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The Caring Christian Singles Ministry is a program designed to offer opportunities for single adults in the Genesee County and surrounding areas. Area single adults meet together twice a month, listen, share discussions of particular interest to the single life, laugh and be serious together, and provide encouragement to one another.
Activities and events includes mini-concerts, special guest speakers, discussions related to self-improvement, game night, dinners and dances, some off-site activities, and much more.
A quarterly brochure is mailed out to several hundred single adults keeping them informed as to dates and events provided.
The group is made up of singles from all walks of life, belief systems, and experiences. The atmosphere of the activities is informal and refreshments are always served. Being a part of the single adult program results in being affirmed as a single person, making new friends, developing a healthier sense of self, and spiritually blessing them, as well.
This is a good program in which to participate.
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All single adults are welcome. |
| PERSPECTIVE |
"Where is Happiness"
The American Declaration of Independence says
that we have an "inalienable right" to "life, liberty, and to the
pursuit of happiness." I wonder if Thomas Jefferson knew
where happiness could be found when he wrote that?
Everyone probably has their own idea of what
they think it would take for them to create happiness. It
goes something like this . . . If only I could meet the right
person, When we get married . . . When we have a baby . . .
When it gets out of diapers . . . When it starts school . . . When
it grows up . . . When it moves out and we are alone. Maybe
it is something different that would be your idea of happiness.
How about when you finally get that new car? Or
how about that new house . . . or that special vacation . . . or
when you can finally retire? There are those who feel that
having money will give them happiness. However, being
poor does not prevent people from being happy, and being
rich does not keep people from being miserable.
How about right now, right where you’re at? Happiness
is not about getting what you want, but rather wanting
what you have. Someone once said that, "happiness is
not just God given, but rather God permitted." That gives it
a different perspective, and it is worth thinking about.
What keeps us from finding happiness? Is happiness
something tangible, or is it a feeling? Is happiness
something that lasts, or is it something that is fleeting?
Maybe, happiness is just simply a mirage, never to be
reached. How do we really know? It all depends on how
we seek the happiness that we so deeply desire. That
path, like everything we do, should lead straight to God
first, through our Lord Jesus. Seek Him first, and He will
lead us to all the happiness that we can possibly handle.
Close your eyes . . . imagine that right now you
KNOW that you are pleasing God . . . imagine Him looking
down at you in your life, smiling with pleasure. Can you
imagine anything that could make you happier than pleasing
your Lord and Savior? Happiness comes when you
least expect it. When it is pursued it can never be found.
Pursue God instead.
In the Bible, we learn over and over how much
God loves and cares about us. John 3:16 "For God so
loves the world, that He sent His only begotten Son." I
can’t imagine being loved more than that. If we can’t
seem to be happy because we are always worried or
anxious, turn to our Lord. 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety
on Me for I care for you." There you go, cast your
worries to the One who can truly handle your problems,
our Lord. Do you want happiness in your life? Follow our
Lord’s ways, for He knows best. Proverbs 29:18 "he that
keeps the law, happy is he." . . . Do you spend your time
criticizing others? Romans 14:22 "Happy is he that condemns
not" . . . Our clearest message comes from Ecclesiastes
2:26 "To the man who pleases Him, God gives
wisdom, knowledge, and happiness." Put God first in
your life and He will guide you to your desires. Psalm
37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the
desires of your heart" . . . The path to finding happiness is
the way of our Lord. Happiness therefore, is not the destination,
but the journey.
Happiness is the journey, if we are following
God’s way for our life. So treasure every moment that
you have. Stop waiting until you finish school, or until you
go back to school . . . until you lose ten pounds, or gain ten
pounds . . . until you get married, or until you get divorced . . .
until you feel better . . . until Friday, until Sunday . . .
until Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter . . . until you’ve had a
drink, or until you are sober.
With Jesus in our life, we can have peace and
happiness everyday. We can, as James said in James
1:2, "We can call it all joy . . . " This is because as Jesus
said in John 15:11, "These things I have spoken to you,
that My joy may remain in you, and that you joy may be
full." What a gift we have been given. Happiness and joy
is a gift and it is our Lord’s desire for our life for each and
every one of us. It is a free gift, receive it, and enjoy the
life that God has given you. Where is happiness? It is in
you and all around you, just open your heart and your
eyes. Allow yourself to feel it and to see it.
May our life always be to the glory of
God.
Steve Baillie |
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