Sharing with Steve
The theme this year is Fix Our Eyes On Jesus. As a part of that theme, I am preaching a series of sermons on “What A Difference You’ve Made In My Life.” When first thinking about this series, I thought of all the people in scripture that Jesus came in contact with and how they were blessed. Many people were blessed by Jesus the healer. The blind were made to see, and the lame walked. He cast out demons. But it was not only physical healing that changed people. Others were blessed by Jesus the teacher. The woman at the well and Nicodemus come to mind. Then it dawned on me that Jesus made a difference in every single life that He came in contact with. When someone came in touch with Jesus they were forced into a position of decision making. Those who He healed praised Him. The woman at the well was profoundly changed. The rich young ruler turned his back on Jesus. He chose his possessions over discipleship. Judas chose betrayal over service. It is still true today. Jesus always makes a difference in our lives. The question is, “What kind of difference will He make?” Throughout this series we will examine this idea. Come and share with us. It is a wonderful journey.
Youth Minister Update On a different note I want to keep everyone up to date on what is going on at Meadowbrook. We are still laying the groundwork for our youth minister search. We have received several resumes and we are in the process of getting these to different people for feedback. We are moving forward as quickly and wisely as we can. Continue to keep this process in your prayers. We will strive to continue the youth lessons and activities. The teens continue to meet on Sunday evening during the adult prayer time. We will be taking four of our teens to CIY Move at Cedarville University in June. Several of our youth are planning on attending camp at Lake James Christian Camp & Retreat Center (new name). The camp calendar is elsewhere in this newsletter. Don’t hesitate to call the office for information about what is going on with our youth.
His House Christian Fellowship-Cycle the Campus We also want to encourage all you cyclists to sign-up for Cycle the Campus. Please see the announcement elsewhere in the newsletter. The Meadowbrook Team has done very well in the past and we are hoping for another good turnout. The date of this year’s ride is Saturday, May 30. Hope to see you on the trail.
Church Picnic Please mark your calendars for Sunday, June 28, the date of the annual church picnic. We will again meet at the picnic area behind the Auburn Hills Community Center. More information will come later.
Sisters in Service Elects New Officers
When Sisters in Service begins another season next September, the group will be headed up with a new lineup of officers who were elected at the April meeting. We are pleased that the following ladies are stepping up to lead this group of women who strive to serve others while enriching their relationships with each other.
President –Ruth Lindhagen; Vice Pres.–Charity Clodfelter; Secretary–Debbie Stallings; Treasurer–Phyllis Martin; Communications Coordinator–Theresa Meegan; Hospitality Chair–Karen Robinson
The new season will begin in September with our popular Afternoon Tea, so be sure to watch for those details next fall.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
The men will be meeting for breakfast on Saturday, May 9, at 8:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We will be having scrambled eggs, biscuits, sausage, gravy and drink. We will eat and then have a time of devotion and prayer. All men are encouraged to attend. There is no cost. This is a great time of food, fellowship, study and prayer. There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Ruth Edwards – May 2
Marjorie Stevens – May 3
Wanda Douma – May 9
Kiersten Zaremba – May 13
Randy Gilbert – May 13
Joe & Mimi Romaella (Ann.) – May 14
Mike Gerstenlauer – May 18
Dick & Joyce Tenniswood (Ann.) – May 20
Jerry Douma – May 21
Tom & Andrea Schwartzenberger (Ann.) – May 25
Rick Sipe – May 25
Steve Martin – May 30
Lake James Registration OPEN
Summer registrations for camp are now open on LJCA’s website. Camp schedules are available in the church foyer and on the camp website. Head over to www.ljca.org and register your kids! There’s a week of camp for everyone. Please note that the Meadowbrook Missions Faith Promise Program pays HALF tuition for all the students we send to camp! Be sure to let Steve Martin know if your kids are attending so that half of their registration fee is covered. The deadline to register for $20 off and a free t-shirt is May 4th, so hurry over and do it today. It will be the best week your students have all summer!
CYCLE THE CAMPUS COMING UP MAY 30th
This annual fundraising event for His House Christian Ministries will be held on Saturday, May 30, at Midland, MI. This is a 50 mile ride along the Pere Marquette Trail. This is a beautiful paved bike and jogging trail from Midland to Claire. There are thirteen teams this year entered to ride. There are twelve campus houses and Meadowbrook. We are the only local church riding and hope that more local churches will join us. This will be our fifth year as a team to ride. This year, along with the 25 and 50 mile rides, a family ride of 10 miles has been added. The goal this year is to raise $60,000 from this event. Our team goal is to raise at least $4,000. The ride is an out and back ride so any time you get tired you can turn around and head back. You do not have to ride the full 25- or 50- miles. To help support this effort first go to www.cyclethecampus.org. At that site you can register to ride ($15 fee) or you can donate. Be sure to register to ride or donate with Team Meadowbrook. If you have any questions please see Ron Meegan, Tom Schwartzenberger or Steve Martin. We are looking forward to this event.
FROM THE PEW – The Devil Prowls like a Lion
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
I have often wondered why we as Christians continue to sin even after we understand that God’s way is the best way and that God’s choices are the best choices. As I pondered on the matter and ask for God’s guidance, I begin to realize that God uses our failures to teach us about Him and to grow in Him, and at the same time thwarts the devils power over us. We succumb to sin because of the power and deceit of the devil. The devil is powerful. Peter warns us the devil prowls like a lion looking for someone to devour. The devil is also the master of lies and deceit. In John 8:44, Jesus calls the devil a liar and the father of lies. We sin because the lies of the devil are very, very tempting. The devil knows just what our weaknesses are and he exploits these to the maximum. He deceives us into thinking sin will be so pleasurable. “Try it just this once”. “It will be OK.” “One little sin won’t hurt.” The devil’s lies and promises are almost overwhelming. If we are not constantly on our guard any of us can, and do, succumb to these temptations, even though we know better. However, Jesus said in John 8: 31 and 32 that if we are truly His disciple’s we will keep obeying His teachings and we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free.
After we sin we realize the empty promises of sin. It wasn’t that great. The pleasure was fleeting, at best. The devil’s promises were hollow promises. We realize how wonderful, lasting, and fulfilling God’s promise is and we are ashamed that we gave in to sin. Instead of beating ourselves up over our failures, we should first ask God for forgiveness and strength, and then seek to learn from our mistakes. God can use sin as a learning tool. This is the great revelation. Each time we sin and then realize the empty promises of sin, we can learn from that experience and grow stronger. That is how we grow in Christ. Each time we learn more and grow stronger. We compare the empty promises of sin with the great peace and joy that comes from living God’s way and we understand the truth. Then, when we are tempted again, we remember how fleeting and empty the devil’s promises really were and we are better able to endure temptation.
The experience of growing in Christ is a slow one and proceeds at God’s pace. He will bring us along at just the right pace that will allow us to absorb His lessons and grow in Him. The next time you succumb to sin, use it as an opportunity to grow. When we keep on asking for forgiveness and obeying His teachings, we will understand the truth and the truth will set us free from the power of sin. Art Drake
