family. Dinner and play time. Taking tomorrow off and writing!about 6 hours ago from web
- blogging school dropout and The Choice Bus @ www.imagebearer.wordpress.comabout 7 hours ago from web
- Praying about our role in the tutoring @ OOTB. What are your thoughts on partnering with the schools for this cominity service?about 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Brainstorming ways Out of the Box can get involved with healing the school dropout rate in Carroll Countyabout 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- High school dropout rates are alarming. See more on www.imagebearer.wordpress.com later todayabout 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Don’t know any details but I am told there are 2 teenagers in Carroll County who are missing & need our prayers. God knows the need.about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- “Do not judge, or you 2 wil B judged. 4 N the same way U judge others, U will B judged, & w the measure U use, it will B meas 2 U.” Matt 7:1about 10 hours ago from web
- headed out to grab a bite of lunch and then to a School Dropout Prevention Meeting @ the Court Houseabout 11 hours ago from web
- talking with the Foundation for Evangelism about Holston Evangelism Conference 2010 http://foundationforevangel…about 12 hours ago from web
- Awesome, sold 2 more books on Amazon.com, 5 books in 2 daysabout 13 hours ago from web
- Just finished 6 milesabout 14 hours ago from web
- Getting ready to head out on a prayer walk with Mike. It is awesome getting to fellowship with my son and pray and talk about the Bible.about 17 hours ago from web
- The blog has surpassed 30,000 www.imagebearer.wordpress.com I think it may be time to upgrade?about 17 hours ago from web
School Dropout and The Choice Bus
I met with the Dropout Prevention Task Force today and found some very severe statistics of school dropouts. We are looking at ways Out Of The Box can partner with the School System in Carroll County in tutoring.
Please share your ideas and also share if you would be willing to volunteer time for this partnership.
Ronnie
U.S. conferences disapprove structure proposal
Source: The Call 2
Youth and young adult members of the United Methodist Florida Annual Conference cast their votes on the 32 amendments approved at the 2008 General Conference.
A UMNS photo by Caryl Kelley.
A UMNS Report
By Linda Green and Elizabeth Guye*
July 29, 2009
United Methodists in the U.S. have largely voted against 23 proposed amendments that would change the structure of the church, but voting is ongoing in Africa, Europe and the Philippines.
The amendments, proposed as changes to the denomination’s constitution, would pave the way for making the U.S. church one of several regional bodies around the world.
During U.S. annual conference sessions in May and June, church members also voted against an amendment to make membership in the church open to everyone without regard to sexual orientation.
Forty-four of the 62 U.S. conferences reported the results of their amendment votes to Newscope and United Methodist News Service as part of their annual wrap-ups of conference action. Eighteen conferences did not report their results on the amendments.
The church has 73 conferences in Africa, the Philippines and Europe. Since they hold their annual meetings at different times throughout the year, the final outcome of the voting won’t be known until spring 2010.
The 2008 United Methodist General Conference, the denomination’s top legislative body, approved 32 amendments to the church’s constitution. For a proposed amendment to be ratified, two-thirds of the aggregate number of voting annual conference members must approve.
The worldwide votes will be ratified by the Council of Bishops when it meets May 2-6, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio. Official results will be announced then.
Bishop Gregory Palmer, president of the Council of Bishops, noted all annual conferences have not voted. He also said the council office where the reports are being sent has not done any tally at this point and will not be doing any until the receipt of all conference reports.
“When the tally is done, it will be reported to the council and an announcement will be made during the council’s spring meeting,” Palmer said.
Votes on global plan
About 60 percent of U.S. conferences reporting voting results defeated the 23 amendments dealing with the worldwide church proposal. The amendments, proposed by the Task Force on the Worldwide Nature of the Church, would allow the organizing of regional conferences around the globe to create a uniform United Methodist church structure. The legislation would have made it possible to create a U.S. regional conference in the future.
Kansas Bishop Scott Jones, chairperson of the task force exploring the global nature of the church and proponent of the 23 constitutional amendments, said the results are incomplete because many conferences outside the United States have not voted. Once the voting is finished, church leaders should study carefully what the results mean, he said.
Whether the amendments are approved, the work of the study committee will go forward with the mandate that the General Conference gave it, he said.
“It takes the General Conference a long time to absorb a really big idea and the issues which gave rise to these proposals and need good answers,” Jones explained. “I fully expect the General Conference of 2012 to revisit these issues and move them forward.”
Those opposing the amendments applauded the early votes.
The Rev. Eddie Fox, world director of evangelism for the World Methodist Council, said the democratic process worked. “It is a very serious matter when we change the constitution,” he said.
Fox, whose office is based in Nashville, Tenn., believes the 23 amendments were confusing and had no clear plan or rationale for the constitutional change. “I am deeply grateful for this decision by the members of our church, which I believe have prevented us from taking an action which would have resulted in moving us away from the core values of the connection and setting us on a path of having national churches,” he said.
He called for a renewed focus on how to strengthen the worldwide connection of the entire Methodist movement.
“I pray that our vision, passion and concern will be on how the world Methodist communion can do its part in spreading the good news of Christ Jesus in a world which desperately needs healing, hope and salvation,” Fox added.
The Rev. Timothy McClendon, a member of the denomination’s Connectional Table, said the apparent defeat of the 23 constitutional amendments on the church’s structure “is a vote for connectionalism.”
McClendon, a district superintendent in Columbia, S.C., believes the proposed structure would create more divisions in the denomination, rather than uniting it. The church, he pointed out, has an opportunity over the next four years to create better legislation that defines who United Methodists are, honors differences and remains connectional.
Remaining amendments
The remaining nine amendments cover such issues as church and conference membership, annual and jurisdictional conference composition, and inclusiveness.
Proposed Amendment 1, on the inclusiveness of the church, failed to receive the two-thirds support in 27 of the 44 conferences reporting results. The amendment would make all people, upon declaring a relationship to Jesus Christ, “eligible to become professing members in any local church in the connection.” Forty conferences voted against Amendment 8, which would have added the word “gender” to categories of church membership.
In 2005, a Virginia clergyman stirred conflict after he refused to receive a homosexual man into membership, saying the man would neither repent nor seek to live a different lifestyle. The pastor was placed on a leave of absence by the bishop. The Judicial Council ruled in October 2005 that United Methodist pastors have authority to decide who becomes a member of a local church and reinstated the pastor. That case triggered appeals to the Judicial Council, but the court declined to reconsider its ruling.
Among other amendments, proposed Amendment 19 — which would extend to provisional members and certain local pastors the right to vote for clergy delegates to the General and jurisdictional conferences — received substantial support from 26 annual conferences.
An amendment ensuring a minimum base of annual conference delegates for the election of bishops at jurisdictional conference was approved by 37 annual conferences.
Twenty-six conferences affirmed Amendment 2, which requires all churchwide agencies and constituencies to adopt ethics and conflict of interest policies.
*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn. Guye was an intern for United Methodist News Service and the Media Group at United Methodist Communications.
News media contact: Linda Green, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Bishop Swanson speaks about Facebook: Use it but be careful
Source: The Call 2
The Facebook social network has grown from 150 million users in January to 250 million this month, according to a July 22 Newsweek article. Hundreds of those users are United Methodists, who are discovering the Wesleyan potential of internet outreach. (“We have to go where the people are, and the people are online!” said one pastor in a recent Interpreter article.) The Call even established its own page this month.
Just as evident as the potential benefits, however, are the potential pitfalls. Last week in his Alcoa office, Bishop James Swanson, resident bishop of the Holston Conference and a Facebook user, spoke about some of his concerns.
THE CALL: You’ve already been on Facebook for several months. What inspired you to give it a try?
BISHOP SWANSON: Plain old vanity. Dan Taylor sent an e-mail saying that I was mentioned on Facebook. I didn’t realize you have to join to see what’s going on. So I just joined and found a page that was put up by the youth. The page was called “Bishop Swanson Makes Me Proud to be United Methodist.” I was flattered that young people would respond to an old preacher like myself. After I had already signed up, I just stayed on.
THE CALL: So Facebook seems like a good thing?
SWANSON: Oh yeah, it’s a neighborhood where people connect and talk to each other. I’ll give you a case in point. Last night I was on Facebook and happened to see that Jimmy Sherrod, who is one of our pastors, was online. I gave him a shout-out, and he reminded me that he is going to be the music leader for Sulphur Springs Camp Meeting. I said, “Yeah, that’s right. I look forward to seeing you there,” and asked if it would be helpful to know what I am going to preach. So we connected and I sent him the subjects of my sermons and the scriptures.
Another time, I was trying to find the cell phone number for one of our pastors, who is having a really tough bout with her health. Her daughter contacted me through Facebook, so I was able to reach her mother. Another pastor, Larry Trotter at Concord United Methodist Church, is using Facebook to connect with a whole community of young people. They do Bible studies and talk about when they’re going to fellowship. So I see that the benefits of Facebook can be tremendous. I just know that for pastors — they have to be very careful about how they use it.
THE CALL: Why do they have to be careful?
SWANSON: You have to be careful about what you’re posting, and also who you allow to be your Friend. Because some people are not as respectful of your confession of faith as you are. They might write messages on your Wall that you don’t want.
THE CALL: Yes, but you can remove the messages you don’t want.
SWANSON: Yes, you can remove them. But if you’re not an avid user, the message might be on there for three or four days before you realize it. I personally am not on Facebook everyday, but two to three times a week, maybe.
Another potential problem is that Facebook invites you to tell a lot about yourself. Sometimes, in our haste, we may reveal things that compromise our ability to effectively pastor our people.
THE CALL: What is an example of that?
SWANSON: Personal opinions or positions that don’t have to be public knowledge. Every congregation has some diversity – so diverse that it often shocks pastors when they find that out. You might think that everybody holds the same theological point of view, but they don’t. You could end up posting a viewpoint that people violently and vehemently disagree with – comments that are not important to your walk in Christ. Yet you can cause such a stink and a stir in the church that it can handicap your ability to minister to your people.
THE CALL: Only theological perspectives?
SWANSON: Theological, political, whatever. You just have to be careful about what you say and do. Case in point: I like to play cards. When I get with my wife’s family, we play a game called Bid Whist. I was in my third appointment, when I happened to mention in the pulpit that I like to play cards. Well, most people in the church thought that was fun. But some folk were really offended; they felt like a preacher shouldn’t play cards. It really hindered our relationship. I didn’t leave the church over it, but it really hindered my relationship with the people who were offended.
Now I do think a pastor has the right to have political views. They’re human beings. But Paul cautions us to be careful about what we say or do in order to minister to people. The Bible says to be as wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove. Sometimes even though you may feel very strongly about a viewpoint, it might not be wise to talk about it in public.
THE CALL: Have you seen examples of pastors who are not being careful on Facebook?
SWANSON: I have seen some things I did not like and things that did not need to be shared. I’m an old fogey about that. I believe that as a person called by Christ, I have to make some sacrifices for the good of the ministry. It’s like what Paul says: “If it offends my brother to eat meat, I’ll eat meat no longer.” He was speaking in the context of meat that had been offered up to idols during his day and time. Some Christians were offended by that. So Paul said: If it offends people and keeps them from hearing the Gospel, I just won’t do it.
When you’re real focused on your particular issues, sometimes you don’t think carefully about how that might affect somebody else’s faith. Sometimes you have to forgo what you want for the good of the whole. I’m not talking about justice issues. If your church is prejudiced about one group or another, the pastor needs to make a stand on that. You just have to weigh the issues before you spout off on Facebook or anywhere else. Ask yourself, “Is it worthwhile for me to say this, causing a firestorm in the church where God is using me to do some wonderful things?”
THE CALL: Are you speaking to clergy only, or to laity, too?
SWANSON: Both, if they’re in a position of trying to lead people to a life of transformation. Whether we like it or not, people have to believe in us before they will accept what we say. The truth is not always accepted just because it’s true. It has a lot to do with who says it and how you feel about that person. Even if I have something wonderful to offer – if they don’t personally like me — they’re not going to benefit. So what is more important: That I get to spout off about my opinion? Or that I chose my words wisely so I can lead people in a way that will bless them and bless their lives?
THE CALL: Is there anything else that we have to be careful of?
SWANSON: Yes, you can spend hours on the internet without even realizing it. So remember that the online community is not a real, live community. It is a place where you exchange information and you can somewhat get to know people. But you don’t really know people behind what they write, and you can get so wrapped up in using the internet that it becomes a reality. It can even foster an inappropriate relationship. It can cause all kinds of problems. Facebook is not a substitute for a real community.
THE CALL: So, with all that said, do you intend to keep using Facebook? And is it OK for Holston members to ask you to be their “Friends”?
SWANSON: Yeah, they can look for me on there. I intend to keep using it, but I keep intending to be careful of who I allow to be my Friend. Here’s an example. I have a young relative who I love, but she’s not as disciplined as I want her to be. She sent me an invitation to be her “Friend.” I looked at her page, and I didn’t like what was on there. She was kind of hurt. But I’m a bishop in The United Methodist Church, and there are things that should not be connected to my page. If you put a video on my page of you and your buddies out drinking – it might seem harmless to you — but my young adults might see that I somehow condone that behavior.
This is about putting my relationship with Christ as paramount to everything and anything I do, even to my friends. I take my calling and what I do very seriously. I don’t want to do anything to hurt the church, I just don’t. These 900 churches in Holston Conference — and the people in them — are so important. I have to make sure that my life and what I do doesn’t reflect in a way that would make somebody walk away from the church.
This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor: July 29th, 2009
- Wing Night @ OOTB Next Wednesday Night RSVP so we have enough. I will set up the event on facebook tomorrowabout 8 hours ago from web
- check out Samuel and Judah’s new pictures www.imagebearer.wordpress.comabout 8 hours ago from web
- Word to the Youth. Be Buff & Tuff & don’t hesitate to RUN when needed. If you were @ OOTB tonight then you get it!about 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Samuel amazingly turns 2 on August 3rd & were planning his party for Saturdayabout 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Home, hangin with the family. They love me here!about 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Awesome, through prayer we are talking with the Creator of the Universe!about 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- headed to Out Of The Box to hang out with the youth. Rain, we do bible study, no rain we do clothing giveaway ministry!about 13 hours ago from web
- I am 27 hits away from 30,000 on www.imagebearer.wordpress.comabout 13 hours ago from web
- Loading books @ amazon. Need to move em out. Lots of broken things need to be fixed, like the lawnmower.about 14 hours ago from web
- There is a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money.about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Mocha Joe time!about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Headed to late lunch with a church memberabout 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- my blog Imagebearer could reach 30,000 hits today. In just over 1Year www.imagebearer.wordpress.comabout 17 hours ago from web
- my blog Imagebearer could reach 30,000 hits today. In just over 1Yearabout 17 hours ago from web
- Headed to a staff meetingabout 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Got in 5 miles with Michael this morning early.about 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- It has been the year of repair at my place. Dropped the lawnmower @ the shop, getting Jeep key reprogrammed now.about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Getting ready to take a prayer walk. txt yours.about 24 hours ago from TwitterBerry
Kristian Stanfill – Lord Of All (Live)
The Worship Band for Resurrection 2010 Gatlinburg Here We Come!
This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor: July 28th, 2009
- Thanking God for an awesome wife & children & grandchildren. I pray he always reminds me how precious they all are. I am blessed!about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Rem the Lord your God, it is he who gives us the ability 2 produce wealth, & so confirms his covenant, which he swore 2 your forefathersabout 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Come on folks, I need one new friend to gain back the one I lost.about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I may have a new hobby of searching for used books at yard sales. Like I have time!about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Wow, I may be selling my books too cheap or I may just be blessed. I have sold 3 today.about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Listed some books on amazon today & 2 of them have sold already. Cool!about 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Having dinner @ home with Misty’s mom & dad.about 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- headed home, gonna run the stress away and thank God for an awesome day. New Friends,great ministry opps, bible study, old friends, blessed!about 16 hours ago from web
- Down to 20 e-mails, oops 21 now!about 16 hours ago from web
- Praying 4 all youth of Carroll County. U are welcome & wanted @ Out Of The Box! Open 5pm every Wednesday until 8:30pm. missions locl this wkabout 17 hours ago from web
- wow, just called to see about getting my lawnmower worked on, $55.00 per hour! Man! That hurts! gheez louise!about 17 hours ago from web
- been making some great new friends today,awesome people! facebook & twitter are great tools for ministry and just plain friendship.about 17 hours ago from web
- Just reached my 1000th friend on facebook. I do feel different because I am amazed at the ministry doors God has opened for me in technologyabout 18 hours ago from web
- I need a friend who can hook up XM radio in my Nissan 1997 Maxima. I have the stuff.about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Its Mocha Joe time. By the way, Monsters don’t have anything on Mocha Joe!about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Taking lunch to our son Michael. I am going to miss having him so close. He starts his new job on Monday. Pray he loves the job and is safe.about 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Praying aor Allie Brown, having her tonsils out tomorrow.about 22 hours ago from web
- chatting with my daughter-in-law on yahoo chatabout 23 hours ago from web
- blogging How to fight like a Christian @ www.imagebearer.wordpress.comabout 23 hours ago from web
- The next Mens Bible Study @ Out of the Box is september 15th @ 630am, don’t miss it!5:25 AM Jul 28th from TwitterBerry
- Worry is to deal with tomorrows problems without tomorrows green pastures. You have to take the green pasture provided for right now.5:11 AM Jul 28th from TwitterBerry
- I am excited about Childrens Time this Sunday morning. Gonna teach the kids about tithing! With the help of Joe Stilwell5:00 AM Jul 28th from TwitterBerry
- Faith Lessons “The Lord is My Shepherd” awesome Bible Study4:53 AM Jul 28th from TwitterBerry
- 17 @ Bible Study, Tim Lewis just showed up late.4:37 AM Jul 28th from TwitterBerry
- Make that 16 men @ Out of the Box for Bible Study. This is a record attendance.4:33 AM Jul 28th from TwitterBerry
- Wow, 14 men @ Bible Study @ Out of the Box this morning. Could it be the gravy & biscuits? Bill W. Just brought in fruit!4:32 AM Jul 28th from TwitterBerry
- Oliver made biscuits, I made the gravy. All the men are just eating! Whats up with that?4:24 AM Jul 28th from web
- Up making gravy. Join us @ Out of the Box @ 630am for Mens Bible Study3:15 AM Jul 28th from TwitterBerry
Youth: How To Fight Like A Christian
In youth culture today, youth don’t seem to really know how to deal with each other in the face of a disagreement or argument. The Bible is pretty clear on this (imagine that).
1. The first thing we are to do is to Talk It Out (“If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him…work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. Matthew 18:15)
or if you find yourself at fault (23 “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you,24 abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. MATTHEW 5:23-24)
2. Be quick to forgive. (3 “Be alert. If you see your friend going wrong, correct him. If he responds, forgive him.4 Even if it’s personal against you and repeated seven times through the day, and seven times he says, ‘I’m sorry, I won’t do it again,’ forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4)
3. Do not let the sun go down. (26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. EPHESIANS 4:26-27)
4. Stop the fight before it happens.
– BE QUICK TO LISTEN AND SLOW TO ANGER………..JAMES 1:19
– OVERLOOK THE OFFENSE…………PROVERBS 19:11
– HOLD BACK YOUR ANGER…………PROVERBS 29:11
– GIVE A SOFT ANSWER………………PROVERBS 15:1
Ronnie
This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor: July 27, 2009
Youth on Mission this Wednesday
We are doing it again. On Wednesday evening July 29th the youth and leaders will leave from Out Of The Box to go out into the community and giveaway clothing, food and anything else that we collect that will be helpful to those in a financial pinch.We will go into Trailer Parks as well as Apartment complexes to give away the items collected.
We did this on several different occasions in 2008 and it was very successful. If you have items that you would like to donate to this mission project bring them to Out Of The Box, FUMC Downtown on Wednesday July 22nd between the hours of 5pm and 8:30pm.
Suggested Items:
Clothing: from Newborn through adult
Shoes: All Sizes
Bedding
Hygiene Items
Non perishable food items
Toys for children
These are just a few. Please feel free to call if you have a question about an item that you would like to donate.
Ronnie
The Year 1909
THE YEAR 1909
This will boggle your mind, I know it did mine!
The year is 1909. One hundred years ago.
What a difference a century makes!
Here are some statistics for the Year 1909 :
************ ********* ********* ******
The average life expectancy was 47 years.
Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only
144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower
The average wage in 1909 was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year .
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME.
Ninety percent of all doctors had
NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which
Were condemned in the press AND the government as ‘substandard. ‘
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used
Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from
Entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea
Hadn’t been invented yet.
There was no Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn’t read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had
Graduated from high school.
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, “Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind,regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.”
( Shocking? DUH! )
Eighteen percent of households had at least
One full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A. !
Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.
IT STAGGERS THE MIND
A Word to Parents
Young people follow your example.
Where is church in your priorities?
Worship and Bible Study Opportunities @ 1st UMC Hillsville
8:30am Sunday Morning
11am Sunday Morning
6:30pm Sunday Evening
6:45pm @ Out of the Box Wednesday Evenings
Ronnie
Buried Treasure
A first-century Hebrew walks alone on a hot afternoon, staff in hand. His shoulders are stooped, sandals covered with dirt, tunic stained with sweat. But he doesn’t stop to rest. He has pressing business in the city.
He veers off the road into a field, seeking a shortcut. The owner won’t mind – travelers are permitted this courtesy. The field is uneven. To keep his balance he thrusts his staff into the dirt.
Thunk. The staff strikes something hard.
He stops, wipes his brow, and pokes again.
Thunk. Something’s under there, and it’s not a rock.
The weary traveler tells himself that he can’t afford to linger. But his curiosity won’t let him go. He jabs the ground. Something reflects a sliver of sunlight. He drops to his knees and starts digging.
Five minutes later, he’s uncovered it – a case fringed in gold. By the looks of it, it’s been there for decades. Heart racing, he pries off the rusty lock and opens the lid.
Gold coins! Jewelery! Precious stones of every color! A treasure more valualble than anything he has ever imagined.
Hands shaking, the traveler inspects the coins, issued in Rome over seventy years ago. Some wealthy man must have buried the case and died suddenly, the secret of the treasure’s location dying with him. There is no homestead nearby. Surely the current landowner has no clue that the treasure’s here.
The traveler closes the lid, buries the chest, and marks the spot. He turns around, heading home – only now he’s not plodding. He’s skipping like a little boy, smiling broadly.
What a find!Unbelievable! I’ve got to have that treasure! But I can’t just take it – that would be stealing. Whoever owns the field owns what’s inn it. But how can I afford to buy it? I’ll sell my farm…and crops…all my tools…my prize oxen. Yes, If I sell everything, that should be enough!
From the moment of his discovery, the traveler’s life changes. The treasure captures his imagination, becomes the stuff of his dreams. It’s his reference point, his new center of gravity. The traveler takes every new step with this treasure in mind. He experiences a radical paradigm shift.
He or She who has ears to hear, let them listen!
Matthew 13:44
44“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
FUMC Worship Update
SNL is our Sunday Night Worship service where we worship God and also have a lot of fun doing it. Here are a couple of videos from last night. July 26th, 2009.
Ronnie
CCHS Teachers Doing the Evolution Dance
I have meant to post this for some time now but just remembered it after Mason Graham did the Hoedown Throwdown last night at church. This video features Mason’s mom, Robin Graham.
Ronnie
This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor: July 26th, 2009
- Thanking God for our friend Gary Smith. God blessed our mission trip through Gary and the Hillsville youth & leaders are grateful.about 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I have a very busy week ahead as usual. However I am praying and keeping God 1st and I know everything else will work out for the best.about 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- It has been a blessed evening. Great worship, great friends, and great food.about 9 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Hanging out @ Rio Grande with the coolest youth in Carroll Countyabout 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Awesome worship @ Hillsville FIrst UMCabout 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- They are dancing before the Lord @ FUMC Hillsvilleabout 11 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Keith Musser will be glad he missed this serviceabout 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Here am I all of me. Take my life & consecrate it Lord to Thee.about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Jesus shine your light and let the whole world see!about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I am free to run, free to dance, free to live for Him, Jesus Christ!about 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Headed to SNL, join us @ 630pmabout 13 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Working on my project, discipleship from Jesus to Nowabout 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- The Youth R hangin out @ Rio after SNL tonight, join us!about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Don’t forget to twitter the SNL service tonight. Who is with me?about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Hanging out at Alex’s birthday partyabout 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I absolutely hate what people allow drugs and alcohol to do to not only to their lives but to those who love them as well.about 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- SNL @ 630pm Mason Graham is dancing. Don’t miss it!about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Getting ready to enter worship at the 11am service 1st Hillsville UMCabout 20 hours ago from web
- blogging SNL tonight @ 6:30pm www.imagebearer.wordpress.comabout 20 hours ago from web
- headed to the 8:30am service at 1st Hillsville UMC, Join us!about 23 hours ago from web
- chatting on yahoo messenger with Carrie Gabout 23 hours ago from web
- blogging 90 Day Investment in 3000 lives @ www.imagebearer.wordpress.comabout 24 hours ago from web
Thanks Gary for your hospitality…
Ronnie G Collins Thanking God for our friend Gary Smith. God blessed our mission trip through Gary and the Hillsville youth & leaders are grateful.
Atlanta Mission 2009 Hillsville First UMC Youth and Leaders
Join us at First United Methodist Church Hillsville @ 6:30pm tonight.
SouledOut will be leading Worship and then the Youth and Leaders will be sharing about Summer Missions 2009.
Luke 24: 47-48
It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.
This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor: July 25th, 2009
- Praying for Marilyn Slaugenhaupt. This is Sussie’s mother and she is in the hospital and not doing well.about 7 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Finally back down to 51 e-mails. Going to bed, can’t keep my eyes open.about 8 hours ago from web
- Had a great evening. Got to see some folks we love and haven’t seen for a long time.about 8 hours ago from web
- Praying for Marlyn Slaugenhaupt. This is Sussies mom and she is in the hospital and not doing well.about 8 hours ago from web
- Hangin out with great old friends @ the Lewis household.about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Going to cookout with the Lewisesabout 14 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Been playing outside with the boys all day!about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I just had this thought “I wonder what Jesus is Thinking in Heaven about the tme of His return.” The Bible says only t Father knows the dayabout 16 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I am writing a final project p Discipleship from Jesus to 2009. Amazing what I am discovering.about 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Getting into the Book Of Acts is like opening a window in a stuffy room & letting the Wind Of the Spirit blow through. Robert Colemanabout 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- The Great Commission is not a special calling or a gift of the Spirit; it is a command an obligation incumbent on the whole comm of faith.about 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Jesus way of disciplining was time consuming & not without sacrifice. Why would it be different for us?about 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Discipling men & women is the priority around which our lives should be oriented. Robert Colemanabout 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Just finished 7.2 miles with Mike.about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Going for a long walk with my oldest son Michael. I love that boy!about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Just finished reading I Timothyabout 23 hours ago from web
- Try your best to please God and to be like him. Be faithful, loving, dependable, and gentle. I Timothy 6:11about 23 hours ago from web
- love of money causes all kinds of trouble. Some people want money so much they have given up their faith & caused themselves a lot of pain.about 23 hours ago from web
- We didn’t bring anything N2 this world, & we won’t take anything with us when we leave. So we should B satisfied just 2 have food & clothes.about 24 hours ago from web
- religion does make your life rich, by making you content with what you have. I Timothy 6:6about 24 hours ago from web
- Don’t let anyone look down on U because U R young, but set an example 4 the believers N speech, N life, N love, N faith & N purity. I Tim 4about 24 hours ago from web
- God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. I Timothy 2:4about 24 hours ago from web
- I was shown mercy so that N me, the worst of sinners, Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example 4 those who would believe.about 24 hours ago from web
- Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. I Timothy 1:15about 24 hours ago from web
- Just finished reading II Timothyabout 24 hours ago from web
- All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness 2 Timothy 3:16about 24 hours ago from web
- Just finished reading Titus. Takes just a few minutes and packed full of blessing and truth. It is a great place to start your day today!5:03 AM Jul 25th from web
- Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive. Titus 3:145:02 AM Jul 25th from web
- If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. Titus 3:105:01 AM Jul 25th from web
- Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. Titus 3:75:00 AM Jul 25th from web
- “When God our Savior revealed his kindness & love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.4:59 AM Jul 25th from web
- He gave his life 2 free us from every kind of sin, 2 cleanse us, & 2 make us his very own people, totally committed 2 doing good deeds. Ti 24:58 AM Jul 25th from web
- we R instructed 2 turn from godless living & sinful pleasures. We should live N this evil world w wisdom, righteousness, & devotion 2 God4:57 AM Jul 25th from web
- For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. Titus 2:114:55 AM Jul 25th from web
- In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. Titus 2:64:55 AM Jul 25th from web
- to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Titus 2:54:54 AM Jul 25th from web
- These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, Titus 2:44:53 AM Jul 25th from web
- Just finished reading Philemon4:50 AM Jul 25th from web
- I am praying that U will put N2 action the generosity that comes fm your faith as U understand & xperience all the things we have N Christ.4:48 AM Jul 25th from web
- reading the book of Philemon4:32 AM Jul 25th from web
This Day In The Life of Your Pastor: July 24th, 2009
- Relay 4 life was a lot of fun, gt crowd, gt music (SouledOut), gt food, gt orange drinks (tweens)no 1 could hit the target on the dunk tankabout 8 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- We are at the relay for life. Getting wet in the dunking booth but only the girls are able to throw.about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- It took Mason 13 trys to dunk me! But then Tony Mullins never did. That Rio lunch sounds good.about 10 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Headed home, have a lot to do but focusing on family the rest of the day!about 15 hours ago from web
- Had a good visit with Mr. Gator King. Found out all the dirt on the King Kids & Stephanie, Lolabout 16 hours ago from web
- reading “The Master Plan of Discipleship” by Robert E. Coleman & Dr. Coleman was my Evangelsim Prof @ Gordon Conwell Theological Seminaryabout 17 hours ago from web
- Mocha Joe or Snickers bar? Gotta have one of them!about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- I will be in the dunking booth @ CCHS Relay for Life from 7 to 730 tonight. Come prepared to be insulted if you can’t manage to dunk me!about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Final exam over, the weight of the World lifted off my shoulders.about 18 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- sitting for a 3 hour exam and praying it doesn’t take that long. Be back later!about 21 hours ago from web
- I have no energy today. Praying for strength & encouragement.about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry
- Deleting hundreds of e-mailsabout 23 hours ago from web
- Headed to the office for a final and it is the final, final! Praise the Lord!about 23 hours ago from web
- Just finished reading the book of Hebrewsabout 23 hours ago from web
- don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Heb 13:16about 23 hours ago from web
- this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Heb 13:14about 23 hours ago from web
- Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Heb 13:8-9about 23 hours ago from web
- Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Heb 13:2about 23 hours ago from web
- Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Heb 11:1about 23 hours ago from web
- Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people. Hebrews 9about 23 hours ago from web
- Glad to know that Jesus is always interceding for us. Hebrews 7about 23 hours ago from web
About Ronnie G. Collins
I am the Planting Pastor of Out of the Box Worship Center and I also serve as the Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Hillsville Virginia. We are a Multi Site Church, one church in multiple locations. Our 1st campus is located at 225 Fulcher Street in Hillsville Virginia. Our 2nd location is on Main Street in Hillsville, FUMC Downtown, Out of the Box Worship Center, and our 3rd location is 522 North Main Street in Hillsville and this is our Youth Ministry Center, FUMC Downtown “Out of the Box”, Youth Ministry. The most recent ministry we have is “Out Of The Box Worship Center” and we are located at 516 North Main Street Hillsville. This site is now my main focus, along with the Youth Ministry.
I have a Passion to see hurting people come to know Jesus Christ. I believe that we as Christians have to demonstrate God’s Love to the world, rather than just telling them they are loved. I am married and have 3 sons two very special nephews that are like sons, 3 grandchildren, 5 great nephews, and one great niece that are like grandchildren. I am a blessed man.
I attended school at Carroll County High School, Wytheville Community College, Liberty University, and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.
My passions are as follows:
God
Family
Others
Reading
Running
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/ronnie24317
Twitter http://twitter.com/ronnie24317
Three Minute Thursday’s http://www.facebook.com/threeminutethursdays
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