STUFF   DAVE SHANER

For Short Stuff, this week I would like to share what happened at a football game in Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLoud. It shows how much anti-Christian sentiment exists in judicial levels.

STATEMENT

"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country." Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate lifestyle," and if someone is offended, that's OK. I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK. I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem. I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology." I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depict people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment." However, if anyone uses this facility to honor God and to ask Him to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except God and His Commandments. Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression. For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time. "However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank God and ask Him, in the name of Jesus, to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box! The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America - the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under God.' Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion.

I appreciate our local football teams who exercise their right to pray and do so as a team led by a student player. Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of Me before men, then I will be ashamed of you before My Father."

In response to our Think Tank, Our seminar with Dr. Stan Granberg, Associate Professor of Bible and Missions, Cascade College will this Saturday and Sunday. His topics are:

1. Where are We? The Churches of Christ, 1980-2000

2. The Church Planting Process-An Overview

3. Casting the Vision for Your Church and Team

4. Developing the Ministry Plan

1. Connecting the Past and Future - Lessons from Restoration History

2. Developing a Ministry Plan

Everyone is invited and encouraged to come and be a part of this seminar.

We have a lot of fun plans for the Harvest Party, but we need lots of help to pull it off! There are things that can be done before, during and after the party. Can't get out of the house? Could you bake at home for us? Not a baker? How about helping to serve hot dogs at the party! Can't be there early? How about helping to run a game or clean up after the party?! Please check the kiosk for the sign up sheets to help out in any way you can. Donations are also being accepted and a list of supplies is next to the volunteer sheets. Thank you in advance for helping make this a fun evening for the kids!

'We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be you reconciled to God' 2 Corinthians 5:20. Christ has made each of us His ambassadors here on earth. He is no longer here in the flesh, and so now He expects us to faithfully and effectively represent Him. As His ambassadors or representatives, He has given us two basic tasks to perform.

First of all, we are to spread the good news of salvation in such a way that unbelievers will be drawn to the light and out of their darkness. 'To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and place among those who are sanctified by faith in me' Acts 26:18. To do this, an ambassador must live a life of conformity to Christ's life and teachings. 'But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do' (I Peter 1:15) adequately representing Him.

Secondly, we are to saturate ourselves totally with the knowledge of His will and His word so that we will be enabled to encourage other Christians, strengthening them for their duties as ambassadors as often as we can along with a LIFE group to 'grow in grace and knowledge of Christ' 2 Peter 3:18.

In the divine realm God, Christ and the Holy Spirit exist perpetually. In the human realm it has rightly been said that only two things which will last for eternity are people's souls and the word of God. THESE THINGS MUST OCCUPY OUR ATTENTION IF WE ARE TO BE EFFECTIVE 'AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST.'

-Ralph Crump for the Elders

The 'Sew in Love' Tuesday Bible class will have their monthly luncheon Tuesday, October 28. You're invited to join us. If you can make it, we'll see you at 10:30 a.m. for class and luncheon following. We meet in the small auditorium.

Please help the needy children of the world. You can make a box by yourself or bring supplies to fill up a box. A donation box is located in the foyer. If you do one by yourself you will need a flyer, located on the kiosk. This will give you an idea of what to pack and what age groups to pack for. You also need to put a $5 check in each completed box. Have supplies in by October 26th and have completed boxes in by October 29th. Thanks so much for all the support and giving a few children a Happy Christmas! For more information see Alyssa Frahm.

Work Needed: 'If you need a housecleaner, I am looking for extra work.' Please call Karen Morris at 676-9763.

Oct. 28 - 6:30 a.m. Prayer Breakfast at JB's

Oct. 29 - Pack Magi Boxes in the Small Auditorium

Oct. 31 - Kids' Harvest Party (6th grade & younger)

Nov. 1-2 - Missions/Church Planting Workshop

Nov. 7-9 - Cascade Youth Venture

Nov. 11 - Ladies Night at Joanna Wuest's 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 - Game Night 6:30 in the Sm. Auditorium

Fred Bonney is suffering with pain in his shoulder.

Bea Phippen is recovering at the Pinewood Care Center, in room #408. Visitors are welcome! She hopes to be home soon.

Regina Johanns, Katrina Swaim's friend, is recovering from extensive surgery.

Cherrish Stangeland, Jim and Jan Almond's granddaughter, is recovering from surgery.

Bobby Inabnet, Robert's mother, has been diagnosed with intestinal cancer and the outlook does not look favorable. The family appreciates your prayers.

George Parrish, Earlene Reeves' father, is doing much better and appreciates your prayers.

The Fredrikson's ask us to pray for two of our brothers in Christ, Ralph Shook from California who has cancer and Bruce Pleasants from Seattle who was severely injured in an accident.

Pray for The Togo Team and David & Becky Reeves. The Reeves are in Richland, WA, awaiting the arrival of their baby, expected November 5. They plan to be here November 16th to give an update on the Togo work.

Continue to remember: Virginia Filbeck, Harold Long, Ake Laititi, Chris Williams, Steve Bell, Donann Scott, Russ Allen, Anita Haman, the families in Tecate, Mexico

We express our sympathy to Jerry Riggs in the loss of his brother, Bob Riggs last Monday. Remember to keep Jerry and their family in your prayers during their time of loss.

Set aside Tuesday, November 11th at 6:30 pm. Gathering at Joanna Wuest's for fun and fellowship. CALORIES WILL BE INCLUDED!!! Please bring a wedding picture, not the whole album; I'm not naming names, Katrina!!! Questions or answers please call Joanna or Loretta Robinson.

Thank you again to all the saints that help weekly in the kitchen. We want to send a special thank you to all who brought down kitchen towels. They were a great blessing to the dishwashers. In Christ from the Fellowship ministry.

November 7th - 9th

Cascade Youth Venture - Portland

November 15th

Keenage Banquet

November 21st - 23rd

'Come Before Winter- Retreat'

'My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.'

Wow! No wonder it takes a lifetime, and then some, to find the complete knowledge of God. And no wonder so few people are willing to go for it.

The author of those words, that would be God, using the pen of Solomon, says, 'If you would accept my words...' Hey, we don't want to just accept anything. Our culture seems dead bent on challenging everything! ie...The world is round. Well no, actually the world is a sphere. The wind is blowing. Oh no, this is really just a breeze. If you want to see the wind blow, go to South Dakota. The sky is blue. If you really think about it, its azure, or some other shade. Can we stop it? God said, 'accept my words.' We even want to argue with Him!

Then....'store up my commands within you.' We don't like commands. We don't like to be told what to do. In our self-centered, prideful ways we try to take control. God wants us to love him so much that his commands are not only a joy to accept, but something to keep...to store up within.

Next he said to 'turn your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding.' It takes some effort on our part. Our world is full of noise. Our ears are so bombarded with garbage that it is difficult to hear the good stuff. Are you listening? His wisdom is there if we listen for it, and if we apply it to our hearts it will have an eternal effect.

The knowledge of God sometimes seems quite elusive. He wants us to want it; to call out for insight, and cry aloud. Do you want it that badly?

And last of all, he wants us to prize it above all other things...to look for it as silver and search for it as a hidden treasure. As his children, we should want nothing more passionately than 'to know the fear of our God and to find his awesome knowledge.'

CCS CORNER SCHOOL NEWS

The Master has Spoken By Dan DuPey

I, as a worker and servant for God with our great mission, have seen a superb year come together. Problems develop and disappear. Stress may show up on a student or teacher and, then, disappear. Illness will come and illness soon disappears. God is on our side and is alive and well! The Master has spoken; we continue to listen. "Lord, what do you want of us today?", we might ask. We need (must) be ready for the instructions from the Master for He has spoken. Are you listening? In Matthew 24:42, Jesus said, "Be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming!"

We have had an outstanding support system from our parents, and our brothers and sisters! Thank-you Church. Our 8th grade class served breakfast for many "early risers" on Thursday morning of last week. It was a great success. The CCS annual "Spaghetti Dinner" was held this past Thursday evening, along with some short skits by our students. We all had a great time. The holidays are coming already. Yes, we are getting ready for some great times. We have our annual parent/student Thanksgiving luncheon as well as our Christmas Craft Fair coming soon. The Christmas program will, also, be here before we know it in mid-December.

Our Student Officers for this year are: Kelsy Nirk: President; Chris Dehlbom: Vice President; Jenna Davis: Treasurer; and Hannah Bulow shares the secretary's job with Felicia Rex. They have already planned several exciting things for the school. Our student teacher representative is Mr. Arrty Rude.

God blessed us all with a record breaking HIGH temperature of 75 degrees on Tuesday of last week. This gave all the students a great opportunity to enjoy the bright sunshine before winter sets in. Wasn't it a beautiful day! We are doing some studies about "The proofs of God around us" in our Bible class. God is everywhere! God's proof is in His "creation". It is simply amazing what God has done! This is the real reason why we are in "awe" of our great Master. He has spoken to us in so many ways. His Son has set the example for us! Now, we must follow. Thank-you for all that you do. Please continue to support the great mission of CCS!

Each 2004 single pass (admits only pass holder) costs $68.99 plus tax (if 21 or more passes are purchased as a group by 10/31/03). A gold pass admits the pass holder plus 2 guests per day and costs $229.99 plus tax. If you are interested in purchasing one of these passes, please call Cheryl Mullaly at the school office at 772-7118.

TO SERVE November 2^nd, 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.

Statistics:
WEEK OF 10/19/2003

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