LIFE IN CHRIST OFFERS TRUE JOY - Clover...

IN TOUCH WITH COMMUNITY

MARCH - APRIL 2015

LIFE IN CHRIST OFFERS TRUE JOY

Jesus says, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11). The joy we are to have as Christians, true joy, is the joy of Jesus. But what exactly does that mean? Adrian Rogers in The Joy of Jesus writes: “Here’s how the joy of Jesus gets out of Him and into me. As I am in union and communion with Him, as my life is blended with His and His life infuses mine—just as the sap flows from the vine into the branch—the life of Jesus Christ flows into me and the joy that is in Him is now in me” (Decision Magazine, May 2009).

The book of Philippians is known as Paul’s joy letter. The Church at Philippi had been a great encouragement to Paul. The believers there had brought him great joy. More importantly, in Philippians Paul emphasizes the real joy of the Christian life. The concept of rejoicing and joy appears sixteen times in four chapters.

In the last issue of In Touch, I commented on joyful service: “Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit that comes from serving.” In Philippians, Paul develops the theme of joy not

only in serving but also “joy in suffering,” “joy in believing,” and “joy in giving.” In this issue, our writers will explore joy in these three areas, emphasizing that in contrast to happiness, a secular concept, stands joy—“the quiet, confident assurance of God’s love and work in our lives…Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Christ” (NIV Life Application Bible).

----By Mary Seaman

IN TOUCH

This past year has changed my life dramatically and it started with one short mission trip to Zacapa, Guatemala. My father, Al Gooch, has been going on mission trips to Guatemala for eight years now and I finally decided to go along, without school or work holding me back. Little did I know, God had something planned that was more than just a 10 day trip.

I fell in love with the people, culture, and God when I was in the mountain village of Pie de la Cuesta. These people live on nothing yet are so happy. They rely on God to provide for them and are so blessed. They know hardship but they also know love. The children make my heart melt.

After spending several days with the village people, I knew I had to return to Guatemala. I felt, and still feel, God pulling me to those people.

I spent March and April of 2014 living with one of the families in the village. The father and son work on the farm while the mother and the three daughters work cleaning the church, tending to the store, and taking care of their house. I helped them with day-to-day chores like washing dishes, doing laundry, cooking, and making tortillas. I also helped them with their church responsibilities like cleaning, running the store, helping teach Sunday school, and even singing with them at service.

Some days we took the bus to the city to do shopping for the store and house. That was always an adventure because the girls rarely got to go with the mom to the city. We also visited family and spent time at the river. The river was always fun because we would cook, wash clothes, play tag, jump off cliffs, and I also taught the girls how to swim. My two months in the spring were mostly about learning the culture and the language, and making life-long friends that are now family.

I returned to Michigan for the summer to work. Over the summer, my dad and I recruited my Uncle Dan and his friend Mark Stanke to go on the construction trip with us in January. They were part of the team to help bring the first toilets and showers with running water to Pie de la Cuesta.

Before that trip though, I spent the fall in Guatemala working with missionary Robert Jackson.

I was given the opportunity to see what Robert does in his line of work. Along with his duties as head pastor of the church in the village, Robert also

preaches at other churches, works with local pastors, does mini crusades in the schools, keeps the water system up and running, and is also helping to establish a chaplaincy in the police service of the Zacapa area.

We had a very busy schedule going to at least 2 schools per day, pastors meetings once a week, department of education, 3 services in the village, and any extra activities. I got to meet many pastors,

members from multiple churches, other missionaries, kids from all the schools, and I learned so much Spanish. I spent my free time with the kids and my "family". In my free time I also took up reading The Bible more than I had before. I would spend hours in my one room house just reading and praying.

I definitely have learned so much by spending my time in Guatemala but the most valuable thing is that I've grown closer to God. I trust Him more and more each day. I am certain that He has called me to do His work down in Guatemala and even though I have had some tough times, as we all do, I have been blessed and continue to be blessed.

I am very thankful for the opportunities I have been given especially this past year. My family, friends, and the church have been a great encouragement to me in my travels and work. Thank you to all who read this. Thank you for your prayers and support and may God bless you and your families.

Guatemala Changed My Life By Kristen Gooch

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Remembering our Military Men and Women

Please pray and send words of encouragement to our Military Men and Women. Numbers in parenthesis indicate their birthdate. Please consider sending birthday cards

◊ David R. Merrill/AIC (US Air Force)- PSC 41 Box 4577, APO AE 09464 Lackenheath, England (9/13)

◊ Danielle Merrill/AIC (US Air Force)- PSC 41 Box 4577, APO AE 09464 Lackenheath, England (10/20)

◊ 1 LT Kyle Leese - 1600 Marion Center Road, Charlevoix, MI. 49720 (serving at Camp Grayling)

◊ BMCM (SW/CM) Garrett Miller (US Navy) - USS IWO JIMA LHD7, Deck Dept., FPO AA 34094-1664

◊ FC3 Nuttall, Logan D (U. S. Navy) - WEPS/CG 04 USS Monterey (CG61) FPO AE 09578-1181 (4/22)

◊ PFC1 Jeffery Buckner (U.S. Army) - 130 Hickman Court, Raeford, N.C, 28376 (11/15)

◊ Commander Russell John Coolman (US Navy) - 7079 Pecan Chase, Frisco, TX 75034 (03/04)

◊ Cameron G. Canupp (US Air Force) - 551 Sturmthal St, Edwards, CA 93523 (6/21)

◊ Jones, Cyril (US Army) - 7029 Yampe River Heights, Fountain, CO 80817 (3/24)

◊ L.Cpl. Keie, Christopher D. (US Marines) MACS TAOC Radar Unit 37215, FPO AP 96372-7215. (stationed in Okinawa, Japan) (1/10)

◊ Pvt. Bottomley, John J., (US Marines) (12/13)

◊ SR Potter, Andrew (U.S. Navy SEALS) Ship 04 Div. 807, 3600 Ohio Street, Great Lakes, IL. 60088-7103

Please call the church office with contact information for your loved one serving in the military. Numbers in parenthesis indicate their

birthdate. Please consider sending birthday cards (white envelopes, nothing on outside except addresses).

CONGRATULATIONS AND BLESSINGS TO:

� Keith and Kathryn Marks on the birth of a son, Tyler Michael. Proud grandparents are Jeff and Pat Ricks.

� Andrew and Mary Grace on the birth of a son, Levi David. Proud grandparents are David and June Otis and Austin and Beverly McCaskill.

SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO:

� The families of Carolena Elowsky and Maura Brandi who lost their lives in an auto accident.

� The Boss family on the passing of Jeanette Boss.

� Kris and Barney Way and family on the loss of their daughter, Kari Way.

� Fred Siegwart and family on the loss of Fred’s brother, Martin.

� Carol Manthei and family on the passing of Carol’s brother, Larry.

� The family of Rick Potter for his passing on January 31.

� Bev Boss and family for the loss of Bev’s bother, Lee.

---Submitted by, Mary Seaman

Do you sometimes find that the phrase “Joy in Believing,” or “Rejoicing” doesn’t begin to describe what you are experiencing? Sometimes you are just dry. Some days you struggle to recover from your failings and are filled with disappointment in yourself. Other times you may be physically sick, or in chronic pain, or in emotional turmoil caused perhaps by financial issues or because of a relationship that seems poisonous and destructive. “Gloom despair and agony on me”... the lyrics of an old country song intone. Is it possible to turn from this darkness to begin to see light, much less to experience “Joy in Believing”? It might well be said that all of these negative emotions come from lack of “Good” in our lives. Some time ago, one of our senior members, Chuck Britton, asked me the common salutation, “How are you”? My reply of “I’’m good, thanks” prompted his teasing reply, “You know Garry, only God is Good.” He was right, of course, and we chuckled at his remark. I think I wasn’t the first person to be caught in Chuck’s clever repartee. I’ve thought of that several times since then because that specific word interchange is common among us. Since then, however, I have come to believe that we both were correct. Jesus is the very essence of righteousness and goodness. He, in fact, is the very source of all things good. We are Christians. That is a big deal. It is

everything. If we are in Christ, we are the fortunate recipients of His righteousness and goodness. We don't always look like it or act like it, but, nevertheless, that is indeed who and what we are. In 1 John 4:17 we are told that “…in this world we are like him.” (NIV 1989 edition). The New King James Bible presents it “….because as He is, so are we in the world.” The word speaks of Father God actively looking for righteousness and justice in the world. Indeed, there were times when He didn’t find it and woe be them when it was absent. But we are Christians for goodness sake. We are those that are in Christ Jesus and He in us. Love, forbearance, and goodness overflowing from Him is the order of the day when God discovers the goodness He is seeking. This is the foundation of our confidence and our reasonable, and confident expectation of good. God is looking with eager anticipation for righteousness, justice, and good. When He finds it, He adds to it, pressed down and overflowing. We foolishly, sometimes, tend to cower and hide, thinking He will be disappointed or angry at us because we are a glaring part of a broken world. That is goofy thinking. God is not mad at us, nor is he peeking over our shoulder looking for a reason to smack us down to teach us a lesson. He LOVES us! It is exactly because of our hopeless broken condition that He gave us Jesus, His only son, to die on our behalf. (Continued on page 5)

Joy in Believing

Philippians 3

….rejoice in the Lord.

Submitted by Garrett (Garry) Miller

IN TOUCH There is a word that describes the unmerited favor that God gives us. That word is GRACE. Grace is the antidote for our imperfections, the imperfections that the bible calls sins. Grace, the antidote, doesn't make the poisonous imperfection lovely and perfect, nor does it transform sin into a holy act. The antidote simply renders the poison inert and of no effect. Grace, the wonderful antidote, is given to those he loves. God so loved all the Imperfect ones, indeed the whole world, that he gave his only begotten son…. The neat thing about Grace is that it is never wasted. I was reading a book recently and saw this sentence and it really resonated with me. “Grace only sticks to our imperfections.” It is like a super bullet that never misses, or a wonder drug that truly only impacts the bad cells that are attacking our body. The very things that give us reluctance to approach God are the very things He plans to disable and destroy. How cool is that? The odd thing about grace, and the challenge it presents to God and his human assistants, is to convince people to expectantly receive the overflow of good that constantly flows from heaven. It’s a fascinating puzzle. Even though it is freely available to us, it’s unlikely we will receive it unless we “somehow” believe in advance that this good treasure is coming. The only thing we can do is open our arms and doors and windows to receive it. It’s helpful; in fact, it is imperative that we consciously understand that

we have done nothing to be awarded this largess, and there is nothing we can do to improve ourselves to make us worthy recipients. We simply need to trust in the perfect designs of God. Our needy imperfections are perfectly matched to His provisions. The imperfections of Christians and the grace of God are like opposite poled magnets that forcefully drawn together with the positive Grace of God engulfing, overpowering, and neutralizing our negative imperfections. He wants to give and is giving. Our role is to receive. So where does this “Joy in Believing” come in? It comes in simply trusting that what you have just read is true. It is fun to eagerly expect good from God. It is like the eager, smiling sleeplessness of a child that just can't wait for the thrilling day that is coming tomorrow. Look to God, search his Word for affirming scriptures that will reinforce your belief. Here is a good one to begin to practice with: Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Write it down and read it out loud to yourself. Struggle to memorize it. Chew on it. Roll it around in your mind. Look at it upside down and sideways. It will help you find peace if you pursue it, and the thing that will inevitably follow, based on my experience, is “Joy in Believing.”

(Continued from page 4)

Book Recommendation

by Mary Seaman

LOVE ANTHONY LOVE ANTHONY LOVE ANTHONY LOVE ANTHONY by Lisa Genovaby Lisa Genovaby Lisa Genovaby Lisa Genova “Happiness. Loved. Safe. Wanted. [Beth] sees each one in the little boy with autism as easily as she sees the bright moon in the night sky, yet she still can’t form a specific image of what these elements look like in her” (220). In-spired by her cousin’s son, who has autism, Lisa Genova uses the unique perspective of Anthony’s voice in creating this novel centered on autism. Anthony, a non-verbal boy, reveals his thoughts through a story written by Beth who has turned to writing in an attempt to reconnect with the person she was before becoming the mother of three daughters and before her marriage fell apart when she became aware of her husband’s infidelity. Anthony’s mother Olivia, separated from her husband, is struggling to understand the meaning for Anthony’s short life, to deal with the devastating effects his life has had on her mar-riage, and to heal from her son’s untimely death. Beth and Olivia’s stories intersect when they meet by chance on a beach in Nantucket. While Beth is writing Anthony’s story, Olivia is reliving her time with her son through her detailed journal entries. Anthony reveals why he hates pronouns and why he loves swinging and the number three. He shares his need for rou-tine, predictability, and the sense of being in con-trol. His mother shares all of these as frustration points for her and also writes of her heartache, anger, grief, resentment, jealousy and loneliness. She asks: “Why my son? Why was Anthony

here? What was the purpose of his short life? Why am I here? What is the purpose of my life? Where is God?” Ultimately, through Anthony’s story, Beth and Olivia begin to heal, to find ac-ceptance, and the possibility of moving on. Much of the focus on autism is about all the ways autistic people are different from “typical” people. The differences are seen as strange or abnormal or even tragic. Genova says, “I wanted to shed light on what’s the same among us all.” So Anthony’s story becomes a universal one: we all fall somewhere on the au-tism spectrum. We all have gifts even when we are “flawed.” Genova states another message in the form of a question: “Do you love the people you love without condition?” My own son, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of four, unlike Anthony, is able to verbalize his thoughts on what means the most to him: his family—feeling loved, supported, and accepted. I think Genova achieves her message well: once we move beyond labels, see real peo-ple, and love them unconditionally, they and we experience true Joy. (Lisa Genova’s book Still Alice, the story of an accomplished Harvard professor who is diag-nosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, is now a motion picture that was released on Janu-ary 16.)

IN TOUCH

CONISISTORY NEWS HIGHLIGHTSCONISISTORY NEWS HIGHLIGHTSCONISISTORY NEWS HIGHLIGHTSCONISISTORY NEWS HIGHLIGHTS CONSISTORY NEWS JANUARY 2015CONSISTORY NEWS JANUARY 2015CONSISTORY NEWS JANUARY 2015CONSISTORY NEWS JANUARY 2015 ◊ New elders and deacons were welcomed. ◊ In a brief Consistory orientation, members reviewed the Consistory Handbook, especially the keys to being on the Consistory. They briefly reviewed Robert’s Rules of Order. ◊ Consistory was encouraged to read a handout on the Preamble of the Book of Church Order. ◊ Dividing into three groups, Consistory spent time reflecting on the recent capital campaign vote. Notes from the groups will be compiled and sent to both Consistory and staff. ◊ Consistory evaluations collected from outgoing Consistory members will be e-mailed to each member. This input is very helpful, as members want to continue to grow in how they function as the CRC Consistory. ◊ Consistory officers for 2015 are: VP—Garry Miller, clerk—Roger Rozema, Treasurer—John Coolman, and Deacon Chair—Chris Maki. ◊ Chip invited the Consistory to consider wearing nametags every Sunday. Consistory/Staff Retreat News Consistory/Staff Retreat News Consistory/Staff Retreat News Consistory/Staff Retreat News –––– February 2015February 2015February 2015February 2015 Staff and consistory gathered Friday, Feb. 20th and Saturday, Feb. 21st to discern the way forward for CRC. The time was filled with solitude & prayer, discussion in small groups, large group discussion, a presentation and reflection time on congregational systems, especially the impact of anxiety in a system, and some time for staff and leadership to talk with the Facilities Improvement Team. It was a rich time together. We spent time talking about how we are processing the December vote and the whole process leading up to the vote. We’ve received feedback, both written and verbal, from many in the congregation. So a key part of the conversation over the weekend was reflecting on where we’re at, what we’ve experienced and heard, and what we think the next steps are.

(Continued on page 10)

Ministry UpdatesMinistry UpdatesMinistry UpdatesMinistry Updates SAFE HAVEN MINISTRIESSAFE HAVEN MINISTRIESSAFE HAVEN MINISTRIESSAFE HAVEN MINISTRIES Update by Joy Klooster The Safe Haven Breakfast Club continues to serve an average of 80-100 guests/day. A warm breakfast and a warm place to get inside out of the cold has been a welcome time for many individuals. Thanks to our many volunteers and generous donors, this could not happen without you. The Safe Haven Ministries will hold an Appreciation breakfast for volunteers of both Safe Haven and Night Light on April 25. The Night Light shelter for men has been active nearly every night since it opened for the second season in November. We continue to welcome new volunteers so that we don’t wear anyone out. The Night Light shelter will close at the end of March. FREE YARD SALEFREE YARD SALEFREE YARD SALEFREE YARD SALE Submitted by Jan Boss Safe Haven Ministries will be holding their 3rd annual “Free Yard Sale” on May 15th. Collect all your unwanted and/or unneeded treasures and donate them to people who have so much less than we do. We accept anything in working order except CLOTHES. Any gently used furniture, appliances (small and large), dishes, tools, anything in good working condition. We will begin collecting them here at church on May 1st. Watch for details on where to bring them. Reminder NO CLOTHES. Thank you for helping people in our community who are in need!

FOOD PANTRY NEEDSFOOD PANTRY NEEDSFOOD PANTRY NEEDSFOOD PANTRY NEEDS submitted by Linda Boss The current needs for the Charlevoix Food Pantry are canned beans and lentils (great source of protein), as well as, a variety of canned vegetables. There is a shopping cart located by the Community Room at the church entrance to put your donations in. If the cart isn’t there, bring your donations to the kiosk. In 2014 the organization helped an average of 146 families per month, for a total of 450-500 people each month. (Continued on page 9)

IN TOUCH The Food Pantry could also use new volunteers. If anyone feels the calling. Please contact Linda Boss at 547-4297 MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT MINISTRYMARRIAGE ENRICHMENT MINISTRYMARRIAGE ENRICHMENT MINISTRYMARRIAGE ENRICHMENT MINISTRY Our Marriage Enrichment Team is offering the opportunity to one of our married couples to win a gift card for a Family Life Weekend to “Remember Marriage Conference”. All you need to do is guess the number of Jelly Beans in the jar at the Information Center. Have the closest guess and you’ll receive your free getaway weekend. Index cards are available at the Information Center. Fill it out and drop it in the box. GOOD LUCK!

GLOBAL OUTREACH MINISTRYGLOBAL OUTREACH MINISTRYGLOBAL OUTREACH MINISTRYGLOBAL OUTREACH MINISTRY Our Global Outreach Team has developed a team, led by Nancy Whitley Balchik to serve in Copper Island, BC. with Master Missions and Aaron and July Otis. 11 church members are confirmed as team members with 2 more that are still praying about it. The team will serve from July 11-20, 2015. Please keep the team in your prayers as they meet, plan, and grow together as a team.


The consistory voted to affirm three steps forward: 1) To revisit the possibility of a capital campaign to address the facility needs that are impacting our ability to live into our mission and vision. 2) To put together a task force of 4 consistory members (Ron Williams, Chris Maki, Jeremy DeYoung, and Nancy Balchik) to make recommendations for better communicating with the congregation at our March 10th consistory meeting - in all areas of the church, but with a special emphasis on inviting people into the conversation regarding the potential building renovations or additions. (The consistory and staff are very thankful for the hard work that Facilities Improvement Team has done over the past two years.) 3) To apologize to the congregation for the impact that the lack of communication throughout this potential building process and to promise to improve. There was consensus that the time these past couple months processing the vote and all that led up to it has been a good opportunity to pause and consider what we can learn and how we can grow. We really do welcome the feedback and want to hear what others have experienced through this process. We hope you will always feel welcome to talk with any of the staff or consistory regarding any


Instant Church Directory is now available on line, through the internet. A smart phone/devise is no longer a necessity. All you need is an email address. You will still need to complete a form for CRC to add you to the system prior to you being able to access it. Once we have input your information you can access the directory at members.instantchurchdirectory.com FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE INFORMATION CENTER.THE INFORMATION CENTER.THE INFORMATION CENTER.THE INFORMATION CENTER.

IN TOUCH

ELDER JON EAKES ELDER JON EAKES ELDER JON EAKES ELDER JON EAKES and his wife Jill have five children—three daughters and two sons, eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Jon worked for many years as a tool and die maker, retiring from CPI in Charlevoix. More recently, he has worked at Ace Hardware where he continues to be employed part time. While Jon is an avid reader, he also likes being creative. Woodworking, making Windsor chairs by hand, and making model trains are his main hobbies. Jon says, “Joy in Christ is having peace of mind. Joy is making connections, bonding with Christians wherever you go.” ELDER ROGER ROZEMA ELDER ROGER ROZEMA ELDER ROGER ROZEMA ELDER ROGER ROZEMA and his wife Jackie have six children and nine grandchildren. After Roger retired from a thirty-year banking career as a senior VP, he operated his own business, Rozema Architectural Products Inc. for seventeen years. In retirement, he continues to work part time for the new owner and also, part time as a courier for Charlevoix State Bank. During his leisure time,

Roger enjoys big game hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. He loves communicating with them both in person and on the phone. While his immediate family gives him joy, Roger also finds joy by spending time and showing Christian love in the KERYX prison ministry. There he has the opportunity to share through Bible study, singing, and talking to the inmates, one-on-one, letting them know he cares. Roger says, “Sharing God’s love for ‘the least of these,’ and hearing a lonely inmate say, ‘You are my family’ brings true joy.” Roger has experienced this same joy while serving on mission trips as well as here at the Safe Haven Breakfast Club. DEACON JEREMY DEYOUNG DEACON JEREMY DEYOUNG DEACON JEREMY DEYOUNG DEACON JEREMY DEYOUNG and his wife Faith are parents of three children: Emma, Tyler, and Kerri. Jeremy works as a Customer Service Specialist for AT&T. Jeremy likes to spend his leisure time outdoors—hunting, fishing, hobby (Continued on page 12)

MEET OUR 2015 ELDERS AND DEACONSMEET OUR 2015 ELDERS AND DEACONSMEET OUR 2015 ELDERS AND DEACONSMEET OUR 2015 ELDERS AND DEACONS ----Submitted by Mary Seaman

farming, camping, and downhill skiing. As his young family grows, he is able to share more of these activities with them. Jeremy says, “Experiencing joy in Christ is found in a simple faith, like a child’s, knowing that our place is secure in God’s family.” Jeremy also experiences joy in helping and serving others; he enjoys “using his gifts to help others with physical needs like car repair or house (maintenance) problems.” DEACON JOSH DHASELEER DEACON JOSH DHASELEER DEACON JOSH DHASELEER DEACON JOSH DHASELEER is married to Tennille, a third-grade teacher at Charlevoix Elementary School. They are parents to Ellen, David and Rachel. While Josh’s primary responsibility is a stay-at-home dad, he also remodels houses for renting. Josh considers doing handyman jobs as one of his hobbies; he also enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing with his family. Josh says, “Joy is not found in material things but in time with family and friends, bonding and doing things together.” Helping others both “with physical needs and through witnessing” also give joy to Josh’s life.

DEACON AL GOOCH DEACON AL GOOCH DEACON AL GOOCH DEACON AL GOOCH and his wife Elizabeth have a daughter Kristen, who is presently doing mission work in Guatemala, and a son Alex, a junior at Michigan State. After working for twenty-five years for the Midland Community Center, Al was employed as Director of the Charlevoix Community Pool from which he retired a year ago. Al relaxes by running, biking and sailing. He has enjoyed being a facilitator for the Dave Ramsey class taught at CRC on Wednesday nights and presently is taking the Stephen’s Ministry Training class, a twenty-week commitment. Al finds “real joy comes in giving and helping others.” He has found true joy in serving on mission trips where he feels he “has received more than he has given.” Al has always worked for nonprofit organizations where the salary is rather modest, yet he “has been amazingly blessed in so many ways” that money can’t buy.


IN TOUCH

We all know the saying “it’s better to give than receive”. We have heard it 1000 times from pastors, grandparents, parents and friends. For myself, the short term missions I go on do much more for me than the people I claim to be helping. Friends praise me for giving my time to go on mission trips but I am brought to tears thinking about how rewarding these trips are for me. Acts 20:35 tells us, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. So in GIVING, it is not just about money, but time and talents as well. ”God loves a cheerful giver” is what we are told in 2 Corinthians 9:7 As many of you know, I lead the Dave Ramsey course titled “Financial Peace University” (FPU). Dave’s thing is not only “get out of debt, but also build wealth and GIVE”. I am expecting a huge class next session, given Chips series on Financial Peace in recent weeks. Many, not in financial trouble, take the course to make a road map (budget), to make the best use of God’s money. Dave always says “Imagine“Imagine“Imagine“Imagine what the people of God what the people of God what the people of God what the people of God could do if they were all out of debt”.could do if they were all out of debt”.could do if they were all out of debt”.could do if they were all out of debt”. Dave teaches that even those in financial trouble should have GIVING as the first line of their budget”. The need for a budget is highlighted by Warren Buffet’s famous line about those who don’t see the need for a budget: “When the tide goes out, you can tell who is skinny-dipping”. Sorry, too many years working around the pool. The point is you need a road map for your finances in order to be in a position to give and reap the rewards of giving. Dave Ramsey on tithing: “God doesn’t need your money. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and the hills too”. That’s not why He repeatedly tells us to give and have an eternal view of everything he’s given us. His desire is that we’d experience the kind of peace

that comes from a content heart”. And a final word from Dave, “Money is like manure: left in one pile, it stinks, spread around, it makes things grow” My favorite Bible verse is John 15:5,” I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing”. When I was younger I would have said, ”yeah right”, I just didn’t get it. I appreciate this verse more and more as time goes on., It becomes clearer every day that what I have and have done all comes from God and that giving is very rewarding 1 Timothy 6:10 tells us “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil”. Many would have you believe money is the root of all evil, but holding on to money with a clinched fist is evil. Dave(sorry, last Dave Ramsey reference) says “The great misunderstanding, the paradox, is the mistaken belief that the way to have more is to hold on tightly (clenched fist)”. Golda Meir once said “You can’t shake hands with a clinched fist”. Deuteronomy 15: 7-8 tells us about a clinched fist with money: “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother”. More on giving in Hebrews 13:16, “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased”. John Wesley, co-founder of the Methodist Church has been noted for saying: “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can”. So, open your fist and give, and the rewards you receive will amaze you. God reassures us in Proverbs 28:27, “He who gives to the poor will not lack”. Trust in God, find the Joy of Giving and remember this anonymous quote: “He who dies with the most toys is still dead “.

Joy in Giving Submitted by Joy Klooster

It is a futile strategy to achieve joy through the elimination of things that hurt—pain, insecurity, disappointment. Our joy—the Christian joy—is that in the midst of hardship, suffering, loneliness and misfortune we “continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles.” The joy that develops for the Christian is knowing that God’s ways are dependable; His promises are sure. It is not dependent on us, but on God. Joy is what God gives, not what we achieve through work. “We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next…We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah!” (Romans 5) “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in Him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them.” (Philippians 4) “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold—may result in praise, glory and honor…you are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are

receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1) Psalm 126 says, “We are one happy people.” It says, in the past “God was wonderful to us” and “we laughed” and “we sang.” And it says, in the future—“now, God, do it again—bring rain to our drought-stricken lives…so those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessings.” Joy in Christ is a result of His abundance. Joy cannot be purchased or commanded. But we can decide to live in the realization of God’s goodness; we can choose to be people of joy—laughing and singing God’s praises—even when we are hemmed in with troubles. Joy before; joy now; and joy in the future. My friends, are we feeling “hemmed in with troubles’? Will we choose to celebrate God and praise Him even when life isn’t going great? Will we remember the blessings of God—salvation, grace, hope, love, forgiveness—and choose joy? Are we laughing and singing with “armloads of blessings”?

JOY IN SUFFERINGJOY IN SUFFERINGJOY IN SUFFERINGJOY IN SUFFERING By Kathy Boeckman

IN TOUCH

WELCOME NEW MEMBER ----Submitted by Mary Seaman

New member BOB DOMINIC is the father of six children—three biological and three adopted, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Bob suffered the loss of his wife in 2009.

Bob grew up in Petoskey and graduated from Petoskey High School. He attended NCMC and Central Michigan University, earning a BS in biology and a MS in biology and chemistry. After teaching for one semester at CMU, he secured employment at Alpena Community College where he taught for forty years. Since retiring in 2007, Bob has served as a part-time pastor at Greensky Hill, preaching one Sunday night per month. He is an active member and tribal elder of the Little Traverse Band of Odawa.

Bob returned to the Petoskey area after retiring and several of his children also moved there. This has provided an opportunity for Bob to enjoy more time with his children and grandchildren. Besides family time, Bob relaxes by playing tennis, riding his bike, and attending basketball and football games.

A friend invited Bob to visit CRC and after attending for three or four years, he decided to make a commitment, become more involved and be a member. He sees good things happening at CRC, finds the people friendly, and has enjoyed the Wednesday night sessions.

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Contacts at CRC:

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COMMUNITY REFORMED

CHURCH

Phone: 231-547-9482 Fax: 231-547-9598

Email: [email protected] www.communityreformed.net

Join us for Worship:

Sunday, 8:30, & 10:15 a.m. Nursery: 8:30, & 10:15 a.m.

Sunday School: Sunday, 10:15 a.m.

Prayer: Sunday, 7:15 a.m.

Monday - Friday, 6:15 a.m. Wednesday (2nd floor City Hall), 12 p.m.

Wednesday, 5:00 pm Saturday, 7:15 a.m.

LIFE IN CHRIST OFFERS TRUE JOY - Clover...

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