STUFF   Dave Shaner

Last week was a particularly difficult week for many. Jesse Rupnick passed away after an extended bout with cancer. The funeral was last Thursday and we wish to thank so many who helped out in making everything easier on the family. Also, David Ellis, a former member here passed away. Many of you knew him and recall his work with the church. That funeral was last Wednesday. I had not participated in a funeral in some time, but every time you do, you are reminded about several things. First of all, life on this earth is very fragile. Unless, you are fortunate enough to be alive when Jesus comes again, the chances of you dying are ... 100%. The Psalmist writer says, 'Lord, teach us to number our days' (Psalm 90:10). The days of this life go by so fast. Enjoy them while you can. Love your family while you can. Do all the good you can while you can.

I am also reminded whenever I gaze upon the earthly shell that is devoid of the person's spirit, that there has to be more to life than the here and now. Job asked, 'Shall a man live again?' Jesus' whole purpose in coming to earth and offering himself as a sacrifice is so that we might live again.

The third thing I am reminded of is how great it is to be a Christian. I have preached for many funerals of both Christians and those outside of Christ. Although we are sad at the loss of our brother or sister in Christ, there is also a sense of joy and hope that others simply do not have. The sense of despair present at the funeral of those who do not know the Lord can be almost overwhelming. Of course, many hold out hope that a person was 'good' enough to go to heaven. Little do people realize the impossible standard that they have set for that person to go to heaven. If one has to be 'good enough', we are all doomed. We are saved by grace through faith. If any meritorious works are included it is the work that Jesus did for us. He lived a life free from sin and offered himself as a sacrifice for our benefit. He did the work. We simply respond in faith. Any works we perform are because of what Christ has done within us. To those in Christ, we are now in a position to work for God. What a great blessing it is to have Jesus. What a difference he made in Jesse's life! What a difference he makes in your life!

Have a Great Week!

The angels in heaven rejoiced last Monday evening when Louise Tallant from Coeur d'Alene, her son, Rodney Neill from Boise and her sister, Esther Gentry, and Esther's daughter, Darlene Preston from Hayden Lake were baptized into Jesus Christ. Louise and Esther are Delvona Rude's sisters. Be sure to welcome them into the family of God.

Monday, August 25th at 7:00 pm in the Garden of Prayer. We have tons of day lilies that need planted and we could use your help. Bring your spade, gloves and knee pads. Refreshments will be provided. Also, we need Stella d'oras very badly. If anyone has any to donate or has any that need dividing or are needing containers, call Georgette Rude. Thank you so much for your help!

Plan on coming to Family camp August 29-September 1 at Farragut State Park. The theme this year is: Fishers of Men. There will be a contest to see who is the most creative at decorating their camp- site in this year's 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, 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.

Who: All members of the Dalton Gardens Church of Christ, especially those who love the Lord and care about the future of the church.

What: Think Tank, planning session, brain-storming

Where: Dalton Gardens Church of Christ Building

When: September 13, 2003, 9:00 a.m. to ?

Why: To prepare a vision of the work of this congregation for the next 5 years.

'For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.' Gal. 3:26-28.

In his book Where the Spirit of the Lord is.... Jim McGuiggan wrote, 'It's our destiny to be one! God has never been interested - eternally not interested - in creating us to live as independent units. No, it's stronger than that; He's earnestly and eternally passionate about our being one, about our belonging to Christ and consequently to one another! This isn't an option; it's the heart of the matter. It isn't a fringe benefit we get when we sign on; it's the purpose and creation of God - a creation that we're to treasure and, by his grace, maintain.

'How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!' Psalm 133:1.

-The Elders

The ladies class on Tuesday, August 26 will be meeting at the home of Christine Welch. A salad luncheon will follow. Drinks and dessert will be provided. See you there at 10:30 a.m.! For questions see Betty Williams.

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.

The Tweeners are invited to the Slates' house for one last swim before winter, on Saturday, September 6, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please bring salads, chips, and desserts (meat, buns, and drinks will be provided). Also bring water toys, boats, kayaks or what ever keeps you afloat. A sign up sheet and maps will be on the kiosk.

(This event will be cancelled if it is a rainy day)

Ladies you are invited to a baby shower for Amber Kelly on Sunday, September 7 at 2:30 p.m. at the home of Alyssa Frahm. Amber is registered at Wal-Mart and Target.

Aug. 25 - Ladies Planting Fellowship 7:00 p.m.

Aug. 26 - Prayer Breakfast 6:30 a.m. at JB's

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

Aug. 26 - CCS Orientation Night 7:00 p.m.

Aug. 29- Sept. 1 - Family Camp at Farragut State Park

Sept. 6 - The Tweeners at the Slates' house

Sept. 7 - Begin Fall Bible Class Quarter

Sept. 7 - Amber Kelly's Baby Shower at the Frahm's

Doug Gwin is experiencing some relief from his pain.

Anita Halford is suffering from many health problems.

Steve Lucas, Earlene Reeves' brother-in-law, is losing his eyesight due to complications with diabetes.

Pray for continued healing for Jan Almond.

Barbara Anderson continues to struggle with breathing problems.

Julie Bryant, Claudia Moberg's daughter, has a growth in her stomach.

Mary Nell Lipscomb fell and broke a bone in her foot.

James Dupey injured his neck in a water sport accident and is having constant headaches.

Randy Flores, Jennifer's husband, is recovering from hernia surgery.

Kay Bates, Betty Wilhoite's daughter, has breast cancer.

Margie Dupey still has abdominal pain.

Russ Allen suffers constant back pain.

Please pray for continued strength for Anita Haman.

Mandy Mood is still dealing with painful migraines.

Keep the families in Tecate' Mexico in your prayers as they grow in their faith.

Please pray for comfort and peace for the family of Cynthia McClure who passed away recently after a long bout with cancer.

Remember the The Togo Team and David & Becky Reeves as they continue to do the Lord's work among the Kabiye people.

I want to thank you for the phone calls, and all the words of encouragement. But that is typically how you all are! I thank God for each one of you.

In Christian Love, Russ Allen

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Our son, Jim Jr. and son-in-law Gary are both doing better.

Jim & Jan Almond

Our brother Jesse Rupnick passed away last Monday, August 18 after an extended bout with cancer. The funeral was last Thursday. Be sure to keep Cindy and the family in your prayers.

from Church & Family magazine, by Carl Mitchell

The story is told of a man who sneaked into the room of his friend who was sleeping, and put limburger cheese in his mustache. The odor soon awakened the sleeper who got up and exclaimed, 'There is a terrible smell in this room!' He walked into other parts of the house, and even outside while sniffing the air, and then exclaimed, 'The whole world stinks!'

This story illustrates a great truth - what we see, or smell, externally is often decided by our internal condition. In fact, relativism in our culture is destroying belief in absolute truth, even among Christians. Ironically, it is almost universally accepted that there is scientific truth, but not in matters of a moral or religious nature. When it comes to moral matters, situation ethics rule the day.

Jesus said, 'You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.' (John 8:32). He identified the source of truth when he said to God, 'Your word is truth.' (John 17:17). Paul insisted that, even if all mankind rejected the truth of God, it would only prove all men to be liars because God's word is true (Rom. 3:3-4).

The question is, 'How are you looking at the world?' It is true that the world out there is in a stinking mess, and the mess seems to be getting worse by the day. However, my world, a world made beautiful by the grace and truth of Jesus Christ, is beautiful indeed. And in fact, in spite of the putrid effects of relativism, through Jesus, my world comes up smelling like roses. That is, as long as I keep the limburger cheese of sin out of my mustache!

I need to avoid the trap of relativism in this out of focus world, and instead, focus on His truth, and allow it to set me free.

The summer has flown by, and many of our high school graduates are leaving for college as follows:

Chrystal Coleman - University of Idaho
Ryan Vandall - North Idaho College
Kelly Dupey - Cascade Christian
Austin Morse - North Idaho College
Adrienne Morse - Cascade Christian
Bobbie Reeves - York Christian
Christy Simpson - University of Idaho
Jason Cox - Unknown
Matt Rude - Army Reserves
And returning to college as follows:
Adam Welch - University of Idaho
Zach Shaner - Abilene Christian
Kurt Shaner - Pepperdine Christian
James Dupey - Cascade Christian
Jessica Bruner - Abilene Christian
Levi Sisemore - Sunset Bible Institute
Ryan Rouse - Cascade College
Adam Rouse - North Idaho College

September 2nd is a special day for the entire area! "School days" roll around once again. We must say that the excitement is NOT minimal. A great amount of "blood, sweat, and tears" we might say went into getting things ready as we worked all through the summer... well, some of us. We all want to thank Pat Riggs.. again.. for her outstanding example as "Grandma in charge!"

The rooms are cleaner, brighter, more organized, less "old" furniture and more attractive, new furniture. We have been blessed with needed lockers, new computers, a podium, books, and higher enrollment! It is exciting to know that more and more parents are looking at the alternative that our school has to offer.

The God-centered curriculum, daily chapel program, smaller class sizes to enhance learning, firm discipline policy, and high academic expectations have attracted numerous new families. This is exciting for our mission as a Church in teaching the "Good News" and ministering to these families! Teaching the Word at a young age is SO important to a child's future faith in God.

Once a man remarked to the preacher: "I will not teach my child anything about religion. I will let him grow up and when he is old enough to judge for himself, he can make his choice."

As the two men talked together, they paused at the preacher's garden. "I thought I wanted to set out some strawberry plants here this spring," said the preacher, "but you have given me an idea. I think I will wait until next August. Then I will see whether it would rather have weeds in it. '"But, the weeds will quickly take over the whole garden by then," the man said to the preacher. Then the preacher said, "And, my friend the weeds will grow unattended in the heart and mind of your child."

"Train up a child in the way he should go....." (Proverbs 22:6)

"Bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.." Eph. 6:4

Men's Basketball League

If you are over 18 years of age, and interested in being part of a men's basketball team. League play starts September 30th in Post Falls on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. A sign up sheet and more information is on the kiosk. See Jeff Nirk for further information.

TO SERVE August 31^st, 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 8/17/2003

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