Wednesday, January 31, 2018

The Associate's Angle

Tim Severance
If you are reading along with the church in our Bible using the Bible app Bible reading plan, don't forget to download the "Let's Read the Bible Together" February edition today or tomorrow. It's another plan, yet it is a continuation of the first plan. Hopefully, that's not too confusing. Don't have a Bible reading plan for 2018 yet? This is a great time to join us in reading through the Bible! I love starting my day with God's word!

I find myself listening to Classic Rock and older Christian music because the Christian radio stations just play the same songs over and over. Don't artists make entire albums with at least 10 songs on each? Why don't radio stations play some of those songs? I listen to Classic Rock because for the most part those songs are clean! Right now on Spotify Eight (8) of the Top Ten Hit songs in the USA are labeled EXPLICIT. In movie terms, that means Rated R. Explicit rated music just doesn't fit with Philippians 4:8.

We're seeking a pre-owned (we don't say "used" any longer) shuttle bus to purchase for the church. Something that seats 20-24 people. Adults will benefit from a shuttle bus by riding together to events such as "A Higher Call" in Gaylord, Michigan this spring and "Women of Wow" in Lansing, Michigan. Teens will use it to travel to conferences such as CIY Move and CIY Believe as well as traveling together to perform local service projects. Children will benefit weekly as they are bused from the school to the church building for WASP and Octane. There will be many other uses for a church shuttle bus. These are just some samples that come to mind.

If you volunteer (have found your PART with us) in any capacity at the church on a regular basis, mark your calendar to attend the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Friday, March 9th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. We're planning a memorable evening with great food, music, and surprises to show our thankfulness to those who give of their time, talents, and energy to Jesus Christ and His church in Kalkaska.

Finally, my brothers and sisters, forgive each other (Ephesians 4:32). Treat each other respectfully. Be it friend, foe, or President, show honor for each other (Romans 12:10). And, especially on Social media. Speak as if that person were right in front of you listening. Don't hold grudges. Practice the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Love each other. Why? Not because they are always loveable, but because He first loved us (1 John 4:19-21).

Wednesday, January 03, 2018

2018 Resolution

In 2018 I will...
Ask more questions than I answer
Give away more than I keep
Help others more than I am helped
Be in the Good Book more than Facebook

Laugh more tears
Cry more laughs
Smile more than frown
Cheer more than sneer

I know I cannot...
Do everything on my own
Fix every problem
Have every answer
Spend every dollar

I will store up...
Memories from the past
Knowledge for today
Savings for the future

I will take more time to...
Pray to the one who made me
Listen to those closest to me
See those around me
and touch those who need me

I will commit to...
Saying "I'm sorry" more quickly
"I was wrong" more often
and "Forgive me" more sincerely

It may be Friday, but Sunday is coming!

Easter Sunday will be here in a few short days. Christians all over the world will celebrate our Savior's victory over sin and death. Th...