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Family Lines
Newsletter, July 7,
2002
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** "MY" SALVATION: SO MANY ARE INVOLVED! **
By David
Chadwell
The church created and sustains this misconception: salvation
is simple. From that misconception too many Christians disastrously
over-simplify salvation. "I do my part, God does His part, and salvation
is a done deal. It is quite simple. Do what you are supposed to do
and God does what He is supposed to do." The concept: "my" part is baptism
and church attendance.
The core of "my" salvation involves God, Jesus Christ, God's
Spirit, and "me" on a continuing basis. Apart from the core are other
factors. Some factors encourage "me" toward God: Christian fellowship,
godly examples, maturing in understanding God's word, maturing in understanding
God's will and purposes, and maturing in identifying good and evil. Some
factors encourage "me" toward evil: temptation, victimization by ungodly forces,
hungers to indulge physical desires, false concepts of security, and a world
that says many forms of evil are good.
Salvation involves an event of coming to God. God's
power in a specific moment transitions "me" from Satan's kingdom and rule to
God's kingdom and rule. However, the event begins "my" salvation and marks only
the beginning of a lifelong commitment and relationship with God through
Christ.
For salvation to be reality, several things must occur.
If in faith "I" respond to what God did in Jesus' death, God gives me the gift
of salvation (Ephesians 2:4-10). God always is the source of power; "I"
never am (Ephesians 3:20, 21). "I" respond to God's offer. The power
that provides "me" a saved relationship with God is always from God, never
"me."
"I" choose God as "my" ruler instead of the forces of evil
(Romans 6). "I" place the resurrected Jesus as Lord of "my" entire
existence (1 Peter 3:14-16). "I" remain acutely aware of what God did and
does for "me." In obedience surrender, "I" use all of "my" life to serve
God's purposes. "I" never reduce this merely to rules and
regulations. It is a whole life commitment that allows God to remake "me"
(Ephesians 4:20-24).
This remaking [transformation] is a cooperative project
between God and "me." "I" give Him "my" mind to remake and to focus
on His will (Romans 12:1,2). He through His Spirit lives in "my"
life. From the moment of "my" forgiveness, His presence [Spirit] is His
gift to "me" (Acts 2:38). In cooperation with His presence in "my" life,
"I" grow to be a different person as "I" permit the Spirit to bear fruit in
"my" life (Galatians 5:22-24). "My" body is His presence's temple (1
Corinthians 6:19, 20). When Christ returns, "I" will be judged by "my"
appreciative service to God who allows Jesus to be "my" Savior (2 Corinthians
5:10). In every consideration, God provides "me" salvation as a
gift. "I" responsibly surrender and cooperate with God as He transforms
"me."
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**Excursions in Education**
By Ted Edwards
West-Ark's annual VBS is scheduled for July 22-26 from 9:30 -
11:30 each morning. This year's theme deals with Paul's missionary journeys and
how WE can live for Christ today. Classes and activities will be held for 4 year
olds - 6th graders.
There are many ways that your family can be involved in the
fun and togetherness that comes with the planning and preparation of VBS 2002.
We need men and women to help out by teaching a class or assisting a teacher.
You might like to help write, direct, or act in one of the dramas, or perhaps
build sets for the dramas or even design costumes. How about making and/or
serving cookies and Kool-Aid? The VBS attendees work on a craft project daily,
so maybe you would like to help out with the crafts. Some of you might like to
serve on the advertising or registration crews. There is a place for you to
serve in VBS 2002!
Teens are encouraged to help out during VBS by serving as
guides for the younger children. But even before that - on July 10-12 &
17-19 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. the teens will assist Brad and other volunteers with
preparations for Vacation Bible School. Everyone needs to wear older
clothes in order to paint and help build sets and backdrops.
The ideas listed above are only a sampling of the many
different ways that you could get involved in teaching our children as we travel
with Paul and learn about his journey's for Jesus. If you're interested in
helping out in any way with this year's VBS, please pick up a form from the
information table in the foyer, fill it out and put it in the VBS box. See
Carolyn Harrell, Dena Jenkins or me for more information regarding VBS 2002.
We are excited about this year's theme of "Journey's for
Jesus."
Make plans now for VBS 2002 at West-Ark on July 22-26.
**Special KFC - Teen Worship**
July 7 - August 11th
For
the next 6 weeks, the teens would like to invite all of the KFC kids to join
them for worship on Sunday nights. We will meet in the gym from 6-7 p.m.
Come join us for great singing, a time of praise to God, and a lot of
involvement from many of our young people.
**Happy Birthday**
July 15
Fred Jackson
John Bradley Smith
July 17
Tommy Bishop
Morgan Dunavin
Darold Wear
July 18
Jack Alexander
Sherria Burk
July 19
James Scott
Brad Pistole
July 21
Karen Farris
**David's Lessons**
Morning: Understanding My Salvation
Evening:
Understanding Our Origin
Please bring your Bibles Sunday evening as we begin
a
two-month emphasis on the New Testament Church.
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**The Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
*Anita Maxell (mother of Laurie Armstrong) hopes to be released from the
hospital today (Wednesday).
*Paul Quenin is scheduled for tests at Sparks Hospital.
*Charles Tummons is in Sparks, room 468 recovering from a stroke.
*Sylvester Williams (father of Yolanda Gunn) is in Crawford County
Hospital, ICU.
*Robert Loudermilk is in Sparks, room 469 recovering from gall bladder
surgery. He expects to be released soon.
*Trystan Cochrane is in Sparks Hospital with whooping cough. Trystan is the
one-month old infant grandson of one of the secretaries in Jerry Canfield's law
office.
*Cindy Ross is in Sparks, room 404.
*Lois Jester's medical tests are all good.
*Erma Beshears (Patti Anderson's mother).
**Change of Address**
Rick and Trisha Carson
Matt and John
1341
Hwy. 64 West
Mulberry, AR 72947
Phone: (479) 997-8932
**Wedding Shower**
A shower honoring Aaron Davis and Amanda Moulder is
planned for Sunday, July 14, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at 8106 Valley Forge Road.
Hostesses are Linda Wear, Terri Jones and Denise Lusby. They are registered at
Dillards, Pier One and Wal-Mart.
**Car Clinic**
. . . is Saturday, July 6th, from 8 to 11 a.m. in the
Annex parking lot.
**Widows/Widowers**
We're having a Homemade Ice Cream Social on
Saturday, July 6th at 2:00 p.m. (notice the change from our usual time)!
We will provide the ice cream -- please bring cookies if you like. If they are
homemade, bring your recipe, and we'll make a copy. Call Janice, Bobbie,
or Mary if you need a ride to the building.
**Wedding Invitation**
Richard and Linda Scott and
Chester and Sharon
Dillard
request the honor of your
presence at the marriage
of
their daughter
Lori Michelle to
Brian Bradley Goodpasture
son of
David and Debbie Goodpasture
on Saturday, the thirteenth of July
at
two o'clock in the afternoon
Charity Baptist Church
Fayetteville,
Arkansas
Reception immediately following
Springdale Rodeo
Community
Center
"Journeys For Jesus"
VBS 2002 is July 22-26
Make a difference
in the
life of a child this summer.
We need teachers, assistants, crafts
workers, and teen helpers!
Sign-up sheets are in the foyer.
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**Living Images of God's Healing Truth**
By Brad Pistole
As many of us are gone to Green Valley Bible Camp this week, I hope you
will consider some of the following statements that were sent to me by one of
our teens this past week:
I've learned....
That just one person saying to
me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.
I've learned....
That having a
child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the
world.
I've learned....
That being kind is more important than being
right.
I've learned....
That you should never say
"no" to a gift from a child.
I've learned....
That I can always pray for
someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
I've
learned....
That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone
needs a friend to act goofy with.
I've learned....
That sometimes all a
person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I've
learned....
That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask
for.
I've learned....
That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What
makes me think I can?
I've learned....
That the best classroom in the
world is at the feet of an elderly person.
-Author Unknown
This past week as more than 15 of our teens and a few of our adults helped
scrape and paint Aubrey Waldens house, I found many of the above statements to
be true. Praise God for a wonderful 96 year old man who loves this church
and loves his God with all his heart!
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30).............673
Sunday Classes (9:30)
...............433
Evening Worship (6:00).............N.C.
Wednesday Worship (7:00)........ 341
Sunday Contribution
............$14,009
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