OUR COMFORTER

Researchers have been studying families of small African chimpanzees called bonobos. These animals are experts at comforting one another. Bonobos are quick to give hugs to distressed peers. They seem to know how to empathize, to kiss, and to comfort.

Researchers noticed something else. Many bonobos are also orphaned and deprived of a mother's comfort in childhood due to poachers and hunters. These orphaned animals have a much harder time controlling their own emotions and they're less likely to comfort others. Because they haven't learned to receive comfort, they don't know how to give comfort, even as adults.

When we've experienced the Heavenly Father's comfort in our distresses, we're better able to manage our own emotions and to comfort others in distress. The apostle Paul wrote, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

If we're distressed, it's sometimes so we'll learn new dimensions of God's comfort, which will prepare us to help others. We become conduits of comfort, and we tend to most help those who are facing the same kind of trials that bewildered us. Sometimes the greatest worth of a problem is how it equips us to help others. Our problems become testimonies in disguise.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Donna Scott, Jackie Freeman, Len Hayles, Ruby Messer, Cephas & Billie Ann Goodman, and Larry Campbell (cancer). Remember also to pray for our Pastor and wife, our teachers, the West Oaks School and the Peace of Jerusalem.

DID YOU KNOW?

• --Donna Ward is picking up the donuts each Sunday morning and Teresa is making the coffee.
• Still need a volunteer to make the coffee to relieve Teresa.
• --Some people are turning in tithe envelopes but failing to put their names on the envelopes so they can get credit for their income tax. Also, please put your name and address on the envelope for the benefit of sending out income statements.
• --January 26th, a new movie is coming to the theaters entitled 'Left Behind, the Rise of the anti-Christ.' Taken from the series of books, it has high ratings and will be exciting to see.
• --So nice to see Sr. Parlier's granddaughter, Jade with us last Sunday and her two children.

QUIPS AND QUOTES

• • **Homonyms are words that have double meaning: here are a few to enjoy.
  • • SEASON..........Time of year to add flavor to food.
    • ANGLE.............Where two lines meet or to fish.
    • BALL..............A round object or a dance.
    • BANK..............The side of a river or a place for money
    • BAT.................A flying mammal or a wooden rod.
    • BEAR.................A furry animal or to carry.
    • BOWL..............A dish or to throw a ball.
    • DATE...............A time or a fruit.
• **The average person probably hasn't stored up enough treasure in heaven to make the down payment on a harp.
• **The Bible in your heart is sure to bring about consecration in your life.
• **If you have a good excuse, don't use it.
• **Trust in God...but lock your car.
• **Come to church weekly, not weakly.
• **The reason you can't take it with you is that you don't have any left when you go!