Family News

December 2, 2001

Stuff Dave Shaner

Having had some weeks to reflect on the tragedy that occurred on September 11, one question has been asked of myself many times. Did this happen because America is basically good or because of it is shamefully bad in so many ways? I am not sure that I even like the implications. The question itself makes either Satan or God the perpetrator of the actions. Everything good comes from God. Everything evil comes from the devil. Of course, God can take even the horrible things Satan does and use them against him and for our good. It is a fact that anyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. No one ever really knows how God will use various events to accomplish his purposes. Paul said in Romans 11:33-34, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?'' God has taken these events and has caused us to reevaluate what is really important. As a nation, we have not been as attentive to Him as we ought. It has even caused our own congregation here in Dalton Gardens to spend more time in prayer. As a result, we have been drawn closer to the LORD than we had been before.

I have at times been a critic of our government and nation. It is not that I think we were more godly in the past. We can always point to times when we thought things were better. When I think of our nation's racist attitudes and many other practices, we have come a long way. I can also think of major steps backward we have taken more recently, especially in regards to morality. My thoughts come down to this ... God is not as interested in nations as a whole as He is in you and His family, the church. Different countries are tools God uses in various ways, but His church represents a different kind of kingdom, a heavenly one. I am thankful for the United States, despite our problems, but to be a citizen of the kingdom of God is overwhelmingly gratifying. Nations rise and fall, but nothing can ever destroy the eternal nature of the kingdom of God!

Elders available for shepherding:
LaMont Petersen in the church office every Tuesday morning; Larry Grow in the office every Wednesday afternoon; two elders in the office every Sunday 4:00-5:00. This week - Lamont Petersen & Larry Grow

Dave & Kathy Shaner's annual Christmas Open House will be held Sunday afternoon, December 16th from 1:00-5:00 pm. Come and enjoy the holidays with us.

All are invited!

The Senior Saints are planning a Progressive Christmas Dinner on Saturday, December 8, 2001. The dinner will start at 4:00 p.m. There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer. Sign up if you can be part of the fun. For more information please see Dee Pierce, Betty Rude, Janet Blanchard, Jean Grow, or Mary Petersen.

Come join us for a fun and fancy dinner out on Saturday, December 15. There has been a change. We will have dinner at Archer's house and not at the church building. Meet at the Archer's at 6:30 p.m. for dinner catered by Tomato Street followed by dessert and a gift exchange. Dress as fancy as you'd like and leave the kiddoes at home for some great Christmas fellowship with all of us Tweeners! A sign-up sheet is on the kiosk. Dinner will be $10 per person. Each couple please bring two wrapped gifts under $10 and have them labeled male and female to participate in the gift exchange. Anyone interested in going together for a baby-sitter, please contact Michelle Kish (773-3458), or Alyssa Frahm (665-5851) Hope to see you there!

We didn't know just how it would be received, nor how it would go. After one month, we have to conclude that the Dalton Gardens Church of Christ Prayer Breakfast is an enormous success! With a high attendance of 30, and a low of 16, for the month of November we averaged 22 present for the Prayer Breakfasts. By spring, we should be having twice this number as we reach out to friends and neighbors. People all over the United States are looking for an anchor in these troublesome times, and are finding it in prayer to our Father. Congratulations to Russ and Margie for the direction they are giving to this ministry. We meet each Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m. at JB's Restaurant on Appleway. We invite you to "Try it, you'll like it."

Budgets for each of the ministries should have been turned into Tim Frahm or LaMont Petersen by December 1. There will be a meeting of all elders & deacons on December 15 at 9:00 a.m. to finalize the 2001 budget. We hope to make this a shorter meeting.

CCS Craft Fair

The craft fair is this Saturday from 9:00 - 3:00 p.m.! We will be moving furniture on Wednesday night after class and would appreciate your help. If you are providing baked goods, they can be delivered to the school on Friday or to the small auditorium on Saturday morning. We are also looking for help with the Kids Craft Area. Any teenagers looking for a service project? See you Saturday!

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Don and Larry Flanagan in the passing of their brother, Frank. Remember to keep them and their families in your prayers during this time of loss.

Ken Huseby's new temporary address is:

1505 Stiner, Cd'A; Phone #664-5898

Calendar of Events

December 7- 8 - Teen Lock - Ins

December 8 - C.C.S. Craft Fair

December 8 - Senior Saints Progressive Dinner

December 15 - Tweeners Christmas Dinner

December 18 - C.C.S. Christmas Play

December 23 - Special Praise & Worship

Prayer Requests

Jennie Brown is now resting at home. Her condition seems to be improving. She covets your prayers and appreciates short visits. Continue to keep Bob and their family in your prayers.

Susan French is home recovering from Achilles Tendon transplant surgery. She will be bedridden for at least six weeks. Pray for comfort as she recovers.

Jason Hall, Jeff & Sheri's son, was injured in an accident. Pray for his broken bones to heal quickly.

Paul & Katrina Swaim have asked for your forgiveness and your prayers as they seek healing in their marriage.

Jim's brother, Leonard Almond, will have surgery for colon cancer in Carroltown, Georgia. Pray for God's blessing on him and the family.

Effie, a friend of Don Will's mother, is in intensive care in Florida following a serious car accident that nearly took her arm off.

Karmen Rouse as she recovers from orthoscopic knee surgery.

Jenny Dupey as she prepares for tonsil/adenoid surgery in December.

Anita Haman is at home now and still is in need of our prayers for comfort and strength as she deals with a lot of pain from cancer.

Bill Elliott, Jan Almond's brother, is seriously ill with cancer.

Marian Demas, a dear friend of Carol Fredrickson's, is losing her battle with cancer. Carol has asked us to pray that she will open her heart to God.

Continue to pray for the Togo Team and their families. Malaria keeps going from family to family. Three of their children have malaria again at this time. Also, keep the work in your prayers, as they visit in the mountain villages around Cara.

Steve Taylor as he is home recovering from back surgery. Pray for healing and comfort.

Alva Davis, Clara Ward's brother, who has been in ill health for a long time, has fallen and broken his hip. He is 81 and is a great believer of healing prayer.

Amber Anderson is in need of a job and a place to live. Keep her in your prayers.

Continue Praying For....

*Al Poland *Clarence May *Ron Bristow

*Mark Mood *David Morgan *Bonnie Myer

*Opal Wilson *Shirley Parker *Cooper Family

*Don Phelps *Joyce Rude *Jacob Sandford

*Shari Swaim *Tina Penson

Mike's Memos

Everyone who is or has been a parent knows that it can be one of the most rewarding...and frustrating experiences in life. Our children's road from the cradle to adulthood is filled with joy and pride and frustration and struggle. It is not an easy job!

Kevin Leman made this perfectly clear in his wonderful video series, Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours. He also shared some sound advice for us to follow as parents. Dr. Leman is not only an acclaimed Christian psychologist and family counselor, he's a daddy. He and his wife, Sandi, have successfully raised three children, and have two small ones at home. To ignore his experience, expertise and wisdom, and think you know better, would be foolish.

So, to remind those who enjoyed the class, and to share with those who missed it, here are some of the Family Values Principles he gave in the last session:

*Make tough decisions. Parenting is not a wimpy business. It's okay to make the little darlings unhappy at times

*Get kids out of some activities. When we push our kids, or allow them to push themselves into too many activities, we make it impossible for them to set sensible priorities. We turn their lives and ours into a marathon that keeps everyone running in so many directions there is no time for family, and often less time for God. They need time...time for God, free time, relational time, just time to be kids.

*Raise your own children. Babysitters can be wonderful, but you must be the parent.

*Realize that people are more important than things. Our society is 'stuff' oriented. If we try to give our kids all the things we didn't have, they will be rotten. It is good for them to do without some of the stuff!

*Discipline with love. An undisciplined child is a criminal waiting to happen. The same may be true of a child disciplined without love. Loving discipline is a thing of God.

*Take your children to worship. If you give your kids everything but God, they are poor indeed. Model Christianity before them.

*Have dinner together as family. Meals shared around the family table, without TV, are an absolute must for successful family relationships. If your family doesn't have time for at least one a day, you are much too busy.

*Turn off the television. This is not simply to avoid negative programming. Be concerned that your children are NOT seeing kids.... respecting adults, adults acting like adults, fathers depicted as loving, giving & caring, people who pray and worship God, an emphasis on giving rather than on getting, the reality and consequences of casual sex.....among other important lessons.

*Be a genuine, Christian role model. Let your kids see Christ in you. Be consistent in the practice of your faith. Be Jesus to them.

*Don't be disconnected emotionally, but use your head, not just your heart. You can't run your life on your feelings.

This whole video series has been a blessing to many families, and now that the class is over, you may check the lessons out from our video library. We need to use the best resources available to help us do the best parenting job possible.

7th - 12th grade girls at the Reeves' home, and 7th - 12th grade boys at the Frisk's home. These will be more than lock-in parties. Some specific gender-oriented lessons are planned. We hope all our teens can attend. Friday from 6 p.m. to Saturday 11 am.

'Where is the snow?' The children were asking this to their teachers over and over as the seasons began to change. Leaves had fallen into scattered piles under the trees. The wind had blown them everywhere. Temperatures had dropped considerably. The left over turkey, and all the trimming had been eaten days before. But still, there was no snow! Many had asked, 'Does it always take this long?' I asked them why it was so important to have snow. 'It brings happiness!'...... 'It is tender and soft!'.... 'The color is bright!'...... 'It is special and exciting!'..... 'It is beautiful!'...... 'The snow is pure and white and brings joy to everyone!' This reminds me of the Lamb of God. Jesus is pure with NO faults or blemishes. He is beautiful for his example and for what he did for us......giving His Life so that we might LIVE. He said..... 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life........and if any man follows Me and My ways, He will NOT die, but have everlasting life! When we see the snow, do we think of the 'pure' lamb? Do we think about what we are doing to brings others to the Lamb? The students are learning! They are excited! They hear about His word every day! Yes....they do hear every day! What a great ministry we do have. The snow is white.....and it really is beautiful!

-Dan Dupey

Other Bible Study Groups are offered at various times. Please call the office for times and places.

Bible Study Groups: