OUR 2008 CAR SHOW WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!

We had our first car, truck, and bike show this past Saturday. I must admit that I was apprehensive about holding such an event. I have been raised around cars all my life, my family being in the business. I am an avid car enthusiast. So, I told the team at the church that if we did this, I wanted it to have a spirit of excellence.

I am proud to say that I think the team accomplished that, and more! We were blessed with good weather, and an awesome display of cars, trucks, and bikes. We have already received numerous compliments regarding the event. From the food served, to the entertaiment, to the games for the kids. It was a great time of fun and fellowship for everyone.

Such an endeavor requires a lot of work, and I am forever indebted to the ones who donated their time, talents, and energy to pull it off. Both the pre-planning, the work leading up to the event, and those serving the day of the event, made for a great car show.

A special thanks to all the sponsors, those who brought their nice vehicles, and everyone who attended. It would not have been successful without you.

Funds raised from this event are being used for some remodeling in our sanctuary, and for finishing our kitchen in the family life center. The event raised over $1,400.

I am in the process of putting some pics up on the church website.

Blessings,
Pastor Ronnie

PAMITP

People
Are
More
Important
Than
Projects

Whether in business, ministry, or whatever aspect where people are involved, we need to remember this... People are more important than projects. We sometimes have great undertakings, and have set certain guidelines. We deal with those who not meet our requirements or expectations. We can deal with them as if they were a product or piece of machinery, but that would be wrong. Those around me are more important than what I am doing. I need people in my life, and they because they are human, they might let me down, hurt my feelings, or do something that displeases me. But bottom line is, I need to give them room to be human.

In my early years of ministry, I failed in understanding this principle. My strict disciplinary guidelines were commended by some, but the fact is they were too rigid. As a parent, and as a pastor, I learned later that sometimes it is more important to make allowances for mistakes than to enforce rigid rules. And I have learned that I need people in my life. There will always be projects. Some will be successful, some will not.

The thing that matters most is that I keep my relationships open with those I need.

PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PROJECTS!

Y'all be blessed,
Pastor Ronnie

WHEN GOD IS SILENT

Ps 28:1-2
To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock:Do not be silent to me,Lest, if You are silent to me,I become like those who go down to the pit. 2 Hear the voice of my supplications When I cry to You,When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. NKJV

The Psalmist David cried out unto the Lord in prayer, saying, "Lord, don't be silent in my life, or I will go into the pit... Hear my prayers as I cry unto you." Apparently David faced adversities which brought him low (the pit) and experienced the silence of God.

Have you ever prayed, but it seemed as if God did not hear? Have you gone through a situation when it appeared that He didn't care? A friend of Jesus was sick. His name was Lazarus. His sister's names were Mary and Martha. They asked Jesus to come and heal their brother, but he delayed his coming. In the meantime Lazarus died. You and I have read the story and know that Lazarus was raised from the dead. But during the process his family faced a funeral and a loss of a loved one. During the process Lazarus was in much pain. During the process there was much grief and sorrow. It seemed God was silent. He didn't answer.

Have you ever sought counsel in a situation and be advised, "Don't do anything unless you hear from God." I have. But what do you do when you hear no voice? What do you do when there appears to be no answer coming, no revival, no breakthrough. This is what David was saying as he cried unto the Lord.

There are times when God's silence is indeed saying something. I want to be sensitive enough to the dealings of the Spirit and close enough to the heart of God to discern those times.

Prayer: Lord, help us to discern Your voice and Your will. When we can't hear or see, help us to understand. We are Yours, O Lord, and delight to do Your will.

THINGS I LEARNED FROM CNN

I learned a couple of things today from CNN, the "most trusted source of news in the world"...

1. Obama is president. No need in continuing with any election process. He is the ONE.

2. The Pope is God. I know this is so, because CNN infers it. From the fainting masses at his sight, to the little girl saying it's like Jesus has come, the news of his arriving to US soil has headlined the news. Happy Birthday, Pope. Fix the sex scandal, pope.

So I am better off today knowing that we now can have peace in the world, and that all is well. The next man, Obama, will fix everything wrong with our nation. And for the next day or so (until the pope leaves) we are in the presence of the divine


On second thought, I think I'll get another opinion-- maybe change the news channel.

Signing out for today,
Pastor Ronnie

OUCH!

I was waxing eloquent last night, as I taught at the midweek service. I was sharing on the importance of speaking right. I used the scripture where David prayed that the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart would be acceptable unto the Lord. It was a powerful message, if I do say so myself. I encouraged those in attendance to guard their speech, as words have the power of death or life.

Upon arriving home, my lovely wife, Trish, asked for my notes. Being my best friend and supporter throughout the years, I was thinking that she really enjoyed the sermon, and wanted the notes so that she could study them and train herself to think right and speak right. However, as I was about to give her a copy of my profound teaching, I discovered that she did not want them for her benefit- she wanted them for mine.

I didn't see that one coming! But I should have. I will confess to you that there are times when I don't speak the things that should be spoken. I speak the problem when I should be speaking the solution. I fear when I should exercise faith. And I have done some of that lately. Yeah, she was right. She needs a copy of my notes- for me.

Like a doctor who puts a needle in and injects some medicine, the pain initially hurts. But it is for the purpose of getting you well. And that's what we all want, isn't it?

Y'all be blessed!
Pastor Ronnie

MEN OF VALOR

I just returned from Pigeon Forge, where we had our 2008 Legacy Network Men of Valor Conference. What a great time we had in the mountains! 175 men gathered for our first network men's retreat. We were honored and blessed to have powerful ministry guests, including Dr. J J Jackson, from Spartanburg, and Bishop Tony Miller, from Oklahama City. These two men of God brought challenging messages that stirred the hearts of the men. In addition, Legacy Pastors Steve Bowen and Manning Strickland conducted workshops that were excellent.

The ministry, fellowship, and entire event was great. Around 25 churches participated, and we had several guys from New Harvest Church there. Like mine, they were stirred in the Lord. I know that we have come down from the mountain with a stirring in our hearts that will not soon leave us!

I want to give special thanks to Pastor Joey Turner, presiding overseer of Legacy, for having the vision and heart to put this together. I know that it was worth the labor required, and we are indebted to your great team from Restoration Church International.

We will never be the same again!
Y'all be blessed,
Pastor Ronnie

OUT OF GAS

I ran out of gas yesterday. No, I wasn't out on the road. I was riding the lawnmower, when it sputtered and stopped running. I had failed to look at the guage and notice that it was running low on fuel.

Running out of gas happens in life occasionally. We find ourselves running along when, without realizing it, we are running on empty. If we fail to keep check, we will find ourselves like my mower situation-- sputtering and abruptly stopping. I know personally that this can happen, for it's happened to me.

I have been running on fumes, so to speak, lately. But, no need to worry. I plan on refueling. A group of men from the church are heading up to Pigeon Forge to participate with Legacy Network. We will have 175 men on the mountain, getting refueled in the Lord at a men's retreat. I know it will be a powerful time, and the men will return home with their spiritual gas tanks full! I plan on being a part of the refueling.

If you're in the Rutherford County area, or within an hour or so travelling time, I encourage you to visit us this Sunday. Remember, a church alive is worth the drive!

Be Blessed,
Pastor Ronnie

CHANGING OUR FORMAT AND STYLE

After much thought I've decided to change the format of our Sunday morning worship service. Although I have personally been opposed to this concept since its origination, I have decided to adapt the seeker sensitive philosophy. There's a new church up the road doing it, and I hear people are excited. You can get coffee and donuts and sit there eating and drinking while the service goes on. Right in the middle of the preaching, you can get up and go for a refill.

So beginning next week we're going to have donuts and coffee. I know it wont help this diet I was supposed to go on at the beginning of the year, but that's the sacrifice I need to make. Think of the growth this new concept will bring into us. We have needed a spark, and apparently the donuts and coffee thing is the thing. I haven't decided yet whether to go with Krispy Kreme or Davis' Donuts. For those of you not from this area, you will not know that Davis' Donuts is a local donut shop that is second to none-- not even Krispy Kreme (which is better than Dunkins')

I'll have this decision made by Sunday, and may alternate donuts week by week. We're also going to change our worship style to a low key, non threatening type of thing.

APRIL FOOL!

I hope you have taken the time to read all of this without turning me off. If you know me, you know I am not into the seeker sensitive thing. And while I enjoy my coffee and donuts, I want church to be church-- no interupptions, please. And I want the atmosphere to be Holy Ghost directed. We are not out to please the "seeker". We are out to please God!

I'm not sure where the April Fool's thing originated. I am a practical joker, and thought I would pull this one today.

Y'all be blessed!
Pastor Ronnie