THE HEIGHTENER

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

Volume XXX

May 18, 2010

Number 20

VIEWPOINT

In her play, “The Zeal of Thy House,” Dorothy Sayers imagines a stonemason working on an intricate carving for the Canterbury Cathedral. The stonemason clumsily lets his tool slip and spoils the whole great piece of stone assigned to him. It is a sad moment as the valuable and custom-cut stone stands misshapen.

The architect, however, takes the tool out of the artisan’s hand and although he remonstrates with him for his clumsiness, begins to enact forgiveness. He redesigns out of the spoiled carving a new and different figure which has its own part to play in the ensemble of the Cathedral, and then permits the blundering mason to complete it in all its glory. “So works with us,” concludes Dorothy Sayers, “the cunning craftsman, God.”

“We are God's work-manship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

The Master artist, God, can take our blundering efforts and still make something useful out of them. He takes our mismanaged lives, our failed efforts, our missed marks, our shameful deeds, our alien attitudes, our sinful lives and out of his divine resourcefulness he saves the day by creating something new, worthy and wonderful that still has usefulness and beauty in the divine plan of things.

It is a reassurance that we desperately need.

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

Lessons from Prison

These are some of the frivolous lawsuits filed by convicted prisoners across the United States (which are subsidized by taxpayers).

· An inmate, calling himself a sports fanatic, complained that, as a result of cruel and unusual punishment, he was forced to miss the NFL playoffs – especially the "classics" between Miami and San Diego, San Diego and Pittsburgh, and Dallas and San Francisco (Arkansas).

· An inmate complained because his meal allegedly was in poor condition. He claims his sandwich was soggy and his cookie was broken (Brittaker v. Rowland).

· An inmate who murdered five people sued after lightning knocked out the prison's TV satellite dish and he had to watch network programs, which he said contained violence, profanity, and other objectionable material (Jackson v. Barton).

· An inmate sued to be given Reeboks, Adidas, Pony, or Avia high-tops rather than the inferior brand sneakers issued by the prison (Brown v. Singletary).

· An inmate sued for not receiving his scheduled parole hearing, though he was out on escape when the hearing was to be held (Young v. Murphy).

· An inmate sued because he was required to eat off a paper plate. (Procup v. Strickland, et al)

· An inmate sued because he didn’t like his mail being stamped in a way that indicated it was being sent from a state prison (California).

· An inmate who was a murderer sued for $25,000, claiming a "defective" haircut resulted in lost sleep, headaches, and chest pains (New York).

We get quite a different picture of a prisoner in the New Testament by the name of Paul. While he wasn't afraid to demand his rights (Acts 22:25; 25:11), neither was Paul one to whine and complain and mope while in prison (and he hadn't even committed a crime!). Listen to this positive statement which came from Paul's pen as he sat in chains:

"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. . . .And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice." (Philippians 1:12-14, 18b).

This passage is an encouragement to me in those times when it seems that life is treating me unfairly. If Paul could maintain such a positive spirit and joy in the midst of such difficulty, surely I can do the same. There is much to be thankful for!

“Father, help me to truly understand that what matters most in life is not being comfortable, being stress-free, or even being treated fairly. What matters most is that I am living in a way that brings you the glory and draws others around me closer to you. Please help me to do that. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

(Alan Smith, “Thought for the Day”)

SYMPATHY

The sympathy of the congregation is extended to Jimmy and Lynn Pulliam and her family. Lynn's aunt, Carleen Gould, was the victim of a fatal accident last Wednesday. The funeral service was Monday.

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES

We want to congratulate two young ladies who will graduate from Arlington Christian School on Friday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m.

HaNa Lee is the foreign exchange student has lived with lived with Lisa Boucher during this school year.

Bailey Scott is the granddaughter of Jim and Hilda Morrow.

CEDAR GROVE LEADERSHIP

An elders and deacons meeting is planned this Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

HOUSE FOR RENT

Melody Koppe Jones has a home in Palmetto that will be available for rent the first week of September. This is a five bedroom, two full bathroom, 2850 square foot house with hardwood, carpet and tile flooring. The rent will be $1,250 per month. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please contact Melody. Her number is available in the church office.

Two lives, two hearts

joined together in friendship

united forever in love.

It is with joy that

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Tripp

And

Mr. & Mrs. Joe Maddox

Invite you to share in a celebration of the

blessing of marriage with their children

Kelly Louise

And

Joseph Kyle Maddox

Saturday, the twenty-ninth of May

Two thousand ten

Two o’clock in the afternoon

Saint Matthew Church

215 Kirkley Road

Tyrone, Georgia

Reception will follow at

The Etris Building

5285 Lakeside Drive

Union City Georgia

ATLANTA INNER CITY MINISTRY

AIM has expressed appreciation for the recent donations. The need is ongoing, so please begin to restock food items.

“SEASONED SAINTS” DINNER

There will be a dinner for those 50 and older at the church building on Saturday, May 22 at 5:30. There is a list to sign on the bulletin board if you are planning to attend.

HELP NEEDED

There are many empty spaces that need to be filled on our Communion Preparation list and Nursery Attendant list. Please take time to sing up for the earliest dates first.

SPECIAL THANKS

Special thanks go to Greg Cannon for repairing the many light fixtures that have not been working properly for quite a while.

Thanks also to Jimmy Pulliam for replacing the many light bulbs in our meeting room.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

June 19, 2010

One Day "Super Saturday" VBS

OUR SICK

Alex Greenwald and Randi Kelly were sick Sunday.

Nancy Withrow, cousin of Steve Putman, Donna Putman, and Connie Elam is still in St. Joseph’s Hospital.

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

MAY BIRTHDAYS

May 3	Houston Hamby
May 5	Adam Banuelos
May 6	Justin Cannon
May 7	Harley Shelley
May 13	Taylor Scott
May 14	Joe Maddox
May 20	Kathy Riipley
May 26	Sharon Shelton-Minichoswki
May 27	Everett Hayes
May 28	Danielle Fincher
	Peggy Hamby

THOSE TO SERVE - May 23, 2010
Welcome	Ross Anderson
Song Leader	Craig Hodges
Opening Prayer	Alan Henderson
Lord's Table	*Greg Cannon
	*Mitch Robison
	Josh May
	Bill Baker
Scripture Reading	Chris Greenwald
	Luke 19:1-4
Closing Prayer	Kenneth Fincher
Welcome -PM	Ross Anderson
Song Leader	Craig Hodges
Opening Prayer	Jim May
Scripture Reading	David Hamby
	Luke 19:28-31
Closing Prayer	Ed Kelly
Communion Preparation	Keith and Betty Bearden
Nursery Attendant	Paula Anderson Riley Minichowski

RECORD 5/16/2010

Bible School	50
Worship AM	77
Worship PM	N/A
Wednesday Bible Study	31
Contribution	N/A