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Family
Lines Newsletter, February 12,
2004
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**Consequences and Blessings**
By David
Chadwell
I often wonder, "Why do I always have to learn so
many things the hard way?" What does that mean? For most of us, it
means "I have to make a huge mistake before 'it gets my attention' and causes me
to realize 'uh-oh! That was dumb!'" I find neither comfort nor delight in
realizing that "the hard way" is the precise formula many, many others follow in
"learning life's difficult lessons."
So, why do so many of us learn "the hard
way"? Allow me to suggest some responses to that "why."
Reason # 1: we are humans, not God. As
humans, we prefer falling prey to imagined deceit rather than learning from
truth. As humans, we like to pretend we are god. As humans, we like
to believe we are "the masters of our own fate" [when we are, commonly it is
bad, not good!]. For those who prefer deception, for those who consider
themselves god, for those who think they "know best" about most things, the only
way to learn (and remember!) is by learning the "hard way"! Others'
mistakes mean nothing! Our hard experiences mean everything!
Reason # 2: we remember what we live through and
survive. It is almost like we have internal juvenile arguments with
ourselves: "Is too! Is not! Is too! Is not!" The fact that someone we know
already learned the "hard way" means nothing to most of us. "We" are
different! That experience would not produce the same outcome and results
in us! We are [take your pick] wiser, more alert, more gifted, more
intelligent, more discriminating, have better judgment, etc., than "they"!
Only when we repeat their failure do we "own" the consequence! What a
crash when we finally realize we really are not different!
Reason # 3: some of our richest, most appreciated
blessings rise from the ashes of our failures. It is true that "we do not
know how to appreciate what we lost until we lose it." Learning the "hard
way" teaches us to appreciate what we take for granted. In fact, blessings
we consider curses suddenly become invaluable treasures. We know how to
appreciate what we lost--if we get it back!
Reason # 4: learning "hard lessons" from horrible
experiences equips us to (1) use those experiences to teach the few who will
listen [if we are willing to share our failures] and (2) be an invaluable source
of encouragement to those who need to rise above their mistakes.
The downsides of learning the "hard way": (1) the
mistake may destroy us before we learn the lesson; (2) the education hurts
others as well as ourselves; (3) it is a wasteful way to learn; and (4) it
leaves God's wisdom and guidance out of our learning process.
Fortunately, the Christian belongs to the God who
produces blessings from mistakes--even big ones! His biggest blessings are
discovered in allowing Him to guide us away from the "hard way"! Unmade
mistakes are invaluable!
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**LTC Practice Schedule **
February 15th
*
2:00 Senior High Chorus
* 3:00 Junior High Chorus
* 4:00 Junior High Bible
Bowl
* 5:00 Elementary Puppets ONLY
* 6:00 Elementary Chorus
**LTC Banners**
The Banners group will meet
Saturday, February 21st, at 9:30 a.m.
**LTC Bulletin Board**
The Bulletin Board group
will meet Saturday, February 21st, 9 a.m. at the church building.
**Inner City Needs**
We need furniture, beds,
and mattresses, etc. If you have items to donate, please call Jack Lewis at
459-0168.
**January, 2004**
Income
.................... $ 75, 028.77
Expense
................... 119,006.51
Net Income ............... $
-43,997.74
(The negative income is because it includes $35,000 for 2 vans.
Revenue was received in a previous year but the expense hit the books this
year.)
**Game Day for Seniors**
Games, Fun, and
Fellowship!
Bring your favorite game.
Thursday, February 19, 1:00 p.m. in
the Annex.
**Radio Ministry**
(This encouraging article is an excerpt from
one written by Catherine Thamkaew, the coordinator of our radio program which
broadcasts from Nong Kai, Thailand. It was published in the January-February,
2004, issue of "World Radio News.")
Chana, our listener who became a member of the
Thanadon Church of Christ in Udonthani and then attended the Khonkaen Bible
School, has just completed his first year in the Lord. Chana baptized Mr. Virat
(23), a radio listener who lives in a village near the radio station. Chana is a
co-worker with Ong in visiting our listeners during his free time. He never
hesitates in speaking God's Word. Virat spent weeks studying with Chana. Great
is our God!
One Sunday last year when I went to visit Thanadon
Church of Christ, I had tears in my eyes when I was served the bread by Chana. I
ate bread served by our listener ... we broke bread together. And now, our
listener has baptized another listener. Praise God for His love and
care!
That Sunday we found two sisters that were lost for
years and moved back to their home town in Sakolnakorn, the next province very
close to our radio station. They used to go to the Somprasong Church of Christ
in Bangkok. We hadn't heard from them for a long time. Ong found they were
there, went to visit them, and found they are our radio listeners and stuck with
our program as our dear friends. They said they were so lonely in the village
among the Buddhists. So our program made them feel still close to God. Ong asked
them to go to Thanadon Church of Christ which is on 70 kilometers away. They
came and apologized for ignoring the church. They promised to come to worship as
much as they could, at least once a month, because they are only poor farmers.
They will listen to our program every day. Ong will find the time to visit with
them again sometime.
We aired Pathinya's lessons about "People in the
Bible" as well as four short Sunday sermons: "You are Important," "Vanity of
Live," "Honesty," and "Church." Surapol had finished the lessons
from Jesus' Parables, and he will start his new lessons on "Survey of the
Bible."
"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve
others."
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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
* Ann Holley
will have knee surgery at Sparks Hospital Thursday morning. She will be in the
hospital for around 3 days.
* Ada Ferguson is scheduled for another
amputation at 7:30 a.m. on February 18. She had an earlier amputation
Christmas Eve. She has lost the circulation and healing in the lower extremity
of her leg and is in a lot of pain.
* Elizabeth Gardenhire had
outpatient surgery on her arm Tuesday.
* Marcia Dye's mother, Florence Hays,
is in the hospital in Batesville with congestive heart problems.
*
Earl Flood had an angiogram Tuesday morning. He was released from the hospital
Wednesday.
* Vicki Abuzeide had an appendectomy last week and was released
from the hospital on Wednesday.
* Jabin Huff (infant son of Jon and Liz) is
continuing breathing treatments. He (and his family) are much better.
* Bobby
Parks (of Van Buren) is in Sparks ICU, room 222.
**Continued Prayers**
* Maile McDonald and
family.
* Lear Mae Moody (mother of Sue George)
* Glenanna O'Mara
(daughter of Larry & Janice Prater)
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended
to Jim and Vicki Hardin in the recent death of Vicki's uncle, Ray Emerick, of
Forth Wayne, Indiana.
**Notes of Thanks**
Our Community Outreach Day
was a great success. Thank you to the helpers who worked so diligently, to those
who gave so bountifully (above measure), and for the sweet fellowship of just
being together. Our thanksgiving to God who gives so much strength to help us do
the task that He has set before us. To the West-Ark Family, the Hispanic Family,
and the Laotian Family, my prayer is that God may continue to increase you so
that you lack nothing. May God's blessings continue to surround you and yours
and give you Peace!
In Christ,
Kathy Rosalez
Those who attended the widows' and widowers'
luncheon would like to thank the LTC Elementary Chorus for coming to sing for
us. It was a wonderful addition to our day! God has blessed you with this
talent; we're pleased that you're learning to serve others and use your talent
to God's glory! Thank you.
**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.
**60+ Valentine Potluck**
Saturday, February
21st, 6:00 p.m. in the Annex.
**Sunday Morning**
God's Gift to Us in Jesus'
Death: Appreciation
David Chadwell & Chris Benjamin
**Sunday Evening**
The Creator God by David
Chadwell
**"Peak of the Week"**
Wednesday, February
18
"The Lord Who Provides"
Our focus is on God's constant care and
provision - His sustaining presence.
Read Genesis 22:14.
Join us at 7
p.m. in the FLC!
**Happy Birthday**
February 1
Brandon Combs
Carolyn
Harrell
Ashley Haworth
February 3
Jared Hollomon
Van Lee
Jane
Newman
George Thompson
February 5
Crystabella Jones
February 7
John Glidewell
February 8
Megan Perkins
February 9
Austin Curtis
John Holley
Mike
Williams
Howard Hughes
February 10
Marceil Stevens
February 11
Jessica Bryant
Lance
Haines
Jeremy Harper
Elaine Kamp
February 12
Joyce Dunavin
February 13
Ava Jones
Derrick
Jones
February 14
Barbara Abernathy
February 15
Mary Margaret Hudson
Ron
Smith
February 16
Arianna Heras
February 17
Rhiannon Corley
Bob
Null
Allison Todd
February 18
Keith Byrd
Kenneth
Hatcher
Maddie Pressley
Daniel Word
February 19
Mitchell Bryant
Yolanda
Gunn
Emily Hamilton
February 20
Doris Hall
February 21
Jill Roberts
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad
Pistole
If you have been associated with West-Ark for any
length of time, you probably already know that we have some really special young
people. I thank God every day for the opportunity to work with our teens and
their families. They are such a blessing to me.
This past week, I was reminded just how talented
and special they all are, and I'd like to share a couple of examples with you.
We have 7 teens who attend 7th-12th grade River Valley Christian School, and
this past week was "Spirit Week" at school. The week ended with a big Homecoming
Celebration on Friday night.
During the week, the teens dressed up as different
characters each day in order to show their school spirit. On Thursday morning, I
went to their pep rally, and I had no idea what to expect. I was blown away at
the talent I saw.
Andrew Todd, Dawson Urrutia, Leslie Frederick,
Hanna Watlington, Courtney Griffin, Meredith Brown, and Nathan Griffin all
participated in some way. They sang, participated in various skits, displayed
their floats and banners they had made for homecoming, and many of them
participated in the festivities on Friday night.
And they weren't the only teens who displayed their
talents this week. Casey Benincosa of Greenwood High School made 5th Chair,
Tenor Two at All State Choir and John Berger of Northside High School made 22nd
Chair, Bass Two. John will also be competing with Band and Jazz Band
soon.
I know there are many others who have also received
rewards recently, and I am so proud of all of you. More than anything, I am
proud of you for being a disciple of Christ and a positive influence on others
wherever you go. Keep up the great work!
**Sunday Nursery**
A.M. Nursery
Gail Mason
Bo Mason
Flora
Johnson
Missy Blasdell
Kristy Abernathy
P.M. Nursery
Linda Wear
Terri
Jones
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday
AM 682
Bible Classes 441
Sunday P.M.
271
Small Groups 29
Wednesday P.M.
N.C.
Contribution $15,373
Children's Home
$326
The Way 38
Hispanic Attendance 51
Hispanic Contribution
$196
Laotian Attendance 38
Laotian Contribution
$156
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