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Family Lines
Newsletter, June 23,
2002
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**That "Overwhelmed" Feeling**
By David
Chadwell
You know the feeling, don't you? You have it often,
don't you? Sometimes, maybe weekly? Sometimes, maybe daily?
Regardless of frequency, each of us DO experience such feelings! We all
do! This is NOT one of those "once in a lifetime"
experiences!
When do you have this feeling? What situations create
the 'overwhelmed' feeling? For many of us, examining our whats should be
an enlightening challenge. What goes on in our minds [our thinking] and
our hearts [our emotions] to open the door to our 'overwhelmed' feelings?
Listing the situations that generate that feeling likely will produce two
reactions -- insight and fear.
First make the list. Initially, do not try to categorize
the experiences. Just finish this sentence: "I feel 'overwhelmed'
when
" Be honest with yourself. God already knows the what and the why of
'overwhelmed' feelings. Only we [as individuals] will see our list [unless
we make it available to others]. Since God already knows our what and why,
and since it is a "for our eyes only" list, the only deception at risk is
self-deception.
All forms of deception are horrible, but perhaps no form of
deception has as many consequences as does self-deception. One cruel
consequence of self-deception is the 'overwhelmed' feeling.
[Self-deception is not the only cause of the 'overwhelmed' feeling. For
example, trying to do too much also produces that feeling.]
After you make your complete list, place your causes in
categories. Do you see a pattern? Do you see inter-relationships
among your categories? Do you place pressure on yourself in your attempts
to please others? Are you trying to make yourself indispensable by being
too helpful to be rejected or ignored? Are you trying to control others
through your 'overwhelmed' feelings? Are you trying to prove something? If
you are, what are you trying to prove and to whom? Do you pretend you are
proving something to yourself when you really are seeking others'
approval? Are you trying to escape an internal, mental label that haunts
you? Are you giving control to unreasonable people with unrealistic
demands?
Paul comforted Christians in Philippi with these words:
(Philippians 4:7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Proper knowledge of God
generates peace. Know God, and find peace. 'Overwhelmed'
feelings are not rooted in a healthy relationship with the God of
peace.
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**Excursions in Education**
By Ted Edwards
There are times when I wonder why on any given Sunday we have
members who come to our assembly but choose not to attend Bible Class.
Recently, I read this information from a Barna Research update, and the
importance of regular Bible class attendance became clear.
Adults who began the church-going habit when they were kids
are three times more likely to stay committed than their childhood peers who
stayed away from church.
Church-going teenagers are much more likely to have a
sensitive conscience than their unchurched peers. Researchers with the Gallop
Youth Survey have found out that kids who attend religious services regularly
are much more likely to feel guilty about:
"Having sex before you are married" (79% vs.
44%)
"Lying to a friend" (89% vs. 75%)
"Being disloyal to your
group" (84% vs. 76%)
"Surfing for pornography on the internet" (85% vs.
70%)
"Cheating on a test at school" (85% vs. 70%)
"Swearing or
cursing at a teacher" (83% vs. 69%)
So what relevance does all this have on us today? This helps
me realize that what is written in Hebrews 10:24-25 is more than just an
encouragement for us to continue meeting together regularly. There is a reason
and motive for us to meet together regularly.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward
love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see
the Day approaching."
See you in Bible Class!
**Urgent Need!**
We are currently and desperately needing
additional drivers for the "widows" van. The van runs both Sunday services and
Wednesday night. Two of our drivers had to stop driving, leaving only two to
drive. We could use four more drivers. If you can help, please call Rod Jones,
Wilburn Howard, or the office.
**In the Library**
A good book to followup Mike Goings
excellent Sunday morning lesson is "Disappointment With God" by Phillip
Yancey. Earl Flood gives it a "thumbs-up"!
**Scrapbook Meeting**
LTC 2003 Elementary Scrapbook will be
meeting June 23, from 6-7 p.m. in the Downstairs Resource Room.
**Note and Change of Address**
This note is to let you know
I am now living in Temple, Texas. I miss Van Buren and Fort Smith and all
my friends and neightbors, but I am making new ones here. i thank West-Ark for
all the years I worshipped there and the fond memories I have of the nice people
I knew there.
In Christian love,
Evelyn Hewett
101 E. Killen
Lane
Temple, TX 76501
"Strength Through Diversity"
Seminar with Jon
Chadwell
Saturday, July 13
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
**Sunday's Messages **
Morning: The Way God Works --
Always! by David Chadwell
Evening: Report on Mexico Mission Trip by Brad
Pistole
**Happy Birthday**
June 19
Kaitlyn Jones
June 30
David Burns
Martha Gunter
Judy
Walker
July 1
Shelby Breedlove
Kevin Curtis
Roy Dunavin
Ruth Gouty
Dillon
Hamilton
DeAnn Hankins
Hunter Pistole
July 2
Trevor Curtis
Nelda Fowler
Dale
Lusby
July 3
Amanda Burkhart
Dwonne Cogswell
Jane
Fisher
Hazel Hastings
Kinsey Smedley
Lindsey Yowell
July 4
Reva Hoff
Suzanne Karr
Jim Newton
Cory
Wakefield
July 5
Margaret Gillian
Bill Wilson
July 6
Michelle Morgan
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**Say A Prayer For**
*Elizabeth Evans is recovering from surgery at Oklahoma City
University Medical Center. Doctors removed part of her pancreas. She will
be there for 7-10 more days.
*Erma Beshears (Patti Anderson's mother).
*Roger Ransom is in Sparks Hospital, room 634.
*Amanda Washburn is scheduled for tests this
week.
*Landry Dockery (age 1) had an allergic reation to some
medication this week and developed a severe rash from "head to
toe."
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to several families who
experienced the death of loved ones recently.
*Ron Lenderman's mother, Ena Lou Lenderman, died June 15th
after suffering a stroke several weeks ago. Funeral services were Tuesday in
Carlisle, Arkansas.
*Bruce and Joann Davenport's sister-in-law, Carol Davenport,
died unexpectedly Monday night. Funeral services were Thursday in Fayetteville.
The Davenport Family (Mickey, Carol, Eric, Brent, and Brian) were members here
for many years. If you would like to send cards, the addresses are listed
below.
Mickey Davenport
3510 W. Essex
Fayetteville, AR
72704
Eric Davenport
1625 E. Mission Blvd.
Fayetteville, AR
72703
Brent Davenport
2365 North Old Wire Road
Fayetteville,
AR 72703
Brian Davenport
466 Aster Avenue
Farmington, AR
72734
*Allie Whitaker's brother, Gathen Carl Green, died last week.
He lived in Kenneywick, Washington.
**Baby Showers**
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 and Blessed Baby in Greenpointe
Center.
A Baby shower in honor of Jeannie McDonald is planned for
Sunday, June 30th, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in the home of Helen Pratt at 3705 May
Branch. Jeannie and Travis are registered at Wal-Mart and Toys 'R
Us.
**Shower Date Changed**
The wedding shower honoring Aaron
Davis and Amanda Moulder has been rescheduled for Sunday, July
14th.
**New Arrival**
Congratulations to Jon and Liz Huff on the
birth of a second son, Elijah Daniel, born June 17, and weighing 7 lbs., 11 ozs.
Dan and Janet Cathey are the happy grandparents.
**In Our Nursery**
Infants: Berniece Rogers, Sharon Faries,
Joann Davenport
Toddlers: Sue George, Kristin Smith, Rayna
Edwards
Evening: Sandi Pippin, Arista Lindgren
**Home Furnishings Needed**
Oscar Nolasco (our new Spanish-speaking minister) and his family will be
arriving in Fort Smith this summer. They were told the West-Ark church would
fill a house with furnishings for them, as they are selling everything they own
before moving to the United States.
We are starting to collect things for their arrival. They need beds,
chairs, tables, washer, dryer, lamps, pictures, dishes, etc. -- everything you
need to turn a vacant house into a welcoming home!
They will also need a car!
If you have items (new or used) to donate, please contact Ted Edwards or
David Boozer.
**Journeys For Jesus**
VBS 2002 is July 22-26
Please contact:
Carolyn Harrell (646-3325), Heather Curtis (452-3290), or Dena Jenkins
(478-6486)
if you can help in any way.
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**Living Images of God's Healing Truth**
By Brad Pistole
WORDS really cant accurately describe what our recent mission to the City
of Children in Ensenada, Mexico, was like. If you dont believe me, just ask any
of our 48 team members that went with us June 8-14th. You will find them in one
of two categories: speechless or overflowing with love, joy, and the resolve to
be a better person.
We had an incredible week last year with the group from Bentonville. We
made friendships that will last a lifetime. However, that week truly doesnt
hold a candle to what we just experienced June 8-14th. The two weeks cannot be
compared to one another because they were all together different.
God knew exactly what he was doing when he added 9 people to our team from
Texas, Missouri, Tennessee and Washington. The addition of Brian and Christy
Lea, Stephan Abuzeide, David Hardy, Kenna Tipton, Richard Kimberly, and Daniel,
Jeremy, and Arista turned out to be the perfect pieces to a glorious
puzzle.
Ive been to the Northeast, Guyana, and Mexico on mission trips and they
have all been great, yet Ive never experienced team work quite like this
before. Our team worked together in and out of the City of Children.
We had the opportunity to improve the conditions for the children inside
the City and we also had the privilege of driving 35 minutes each day into the
town of El Zorio to help a small congregation that truly had nothing. I watched
our elders, deacons, parents and teens mix and pour concrete, build a garage for
5 vans, and help a small church by painting its pews, doors, window frames, and
staircase. We also built a stage and a pulpit for the congregation in El
Zorio.
And these are only the physical parts of the trip. The spiritual blessings
and accomplishments far outweigh what we did physically. We had 5 great nights
of VBS with over 100 children each night and our group of 48 also spent 6 nights
together in devotion at the close of each day. Sincere worship, growth, and
spiritual breakthroughs took place as a result of our evenings
together.
I want to thank everyone for the gifts of mercy, love, and prayers that
were given on behalf of the work in Ensenada, Mexico. It will be a blessing to
many members of this church and to the children and community in Mexico for
years to come.
I strongly encourage everyone to be present for our 6 p.m. service in the
auditorium this coming Sunday night, June 23. We will share our report from this
years trip. You will see a short video of this years trip, hear amazing
stories and experience a wonderful worship service led by our team members. Keep
making a difference!
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30).............633
Sunday Classes (9:30)
...............411
Evening Worship (6:00)..............261
Wednesday Worship (7:00)........ 322
Sunday Contribution
............$20,146
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