By Your Fruit...

Seeing all of the trees in bloom reminded me of a particular tree at my parents’ place. It probably just finished blooming as well. It was most likely planted by the owners of an old homestead that has long since turned to dust, but the tree lives on. It is a pear tree and is one of the ugliest trees you will ever see. It stands by itself and the Oklahoma wind has done its work on the old gnarled trunk and branches. When it comes harvest time anyone looking at the fruit would wonder, "Why bother?" For the fruit truly matches the tree, it is big, ugly and gnarled as well. I guess I should say anyone who has never tasted the fruit would wonder, "Why bother?" This is because the big, ugly, bumpy fruit that comes from that tree is the crispest and sweetest I have ever bitten into. I have tasted much prettier pears but am immediately disappointed because none have ever come close to equaling the taste. Something tells me, despite its looks, God is proud of that tree and its fruit.

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks (Luke 6:43-45).

Here is one of the many verses that talk about bearing good fruit. The quote above is from Jesus. A tree’s fruit is limited by the quality of the tree. You can know if a tree is good by the quality of its fruit. Likewise, a person’s life is shown by the fruit it bears. Remember though, just like a tree, the fruit a person yields is limited to what is inside. Your fruit will reflect the kind of attitude and relationship you have with God.

I have two ornamental pear trees in my yard. They are beautifully shaped and are pleasant to look at. Still, if I had my choice I would trade them both for that ugly old pear tree at my parents' place, not because of what it looks like on the outside, but because of what it produces. We too, can spend a lot of time and energy trying to look good, but God can see what is on the inside. May our lives be the kind that bears the sweetest fruit! Here is the great news. Unlike trees which can’t change their insides or the kind of fruit they bear, God can change us. In fact He can take a life that is twisted and gnarled and when He changes the inside, that heart will produce the sweetest fruit.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).

Wade McKnight
Centerville, Ohio

Prayer Requests

Alan Augspurger went to the doctor last Sunday with chest pains. Heart tests this week have been normal. He will be going for a full physical to help define the problem.

Karen Carico is still having pain but still hasn’t found a definitive cause. She has been in the hospital for an extended period.

Karen Hardy’s chemotherapy is not working and is undergoing tests.

Louise Gordon has a mass on her bladder and she will be having a biopsy on the 25th.

Doris Gaulke’s cancer has returned but she will not be continuing chemotherapy.

Glen and Marge Stevens in dealing with Glen’s illness.

Karen Belk’s sister, Ina Rieker, is having sinus symptoms that are similar to a stroke.

Mike Dorrell recently lost an uncle. Please remember the family with the many challenges they have faced recently.

Please continue to pray for:

• Judy Singer on the loss of John.
• Toni Lovejoy’s father who has advanced prostate cancer and her grandmother diagnosed with lung cancer.
• Bob McClaran’s sister, Nathalie, who lives in South Carolina is in need of a transplant for her eye
• Bob Kunce, Kim Greer’s father; Jean Cook, Archie’s mother, who all have cancer
• Kimball Matkins, who has ALS—there is a website that chronicles his life at :
  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kimballmatkins

Note: If there is anyone that you would like to add to our prayer list or if there is an update for a current listing, please call (957-0542) or email Sandy (sklongfellow@yahoo.com).

News & Notes

The TEEN GATHERING will be hosted Sunday evening, August 17 after services at the Foldings. Teens please bring Hoagie buns (for meatball sandwiches) and chips.

TEACHER WORKDAY - August 24: We will be assembling new material. Please bring a sack lunch and spend the afternoon. Everyone is welcome—you do not have to be a teacher to assist!

RICHARDSONS still have a need for some school supplies especially construction paper, crayons and scissors.

PROFILES: Gene McClaren is collecting family profiles from Grandview members. If you have not done one, please talk to Gene or turn in a profile to help us get to know each other better.

CLOTHING GIVE AWAY—This is an opportunity for you to help members of our community. Here are ways you can help:

• Donate clothes and bring them to the fellowship hall.
• Clothing racks and hangers are needed to hang up clothes (Please bring them by Wednesday night.)
• If you can volunteer to help out Friday night or Saturday morning, please sign up on the bulletin board.
• We would also like to set up some tables on Wednesday night for the clothes.
• Tell anyone that you know who could benefit from the clothes!

PRAY OVER IOWA—Friday, September 5

Theme: The Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23

Meal starts at 5:30 pm; Program at 7:00 pm

Speakers include:

• Roy North - Harlan/Redline Congregations
• Zach Ahrens - McPherson Ave, Council Bluffs
• Jason Zaiger - Atlantic
• Paul Prescott - Center Street Church of Christ, Marshalltown
• Jeremy Folding - Grandview, Des Moines
• Dan Pierce - Cedarloo

Speakers will talk for five minutes with a song and prayer following each.

A Community Need...Hospice of Central Iowa recently opened the Bright Kavanagh House located at 3000 Easton Boulevard, Des Moines. Our mission is to provide quality of life at the end of life through compassionate care for all individuals and their families.  It requires many people in many roles to fulfill that mission.  We rely on volunteers from the communities we serve to offer their time and talents.  Additionally, we are looking for people to provide baked goods to our 24-bed hospice facility.  Cookies, bars, breads or any comforting baked treats are set out for patients, families and visitors to enjoy daily. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering at the Bright Kavanagh House, please call or e-mail Cheryl Berg, Bright Kavanagh House Volunteer Coordinator, at (515) 333-4552 or cberg@hospiceofcentraliowa.org for more details.

Central Iowa Missions

• Osceola - August 17 - Orrin Nearhoof
• Osceola - August 24 - Michael Mazak
• Osceola - August 31 - Kelly Kaiser

TV · Radio · Web

In SEARCH of the Lord’s Way
TV: 8:00 AM Sundays on KDSM
Web: www.searchtv.org

Gospel Broadcasting Network
Web: www.gbntv.org

International Gospel Hour
Radio: 8:30 pm Sundays, 1520 AM
Web: www.gospelhour.net

Daily Bible programming
TV: 11 am daily, Dish channel 9407
A.J. Clark from Freed-Hardeman

Grandview Church of Christ
Web: grandviewchurchofchrist.org

AM Sermon

Jeremy Folding, "Inconvenienced, Direct, and Self-Sacrificial"
Reading: Ezekiel 36:22-26

PM Sermon

Jeremy Folding, "Judgements Now, Blessings Later"
Reading: Micah 3

Office Hours

Jeremy’s office hours are:
Monday-Thursday 7:00am—10:00am
Emergencies Only

Monday-Thursday 10:00am—3:00 pm

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Aug 17	Sarah Mongan
Aug 17	Gaylon Harrison
Aug 19	Andy & Andrea Behanish
Aug 21	Louise Gordon
Aug 21	Randy Lange
Aug 23	Andrea Melvin

For the Record

	Giving	AM	PM	Wed
Last Week		144	95	93
5 Wk Avg
YTD Avg	2515	131	83	75
2007 Avg	2791	129	80	85

Calendar of Events (See also the Iowa Churches of Christ Calendar of Events)

August
	17	Sunday	Teen Gathering at the Foldings
	23	Saturday	Clothing Give Away
September
	5	Friday	Pray Over Iowa—Grandview church of Christ
	7	Sunday	Potluck after evening worship