West-Ark Newsletter, 7 December 2003

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Family Lines Newsletter, December 7, 2003
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Romans 4:1-5: What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness ...

For the sake of focus, let me begin with some disclaimers. What I now share is not about a "faith only" concept, not about a "mental affirmation" faith, and not about the transition from Satan's kingdom to God's kingdom. Paul wrote the above statement in a letter to Christians in Rome, not to those ruled by Satan.

Of all people, Christians should be faith-filled. Those in Jesus Christ have greater reasons for faith than anyone else. Faith in Jesus' resurrection and enthronement began our journey from Satan's rule to God's rule. Faith in what God did (does) through Jesus allows us to be recreated by God Himself. Faith in God's work through Jesus leads us to change our emotions, our minds, our behaviors, our purposes, our values, and the nature/character of our relationships. Faith leads us on our journey through life. Through faith we come before God as part of His family in judgment. Faith is the heart and soul of a Christian's nature, existence, and commitment. Without faith, there cannot be a Christian man or woman. If you destroy faith, you destroy who we are.

THE question: faith in what? My accomplishments? A system? Compliance with a few commands? Membership? A performance imposed on me? Compliance with others' expectations? A movement? Traditions? Human reasoning? A select group of people?

Scripture urges none of those. Scripture urges faith in God. People can be good influences on us, but God is the focus of our faith. Jesus teaches us how to do good, but God is the focus of our faith. Scripture enlightens our understanding, but God is the focus of our faith. When we are Christians, we are part of the church, but God is the focus of our faith.

Why? God promised Abraham to bless all families through his descendants (Genesis 12:3). Because of Abraham's faith, God accepted him as righteous (Genesis 15:6). God sent Jesus. God sacrificed and resurrected Jesus. As Jesus died, God allowed our sins to be placed on his body so we could become righteous (1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21). God resurrected the dead Jesus and enthroned him at His right hand (Ephesians 1:20) to be Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36) until Jesus returns all things to God to restore Him to the position of the "all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:28).

Faith in God saves, not faith in the church, not faith in our deeds, not faith in a movement, not faith in a religious system, not faith in traditions, not faith in human endeavors. When our faith is focused in God, the power that resurrected Jesus protects us as God's property and designs us to live eternally (1 Peter 1:5). Place faith in God!

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My family spent Thanksgiving weekend with some relatives in a very nice part of Dallas. Friday, we all took our lives in our own hands and went to one of the malls there. I spent most of the morning on a bench in this new, upscale mall watching the pandemonium of people Christmas shopping. Many were so loaded down with boxes and bags that they bumped into each other as they passed my bench. As I watched, I remembered the inner city families that I have grown so attached to in Fort Smith who will struggle to buy even the smallest of gifts for their kids.

Last year, we had the opportunity of helping some of these families who were part of West-Ark's ministry at the Way and Thursday's tutoring. Gifts were bought for forty children. This Christmas, we are offering to help forty-three children. This Sunday, their names will be on a big, gaudy bulletin board in the foyer. Choose the child that you wish to help by taking his or her envelope home with you. Inside will be all the information that you will need, including suggestions for gifts for your particular child. If you have questions, please contact me at 459-1449.

**LTC Announcement -- Required Meeting**
There will be a very important meeting for those involved in elementary chorus, elementary and secondary puppets, and elementary and secondary drama on Sunday, December 14 at 5:00 in room 100. Parents need to attend as well as the students. Practices begin in January and we must get some details out of the way before then. Please mark your calendars and make plans to be in attendance. Questions? Contact Rochelle Brown.

**Peak of the Week in December**
Theme: "The Return of the King"
Dec. 10 & 17 at 7 p.m. in the FLC

Our focus for Peak of the Week in December will be on Jesus the King. I am, of course, borrowing the title of J.R.R. Tolkien's book which will premiere as a motion picture this month. [We, of course, will be looking forward to the return of Jesus as the true King].

December Peak also coincides with the Holiday Season and everywhere we go this month we will likely hear many carols (sometimes in the strangest of places) proclaiming "Glory to the newborn King!" What does it really mean to have a king? Those of us who are Americans are not accustomed to royalty. What does it mean for us to sing "Hail, Jesus you're my king!"?

We'll be blessed as we explore this together. There are many good options on Wednesday night at West-Ark. If you are not involved in one of them, may I invite you to join in the Peak of Week - we meet at 7:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. If you are involved in Peak already, let me encourage you to bring a friend. ~~ Chris Benjamin

**Mark your calendars for January 31, 2004**
Community Outreach Day in the Family Life Center
We are collecting clean, used clothing, furniture and household items.
Contact Kathy Rosalez (452-2157) if you have items to donate.

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**The Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
* Pauline Alberty is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3402.
* Lloyd Summers had surgery on his elbow Tuesday and is recovering at home.
* Janice Prater had knee surgery December 5th.
* Trisha Robbins (mother of Brian) is in Proctor Hospital in Peoria, Illinois with leg and hip pain.
* Maile McDonald and her family.
* Janelle Graves Price will have back surgery December 12th in Wichita, KS.
* Edith Marymont has been dismissed from the hospital.

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
Words can never express our thanks for the many acts of kindness you have shown to our family. Richard fought his battle with cancer for eight years. You were always so willing to pray for him. The words of encouragement, cards, calls, and peace lily have meant so much to us. May God bless you for your kindness!
In Christian love,
Richard Anderson Family
Dennis, Vicki & Benton

We appreciate so much the books that were placed in the Library in memory of Thelma. Thank you for such a nice memorial to her. Thank you also for your friendship and your love.
We love you!
Lorene & Maxine Yates
Glenda & Jack Lewis

**Widows/Widowers**
The van will leave the Annex Saturday, December 6 at 11:30 a.m.
for the home of Jack & Janice and a Christmas Tea & Gift Exchange.
Bring a wrapped $5 gift (serious or fun--old or new).
Don't miss this time of fun and fellowship.
Call Bobbie Hughes, Mary Burkett or Janice Lowry if you need transportation to the Annex.

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...So why does God choose to use this grace and why does He do it so often? Why can't he just leave things the way they are and let us be judged according to our own merits? Why can't we simply take His word that He has given us as our guide and allow its truth to judge us solely and completely based on how successfully we obey its every command?

Because He loves us too much! Because God does not wish for any man to perish but for everyone to have eternal life. Because all have sinned and have fallen short of His glory and under that type of system, everyone will die! Because the power is not in a system and its absolute flawlessness. The power is in God alone! And He will use his power according to His wisdom whenever He wishes. (Psalm 115:3, 135:6, and I Corinthians. 2:16)

*May I begin to realize that Grace belongs to God.

*May I realize that Jesus died in order to give grace to others
and it is therefore His gift to give away.

*May I never be so arrogant as to think it is my job to decide who does and who does not get to receive God's grace. It is His to give!

*May I never be so arrogant as to confine God's word to my system and may I realize that my limited understanding is based on flawed, incomplete human knowledge.

*May I never use this incomplete knowledge to decide for God
who can and cannot be included in His kingdom.

*May I leave the choice to save or not save and to judge
or not to judge up to the only One who has the authority to make it.

*May I never reduce God's word to a system of do's and don'ts!

*May I realize that when I do so, I have put myself in a system with no hope!

*May I never try to decide for God
how, when, where and why he can use His grace...

**Nursery Workers**
A.M. Infants: Paula May, Sandi Pippin, Melissa Walker
Toddlers: Dena Jenkins, Irene Willis
P.M. Nursery: Dixie Burkhart, Gina Williams

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM   619
Bible Classes   413
Sunday P.M.   290
Wednesday P.M. 202
Contribution   $13,719
Children's Home   $195
The Way    68
Hispanic Attendance   44
Hispanic Contribution $138
Laotian Attendance   56
Laotian Contribution   $281

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