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Family
Lines Newsletter, January 19,
2003
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**WHO IS THE WORST OFF?**
By David
Chadwell
Two people discussed a "normal" adult who is in the
worst condition to be experienced. Can you resolve their dilemma?
Which condition do you consider the worst?
First, they discussed the deplorable condition of
the arrogant person. The arrogant are easily self-deceived. It is
highly probable that the primary source for arrogance comes from specific
self-deceptions. Arrogance commonly arises from two sources. Either
the person is genuinely convinced he or she is superior to other people, or the
person seeks to hide a sense of insecurity. Either he or she tolerates
others because "my superior awareness knows and understands more than you do,"
or he or she "must know and understand more than others" to evade a sense of
insecurity. Arrogance is an awful master who does ugly things to its
slaves!
Second, their discussion turned to the ignorant
person. Ignorance does terrible things to differing types of people.
Some are subjected to enormous suffering and pain in life simply because of
ignorance. Others are confident their trustworthy awareness enlightens
them, but their understanding is dim. Others, confident in their insights,
challenge people to accept their perspectives while never realizing their
unfounded assumptions. Ignorance convinces those blinded by darkness that
they see. It cruelly betrays its slaves!
Third, their discussion turned to the self-centered
person. A truly self-centered existence is the highest form of
selfishness. The universe rotates around "me." Relationships are
about "me." Involvements must please "me." Commitments must be to
"my" advantage. Everything must benefit "me" first and foremost. In
each consideration of life, "I" must be first. If "I" do not enjoy it, if
it is not fun for "me," if it does not serve "my" purposes, count "me"
out! A self-centered existence sees life through narrow, restricted
glasses. If "I" am not prominent in any field of vision, something is
fundamentally wrong with the view. Self-centeredness makes one a slave to
poor sight!
Which is the worst state of existence: arrogance,
ignorance, or self-centeredness?
May I suggest another consideration? Any
condition preventing a person from depending on God is the worst state of
existence. Likely all of us are afflicted with a degree of arrogance, a
degree of ignorance, and a degree of self-centeredness.
God is the only One who can see us accurately for
who and what we are and still love us. He accurately can see our
arrogance, ignorance, and self-centeredness, and still love us enough to
maintain a relationship. What disaster for anyone to separate self from
the only One who can know us for who and what we are, and still love
us!
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**LTC Announcements**
* Drama will meet at 4:00
p.m. and Puppets at 5:00 p.m. Please contact Clark or Rochelle if you cannot
attend.
* There is an important meeting for LTC coaches and parents Sunday at
5:30 p.m. in room 100. Coaches, we need updated participant lists.
* No LTC practices on Super Bowl Sunday, January
26th.
* All LTC registration fees are due Sunday.
**Homebound Ministry**
Remember to encourage one
of our shut-in members by a visit, a phone call, or a card.
Lena Hall,
Methodist Nursing Home, 1915 South 74th, room #6, Fort Smith, AR
72903.
Darlene Hostetler, 2707 E. King Avenue, Sallisaw, OK 74955, Phone
(918) 774-0740
Opal Hewett Dexter, Mercy Crest, 1300 Strozier Lane, Barling,
AR 72923, Phone: 478-3077.
**Mission Memorials**
In memory of Jeanette
Hundley, a donation has been made to the France Mission Fund by Sharon Calvert
(sister of John Paul
Hundley) for February and December,
2002.
**Ladies Retreat Meeting**
Please stay for a
five-minute meeting after morning assembly on Jan. 19.
Come join us for the Ladies' Retreat, January 24
and 25.
For all ladies -- married or single
What do you know about the women mentioned in
Titus 2?
Our speakers will include: Martha Walker, Joyce Chadwell, Jane
Fisher, Lenora Word, Jane Smith and Vicki Hardin
There will also be a
question/ answer session, and we have lots of fun planned, too!
Sign-up sheet
and maps at Library window.
Travel Information: Feel free to make your own
arrangements. The church van will not be taken. If you like, you may meet at the
building on Friday, Jan. 24 as close to 5:00 p.m.
as possible. We will carpool and leave the building at 5:20. Dinner is at 7:30
p.m.
We have been advised to take Hiway 64 to
Mulberry/Dyer and to get on the interstate there, to avoid traffic.
**Guyana, 2003**
The 2003 Guyana Mission Team
will meet after Sunday evening service, January 19, in room 100. The first
deposit of $500 needs to be turned in to Michael
or Jeannie Cole. The Lord needs more workers for this trip. Can you serve in
Guyana this Summer, June 7-15?
**Men's Wednesday Night Class**
Joe Pistole is
beginning a discussion class in room 200 on Max Lucado's book, "In The Grip of
Grace." Class members are asked to supply their
own copy of the book.
**Got Work?**
Let us help!
Mexico Mission
Team Servant Day!
Saturday, February 1, 2003
You make a donation -
we do the work!
Wide variety of skills available!
Teen and adult
workers!
*Painting
*Cleaning
*Baby sitting
*Computer skills
*Yard work
*Wash and wax cars
*Baking
*Simple carpentry
work
*Singing
**Sunday, January 26**
On 1/26/03 our afternoon
assembly will be at 3:30 p.m.
No fellowship or meal is
planned.
Our 4th Sunday evening fellowship will resume in
February.
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**Say A Prayer For**
Iris Rios (sister of Mickey
Mendez) is very ill in Sparks ICU, room 202.
Blossom Mahan was in the
hospital and is back in the nursing home.
Earl Flood has a blockage in his
arm. He will re-enter the hospital later to have a stint implanted.
Jena
Roberts' mother, Mrs. Manning, had emergency surgery Tuesday night in Jonesboro,
AR.
Paul Tucker went home from the hospital on Tuesday.
Mary Huff had
out-patient testing on Tuesday.
Paul Quenin is scheduled for surgery January
17th.
Charles Moss, brother of Bill Moss, is in St. Edward Hospital, room
5109.
Louise Howard was released from the hospital on Monday.
Continue to
pray for Anita Maxwell, Erma Beshears, Sandy Berger, Virgil Kirchner, Kathy
Bauer Vicki Varvel, Sandy Thurman, and
John & Nadine Hawkins.
**Military Service**
Shane Lee Newton (grandson
of Jim and Sarah) is in Germany waiting to be deployed to Afghanistan. He is a
Sergeant in the Air Born Rangers.
**Mission Work & Travel**
John Paul &
Ruby Lee Hundley in France.
Jerry Canfield leaves for Nigeria at the end of
the month.
Thomas & Kindy Kweekul in Thailand.
Jim and Deborah Wilson
are in Thailand; Jim will travel on to Ethiopia.
**Baptism and Welcome**
Shannon Reagan was
baptized a few weeks ago by Jerry Canfield. Shannon's address is 3114 S. 96th
Street, Fort Smith, AR 72903.
**Wednesday WinGS **
Wednesday Night WinGS is
continuing their study on the Life & Ministry of the Messiah. New members
are welcomed! We meet at 7:00 p.m. in rooms
203 and 210.
**Note of Thanks**
Church Family,
Words
cannot express how grateful we are for all the ways you have helped our family
over the past weeks. All of the cards, calls,
visits, dinner and most importantly, the prayers
have been such an encouragement to us. We know that God brought our precious
Adam into this world safely because of all the
prayers of righteous men and women -- for which we are very grateful.
Thank you again for all of your support. We can't
wait to introduce our little bundle to you all!
Love in
Him,
Kerry, Dena,
Abbey & Adam Jenkins
**Soup Labels and Box Tops**
We are continuing
to save Campbell's labels (front only) and General Mill's "Box Tops for
Education." These labels and box tops are collected by the Manuelito Children's Home. A collection box is in
the foyer.
**Van Fund Drive**
Donations may be given to any
staff member, elder, or BMT member.
**VBS is July 21-25!**
**David's Sermons**
Sunday Morning: The
Awkwardness of Christian Fellowship
Sunday Evening: Jesus' Cross: My
Center
**Happy Birthday**
January 18
Tatum
Thompson
January 19
Mackenzie Grier
David
Harwell
John Lindgren
Linda Russell
January 20
Rose Davis
Beverly
Lankford
Kara Lankford
January 21
James Anderson
Janice
Lowry
January 22
Sheryl Gilbert
Lewis
Livesay
January 23
Race Burns
Ellen Kamp
Margie
Mason
Tom Porter
January 24
John Carson
Ada Ferguson
Tom
King
Julie Orick
January 25
Toka Beall
LaReeca
Herndon
**"His Needs, Her Needs"**
A new class is now
forming for Sunday evenings!
Call Mat Griffin (452-1472) or Paul Shirley
(632-4458) to register.
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**Family Life Ministry**
Brad
Pistole
Our first planning meeting for our summer mission
trip to the City of Children in Ensenada, Mexico, has come and gone. We had a
good mix of returning team members and those interested in going for the first
time.
We had a total of 45 people attend the first meeting. There are about
10 people who are still trying to decide whether or not they are going to go
with us May 31-June 6. Among those who know they are going for sure, we have
almost an even mixture of old and new members. We also have a good mixture of
teens and adults.
If you missed our first meeting, there is still a chance for you to
join our team. However, time is running out. We have set a deadline for everyone
wanting to travel with us on this year's trip for this Sunday, January 19th.
Anyone considering going must let me or Ron Lenderman know for sure by this
weekend.
Some of the biggest parts of making a trip like this happen involves
prayer, planning and working out our airfare. Since 9/11, booking flights for
large groups of people has become tricky. We need plenty of time to book our
flights (which determines our overall cost), determine our teaching teams, meet
together as a team 4-5 times, etc.
Please consider the benefits to a mission such as this and pray about
it with your family. I was pleased to see how many different family units we
have going together this year. Serving together in this way is something that
will bless your lives forever. It will also bless the lives of many others.
Don't ever forget the words in James 1:27.
"This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and
Father, to visit the widows and orphans in their distress and to keep oneself
unstained by the world."
Praise God for the opportunity to serve and to be blessed by this great
work!
**Nursery Schedule**
Infants
Gail Mason
Bo
Mason
Tracy Risley
Toddlers
Flora Johnson
Missy
Blasdel
Christy Abernathy
P.M. Nursery
Linda Wear
Terri
Jones
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship
(10:30)................656
Sunday Classes (9:30) .................
414
Sunday Evening (6:00)...................267
The Way (4:00)
................................46
Spanish.............................................13
Wednesday
Worship (7:00)............337
Sunday Contribution
................$16,070
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