STUFF   Dave Shaner

In the absence of short stuff, we have selected the following article. Dave, we miss you, and hope you have had a great week at camp.

Examination

Examination of the world without is never as painful as examination of the world within. This is true of individuals as well as churches. As a result, most avoid the totally truthful introspective look. Yet, when one is dedicated to truth this pain seems relatively unimportant.

A life of total dedication to the truth also requires a willingness to be personally challenged. The only way to be certain of our individual and collective life in Christ is to expose it to the criticism and challenge of others. Otherwise we live in a closed system, a vacuum, re-breathing only our own overused air, perhaps going through the motions of repetitive worship, becoming more and more subject to delusion. Because of the pain inherent in the process of change, we mostly avoid any challenges which might point out it's need. We disavow and discredit anyone who might remind us of that need.

For individuals and churches to be open to challenge, it is necessary for their faith to be truly open to questions and inspection by anyone. Theirs must be lives a total honesty - not just the words they say but the way they say them and how they live them as they reflect the truth of God. And, there is tremendous comfort in knowing that if we rest in the truth, it will always withstand every challenge.

Yes, we only have a short time to do the Lord's work. We should be about our Fathers business!

Kristin Falconer, Jeff Frisbie, and Elizabeth Clapper who were baptized at Senior Camp. Everyone please help make these new Christian teenagers feel included in the Lord's Family at Dalton Gardens.

Lunchtime today will be a joyous time for all, as we share our fall luau, complete with Samoan roast pig and all the trimmings. Everyone is bringing side dishes, and desserts, so there will be plenty to eat for all. If you are visiting, please join us. You can even be dressed for the occasion. Leis, grass skirts, and men's straw hats will be sold by the Christian School.

Plan on coming to Family camp August 29-September 1 at Farragut State Park. The theme this year is: Fisher's of Men. There will be a contest to see who is the most creative at decorating their camp- site in this years theme. A prize will be given to the winner. Here is a sampling of some of the activities: hot dogs and hamburgers on Sunday, unlimited snow-cones & cotton candy, All you can eat french fries at 'George's' tent on Friday night, volleyball, s'mores, bike riding, singing at the campfire, a kite flying contest, a scavenger hunt and extreme fun and fellowship with your fellow Christians. Special speaker, Scott Rouse. Make your plans to be there. The cost is only $2 per person per night. Bring your friends. For more information, contact George Wuest.

P.S. Teens under 18 must have an adult chaperone while at the campsite.

Mark your calendar now for a special brown bag luncheon on Monday, August 18 at 12 noon at the home of Jean Grow, 5905 Pleasant Way, ( off Dalton between 95 and Ramsey, phone 664-3522). Please plan on attending and spending this time in fellowship with your sisters. Debbie Yanzick will present a short devotional. Bring your favorite brown bag lunch.

Drinks will be provided. See you there!

Recently I was reading about forgiveness, and the author mentioned an interesting concept I really had not realized. He wrote 'that part of God's forgiving us is God trusting us.' He went on to give examples of this in the lives of the prophet Isaiah, and David. We also can see it in the lives of the apostles, and numerous others. In his book 'Where the Spirit of the Lord Is' Jim McGuiggan went on to write, 'Look, we know God wants more than the chance to pardon us; he wants richness of character and depth of life. Forgiveness is no end in itself; it calls for grateful response and commitment. This means that every experience of forgiveness is also God's expression of trust that we will serve him.'

After reading and meditating on this I had to ask myself. In my forgiving someone am I trusting them? I did not like my answer. After more meditation I also realized that as a human being my forgiveness and trusting someone is a learning and growing process. I am glad that God helps me in this as he continues to forgive and trust me.

-The Elders

Congratulations to Wade and Mary Grow on the arrival of their son, Darwin Lloyd Harriss on Saturday, August 2. He weighed 9 lbs 3 oz. and was 22' long. Proud, smiling grandparents are Larry and Jean Grow.

Our sympathies to Dorothy Todd at the passing of her sister, Helen Kewnig, in San Francisco.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Nirk family in the loss of Sharon's uncle, Sandy Sanders. Pray for softened hearts for her aunt, Erma and her daughter, Sherry that they might find God in this time of loss.

Aug. 10 - Luau Potluck after Worship

Aug. 12 - Prayer Breakfast 6:30 a.m. at JB's

Aug. 14 - Bike Ride 7 p.m. at Angela Earnhart's

Aug. 10-16 - Preteen Camp (3rd-5th completed)

Aug. 17 - Michelle Kish's Baby Shower 2:30 p.m.

Aug. 18 - Ladies Luncheon at Jean Grow's 12:00 p.m.

Aug. 26 - Ladies Fall Fellowship Meeting 6:30 p.m.

Doug Gwin is suffering severe pain in his back, leg, and knee.

Anita Halford is suffering from many health problems. Treatment is being attempted to avoid a leg amputation.

Pray for Pat Ward as he recovers from minor surgery.

Pray for Jan Almond for continued healing.

Pray for Al & Anita Poland for safe travel.

Barbara Anderson continues to struggle with breathing problems.

Jeanie Smith, Debbie Yanzick's friend, is having health problems.

Randy & Darla Benton ask for our prayers. Randy was activated with the National Guard to go overseas for 6-12 months. Pray for safety for Randy and peace and comfort for Darla and the family.

Kay Bates, Betty Wilhoite's daughter, who has breast cancer, has completed chemo. Continue to keep her in your prayers as she soon begins radiation treatments.

Margie Dupey still has abdominal pain. She continues to have more tests.

Pray for Don & Betty Rude as they travel in Alaska.

Lonnie Kellar is in the last stages of cancer. His son, Jeff, and family have asked us to pray for their family.

Russ Allen suffers constant back pain.

Please pray for continued strength for Anita Haman.

Mandy Mood is still dealing with painful migraines.

Pray for Jesse Rupnick and Family for strength, peace and comfort.

Please keep the families in Tecate', Mexico, in your prayers as they grow in their faith.

Remember The Togo Team and David & Becky Reeves as they continue to do the Lord's work among the Kabiye people. David's allergies have been especially bad, causing his eyes to swell shut. He continues teaching in the villages. Little Elijah has had a very bad case of malaria. Both are improving slightly.

Continue Praying For......

Dawn Morgan*The Frisk Family*Holly Welch
Brad Roberts*Doris Dingman*Connie Ford

Senior Camp - was an awesome, spiritually focused week. The love of Christ was experienced continually, as we shared in devotional songs, prayers, Bible study and fellowship. We were thrilled as seven were baptized into Christ including three from here...Jeff Frisbie, Kristen Falconer, and Elizabeth Clapper. There were also about 40 responses for prayers for strength and rededication on Friday night. By God's power, I believe we all were changed. Praise God for his goodness.

We live in a world filled with conflict. In fact, in many ways, our 'peaceful' society seems to promote conflict, being entertained by it. And when children learn to act out these aggressive behaviors we run into trouble. Then we engage the counseling professionals to help with conflict resolution, and the cycle continues. We do need help.

In the latest issue of Focus on the Family Magazine, an article on 'Raising Peacemakers' concludes with the following basic suggestions which I believe could be useful to any and all.

Always make a respectful appeal when you disagree with a decision made by someone else.

Stop yourself from responding in a way that will cause conflict. For example, don't lose your temper, whine, nag, argue, challenge, make excuses, or blame others.

Think about why you want to talk about this decision and what words to use.

Appeal in an honoring way: Use an appropriate tone of voice, carefully use your words, be conscious of your body language, and respectfully listen.

Respond humbly, and understand that your appeal may or may not be granted, but you must accept the decision either way.

When a confession is in order:

Admit wrong.
Apologize for how a choice affected the other person.
Accept the consequences.
Ask for forgiveness.
Alter choices in the future.

Most conflicts could be resolved if all of us would learn to practice just a few of these sensible choices. And when there is a conflict, the following three phrases will exemplify a Christ-like spirit, and diffuse most explosive situations.... 'I was wrong.' 'I am sorry.' 'Please forgive me.' Parents, how would you react to a teenager who said those three things to you? And teens, how would you react to a parent who said those three things to you? I dare you to try it!!

The teens will see Fiddler on the Roof at NIC after a picnic in Ft. Sherman Park beginning at 6 pm. Our 'gift tickets' need to be reserved by August 17th so sign up NOW!

The Shari Swaim Scholarship Fund Those who would like to contribute to this fund this year as before, please see Dan DuPey or Cheryl Mullaly. This is an excellent way to contribute to Christian Education and the future of a child.

Please remember to contact your secret sister at least once per month and pray for her much more often than that! Also, be sure to check the bulletin board at the bottom of the ramp for thank you notes from your sister. There are a lot of notes that have been hanging up for a while.

Attention all Committee Heads, Helpers and interested Ladies! Saturday, October 4th and our Ladies Fall Fellowship "Recognizing The Master's Plan" will be here before we know it. Our next meeting for our Ladies Fall Fellowship will be on Tuesday, August 26th at 6:30 pm here at the building. This will be a very important meeting as we pull everything together,

make sure we haven't forgotten anything and that everyone has the help they need. The Committee Heads need to report on their plans and progress. We need you all there as we do the final planning. If you

haven't signed up to help or need more information see Jean Grow or Mary Petersen.

We had a great Wednesday night feeding sixty people this week. Thank you all for your prayers, support, cooking, and cleaning. We have a wonderful time working and visiting with each other - come and be a part of this evening.

TO SERVE August 17^th, 2003

Contact Warren Brown ASAP if you are unable to serve.

Assembly Times:

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

Bible Study Groups:

Statistics:
WEEK OF 8/3/2003

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