West-Ark Newsletter, 24 June 2004

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Family Lines Newsletter, June 24, 2004
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John 1:9-13 "There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."

Rarely, if ever, do human beings comprehend Jesus' courage! Jesus trusted God at every turn in life, in every circumstance. For us to declare that we comprehend how much faith Jesus had in God probably is a commentary on how little we understand faith. To have great faith in God requires enormous courage. Without courage, there is little faith.

Jesus had the courage to be rejected by those who claimed to have the greatest understanding of God. Enduring rejection is traumatic. Enduring rejection by those who hate and despise us is disconcerting. Enduring rejection by those who should understand and encourage us is devastating. Jesus had the courage to endure the rejection of those he could not "amen." These people mistook faith for rebellion.

Jesus had the courage to renounce injustice. Matthew 8 and 9 reveal he healed lepers, Gentiles, demon-possessed people, paralytics, and the blind. He called a tax collector to follow him and associated with sinners. Those were the wrong kind of people! Either they suffered because of their evil past or they rejected the "known ways of God!" When the religious questioned his priorities and actions, he said, "The sick need the doctor. You need to learn the meaning of Hosea 6:6, 'I desire compassion, not sacrifice.'"

Jesus had the courage to be lonely. After his "flesh and blood of life" lesson in John 6, many of his disciples deserted him never to follow him again. This withdrawal of disciples was so severe that he asked the twelve if they also were leaving. A following of twelve is not a big following!

Examples could be multiplied: he had the courage to surrender living to God; he had the courage to do what was right when no one understood; he had the courage to suffer for God's values; he had the courage to die for God's will; he had the courage to trust God to raise him from the dead. Jesus had great faith which demanded great courage.

What about us? Often we disassociate faith in God from courage. It takes courage to redirect life. It takes courage to leave less accurate understandings and grow toward more accurate understandings. It takes courage to face raging personal problems that control our minds, our actions, or both. It takes courage to help those suffering as a result of injustice. It takes courage to understand and submit to God's values and priorities. It takes courage to die to self in order to become alive to God.

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**HEY KIDS**
It's coming soon!! VBS 2004
Come and learn about HIS LAST WEEK
Monday - Thursday, July 19-22
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
* Join a Bible-Time Family
* Visit the Synagogue
* Listen to the Storytellers
* Visit and Participate in the Marketplace!
* Carpentry Shop
* Spice & Herb Shop
* Rope-Making Shop
* Pottery Shop
* Scribe Shop
* And other interesting shops!
REGISTER TODAY!
Call (479) 452-1240
or register online at www.westark.org

**Sunday Morning**
Chris Benjamin, Speaker
"The Hand of God"
Psalms 77

**Library Question Answered**
Question: Do we endorse everything in the books that we put on the sermon list?
Answer: No. We pick the books that seem to reflect the points of the sermon. The sermon itself is a good "filter" to screen things out. Chris Benjamin made a good point that reading the material is like eating catfish...you only eat the good stuff and spit out the bones. So, with books the library staff recommends ... just "eat and spit!"

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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
* Wayne Bailey's father, Luther Bailey, will have open heart surgery Friday, June 25, at Sparks Hospital. He will have a valve replacement and several by-passes.
* Wanda Jeffcoat is in room 4408 of St. Edward Hospital.
* Elmo West, father of Sarah Smith, has been in the hospital and has been dismissed. His health remains fragile.
* The Harrell's nephew, Trace Helms, of Big Cabin, Oklahoma, was in a motorcycle wreck last Friday. His girlfriend was killed, and he is in critical condition. The family requests your prayers for Trace and his girlfriend's family.
* Beatrice Neighbors (grandmother of Mitch Harper) is in room 653 in Sparks Hospital.
* The Loftin twins remain in the hospital. Mom Jamie is staying in a family room close to the nursery (phone 441-4700). You may send a card to her in care of The Family Center, Sparks Regional Medical Center, 1311 South I, Fort Smith, AR 72901.
* Patty Kaiser's father, John Smith
* Dwonne Cogswell's grandmother, Lorena Dunavant
* Sanh Luongvan
* Maile McDonald
* Judi Green
* Lear Mae Moody (mother of Sue George)

Our love and sympathy is also extended to Lois Jester in the death of her sister, Katherine Sing, who died early Wednesday morning after suffering a stroke. Katherine is the grandmother of Bridgette Sing who was killed in an automobile accident earlier this week. Our sympathy also goes to Sarah Smith (who is the niece of Katherine and cousin of Bridgette).

**Bridal Shower**
A bridal shower honoring Genoa McDonald is planned for Sunday, June 27th, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the home of Meg Canfield, 400 North 66th Street. Genoa is registered at Dillards, Home Depot, and Linens & Things.

**Notes of Thanks**
I wish to express my gratitude to all the people who remembered me while I was in the hospital and during my recovery at home. The visits and food items were such a good help in trying to get back to normal. Your prayers and friendship mean so much and have been so helpful during this time. It is wonderful to belong to this church family.
Bill Brazelton

We are truly thankful that Christ died for us, established the Church and created brethren like you who show care and concern and go the extra mile when you are needed. Christ truly lives through you.
In Christian love,
The Family of Frances Williams
Yolanda, Amy, Miriam
& Esther Gunn

**Wedding Invitation**
Mr. and Mrs. David Carson
and
Mrs. Martha Finley
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Elise Lynn and Mark Andrew
on Monday the fifth of July
at three o'clock in the afternoon
Needmore Church of Christ
Indian Mound, Tennessee

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Since the summer is full of week long activities like church camp, Uplift, VBS, Soul Lift, etc., it sometimes requires me to write my article for the bulletin a week ahead of time before leaving with the youth group on our next spiritual adventure.

As this bulletin is being printed and mailed to you, we will be returning from a week at Uplift in Searcy. This is a Bible camp on Harding University's campus. I have not been to Uplift with a group from West-Ark since '91-'92.

I'm sure this year will be no different. The theme for this year is "Revolution: the sudden change in a system of beliefs." Speakers and guests include Don McLaughlin, Mike Lewis (The Jesus Painter), Bob Smiley, Acapella, and Theatron (A Christian Drama group from Harding).

Even though I am writing this before we leave for Uplift, I know that we will return blessed for having been a part of it. It may be because of the friendships that are made while we are there. It may be because of the lessons and studies we encounter that deepen our faith. It may be because some of our teens make decisions to be more committed to Christ. More than likely, it will be some or all of the above.

I look forward to our week together on a Christian College Campus. A week like this may help some of our teens choose to make Christian education a part of their future. Please continue to pray for our young people at West-Ark as the spiritual journey of this summer continues to unfold.

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday A. M.   509
Bible Classes 402
Sunday Night 277
Small Group 12
Wednesday P.M. 233
Contribution   $14,857
Children's Home   $245
The Way 48
Hispanic Attendance 43
Hispanic Contribution $153
Laotians Attendance 30
Laotian Contribution $170

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