Memorial Day

Yesterday was a great day in many ways. First and foremost because of the freedom we have and it was nice to reflect on the price that was for that freedom. I think it helps to every now and then to remember the great price that was paid. It helps us not to be so careless about it and to be involved in things to help maintain that freedom. Another reason it was great was because I did basically nothing. I did go to PVBI and PVCA graduation and then attended a graduates party from our church. Other than that I rode my brother-in-laws new four-wheeler, caught a 6 foot black snake (which Kayla loved to pet) and trimmed my in-laws shrubs. It was a great day. Thank God for the relaxing day but more so thank God for our freedom.

The Ellison's First Sunday As A Complete Family

More Pics

We love our new little brother

It must be nice

The Judge

Great Uncle Brian Spangler stopped on the
way through to New York.

Home Sweet Home

One last snooze in the hospital crib.

Getting ready for hospital photo shoot.

At home in his own crib.

Everyone is now home. Vonnie and Tyler are doing great. They treated us great at Evangelical Community Hospital, but it is good to be home.

Tyler Matthew Ellison

Room 356

Born 8:02 (hospital time)

Approx. 8:05 in O.R.

Proud Dad

Proud Mom

Grandma Hallenbeck

Kayla is thrilled.

Justin's "ball-buddy"

What a life!

Sarah Miller's homemade breakfast delivered.

What a great day it was. God smiled on our family one more time and gave us a healthy baby boy. Vonnie is glad he isn't kicking anymore and I am glad she only has a couple more weeks to play her "pregnant card". (for all you women sympathizers, relax, I am joking). While it was a good day, it did have some disappointments. My dad and mom, who had planned to be here all this week couldn't come. My mom broke her wrist and had Dr.'s appointments. My sister took the day off and for whatever reason had her picture taken with everyone else's camera but mine. Three's a charm and that's all there will be (unless the medical field fails us)!

Hobe Sound College Choir

Sunday, Hobe Sound College Choir was at our church and what a great job they did. Afterwards we went to the Allenwood Fire Hall for a carry-in dinner. We fed nearly 150 people. The church people did an excellent job in providing a delicious spread. It was a great time together. The food was great and so was the 50 plus deserts.

I Don't Do Sunday Mornings

Apparently He Is Paying Attention

After learning in Sunday School about the dream consisting of 7 fat cows and 7 lean cows, Justin looked out the window and proclaimed, "These trees are going through 7 bad years aren't they?"

R & R

This past Monday and Tuesday we took a couple of days off. Revival is over and a very exciting time is just days away. We decided to take a couple of days and do something with the kids, so it was off to Harrisburg we went. We took the kids to Chuckie Cheese's to play. After that we stayed at the Country Inn & Suites on Jonestown Rd. Tuesday we found ourselves trying to finish getting things for the upcoming baby event. It was a great couple of days to spend together and
refreshing for my wife to not have to cook or do dishes for two whole days.

Spring Revival

I know that my blogging has been somewhat sporadic as of late, but I will offer an excuse now since I have one. We are in revival this week so things have been a little hectic. Our speaker is Rev. Donald Myers, conference president of the New York Pilgrims. And our singers are the Heidler family. They are doing a fantastic job. The singing has been great and the messages have been right on target. We are looking forward to a good, God-filled weekend. Keep us in your prayers.

West Virgina Time Shares

Friend's Day 2008

Yesterday was our first Friend's Day at New Columbia (at least since we have been pastoring here). What an exciting day it was. For the past few weeks we have been announcing and encouraging people to invite friends to come join us for our worship service. And guess what? They did. We had 42 visitors in our morning worship. It was exciting. We are trusting God to help us make every in-road we can so we can do our best to help show each one the love of Christ. I spoke from the text, "behold I stand at the door and knock". Reminding people that God knocks because He is interested in relationships. He knocks on the the door concerning our relationship with our Companions, the Church and with Christ. There were different ones who raised their hand for prayer, so if you think of it, pray that God would continue to be faithful and give us the opportunity to follow up and press the issue a little deeper. Last evening we had our Commission Service for Michael and Crystal Mason. They leave this week to serve in Mexico. They served our church in the music department for nearly four years. They were a great asset to our church. God is good and we are grateful for the wonderful day He gave us yesterday.

Breaking News...

It has been reported by the Professional Dog Fighting Association president Michael Vick that they are looking into reports that some of its participates are using steroids. More news will follow.

Easter 2008

Justin and Kayla were excited about wearing their new Easter outfits. Justin is on a suit kick. He would wear one every Sunday if he could. The last picture is with two of their friends, Eric and Collin. We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.

Book Report

I am not a big fan of bloggers who continually give book reports on their blogs, but I will do so for this post. I have read different books from the Leading Pastor Series that have been great. This book follows the tradition. I am only into the first few chapters but it deals with an area I feel the "church" needs to reconsider. I mentioned it in my most recent post, but again the question is, "why are we here as a church"? The book looks at the entire story of Joshua and examines his leadership time. He makes a statement that, like the Isrealites, the church of today has spent to much time wandering in the wilderness. Their focus is lost. They mark time by doing things they have always done, not pursuing any particular direction. Because of this, the church cannot see beyond their own needs. Because of this misdirection, statistics say that churches reach their peak well before they reach 2 decades old. God help me to regain the real focus of the church. I must admit as a pastor it is easy to fall into this mentality and be only a mediator among the saints and fail to be a mentor to the sinner.

God help me as a pastor and leader. Without someone to keep the vision real and fresh before the people, people will perish. "God, keep me real so my vision will stay fresh."

21st Bus & Outreach Convention

Last evening, we returned from Lebanon, Pa where this years Bus & Outreach Convention was held. To me, this is the most valuable convention ever. It is always chuck full of practical ways to enhance your ministry in every area. From Sunday School, bus routes, pastoral and leadership, they have it covered. Each evening an evangelistic service is held. This years main speakers were Revs. Chris Cravens, Mark Mowery and Rick Maloyed. In recent weeks God has been helping me see some things. We seem to have gotten into a mindset in our holiness churches that church is about ministering to the saints. Encouraging them, loving them and refilling them with enough strength to make it back next week. While this is all part of it, the main responsibility of the church is to minister and serve this world with the life changing message of salvation. We sometimes focus so much on the saints we forget our responsibility to the sinner. If all we do is minister to ourselves and do not reach out and bring others in we become an unhealthy church and a failing church. This Bus Convention helped me to see this more real than ever before. My prayer is that God will help me to apply what we heard to our ministry at our church in a greater way that we will be the balanced and strong church God wants us to be.

Ministerial 2008

Laughter was heard often.

Shuffle board king, Aaron McCarty.

Team Twisted Tie

Jacob Martin was voted Pastor of the Year.

Having a great time playing and singing at the
Couples Dinner.

We recently had our Ministerial at Camp Hebron. It was a wonderful time together with our conference co-laborers. Rev. James Keaton did a great job in encouraging and challenging us. Our church is so kind to pay our way and we are very thankful, for it was a charging time for us and hopefully we can better serve our people.

Valentine's Day

Once again we celebrate the day of love. I am a very fortunate man. I get to spend everyday of my life with the ones I love. First of all I feel extremely lucky to have my wife Vonnie as part of my life. I couldn't ask for a better wife. She is an awesome mother and an outstanding pastor's wife. I am fortunate to have someone who carries the burdens of our ministry. I think she does an outstanding job. Justin and Kayla are just bright spots in our lives. Their smiles and laughter may any dull day better. I thank God for our family and I want them and everyone else to know that I love them and that I am glad God brought us together.

Coming Soon

According to the Sunbury Daily Item, our local newspaper, Selinsgrove, PA is moving up in the world. Coming soon is a Kohl's, Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods, Staples, Michaels, Dress Barn, Famous Footwear, Lane Bryant, Target, Giant and Red Robin! Whoopie! Developers are eyeing July for the center's grand opening.

Guiolin