Under new manageMEnt

When I read the sign saying under new management, I always wonder what was wrong with the old management. It usually is an indication, at least in my mind, that the old system was not working or had ran its course. Of course, this is not always true. Sometimes new management comes as a result of a buyout, retirement, or sale.

Whatever the reason for the new management, it is a reminder that things do not stay the same forever. Change is constant. And sometimes there is a need to change. Change can be better. We tend to get stuck doing the same things the same way.

New management can also mean that we go back to the original vision or purpose for the thing. New can be a return to the old. Going back can be going forward. Not as in being stuck in the past, but in following the pattern, the blueprint.

I am announcing new manageMEnt. I am hereby resigning. No, I am not stepping down from the pulpit of the church I pastor. The dictionary defines resigning as (not as in re signing, or to sign again) to submit, relinquish the right to, give control of. The resigning I am referring to is ME. I want ME to be under submission. I want God to have complete control of ME. My heart's desire is that I would be under new manageMEnt. And yes, the new I am speaking about is a return to the former. My aim is to seek Him first.

We do it without meaning to. Like the church at Ephesus Jesus spoke to about returning to its first love, we drift. We get distracted. We allow earthly things to dominate our minds. From TV to internet, to everything around us. Those things are not necessarily sin, but they become sin when they become our dominating thoughts and take control. Anything which takes His place in our hearts is a violation.

Yeah, it's time for a change. Maybe not for you, but for me. Gotta discipline my heart, my mind, my spirit. Gotta change my attitude about some things. The new manager I want in my life is the Ancient of Days, the I AM.

Blessings,
Pastor Ronnie

He is Risen

What a message we are entrusted to share. Christ our Lord is risen. Death could not hold him. On the cross Jesus bore our sins and carried our shame. He paid the price for our freedom. The debt was one we could not pay. The fallen nature of Adam was put upon us all, and the penalty was passed on as well.

But the good news is that Jesus is alive. Death could not hold him. We live today because of him.

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He became the ultimate sacrifice, giving himself in our place. Of course, we could not save ourselves. We were hopelessly doomed for hell as a result of the fall of Adam. The curse and consequences of sin were on each of us, and nothing we could do would prevent the ultimate destination of hell.

But he came. From the throne of heaven, emptying himself. God became flesh. Jesus went to an old rugged cross, dying there. For you and for me. He took my place, and he took yours.

The bible says "he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah prophesied this of Jesus, hundreds of years before he would be born, go to the cross, and give himself for us.

Today we observe the crucifixion. It is Friday, but Sunday's coming. Resurrection day will soon be here!

Love always wins

Love will always win out, even when it doesn't look like it. Choose love over hate. When others draw a circle and exclude you, draw a bigger circle of love and include them... the greatest of these is love. Don't get bitter, get better. Choose to forgive. Bitterness poisons you, not your enemy.

The above thoughts were two different things I posted this morning, one on facebook, and the other on twitter. Both of them got reposted, so it seems the Lord was not only speaking this to me, but to others as well. I am sometimes faced with opportunities to remember what someone did in the past, and hold it against them. The past week a couple of occasions have risen where I have been tempted to draw back to past hurts. But I remember what Jesus said, and what the bible teaches. I must forgive, and I must love. To fail to do so hurts me, holds me back. It is a conscious choice I make, it is not necessarily what I feel or want to do.

Lord, help me to love and to share your love, in all situations!

Thankful for the team

I am so glad to be connected to such a great church family. Our team has stood beside us during the recent passing of my dad. They have gone the extra mile and then some in comforting us and strengthening us during this time. I couldn't have asked, nor expected what they have done. Their heart of love to us has been a tremendous source of strength. Trish and I are so blessed to have them by our side.

As I sit here this evening unwinding from everything that has transpired this week, a team from the church is visiting the first church I served as pastor. It is nearby here. The youth team will perform a dance/drama skit, and our youth pastor will preach. I know they will do a great job. I had intended to go and support them. But I have simply ran out of steam and am sitting at home. I love those guys, and am praying for them. I know they will represent New Harvest well.

We had an awesome service this morning. I know the Lord gave me strength to preach. It was the first service since dad passed away. Mom was there, I know it was hard on her. God was with us, and the service went well. We observed communion, and I preached. I asked Trish, my wife, a few minutes ago if I did communion correctly. I remember taking it, don't remember what I said. Everything is sort of blurry right now.

I know I am rambling. I just wanted to say, Thank you, New Harvest Church family, for standing with us. God has given us a special church family. I love you guys. Thanks also to all our family and friends, and other churches. You guys have stood by us and with us, and we are so blessed to have you in our lives.

We love you!

Moving on, but never forgetting

The last couple of weeks have been a blur. The passing of my father has been a tremendous blow to the family. Although the battle over cancer has been ongoing for a year, the abrupt end has been difficult to accept. I know dad was prepared to go and be with the Lord, and I know he is in a better place. But to a family who has just lost a loved one, sometimes those words can seem empty. Even though we know they are true, we want to hold onto our loved ones as long as we can.

I look up hill to the other side of the road to mom and dad's house. Although I am 55 and dad was 74, I still felt protected by him being there. Something about the security from a man that represented strength to me all my life. I know it doesn't make sense, but it is how I felt. I never saw my dad cry, except on rare moments in church when he was happy. That is, until a couple of weeks ago. Daddy would cry in pain. My dad, the strong one.. it was too much.

We buried him yesterday. He was my father, I was his son, his firstborn. He was not perfect, and neither was (or am) I. We had the father/son type fights over the years. But I loved my dad, and he loved me. Not only was I his son, I was his pastor. Daddy supported the church, and my ministry. I never took a missions trip, but dad would call me over and hand me some money. Or anything else for that matter.

The living have to move on. I am trying to get positive, to get myself prepared mentally and spiritually. I must help people, motivate people, stir people. There are requests for counseling, needs of people. I know I am called to do this. My brothers went back to work today in the family business, which my dad started. One of my sisters goes back to work in a day or two, the other one left going back to Alabama today. Mom will be in the house by herself, and will have to learn to work the remote on the TV, dad always did that. We will move on, we have to.

I will again preach, write positive blogs, encourage, stir. But with tears as I write, I want to say..

DAD, WE ARE MOVING ON, BUT WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!

Thank you for your prayers

As many of you know, my dad lost his battle to cancer Tuesday morning at 3:33 AM. The last week has been a difficult one for us. I confess to you that I am somewhat numb as I write this note. However, I did not want to let another moment pass without acknowledging my gratitude for your prayers.

From your notes to us posted on the wall of facebook, placed in the inbox, an email, text, or call, Trish and I, and our entire family, have been lifted up by your thoughts and well wishes to us. We cannot begin to express how the support of family and friends has been such a great source of strength. I haven't taken the time to respond much in the last few days, but want you to know that I am so very thankful for you.

We will continue our grieving process. We will bury our dead. But we know we have an incredible God who gives us His divine strength, and we have a support base of family, friends, and churches who help carry us through these difficult times.

From the depths of our hearts, and on behalf of the Robbins Family, I want to say, Thank You.