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December 10, 2000 Short By Stuff Dave Shaner At a football game recently following an unsportsmanship call by the officials, the announcer said, "I wonder if you can legislate sportsmanship anymore than you can legislate morality." The announcer was stating what he considered an undisputable truth beyond question. You've heard it before, "You can't legislate morality." If you can't legislate morality, then rape would not be against the law. No law could prohibit murder. Thieves are not committing a crime. The bank robber, the purse snatcher, the embezzler, & the car thief are free to apply their trade if morality can not be legislated. Lying would be considered all right rendering court oaths to tell the truth obsolete. These are moral issues. If you can't legislate morality, then these laws would not be such because they are issues of morality. Of course, people do not really mean what they say in this regard. What they really mean is "You can't pass a law against the particular immorality in which I wish to engage." Whether it be lying, adultery, fornication, gambling, abortion, or stealing you should be free to make your own decisions about these things, if you can not legislate morality. One man said, "Morality is the sole object of every law, every act of legislation." A more profound question would be related to whose morality are we going to legislate?" We could write the laws according to current public opinion. This, in essence, is what is taking place. When something does not fit the taste of what is in keeping with the times, then the laws are rewritten to reflect such. The irony is that the morality of the masses is being legislated. What is so appealing about the Bible is that it lays down foundational issues that never get outdated. It is wrong to murder. It is wrong to betray your spouse. It is wrong to cheat, lie, and steal. We know these things. God has written these laws in our hearts as well as in His Word. What is so appealing about the Bible, however, is that God becomes the final authority. There will still be room to disagree on a lot of subjects, but right is right because God says it is right. Wrong is wrong because God says it is wrong. What needs to really change is the hearts of men to be aligned with the will of God. Maybe in the courts of men, some laws will be legislated that you disagree with and are in need of change. But all of this further points out the truth that you can legislate morality. HAVE A GREAT WEEK !! Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. - Psalm 139:23
Annual Ski Day Scheduled Sign up at the kiosk- Today! Monday, December 18th, is our annual ski day. For students: The cost for lift tickets is $15-16 or $24-26 if you need ski rental. The cost is the same for skiing or snow boarding. Two ski site options are being considered but will be finalized this week. For adult prices or additional information, see Dave Shaner or Mike Reeves. You must fill out a form, and it requires parental signatures in order to go.
Christmas Open House Dave and Kathy Shaner's annual Christmas Open House will be held next Sunday afternoon, December 17th from 1:00-5:00 pm. All are invited!
Going and Growing There will be a New Years Eve Party at the building on the appropriate day. There will be a food, games, fellowship, and some great singing. This particular get together happens only once a year. The best way to bring in the New Year is to be able to spend it with you brothers and sisters in Christ. The fellowship task force will meet today after morning services. If you have an IDEA, come and meet and eat with us. Bring finger food or snacks. Please contact Ken Neubauer if you have any questions.
Christmas Baskets The Benevolence Ministry is in the process of gathering food for our needy family Christmas dinner baskets. Please get your contributions and requests for baskets in early. Pick up your bag in the foyer December 10th and return it filled with various food items as soon as possible. Please help us share our blessings. For information or questions call Jack or Dee Pierce 457-1185 or Pat Riggs 772-3964
Bible Study Groups With December 24 traditionally a family evening, the regular Bible Study Groups will not be meeting on that night. The following week, being New Year's Eve, they will also not be meeting. However, we would like to encourage everyone to come to the building for the New Year's Eve get together. There are several Bible Study Groups meeting throughout the community during the week. These are an excellent way to gain some added prayer and fellowship, some Bible study, and is also an excellent way to introduce your friends to Jesus Christ. See the back of the bulletin for a complete list of Bible Study Groups. Call the Bible Study Group leader for where the group is meeting.
Deacons We would like to welcome Arrty Rude as a new deacon in the Mature ministry. He will be serving alongside Mark Borsheim and John Erwin in this area. The church as a whole selected him along with others to serve the church. We appreciate both Arrty and his wife, Jennifer, for his love for the Lord and the church. Be sure to help Arrty to make this job a joy. Also be sure to keep them in your prayers.
Welcome Ray and Karen Rayburn wish to be identified as working with this congregation. They have moved here from California having worked with several congregations before. Be sure to welcome them to the Dalton Family. Their address is: Ray & Karen
Rayburn
New Directories Pictures for a new pictorial directory will be taken on January 4-6, 2001. If you are interested in helping put this together, please see Jenny Brown. Sign-ups will start December 10. Please sign up today for your sitting. Every family that gets their picture taken will receive a free directory plus an 8X10 photograph of your family. Pictures may be purchased but you are under no obligation to do so. The church will also receive an overrun of new directories so we can give these to new members. These are an excellent communication tool which will enable you to put a face with a name.
Having a Birthday or Anniversary? If you have not seen your name on the Birthdayor Anniversary Calendar, it's because we do not have it. Please contact Jan Almond, Earlene Reeves or the office to up date our list and not leave anyone out!
Calendar Of Events Dec 14 - CCS
Christmas Program
Prayer concerns John Erwin was admitted to the hospital last Thursday for some dizziness. The doctors have found that he had a light stroke. He is home resting. He and Joyce would appreciate your prayers. Bobbi Smetak (Jo Allen's sister) needs our prayers; she was traveling in Mississippi and visiting friends; and suffered chest pain; and is now recovering from by-pass surgery. Mitchell James (Carol Fredrickson's Father) had a stroke and is in the hospital in Montana in serious condition. Please include him and Carol in your prayers. Myrtle Cornett, Opal Wilson's sister is at home recovering and doing quite well. Opal wants to thank everyone for their prayers for Myrtle. Scott Wagnon would like prayers for his step-mother's pregnancy to go well. At this time she is quite ill. Ken Arnold is in need of our prayers and visits. Amanda Mood has requested prayers for Leanne St. Martin, who is in jail. She would like to be able to start over and get a second chance. Pray that she can come to know the Lord. Georgette Rude requests prayers for her nephew, Matthew age 19, who is suffering from severe colitis. Continue Praying For... Shari Swaim * Mark & Mandy Mood * Howard Rude Sr. * Edith McDonnell, Alyssa's stepmother's mother* Paul Kulinsky, Heather Rude's father * The Togo Team * Ruth Musgrave, sister of Steve & Tim Frahm * Anita Haman * Our missionaries * Doris Dingman "THANK YOU for the food, prayers, telephone calls, cards , etc and especially a big THANK YOU to Esther Atkinson for taking me to the doctor. I love you all." - Opal Wilson
FROM THE DAVID REEVES FAMILY - "Tell everyone hello and write to us. It takes l week for a letter to reach us from the USA. So get out that pen! We love you guys and wish you a Merry Christmas. Send Some Snow!" You may wish to send them e-mail instead as it reaches them right away. The Reeves Family
Mike's Memos Divorce is like a large rock tossed into a small pond. It turns upside down the lives of husband, wife, children, and also sends rippling shock waves through the hearts of parents, grandparents, other close relatives, friends and church family. Recognizing that "God hates divorce" we must also remember that he still loves the people-and so should we. So, how do we respond to the divorced, and those others who are hurting? Not knowing how, we often just leave them to hurt when they most need loving care. Perhaps some positive suggestions taken from the TSLI Journal would help. 1. Accept the reality rather than ignore the situation. 2. Ask specifically what they need from you as they deal with the divorce. 3. Without prying, communicate your willingness to listen whenever they need to talk. 4. Affirm the person's ability to overcome the pain and loss. 5. Be cautious about giving advice to divorcing persons. 6. Help them evaluate the situation by looking at different sides, but leave decisions up to them. 7. Commit your continued, unconditional love. 8. Listen to understand, rather than to judge. 9. Gently encourage Christian counseling. 10. Be supportive of the person and help them to grow through inevitable mistakes and pain. I'm convinced that no one understands why God hates divorce as well as those who have suffered through it. And, I'm convinced that if we did, fewer of us would go there. But the divorced do not need us to remind them, they need our loving care.
Hospitality: Most women wish to make their homes a haven from the storms of life, whether that home is a dorm room or a mansion. A Christian home is a miracle to be shared and Scripture abounds in models to show us how. We are commanded to practice hospitality; and obedience to this will lead to the joyful, fruitful life God longs for us to have. Ladies, please join us throughout the month of December, on Wednesday evenings, as we learn the art of hospitality. We will be guided to learn to be hospitable to our own, and extended families, to friends, and those in our paths who are in spiritual, emotional, and physical need. Any questions call Jeannie Bonthius 762-3080. Thank you! :
Men's Breakfast December 16th, 7:00 a.m. at the Church building Stan Howerton will speak on 5 key areas on which to base your manhood.
CCS Corner "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!" Romans 8:1 We are now FREE from the law of sin and death! Is this exciting or what? Sometimes we go around feeling discouraged for what we don't have and often for what we have. We are not sure of our direction or our focus. We sometimes lean on the attractiveness of the world and the goals set forth there instead of what God has set forth for us! Paul wanted to do right, but struggled. "When
I want to do good, evil is right there with me." Rom. 7:21 Why is it that
somehow even the "best" Christians keep on sinning? Does God continue to
forgive? Are we changing as Christians? Are we growing spiritually as we
mature physically? It is important that we cling to what is good. It is
SO
Let's join hands and follow Him! Please remember the school mission efforts. CCS is struggling through the month of December. If you can help in any way let us know. Where in Romans 8 is this found? Dan Dupey
Christmas Wishes! THANK YOU for the overwhelming response to "A Simple Christmas Wish" for the soup kitchen guests. There are still more ornaments with Christmas wishes to fill. If you would like to help with this; please take an ornament off of the wall in the lobby. Then bring the gift back by December 17, wrapped with the ornament tag attached. If you have any questions contact Jeannie Bonthius, 762-3080 or Earlene Reeves, 762-8024. Thank you for making Christmas a little brighter for others in need.
WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA - Zig Ziglar Several years ago the people listen in Who's Who in America were analyzed. Researchers discovered that it took 25,000 laboring families to produce 1 child who would be listed in Who's Who. It required 10,000 families in which the father was a skilled craftsman, 6,00 Baptist preachers, 5,000 lawyers, 5,000 Presbyterian preachers, 2,500 dentist, and 1,200 Episcopalian priests to produce someone who's listed in Who's Who. However, every 7 Christian missionary families produced a member of Who's Who. I can only speculate on the reasons for the remarkable difference. Surely most of the preachers from the various denominations were men and women of faith, but I believe the missionaries, in most cases, demonstrated a stronger commitment. Their example demonstrated their faith and courage to their children. Also, they probably did not have many things to give to their children, but the mother and father, with fewer distractions such as daily newspapers and television, were probably spending an unusual amount of time with them. The kids had a day-to-day example and a chance to study what real success was all about. Needless to say, the parents were teaching and preaching the Bible every day and felt a unique relationship with God through the person of Jesus Christ. Undoubtedly the role modeling and demonstration of their faith played a significant part in the development of the children. All of us have heard that we teach what we know, but we reproduce what we are, which is exactly what God tells us in Luke 6:40 (NKJV): "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher." My mother repeatedly said to me as a young father, "Son, your children pay more attention to what you do than to what you say." In many cases, the missionary family had to learn to communicate in a different language from their native language and get along with people of different cultures, which brought about a maturing of the youngsters. Then, when the kids returned to America to live, they had a chance to view the difference in the opportunities in America, and they capitalized on those opportunities. The bottom line from Zig: God's Word is an enemy for depression, an escape from temptation, the promise of the future, as well as a guide, hope and inspiration for now and always. TO SERVE December 17th, 2000
Contact Dave Bruner ASAP if you are unable to serve.
PRAYER
HOT LINE - Lynelle
Dehlbom 762-1029
Assembly Times: Sunday:
Wednesday:
Bible Study Groups:
Dalton Gardens Church
of Christ
Church Office Hours:
DEACONS: Win Minstry:
Mature Ministry:
Knit Ministry:
Statistics: WEEK OF 12/3/2000
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