THE HEIGHTENER

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you." -James 4:10

Volume XXX

April 13, 2010

Number 15

VIEWPOINT

You may remember an influential book written in the 1960s titled The Ugly American. It is the story of an American engineer, Homer Atkins, who was the man with an ugly face. He was sent to Vietnam to build dams and roads for the military. But Homer refused to build the dams and roads until the government first solved some of the problems of its own people. At the suggestion of his wife, Homer designed a bicycle treadmill pump to get water up to the hillside paddies on which the people depended for food. For centuries this water had been carried laboriously by pails.

Homer's wife, Emma, was curious about the fact that every woman over sixty had a bent back. Then she noticed that after the monsoon season the sweeping of debris from the streets was inevitably done by older people who used a broom with a short handle. Since wood for longer handles cost too much and was in short supply, Emma found a long-stalked reed and planted shoots from this reed by her door. She tended these reeds carefully. One day when neighbors were in her house she cut a tall reed, bound coconut fronds to it and began to sweep with her back straight. When the people questioned her concerning the reed, she told them where they might find them growing. Four years later, when Emma and Homer were back in Pittsburgh, they received a letter from the headman of the village thanking them. The letter read: “In the village of Chang Dong today, the backs of our old people are straight and firm. No longer are their bodies painful and bent. You will be pleased to know that on the outskirts of the village we have constructed a small memorial in your honor . . . at the foot are these words: ‘In memory of the woman who unbent the backs of our people.’”

Those words could be inscribed on the cross, for Christ has unbent millions of backs. He “unbent” the back of the crippled woman in the synagogue (Luke 13:10). But he did not stop there. Jesus has spiritually unbent the backs of all who come to him for relief (Matthew 11:28-30).

Likewise, we need to consecrate our lives to straightening the backs of others. Through words of encouragement and acts of compassion may we, like our Master, be those who unbend the back of others.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile, and a positive word! RA

Cedar Grove

Vacation Bible School

"Super Saturday"

June 19, 2010

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

VBS is taking shape this year as a one-day "Super Saturday" event. It's scheduled for June 19 and we will have events throughout the day.

A more detailed schedule will be available in a few weeks. In the meantime, we hope everyone will mark the date for participation.

FROM THE MAILBAG

Cedar Grove Church of Christ,

Thank you to our Cedar Grove friends for the love and support you've shown in helping us get through losing our Step Mom, Grandmother, and friend, Kay Buckner on March 6th.

Through the years, Kay's love for Cedar Grove and Christ never faltered, even during her most trying of times. And, I know that she loved each one of you very much and considered you her true family. Our family is comforted with the knowledge that Kay now rests with the Lord and so many of the people she loved who were waiting for her in heaven. I personally look forward to the day when we will all be together again.

The love and kindness that you have all shown will never be forgotten. May God bless and keep each of you in the shelter of his love.

Your sister in Christ,

Donna Bledsoe

To the wonderful Cedar Grove Family,

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for the cards, gifts, food and flowers for my birthday and Ross for his kind and memorable comments.

The finger food fellowship was so much fun, and of course, the food was delicious! The cake was so delightful and unusually special . . . a shout-out to Joyce and Shannon and to all others who shared in this celebration – so special for me!!

When a person reaches 39, things begin to change. Your ability to make the changes wonderful will not be forgotten. I thank you, and I love each of you!!

Onie

P.S. I received 112 Happy Birthday cards. Thank you for the ones you sent!

Our next delivery for AIM will be Tuesday April 20. Please remember to bring clothing and food items for the Inner City Ministry to the building. Gift cards and cash are also accepted.

MOVIE NIGHT

A youth event is planned for April 17 for kids 5 years old and up. There will be games, food and a movie starting at 4:00 p.m. at the church building.

WORLDWIDE EVANGELISM

Harvey Starling will be visiting Cedar Grove on Sunday, April 18. This is one of the highlights of our year at Cedar Grove.

In addition to Harvey's presentations, there will be a special contribution for Worldwide Evangelism. This is very important to the work in Romania. If your family will be away Sunday, you can leave your donation for Harvey.

GOLF TOURNAMENT

The 13th annual Camp Inagehi Golf Tournament will be on Saturday, April 24 with a 2:00 tee off at the West Pines Golf Club in Douglasville. More information is on the bulletin board. 6:30.

AREA EVENTS

Ladies Day at the Rose Hill church in Columbus -- May 8 at 8:30 a.m.
Ladies' Day at West End --- April 24 at 9:a.m.
Gospel Meeting at Forest Park, April 18-21

OUR SICK

Amanda Elliott is at the Scottish Rite Hospital with dehydration and other complications.

Hilda Morrow is home after a visit to ER Sunday. She has a respiratory infection.

Jessica Denton was hospi5talized Sunday with kidney stones; she is home now.

Bill and Bessie Moore and Sheila Hunt were sick Sunday.

Continue to remember Susan Carson, Dick Northcutt, J. W. Raines, Richard Smith, Geneva White and Vivian Hunt.

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

April 3	Jim Morrow
April 10	Amber May
	Katy Robison
April 11	Pat Tatum
April 16	Jim May
April 18	Anne Raines
April 19	Susan May
April 22	Gary Kato
April 26	Armando Banuelos
April 30	Devin Hunt
	Cheryl Putman

THOSE TO SERVE - April 18, 2010
Welcome	Alan Henderson
Song Leader	Doyle White
Opening Prayer	Jim Warren
Lord's Table	*Alan Henderson
	* Kenneth Fincher
	Mitch Robison
	Josh May
Scripture Reading	David Hamby
	Luke 14:12-14
Closing Prayer	Jim May
Welcome -PM	Ross Anderson
Song Leader	Doyle White
Opening Prayer	James Elliott
Scripture Reading	Josh May
	Proverbs 30:5, 6
Closing Prayer	Steve Putman
Communion Preparation	Susan Fincher
Nursery Attendant	Paula Anderson Riley Minichowski

RECORD 4/10/2010

Bible School	61
Worship AM	84
Worship PM	N/A
Wednesday Bible Study	44
Contribution	$ 3,880.50