New Vision Cooperative Ministries

Change

2009-05-09T06:36:00.003-04:00

How is everyone doing. I have been away from this blog page for a while. We were running everything through our web site, however we have changed. The Coop is now back to 2 separate charges. Tina and I are still at the Chesterhill/Pisgah Charge and Pastor Rick Bennington is at the Stockport/Oakland Charge. The official date for the change will be 06-30-2009 but we have started to tidy things up before that date. Tina and I will still be working with Stockport/Oakland to a point as we can still learn and grow with time spent with Pastor Rick. I will also cover for Pastor Rick while Tina and I both are here at Chesterhill/Pisgah when Rick takes a vacation or is out for any other reason. This way when I am ready to stand before the PPRC body for recommendation to go forward to the District Committee of Ordained Ministry, this way I stay fresh in their minds and they know who I am and what my theology and preaching is about.
I look forward to keeping this blog updated and hopefully relevant. There are a few prayer request at this time are the following:

Rocky Y & Family
The Churches
Pastors
My Job
Dorthy C
The Country & it's Leaders
Those Hospitalized, Nursing Home, Assisted Living Shut Ins
Annual Conference June 7th-11th 2009
Project Hope Event last 3 Sundays of September 13th, 20th & 27
The Lost, Wounded, Battered and Bruised

AMEN

In Mercy, Grace & Peace
Pastor Gary

Thank God I Remember You

2008-08-25T14:48:00.001-04:00

Well. I suppose most children, parents and teachers are saying, “Here we go again, another school year.” Everyone has memories of past school years and events but now those same persons are looking to something new. I have been praying in my daily meditation time for these children, their parents and teachers. One day as I was doing so a Scripture came to mind. It was what the Apostle Paul said to the Philippians. Paul says in Philippians 1:3, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” I don’t believe Paul could ever calculate how often he thought of and prayed for the Philippian Christians. I began to think of the parents or guardians of a child beginning school for the first time or a child moving up a grade and the child being in a new environment. Can you imagine those parents or guardians not thinking of their child, not wondering how their child is getting along?When a husband and or a wife must go on a trip and leave their spouse, if they love each other, they think of one another often. If you or I have a loved one in the hospital, we think of that one all the time.Do we in the fellowship of our churches, think like that of one another? “I thank God every time I remember you.” How constantly and intimately love thinks of those loved. Paul says, “I have you in my heart.” Everywhere I go, I carry you around with me, as I think of you, your needs, your successes, and your work. What a wonderful love this was!
Perhaps I can illustrate such a love in this way: when a man is engaged to be married, he thinks often of the girl he loves and he always carries a picture of her in his wallet. Even after he is married, a man will carry with him a photograph of his wife even though it may have been taken many years ago and you would hardly recognize her as the woman who is now his wife. But he carries her picture in his wallet and memories of her in his heart.“I have you in my heart.” If only you and I, through Jesus Christ, could broaden this kind of warmth of fellowship and disciple making, what a difference it would make! “I have you in my heart….every remembrance of you.” What warmth and affection and love there was–between Paul and the Philippian Christians and between the Philippian Christians and Paul.Such a love should characterize the fellowship we have with and for one another. AMEN?
See you soonLove and Prayers-Rick and Nancy

Heaven, Right now on Earth

2008-08-25T14:47:00.002-04:00

Good Evening,
Saturday I went to a meeting where I didn’t know very many ladies. I am always so amazed at how God has created his children to be so loving and warm.
I received hugs from new sisters in Christ and their was such encouragement.
I wondered what would Heaven be like? If we could show each other that much love here on earth, how much better would it be in Heaven?
I don’t know about you, but just feeling all that love made me feel so much better and revived me. I want to make sure everyone I come in contact with knows of God and of his great love for all of us.
Sometimes, people forget that pastors are human, we get discouraged and sometimes we wonder if we are even making a difference. Thats when our Father puts others in our path to show us love and comfort.
We do make a difference, all of us, not just pastors but all of Gods children can make such a very big difference in someones life.
Thank you Father for your wonderful love and thank you brothers and sisters for listening to Gods call.
Grace, Peace and Love,
Pastor Tina

Keeping up with the Jones'

2008-08-25T14:44:00.001-04:00

Have you heard any of the controversies coming out of the China Olympic Games? One is that the fire works during the opening ceremonies were fake or rather taped and not live. Another, is the ages of the Chinese women’s gymnastic team. Needing to be 16 within the year of the games they are participating in. But there was one girl that just 3 or 4 months ago was listed within the government run news organization, that said she was 13 years of age. But now they say she is 15 (but will be 16 this year) based on the government issued passport.
But the one I wish to focus on, is the little girl that sung during the opening ceremonies. Didn’t she sound wonderful and was she not the cutest little girl. A true China doll I would even say. But did you know that it was not her voice we were hearing. You see the other little girl that we heard with that marvelous voice, was not in the Chinese Government minds, pretty enough to be televised around the world. So they found a better looking little girl to be the “FACE OF CHINA”. Were you upset, or are you now! I know I was,and I still am but not just for the reason you are thinking. You see this brings to the forefront what we do every day, does it not?
Come on, you know what I am talking about. How we have our airwaves saturated with the images of the perfect face, hair, legs, abs or just the perfect body. We wonder why our daughters become anorexic and our sons use all of the shortcuts of supplements and even steroids to get the perfect body. Some will even become addicted to cosmetic surgeries, because you know our nose is just a little too big and then after that we notice that our cheek bones are either too high or too low. Oh my, would you look at how loose the skin is around the jaw line, if I could just get that firmed up.
Brothers and sister let me just remind you that, you are wonderfully and fearfully made by the Creator. He does not make mistakes or boo boos, you are perfect in His eyes and you see that perfection you look at every day when you look in the mirror and when we look and all of His creations.
You see when we think the way the world wants us to think, then everybody looks better then us and everything they have is better than ours. Then we are continually trying to keep up with Jones’ and we are never satisfied with what we have been bless with. It is time we become thankful for the things we have, our homes, our cars and how about our families. There are many around this world that would be eternally thankful for what we just throw away because it isn’t the newest, or the latest or greatest.
It is time we are thankful for what we have, our looks and our possessions, thanking God the Father, god the Son and God the Holy Spirit for everything. Then join Jesus in the mission fields throughout our communities.
In the Mercy, Grace, Love and Peace of Jesus Christ,
Gary

New Vision Cooperative Ministries: Jamboree in the Hills

2008-07-17T08:07:00.000-04:00

New Vision Cooperative Ministries: Jamboree in the Hills

Jamboree in the Hills

2008-07-16T15:30:00.002-04:00

Well the Jamboree in the Hills 2008 begins on July 17 2008 and runs through July 20 2008. It is a great weekend of music and fellowship. OK most will not remember much of their experience while they are there. But the music is really good. I have been to several of these events (AND I DO REMEMBER MOST EVERYTHING).
Let us hold this event, entertainers, spectators and volunteers up in prayer for this weekend. It can be very hot (well it is July) and dangerous when mixed with alcohol and the number of people that will be attending. So we'll hold them all up to the Lord in prayer.
If you are attending send us some comments of your time there as well as photos.

Go in the Grace, Mercy & Love of Christ,
Gary

New Beginings & Freedoms

2008-07-07T09:01:00.001-04:00

Tina and I had a chance to meet with Rick and Nancy the other evening. Brothers and Sisters get ready for an awesome ride in the Spirit. Rick is a very spiritual man and will be a great leader of taking the churches of the New Vision Cooperative Ministries into future.
With this being the 4th of July weekend I hope you have all been safe and celebrating smartly. In remembering the Freedoms we have here in the United States, let us remember the freedoms we have because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
W hat freedoms, How about the freedom of belonging? Belonging to a family, an heir of the God all mighty. What an awesome concept that is check out Romans 8:15-17!!
How about the freedom to serve? What you do not think it is a freedom to serve? You see we are all ministers and in that we all are to serve, check out 2 Corinthians 3:5-6.
In that line of serving, how about the freedom we have to be guided? Check out Romans 8:14 and Psalm 32:8.
The last one I will touch on today is the freedom to witness, Acts 1:8
See we have a lot of freedoms to be thankful for if will just follow in the Spirit and follow through on those Freedoms given to us. There are people who to this day are persecuted and killed for going through with these freedoms we have been granted. It is time that we stand up, raise our hands in praise and surrender to Jesus giving ourselves totally to Him.

Go with the Grace and Mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and may He continue to guide and work within you and through you.

We are all Fathers

2008-07-05T14:15:00.000-04:00

I would like to thank the prayers and well wishes. As many of you know this past Saturday my Father-in-law was taken ill and was rushed to MMH. His heart rate dropped drastically and they cannot get it to stay above 50 staying around 45-50. So please keep James and his wife Doreen in your prayers.

Thank you: Margie Shew, Jeannie Voland and Jamie White for covering the churches Sunday. You have been blessings to Tina and I and we truly appreciate all you did for us this weekend.

Before I forget a belated Happy Fathers Day to all Dads. I want everyone reading this to realize that whether you fathered a child or not we can all be father figures to the little ones around us. Someone is always watching us, of what we say, what we do and how we do it, and they will do the exact things you do. I also mention all that read this because I know that there are many single moms out there that are not only Mom but also Dad to the ones they are raising. Because not only do you cook and clean for them, you also are the catcher for the pitcher, the one they turn to when the have something that needs fixed.

I know this because I am married to a Lady that raised her boys all alone, with no father around. I am here to tell you that she did an awesome job on raising those boys and I am quit proud to call them my sons now. God bless you Sweetheart you are an awesome lady that deserved more of the fathers dad hoopla than I did yesterday. I love ya.

Good Leader Hunting

2008-06-16T10:06:00.001-04:00

This has been the start of a very busy month. Please bare with Tina and I, as we will be overseeing all four churches. Dan Ann and the boys stayed with us last Sunday night and that was a wonderful time of fellowshipping, reminiscing and visioning of the future. Brother and Sister you and the boys will be dearly missed and in our prayers. Good luck, Hunting and growing the leaders of Waverly, OH. Know that you have raised up a remnant to help lead the New Vision Cooperative to the next level.
Speaking of the leaders of the NVCM it is time for us to be strong and continue striving to grow as Disciples of Christ. We must push ourselves further than we have been before. Doing so as an example to the others so that they may join us. The road we have decided to travel not many will follow. But we must be strong and continue being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, as those around us see our actions then they will seek to have the peace and joy that we show and share. As I have said today I am tired of playing church it is time to be the church. We are the representation of Stockport, Chesterhill, Oakland and Pisgah churches. So are you showing that you are a true Christian or are you showing the hypocrite church attendee that drives and keeps others away from the church.
Brothers and Sisters we have to be continually listening for God's voice and call on our life. If we continue to ignore that call he will harden your heart and you will be lost till you heed his voice.

Go in the Grace, Mercy, Peace and Love of Jesus
Gary

2008-06-01T13:57:00.000-04:00

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

Many thanks to all of our Veterans and their families.

Today is a beautiful day, the sun is mostly shinning and it is quit warm. It is one of those days that cookouts and gatherings are made for. Today, is a bitter-sweet day for Gary and I. We had the honor of Pastor Dan and family spending the evening with us, and as were talking and hearing the kids playing downstairs I could not help but feel that this is how it should be with everyone. I wanted to shout to the whole community, why can't we just show each other love, love without judgment, without pride and jealousy, a love that Jesus was showing us. A love that Jesus has been trying to teach us about. Why can't we love each other as if we might not see one another again? I wonder if our hearts would soften and we would overlook each others faults if we thought we wouldn't be able to pick up the phone and call or be able to drive a short distance. Would our hearts change if we had only the neighbors ( the ones we say we really don't like) to talk to and ask for help when we needed a hand? Would we form a relationship with those we overlooked before? Why not? We do after all have the same Father! We are his children, isn't it time we act like it and just as children do, we help our brothers and sisters to make good decisions and we teach and help them to nuture?

I pray we all think about this for awhile and ask the Holy Spirit to work in us and teach us what it really means to be Christ-like.

Grace, Peace and love,

Tina

getting discouraged

2008-05-26T12:25:00.002-04:00

Good Morning,

God is such a wonderful Father, I stand in awe of what he can and what he does for his children.

There are times in our lives we get discouraged and we start to wonder why are we trying so hard to make a difference, we feel it is not even helping anymore, then we hear the angelic voice of a child that has not spent much time in a church setting, singing Jesus loves me, or hearing them pray before they eat.

It seems that just at that moment when we are ready to give up, God let's us see that the seeds of love we have been planting are starting to take root.

The Adults we spend time with that doesn't know Jesus start to ask questions or calls to ask if we could pray for them or a loved one that is having a difficult time. The healing and softening of hearts that have been callused for years.

God whispers in our ears and hearts," keep going, you are not done yet, stay with me, do my will and let me work through you, and I will show you amazing things. Don't give up my child, I am right here beside you, always."

I pray for you, strength, courage, patients and love and that you rest and rejuvenate in our Fathers arms.

Grace, Peace and Love,

Tina

Memorial Day & A Bittersweet Goodbye

2008-05-26T12:13:00.002-04:00

Remember your veterans this weekend, as it is Memorial Day Weekend. Not only those that have served or serving, but even those that are parents, children or spouses of those that have served or serving. They truly sacrifice, because they did not choose the life that the one serving did. But they still live that marry-go-round of deployments, exercises, long hours and days and, months of separation from their loved ones.

Then there is the wondering, especially during these days, with Iraqi and Afghanistan going on, getting that phone call or that knock on the door. I did not know about that aspect a few years ago because I have served myself in the Navy, I knew what I had gotten myself into and I wanted to put all of my training to work. So I can understand how the veteran approaches these things, but I am married to someone that has two young men that were in the Marines, one still serving. I now can feel that pain when, Tina goes a few days without hear from the oldest that is still in the Marines. I now know that fear that a loved one feels as their son or daughter is shipped to serve overseas in combat.

So this memorial day remember all that have sacrificed for our freedoms. Those in the uniform and those that keep the home fires burning waiting for their safe return home.

I would also like to publicly say thank you to Dan and his family for everything they have done since coming to Stockport. Speaking of sacrifice, Dan and Dan's family sacrificed willing his time as a Husband and father and their time with their daddy and husband, so that he could accomplish God's work here. All of those meetings and functions to see the leaders identified, raised up and equipped to do God's work.

Dan and Family, know that you will always be in our thoughts and prayers. We love you all so much and will look forward as we (Tina and I) on this path of ministry, for our paths crossing.

Go through the open door knowing that Jesus is right there with you every step of the way. We as the New Vision Cooperative Ministry go through the open door in front of us, with a new Sheppard.

Go with the Grace and Mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and may He continue to guide and work within you and through you.

Finding Grace in Troubled Times

2008-05-17T10:35:00.002-04:00

So I sit here and contemplate what I want to write. I mean there are so many things that are going on in the world. One that affects all of us is the gas prices, then there is the cyclone that struck Burma, and even the earthquake that struck China. Please feel free to e-mail your comments at our web site www.nv4christ.com or comment on this blog if you are at http://nv4christ.blogspot.com at any time. I like to know what you all are thinking are what is concerning you.

But in the midst of all the tragedies look around at all of the beauty that surrounds us. The flowers coming up after a longs winter nap, trees in full bloom or full of leaves. I use to never take the time to think of these things, I took it all for granted knowing they were there last year and the year before and so on. Never thinking they would not be there. But then I look at the images coming from Burma, and China seeing the devastation all around. The loss homes, communities and all those lives lost, generations of families lost for ever.

You know in the twinkling of an eye we can all be gone! Taken out of this world without a trace and I wonder, did I do all Jesus has called me to do. I thank the Lord for my knowing Him and having a relationship with Him. But then I wonder did those thousands of people know Christ, did anyone take the time to share with them the Good News of Grace and Mercy and Love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It puts a whole new spin on sharing the Gospel, does it not. Would my 5, 10 or 15 minutes of discomfort worth the eternally lives of those around me, you, us. Christ did not live just to teach a few men, He did not die upon the cross and resurrected to save just a few but to save all that believe in Him. But the only way people can believe is for people to know and the only way they can know is through each and every one of us. Not just our words, though we sing "Tell you a story" but are we telling the story, not just mind numbing repetition of sing the hymn but in passion filled discusions and in the actions and deed we do. Do those people around us see the love and light of Christ in all we say and do.

M y prayer is that we stop just professing Christ but following Christ. Living out all that He said and did. Then we can truly be called a Christian a Follower of Jesus Christ.

Go with the Grace and Mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and may He continue to guide and work within you and through you.

New Lead Pastor Chosen

2008-05-17T09:40:00.002-04:00

PASTOR RICK & NANCY BENNINGTON

Sorry for the delay in getting this done, but this past few weeks have been very busy. Between this ministry, secular job and family issues, time has been hard pressed. But I do want to take a moment and welcome the new Lead Pastor to our cooperative. Pastor Rick Bennington and his wife Nancy will be coming from Logan, OH. I have known Rick from various District functions where he either taught or shared at. Rick is a very energetic individual that is filled with the spirit that will enable him to lead us and guide the New Vision Cooperative Ministries to the next level. I know as we are sad due to losing Pastor Dan and his family. Dan is the person that allowed me to understand my call to the ministry and has helped me walk the first few miles of learning and the growing of Christ in me. So having Dan leave will not be easy, but I know that when God opens a door we must be faithful and go through that door, knowing that He is right there with us. I feel the passion and energy that Rick brings will making this an exciting journey for Tina and me. With Rick coming to this point in ministry through the Local Licensed Pastor path, he will be a great resource for Tina and me as we travel that road. He will be able to guide us thru those rough spots and allow us to know what is coming and how to handle things.

Again with Rick’s passion and energy I look forward to see the NVCM as it continues to grow and working better together. The best thing we can all do is to really pull together and work together even more. This will allow Rick and Nancy not having to start out pulling their hair out wondering what they got themselves into. But also for Dan, Ann and the boys to see that all of that hard work and time away from each other was not in vain. It would give Dan a sense of accomplishment and closure knowing that as a father watches their child grow he would have seen us grow.

Tina and I will be covering Stockport and Oakland for the month of June as Rick comes us 1 July 2008. This will make his first week in the pulpit at Stockport and Oakland on 6 July 2008. We look forward to be working with Rick and helping to lead these four congregations through this transition. I know that God’s hands are upon Rick, Nancy, Dan, Ann and the 5 churches represented. God is moving and we need to be ready to pick up OUR crosses and to follow Christ. It is time to stop just professing our faith in Christ and start being whole hearted followers of Christ. May all that see us, see the love and light of Jesus Christ in all we say and do.

Go with the Grace and Mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and may He continue to guide and work within you and through you.

Thanks Again Tom

2008-04-27T18:04:00.000-04:00

Wow what a week that just went by. If you have already seen Tina’s page I am just rehashing old news, but exciting non-the less. Our daughter (in-law) gave birth to a beautiful baby girl; she was 18.5 inches long and 8 lbs. 8 oz. and a full head of hair. The birth of a child is great and as the next few days came and went, I started to begin to notice the entire rebirth that was taking place all around me. Trees coming into bloom, flowers budding and lilies bursting out in full color, and the grass needing to be mowed as it grew higher and getting that deeper shade of green.
Chesterhill and Pisgah had communion this past Sunday, which is a chance for all believers to have their own rebirth in Christ Jesus. I would like to thank Pastor Tom Hanover, who is the Foothills District Superintendent, for coming out to serve the communion. I would also like to thank his wife Cathy for coming and worshipping with us at Pisgah and Chesterhill.
What a message that was delivered for a Sunday of rededication to and for Christ as “Why limp when we can fly” was the title to the message. It just set the renewing, the rebirth, even stronger in what I felt going on around me.
We do tend to let wounds hinder what we do or even just how we do it, don’t we. We tend to say and believe I can’t do that, I’m the wrong gender to do that, or I’m not strong enough, I’m not confident enough, I’m too young or even I’m too old. But you see it is not about me, it is not about you or even the churches we attend. But it is about what Christ can do in you and through you. When we show strength in our obvious weakness, courage through our fear, our confidence in our anxiety, it glorifies Christ above all things, because acknowledging our weakness it shows Christ strength in us, it shows how powerful He truly is, and in that we glorify Him. It shows how He is working in us despite of ourselves if we will just stay out of the way.
May you let Jesus work in you, to lift you higher and higher in all you do, because as Tom said Sunday “WHY LIMP WHEN YOU CAN FLY!!!!”

Go with the Grace, Mercy and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A Lent message

2008-04-27T18:03:00.000-04:00

How am or will I prepare myself for the Easter season. We are presently in the Lenten Season a time of preparation, anticipation to the passion of Christ and His defeat over Satan and death. The 40 days of Lent is a symbolic time, where we as Christians enter the wilderness with Jesus for fasting, and prayers. The fasting. For Jesus this was done completely with no food or water. Now we can fast in this way if it is healthy for you. Many people like myself need to take medications that require food before taking or simply that you must eat for your health, i.e. Diabetics. But we can still fast of something either certain foods like no meat or no sweets. But it must be a sacrifice so if you are a vegetarian not eating meat does not count because you always go without meat. Maybe you can go without TV for 40 days OK, OK I know that one is hard one that is really sacrificing, but how about no TV for the prime time? You could then use this quite time to pray and reconnect with God, share with Him you concerns and needs. Listen to His response listen for His call to action for you. You can also use this time to reconnect with your spouse, your family, have you shared your hopes and dreams with them. Have you listened for or rather have you heard your spouses and families’ hopes and dreams. You see they may have told you but you were just too busy with your stuff you didn’t hear what they were saying. This is a good time to start these things. But as the song by Casting Crowns says in “From the Alter to the Door” don’t let us loose our follow-through from the alter to the door. Once we start this over the next 40 days, remember to continue through the year. It will be amazing what type of an impact this can make in your marriage and with the entire family. Once we allow God into our life and as the Lord’s Prayer says, “Give us our DAILY bread” once we become dependent upon God for our needs, we will begin to draw closer and closer to Him.
Brothers and Sisters let us make this Lent Season the time we get back to basics. Let us begin to draw our inspiration from God so we are doing His will and not our will. Let us not only become closer to God let us get our whole family closer to each other and to God. Let us listen and heed God’s call upon our life and it doesn’t matter whether you are 4 or 104 God wants you to do something for Him, so listen closely and discern your call.

Thanks Tom

2008-04-18T13:13:00.001-04:00

I would first of all like to thank Tom Hanover for driving from Athens in the horrible weather on 03/04/2008 to be with us and guiding us through the process of getting a new pastor. I would like to thank all of those that braved the rain and raising waters to be there also, plus having the patients in the delay of waiting for Tom to arrive safely after trying many directions and routes.
I feel that a couple things occurred last night. The first thing, being that while we were sitting around the table before Tom arrived. I could see and feel that we all know how important it is in our coming together as one. If one of us would die, the others would follow, and if we were never to have tried coming together we would all be just about dead. But I know the Holy Spirit is alive and well in this area. If we will just stay out of His way, He will bring about this change in a very positive way. I am praying that you will all pray for the process that we are now undertaking. Not just those that were there last night, but everybody in these churches and everybody that visits this web site and all that know what we are going through in getting a new pastor.
One of the other things I noticed last night was that we are all willing to work together we just need to get to the table together. Tina and I, as well as whomever takes over for Dan will be working hard to see that that happens. You, as the church PPR’s need to drive this home, when we meet with whomever the Bishop appoints. This way they will know up front what we need, like the constant flow of information communicated between all of us. But also that we are willing to work together and share each others resources, being one body in Christ, in this way there is no misunderstandings before that person takes on these churches. You see whoever is at Stockport/Oakland effects all. It is not just Stockport/Oakland that is getting a new Pastor but also Chesterhill/Pisgah.
Lastly, I heard you all talking and sharing some great ideas and passions. But you would finish the statement by saying that nobody would take on the leadership role for those ideas. God placed those ideas, those passions on your heart, placed them in your brain for a reason. He has placed that passion in you or you would not have been thinking of it to start with. Brothers and sisters we must get out of the way of God’s plan and do his will NOT OUR WILL. If you feel that there should be a VBS and you wonder way someone has not taken that mantle on. It is within your heart it was placed, so way haven’t you followed God’s calling on your life. Oh, I know, you are too busy to do this, right? But God is not going to use you if you are not already doing His work in other areas of the church. Oh, so you have a job, is that it? Well not bragging on myself but, I do also, and yet I rotate in the pulpit with my wife at least every other Sunday, fill in at Stockport and Oakland when needed. I work a full time job at BPD in Parkersburg but I am at meetings, functions, as well as missionary type work around the community. It really doesn't take up much of my time and I still have time for TV, Tiger Woods Golf and my family. Again I am not tooting my horn I am just saying we are all busy. We all have a life, but when God placed the call on my life, when He put that passion in my heart, I knew that I had to answer and do what He has called me to do. I understand that maybe you feel you cannot lead whatever you are called to do alone, then pray about it and let God show you; first He will always be with you; He may even show you who you can ask to help you lead it. Maybe it is something you can do with your spouse or maybe even your whole family. Call a meeting for anyone interested in whatever it may be and then ask if anybody would be interested in helping you run it. You can either ask for the volunteers during the meeting or maybe by noticing the graces and gifts God has given to someone and then asking them one on one to help you lead.
If we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ we need to quit ignoring the call He is placing upon our life, Pick up the cross and follow Him. He will not lead you astray or abandon you in the mist of doing His work. Be like Peter; jump out of the boat and onto the crashing waves with both feet with the faith and knowledge that He is there with you every moment.

In Christ God Bless

Gary

CHAA CHAA CHAA CHANGES

2008-04-18T13:07:00.001-04:00

Some of you will notice a change in the layout of the web site www.nv4christ.com. Thank you for being faithful readers of our site and our pages. You will notice the compass in the top left of the pages I felt that with our change in District level and Pastoral level (The departure of Rev. Tom Hanover Foothills District DS and Rev. Dan Evory Lead Pastor at New Vision Cooperative Ministries.) That a change in all direction needed to be looked into. That was especially evident after the message brought to us by Foothills District ADS Brent Watson. He was talking about the stories of our lives. How we all live through various chapters of our lives that as one chapter closes another one is opened. It is up to us to either live in the past chapters, or to grab onto God’s hand and know He is always with us, as we begin a new chapter. I feel that I do get comfortable with the old, the way it is and use to be and sometimes not willing to move forward. But when we do this we get left behind and we slowly wither away and die. I refuse to be that person and I thank God for my wife Tina that kicks me in the hind end from time to time (OK probably all the time).
Now we as a church, as our cooperative the New Vision Cooperative and we as individuals must get ready to move forward, we MUST GET OUT OF THE PAST LEST WE DIE!!!!! Let us leave the good old days, of times gone by, and be looking forward to the better days that lay ahead of us. Let us look forward to a rebirth, of a renewal of our spirits that we step out and do what is needed to jump start our ministries, right here, right now. Let us stop whining about how it use to be and start praising God for what He is doing right now in our lives and is going to be doing in the future of our churches. Let us quit looking for who is going to do something and start doing it ourselves. God is with us; He is with you, so what are you going to do with His help and guidance.
A time for change is now and time for a new chapter in our churches, this cooperative and our lives is right now. Ask God what is it that He would have you do, those things that have been pinging in your heart and bouncing in your head is God trying to get your attention. Will you listen to Him, will you pray and ask for His discernment. What are you being called to do, where are you being called to go and how are you to be the hands and feet of Christ? Let us turn the page and start writing the next chapter of our life, our churches' life, the New Vision's life and know that He will be there with us, always!!!

Go with the Grace, Mercy, Peace and Love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Gary

Goodbye Pastor Dan

2008-03-17T08:49:00.001-04:00

Well as many of you all know Pastor Dan will be leaving us at the end of school in June 2008. He has accepted a position as pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Waverly, OH. I know it has been hard for Tina and I to accept his leaving, but we will not nor cannot stand in the way of God’s calling on Dan. Just as he would never stand in the way of God’s calling upon our lives. You see when you read Revelations 3:7-8;
“3:7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write the following:
“This is the solemn pronouncement of the Holy One, the True One, who holds the key of David, who opens doors no one can shut, and shuts doors no one can open: 3:8 ‘I know your deeds. (Look! I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut.) I know that you have little strength, but you have obeyed my word and have not denied my name.”
You see God has opened a door for Dan and his family to go through. He has also opened one for each and every one of us. So each of us and collectively need to be following God’s lead. That has already started but now it needs to be completed, the coming together as one body of Christ through our 4 separate churches. You see we are all in this and as Stockport begins the process of getting to know a new pastor, we will all be involved. We need to keep praying for Stockport and the New Vision Cooperative Ministries as we are all going through this change together. Let us all during this remaining time of Lent come together with Jesus as He is in the wilderness, and fast and pray with Him, to know and follow the will and prodding of God the Father.
We have all admitted that there needed to be change for us all to survive and grow. We did not want to see Dan leave. We all love Dan, Ann and the boys. But now we are not able to just sit back and watch. Now is the time for each and every one of us to step up and step out on faith. Coming to the table with an open mind and open heart to following God’s leading of this Cooperative. Let us be Churches that remain open to the Gospel by listen and following God’s directions for our churches as well as individually. When God opens the door, allow us to boldly enter but if the door is shut may we wait patiently for God’s guidance.
God bless to you Dan and family. Know that we will be praying for you and your new church family. May the love and light of Christ show thru in all you say and do.

Lent 2008

2008-02-14T13:59:00.003-05:00

How am or will I prepare myself for the Easter season. We are presently in the Lenten Season a time of preparation, anticipation to the passion of Christ and His defeat over Satan and death. The 40 days is a symbolic time where we as Christians enter the wilderness with Jesus for fasting, and prayers. The fasting for Jesus was completely no food or water, now we can fast in this way if it is healthy for you. Many people like myself need to take medications that require food before taking or simply that you must eat for your health, i.e. Diabetics. But we can still fast of something either certain foods like no meat or no sweets. But it must be a sacrifice so if you are a vegetarian not eating meat does not count because you always go without meat. Maybe you can go without TV for 40 days OK, OK I know that one is hard one that is really sacrificing, but how about no TV for the prime time? You could then use this quite time to pray and reconnect with God, share with Him you concerns and needs. Listen to His response listen for His call to action for you. You can also use this time to reconnect with your spouse, your family, have you shared your hopes and dreams with them. Have you listened for or rather have you heard your spouses and families’ hopes and dreams. You see they may have told you but you were just too busy with your stuff you didn’t hear what they were saying. This is a good time to start these things. But as the song by Casting Crowns says in “From the Alter to the Door” don’t let us loose our follow-through from the alter to the door. Once we start this over the next 40 days, remember to continue through the year. It will be amazing what type of an impact this can make in your marriage and with the entire family. Once we allow God into our life and as the Lord’s Prayer says, “Give us our DAILY bread” once we become dependent upon God for our needs, we will begin to draw closer and closer to Him.
Brothers and Sisters let us make this Lent Season the time we get back to basics. Let us begin to draw our inspiration from God so we are doing His will and not our will. Let us not only become closer to God let us get our whole family closer to each other and to God. Let us listen and heed God’s call upon our life and it doesn’t matter whether you are 4 or 104 God wants you to do something for Him, so listen closely and discern your call.
Go with the Grace, Mercy and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Challenge

2007-12-11T12:40:00.000-05:00

Is it not amazing how busy we all get at this time of the year? You know that even us so called Godly people, you know Pastors, we also can fall into the trap. But we must stop and remember why we have Christmas. You see the USA, Americans are the ones that have ruined Christmas. Let me tell you a story of a true St. Nicholas, because there really was a rich man, many years ago that would take what he had and gave to those around him less fortunate. As a child he was born into a family with lots of money. He watched as he grew up how his parents would give to those less fortunate around them and in this in the untimely death of his parents he continued the tradiation. He would do this around the birth of Jesus because of the wonderful gift he was given from Jesus. This man name was Nicholas and as he got older he followed Jesus command to take all he had and sell it giving the money to the poor. He then went and lived in a monastery and in time he became Bishop of Myra which is near present day Turkey. Here he continued giving to those that were poor and less fortunate around him. Upon his passing he was then made a Saint by the church. Now ths was around the third century, so we need to fast forward to 1920's in America and we are struggling through the great depression, after a great war WWI. Then came WWII in the 1940’s, the market place (Stores and Business Owners) knew that they had to do something to spark our economy and get people spending money in their stores. Well this is the time when the President talked of a chicken in every pot and a car in every drive right? So the stores in a marketing boon took a little of St. Nicholas and sprinkled in a little bet of pride, greed and selfishness and there you go, the Christmas Season was born. Can you top your neighbor on what you get your children? The Christmas Season back then in our great grand parents day would run from just after Thanksgiving or the first of December till Christmas Eve. Did you notice when they started putting up this year, I think I saw things going up before Halloween. And there is all the talk on the news about how much money the stores are making, and how disastrous it is for our economy if the retailers do not make major profits. Brothers and Sisters this is not why Jesus was born, God did not become human so you could get more gifts than Bob or Larry or whoever. He was not born so that we could line some business persons pocket. If He was, don’t you think He would have been handing out toys to everybody that came to visit Him? But you see this is not your or my birthday is it, who’s birthday is it? It is Jesus birthday!!! The greatest revolutionary that has ever walk this earth!!! We should remember this and think what would Jesus want on His day, do you think it is the new X-box or Wii? Or is it possible He wants much more from us? Have you ever heard of a place or worked for a place that does matching funds for your giving for retirement or savings funds. Then if this is Jesus’ day why don’t you match what you spend on your family, and friends’ gifts and the Christmas feast you are going to prepare and give to your church for outreach in the community. Let's see the average family will spend around $800 for this holiday when all is said and done. Do you think that the local church could use this money for their outreach like their food bank or food bank they support? Do you know how much that could buy? Do you know some families that could not even imagine buying a holiday meal for their family, do you know how many families $800 could supply. Ok maybe even you could not match $800, so maybe you only spend $400 for your family and $400 for God’s family. You see it’s not about me, it is not about you, it is about Jesus, the Christ, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!!!! Let us return the overabundance of God’s love and blessings for us by sharing our love and blessings with the rest of our family, God’s family.

May you go in the Mercy, Grace and Peace of Jesus

WE'RE BACK!!!!!

2007-11-28T12:02:00.000-05:00

Well we have been away for a while but we are back. We even have a new web site www.nv4christ.com so stop by and see the New Vision Cooperative Ministries as we grow together as one. My e-mail has changed and is gary.simmons@nv4christ.com and Tina's is now tina.simmons@nv4christ.com so if you would not want to responed to us in public on this blog you can do so privatley through the e-mails.

Go in the grace, mercy and peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Time Flies, Are You Ready?

2007-08-24T11:32:00.000-04:00

Wow can you believe that the summer is almost over? High school football games will be kicking off tonight and the college and pro seasons kick off right on their heels. Schools have opened for another year of teaching our young. I can remember when I went to school (Now is the time to sound like that old timer on the porch). We didn’t start school till the Tuesday after Labor Day. You got that last blast of summer fun the Jerry Lewis telethon and then school Tuesday morning. It really made for a good gage of where we were in the year. Fall was the start of school and football. When basketball season started that marked the mid point of the year and winter was coming upon us. The start of track and baseball season was spring was in the air and the school year was almost done. But now we have some schools that have even gone to year round school schedules yuck!!
But to get back to now with Labor Day just a week away, the holiday seasons are right around the corner. I will not bum you out with how many shopping days till Christmas but it is fast approaching. I have a calendar that shows three months at a time and as of today I can see when Halloween is and in a week I will be turning to the next month and will be seeing Thanksgiving. I remember as a child how my days off and vacations flow by but now everyday seems to fly by and the days fly into weeks into months and then another year escapes us. It now makes me sit a think what have I done to further Gods kingdom here on earth. Is the time that is flying by time that I have managed well for God? Most of the times I must when I answer truthfully say no I have not done what I have been called to do. How about you, are you filling your time with what God has called you to do? Or do you just muddle through each day just doing what you think you want to do? You see when we realize that our time here on earth is really fleeting. We must get busy and answer God’s call on our live. You know many have tried to predict when the end-times would come. I do not know and the Bible does not say, as a matter of fact Jesus even tells us not to worry about when that time is and that only the Father knows when it is. He only says that we are to be ready, and we need to be ready by doing what God has called each of us to do. Because He will came as a thief in the night and will we be ready or will we still be sleeping and miss His glorious return. Please be ready!! Go with Grace, Mercy and Peace.

Bombing Barry Bonds

2007-08-08T08:04:00.000-04:00

I have meant to put some things in here before about Barry Bonds and his chase of the homerun record. But I just let it run its course but now that last night 08/07/07 he broke the record. I know that there is no middle ground with most on Barry you either loved him or you hated him. I have always loved his talent on the field though he could have used some etiquette lessons growing up. Then you throw in the steroid insinuations and you just get a mess. But you know something, this man has talent that only a few individuals every get and I do not feel that an asterisk is needed on this record. He achieved it just as fairly as Hank Aaron reach 715 and then retired at 755. What am I talking about, drugs ran rampant in MLB during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Not the roids of today but the really potent drugs such as cocaine and speed. I have read stories and heard former ball players talk about the concoctions they would create by mixing different speed elements into coffee. Now you may ask how is that the same as the roids of today. Ok so it doesn’t grow muscle mass as the roids do, but when you are tired and didn’t feel like working out it picked you up so that you would push yourself beyond the limits. As they were struggling through the dog days of summer with heat indexes in the upper 90’s to 100’s you can really get run down and need a pick me up before the game and sometimes during the game and they would reach for that speed laced drinks. Hank had even put in his biography and interviews, that he had used these drinks, as have numerous other plays in their books and interviews. So my question is why did we not treat these the same as we do the roids. Is it because Barry is so brash, and not receptive to the press? That he considers the press less than animals and so they (the press) begins to spin their own little bias against Barry and it has lead us to this point that you either love or hate the man, where Hank only had more than enough time to talk with reporters and fans and in this was loved by everyone but the white supremacist people as he approach the record. Ok so I have put out there about the drug problems in the league many years ago. Now let us look at whether or nor not this is a Barry hunt to further smear his name or not. Do you know the names of any of the players who have failed drugs testing for performance enhancers? Probably not, but you can link Barry to steroids even though he has passed every test he has taken. Ok his size from when he entered the league to today. Before you do that I want you to look at a picture of yourself at around graduation either high school or college and if you are older than 35 - 40 look at yourself in a mirror if you are younger look at a family member that is over 35 – 40. Now is there a difference in your size, I am betting that there is. Now if we where athletic we might have continued to work out all through these years and some of the flub would have turned to muscle but no matter what you get bigger structure wise. Also look at somebody like Roger Clemens who has never been linked to steroids look at him when he left the U Texas to enter the major leagues and look at him today. He is very much a bigger and strong individual at 40+ then as a 20 something year old. But we have not put him under the same microscope as we have Barry. Just look around the league at different players and I think you will agree they all get bigger and much stronger. What does this prove, nothing really but I want you all before you crucify Barry that we look at the past, we look at the others he competes with and see if maybe just maybe he is not the only one doing anything wrong. May you go with the Grace Mercy and Peace of Christ.

Have you Turned Away a True Disciple

2007-08-06T11:50:00.000-04:00

I sometimes tend to forget where I have come from; I know where I am going. I know that even with the all my warts, bruises and faults I am not worthy of this task the lord has laid out for me. But when I dig into His word, I am (and I’m not tooting my own horn), just as good as those He has called in the past. Mercy the first man named in the bible tore us away from God, then the story of his offspring Cain and Able, How about Moses that could not talk plain, he stuttered and had trouble speaking in public yet he publicly challenged the Pharaoh over and over again until the Pharaoh relented to God’s demands through Moses. Look at who Jesus chose as His disciples, look at these fisherman and tax collectors, the people He chose. Would I have chosen these men and women to build my Church with, would you have chosen these people? Probably not, but He did. Now I want you to think, first of the fishermen or sailors in your life. The drinking and carousing that they do today maybe pails in comparison to these men, yet Jesus had called them each one by one without hesitation. How about Saul the Jew of Jews that he would call himself, he hunted down tortured and had murdered numerous Christians and yet Jesus still calls him and names him Paul and he because the largest evangelist of all times. It really makes you think does it not? You know we all look for leaders of the church and we just know what they are going to look like and sound like don’t we. Remember when you got your call, I do, and I am not the person I would have chosen to lead in the church. But God has called and set me apart, and that is an awesome thing. Now I try very hard to not let the stained glass cloud the vision that the Lord would want me to see. So I do have to remember where I have come from to get to this point to remind others that God can use even someone as unworthy as me to spread His gospel. That way when the person that has the ratty clothing and smells of a bar, begins to talk about what God is doing through them I can remember where I came from and can listen and guide this person to see what God has in store for them as well. So when you begin to judge those around you have to remember it is not by our standards that God chooses but by His and we just need to gather those He sends to us and love them where they are and make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ. So go in Grace, Mercy and Peace and share that Grace, Mercy and Peace with others that God has put in your path, they may be the next Paul or Billy Graham.

Local Pastor School is Completed

2007-08-02T12:03:00.000-04:00

Wow what an awesome, inspirational week Tina and I had. Last week she and I attended the Locale License Pastor School in Texas, OH (never heard of this place till now) at Widewater Retreat center. Tina and I were first off when we arrived, were a little apprehensive due to the words some of the other students used. I can throw out a $5 word from time to time but they were using $80 words and that started to be a little intimidating. But we eased into it as we went throughout the week. It was really surprising what we had already known before we got there. That is from some great and talented leaders and teachers we have had to this point. People like the pastor at our home church Dan Evory, then there where the people of our Emmaus walk, then Terry Cavanaugh the pastor at Living Faith and Decatur UMC’s that who was our guide during the Ministry Inquiry Process. Plus our District Supervisor Tom Hanover and Assistant DS Brett Watson. We have learned so much from you all and just want to publicly thank the Lord for placing you in our path, you have all been such a blessing to both of us. We will be leaning on you all for a long time picking you brains for little tidbits of knowledge. At the school it was lead by very God blessed individuals that took time out of their schedules to nursemaid 60+ new pastors and helped show that WE HAVE ALL BEEN CALLED to this wonderful world of preaching the gospel. They were always there when we had questions or struggles to allow us to hear and discern God’s words. What awesome people they are, we would be up and had devotions at 7:00am to 7:30am then half hour breakfast. Classes started at 8 and ran until the nightly worship service at 8:30pm then at 9:30 we broke up into small groups we were assigned to discuss the day. Most nights I do not think I saw my bed until after midnight. Even as exhausting as it was it was just an awesome week. Thank you Rev. Dunbar and your staff for such a great and enlighten week of study, worship and fellowship. I will close for now but will try to keep up with this a little better now that I will have some time. May you go with the grace, mercy and peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Place for Information

2007-07-17T09:54:00.000-04:00

We have taken down the web side due to the cost. We will and from Tina's side I will be using this blog to keep you advised on the happenings at the church. As well as my ramblings from time to time. If you know of any events takening place in Chesterhill/Stockport and the surrounding areas, please e-mail me use Tina's e-mail at tina.simmons@yahoo.com she checks hers all the time. In the subject line type EVENT and what it is then explain a little in the e-mail as well as contact information in case we would like to get some more information to make it clearer. So this site will be used a lot more than in the past because I was using my page and the church page on the web site to communcate more than I was here. We are sorry for taking the web site down and if you miss it please let us know, we will see what we can do to not only bring it back but make it better than it was. God bless you all, and go with the Lord's mercy and grace.

Home alone

2007-06-15T13:36:00.000-04:00

Well Tina is and has been off at annual conference all this week in Lakeside OH. So I have been left at home alone to fend for myself the last 6 days. A lot of people might really enjoy that fact, being able to watch TV without somebody asking, “are you really going to watch that?” “Is that sports on my TV?” The fact that you can do whatever you would like to do, or eat whatever you want to eat at whatever time. Well being a geographical bachelor is not what it used to be. I remember when I probably would have look forward to this and I did. But I just want to say I really miss my wife. I just seem to bounce around from room to room, from inside to outside, but nothing seems to fill me. I’ve been reading the bible as well as books and it helps, but I can’t concentrate on the material. Now it is not like I don’t get to talk to her because we have talked on the phone every day. But you know what I really miss; it is her presence, her aroma, her looking at me. I just flat out miss her!!! That is how you know you really love someone, because the first day it wasn’t too bad, I had the Cavs to watch Sunday night. But when I got up the next morning she was not there and then I really knew when I came home for work and she wasn’t there and the house each day since has gotten larger, but smaller if you know what I mean or even if that makes any sense. And it is not that I miss her because I have to cook for myself or clean up after myself. But just the trivial, how was your day conversations weren’t there. The glances I get when I change the station even though she was not even paying any attention to what was on. Tina I love you and I do miss you very much. I cannot wait till later tomorrow afternoon when you will get home.
Even though I have been home alone the house is still standing and it is pretty much clean. But I do know that at some point when we get through a lot of this traveling for training and school. We need to get a dog; at least then when I am home and Tina is gone I will have the dog to look at me and to need me and love on me.
May God bless you and take care of you all. Please pray for traveling mercies for Tina, Carol, Dan, Ann, and the boys as they head home tomorrow as well as all those leaving the conference.

Those that Serve God Bless and Thank You

2007-05-29T12:40:00.000-04:00

With Memorial Day still fresh in my mind I stopped to think. You see our service men and women serve us every day. They are around the globe, some sleeping in beds but most on the cold ground. Have you seen the photos of them sleeping under their trucks and hummers. Many others sleeping in their foxholes with water filling the holes as it rains. Not eating gourmet meals but those fabulous meals ready to eat. I have seen TV dinners that had more food then some of these. Sometimes it can be heated but sometimes it cannot be they still have work to do and a job to finish.
You see they do not have a job like most of us. Their work is 24 – 7 especially in a combat zone. They do not have the luxury to come home after a hard day of crunching numbers and relax in the easy chair awaiting a nice home cooked meal. They don’t get to see their children every night when they get home and boring us with what they did in school today, they see their children grow up through snapshots and video clips if they can afford it. They get the occasional phone call if time allows and the connection holds long enough to at least say I love and miss you. Do we call our spouses during our day to say I love and miss you, probably not you will see them in a couple hours tops, you don’t have to wait 6, 9 maybe even 12 months before you see your loved ones do you.
I do not want to ramble on too much, but as you are hitting the snooze bar for the 4th or 5th time in the morning because it is going to be a bear of a day. Remember those that have not sleep tonight to ensure your freedoms. As you complain about the coffee at McDonalds being too hot, remember those that drinking if luck a luke warm cup due to the mortar rounds that come during the night. As you shower for the 3rd time after getting up, working, and getting ready for bed remember those that are showering with the only heated water is what the sun heated since the can filled up. These men and women sacrifice for this Nation 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Yea they may grumble a little but their feet hit the deck every day and off they go providing our comfort and our security. These are the ones that have not given that ultimate sacrifice, to shed their blood for what we enjoy and complain about how spoiled are we anyway. So when you see these solders, airmen and sailors, give them your attention, give them your hand and acknowledge what they mean to you. Let them know we appreciate all of their sacrifices and those that have given all of themselves before them. To all those whom have served thank you so much for all you have done and what you had given up. To the parents, and children thank you for your, Son or Daughter, Mom or Dad. You have had a lot of family functions and holidays with an empty seat around the table, wondering if this would be the last one without them or the first of a lifetime.
For those that paid the ultimate, I know God has taken you burdens and pains away. They served in the US military till that day and God as received and accepted their transfer into Gods Army. Know they are ever vigilant and watchful of us every day.

God bless the Troops, God bless this Nation and may God bless each and every one of you reading this today.

Sorry about no Posts

2007-05-11T10:05:00.000-04:00

Everybody I am sorry about nothing being post for the last few days, but it has been very busy. Between meetings functions and getting prepared for services it has been a rough few days. But the Morgan county family fun day was very much a success. We had 2200 tickets assigned and there were many others that got in through gates that were not being attended by anyone. Plus all of the volunteers that were present spreading the good news about Jesus. There was games, dunk tank, face painting, children finger printing, hotdogs, chips and soda, and music, music, music. Gospel Rock from Zanesville OH performed at the grandstands as well as Matt Coleman and his group, and Bob Strom and his band performed for the teens at the smaller stage. It was just a great day for fellowshipping with fellow christians and non-christians, we had to chance to spread the good news to the masses. Deane Wagner gave a message to the adults and Bob Strom gave the message to the youth/teens. There were many people that turned their life to Christ and many more seeds planted for the future. This was Deane's vision and he will be holding similar events later this summer in Athens and Washington Counties and we learned a lot from this first event. He is already talking about next years event and expanding it to an all day event. Deane you are an awesome Warrior of God may He continue to bless your ministry efforts as He works through you and the rest of the warriors that volunteered their time, money and talents. I am already getting geared up for the 2nd Annual Morgan County Family Fun Days. You can see some pictures of the event on the New Vision Cooperative Ministries web site at www.nvcmforchrist.com hope you enjoy the photos.

Why??

2007-04-20T08:50:00.000-04:00

In the wake of the tragedy at the campus of Virginia Tech, I have been asked why do things like this happen. If we have a God who loves and cares for us how can things like this, 9/11, families killed by drunk drivers happen. My response is, only God knows why. We are all on this earth on God’s timetable, not our own, some will live till they are old and gray, while others are only here for just a few minutes. As I ponder this further I find that we are to blame, not God. Let me say it another way, God has given each and every one of us free will. We have the ability to make our own decisions about what we are going to do, how we are going to do it and when we are going to do it. You see it was not God that made the family die in the crash with the drunk driver, or the victims of the VT shootings, nor the victims of the 9/11 tragedies. But the drunk driver for choosing to drive while intoxicated, the man for choosing to shoot and Bin Laden and terrorist for choosing to kill, no this doesn’t make it any easier accept. But it does place the blame where it squarely needs to be placed. This also makes the realization that we do not know how much time we have on this earth. So the decision of salvation, to have eternal live is very, very pressing is it not? The ones who have looked upon and called on the name of Jesus Christ have been saved from eternal damnation but those that have refused Him are damned for eternity. If you do not know the Lord as your savior call on His name, put your trust in Him, follow Him and do as He commands. As you see we do not know when our time here will be over and you may not get another chance to receive His mercy and grace. He wants us all to be at His table and receive the blessings He wants to pour out for us. I will be doing more of these in the future as I can. Grace and mercy GJ

God works in mysterious ways

2007-04-12T08:53:00.000-04:00

I want to tell you a story of how awesome God is and the mysterious ways He works. I have been sick for a few days and I was off work. Tina and I went to Parkersburg to take care of some things and pick up medicines. We have been looking for ways to help our budget a little and we were talking about this on the trip. We were in the pickup truck we had bought a couple of years ago it is one of those big 4x4 1500 Dodge Rams. Not very gas friendly so we began to think about trading it in for something a little more practical gas wise and also for driving more passengers and a little bit easier to get in and out of. We always laugh when watching Tina’s mom trying to get in it. So we prayed about it, we thought about going back to the place we got the truck but as we prayed I was told no you need to go to the place across from Kroger’s in McConnelsville. We prayed more and that was still where I felt lead to go. As we were getting closer Tina said she was seeing a white van. She asked what I was seeing but I didn’t see any vehicle just the sadness of having to give up my baby, but I knew we had to. When we got there I pulled around the block and pulled right next to what…. A white van it was a Pontiac Montana a 2006. So Tina at least now felt we were at the right place. We went in and start that dreaded paperwork some was sent of to our Credit Union and while we were waiting I went back outside. I spotted on the other side of the lot a silver mini-SUV. I went over to look at it closer and fell in love with it. When I went back inside I told Tina about it so she came out to look at it and she too feel in love with it. It is a 7 passenger SUV a Buick Ronda something. We went back in and they did a different buyers order and faxed it to the CU. By 5:30 the CU said they would not know anything until the next morning so we went home. I came to work the next day even feeling ill just incase I need to fill out the paperwork at the CU. I called them about 9:30 when I hadn’t heard anything yet and Linda told me that they would not be able to do the loan due to it putting us upside down. I told her I understood and she asked if she wanted her to call the dealer, which I said that would be fine. So I then had to call Tina and let her know, I didn’t want to make that call. It did go better than I thought. About a half hour later Linda called back and said if we would take a check for x amount of money and they got the title to my truck we could get the vehicle. I called Tina again and asked her if God needed a new vehicle and she said yes. When I told her what had happened she was beside herself and said that God must have needed a new one for us to look after because without Him this would not be happening. I called Linda to tell her about what Tina had said and she agreed that only God could have worked that deal for the deal to come down as far as they did. Now here is another amazing thing even with the newer car our payments stayed the exact same, so where are we saving money right. Well the insurance went down $120 a year plus we have gone from a truck with the ability to ride 4 and not to comfortable at 14-15 miles per gallon to a 7 passenger and comfortably and it is getting about 24 MPG. That is savings that will have an impact on what we can pay on other things. So when you do not know what to do about something ask God, listen to God He will take care of His children. Grace and Peace to you all.

Web Site

2007-04-03T11:39:00.000-04:00

It is up and running, www.nvcmforchrist.com. It is really amazing how God works in everything we do. I not saying that I am completely computor illiterate howeverI did not think that I would be able to get a blog page going. That was really easier than I thought. But to tackle a web sight was something I could not do on my own. God was really moving to make that happen!! But is up and running and even with a few hiccupps along the way, please take the time to visit the site, it is continuesly evovling and growing. I was first off just thinking of something just for us locally but God said you dream too small, so I am hoping for it to be a tool to bring even more people to Christ, just as you and I are just a tool in the Master's hand. Grace and Peace - GJ

Unanswered Prayers??? I Think Not

2007-03-30T09:08:00.000-04:00

Well the Lord made my decision for me. I am not a good person for the position. The questionair asked questions dealing with how much money would you expect to make in the first year the 10th year, how much I thought most people made their first year and 10th year. Then it ask some things about basically what we value as to what we (I believe idolize). I believe most of my cocky, arrogant ways are behind me now. I have humbled myself at the foot of the cross to make myself a servant to His people. Not that I do not struggle with this all the time, because I do and thank God for Tina for keeping me in my place. When I do start acting better then everybody if the Lord doesn't tone my actions down she certainly does.
So it looks as if my other job is good enough for the Lord so it will be good enough for me. I will just continue to glorify Him where I am as well as with the churches. Obviously He knows what is best for me and I will continue to follow where He may lead me and us. Sometimes it is difficult to follow because we always have in mind what is best for us don't we. But God has other plans and if we do follow where He leads and guides us our life is blessed so much.

Grace, Mercy and Peace to you all - GJ

Please pray

2007-03-26T22:05:00.000-04:00

As the title says please pray for me. I was kind of offered a different job tonight. It is with the Western & Southern Financial Company. Not much of a pay cut that I can see and probably more time to work on our ministry.

Responses/Comments

2007-03-26T10:55:00.000-04:00

Brothers and Sisters if you wish to respond to us you can e-mail us at nvcmforChrist@yahoo.com and we would love for any comments you may have for our posts good or bad or if your are moved by the Spirit you can add your Testimony again we would love to hear how God in moving in the lives of others in the Body of Christ. Also send us or ask us questions or if you have any prayer concerns or joys please share them with us. Grace and peace.

Praise and Worship

2007-03-26T08:14:00.000-04:00

We were at the Bethel Wesleyan Church last night. What a great evening of praise and worship of the Lord. The singing was outstanding, and I became very aware of why everyone during all of the Lent services was waiting for Karen Walker to sing. She raised the roof to allow even the heavens to hear and see Him being glorified. The fellowship was very open and you could see the Body of Christ coming together and visioning on the growth of the Kingdom.
You can feel the Spirit moving in Morgan County and the shift has begun. Please pray for our ministries that we will follow the Lords guidance and leadings no matter how outlandish they may appear to us as humans. Because if we are dreaming it and seeing it it can and will be done, and probably to even higher and bigger then even we can comprehend.
May God Bless all of you reading this, I pray for each and every one of you. God knows you by name and I pray He will minister to you in all of your needs.

My Journey

2007-03-23T11:00:00.000-04:00

I guess I should have gave you a little background on Tina and I yesterday. But I was just excited I could get this working. I will talk about mostly myself here now, I don't want to spoil Tina's time sharing.
Do you remember where you were when you first found Christ, if you have not found Him, don't give up He is waiting for you. But I remember where I was I was 8 years old and was going to a vacation bible school at the church at the end of the block. Around the 3 day the preacher asked the question that if we wanted to be saved and to receive Jesus to come up front and pray. I was with a group of my friends and we all went forward. As we were on our knees praying I felt something press against my side next to my heart. I thought it was Bill poking me, so I slowly opened one eye to look at him and it wasn't Bill he had his hands clasped in prayer. So I thought it must be one of the ladies behind us helping the preacher. So I slowly moved my head to look around but nobody was near me!! We we said Amen I rushed down the alley home to tell Mom what had happened. Mom was sort of well you know how adults can get right? When I told her I wanted to be baptised that Sunday she explained what a heavy commitment that it would be and that she didn't think I was ready. So my first time that Jesus spoke to my heart I was turned away... not by any maliciousness on my Moms part but thinking a child was not ready to make that sort of commitment.
But Mom never stop me nor my sister from going to church, Dad was a member of the Church of Christ for years then there was some sort of split and hard feelings so Dad lest the church never to return. (Though before he died of cancer a few years back he did spend a lot of time in the company of the pastor from the Church of Christ, we will meet again one day in Heaven, Amen) So I went to Baptist, Episcopalian, Methodist, Catholic etc.. you get the idea. But I never got fully involved with a church I was young and liked to have a good time you know what I mean, people to meet, girls to date, beers to drink. Looking back on it now I was lead by the world and by Satan, I was looking to make myself happy and not the Lord.
I stopped what little bit of church going I had been doing and lived my life my way. But I always thought I was missing something but I could never put a finger on it. Oh I know what I'll go to the service travel the world and I'll find it...nope that wasn't it! Oh I know I need a family, so I got married to someone that already had a little girl this will make it right wouldn't it....Nope it got worse much worse there was drinking, cheating, stealing and more cheating and that was her not me, I just stayed in a stupor more and more totally lost.
By this time my Mom and Dad had split and Mom had meet another man and married started to go to church and she really began to pray for me. I decided that my marriage was over and started court procedures when my step father passed away. I came to Parkersburg for the funeral and then decided that all I had to go back to Florida was a job and future ex-wife and I could get both of those right here.
So I started going to church with Mom at her church. I have to admit that when my job started to schedule me for midnights Saturdays and Sundays it didn't hurt my feelings. There was just something about the "club" I just never felt comfortable with. But I know God was calling through all of this I just refused to listen. I was too busy being single again going out parting drinking you've been there haven't you. But I never lost touch with God I stilled prayed to Him when I needed to but I did it in private and I never praised Him when I received blessing.
I had swore off getting married again and was happy with my singleness. Or at least this is what I have told myself. Till one day a lady at work said she had a friend she thought we would hit it off just great. I told I was happy being alone and didn't need a woman to mess things up. But she was quite persistent and I agreed to meet her at a party this lady was giving. Now I am not one for blind dates, I had enough of those at closing time at the bars (you know when you can't see what your leaving with) so I call this other lady up and asked she would like to meet and have a cup of coffee or something before we would get stuck together at a party. She agreed and we meet at a BK and guess what she brought her mother with her. We were in our mid 30's and we had a chaperon. But we did hit it off great so great that that lady is now my wife Tina. Thank you Sharon to the intro.
Now things have not been a bed of roses for us. But we did decide we would start going to church and we went to my Mom's church again. Everything was fine for a about a year I was digging deeper into the bible learning, growing starting to make out a faint voice but it never came through clear. We attend a missions dinner on night, this in where various missionaries came and shared their missions with us, what they were doing how they were accomplishing it and what they needed to keep it going. The first couple were very good and I could even see myself doing this. But then one of them started to rip apart a different denomination, Tina said she felt me stiffen up. Then the next one did the same thing to top it off our preacher stood up at was doing it and I do not remember much of the rest of the speakers. On the way home (45 Min drive each way every time we went to the church) Tina asked me if I was going to say anything at that point we were about 15 from home so a 1/2 hour of silence w/ Tina's Mom in the back seat. I said I would never walk through those doors every again. (To this day I have not)
Well I got back to the solitude time with Jesus trying to figure how it was the harder we worked the further in debt we would go. Tina's health began to get worse and worse, every time she tried to go back to work something else would happen to her and the more OT I worked it went to pay the co-pays of meds and doctor visits. We never had money to do anything go to the movies or taking her out to dinner became me grilling something on the grill out back. 3 years ago I was at my limit I was six into a case and I was thinking. Tina was not happy scrimping by and not being able to do anything. I was happy not being able to provide for her better, so how can I stop this crazy vicious cycle....I had life insurance with a company and at work....I was worth more dead than alive.... how can I make it look like an accident because suicide canceled out the policies..............That is when you know sometimes God whispers to you, but sometimes he really needs to get your attention and He will use a 2X4 or a sledgehammer to get it. The next thing I knew there was a bright flash of light and I was face down on the back deck. I heard a powerful voice that said, "Gary, Tina doesn't need your money... she needs you to hold her comfort her to be with her. Your kids don't need your money....they need you to listen to them to teach them and pick them up when they fall. Your grandchildren don't need your money...they need you to teach them lead them guide them through their life. GET UP and carry your cross and follow me, I am always here for you and will never forsake you. You are not done yet and I am not finished with you yet. Go and find my flock.
Well I went inside with tears in my eyes I poured out every beer in the refrigerator and rinsed them out (I always did this can't stand stale beer smell) and went to bed. Now when I got up I felt great and Tina was already up and about. I was really excited and wanted to talk to her and when I went into the front room she was very, very cold toward me. What in the world did I do now!!!!! She pointed to the 24 upside down EMPTY beer cans on the counter and that if I wanted that stuff(good word compared to what said) more then her she would just leave. I explained that I had poured them down the drain and that I felt we needed to get back to church. Well this seemed to make her a little happier (I never told her the whole story until my testimony at church). She asked what church I was thinking about and I mentioned the Methodist Church we pass on the way to McConnelsville. We mentioned this to her Mom and she thought that would be better that driving clear to Pburgh. That night Chad and some friends came out for a Bonn Fire cook out and party we didn't get to bed till after 3 in the morning. We didn't get to go to church that morning. But Tina's mom who never goes anywhere by herself especially someplace where she will not know anybody....went by herself. When she got home she was so excited she could not contain herself(very much unlike her). Tina and I went that Sunday and have been back into church every Sunday since then. We have been to numerous Lay speaker classes and are currently the Pastors of Chesterhill and Pisgah UMC'S while taking more classes for pastors. You know we still are living paycheck to paycheck but once we gave ourselves total to Christ we have never had our needs not met. Normal more then what we need and it has been an awesome ride.
I hope and pray that with this blog, we will be able to help others that maybe struggling themselves to let them know that there is somebody there for them. If you ever need somebody to pray for you are with you you can e-mail us at nvcmforChrist@yahoo.com we with the grace of God will have a website that can be another way to share information with people out here on the web. May God bless and tend to the needs of all visiting this blog.

Preperations

2007-03-22T12:21:00.000-04:00

One thing I have begone to realize as Tina and I get further into the ministry is how much time you need to put in for the prep. It is one thing to get ready for a service but when you have the Holy Holidays to prepare for there just doesn't seem to be enough time. We pray constantly that the Lord will lead us in the direction He wants to lead us then we follow. But ya never know if it is really working. As we got ready for the Lent Service this past Sunday it seemed that every time we thought we had the time to get things done things would pop up and we would have to handle something else. I read in a daily devotion that these were Divine interruptions. This past week that is just what they were, it seemed that everything we experienced and went through had a direct impact on our service. The Lord is awesome is He not.