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Family Lines
Newsletter, July 14,
2002
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**Treating Each Other As We Should: Not A Simple
Responsibility!**
By David Chadwell
Most of life's realties are complicated. One such
reality is Christian relationship. It is easy to say we should love each
other as God loves each of us. It is hard to love. It is easy to say
that the forgiveness we each extend should reflect God's forgiveness. It
is hard to forgive. It is easy to say each person has equal spiritual
worth to God. It is hard to look at others as having "equal spiritual
worth."
It is simple to justify our attitudes and behavior by
declaring God's expectations are "unattainable goals" or "ideals rooted in
perfection." Christian attitudes and behavior are rooted in God's ideal,
perfect nature. However, that fact does not excuse ungodly attitudes and
behavior in Christian interaction. To say, "Oh well, after all I am just
human," misses the point of being Christian. A Christian, by choice and
desire, seeks to "partake of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). What a
commitment!
Godly relationships come hard for us. We are prone to be
arrogantly condescending or intimidated, to be a selfish victimizer or a fearful
victim, to exude superiority or to radiate weakness, to assert privilege or to
accept worthlessness, to domineer or to be filled with anxiety. When we
are "stuck in the middle" of one of those migrations, we become frustrated,
angry, and resentful.
Any of those attitudes results in behavior
that negatively impacts godly relationships. In fact, godly relationships
require us to grow beyond ungodly attitudes and behavior. Only God makes
such growth possible. For God to make such growth possible, we must be
honest with ourselves and God about ungodly attitudes.
It is hard to be a godly spouse, a godly parent, a godly
child, a godly friend, a godly employer/employee, a godly neighbor, or a godly
stranger. Godliness in those situations requires godly
relationships. It is more than a matter of "what I believe" or "what I
am." It is also a matter of "how I treat others." The "being" part
is hard. The "treating others" part is even more difficult.
Christians must understand what it means to be "individually
members of one another" (Romans 12:5). If a person is committed to
godliness, God has no preference for personality types. Why? God has use
for each of us. Regardless of personality type, each person devoted to
godliness is the product of the Creator who designed us in His image and
likeness. Devotion to God should prepare us to relate to each
other.
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** "On Bearing Fruit (and Vegetables)" **
By David
Boozer
"Hope you like cucumbers 'cause we've got too many," said
Daryl Halbrooks during the worship service garden report. Worship service garden
report? That's right: announcements, three songs, a prayer, and the garden
report. You see, at The Way assemblies every Sunday evening at 4:00,
someone reports on how well the garden is doing. And let me tell you, it
is bringing in quite a harvest!
Back in the spring, Myra Flippo offered her garden plot to
members of The Way (the group of inner city residents meeting every Sunday at
Windsor Drive) to plant corn, watermelons, peas, and anything else we could make
room for. Through sweaty brows, dirty hands, and sore backs, we have been
understanding, in a very literal sense, what Paul meant when he wrote about
planting, watering, and letting God make it grow. God has truly blessed
our garden. But more importantly, he has blessed our lives. As a group, we
have grown much closer to each other by working side-by-side. Many of us are
learning to share what we worked hard for with others who did not work.
Some of us are learning to hold back our judgments of those who did not work and
to give "to anyone as he had need." This garden, perhaps as much as
anything else, has cultivated our relationships with each other and reminded us
of some very basic biblical principles. That is why we have our garden
reports.
Perhaps the best way to change lives is through building
Christ-centered relationships. True relationships go much deeper than mere
sporadic, coincidental meetings in hallways or parking lots. True relationships
penetrate much deeper than the occasional, superficial "hi, how ya doin'"
conversations we tend to have two or three times a week. Relationships,
just like gardens, take work. But what a harvest! We don't want to
keep the harvest to ourselves. If you would like to join us in the garden,
let me know. There are plenty of weeds to go around! The harvest
really is plentiful, and workers are few and far between. Pray that God
will send workers who get involved in others' lives for the purpose of
introducing them to Christ. Maybe one of those workers will be
you.
**Caring for our Shut-in and Homebound Members**
Being homebound or in a nursing home can become quite lonely.
We plan to publish a small list of names each week in our bulletin. When
possible, make a visit, phone call, or send a card to someone on the list
(or all of them)! You will make someone's day much brighter, and in the process,
brighten your own, too.
Pearl Beam, 1114 North 5th, Fort Smith, AR 72901 (782-8734).
Pearl is able to attend some services.
Thelma Blackburn, 3901 North 50th, AR 72904 (782-2680).
Ada Ferguson, 1903 North 45th Circle, Fort Smith, AR 72904
(783-7122).
Bobbye Ferrell, 3204 South 32nd, Fort Smith, AR 72903
(646-9649).
**Book Recommended**
John Lankford recommends the book Feet
Firmly Planted as a good follow-up book to Michael Cole's remarks at the last
family meeting. If you would like to order it, contact John. The cost is
$12.00.
**Need For A New Van**
A new van for the widows was put in
the budget this year, but only to be purchased if contributions exceeded
expenses. This has not been the case. With the Inner City ministry and the
Spanish ministry starting in August, our 2 existing vans will get even more
use. We would like to purchase a new van, with proper equipment for the
elderly, around August 1st. The cost will be about $35,000. If you can
help, please give your check to one of the elders or church office. Thank
you.
**A Special Inner City Day**
West-Ark will host a special
community-wide inner city day on Saturday, August 31st, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. in the Family Life Center. This is an all-out effort to build additional
bridges of outreach to our community. If you would like to help, please see
Kathy Rosalez and/or David Boozer.
**Revelation Class**
Starting this Sunday afternoon at 5:00
p.m., there will be a study of Revelation for interested 5th, 6th, and 7th
graders. We'll meet in classroom 100. This will be a 7-week study. We'll hand
out the schedule this week.
**David's Lessons**
Morning: The Apostle Paul's "Body"
Illustration
Evening: Acts: Understanding Our Origin
Please bring your
Bibles!
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**The Wonder
Working Power of Prayer**
*Anita Maxwell (mother of Laurie Armstrong) will start
chemotherapy on July 16th. The family requests your prayers for
her.
*Phil White is in Sparks Hospital, room 533, where he will
have back surgery.
*Charles Tummons is in Health South Rehab, room
220A.
*Sylvester Williams (father of Yolanda Gunn) was dismissed
from the hospital July 8th. Frances Williams (Yolanda's mother) has been moved
to Alma Health Care and Rehab.
*Erma Beshears (Patti Anderson's mother).
*Ruth Choate fell last week. There are no broken bones, but
she is at Health South, room 206, while recovering.
*Bobbye Hughes is scheduled for knee surgery July 12th at
Crawford County Hospital.
**Sympathy**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Bonnie
Marrs in the death of her mother, Maurine Edwards. Memorial services will be
Friday morning, July 12, 10:00 a.m. at the West-Ark church of Christ Auditorium.
**Change of Address**
Jeffrey & Jamie Loftin
1516
Brandywine Circle
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone: 474-0107
**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. Aaron and Amanda are registered at Dillards, Pier One and
Wal-Mart.
**60+ Potluck**
A "summertime" potluck is planned for
Saturday, July 20th at 6:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center.
**Note of Thanks**
Thank you for all the cards, calls,
visits, and prayers for my mother (Anita Maxwell) while she was in the hospital.
We appreciate the kindness shown to our family.
In Christian love,
Larry
& Laurie Armstrong & Family
Dear Friends,
Our 62nd Wedding Anniversary was July 5th.
Thanks to everyone for the cards and phone calls to help us celebrate the
event.
George and Hazel Hastings
**A Reminder**
For all those who are registered:
Our
"Strength In Diversity" Seminar with Jon Chadwell
is this Saturday, July 13
in the FLC 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Come at 8:30 for coffee, juice &
donuts!
**Wedding Invitation**
Amanda Dawn Moulder and
Aaron
Wade Davis
request the honor of your
presence at their
marriage
Saturday, the third of August
at two o'clock in the
afternoon
West-Ark Church of Christ
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Reception
immediately
following ceremony
*RSVP 1-888-538-3030*
** "Journeys For Jesus" **
Our VBS is July 22-26
*Cookies are needed! The sign-up sheet is in the foyer.
*We need to borrow ficus trees & silk bushes or trees. Contact Dena
Jenkins at 478-6486 or Carolyn Harrell at 646-3328 if you can lend a tree.
**Happy Birthday**
July 22
Colleen Frost
Brynn Walker
July 23
Kimberly Lankford
Ian Smith
July 25
Bob Fisher
Frances Strawhacker
July 26
Joseph Rosalez
July 27
Jean Jackson
**Nolasco Family Housewarming Gifts**
Our Spanish-speaking minister, Oscar Nolasco, and his family are in a few
weeks. Sandy Berger has registered them at Wal-Mart for small appliances and
household items. If you would like to purchase a housewarming gift (to be given
later), go to the Jewelry Department at any Wal-Mart Supercenter. In the
registry, search for first name = Oscar and last name = Westark.
Home furnishings and a car are still needed. Please contact Ted Edwards or
David Boozer if you have items to donate.
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**Living Images of God's Healing Truth**
By Brad Pistole
Vacation Bible School is almost here. In just one more week, well kick off
a great week of VBS that will focus on Paul and many of the journeys he took in
the name of Christ.
Each summer is full of activities and events that are specifically designed
to lead our young people into deeper relationships with Jesus Christ. Many of
these activities are away from home at camps, retreats, and mission trips. These
activities also help us get our eyes off ourselves and help us focus on others.
VBS is the one big event that happens right here at home each year.
The purpose of VBS is to teach our children more about Gods word and it
also allows them to bring their friends and introduce them to God at the same
time. VBS will take place each day, July 22-26, from 9:30 - 11:30 for ages 4
through the 6th grade.
A lot of great things happen at VBS each year. One highlight is always the
huge amount of food our kids bring each day. We encourage the kids to bring cans
of food, flour, sugar, cereal and things like this that can be handed out to the
needy in our area.
Each year we gather enough food during VBS to feed our community through
October. Thats fantastic. I look forward to another great year. Sign up today
and bring your friends!
**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT**
Our trip to St. Louis for a baseball game, Soul
Lift Youth Rally, and Six Flags is just two weeks away. There will be a meeting
this coming Sunday morning immediately after services for everyone who is
currently on the sign-up list. The deadline for payment in full ($100 per
person) is also this Sunday. If anyone currently on the sign-up list does not
pay by this Sunday, their spot will be given to one of the 10 people that are
currently on the waiting list.
**Nursery Schedule**
Infants: Trish Carson, Misty Floyd, Lisa
Broom
Toddlers: Jon Huff, Liz Huff
Evening: Marquetta Walker, Molly
Walker, Roxie Benincosa
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30).............585
Sunday Classes (9:30) ...............409
Evening Worship
(6:00).............N.C.
Wednesday Worship (7:00)........
297
Sunday Contribution ............$16,916
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