THE HEIGHTENER                                  

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


Volume XXX

April 20, 2010

Number 16

                                                                    

VIEWPOINT

 If you look up the word “tireless” in the dictionary, you’ll see a picture of Harvey Starling. His dedication and determination for the kingdom are boundless.  It was refreshing, as it always is, to hear about his adventures in faith. 

This time Harvey related the history of the Romanian work for the past 18 years.  Since the opening of Eastern Europe with the rise of the “Iron Curtain” in the early ‘90s, there have been opportunities in that country.  From just a list of names who responded to ads, seven churches have been planted and developed.  It was a blessing to hear the story, and it is a blessing to have share partnership in that work. 

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When Harvey Starling was commenting on the growth of the churches in Romania, he put it this way:  “God has done great things in Romania – with a little bit of our help.” 

Dag Hammarskjold once commented, “Your own efforts ‘did not bring it to pass,’ only God — but rejoice if God found a use for your efforts in His work.  Rejoice if you feel that what you did was ‘necessary,’ but remember, even so, that you were simply the instrument by means of which He added one tiny grain to the Universe He has created for His own purposes”  (The Man and His Faith).

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We are beginning to see the azaleas in their flood of red, pink and purple.  The redbuds have come and gone along with the daffodils.  The dogwoods are fading, but the wisteria is beautiful.  Iris are beginning to bud.  These are God’s message that winter in our world is over and spring has come.  Signs of hope are everywhere!  Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD” (Psalm 31:24).

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

   

 

    

Health Care

Have you heard anyone talk about health care lately? Obviously, it has been a major topic of interest throughout our nation for quite some time.  Month after month, we have heard seemingly unending reports and speeches on the topic of health care.  It is amazing to view the interest that has arisen during this time in our history (including an article in Sunday’s paper called “The Debate Isn’t Over”).

Every Christian has a responsibility to participate in the political process, an opportunity to elect those who will lead our country in a manner approved of by our God.  However, consider this thought: what if the question under discussion was “spiritual health” instead of “physical health?” Would there be as great a level of involvement?  Would you be as active or concerned with current events?  No one of reasonable mind would want to deny anyone the care needed for his or her physical health.  However, would serious thought be given by many within the masses who are currently carrying on a heated debate over the physical if the subject were changed to the spiritual?

As a society, we treasure our physical health, and should, according to scriptures, care for our health:  1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.  However, we, as Christians, must never lose sight of the area where our concern is to be primarily focused.  Our Lord placed a higher priority on concern for the soul than He did the body in Matthew 10:28:  Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

It is well and good for us to be concerned for the health of ourselves, our family and others. But, as Christians, we must always have a greater concern of those who have sin-sick souls and are in need of the cleansing power of the gospel, which has been entrusted to us by our Lord to deliver to them to bring them to repentance and obedience. We must constantly evaluate our priorities to ensure that circumstances or Satan has not caused them to be misplaced.   

 (from the Chase Park Messenger)

      

 

 

 

 

   

FROM THE MAILBAG

Dear Cedar Grove Family,

You truly have been "givers" in so many ways since the onset of my; illness.  You've sent cards and flowers, made phone calls, cooked wonderful meals. and visited me.  

The greatest gift of all has been remembering me in your prayers.  You have been a blessing to me, and I appreciate it so much.  With your continued support through prayer and God's will, I am getting better every day.

 The greatest gift of all has been remembering me in your prayers.  

In Christian love,

Dick Northcutt and family

 

To the Ladies' Class,

The ladies of Cedar Grove received a thank you note from St. Jude's Children's Hospital for the their generous gift in honor of Mrs. Kay Buckner.  

Sheila Mixon

 

  

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Bill and Jean McBride (Paula Anderson's parents).  They will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on April 21.       

 

 

 

COMING SOON AT CEDAR GROVE

Mark your calendars for May 22.  A dinner is planned for those 50 and over.  

More information will be coming later.  

 

 

 

SYMPATHY

The sympathy of the congregation is extended to Armando Banuelos and his family in the passing of his sister last week.                  

 

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

June 19

"High Seas Adventure"

 

One Day "Super Saturday VBS"

 

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

OUR SICK

Amanda Elliott is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday at Scottish Rite Hospital.

Will Adamack, Craig and Sharon Hodges' son-in-law, was in the hospital last week.

Nancy Kirkland, Joe Maddox and Bill and Bessie Moore 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 25, 2010

Welcome

Ross Anderson

Song Leader

Greg Cannon

Opening Prayer

Jimmy Pulliam 

Lord's Table

*Dick Massey

 

* Josh May 

 

Joe Minichowski

 

David Hamby

Scripture Reading

Alan Henderson

 

Luke 14:12-14

Closing Prayer

Bill Moore

Welcome -PM

Ross Anderson

Song Leader

Greg Cannon  

Opening Prayer

Doyle White 

Scripture Reading

David Hamby 

 

Psalm 31:5-12   

Closing Prayer

    Steve Putman   

Communion Preparation

Fincher Family

Nursery Attendant

            Joyce Shelton

Riley Minichowski

   

 

RECORD 4/18/2010

Bible School

57

Worship AM

91

Worship PM

45

Wednesday Bible Study

44

Contribution

$ 2,766.20