Sunday, May 30, 2010, 

This week was quite a week. Sis Dillow was in the hospital on Monday for a scheduled procedure. It went well, but later in the week she had other complications and had to be readmitted. She got home late Friday evening. Bro Dillow received some unfavorable news about his cancer test results this week. As he said, he is concerned but not worried.

Also, Bro Francis Conner (picture below) passed away suddenly on Monday morning while at work. He was a meek-spirited person who loved God, his wife, his family and the people of God. He and Sis Stella have been an encouragement to us. They were faithful to support the Gospel Outreach Ministry effort in South Charleston, Ohio and attended some of our gatherings since that time. They just recently celebrated their 45th wedding Anniversary.

Bro Joe, Bro Dillow and Bro Dale were honored to be able to conduct the funeral service and be an encouragement to the family.  Please remember Sis Stella and their three sons in prayer.

Sunday morning, Bro Joe lead a discussion about temptation. He took his thoughts from 1 Cor 10:13:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

He discussed the many, if not most, of our trials are not only for our own benefit, but are for the benefit of others. He pointed out the little word "also" in this passage. With our temptation, God also provides a way of escape, not that we can avoid the temptation or to get released from the temptation, but rather that we may be able to bear it (or go through it with victory).

The lesson was very timely and was an encouragement to all in attendance. It is such a blessing to come to understand that our gatherings are for the purpose of edifying one another. It was pointed out that we never really know from one Sunday to the next Sunday who may be called away or who may have to face a serious test or trial. That is why it is so important that we allow the Holy Spirit to have His way at our gatherings. He knows exactly what we need.

In honor of the Memorial Day Weekend and other considerations, we spent the evening with our families.