Looking for a luxurious and thoughtful Christmas gift? These limited-edition, 100% wool blankets are crafted from the wool of the sheep raised at the AU Agriculture Education Center to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Andrews University. Made at
Mountain Meadow Wool Mill with natural, undyed wool, these high-quality blankets are perfect for family, friends, or anyone who values something special and meaningful. With only 45 still available, they’re truly one-of-a-kind! To learn more, go to the Made at Andrews store (www.madeatandrews.com) and search for "Logo blanket."
The Bondage Breaker
The Bondage Breaker: How to Turn Your Defeats into V-I-C-T-O-R-Y
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
Offering
More In This Series
“The Bondage Breaker:
How to Turn Your Defeats into V-I-C-T-O-R-Y”
□ The Principle
• Luke 8:1-3
• Luke 11:24-26
• You must what you .
• Re video gaming:
- Philip Zimbardo in an Aug 2011 TED talk: “Boys’ brains are being digitally rewired in a totally new way, for change, novelty, excitement, and constant arousal. They’re totally out of sync in traditional classes, which are analog, static, and interactively passive. And they’re totally out of sync in relationships [with young women], which build gradually and subtly.” (www.TED.com TED Talk, Aug 2011/quoted in Leadership Fall 2011)
□ The Plan
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#1—Replace hi-visual/hi-tech stimulation with .
Psalm 46:10—“Be and know that I am God.”
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Richard Foster: “In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three
things: , , and .”
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Desire of Ages: “When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait
before Him, the of the soul makes more distinct the voice of
God.” (363)
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Richard Foster: “In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three
-
#2—Replace self-absorbed stimulation with .
Wall Street Journal “Can Faith Rewrite an Addict’s Brain?”: “Frequent involvement in seems to help in the treatment of those who do abuse alcohol and drugs [according to a research report to be released next month in Alcohol Treatment Quarterly]. . . . Our study showed spiritual experiences predicted abstinence, increased social behavior and reduced narcissistic behavior. . . . Why might this combination work? Neuroscientists, including Andrew Newberg in his 2010 book ‘How God Changes Your Brain,’ are beginning to uncover what happens to the mind when the unconscious neurological foundations of addiction are short- circuited by [1] spiritual awakening and [2] a new focus on others. Neuronal pathways in the brain appear to be instantaneously realigned.” (WSJ 3-28-2014)
- #3—Replace hormonal stimulation with /physical exertion.
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#4—Replace dietary stimulation with .
“I have come to realize that the ‘lust on/off switch’ primarily starts with my .” (Graduate student email)
“Physical habits have a great deal to do with the success of every individual. The more careful you are in your , the more simple and unstimulating the food that sustains the body in its harmonious action, the more clear will be your conception of duty. . . . The has much to
do with the disposition to enter into temptation and commit sin.” (Counsels on
Diet and Food 52)
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#5—Replace beverage stimulation with .
The stimulation that injects into the nervous and circulatory systems, pumping you up before dropping you down, is an artificial stimulation for both you and your body.
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#6—Replace stress stimulation with .
Blaise Pascal, the French mathematician and philosopher and Christian of theseventeenth century, wrote: “All the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay in their own room.” (Ruth Barton, Invitation to Solitude and Silence 9)
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#7—Replace some of your old friends with .
April 16—Wednesday 7 p.m.—a special prayer and anointing service for all- Counseling and Testing Center— (269) 471-3470/
- www.MichianaSober.org for local Alcoholics Anonymous groups
- www.alcoholics-anonyous.org for national directory
- Sexaholics Anonymous/Sundays 5-6 p.m./call Ed (480) 274-8114
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Google for local information for other 12-Steps
Desire of Ages: “Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am sinful, very sinful. You may be; but the worse you are, the more you need Jesus. He turns no weeping, contrite one away. He does not tell to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take courage. Freely will He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration.” (568)
You must replace what you remove!
We invite you to join us in spreading joy this holiday season! Please bring your unwrapped toys for children in our community to our Annual Toy Collection on December 14.
Your generosity will make a difference in the lives of children and families this season. Thank you for sharing the gift of giving!
We are collecting new or gently used musical instruments to support the creation of the Andrews Academy of Music in Cuba. If you have an instrument you no longer use, please consider donating it to help bring the gift of music to underprivileged children.
Instruments can be dropped off at the church office or at the seminary by December 9, 2024. For more information, please contact us at: careforcuba@andrews.edu, or www.careforcuba.org. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!
In the Spring 2025 semester, the Berrien Springs Parent Partnership will be offering all school students aged 8+ the opportunity to participate in a real archeological Dig right here in Berrien Springs. There is no cost for students who live in the Berrien Springs school district who attend private, public, or church schools, or who are homeschooled. Registration is from December 2 until December 13 at the Parent Partnership website.
Pioneer Operating Budget
Recently a friend of mine had major surgery on her jaw, which would prevent her from eating normal food. She lived far away from me, so I encouraged her in her recovery with texts and my prayers. When she recovered enough to be able to talk, she shared with me how well her local church had cared for her.
From the moment she went into surgery, to the days that followed, they provided her with rides and round-the-clock care. She lived alone at the time, and she had been quite concerned about the logistics, but her local church family had acted as her own family would have, making sure she had everything she needed.
They even went as far as providing her with a gift card to purchase smoothie drinks for the weeks that followed, until she could go back to eating solid food. When I think of what it means to be a church family, my friend’s recovery from surgery comes to mind.
Not everyone is blessed to live in a loving family with others in their household. When the church steps in to provide that necessary comfort and care, our faith takes on a whole new meaning! Today’s offering is for our local church budget.
As you give today, give with an open heart, and consider all the ways our own church is touching lives.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Your prayers and financial support are requested for the Pioneer Youth Mission Honduras team. The team will partner with the Hogar de Niños to provide a Friendship Camp. Scott Schalk and Glenn Russell will lead the Friendship Camp for about 75 children from the surrounding community. There will also be a special camping retreat for the Hogar de Niños, something these youth have never experienced before. The Hogar desperately needs a bus. Donations should be made to Pioneer Youth Missions Honduras.
Join the Andrews University Department of Music for an unforgettable Christmas Extravaganza to welcome the season! This event will feature the University Singers and Chorale under the direction of Stephen Zork, the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Marc Elysée, the Wind Symphony under the direction of Denisse Santos, as well as students from the piano studio of Chi Yun and string ensembles from the studio of Carla Trynchuk.
The concert will feature music favorites such as Of The Father’s Love Begotten and Patapan, scenes from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, and the ever popular Leroy Anderson Sleigh Ride.
Join us at the Howard Performing Arts Center on Saturday evening, December 7, or for a repeat performance Sunday evening, December 8. Both concerts begin at 7:30 PM For tickets and more information, visit howard.andrews.edu.
Andrews Academy Invites You to the Feast of Lights Concert
Andrews Academy will be presenting the 51st annual Feast of Lights program on Friday, December 13, 2024 at 7:00 PM. The community is invited to attend this spectacular night of music, Scripture and drama honoring the King of Kings. It is an evening of lights, bells, instruments, choral singing, congregational singing, shepherds, a Nativity scene, and the retelling of a glorious Christmas story. Chorale and Orchestra will end the program with the Hallelujah chorus. The church sidewalks will be arrayed in Christmas lighting. The program will speak to your hearts of His wondrous love. All are invited to attend this free program held at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University.
You are also invited to an evening of popular Christmas music on Saturday, December 14, at 7:00 PM at the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University. Join us for this free program as we bring in the holidays with a variety of well-known Christmas songs including a grand finale played by the combined musical groups.
Pioneer Women's Ministries invites you to share in the joy of the season by registering for this year's Advent devotionals, "Why Did Jesus Come? Going beyond John 3:16." Women and men are invited to join us as we dig deeper into God's amazing love, care, and deep desire to spend eternity with us. Devotionals will be sent daily December 1-25, 2024. You can receive a brief synopsis of each day's devotional by text and the full devotional by email by texting the word ADVENT to 269-281-2345. We look forward to sharing this blessed season with you.
Christmas is just around the corner! This holiday season, help make Christmas special for a student family by selecting a card from one of the Christmas trees at church. Each card includes a family’s list of needs and wishes—simply choose a card, shop, and deliver your items by December 15th.
No need to wrap—we’ll handle that for you! Let’s spread joy together with Belong Ministries this Christmas!