I preached a pretty good little sermon Wednesday night, if I do say so myself. I waxed eloquent as I spoke of the need to look at every situation in life with a positive affirmation of the ability of God to work on our behalf. I am sure God was impressed with the sermon:) It was uplifting and challenging.
Upon arriving home, my wife told me I need to listen to my own sermons. She went on to express that if I would take my own counsel, I would avoid the negative complaining that sometimes proceeds from my lips.
Ooouch! That hurt, lol. But I needed it. Trish is right. I need to be reminded sometimes of the very things I teach others. I got the message, from her. It was to listen to myself. Take heed to the words God has given me. They will work, not only for those I am called to lead, but for me as well.
I posted her comments to me on Facebook and Twitter. Got a lot of comments, some from other pastor's wives. Seems there are others who have the same problem.
Y'all be blessed!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Great Morning, Great God
Each day upon arising to face the day, we should embrace God. I have learned that the day goes much better when I have acknowledged Him. Sure, there may be challenges today. There may be opportunities for stress, fear, or discouragement. But when my heart is towards the Lord, I am able to draw His divine strength into every situation.
It is important to remember that God made each day. I hope you will enjoy the beautiful day the Lord has made.
What a great day. What a great God!
Be blessed
It is important to remember that God made each day. I hope you will enjoy the beautiful day the Lord has made.
What a great day. What a great God!
Be blessed
Friday, April 24, 2009
Owww!
I had a really big scare last week. My blood pressure ran up to a dangerously high level. The combination of my excess weight, pressures of ministry, and family needs together probably contributed to it. And my family has a history of high blood pressure.
I decided it was time to do something about it. I talked about going on a diet the first of the year, but did not do so. I have continued to add on weight. Trish and I had gone on a diet 3 years ago. At the time, I lost 50 pounds. The problem has been since then I have put on 60. Once I got off the diet, I went right back to the old pattern of excessive eating. And my problem is sweets.
Joined the YMCA this week, and have started doing some workouts. Those, plus an extra busy schedule at church has contributed to an aching body.
I hope in the future you will be seeing less of me, physically. But it will be a process and not an instantaneous thing. To all of you out there who are attempting to get your weight under control, I feel for you... all over my aching body. And I am craving chocolate :)
I decided it was time to do something about it. I talked about going on a diet the first of the year, but did not do so. I have continued to add on weight. Trish and I had gone on a diet 3 years ago. At the time, I lost 50 pounds. The problem has been since then I have put on 60. Once I got off the diet, I went right back to the old pattern of excessive eating. And my problem is sweets.
Joined the YMCA this week, and have started doing some workouts. Those, plus an extra busy schedule at church has contributed to an aching body.
I hope in the future you will be seeing less of me, physically. But it will be a process and not an instantaneous thing. To all of you out there who are attempting to get your weight under control, I feel for you... all over my aching body. And I am craving chocolate :)
Monday, April 20, 2009
Outlooks and Uplooks
I am not sure when or where I first heard the expression... "If you don't like the outlook, try the uplook." The phrase comes to my mind this morning. It is Monday, and I am out of coffee as I rise up to face the day. I am thinking about things in general- life, goals, challenges.
Had a great day yesterday at church. There was an awesome move of God. Attendance was down a little. Folks at the mountains, the beach, sick. A small church takes the hit more noticeably when several families are away. My mind is racing as I plan several projects and attempt to think of ways to bring a fresh wave of growth. I realize it is not all UP to me, but sometimes I feel it is all ON me.
Thinking about things going on around us: the economic climate has affected people's lives here in rural western North Carolina. 16% unemployment at the latest count, and crime is up in the county. People ask if this has affected giving in the church. Don't mean to be sarcastic, but what do you think? Of course it has. My mind races also to some other situations going on around me: marriage situations that needed our prayers and counseling, family problems, and more of the usual in church life.
Yeah, the outlook sometimes seems bleak. And I will admit that I have often given out when I felt like my own gas tank was on reserve or empty. Run? I have thought of it before, have you? And there are times in life when it is not ONE thing that puts you at your limit, it is just ANOTHER thing. Like the proverb about the straw that broke the camel's back.
I am not intending on having a broke back. But last week something happened that got my attention. My blood pressure shot up dangerously high. I know it was a combination of things that led to this. My family has a history of such problems, so I can say it is in the genes. Plus, the improper eating habits and lack of exercise have caused me to continue to gain weight I do not need. And then there is the stress that goes along with the position I hold.
Outlooks and Uplooks. I realize for my outlook to change, I must change my uplook. I cannot continue to look at things from my vantage point. We must view them from God's. We must also change what we can. But the ultimate challenge for us each day is not whether there will be problems and stress, but how we deal with them.
I've decided I am not going to look out today-- I am going to look up!
Had a great day yesterday at church. There was an awesome move of God. Attendance was down a little. Folks at the mountains, the beach, sick. A small church takes the hit more noticeably when several families are away. My mind is racing as I plan several projects and attempt to think of ways to bring a fresh wave of growth. I realize it is not all UP to me, but sometimes I feel it is all ON me.
Thinking about things going on around us: the economic climate has affected people's lives here in rural western North Carolina. 16% unemployment at the latest count, and crime is up in the county. People ask if this has affected giving in the church. Don't mean to be sarcastic, but what do you think? Of course it has. My mind races also to some other situations going on around me: marriage situations that needed our prayers and counseling, family problems, and more of the usual in church life.
Yeah, the outlook sometimes seems bleak. And I will admit that I have often given out when I felt like my own gas tank was on reserve or empty. Run? I have thought of it before, have you? And there are times in life when it is not ONE thing that puts you at your limit, it is just ANOTHER thing. Like the proverb about the straw that broke the camel's back.
I am not intending on having a broke back. But last week something happened that got my attention. My blood pressure shot up dangerously high. I know it was a combination of things that led to this. My family has a history of such problems, so I can say it is in the genes. Plus, the improper eating habits and lack of exercise have caused me to continue to gain weight I do not need. And then there is the stress that goes along with the position I hold.
Outlooks and Uplooks. I realize for my outlook to change, I must change my uplook. I cannot continue to look at things from my vantage point. We must view them from God's. We must also change what we can. But the ultimate challenge for us each day is not whether there will be problems and stress, but how we deal with them.
I've decided I am not going to look out today-- I am going to look up!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Roller Coasters
Life is sometimes like a roller coaster ride. You have the exhilarating highs that are filled with anticipation and excitement. You also have the times when the bottom seems to drop out and you hold on for dear life.
I have never been one to hold my hands up in the air at the very top of the roller coaster, when it is about to make the big drop. I love the adrenaline of speed that will come, but I am fearful of heights and sudden falling. So I hold my head down and hang on for dear life.
In life there are cycles. There are the high highs and the low lows. We learn to enjoy the high times and endure the low times. The last few weeks have been somewhat of a low spot for me. It has not been one thing, but a combination of things that have brought this about. Of course, the passing of my father has been the hardest to deal with. Since then, I find myself sort of numb.
I generally attempt to write something that will inspire and encourage. But when you are drained, the opposite can come out, if you not careful. And I find myself functioning from that vein. I want my every action to be productive, and there have been some times recently when they have not been.
I like riding some roller coasters. I love the rush, the thrill of the speed. It is the emotional roller coasters I don't like. When God told Joshua to take courage, it was like he was saying, You can't go where I am going to take you walking in fear and discouragement, get yourself strong, son. That is my version of Joshua chapter one. I preached it this past Wednesday. Yes, Lord. With You, I can ride the high times and the down times.
I have never been one to hold my hands up in the air at the very top of the roller coaster, when it is about to make the big drop. I love the adrenaline of speed that will come, but I am fearful of heights and sudden falling. So I hold my head down and hang on for dear life.
In life there are cycles. There are the high highs and the low lows. We learn to enjoy the high times and endure the low times. The last few weeks have been somewhat of a low spot for me. It has not been one thing, but a combination of things that have brought this about. Of course, the passing of my father has been the hardest to deal with. Since then, I find myself sort of numb.
I generally attempt to write something that will inspire and encourage. But when you are drained, the opposite can come out, if you not careful. And I find myself functioning from that vein. I want my every action to be productive, and there have been some times recently when they have not been.
I like riding some roller coasters. I love the rush, the thrill of the speed. It is the emotional roller coasters I don't like. When God told Joshua to take courage, it was like he was saying, You can't go where I am going to take you walking in fear and discouragement, get yourself strong, son. That is my version of Joshua chapter one. I preached it this past Wednesday. Yes, Lord. With You, I can ride the high times and the down times.
Oops...
I tried to take my blog down while I revamped it. I generally get tired of the same thing after a while, and was looking for a new template. Couldn't find what I wanted, and took it down temporarily. I meant only to disable it, and I actually deleted it.
I deleted some of the pictures and links I had on here, including some of my friend's blogs. I hope to have everything back up in a day or so.
I deleted some of the pictures and links I had on here, including some of my friend's blogs. I hope to have everything back up in a day or so.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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
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