A Jimmy Johns Moment
So yesterday I had about an hour to kill while in South Bend waiting for Kinkos to finish my print job. I decided to head over to Jimmy Johns and grab a sandwich. Although I was really close to the mall, I thought maybe a better way to spend my time was to read my Bible. (I didn’t have any money to spend anyways : ) ) Since we’re doing the Holy Who series, I decided to start reading the book of Acts where it all began. It’s a bunch of great stories of the early disciples doing and sayings incredible things under the uction of the Holy Spirit. I was throroughly impressed and excited as I read. We all need the Holy Spirit. Not for all the ewws and awes and goosebumps (whatever that is). But people’s lives were genuinely changed forever. I know people who could benefit for a good changin’ – myself first in that line. I loved reading the disciples prayer in Acts 4:24-31. (they prayed a lot – hint hint) These guys and gals are inspiring to me. Their boldness and love of their savior Jesus is exciting. Needless to say, leaving Jimmy Johns filled me up yesterday and not just with a good sandwich!! Come here more of the Holy Who this Sunday. I’ll be there!! –Lyndee
Speak the Word!!
Have you ever been in a difficult, hard situation and you are speachless? You are at the point where you have no more words to pray. No more words for your situation. Well, I’ve been there many a days. But, ya know, there are some words that we can and should speak over and over and over again. These are the words of God. No matter the situation we’re in, God has something to say about. And sometimes we just need to say HIS words over and over again. God’s words always give us hope. It’s such a simple thing to do. But do we actually do it?! (I need to do this more.) What is your situation today? Crack open the Bible and find some verses to give you strength and encouragement. If you look in the back of your Bible, it may even help you find verses for your particular topic – marriage, kids, work, finances, etc. Let’s start speaking God’s words into our lives today!! –Lyndee
Halloween Alternative for Kids
If you are looking for a safe, fun place for your children this weekend, there a two opportunities you can take advantage of:
Friday, October 31 @ Ugly Mugs, South Bend campus
4:00 – 7:00pm (EST) Kid games & candy
7:00 – 10:00pm (EST) Youth concert
OR
Friday, October 31 @ Plymouth campus
5:00 – 8:00pm (EST)
Each child will leave with a pound of candy. Games, balloons with Mr. Art, food, contests, face painting
Listen Up Ladies
Ladies, this Friday, October 24th is the deadline if you would like to join our ladies book club. Our first book selection was unavailable so we will now be reading: “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World”. Finding intimacy with God in the busyness of life. I know us moms, grandmas, aunts, students, etc etc can relate to keeping the right priorities in life. We will start reading the book on our own then meet together for lunch around the beginning of December to discuss our thoughts on the book. I encourage you to be a part of our little ladies group. The book costs $15. Contact Hesper Manns (hesperstar2003@yahoo.com ) or Lyndee Duhnovsky (lyndeelou26@hotmail.com) if you would like to participate!!
Big Time for Small Town
Ok, this has nothing spiritual at all, just an excitedly proud big sis sharing to anyone who cares to listen. My baby brother, Josh, is a youth pastor of around 100 teens at Hope Chapel outside of Raleigh, NC for about the last 7 years. Well, only he could find a way to be featured in a (lower-budget) Hollywood film. Through a series of relationships and circumstances he’s now an actual actor in a film called 5th Quarter.
Based on a true story, the film follows the Abbate family after the devastation of 15-year-old Luke Abbate’s death in a 2006 car crash and their painful decision to donate his organs to five people. His brother, Wake Forest junior Jon Abbate asked his football coach to change his jersey number to Luke’s number, five. Just before the fourth quarter of each game, the linebacker began holding up five fingers along with his parents, Steven and Maryanne (played by Aiden Quinn of Legends of the Fall and Andie MacDowell of Groundhog’s Day!!) as they sat in section five of the stadium.
My brother plays the best friend of the brother going to Wake Forest College (- with actual speaking lines!) Mind you, he has absolutely no acting skills besides being a complete character by nature. Today was his first day of shooting. This morning he called me and hadn’t had his lines memorized yet, he’d do it on the 2 hour trip to Wake Forest. I talked to him tonight and his first scene he was standing right next to real actress, Andie Mcdowell, he said he didn’t know whether he should vomit or poo his pants. Pretty crazy experience for a guy who grew up in Rochester, IN.
So anyway I have heard that everyone in the world is 6 people from knowing everyone else in the world. Well I figure now I’m only 3 away from knowing Brad Pitt. That’s right….so call me if you want my autograph. And keep an eye out for the 5th Quarter coming out next year!! — Lyndee Duhnovsky
Keep in Prayer
I want to encourage you to keep some people in prayer today.
Betty Turner
Betty is such a great woman of faith. I have been so blessed by her passion for the Lord! She has grown so much in love for Christ over the last couple of years. She currently is going through a tough time with cancer and recovering from hip surgery. Pray that she has a supernatural recovery and the cancer that is in her body dissolves. If you would like to visit her she is in Catherine Kasper Nursing Home on the Ancilla College campus.
Tiffany’s Mom
Tiffany’s mom passed away Monday. Keep the family in prayer. This is a difficult time.
Jack Wright
Jack passed away Monday. This is the brother of Edith and Carol. Keep the family in your prayers. Pray for Jacks kids and those closest to him.
There are many others that are not mentioned, but the Lord cares about all of the things going on in our lives that are overwhelming. The Bible says in Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: Trust in the Lord with all of your hear and lean not on your own understanding; In all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
“Words”
There is great influence in words. The last week I have been thinking about the influence words can have. In James 3:5-6 it talks about the ability of our tongues. It refers to our tongue as a spark that creates an out of control forest fire. I have been convicted of the words that come out of my mouth when the pressure is on. It really is a place where I am choosing my source and identity. When I speak negative, I am glorifying the negative circumstances that face me. This has caused great discouragement and fear to consume my mind and heart. The fear and discouragement paralyses the ability to take a step of faith in opposing times.
The Lord has pricked my heart concerning prayer. In Tuesday night’s service with Linda Turner I was moved in the area of prayer. I felt the Lord drawing me to Him. In James 5:13 is says:”Is any of you in trouble? He should pray.” This stands out greatly to me. Lately there have been circumstances that feel trapping in my life that I need the Lord’s leading through. PRAYER!! This is the answer to the negative words that so easily come out of our mouths. We need to go to the Lord with all of the things that overwhelm us and He will lead with His wisdom and ability instead of us getting overwhelmed with our inability to change what is before us.
Linda Turner
Reminder: This Tuesday (Oct. 14) @ 7p central time. Linda Turner is going to be at our campus. Don’t miss this opportunity, It will be a great time of connecting with Christ. I will see you there!!
Pastor Shawn
The Holy Spirit at Work
Pastor Heath forwarded the video to me, It is an incredible God Moment!
The Holy Who?
This week message about the Holy Spirit was an eye opening message of the roll of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. In Matthew 6:5-14 we see the work of the Holy Spirit as our GUIDE. A guide is the one representing a journey to a destination. Jeremiah 29:11 says that the Lord has good thoughts that give hope (or a destination, goal) The roll of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to be our guide in everyday life. He leads us closer to the Lord and guides us daily thought the ups and downs of life. Matthew 6:34 says to not worry about tomorrow because it has its own troubles. Many times in lifewe make decisions motivated by the fear of tomorrow. This may feel comforting at the moment but the majority of the time it is not based in faith because of the foundation of fear. The Lord said in the Lord’s prayer that He would give us what we need, at the time, to get through every day. He may not give it early, but He will give it to us when needed. In John 10:10 it says that Christ comes to give us an abundant life. To sum it up we need to focus on living successful days with Christ and it will lead us to an abundant future. –God Bless!!
