Family News

March 28, 2004

SHORT  BY

STUFF   DAVE SHANER

Last week, the church handed out forms for the selection and appointment of new elders and deacons. If you did not get a form, please check your mailbox or one may be obtained from the office. Be sure to read appropriate scriptures to refresh your memory on the qualities that elders and deacons should have. The primary qualification that you should look for in your recommendations is that an elder/shepherd, overseer should be “above reproach” (I Timothy 3:2). The corresponding word in Titus 1:6,7 is “blameless”. The qualities listed that follow are examples of blamelessness. To be above reproach does not mean that the man is sinless. We know that all sin and fall short of the glory of God. The apostle John says that if we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us ( I John 1:9). I Timothy 3:8 says, “Deacons, likewise are to be men worthy of respect ...” Both elders and deacons are to be spiritual men who can guide us in different areas. Elders’ primary responsibility is to exercise general oversight over the church. Deacons generally will be those who are placed into specific areas of service. We are simply looking for men that you would hold up for others as an example of what it means to live a Christ-like life. Be careful not to view these scriptures merely as a checklist in an effort to disqualify a man. Rather use them as examples to qualify that man and lead you in your selection. Of course, spend some time asking God to guide you and the congregation as we go through this process.

The church in Dalton Gardens has been very blessed to have the leaders that we do have. This is an opportunity for everyone to be involved in the process; to give leaders a God appointed place in the body, and to safeguard against human tendencies to overstep authority. It gives men the chance to change positions if already serving, some the chance to step back for a while, and others the opportunity to step into new positions. The church will grow as its leaders grow. Thank God for your leaders and pray for them regularly.

Have a Great Week!!

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. -Acts 20:28

Welcome to the Family!

Betty Evans, Judie Sanborn’s mother, has moved here from the Boise area and wishes to be considered a part of the Dalton Gardens congregation. Be sure to welcome her into the family.

Her address is:
6117 Lafayette Ln.
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
#667-7064

Reminder.....

Please remember to turn in your forms for Elders and Deacons selection to Pat Irmer, Helen Rouse, Wayland Lipscomb or the church office by Sunday, April 4. Please list the current and new elders you wish to select.

Columbia High School Choir

The Columbia Christian High School from Portland, Oregon will be here to sing for us on Wednesday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. Your help housing this group of about 55 students would be greatly appreciated. There is a sign up sheet on the kiosk. Thank you!

Needs of Africa
International Missions

Paper for printing is badly needed. Missionary Roger Dickson left South Africa to travel to the states in search of funds for 20 tons of paper. He just arrived this past weekend in time to give an overview of Africa International Missions at the Tulsa Workshop. This he e-mailed, "I have to raise $27,000 for paper. We have been shut down for two months without paper. I have sent material that I hope to get on the bulletin boards of 500 churches. The 20 tons of paper will last us about six to nine months." Please note flyer type posters on the Missions bulletin board.

There is a great demand for Bibles and evangelistic courses in Africa. A vast network exists for distribution. Assisting are national preachers in over thirty countries. Plus, the public schools are asking for classroom materials. The fields are white to harvest. A ton of paper may be out of one's means to provide. Every ream, box, pallet or cargo container of paper is important to the work. One's help of $5.00 to $1350.00 ( cost of a ton ) for paper will be put to use. Place check in collection made out to Dalton Gardens Church of Christ with notation: for Africa International Missions

Shepherd’s Corner

It is that time again for the looking and later selecting spiritual men for the office of elders and deacons. We ask your serious evaluation of I Tim. third chapter, along with other scriptures while you consider candidates. The following things serve as evidences of a man’s quest and desire to be proficient in spiritual matters.

1. He knows God and His will for his life. (John 17:3)

2. He seeks the kingdom of God first (Matt. 6:33 - THIS MEANS NOTHING COMES BEFORE THE CHURCH.

3. He is seeking to have the mind of Christ in everything he does See Phil. 2:5-8. He wants to be like Jesus in every situation.

4. He is a doer of the Word (James 1:22). He knows that his is the real test of any hearer of the word. The power and blessing is in the doing Ezra. 7:10.

5. He seeks to be an example (i.e. pattern) for others to follow I Tim. 4:12.

6. He is a producer of the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22-26). He is seeking to become these things on a daily basis.

7. He is led by the Spirit as he follows the Word of God (Rom. 8:14; John 8:32).

8. He is a servant of others (Mark 10:35-45). This is following Christ (Matthew 16:24).

9. He daily denies himself and takes up his cross and follows Christ (Matthew 16:24).

10. The spiritual leader is a real Christian gentleman who is seeking to be like Jesus. (I Peter 4:16)

Churches that are led by spiritual men will be blessed by God as they seek to do his will. It also is good to realize “Spirituality is what a person is,” Along with the Biblical requirements for elders and deacons please consider these ten values.

-Ralph Crump for the Elders

New Ladies' Study Group

There will be a new ladies' study group offered on Tuesday afternoons at 12:30. Our next meeting will be on April 6th at the home of Kathy Taylor and children are always welcome (and mommies with children ENCOURAGED to attend!) The study is for any woman, of any age, with or without kids! We will be studying "Secrets to Exceptional Living" by Joyce Meyer. This study is offered in addition to the ladies' group that meets on Tuesday mornings and everyone is welcome at either or both studies!

In Sympathy

Our thoughts and prayers are with Michelle Kish and her family in the loss of her grandfather last Monday in Texas. Remember to keep her family in your prayers during this time of loss.

Calendar of Events

Mar. 30 - 6:30 a.m. Prayer Breakfast at JB’s

April 8 - 11 - LTC Convention in Phoenix

April 9 - Game Night 6:30 p.m. Small Auditorium

April 10 - Easter Egg Hunt -10:00 a.m.

April 14 - Columbia High School Singing Group

April 18 - Ladies Fall Fellowship Meeting - 2:00 p.m.

April 18 - LTC Celebration - 5:30 p.m.

Clint Kelley, Lamont and Mary Petersen’s son-in-law, is recovering from tonsillectomy surgery.

Patty Welter is still having back pain. She thanks you for your continued prayers.

Tim & Alyssa Frahm ask prayers for the decision process in Thailand. It has been postponed until the end of March regarding the adoption of Nuanna.

Ron Dupey... continue to keep Ron in your prayers.

Chris Henrikson, Don and Wilma Flanagan’s grandson, is in Iraq. Keep his safety in your prayers as he serves in the U.S. Army.

Pray for the Reeves and the Togo Team, that the Lord will continue to bless their work, and that the families will have good health. Remember Elijah as he has had malaria, typhoid and some parasites. Also pray for the new teammates who have joined them in Togo.

Remember to keep praying for your Secret Sister!

Easter Egg Hunt

The Easter egg hunt is now just two weeks away! Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 10th at 10 a.m. Children ages 6th grade and younger are invited. There will be a story time, cookies and juice, as well as the egg hunt. The children will have the opportunity to support Lifeline of Hope, a charitable organization which supports Russian orphans, by bringing in coins that will be collected. Please encourage your kids to participate in this effort by saving coins to bring so they may help other children who don't have the blessings that we enjoy.

Help Needed!

We are looking for help with the Easter egg hunt. There are a couple of areas in which anyone can participate: donating prizes for the golden eggs or by providing cookies for the activity. The senior saints are asked if they could provide two dozen plastic Easter eggs filled with candy or other treats to hide for the children. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Petersen or Kathy Taylor.

Mike’s Memos.....

THE BLACK DOOR

Fear of the unknown is one of the greatest barriers to action in the lives of most people. Fear immobilizes a person as he struggles to decide which course of action to take. Fear of the unknown can be so great that a person will even choose a known punishment over the unknown possibility of receiving a reward.

During one of the great desert wars in the Middle East, a spy was captured and sentenced to death by the Persian army. The general, a man of compassion, had adopted a strange custom in such cases. The condemned man was given a choice. In a final interview, the general asked, “Shall it be, the firing squad, or the black door?”

This was not an easy decision. Prisoners hesitated, then chose the firing squad to the unknown horrors that might await behind the ominous and mysterious door. Not long afterward, a volley of shots were heard in the courtyard, indicating that the sentence had been carried out.

The general turned to his aide and said, “You see how it is with men? They will always prefer the known way to the unknown. It is characteristic of people to be afraid of the undefined. Yet I gave him his choice.”

The aide asked, “What lies behind the black door?” “Freedom,” replied the general. “And I have known few men brave enough to take it.”

That illustrates our choice today. A choice between the known and the unknown. Few have the courage to stop being engulfed by a sea of mediocrity that has dulled their senses to see their potential. They lack the fortitude to stop living their lives with the masses of uncommitted and turn to a life of FREEDOM in commitment to Christ.

The path of the known is one that can easily be followed, usually just drift along with the tide. But the path of the unknown is full of change and newness.

“If any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” 2 Cor. 5:17.

Newness in Christ. That is what the unknown offers. I know it takes courage to make a commitment to Christ. But the rewards of taking that step are great! Fear not! It is NOT the Black Door you need to open, it is the door of your heart. Then let Jesus walk with you into the unknown.

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LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR CHRIST

Phoenix Convention

Only two more weeks away!

Please, anyone who can help with one or a part of one of the $276 plane tickets, your gift would be appreciated!!

Mike Reeves has a new cell number. He can be reached at 704-3644.

CCS CORNER SCHOOL NEWS

Dr. Seuss

Ted Geisel’s talent for writing and drawing didn’t always impress his teachers. Once in art class, the future Dr. Seuss turned his painting upside down to look at it. He wasn’t exactly sure why he did it, but he found out later this is how an artist can check a painting’s balance. If the painting is balanced, it will look good upside down or right side up. His art teacher, however, thought Ted was fooling around and claimed that real artists never turned their paintings upside down.

“That teacher wanted me to draw the world as it is,” Ted said, “and I wanted to draw things as I saw them.”

Ted rejected his art teacher’s advice not to pursue art as a career. He resolved right then and there to be an artist someday.

Even though he was shy, uncoordinated, and had a unique sense of humor, his stubbornness is what pushed him into the spotlight.

What does an artist look like? He may not be the pretty one, the graceful one, or the evident genius.

He may be the one you least expect to succeed because he follows the beat of a different drummer. Listen for that offbeat, and pay closer attention to the drummer.

God has blessed each of our classes with an assortment of personalities and temperaments. But often it can be easy to overlook special qualities when we are in the trenches of the here and now.

That’s where our school comes in. With the family atmosphere that we all enjoy, we are more apt to recognize and nature those qualities for God’s use.

Happy Belated Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Happy spring break to students and staff!

-Mrs. Dehlbom

Odd Socks?

Kathy Taylor is looking for odd socks for the after school care and summer day camp program. If you have any lonely socks that you've been holding onto, just sure that their mates will show up again, please consider releasing them into the wild of our classroom so they can go on to lead full lives as sock puppets. White, colors, stripes, short, long, tube or baby socks, there is a place for them all in our sock family circus! Donations may be left at the CCS office or given to Kathy. Thank you!

CCS Auction Note

Keep the school auction in mind on store clearance items to donate - our theme is trains - ‘All Aboard!’. We can use items for Silent Auction and Live Auction as well as drawing prizes. We also can use anything depicting our theme for decorations. The date for the auction is Saturday, April 24. Remember to keep your eye on the school bulletin board in the foyer for more information. Thank you for your support!

BIBLE BUILDERS MEMORY VERSES

For Children's Sunday A.M. Bible Classes

4 years - Grade K:

All the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

Genesis 12:3b

1st - 2nd Grades:

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse: and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

Genesis 12:3

3rd - 6th Grade:

I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all the peoples on the earth will be blessed through you.

TO SERVE April 4^th, 2004

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 3/21/2004

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