ALLENE GRAY

Today we are sad and heaven is rejoicing that the Lord brought home another lamb. Allene Gray went home to our Lord early this morning. From the youngest to the oldest her prescence was known and felt. Allene became a member of our congregation in 1934. She was a great example of serving the Lord all your life. LuAnn and I do not remember when she was not a part of our lives. When I was a child she was my Sunday School teacher. Most recently, she was my mother's Sunday School teacher. A few short weeks ago she, along with her sisters Arlene and Nannie, served the food at VBS. Her absence will leave an ache in our hearts but we will cherish her memory forever. We love you Allene.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Rather cleverly done. This is in two parts, the prayer (in blue type) and GOD (in red type) in response. It is very, very good.

THE LORD'S PRAYER
(Author Unknown)

Our Father Who Art In Heaven.
Yes?
Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.
But -- you called ME!
Called you?No, I didn't call you.I'm praying.Our Father who art in Heaven.
There -- you did it again!
Did what?
Called ME.You said,"Our Father who art in Heaven"Well, here I am..What's on your mind?
But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day.I always say the Lord's Prayer.It makes me feel good,kind of like fulfilling a duty.
Well, all right.Go on.
Okay, Hallowed be thy name.
Hold it right there.What do you mean by that?
By what?
By "Hallowed be thy name"?
It means, it means .. . good grief, I don't know what it means.How in the world should I know?It's just a part of the prayer.By the way, what does it mean?
It means honored, holy, wonderful.
Hey, that makes sense.. I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before.Thanks.
Thy Kingdom come,Thy will be done,on earth as it is in Heaven.
Do you really mean that?
Sure, why not?
What are you doing about it?
Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control, of everything down here like you have up there. We're kinda in a mess down here you know.
Yes, I know;but, have I got control of you?
Well, I go to church.
That isn't what I asked you.What about your bad temper?You've really got a problem there, you know.And then there's the way you spend your money -- all on yourself.And what about the kind of books you read?
Now hold on just a minute!Stop picking on me!I'm just as good as some of the rest of those People at church!
Excuse ME..I thought you were praying for my will to be done.If that is to happen,it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you -- for example
Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups.Now that you mention it,I could probably name some others.
So could I.
I haven't thought about it very much until now,but I really would like to cut out some of those things.I would like to, you know, be really free.
Good.Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together -- You and ME.I'm proud of You.
Look, Lord, if you don't mind,I need to finish up here.This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.Give us this day, our daily bread.
You need to cut out the bread..You're overweight as it is.
Hey, wait a minute! What is this?Here I was doing my religious duty,and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.
Praying is a dangerous thing.You just might get what you ask for.Remember, you called ME -- and here I am.It's too late to stop now.Keep praying. ( pause . . )Well, go on.
I'm scared to.
Scared? Of what?
I know what you'll say.
Try ME.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
What about Ann?
See? I knew it!I knew you would bring her up!Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories.She never paid back the money she owes me.I've sworn to get even with her!
But -- your prayer --What about your prayer?
I didn't -- mean it..
Well, at least you're honest.But, it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness and resentment isn't it?
Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her.Boy, have I got some plans for her.She'll wish she had never been born.
No, you won't feel any better.You'll feel worse.Revenge isn't sweet.You know how unhappy you are -- Well, I can change that.
You can? How?
Forgive Ann .Then, I'll forgive you;And the hate and the sin,will be Ann 's problem -- not yours.You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned.
Oh, you know, you're right.You always are.And more than I want revenge,I want to be right with You . . (sigh).All right, all right . .I forgive her.
There now!Wonderful!How do you feel?
Hmmmm. Well, not bad.Not bad at all!In fact, I feel pretty great!You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight.I haven't been getting much rest, you know.
Yeah, I know.But, you're not through with your prayer, are you? Go on.
Oh, all right.And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.
Good! Good! I'll do that.Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.
What do you mean by that?
You know what I mean.
Yeah. I know.
Okay.Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
For Thine is the kingdom,and the power,and the glory forever.Amen.
Do you know what would bring me glory?What would really make me happy?
No, but I'd like to know.I want to please you now.I've really made a mess of things.I want to truly follow you..I can see now how great that would be.So, tell me . . .How do I make you happy?
YOU just did.

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST

Cooper Lee Harris, age 5 months, is the great-grandson of Evelyn and Bob Harris. Cooper has a birth defect where the spinal cord has grown out of the spinal canal and a fatty mass has formed around his spinal cord. If his condition isn't corrected soon, he will be paralyzed. In early August, he will go to Vanderbilt Medical Center for more tests and then surgery. Please pray for Cooper each day.

Love is...

I know you're probably thinking, "What is the single girl going to tell me about love?" Well, I think I have had some of the greatest examples of love. If we turn to God and his Word he tells and shows us all about love.
First, I want to say thanks to all of my family for showing me love and what it means. My grandmother(Granny). has always told us that the greatest gift you can have is love. You may not have money or the so-called finer things in life but if you know you are loved you are richer than anyone. My Granny will tell you, "that can"t be taken away." As you can guess, I know that I am loved.
My extended family has also shown me what love is. I am an only child. However, with seven 1st cousins I was never without a companion. I feel as if they are my brothers & sisters. They each will always have a special place in my heart. My aunts & uncles were always there for me in my journey through life. Each one helped to shape who I am. They showed me that love...love for God, love for family, and love for friends is the way to be happy in life.
My parents have been married for 31 years. I've never seen them fight. (Mom says I just haven't been around.)They tell each other "I Love You" before they leave and before they go to bed. As a side note, they tell me this also. They taught me that you should tell people how you feel and do it often... You never know when you will get that chance again or what it will mean to that person. They have also given me what I consider to be the truest definition of love: You don't love someone because of anything... you love them in spite of it all.
Thanks to my church family for all your love. I say this because I have gone to the same church since I was about two weeks old. My church family is truly a key part in my life. You helped me find God and His love. I understand what it means to be in the FAMILY OF GOD.
1 John 4:8 says,"The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." To know God, is to know love. God will always love us. We are his children. (See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God... 1 John 3:1) John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." He sent his son to die on a cross for us. He loves us that much.WOW!!! In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul writes to the church at Corinth telling them that they can have great things and do great acts but if they don't have love it means nothing. Hmm...guess my Granny was right...Love is the greatest gift. 1 Corinthians 13:13-And now these three remain:faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I hope I showed you that a single girl can know a little something about love.

1. GOD IS LOVE!
2. Love in spite of it all
3. Love is the greatest gift. (1 Cor. 13 & Granny)

LuAnn

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Photos were subitted by Andrew Brown, Amanda & Brenda Stump, and LuAnn Meadows