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Family Lines
Newsletter, June 2,
2002
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**Going Through The Motions**
By David
Chadwell
In everyone's life, a person once close to us deeply wounded,
insulted, and offended us. For any person to "be nice" because he or she
concluded it was the "right thing to do" is an offensive, detestable, obnoxious
act. In a relationship, when "I" am not valued as a person, "I" am deeply
offended and feel horribly exploited.
The deeper the relationship
"I" thought "I" shared with the offender, the more offensive his or her act
is. When anyone is intimately involved in a deeply personal relationship
with a person who treats us in that manner, we are deeply offended and
wounded. Love quickly becomes disgust. What were joyful acts become
contemptible acts that produce disgust. Additional "acts of kindness"
performed as "the right thing to do" are now contemptible behavior [a
significant reason for the difficulty in restoring broken
marriages.]
Can you explain key differences between Jehovah God and
idols? Consider one of the many. God emphasized this key difference
to Israel in the ten commandments: "I am a jealous God" (Exodus 20:5).
This is stated in God's rejection of idolatry. Understanding God being
"jealous" is directly related to understanding why idolatry insults
God.
Idolatrous gods were typically capricious, disinterested,
easily offended, and had to be pacified to keep them happy or to receive their
favor. Jehovah God is attentive to His people, not capricious. He is
patiently interested in our existence. Our challenge is to maintain a
profoundly appreciative, respectful love relationship with Him, not to pacify
Him. The more one realizes the magnitude of God's love, the more he or she
loves God.
In Hosea 6:1-3, Hosea informed Israel they genuinely had upset
God. God was disgusted with them! They reacted to God as if He
were an upset idol. "We must calm God down! He is upset with us, but
if we just do the right things He will settle down. In fact, He will be
nice to us. That is certain!" The result: their attitude deepened the
alienation by increasing the insensitivity of their insult.
We should belong to God! He made us! He is our
origin physically and spiritually! Humanity began in a deeply personal
relationship with God (Genesis 1:8). God wants that relationship
back! He does not want us to tolerate Him, or pacify Him, or put up with
Him! He wants us to love Him in the manner He loves us!
When in our lives or worship, we lovelessly, faithlessly "go
through the motions" to keep God from being "upset with us," we infuriate
God. Our acts, though perhaps correct within themselves, are a profound
insult. Have you read Isaiah 1:11-17 lately? Surely, we always must
seek to do the right things. Yet, our faith must never be in what we
do. Our faith must always be in the God we love.
May we
never seek to pacify God. May we ever love God -- more and
more!
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**Excursions in Education**
By Ted Edwards
Our congregation at West-Ark is continually blessed with many
new babies being born into our family. This Sunday, June 2, we will celebrate
our annual tradition of Baby Dedication Day. At this time, we will honor the new
parents as we pray for these newborns and also renew our commitment as a
congregation to do our part in helping these little ones know the Lord.
Although there are many important areas of growth involved in
a child's upbringing -- a child's spiritual development is the most importance.
Studies show the percentage of people accepting Christ as Savior after 18 years
of age is dramatically lower than those doing so before 18. Those years pass by
fast, and we quickly loose the opportunity to be the primary shapers of our
children's thinking.
Parents carry a great responsibility of raising children in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The church is not here to take over that
responsibility, but to come alongside as a helper. As a congregation, we should
be trying to help parents become equipped for raising their children to know and
follow the Lord. As the family of God, let's take this responsibility seriously
and partner together in raising our children to know and to serve the Lord Jesus
Christ.
As our children grow up, it is a good thing to have them sit
with their parents in the assembly -- letting them see you worshiping God. As
would be expected, this means a certain amount of disruption during the service
because children are not adults and should not be expected to behave as if they
were. As a congregation we need to be understanding with children and their
energetic activity. However, there are some things we can do to help our
children participate in worship on a level they are capable of.
For children, birth through 24 months old, we provide a
nursery throughout the entire worship service.
For children who are 2 years old through the second grade, we
offer a Children's Worship during the preaching time of the
service.
You are welcome to take advantage of these services,
although you do not have to. Your children are always welcome in our worship
assembly.
**Farewell Reception**
Sam and Lucy Roberts are moving to
Tennessee. A Farewell Reception in their honor will be held in the Annex on
Sunday afternoon, June 9th, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. to give everyone an
opportunity to visit with them. A basket will be placed in the foyer for
your cards on the morning of June 9th. You may also bring your cards to the
reception. Sunday, June 16th, will be their last time to worship with us.
**Notes of Thanks**
To our Christian friends,
We want to express our
appreciation for your prayers, cards, and the beautiful plant during the loss of
our brother Clifton Loudermilk.
In Christian love,
Robert & Loretta
Loudermilk
Dear Church,
Thank you for the expressions of sympathy,
your cards, and the beautiful plant at my sister's death. Your love and care is
deeply appreciated.
George Thompson
Each time I think of the joy of your laughter, the comfort of
your prayers, and the warmth of your smiles, I am reminded of how thankful I am
to God for you. Your love has given me great joy and
encouragement.
Alice Jean Rogers
Dear West-Ark Church of Christ,
Thank you for the beautiful
peace lily your sent to our home. It reminds us of the love we have for you and
you for us. Losing my father has been a difficult time in our lives. Your
thoughts and prayers have eased the pain. Thank you again.
Love, Diane
Arnold
**David's Sermons**
Morning: Who Turned Loose? Me Or
God?
Evening: My Opinion of Me
**Birthdays
June 10
Benny Gooden
June 12
Barbara Aldridge
Raina Balch
June 13
Randy Moss
June 14
Marcia Dye
Lynette Purvis
John
Wood
June 15
Beverly Ingram
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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
Guyana Mission Team 2002.
Ena Lou Lenderman (mother of Ron) had a stroke last week. She
was home for a while under Hospice care, but is going back to the nursing home.
Ron says her desire is for the Lord to take her home.
Patsy McCartney (Peggy Pistole's sister-in-law) is in St.
Edward, room 5501. She has an infection in her leg complicated by
diabetes.
Tommy Roberts (father of Neil) had out-patient surgery this
week.
Gary Bowen (a friend of Ben Pearson's) is recovering from
by-pass surgery in ICU at St. Edward.
Carlene Payne is scheduled for knee surgery June 7tht at
Crawford County Hospital.
Connie Tipton is in St. Edward, room 5220.
Erma Beshears (mother of Patti Anderson).
Roger Ransom is in Sparks Hospital, room 634.
Madine Rose is in Health South Rehab, room 210A.
Clayton Tompkins (father of Drew) went home on May
28th.
Floyd Douthit will begin radiation treatments on his vocal
chords next week.
Wilma Mizell is in St. Edward, room 3420.
Good news! Mary Broyles reports that her blood count is now
normal and she is feeling much better.
**Love and Sympathy**
Carlene Payne's grandmother, Illa Mae
McCracken died May 30th in Haven, Mississippi.
Edward Chilton (grandfather-in-law of Mandy Russell Chilton)
died last week in Michigan.
**Baptism**
Sandra Land was baptized Friday afternoon by
Danny Moquette.
**Congratulations**
. . . to Carlos and Arianna Heras on
the birth of a son, Ethan Alexander Heras. Ethan was born May 28th and
weighed 7 lbs., 7 ozs. and is 20 7/8 inches long. Luis and Mickey Mendez are the
happy grandparents!
**Car Clinic**
The next Car Clinic is Saturday, June 1st,
from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Annex.
**Widows/Widowers**
You will be hosted by the teens at noon
on Saturday, June 1st in the FLC. Call Mary Burkett or Bobbie Hughes if
you need a ride.
**Baby Shower**
A Shower and Brunch honoring Liz Huff is
planned for Saturday, June 15th, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 7416 Oxford
Place. Liz is registered at Toys 'R Us. It's a boy (Elijah Daniel)! Please
RSVP by June 8th to Christy Hesslen at 649-1907 if you plan to
attend.
**Promotion Sunday**
All children going into 2nd through
6th grades meet in the FLC during Bible class this Sunday.
**VBS "Recruiting"**
Summer is here and VBS is just around
the corner! Please contact Carolyn Harrell (646-3325), Heather Curtis
(452-3290), or Dena Jenkins (478-6486) if you can help in any
way.
This year's VBS is July 22-26. We will be traveling with
Paul on his missionary journeys and learning about all of the different peoples
who made up the first century church! It will prove to be an exciting journey
for all of us!
**Library News**
Jim and Deborah Wilson have recently
donated several boxes of very useful books to our Library. We thank them, and
hope you will make use of their donation.
In our church library, we have some books on grief on the
bookshelf next to the tapes. We could use additional books related to grief
recovery. If you wish to make a memorial contribution to the library for this
section call Myra at the church office for suggestions.
~~John
Lankford
**Wedding Invitations**
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Barnhill
and
Mr. and Mrs. George Green
Request the honour of your
presence at
the marriage
of their daughter
Jenna Lynette to
David Carter
Dickey
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dickey
Saturday, the Eighth of June
at
two o'clock in the afternoon at
Robinson Avenue Church of
Christ
Springdale, Arkansas
Reception immediately
following at the
church.
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Barton
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter,
Lindsay Renee Barton to
Dale
Dewayne Lusby II
son of Mr. & Mrs. Dale Lusby
on Saturday, the eight
of June
at half past six o'clock in the evening
Roseland
Plantation
2601 State Highway 64
Ben Wheeler, Texas
Reception
immediately following
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**Living Images of God's Healing Truth**
By Brad Pistole
Please remember the following Mexico Mission Team members throughout the
week of June 8-14 as they travel to Ensenada, Mexico.
Landon Abuzeide
Stephan Abuzeide
Diane Arnold
Marie
Arnold
Casey Benincosa
Nichole Benincosa
Roxie Benincosa
Tom
Benincosa
John Berger
Aaron Davis
Kimberly Davis
Kathy
Edwards
Rayna Edwards
Ted Edwards
Arista Grubbs
David Hardy
Jake
Jackson
Michael Jones
Ellen Kamp
Emily Kamp
Richard Kimberly
Kara
Lankford
Brian Lea
Christy Lea
James Lemly
Ron Lenderman
Arista
Lindgren
Erin Mason
Amanda Moulder
Ben Neal
Brad Pistole
Joe
Pistole
Peggy Pistole
Yvonne Pistole
Donna Roper
Larry
Roper
Kenna Tipton
Jeff Tomlin
Stephen Tomlin
Chase
Turpin
Jordan Wear
Linda Wear
Daniel Word
Sara Word
Doyle
Wright
Judy Wright
*Nursery Schedule**
Infants: Paula May, Leslie Frederick, Melissa Walker
Toddlers: Dena
Jenkins, Irene Willis
P.M. Nursery: Dixie Burkhart, Gina Williams
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30).............614
Sunday Classes (9:30)
...............421
Evening Worship (6:00)..............347
Wednesday Worship (7:00)........ 328
Sunday Contribution
............$12,371
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