App Application

I got an IPod touch recently. I know some of you are thinking, “I thought Randy was too much of a tightwad to spend money on an IPod touch.” You’re right, but I won it in a drawing. And I have to tell you, now that I have one, if I lost it I’d be tempted to buy another one (or ask for one for Christmas My old IPod was fine for listening to music but this one has all these applications I can buy… for 99 cents! … or even free!!! I’ve got an app that is teaching me to speak Khmer (Cambodian) for our upcoming missions trip. There’s another one that can tell me the temperature in Phnom Penh with the touch on a button (it is currently 83 degrees) I can read USA Today without paying for it. My iPod touch will be my flashlight, my alarm clock, and my internet connection to send you blogs. This is a frequent traveler’s dream. Now I understand those commercials that say “Yeah, we’ve got an app for that.”

 

Today I was thinking: Wouldn’t it be great if there was an app that would buzz you when you were about to cross a line morally or spiritually? When you were about to take a step down a road that would lead you farther than you ever meant to go and cost you more than you ever thought you’d pay, wouldn’t it be helpful to have an app that would warn you before you take that first step? Then I realized – We DO have such an early warning system. Every Christian does. We get it when we give our lives to Jesus. He is called the Holy Spirit. He’s that voice in your head that says “Don’t do it.” He is that knot in the pit of your stomach that tells you that you are about to make a big mistake. He is that feeling you are having that you should pick up the phone and ask a Christian friend for help. You’re hearing that app sometimes aren’t you?

 

If this app doesn’t seem to be working in your life maybe you need to check the volume and make sure it’s not on “mute”. Turn it up. How? Stay in God’s Word. Stay away from the places where you know the alarm will go off. Stay connected to other who share the app. Stay sensitive to it by obeying it when it goes off the first time. Don’t ignore it. Because each time you do, it will get easier and easier to tune it out. The Holy Spirit app only works if we listen to it – to Him. So please listen, and do what He says.

 

THIS SUNDAY we will continue our “WHY>” series with the question: “Why the Conflict… Science and the Bible?” Is it possible to be a person of reason and a person of faith at the same time? Come find out Sunday. Last Sunday was our best attendance of the year (and wouldn’t you have hated to miss it? God’s Spirit was really moving) Let’s build on that and have every member here this Sunday – and bring a friend.

Decisions for Christ – Last Sunday we celebrated with heaven as 3 more people gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized in His grace. Check out the photos of Krysten Wrobbel, Rodney Stevens, and John Hamric at http://www.flickr.com/photos/46768627@N07/sets/72157623127133239/ Keep them in your prayers this week and welcome them when you see them Sunday.

Men’s breakfast – THIS SATURDAY – 8 – 9AM – All men are invited for a hot breakfast, good fellowship, and a timely message from Randy.

Detroit Outreach – THIS SATURDAY – 10AM – 4PM – If you can help make sandwiches and pass them out at Cass Park in Detroit please contact Harvey at 734-740-1452 orharveylinda@hotmail.com. We are also hoping to give out lots of boots to the homeless (Especially men’s boots in larger sizes 10 and up) so if you have any please drop them off at the church by Saturday.

New adult class – Sundays at 9AM – “WHY?” – In this 6 week class Scott Puckett will expound on the themes from the current “WHY>” sermon series but keep it basic enough that anyone can follow along. It is meant to provide a deeper understanding of why faith in the Christian belief system is the most philosophically sound, rational, and coherent worldview.

Cans for Cambodia – This is the last Sunday we will be accepting cans and bottles for the Cambodia trip. Please place your cans and bottles in the trailer in the north lot this Sunday. Thank you so much for your generous support.

Dolls for Cambodia – Big thanks to all of you who purchased dolls for the girls of Rapha House. We have

raised enough money to cover all 144 dolls (now we just need to finish sewing all of the clothes). We still have a few paper dolls at the café and are still accepting donations to buy infant medicine for the Phnom Penh ministry.

ChristNet thanks – With the leadership of Cass Simpson, John Perfetti, and Harvey Lucier, and an army of volunteer who registered, cooked, served, did laundry, supervised, cut hair, cleaned, and much more, we were able to welcome 30 homeless souls for a week or pampering at Twin Oaks. Thank you. You all are the greatest!!!

New Online Directory – We have a new online church directory to make it easier to update and keep up with the growing family at Twin Oaks. This directory is only accessible with a password which I can give you when you request it. In requesting a password you are promising that you will not share the password or the information in the directory with anyone else or use the addresses for business purposes (solicitation, etc) Most of the photos were taken last Mother’s Day. If you are not yet in the directory (and most of you aren’t) and would like to be, or if you would like to change your photo, then email a photo to me along with your address and phone # (If you want those in there) If you want out of the directory please let me know that as well.

LADIES’ ANNUAL CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA – February 19th, 6:30 PM – All ladies are invited to one of the biggest women’s events of the year at Twin Oaks. If you can, join the patriotic theme by wearing red, white, and blue. They’ll also be sending goodwill packages to our military so if please send the names and addresses of any of your family who are in the military to roxanne_thompson01@yahoo.com. We need donations of chocolate, soup, and crackers so please sign-up are at the Ministry Center Sunday. Also, bring your used books for the book sale.

MOPS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – We are in urgent need of 10 volunteers to care for pre-school children on the 2nd and 4th Thursday mornings of each month for the new MOPS program. By offering your time you’ll provide these mothers who attend MOPS a chance to grow as mothers and in Christ.  For more information, please contact Rhonda Dolunt at (313)383-4332 or rhdolunt@yahoo.com

MI Statewide Teen Convention – March 12-14 – A weekend event for all high school students at Causeway Bay Hotel in Lansing.  Speakers, bands, inflatables, and 63 metric tons of fun (they measure). Cost is $85, and anyone who is in high school is welcome to come. You can pick up registration packets at the Ministry Center. Get them in to Nathan ASAP. For more info contact nathanzimm@hotmail.com or check out www.mistatewide.org.

Joke of the week – Artist Pablo Picasso surprised a burglar at work in his new chateau. The intruder got away, but Picasso told the police he could do a rough sketch of what he looked like. On the basis of his drawing, the police arrested a mother superior, the minister of finance, a washing machine, and the Eiffel tower.

 

Have a great week and I’ll see you (and your guests) Sunday,

Randy