West-Ark Newsletter, 22 July 2004

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Lines Newsletter, July 22, 2004
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All of us "have been there." We helped, and helped, and helped until it seemed there was nothing left in us to be helpful. Or, we gave, and gave, and gave until it seemed obvious our giving changed little. Or, we sacrificed, and sacrificed, and sacrificed until something occurred that made past sacrifices meaningless. Or, we worked, and worked, and worked and changed nothing. Or, our behavior set the example of God's light; we did "the right thing" constantly; and we were conscious of our influence, but even our family preferred the darkness. Or, we understood scripture, and understood scripture, and understood scripture only to confront [again] our ignorance "face to face."

To follow Jesus Christ to God is to swim against the tide! Swimming against the tide of culture and society is hard! Tiring! Exhausting! To help 24/7 is demanding! To give 7 days a week is relentless! A lifestyle of sacrifice is numbing! Serving God constantly winds us! To be God's influence daily is overwhelming! To seek to understand scripture only to discover how little you know is disillusioning!

The apostle Paul knew the feeling! He took a mission journey into the province of Galatia [a Roman Empire province]. Most of the converts to Christ were gentiles. Paul established many gentile [non-Jewish] congregations. As soon as he left that area, some Jewish Christians [known as Judiazers] came to those congregations insisting Paul deceived them. Unless new converts followed Jewish customs and traditions, their baptism was meaningless. These Jewish Christians were so convincing that many gentile Christians believed them; let them be teachers; and did as they were told!

Paul was astounded and heart-broken! He could not believe these gentiles received Christ's freedom, then turned from that freedom. In response to the crisis, Paul wrote Galatians. He was so upset that he did not begin his letter [as was his practice] with encouraging statements. In essence, he said, "I cannot believe what you did and continue to do!" (Galatians 1:6-9) Paul was so disturbed by their situation he feared he wasted his time and effort (Galatians 4:11). Swimming against the tide was one thing! Doing it while dragging an anchor was quite another!

Was Paul discouraged? Yes! Did the gentile converts' decisions upset him? Absolutely! Did Jewish Christians' teachings and actions distress him! Mightily! Did he quit swimming against the tide? No! He could not be who he was in Jesus Christ if he quit.
If you belong to God through Christ, do not let weariness stop you from swimming against the tide! Weariness is a "when," not an "if." You will get tired if you allow Christ to lead you toward God! Anyone daring to move toward God swims against the culture's values and society's norms. Christian lifestyle begins as a wondrous challenge, continues as a grueling marathon, and ends as a matter of endurance. So why "hang in there?" God's promise will not fail! The reward far exceeds the demands! The harvest is unquestionable! Only fainting can rob us of God's blessing!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**West-Ark's Community Outreach Day**
Saturday, July 31, 2004
9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
in the Family Life Center
The following items will be available to anyone in need:
* Summer clothing
* Household items
* Furniture
(Lunch is also provided at 11:00 a.m.)
Speakers: Chris Benjamin, Oscar Nolasco, Thomas Kweekul

We need workers on the following shifts:
Thursday and Friday, July 29 & 30
8:30 - 12:00 FLC
1:00 - 3:30 FLC
3:30 - 5:30 FLC
5:30 - 8:00 FLC
If you can work, please contact Kathy Rosalez
452-2157 or the church office at 452-1240

**Wednesday Night WinGS Bible Class**
It's that time again!! Summer is almost gone and fall is around the corner. Wednesday night WinGS will start September 8, 7:00 p.m. in Room 211. There will be a sign-up sheet in the foyer for those who wish to join us in the study of "The Death and Resurrection of the Messiah" by Ray VanderLaan. This is a book/video study. The cost of the book will be approximately $6.00. Cut off date for the book order will be August 11th. If you have a friend who would like to come, please sign her name so we can order her a book.

**Ladies' Day**
Saturday, September 11
Southside Church of Christ
919 S. Dixieland Drive
Rogers, AR
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Theme: "I Stand Amazed"
Speaker: Cassandra Martin
Lunch is provided.

**Mayor's Prayer Breakfast**
Friday morning, August 13
6:15 a.m.
Fort Smith Convention Center
800 Rogers Avenue
Speaker: S. Truett Cathy
(Founder of Chick-Fil-A)
Tickets are $10.00 and may be purchased at the Fort Smith
Chamber of Commerce.

**The Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House**
is sponsoring a Happy Face Holiday
for kids with cancer or kids with family members who have cancer
(the whole family can come!).
Saturday, July 24, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(Call 782-6302 or 800-262-9917 for reservations).

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

**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
* Leo Atkins was released from the hospital on Wednesday.
* Cyndi Glidewell's uncle, Sam Cole of Louisiana, is critically ill.
* Maile McDonald's spinal tap and bone marrow tests were both clear! She will be getting chemotherapy treatments every three weeks.
* Judi Green
* Lear Mae Moody, mother of Sue George

**Military Service**
Continue to remember Daniel Kweekul, Phillip Lux, Johnny Lindgren, Jeff Amos, Lori Dotson, Brandon Daws, and Matthew Faries in your prayers.

Our precious family at West-Ark,
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the compassion you've shown our family these past 6 months. Our sweet baby Gabe has been safe in the arms of Jesus for 6 weeks now, and we're just starting to feel like we are beginning to heal. Your servant hearts have glorified our Lord and have strengthened and supported us during this fiery ordeal. Please continue to pray for our continued restoration and that God will continue to be glorified in this situation. We love you all so much. Because of Him we have Hope everlasting,
Kevin, Christy, Hope, Hannah,
and Hunter Hesslen

Dear West-Ark Family,
Thank you for your prayers, words of encouragement and kind thoughts on behalf of our family during the loss of my niece's husband, Lincoln Turner. Your prayers, cards, and kind words provided comfort to us during this time. Please continue to pray for my niece, April Turner, and their two year old child, Kylie.
     Sincerely,
     James & Patti Anderson
    Todd & Adriane Martin

**Congratulations, Graduate!**
Amanda Burkhart (daughter of Stan and Dixie) recently graduated with a Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Amanda is employed by St. Mary's Hospital in Rogers, Arkansas.

**Needed: Updated Children's Corner of the Library**
We have an URGENT need for someone who will minister to the children of West-Ark by taking charge of the "kid's section." Make it better! Use your creativity to shape it up. Put in a comfortable reading chair for parent and child. Get it organized and up-dated! Get a helper. Whip the area into a real inviting place for parents and children!!! We have budget and will use it to help you. ~~John Lankford

of the marriage uniting their children
Genoa Momilani and Jeremy Lynn
on Saturday, the seventh of August
at two o'clock in the afternoon
West-Ark Church of Christ
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Reception immediately following the ceremony.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's been such a great summer break for our teens at West-Ark. I am truly thankful for all that God has allowed us to do. I am thankful for Rose Davis, Chelsea Mahaney, Ashley Stafford, and Andrew Todd who all made decisions this summer to turn their lives over to Christ.

We have one major event left this summer which begins early this Saturday morning. There will be 61 people from West-Ark who will leave at 5 a.m. this Saturday morning for St. Louis for an event called Soul Lift.

Harding University sponsors this event each year. There is a Youth Rally on Sunday that will include guest speakers, the Christian Drama group Theatron from Harding, and a singing group.

I am thankful for the opportunity to take so many of our families on a trip like this. It's so important for our families to fellowship and worship together and that is exactly what will take place during this trip.

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel this Saturday - Tuesday, July 24-27. Special thanks to Winston Turpin (our famous bus driver) and all of you who helped make this trip possible for many of our teens through your gifts and donations.

I pray that this trip will put the finishing touches on what has been a great summer experience for our families at West-Ark. Praise be to God for the bonds he creates through Jesus Christ!

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