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Family
Lines Newsletter, February 5,
2004
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**Take Heart!**
David Chadwell
"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due
time we will reap if we do not grow weary." (Galatians 6:9)
The problems in congregations in the Roman province
of Galatia were extremely difficult. Two features in Paul's letter to
those congregations reveal how discouraging the problems were. A group of
Jewish Christians followed behind Paul when he established congregations in
non-Jewish areas. Basically, these Christians (Judaizing teachers) made
two points. # 1: Paul was not a genuine apostle; neither this man nor his
message were to be trusted. # 2: Since you were converted through a
"faulty" message about Christ, your conversion is invalid. Thus, you still
need to be saved.
What a discouragement to Paul and to the people he
called to Christ! With great personal sacrifices, Paul made his mission
trips [2 Corinthians 11:21-33]. With enormous personal patience and
kindness, he taught people of idolatrous backgrounds [1 Thessalonians
2:5-12]. Paul cared about the people he taught! Those responding to
Christ by redirecting their lives were of great encouragement! For
Christians to cause these people to doubt their salvation was an enormous
personal discouragement.
When Paul heard what happened in the Galatian
congregations, it defied belief! He was so upset that he began his letter
in a unique manner. In virtually all his letters to congregations, Paul
began by giving thanks for them. He did that even with the deeply troubled
Corinthian congregation [1 Corinthians 1:4-9]. Yet, he did not begin
Galatians with a statement of thanksgiving! He started with a declaration
of disbelief. "I cannot believe you left Christ for a message falsely
presenting itself as good news!" [Galatians 1:6-9.] He then (1) defended
his spiritual credentials and (2) verified his message.
As discouraging as the situation was to Paul, have
you considered how discouraging it was to the few who were not deceived by the
Judaizing teachers' false message? Would that not be reason to give
up? Would that not make you feel pointless in your conversion and
commitment? Would your mind not constantly declare: "Just
quit! Just give up!"
Near the end of the letter he wrote the above
statement. "Do not stop doing good! Do not faint! Do not let
weariness win! The harvest is certain! Doing good glorifies
God!"
Why in the face of discouragement continue to do
good? (1) This is the only way those in Christ can say "thank you"
to God. (2) Those who know God through Christ need encouragement.
(3) Those who do not know God need to see Him in your life.
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**Winter Retreat '04**
This past weekend we had
50 teens and adults from West-Ark participate in a weekend of "Learning to
Listen to God." So much of the time we send our kids off for the weekend and
never take the time to ask what happened to them spiritually as a result. Too
much of the time we probably assume they just experienced "kid's stuff" that
wouldn't affect us as adults.
Well, try something new. Try asking one of the
adults who went about the weekend. See if they did any "learning." They would
love to tell you about it. If you'd like to know what happened at the retreat
this past weekend, just ask Michael Blasdel, Billy and Melinda Yowell, Shanna
Davis, Yvonne Pistole or Derrick Jones. They'd be happy to tell you what God
showed them through a simple "youth event." Or go to www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/youth
and click on "Winter Retreat" for pictures and a re-cap of the weekend.
~~Brad Pistole
When Should I Pray?
We are presented with many
opportunities to pray. What are some of the appropriate occasions for us to
pray? Is prayer really an important part of the Christian's life? As we search
our hearts, are we really praying enough? We should pray when we are happy, when
we have a decision to make, and when we are discouraged or depressed (Romans
7:25; James 1:5; Luke 18:1). Let's be praying Christians all the time.
~~Derrick Jones
**LTC Practice Schedule **
February 8th
*
4:00 Junior High Bible Bowl
* 5:00 All Puppets
* 6:00
Elementary Drama
* 6:00 Junior High Drama
* 6:00 Boy's
Speech
**LTC Elementary Chorus**
For those who can, we
have been invited to sing for the widows and widowers on February 7 in the FLC.
Come join us at 12:30 p.m. to sing, and stay for special Valentine cookies and
fellowship. There will be enough cookies for your little brothers and sisters,
too!
**Inner City Needs**
We need furniture, beds,
and mattresses, etc. If you have items to donate, please call Jack Lewis at
459-0168.
**Valentines for Shut-Ins**
Alberty, Pauline, 6208 Free Ferry, Fort Smith, AR
72903
Bealer, William, 4623 Rogers, Fort Smith, AR
72903
Beam, Pearl, 1114 N. 5th Street, Fort Smith, AR
72901
Blackburn, Thelma, 3901 N. 50th Street, Fort Smith,
AR 72904
Dexter, Opal Hewett, Mercy Crest, 1300 Strozier,
Barling, AR 72923
Ferguson, Ada, 4623 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, AR
72903
Ferrell, Bobbye, 3204 S. 32nd., Fort Smith, AR
72903
Gann, Ercie, 1915 S. "N" Street, Fort Smith, AR
72901
Gilley, Frances, 1915 S. 74, Fort Smith, AR
72903
Graff, Norma, 5625 Collins Lane, Fort Smith,
AR 72903
Hall, Lena, Greenhurst Nursing
Home, Charleston, AR 72903
Harp, Bobby, Crawford County Rehab., Van
Buren, AR 72956
Huff, Jess, 425 North 39th, Fort Smith, AR
72903
Knight, Cecil, 4623 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, AR
72903
Lee, Floy, 3210 Wirsing, Fort Smith, AR
72904
Lewis, Agnes, Beverly Health, 228 W. Pointer Trail,
Van Buren, AR 72956
Lile, Marie, 3614 Roosevelt Dr., Fort Smith, AR
72904
Love, Oneta, 4216 Virginia, Fort Smith, AR
72904
Mizell, Wilma, 9607 Meandering Way, Fort Smith, AR
72903
Phillips, Aline, 6514 South "Q," Fort Smith, AR
72903
Rogers, Alice, 8916 South Gary, Fort Smith, AR
72903
Roose, Ada, P.O. Box 4621, Fort Smith, AR
72914
Rose, Madine, 8000 Thayer, Apt. 4, Fort Smith, AR
72908
Saxton, Mildred, Beverly Nursing Home, 228 W.
Pointer Trail, Van Buren, AR 72956
Thompson, George, 4316 Urbana, Fort Smith, AR
72904
Jester, Lois, 2218 Churchill Road, Fort Smith, AR
72904
Sutherland, Marie, 8907 Sullivan Road, Lavaca, AR
72941
Hostettler, Darlene, 2707 East King Avenue,
Sallisaw, AR 74955
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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
* Vicki Abuzeide had emergency surgery
at Sparks Hospital Wednesday night for a ruptured appendix. She will be in
the hospital for 5-7 days. (No visitors Thursday, please.)
* Maile McDonald
and her family.
* Iris Rios (sister of Mickey Mendez) is in Sparks ICU.
*
Lear Mae Moody (mother of Sue George)
* Glenanna O'Mara (daughter of Larry
& Janice Prater)
**Change of Address**
Paul & Coleen Shirley
6021 Uniontown
Hiway
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone: 474-5256
Geneva Shepherd
3118 S. 98th
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone is
unchanged.
**Car Clinic**
Saturday, February 7, 8 - 11 a.m., weather
permitting.
**Widows/Widowers Luncheon**
Saturday, February 7, at noon in the Family
Life Center. After lunch, singing entertainment will be provided by some of our
children. It will be a treat! Call Janice, Mary, or Bobbie if you need
transportation.
**Notes of Thanks**
God's infinite wisdom created us to need each other.
The loss of my mother truly exemplified God's love through all of the
expressions of sympathy my Christian family poured on us. The cards, flowers,
and personal comments all sustained us during her illness and death. We
thank all of you for each show of kindness and love that we can keep in our
hearts.
The Bill Dickey Family
Thank you for all the expressions of concern during Chase's recent
hospitalization. We appreciate every kindness shown, especially your prayers. He
has fully recovered. Praise God!!!
Winston and Danna Turpin
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
Thank you so much for the cards,
calls, & prayers and especially for caring in our time of sorrow at the loss
of my step-father in Texas. It was a great comfort to us to hear from so many of
you. May God bless you.
Janice Prater & Family
Dear West-Ark Family,
Thanks so much for the food, visits, flowers, and
all the kind words and prayers that made my sorrow more bearable. It is times
like this that we realize what a wonderful church family we have. I need your
prayers.
Love,
Margaret Gillian
To our West-Ark Brethren,
A very special thanks for your generous
contribution to Families First Foundation in memory of Sandy. It is
gratifying to know that in our loss your gift will be used to strengthen
families and encourage responsible citizenship.
We love
you,
Elvis Thurman & Susan
**Foam Found!**
Good news! The foam that was lost has been found. It was
also more than encouraging to receive the promise of replacement foam from many
members. What a place....no matter how big or small, the challenge is
continually met!
~~Gary Brown
**Nursery Workers Needed**
We need volunteers for both Sunday morning
and Sunday night once a month. We still need someone permanently every week on
Wednesday night. Please see Jo Davidson if you can help.
**New Bible Class**
This Sunday, the 9:30 a.m. Auditorium Bible class,
taught by Roy Dunavin, begins a study of Philippians. If you are not a member of
a Bible class, please join us as we read and study a book filled with
encouragement and joy!
**60+ Valentine Potluck**
Saturday, February 21st
6:00 p.m. in the
Annex.
**Sunday Morning**
God's Gift to Us in Jesus' Death: A Permanent
Solution
David Chadwell & Chris Benjamin
**Sunday Evening**
The Difference Between Worshipping God and
Worshipping Idols, Part 2
David Chadwell
**"Peak of the Week"**
Wednesday, February 11
"The Lord Who
Sanctifies"
Our focus: growing in faith and holiness,
and the Lord's help
in overcoming sin.
Read Exodus 31:13; Lev. 20:8
Join us at 7 p.m. in the
FLC!
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
This past weekend, we spent 3 days with our teens and families teaching
them how to listen to God in various ways. Hopefully, we gave them some tools
that will help them develop and improve their daily Christian disciplines like
quiet time, prayer, reading scripture and writing down what they hear, etc.
Sometimes, our daily disciplines that are designed to help us grow in our
relationship with Jesus Christ take effort and commitment. Other times, our
study and prayers seem to flow without much effort at all.
This past week, a friend sent me an article that recently appeared in an
Arkansas newspaper. The article mentioned various brothers/congregations in our
fellowship and the differences they hold about various issues the church is
facing today. Some of the brothers were very aggressive and condemning with the
words they used to describe the actions of the brothers they disagreed with.
Later that very day, during my personal quiet time and reflection on God's
word, I "accidentally" came across the following passage. Sometimes we need to
simply stop our teaching and preaching and let God do the talking. Here is what
I found recorded in His word in the book of James:
"Don't speak evil against each other, my dear brothers and sisters. If you
criticize each other and condemn each other, then you are criticizing and
condemning God's law. But you are not a judge who can decide whether the law is
right or wrong. Your job is to obey it. God alone, who made the law, can rightly
judge among us. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do
you have to condemn your neighbor?"
It was so obvious and so clear: God has a job to do and so do we. God's job
involves many things that He never intended for us to worry about. It is God's
job to create the law, to judge people by that law, to save and to destroy. Our
job is simple:
obey Him.
May we learn to listen to God. May we be slow to speak and quick to listen.
May we be slow to speak out against those who differ from us and quick to listen
to God's Word, Voice and Spirit. May we learn to focus on doing what He wants us
to do instead of trying to do His job for Him. Remember, He is ALMIGHTY GOD and
He is very capable of being God without our help.
My prayer for each of you this week is that you will spend some time alone
with God every day listening to what He wants to say to you. (I Corinthians
2:10-16.)
**Sunday Nursery**
A.M. Infants
Trish Carson
Jane
Dunavin
Morgan Dunavin
Dwonne Cogswell
Vicki Anderson
P.M. Nursery
Marquetta Walker
Sheila Vaught
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM 704
Bible
Classes 459
Sunday P.M. 233
Wednesday P.M.
324
Contribution $23,884
Children's Home
$823
The Way 49
Laotian Attendance
38
Laotian Contribution $170
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