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Family Lines
Newsletter, June 9,
2002
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**THE
HYPOTHETICAL VERSUS THE ACTUAL**
By David Chadwell
The Bible study of Christian ethics studies the principles and
concepts that are godly behavior's foundation. The Bible study of
Christian morality studies the behavior those principles and concepts
produce. The mature Christian accepts those principles and concepts and
applies them to each situation encountered in his or her life. Living a
godly life is much more than yielding to a set of rules and
regulations.
Serious Bible teachers experience the same frustration.
The frustration: many Christians view godly principles and concepts as
hypothetical. To them, these principles and concepts are not intended to
deal with the actual. They are intended only for the hypothetical.
These principles and concepts become hypothetical when reality challenges
them. Maturing in Christ-like perspectives is demanding! The highway
to that maturity confronts many question marks and temptations.
Years ago [in another city] I was physically assaulted in a
public parking lot in the early afternoon in the full view of pedestrians and
passing motorists. The situation was completely unexpected.
Instantly the hypothetical became the actual.
To be physically assaulted is unnerving. To be assaulted
because someone who knew you disagreed with you is very unnerving. To
remain seated on the wet ground while someone stands over you, cursing you,
doing all is his power to anger you, wanting you to fight him is indescribably
strange. Every sense of physical security vanished!
Were Jesus' teachings hypothetical? When an actual
situation challenged Christ's principles and concepts, were those principles and
concepts real? Or, were they just thoughts concerning hypothetical
situations?
We emphasize godly principles and concepts that easily can be
focused on the hypothetical. Often those principles and concepts do not
become mental and spiritual tools that exist to deal with reality. Real
life and spiritual life become unrelated realities.
How do spouses treat spouses in a crisis? How do parents
work with children in the face of serious trouble? How do children react
to parents when real oppression exists? How do Christians treat each other
when there is strife in a congregation? How do we react to enemies in or
out of the Christian community? How do the godly act when the ungodly
oppress them? When evil is in control, how do those who are in Christ
react?
Do Christians use evil's tools to confront evil? That is
never a hypothetical question. It is a real life decision. From earliest
Christianity, it always has been. "Do not be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).
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**Excursions in Education**
By Ted Edwards
For the past several years the West-Ark congregation has been
involved in Leadership Training for Christ. This has proven to be an excellent
ministry to help our 3rd - 12th graders grow in their relationship with the Lord
and each other. We have begun the process of preparing for LTC 2003. We need men
and women who will help our young people as coaches and mentors. No experience
is necessary, as we'll provide all the materials that you'll need. If you're
interested see Hank and Pam Watlington, Ted Edwards or Gary Brown.
LTC Elementary Scrapbook will be meeting June 16 and 23 from
6-7 p.m. in Downstairs Resource Room.
**Up Close and Personal ... After School**
By David
Boozer
A graduation ... of sorts ... except there were no diplomas,
no long gown/square hat ceremonies with famous speakers, no "Pomp and
Circumstance." This class of graduate tutors "walked" on May 23 at
Creekmore Park with the same twelve children they have been involved with since
February. Maybe you could say these tutors graduated from a semester in
the school of hard knocks, learning the ropes, stepping out of their comfort
zones. Some of the "skills" they learned were what cookie goes best with
fruit punch, how to throw a spontaneous talent show, remembering how to jump
rope, and simply how to relate to a total stranger from the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd
grade.
Congratulations to the first graduating class of West-Ark
tutors! You passed with flying colors! You met every Thursday afternoon
from the end of February until the end of May because you remembered that Jesus
said, "If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones
because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his
reward." You have claimed this reward! Thanks for letting God use
you to pave the way for next year's work. Thanks for letting God use you
to convert a child from a total stranger into a new friend. (You have both
become better people for it.) And thanks for letting God use you to
bless our community by getting up close and personal.
**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.
"Strength Through Diversity"
Seminar with Jon Chadwell
Saturday,
July 13
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost is $ 10.00
This seminar for men and women will look at:
*The strengths of different
personality types.
*The blessings different personality types offer a
congregation.
*Understanding and respect for differing personality
types.
This workshop is designed to help us reach and utilize a variety of
personality types in our ministries. The desired result should be a deeper
understanding of others.
To register, give your name and $10.00 to Ted Edwards by Sunday, June
16th.
**Sunday's Lessons**
Morning: Is It Worth It? By David
Chadwell
Evening: A Messy Business! By David Boozer
**Happy Birthday**
June 16
Loretta Loudermilk
June 17
Louise Hamilton
Marquetta Walker
June 18
Dale Brown
June 19
Misty Floyd
June 20
Jeannie Cole
Ronnie Galloway
Kerry Jenkins
J.T.
Smith
Kent Smith
June 21
Leslie Frederick
June 22
Shelly Perkins
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**The Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
Guyana Mission Team returns Sunday, June 9th.
Mexico Mission Team leaves Saturday, June 8th for the City of Children in
Ensenada, Mexico.
Montie Ray (father of Karen Carter) is in St. Edward ICU in stable
condition. He had a heart attack Wednesday night.
Ena Lou Lenderman (Ron Lenderman's mother).
Carlene Payne is scheduled for knee surgery June 7th at Crawford County
Hospital.
Erma Beshears (Patti Anderson's mother).
Roger Ransom is in Sparks Hospital, room 634.
Floyd Douthit began radiation treatments this week.
**Dismissed from the Hospital**
Wilma Mizell, Madine Rose, Patsy
McCartney, Connie Tipton, and Gary Bowen.
**Change of Address**
Judy Halford
503 S. W. Diamond
#7
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 271-9177
**Notes of Thanks
To all at West-Ark,
Thank you for the prayers,
phone calls, and visits while I was in the hospital. I am so blessed to have
you. Also, I love all the pretty cards. Keep me in your
prayers.
Love,
Jewell Madzey
Thank you all so much for the cards, food, and visits while mother recovers
from her ankle operation. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated by both of
us.
In Christ,
Inez & Debra Hatfield
**Baby Showers**
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.
A shower in honor of Amy Lowry is planned for Sunday, June 23rd, from 2:00
to 3:30 p.m. in Helen Pratt's home at 3705 May Branch Lane. Amy's mother and
sisters (Debbie, Ashley and Sidney Edwards) plan to be here from Florida for the
shower! Amy and Eric are expecting a boy (Wyatt) and are registered at Toys 'R
Us.
**Gospel Meeting**
Rena Road Church of Christ, June 17-19, 7:00 p.m.,
Bill Banks, Evangelist.
**60+ Potluck**
Our next potluck is Saturday, June 15 in the FLC.
**Inner City Ministry**
Saturday, June 15th, is our next luncheon and
devotional. Lunch workers meet at 11:15 a.m. across from Fort Smith
Beverage. Workers who sack food and sort clothes meet at 10:30 a.m. at the CURE
Building on Windsor Drive.
**VBS Needs You**
Remember the excitement of VBS when you were a kid? --
or when your children were little?
We need helpers of every kind to make
it happen.
Please contact: Carolyn Harrell (646-3325), Heather Curtis
(452-3290), or Dena Jenkins (478-6486) if you can help in any way. VBS is
July 22-26!
**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
Main Summer Events for 2002
June 8-14: City of Children
Mission
June 26-27: Paint Aubrey Waldens House
June 28-29:
Splashdown Lock-In, Wild River Country, Little Rock
(Statewide Youth Rally
for Church of Christ Youth Groups)
June 30 - July 6: Green Valley Bible
Camp ... Craig Frost Week
July 10-12, 17-19: Work daily on VBS
July
22-26: Vacation Bible School
July 27-29: Soul Lift, 6 Flags, St.
Louis Cardinals
August 8-10: Back to School Retreat
August 19:
School Starts
*Teens and Parents, please make special note of the events mentioned above.
Also, please check out our new Youth Webpage at
www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/youth
and click on calendar. Find the event you would like to know more about and
click on it and you will find the details about that event.
**Nursery Schedule**
Infants: Trish Carson, Misty Floyd, Lisa
Broom
Toddlers: Jon Huff and Liz Huff
Evening: Marquetta Walker, Molly
Walker, Roxie Benincosa
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30).............660
Sunday Classes (9:30) ...............436
Evening Worship
(6:00)..............328
Wednesday Worship (7:00)........
366
Sunday Contribution ............$18,472
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