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Family Lines,
October 27,
2002
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**"The"
Question**
David Chadwell
It seems to me that "the" question each person must ask and
answer is this: "What is life's purpose?" At least three understandings
serve as foundations for life in every American. Each understanding is produced
by our answers to this question. "My" answers determine how I look at all
people on earth. "My" answers determine how I look at "my" life in this
world. "My" answers determine how I look at God. Consider two
answers.
In the first approach, the basis of my answer is a conviction
that my existence is the result of an accident. Random forces happened to
be in the right environment at the right moment and accidentally produced
life. When a person bases his or her answer on the concept that all life
[including his or hers] is the result of an accident, his or her use of life
tends to migrate in certain directions. That migration may be in the
direction of forms of violence. It may be in the direction of personal
indulgence. It may be in a direction that elevates human concerns to the
status of a "god" agenda.
When I conclude the only purpose my existence has is right
here right now, I become capable of deciding no morality issues are involved in
harming other people. "The ultimate issue is what I consider best for me,
not what is best for people." I become capable of concluding no morality
issues are involved when I indulge myself in ways that please me. "If it
produces personal pleasure, do it" becomes the focus of life. I become
capable of deciding that the most significant moral issues are the issues of
preservation of the world. "This planet is the only human reality that
must be of immediate or lasting concern." Physical human continuation becomes
the ultimate moral concern.
Contrast the first answer with this answer: life's purpose is
infinitely bigger than any person's physical existence. While my physical
existence has purpose, that purpose finds its meaning and significance in a
purpose vastly bigger than me and "now." God has been and continues
to be the source of life and the source of good. My purpose is found in
and defined by God's goodness. Thus when I see people, I do not see beings
to be exploited and hurt, but beings to be served and given hope. Hurting others
is a moral issue -- whether it be family, neighbors, or strangers.
Indulgence is a moral issue because selfishness attacks life's purpose.
Abusing the earth and its people is a moral issue, but it is not to be confused
with the highest moral issue -- God's eternal purposes. [There is an
inseparable link between the physical now and the eternal.]
One answer allows [perhaps even encourages] deliberate hurt to
others, indulgence, and the elevation of the "physical now" to the status of a
god. The other answer declares hurting others, indulgence, and focusing on
the "physical now" are moral issues that either cheapen or ignore life's
purpose.
How do you answer, "What is life's purpose?" What impact
does your answer have on your behavior and treatment of others? What
impact does your answer have on your understanding of how to serve
God?
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**LTC
Announcements**
Pre-Convention Coaches: Please be contacting your
participants and getting your event underway.
Participants need to stop by
Room 120 (4 yr. old room) to check your Registration Form. Money is due November
30th. If you have any questions call Hank Watlington at 784-1177.
**Sign-up for the Ladies' Retreat**
The Ladies' Retreat
will be January 24-25 in Morrilton. A sign-up sheet is posted on the
Library window. Space is limited.
3 meals & accommodations: $60.
Spiritual fulfillment and uplifting
fellowship: PRICELESS!!
**Gateway Workers Needed**
We are looking for special
people to serve our children.
The positions that are open now
are:
Co-ordinator for "The Word" workshop.
Four or 5 shepherds are needed.
(This is an ideal job for grandmothers and grandfathers.)
We need 5 teacher
helpers
Several teachers are needed for various 5 week rotation.
For more
information or to volunteer, see Carolyn Harrell or Gary Brown.
**Discipleship Seminar**
Valley View Church of Christ, Hwy
10 and 71, Greenwood, AR will host James Palmer November 9th and 10th. Saturday
Schedule begins at 9:30 and ends at 3:15 p.m. Lunch will be
provided.
**CAR CLINIC**
It is time to get your antifreeze checked!
The Car Clinic will be held at the annex, Saturday, Nov 2, from 8AM to 11 AM.
**WIDOWS/WIDOWERS**
We will be having a "soup lunch" in the
Family Life Center, Saturday, November 2, at noon. Afterwards we will take a
scenic drive to see the fall foliage. Call Mary, Janice or Bobbie if you need
transportation to the building.
**Luncheon, October 30**
Wednesday Morning Ladies Bible
Class will have a luncheon following class.
**Sunday Services**
Morning
God's Concern -- Or
Ours?
Evening
Singing and Mission Report
by Stephan
Phoumason
Followed by
Fellowship meal in the FLC
Please bring
desserts!
**Peak of the Week**
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
in the
FLC
October 30
"Passionate for the Father:"
Real People: In His
Image
Featuring Real People
**Missions Weekend 2002**
Jesus gave It all ...
What can you give?
Missions Banquet, Friday, Nov. 8
Prayer Breakfast,
Saturday, Nov. 9
Missions Sunday, November 10
Our special contribution
goal on November 10 is $181,000.
Plan to be a part of this
exciting
weekend.
**Family Devotional Night**
Friday, November 22
for
Grades 6 and down
6:15 - 7:00 Devotional
7:00 - 8:00 Parent
Meeting
Questions?
See Gary Brown
**HAPPY BIRTHDAY**
November 3
Shanna Davis
November 4
Blake Broom
Gary Brown
Edith
Embry
November 5
Tom Benincosa
Mat Griffin II
November 6
Jacob Burkhart
Warren Gardenhire
Amber
Robison
November 7
Ron Belote
Betty Hatcher
November 8
Larry Armstrong
Joe Jones
Dana
Pruitt
November 9
Sandy Berger
Charlotte Botteicher
Jordan
Wear
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**Remember
in Prayer**
Marceil Stevens is scheduled for surgery Monday at Sparks
Hospital.
Wilma Mizell is scheduled for eye surgery October 24th at St.
Edward Hospital.
Mary Francis Jackson is doing well, and will not require
surgery following a break in her foot.
Helen Branum is having tests at Mayo
Clinic in Florida.
Kathy Rosalez has a pinched nerve in her back and has
been confined to complete bed rest.
Effie Roper (Larry Roper's mother) is
very ill in West Monroe, Louisiana.
Rosalie Daniels is in St. Edward, room
5506.
Blossom Mahan is back at Brownwood Manor.
Terry Parker had surgery
Wednesday at Sparks Hospital.
Bruce Hunnicutt (a friend of the Harper Family)
is in St. Edward, room 5513.
John and Nadine Hawkin's daughter, Vickie
Varvel, will be undergoing treatment for cancer. Pray that the doctors will help
her make the right decision on her next treatment.
Vernon Varner, Myra's
uncle, has had a stroke.
Cyndi Ross (from The Way) is in room 433 of Sparks
hospital.
Continue to pray for Anita Maxwell, Erma Beshears, Sandy
Berger, Marceil Stevens, and Kathy Bauer in their treatments for
cancer.
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the
friends and family of Robbie Kilmer who died Sunday. Graveside services were
Wednesday in Stuart, Oklahoma.
Memorial contributions may be made to West-Ark
Church of Christ at this address or to Arkanas Children's Hospital, P.O. Drawer
2222, Little Rock, AR 72203
**60th Anniversary**
Congratulations to Wendell and Helen
Needham (former members) who will celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary on
November 2nd. If you would like to send the Needhams a card, their address
is 312 Glendale Place, Murray, KY 42071.
**Note of Thanks**
Cecil and Robbie Knight want to thanks
everybody for the calls, the cards, and the prayers. It means a lot to know so
many care.
We would like to express our gratitude to the West-Ark Church
of Christ. We deeply appreciate your kindness, your generosity to allow us to
use the family life center for the wedding of our children. Your loving Spirit
will be etched in our memory forever.
In His Love,
Kweekul and Omo
families.
**Caring for our Shut-in and Homebound Members**
Being
homebound or in a nursing home can become quite lonely. This week make a visit,
a phone call, or send a card to someone on the list.
William Bealer, Medi-Homes, 4623 Rogers, D20, Fort Smith, AR
72903. (The nursing home said he could really use some visits.)
Oneta Love,
4216 Virginia, Fort Smith, AR 72904, Phone: 783-7480.
Wilma Mizell, 9607
Meandering Way, Fort Smith, AR 72903, Phone: 452-4221.
Aline Phillips, 6514
South "Q", Fort Smith, AR 72903; Phone: 452-5088.
**"Trick or Trunking"**
Thursday, October 31st
from 6-7
p.m. in the
church parking lot
bring your kids for
"Trick or
Trunking."
If you can participate, see
Rochelle Brown or Misty
Floyd.
**Fall Festival in the FLC!**
Saturday, October 26,
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Everyone is invited!
It's for the young and the "young at
heart."
Please bring a snack or
2-litre drink to share with
others.
For all those making desserts for the cake walk:
please
bring your dessert by 6:30 p.m.
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**Family
Life Ministry**
Brad Pistole
Do you ever make it through a day without your daytimer? Fat chance, huh? We
are definitely a nation that is focused on schedules and calendars.
If I know most of you, you already have your 2003 calendars
posted somewhere in your house or office and it's probably already getting full.
Would that be an accurate guess? How do I know? Just come look in my office or
in our youth room or on our webpage sometime in the near future. I'm a BIGtime
planner. I have back-up plans for my back-up plans.
Since most of you are currently setting your schedules for the
coming months, here's a few things you can plan on and place on your
calendar:
Teen/60+ Dinner - November
23
Winter Retreat - February
7-9
Mission
trip to Mexico - May 31 - June
6
There are several other trips and events planned for the months ahead.
Please check out the calendar and coming events page on the youth website at www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/youth
and make plans now for your WHOLE FAMILY to be involved in ministry together.
You'll be glad you did.
**Fourth Sunday Nursery**
Infant
Berniece Rogers
Sharon Faries
Joann
Davenport
Toddlers
Sue George
Kristin Smith
P.M. Nursery
Marjorie Blake
Bennie Hedrick
Schedule of Services
Sunday Worship (10:30)......... 636
Sunday Classes (9:30)
......... 442
Sunday Evening (6:00)...........300
Laotian
Attendance...............35
The Way (4:00) .................
42
Spanish........................ .28
Wednesday Worship (7:00).......
379
Sunday Contribution ........$15,981
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax (479)
452-5767
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