A WORD FROM BRUCE

I must say, I like to laugh!  I like to laugh at people, with people, dumb criminals, silly animals and yes even at myself.  I even laugh in my prayers when I am speaking to the Lord!  Usually because I had done something awkward or silly and hoping nobody saw me then I remember He saw me … and probably laughed too!  I believe God has a sense of humor.  Not all the time but sometimes.  Get a good commentary on the minor prophets and see the word play.  Read again the story of Esther, Balaam and his donkey, Jonah!  God has a sense of humor and He is creative.  We definitely need to laugh more!  Here are some thoughts on laughter. 

 While the average child laughs 150 times a day, say researchers at the University of Michigan, the average adult laughs only 15 times.  Youth Worker Update, Signs of the Times, August, 1993, p. 6.

 Happy is the person who can laugh at himself. He will never cease to be amused. 

 Laughter really is the best medicine!   In The Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient, Norman Cousins tells of being hospitalized with a rare, crippling disease. When he was diagnosed as incurable, Cousins checked out of the hospital. Aware of the harmful effects that negative emotions can have on the body, Cousins reasoned the reverse was true. So he borrowed a movie projector and prescribed his own treatment, consisting of Marx Brothers films and old "Candid Camera" reruns. It didn't take long for him to discover that 10 minutes of laughter provided two hours of pain-free sleep. Amazingly, his debilitating disease was eventually reversed. After the account of his victory appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine, Cousins received more than 3000 letters from appreciative physicians throughout the world.  Today in the Word, December 18, 1991. 

 Psalm 126
A song of ascents.
1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
       we were like men who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
       our tongues with songs of joy.
       Then it was said among the nations,
       "The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
       and we are filled with joy.

MONTHLY REMINDERS:
Mission Contributions
5th-Potluck Luncheon
11th-Men’s Breakfast @ 7:00 here at Central
12th-Men’s Business Meeting following
evening assembly
19th-Potluck and early assembly

CONGRATULATIONS
JOE BOB & SHARON THOMPSON
Are the proud grandparents of
COOPER DAYNE
He arrived Monday, August 30, 2010
He was 10 lbs 15¾ oz and 22¾” long
Daddy and mommy are
Jeff & Jennifer (Thompson) Smith

SHOEBOXES FOR NICARAGUA
Please have your shoeboxes for Nicaragua in the church office by Sunday, September 19th. Please include $5.00 per box for shipping. If you have any questions please contact Irita Colson or Virgie Webb.

“CHANGE FOR CHILDREN” is back in swing for the High Plains Children’s Home. There is a box of empty cans on the Activity Table for anyone interested in helping. 

Ladies you are invited to a “Ladies Day”

at the Wheeler Church of Christ on September 11, 2010 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The theme is “Living Without a Mask in a Mardi Gras World”. There is a flyer on the board if anyone is interested in attending.

Pine Spring Ladies Retreat
September 10, 11, 12th, 2010

                                                 MY GOD IS…
To the Ladies of the congregation, you are invited to attend the Pine Spring Ldies Retreat, September 10, 11 and 12th in the beautiful mountains of the Lincoln National Forest. The cost is $50.00 per person.  This price includes 3 meals on Saturday and Sunday breakfast. (Bring your own meal for Friday night.)
This year’s program will be just a little different.  As you arrive on Friday there will be singing around the campfire (weather permitting).  While sitting around the campfire we will make smores.  The Andrews ladies will furnish the hangers but each group will need to supply their smore ingredients.  
Saturday our speaker will be Daun McLeroy bringing our lessons titled:  “My God is the God of the Impossible; My God is the God of Peace; and My God is the God of Love”.  Daun is from Denver City, Texas.
On Saturday, we will also have time to do a craft, have time to play some organized games in the recreation center and as in the past we will have our gift exchange.  The gifts should cost no more than $10 or be a homemade craft of equal value. There will be a style show before the evening meal on Saturday. We would like everyone to dress in a vintage costume (not mandatory).  As always the entertainment for Saturday night will be skits.
Sunday morning we will have breakfast, devotional, singing, final announcements, clean up and load up to head for home. 
We truly look forward to seeing each of you.
The 2010 Sponsors: Ladies of the Andrews Church of Christ
REGISTRATION FORMS on the Activity Table