---------------------------------------------------------------
Family Lines Newsletter, March 2, 2003
---------------------------------------------------------------
**PERSONAL STRUGGLES HAVE A PURPOSE?**
David Chadwell
Few weeks pass in my life that I do not grieve because of my struggles, struggles in my extended family, and struggles in God's family.  I do not know anyone who has no  personal struggles.  So many tragedies!  So much hurt!  So much evil!  He or she who dares follow Jesus is deceived if he or she is confident that is the way to escape struggles!
Evil is as real a force in this life as is godliness.  In this world, the clash between the forces controlled by evil and the forces controlled by God is quite real.  You and I are the battleground.  When Paul stressed to the Christians at Ephesus the importance of being prepared for this clash, he reminded them in Ephesians 6:12:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
American Christians find it extremely difficult to realize that physical existence is not about experiencing an earthly "good life."  We question why our dedication to an earthly "good life" has undesirable effects on our children.  We wonder why faith in God is not a guaranteed route to an earthly "good life."  Then when evil happenings distress our lives, we really are confused.  "Isn't that impossible?  Doesn't faith in God prevent that?"
James urged Christians not to blame God for evil happenings.  Not even the temptation to do evil comes from God.  Our struggle with evil originates in us, not in God.
James 1:12-16,  Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
John reminded Christians in 1 John 4:4:
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.  (Thanks for the reminder, John!)
Each of us may be part of the battleground, but each of us decides who wins the battle on our piece of the battleground!  When trials come, persevere!  On your piece of the battleground, allow God to reign!  In your life, allow God to be a bigger influence than evil!

---------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2
---------------------------------------------------------------
**The Interruption**
By: David Boozer
It was 6:30 p.m. last Thursday; time for us to begin.  All eight of us sat in the back room at Johnson Street trying to get comfortable in old, used recliners and couches.  A bit of anxiety hung in the air because some in the room didn't know each other.  This was the first time this group of mostly twenty-somethings had gotten together for a Bible study. It was an eclectic group: skaters, college students, unemployed.  Two in the group weren't sure where they were going to stay that night. 

As we were getting to know each other, we heard the front door open and feet shuffling our way.  I got up and walked out of the room to see who it was.  There in the doorway stood our "interruption."  I got to him just in time to catch him from falling.  As I caught him, I smelled the too familiar odor of alcohol. 

"I've heard of this church [the Way]," he slurred.  "I need some help."  "What can we do?," I asked, not sure what to expect.

"I need a ride home."  (There was more meaning in those words than our visitor knew.)  "I'm very, very lonely," he continued as he leaned against the wall to keep from falling.

To make a short story even shorter, we gave our honest visitor a plate of pizza and a ride home.  As I handed him my phone number, I said, "Give me a call."  I hope he does.  He needs help.  He needs a ride Home.  He's very, very lonely.  If you have ears to hear, the bleating of lost sheep often comes as an interruption - and it can be deafening.

**VBS Needs Your Help**
Solid, striped, or white sheets or fabric (no florals please). A container is in the foyer for donations.
Volunteers to cut and/or sew SIMPLE costumes for VBS. Please contact Yvonne Pistole (649-0093) or Joyce Chadwell (646-6879) if you can help.
If you are a more advanced seamstress, there are several Roman soldier costumes needed.

**LTC Practices**
Puppets, 4:00 p.m.
Drama, 5:00 p.m.
(Please note that puppets and drama have changed times.)
Chorus, 6:15 p.m.

**Widows/Widowers**
You will have a luncheon on Saturday, March 1st, at noon in the Annex.

**Car Clinic**
Saturday, March 1st, 8 to 11 a.m. (weather permitting).

**Pantry Need**
Small boxes of powdered milk.

**C.U.R.E. WORK DAY!**
Saturday, March 1st
Fort Chaffee, Bldg. 320
Starting at 9 a.m.
We need:
 pickup trucks
 men and women
 doctors and/or nurses
We will pack gaylords and
create manifests, sort through, and throw away.
It's a free dump day in
Fort Smith, so multiple trucks
are needed since there  is
a waiting line!
See Bob Fisher or Kevin Vaught
if you have questions.

**New Coffee Maker**
A new coffee brewer with four carafes has been ordered for the church. It will be placed
in the main foyer.
We would like to ask for
someone that arrives early on Sunday mornings to be in
charge of making coffee
for the Bible classes. 
If you would like to volunteer
for this work, please contact
the church office.
Classes will be asked to
supply their own cups, spoons, sugar, creamer, etc.

**.Ladies' Night**
With Cassandra Martin
Tuesday Evening, March 4th
West-Ark Church of Christ
Refreshments & Visiting: 6:30 p.m.
Cassandra will begin speaking at 7:00 p.m. on the topic
"Living Water for Dusty Souls"

Please bring your Bibles,
your daughters, your friends,
and co-workers.

**Tired of Being In The Red?**
Coming March 9-10
"No Debt, No Sweat"
With Steve Diggs
A Life-Changing Seminar
Teaching God's Way of
Handling Money.
How to Get Out of debt
A, B, C's of Christian Money Management
How to do a successful spending plan
A Do-it-yourself Credit Repair Kit
How Mutual Funds Work
Retire with dignity

---------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3

**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
Mary Gates, (David's mother) is much improved and has moved to Health South Rehab.
Gail Stephens is alert and improved. She is in St. Edward Hospital, room 5419.
Nadine Hawkins had kidney stones broken up on Monday.  It will take about eight days to determine if the procedure was successful.
Marion Hastings (Sue's father) is in his 6th week of hospitalization.  One infection has been resolved.  He continues to receive medication for the second infection. He is in Sparks, room 650.
Mary Huff is in Nashville, TN awaiting surgery.
Aaron Williams (granddaughter of Bob & Jane Fisher) is improving daily. She has been moved to a regular room and is starting back on solid foods.
Marlene Tucker was hospitalized last weekend with a heart rhythm problem. Earlier this week, the doctors had controlled the situation. She is in Sparks, room 405 and expects to go home soon.
Ann Selig requests your prayers for her nephew, Doug Crow of Paris, AR.  Doug has been diagnosed with a reoccurrence of cancer.
Naomi Green's three sons (Benjamin, Zachary, and Levi) all have strep throat.
Continue to pray for Virgil Kirchner, Anita Maxwell, Erma Beshears, Sandy Berger, Kathy Bauer, Vicki Varvel, Sandy Thurman, and Fred Goebel.

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Jane Choate in the death of her brother, Robert Cline, on Tuesday.  Funeral services are March 1st in Martinsville, Illinois.

The Twins Have Arrived!
**Birth Announcement**
Congratulations to Jeff & Misty Floyd on the early, but safe arrival of their twins, Sam and Lucy, on February 24th.  Sam weighed 5 lbs., 4 ozs., and Lucy weighed 4 lbs., 11 ozs. They are on ventilators, but doing well.  If you would like to send a card, the address is below.
Jeff and Misty Floyd
3401 Baird Drive
Edmond, OK 73013

**Juicer Needed**
Kathy Monk would like to borrow a juicer for a month. Her phone number is 474-2822.

**Congratulations**
Windelene Ewing was recently named Valentine Queen at Mercy Crest
Village.

**Bridal Shower**
A shower honoring Adrienne Green, bride elect of Kyle Lonaberger, is planned for Sunday, March 2 from 2:00-3:30 at the home of Jana Berryhill, 6800 South "Q" Court.  Adrienne and Kyle are registered at Linens and Things.  Her colors are:
Living areas -- neutral, taupe
Kitchen - cobalt, navy, neutrals
Bedroom and bath - burgundy, gray, black.
Adrienne is the daughter or Judi and Gary Green.  She and Kyle will both be here for the shower.

**David's Lessons**
Sunday Morning
Separating the Possible
From the Impossible
Sunday Evening
"Skip Over" Scriptures:
Romans 16, Part 3

**Wedding Anniversary**
In honour of the
Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary of
Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Branum
their family
requests the pleasure of your company at a Reception
Sunday, the ninth of March
two until four in the afternoon
Holiday In Civic Center Atrium
700 Rogers Avenue
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Your love is a treasured gift,
we request no other.

**Happy Birthday**
March 1
Justin Boozer
Nathan Davis
Leon Medlock
Karan Tygart

---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------