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I Want You….

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , on March 2, 2010 by The Hillbilly

Get your mind out of the gutter folks!  LOL!

This blog has served as a tool of ministry for me since July of 2008.  It’s been an honor and privilege to share my life and thoughts with you, and we’ve been blessed to see our readers grow from an average of maybe 25 or so a day to now averaging over 290 visits a day.  In March, lord willing, we will have had over 90,000 visits in total, and be well on our way to breaking the 100, 000 visits mark.  All in under 2 years.  Praise the Lord!

Through this ministry, countless prayer requests have been shared, numberous Bible questions have been asked and we’ve attempted to answer, and we’ve even been privileged to enter into some Bible studies via email with some folks who have found us and asked more about Apostolic Doctrine and the Acts 2:38 Born Again experience.  Hopefully we can add to that many who have been uplifted, encouraged, or at least tickled a little bit from something we’ve said or shared. 

You’ve been able to share in my journey from a Credentialed Church of God evangelist, to finally being able to step into Complete Truth within the Apostolic Church.  It’s been challenging, a huge time of discovery and growth, and it’s been a joy to share that with each of you.

We have readers that range from members of my very own church family, to strangers around the globe in other nations that I’ve never met.  We have people of all backgrounds, ranging from those who are Apostolic like myself, to many that other faiths and denominations, as well as many readers that claim no faith at all.  It’s a great little hodge podge we have here, and I’m blessed that so many of you come back time after time.

So, what do I need you for?  I need you to share some of your favorite articles from the site with others. In March, we’re pushing for more subscribers and regular readers to The Inspired Hillbilly, and the way for that to happen is for you to share.  Find that article that you loved so much, copy the URL link to it, and send it to someone.  Or just tell them they should visit www.theinspiredhillbilly.com and look through our site.  We discuss everything from faith to politics, from humor to recipes.  There’s something for everyone, even Yankees!!!!

So, I need those of you that have found some comfort here, and join us regularly, please share the site with others.  In March, I’d love to see us hit 400 readers a day. 

Again, thanks for your help, your love, and your taking time from your busy lives to come spend some time here with the Hillbilly!

In His Service,
The Inspired Hillbilly

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January 2010 Wrap-Up

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , on February 1, 2010 by The Hillbilly

Thank you to all our faithful and new readers for making The Inspired Hillbilly part of your Internet reading experience.  January 2010 proved to be our biggest month ever, so I had to just share how thankful I am that you not only read the blog, but that you share it with others.  Just think, since the inception of this blog in June of 2008, we’ve now seen over 80,000 visits to the blog.  Praise the Lord!

Here’s the numbers for just how many folks are reading The Inspired Hillbilly… 

For The Record

January Blog Visits - 9,174
January Average Daily Visits - 296 per day
Total Blog Visits (Since 06/01/08) - 80,404
Average Daily Visits (Since 06/01/08) - 226 per day 

January TOP 3 Articles

Strongholds vs. Truth
Some Tools For Your Prayer-Life
TAKE A STAND – Spiritual Warfare Series

 
All Time Most Popular Article
My Proverbs 31 Mom

 

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I Miss Watch Night Services…

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 28, 2009 by The Hillbilly

I realize that I may be only 37 years old, and I should try to be a bit more trendy and up to speed with what is considered “in style” and “hip”, but I will be the first to admit that I am old school in so many ways.  I’ve always attempted in my ministry and life to be balanced as long as I believe I’m still being true to my core beliefs and principles, and of course never do an injustice to the values and beliefs I hold to within the Word of God.

I also know that the way we grow up, and the culture around us as we are growing up in God affects some of our world view and outlook, and tends to help in the forming of who we are.  All of that being said, though I attempt to be balanced, my comfort zone is truly in the “old-time way” and the “old school” view of the world.”

I still wish church’s had Sunday night services like we did growing up, still love Campmeeting services during the summer, love old convention style choir singing, and wish people would go home on Sunday afternoon and have big Sunday dinners as a family like we did growing up.  None of this is based on Scripture or some core principle, it’s just some parts of my personal heritage that I love and have so many fond memories of.

One of the greatest memories I grew up with was New Year’s Eve Watch Night Services.  This started being a part of my life at a young age when I was still growing up in the Baptist church.  It would include many churches coming together, with many choirs and groups singing, 3 or 4 preachers preaching during the service, starting about 8pm, a packed church house, praying out the old year and praying in the new year, and then ending the whole event with some great food before going home early in the morning.

Yes, there were people who wouldn’t come out not wanting to be on the roads with all the drunks, etc., but in all those years I never remember one person or family ever being in an accident after being at a watch service.

Over the years, especially after coming into Pentecost, I saw this event of the “Watch Service” take on different forms and fashions, but the core of what it was stayed true over the years.  Great singing, typically a number of congregations coming together in fellowship, and the family of God closing out the year together in prayer, and on their knees as the New Year began.

Over the last couple of years, it’s been almost impossible to find churches who host these New Year’s Eve events.  Maybe there is a youth group of prayer group coming together here or there, but the “Watch Service” has just become a thing of the past, and I frankly miss them.  And one of the most ironic things is that for the world, New Year’s Eve events are increasing in popularity and size.  Almost every major city has a downtown event, almost every civic organization attempts to sponsor something, but the church has decided to take that night off for the most part.

Maybe I’m just being nostalgic, maybe I’m just complaining, or maybe I’m just an old fogie, but I miss Watch Services.  Am I the only one?  So, this New Year’s Eve, I’ll probably find myself on my knees praying out the old year by myself at home, and welcoming in the New Year asleep, but I know where I would rather be.  I’d much rather be in the house of God, having a good old-time with the family of God, having church.

I suppose the New Year’s Eve Watch Service is just another memory of who we used to be, and not welcome in who we are becoming in this modern-day.  And honestly, it saddens me.  Just another part of my heritage that is gone.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year, and if you can find a New Year’s Eve Watch Service near you, go join in.  You’ll be glad you did. 

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Blog Changes Announcement

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , on November 29, 2009 by The Hillbilly

Hello to our faithful and cherished readers of The Inspired Hillbilly.  For the month of December we are going to go back to our original format of one article per week that we did originally in our conception. This will be a trial time in December, to see how it goes, hoping that our readers will stay with us and blog traffic won’t be hindered to significantly.

I will be honest.  Many requirements for my time have made more articles than one a week a challenge.  I debated for a short time to discontinue the blog, but decided that it was something I enjoy doing, and hopefully is reaching someone, so we’ll just make some changes.

I love this ministry, and love the opportunity to share with all who will drop by.  I hope that you will continue to share with others, and our once a week installments will still stir, challenge, and inspire.

Thanks!

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , on November 23, 2009 by The Hillbilly

The Inspired Hillbilly will be taking the rest of the week off to celebrate my Birthday (number 37!), and Thanksgiving in East Tennessee with my family.

I thank those already who have emailed and sent such kind words, and also wish to all the readers of The Inspired Hillbilly a blessed, and wonderful Thanksgiving.  Though we should be thankful every day, take time this week to really count some of those blessings and realize the presence of God’s hand in your life every day.

We’ll resume our installments next week, Happy Thanksgiving!

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October ‘09 Wrap-Up

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , on November 1, 2009 by The Hillbilly

October was another good month for our little blog and we’re very thankful that we are being able to continue to minister to our readers.  We actually hit and surpassed 55,000 visits to the site now!

Are you a regular reader, but not subscribed to the Blog?  Don’t forget, at the right side of this screen, there are two great ways to subscribe to the Blog.  One via email, and the other via RSS feed.  Both are simple, and absolutely free, so make The Inspired Hillbilly a part of your life.

Please take a moment, and search through you’re favorite blog articles, and forward one or two to some friends.  We’d love to see new readers come to the site, and most of all more folks blessed by this ministry.  I’d love to see a record breaking number of readers in November.

For The Record

October Blog Visits - 7,716
October Average Daily Hits - 249 per day
Total Blog Visits (Since 06/01/08) - 56,022
Average Daily Visits (Since 06/01/08) - 196 per day

October TOP 3 Articles
Tell Hell I’m Getting Back Up
Where the Spirit of the Lord Is…
I Have a Choice to Make

All Time Most Popular Article
My Proverbs 31 Mom

Keep praying that our new Church Leadership Blog is able to be up and running very soon.  Unfortunately October just did not provide the funding needed to launch the site, but our prayer is that the site will be up and running soon with specialized articles focused just on Church Leadership.

God Bless You that are so faithful to support this ministry with your returning to this Blog and with recommending us to others.  You have my gratitude and thanks.

Two Very Special Prayer Requests:  Please remember my mom, she needs a healing touch.  Also, please continue to pray about my job situation.  I have a couple of good opportunities and just need favor and open doors, thanks.

The Inspired Hillbilly

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II Corinthians 4:1-18

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 2, 2009 by The Hillbilly

Maybe this will encourage you as much as it encouraged me…

 

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.  

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 

For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 

 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;  

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 

 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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Are You Fertile Ground For God?

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 16, 2009 by The Hillbilly

“And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.  And some fell among thorns: and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked, it. 
And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold.  And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
– Luke 8:4-8 –

I’ve heard this parable taught on many times, and to be honest I’ve pretty much only looked at it for the surface level thought, “We should all be fertile ground for the Word of God”. And of course, that is so very true, but today during my devotion time, I saw detail provided on this parable from Jesus that I had never seen before.

Luke tells us, that after he shared this parable with the people, that the disciples were a little confused and still didn’t believe they knew exactly what Jesus was trying to teach them.  So Jesus began to expound to them what each part of the parable represented.

Jesus tells them that first and foremost, the seed in this parable is the Word of God (Luke 8:11).  Then he goes on to explain how each type of ground the seed fell onto represented the different types of people who might have the opportunity to hear the Word of God.

First, the seed that fell by the way side.  These are those that hear, but when the enemy comes in and in distraction steals that Word from the hearer so that they will not believe and be saved (Luke 8:12).  From the years I’ve been blessed to spend in the ministry, I have seen so many people like this, that will come into the House of God, and hear good council from the Word, but their life is so full of so many things of this world and of life in general they allow it to be stolen from them.

Secondly, Jesus discusses the seed that falls on the rock.  He tells His disciples that this is the Word that is received with great joy and excitement, but because the hearer has no root to ground them, that their belief is only for short time and in a season of temptation, they are blown away (Luke 8:13).  Especially in Pentecost, how often we see people who are 30 miles wide in their experience, but when it comes to depth in time in the Word, time spent in prayer with God, living a life that displays the fruit of the Spirit… they seem half an inch deep.  I love Praise, I love Worship, I love the feelings that accompany my Apostolic belief, but if I am basing my whole relationship with Christ merely on feeling, there will be times I’m going to be in trouble.  C’mon, there are times I don’t feel saved, I don’t feel like moving on, I don’t feel like trusting… those are the times there must be something deeper, and more foundational in my walk with God, so that I can hold on and tap into that depth.

Then Jesus talked about the seed that fell among the thorns.  This is the seed that falls, begins to try to grow, but in the end is choked out with the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life, in the end bringing forth no fruit (Luke 8:14).  As I look at the body of Christ, I’m saddened and even grieved over the people that I seem to see so often that never move beyond their initial born again experience.  They seem to always struggle in maturing to a place where they can actually produce fruit in their lives that provides strength to others, and nourishes others along the way.  They seem to struggle with even producing a Christ likeness in their lives, because they get choked with riches, pleasures and fulfilling their own agenda and desires.

But Jesus said we don’t have to be any of these types of grounds discussed.  Jesus said we could be good ground.  Jesus said if we were ground that possessed a good and honest heart, that when the Word of God is sown into our lives, we will keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

I want to be good ground the master can sow into, don’t you?  I want to make sure I’m ready for God to sow more of His Word and Himself into, so that in the end, I can produce fruit over time.

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August ‘09 Wrap Up

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , on September 1, 2009 by The Hillbilly

August was good month for our little blog and we’re very thankful that we are being able to continue to minister to our readers.

Are you a regular reader, but not subscribed to the Blog?  Don’t forget, at the right side of this screen, there are two great ways to subscribe to the Blog.  One via email, and the other via RSS feed.  Both are simple, and absolutely free, so make The Inspired Hillbilly a part of your life.

For The Record

August Blog Visits - 6,549
August Average Daily Hits - 211 per day
Total Blog Visits (Since 06/01/08) - 41,642
Average Daily Visits (Since 06/01/08) - 183 per day

Keep praying that our new Church Leadership Blog is able to be up and running very soon.  Unfortunately August just did not provide the funding needed to launch the site, but our prayer is that the site will be up and running soon with specialized articles focused just on Church Leadership.

God Bless You that are so faithful to support this ministry with your returning to this Blog and with recommending us to others.  You have my gratitude and thanks.

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