ritchiemiller.org

This Sunday, September 5th, we will begin our preview services for the Avalon Church South Campus. A preview service is a live service that will allow us to get lots of the “kinks” worked out before our official launch service on October 3rd. We will have preschool, children’s ministry, live worship, and live preaching. Every ministry is getting started in September and we need you there.

Here are a few things to remember:

• We will be upgrading our video, sound, and lighting during September so the final product will be revealed on October 3rd.

• We are giving the children’s rooms, preschool rooms, youth rooms, and the lobby a facelift during September so that we can be at full strength on October 3rd.

• We will have a modified band and praise team for September. On October 3rd we will have the full program like we have at the McDonough Campus.

• We will have “live” preaching each Sunday that will mirror the same message as the McDonough Campus. On October 3rd I will be “live” at the South Campus and then each week following that will be broadcast through video with the same message as the McDonough Campus.

• We need all of our volunteers to show up and be involved during September so that our October 3rd launch will be great.

Ritchie

Everyone knows that parenting can be hard sometimes. The good news is that it may not be as hard as you think. In my new book, Spoiled Rotten: Loving Your Kids Without Indulging Them, I use the Bible, humor, common sense, and life experience to teach simple principles that help demystify your job as a parent. When you learn the “one thing” you must do, it makes communication, discipline, and protection so much easier. Stop living with stress and fear and learn how to release your child into the best future possible!

If you are interested in purchasing a book and the teaching series, or if you would like to book a parenting helps conference at no cost to your church budget, then visit the Spoiled Rotten website. I look forward to serving you.

Ritchie

This Sunday we begin a new series entitled, “I Want A New Marriage.” Since we announced this the interest has been enormous. I have been inundated with calls and e-mails from couples who are struggling and need help in their marriage. I really believe that this series will be a life-changer for many people.

We will do a couple of unique things during this series. We will have a wedding/vow renewal ceremony on the last Sunday of the series, August 29th. It is going to be awesome! Invite your family and friends with our wedding invitation cards. You will see our band like you have never seen them before. Also, on August 15th, I will have a question and answer session as a part of the service. You need to go ahead and send your questions ahead of time. We will show you how this Sunday.

Also, singles have been asking if this series is for them. ABSOLUTELY! If you ever plan to be married or married again you need it, but even if you plan never to be married, the principles we will teach during this series are things you need to know and hear.

See you on Sunday!

Ritchie

Often we complain about work. The truth is some work stinks. (Have you ever watched Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe? Love that show) It is also true that God placed a curse on the ground as a part of penalty of sin. He said that man would earn his bread or living by the “sweat of his brow.” The Bible is filled with stories about people who abused work, manipulated people at work, and made work to become idolatrous because they began to worship their work or what it produced.

However, work is a good thing. God gave man work before the fall. It was a part of God’s plan for man to “multiply and fill the earth” and to “rule over it and subdue it.” Think of this:

• Man is created in God’s image
• God worked (6 days He created)
• God commanded the man and the woman to work
• Work is for God’s glory
• God created us with gifts and creativity to be used for His glory
• When I do not use my gifts it is sin
• Work gives us meaning
• Work makes rest and pleasure possible
• We are to work “as unto Christ and not unto man”
• The NT tells us how to work properly, even for a bad employer
• Work produces economies, governments, money, and products that are to be used for God’s glory
• We will work throughout eternity – serving Christ (I believe the greatest art, music, etc. will be produced in eternity when we are fully redeemed back to God and all creation is fully redeemed)

So get up and work today! Do your best.

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

Ritchie

Martin Luther has been called the “Father of the Protestant Reformation.” He lived from 1483-1546 and was a German priest and theologian. He translated the Bible into the common language of the people and wrote many songs, some of which are still sung today. This week I will give you several of his quotes that I think will inspire you in your devotional thoughts.

• Peace if possible, truth at all costs.

• Anyone who is to find Christ must first find the church. How could anyone know where Christ is and what faith is in him unless he knew where his believers are?

• Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.

Ritchie

Martin Luther has been called the “Father of the Protestant Reformation.” He lived from 1483-1546 and was a German priest and theologian. He translated the Bible into the common language of the people and wrote many songs, some of which are still sung today. This week I will give you several of his quotes that I think will inspire you in your devotional thoughts.

• The man who has the will to undergo all labor may win to any good.

• I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.

Quoted at his trial for his “Ninety-Five Thesis” that questioned the unbiblical practices of the Pope and the Church and stood on the authority of Scripture.

• I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.

Ritchie

Martin Luther has been called the “Father of the Protestant Reformation.” He lived from 1483-1546 and was a German priest and theologian. He translated the Bible into the common language of the people and wrote many songs, some of which are still sung today. This week I will give you several of his quotes that I think will inspire you in your devotional thoughts.

• If you young fellows were wise, the devil couldn’t do anything to you, but since you aren’t wise, you need us who are old.

• Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.

• Pray, and let God worry.

This may be one of my favorite quotes ever.

Ritchie

Martin Luther has been called the “Father of the Protestant Reformation.” He lived from 1483-1546 and was a German priest and theologian. He translated the Bible into the common language of the people and wrote many songs, some of which are still sung today. This week I will give you several of his quotes that I think will inspire you in your devotional thoughts.

• Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying.

• Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.

• Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.

Ritchie

Martin Luther has been called the “Father of the Protestant Reformation.” He lived from 1483-1546 and was a German priest and theologian. He translated the Bible into the common language of the people and wrote many songs, some of which are still sung today. This week I will give you several of his quotes that I think will inspire you in your devotional thoughts. Here are three of his quotes.

• You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.

• Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.

• There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.

Think about it and have a great day.

Ritchie

I try to read a broad cross-section of genres to stay well-rounded. I must say that I am doing a very good job of that because I stepped on the scales this morning and I am getting a little too well-rounded. I find myself not watching a lot of TV anymore. The O’Reilly Factor is about the only thing I watch with regularity. However, I have purchased a book on my I-pad (wow, is that thing amazing and saves lots of money on books) that I would recommend that everyone read. It is entitled, “A Patriots History Of The United States.” It debunks the revisionist history that is taught in our school systems and gives a brilliant perspective on what made us unique as Americans. You see the seeds of religious freedom, capitalism, and property ownership, among other things, that led to the birth of our republic. It also helped me to see how the disobedience of and misapplication of Scripture led to damnable acts of slavery and how the Second Great Awakening, and thus getting back to obeying Scripture, helped pave the way for the abolition of slavery in America. It is a fascinating read and I highly recommend that you read it.

Ritchie