West-Ark Newsletter, 5 August 2004

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Family Lines Newsletter, August 5, 2004
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"Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God" (1 Peter 4:1, 2).

One of the greatest deceits in the American social/cultural/political perspective: "God wants me to be happy." Of course, "I" decide what will and will not make "me" happy.
* My feelings define happiness [I feel sad, not happy!].
* I demand instant gratification [This is not fun! I want fun now!].
* I want to be where culture says I should be [Stop wasting yourself!].
* I want to satisfy greedy ambitions [If I had ___ or did ___, I would be happy!].
* I become a selfish person who places life's emphasis on "me" [Nothing is as important as my happiness!].
[Please understand happiness is an extremely difficult, complex discussion. This is a discussion of a general principle, not an unusual situation.]

Consider one point. Begin by noting [and confessing] our arrogance as a culture and a nation. What people are so arrogant as to put in their constitution the right to pursue happiness? [Have you wondered how much that perceived right factors into personal expectations?] What country dares to be so arrogant as to determine its political policies on this basis: "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" [We are to determine what is best for a nation on the basis of subjective personal desires?] Thus, if we do not have everything we want, an undefined someone else is to blame.

God's goal is to move us in His direction. Satan's goal is to move us further from God. In the beginning God provided for our ultimate desires and needs. Near the beginning Satan deceived us with promises of pleasure. Suffering was not part of God's provisions. Satan's deception produced suffering, enormous loss, and pain.

Even though pain was the consequence of deception, our incredible God uses deception's consequences [pain and suffering] to guide us back to Him. The greatest blessings in our past came through the honesty of pain, not the deceptions of pleasure.

Our most valuable lessons learned from experience are lessons we learned through pain. That does not mean we want to visit those painful circumstances again. It means we learned life's choice lessons from that pit of suffering. It means our pain and suffering can become God's constructive tools.

The greatest blessings we have in life [mercy, grace, forgiveness, redemption, purity] were produced by God through suffering--Jesus' experiences in death. The greatest hopes we have in life [physical death not being "the end" and the joys of a world of righteousness] were produced by God through resurrection--God through Jesus is more powerful than physical death.

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Who's Invited?: Any and all members at West-Ark who want to know more about the potential of LIFE Groups for building up the church and reaching out to the lost. LIFE Group leaders, elders, ministers, ministry leaders are encouraged to attend. If you have questions about LIFE Groups, please come.

What is it about? Timothy Warden has been a missionary in the Philippines for at least 13-15 years. He is a friend of Larry Roper's and will be visiting Fort Smith this weekend. Timothy's successful ministry has incorporated the use of small groups so that they now have 30 active groups in their congregation. They have several Christians that were introduced to the gospel through their LIFE groups. These groups remain a part of their church growth and spiritual development.

This is a special opportunity to ask Timothy Warden questions and see if his experience with mission in the Philippines might benefit us in our mission to Western Arkansas.

**Registration for Wednesday WINGS**
Time is running out!! We need your signature NOW so that we can order you a book. Sign-up sheet is on the counter in the Information Center in foyer. Last date to be able to sign is Wednesday, August 11. You will have to order/purchase your own book after the 11th. Class begins September 8, 7:00 p.m. in room 211.

**Report from Oscar Nolasco**
Dear West-Ark,
During the week of VBS, I took 14 children every day, but the total of Hispanic children was 21.
During the Community Outreach Day, I met 30 new people. I gave them some literature. I made some Bible studies.
This coming Sunday we will celebrate our "Iglesia de Cristo" second anniversary. You are welcome to come.
Thank you for letting us participate in those activities.
Oscar Nolasco

**VBS Clean Up**
After this week-end, we will be storing everything from Vacation Bible School that has not been picked up. Please get any items you loaned to the church for VBS. They are in the hallway outside the Library.

**Widows/Widowers**
We will be hosted by Bob & Patti Null, Saturday, August 7. The van will leave the annex at 11:30. If you need transportation to the annex please call: Mary (646-6079), Bobbie (674-5814) or Janice (474-8851)

**School Supplies Needed**
School is starting soon and there are families that need help with school supplies. We have plenty of pencils, but we could use any other school supplies. Please leave them in the church foyer.

**Community Day Report**
West-Ark Members:
Thank you so much for your donations of clothing, household items and your labor of love in the Lord. Through you Christ was glorified on Community Outreach Day. May goodness and mercy continue to follow you all the days of your life is my prayer.
In Christian love,
Kathy Rosalez

Last Saturday's Community Day of sharing was a big success for West-Ark. More than 10 tons of furniture, clothing, and household items were given away to needy families. The young people from Woodward, OK, were a big help and a positive influence on those being served, and many contacts were made for future follow-up and Bible studies. However, there are other families that still have needs. There are 3 families that need a table and chairs; 2 families are sleeping on the floor without even a mattress; and one family needs a refrigerator. If you can help fill any of these needs, please contact the church office or call me at 459-0168.
Jack Lewis

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
* Adam Jenkins has had trouble keeping his food down again. Please continue to pray for Adam's complete healing.
* Don Green is scheduled for out-patient surgery on Monday.
* Donna Beneux's mother, Ruth Davis, is now under Hospice Care at Methodist Nursing Home.
* Pete Mendez (son of Emilio and brother of Luis) is in serious condition in Puerto Rico following a car accident.
* Beatrice Neighbors, grandmother of Mitch Harper, has been moved to Health South Rehab.
* Maile McDonald
* Judi Green
* Lear Mae Moody (mother of Sue George)

**Dismissed from the Hospital**
John Richards and Chuck Combs

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the following families in their loss.
* Cami Stancil and her mother, Beverly, in the death of Cami's father, Alvis Ingram, last Friday. Alvis is also the son-in-law of Clayton and Ollie Amos. Funeral services were Monday at Edwards Funeral Home. The Stancil Family recently moved. Their new address is:
3021 Mt. Zion Road
Greenwood, AR 72936
Phone 996-8568.
* Emilio and Luis Mendez in the death of Mirtha Mendez in a car accident in Puerto Rico. Mirtha is the daughter-in-law of Emilio and sister-in-law of Luis.
* Embry and Yates Families in the death of Iva Embry, sister-in-law to both Edith Embry and Lorene Yates. Iva died Saturday in Missouri.
* Edith Embry in the death of her brother, Ralph Marksberry, of Moab, Utah.

Dear West-Ark,
Our e-mail will be the same. Tom will be in Fort Smith until August 17th. The kids and I are moving to Searcy July 31st! We love everyone and please stay in touch. If anyone needs a place to stay while here, let us know -- especially anyone traveling to Little Rock for Medical treatment. We are only 45 minutes from there!
Love you,
Benincosas

A big thank you to the ladies who made clothing for the children of Southern Christian Home. We took three big boxes of children's clothes to SCH last Monday, and they were thrilled to get those beautiful little dresses and pants. This is truly a way to let your light shine. Thank you again for supporting the children, and may God continue to bless us in our efforts to serve others and glorify His name.
Jim Hardin

Dear West-Ark Church,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the West-Ark church for allowing Mr. Jack Lewis the freedom to help me during a great time of need. I am a member of the Way - I enjoy being able to attend Sunday services at a small group rather than a large one. Back in April after being told I needed open heart surgery, I happened to tell another member. I was told that Mr. Lewis would help me in any way I needed. He went out of his way to come and visit me and even pick me up when I was released. Had it not been for Mr. Lewis and the West-Ark church, I truly don't know what I would have done. Please accept my heartfelt thanks and may you continue being so very helpful.
Sincerely yours,
Ernest P. Carron Jr.

**Wedding Invitation**
In the spirit of Christian joy
Mr. and Mrs. Curtis McDonald and
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Price
invite you to share in the joy
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

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My summer experience with the teens has been interesting in a good way. I have learned so much from every experience I have had this summer. There's nothing that I would have done any different. If it had been any different I don't think I would have seen what God wanted me to see. He has thrown so much at my feet, and I am thankful for Him allowing me to see it.

I think God was trying to test me this summer through everything that has happened. Or another thought is that the Devil is trying to run me off by engulfing me with trials. Well either way it didn't work, I have found my place in youth ministry and I plan to do this for a long time. There's nothing in this world that could tear me away from ministering to the youth.

There have been some days that all I wanted to do is scream at the top of my lungs and run as far and as fast as I could, but then there also were many times that I knew that God was totally here in the hearts of these teens. Just last week at the Soul Lift Rally at St. Louis, one of our teens came to me just as the worship service was over. They had been so touched by what had occurred during the service. They said to me "Aaron, have you ever really known God was with you? I mean that you could really feel Him in your soul."

These teens are going through many spiritual transitions in their lives. The seniors are leaving, and we are about to see some new leaders crawl out from deep within the trenches of the spiritual war we fight every day. I'm always surprised who will jump up next and say, "Take me Lord, I'll go." This group never ceases to amaze me. I am going to hate leaving them.

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 678
Bible Classes 453
Sunday PM 280
Small Groups 6
Wednesday P.M. 360
Contribution $16,067
Children's Home $279
Hispanic Attendance 44
Hispanic Contribution $191
Laotians Attendance 47
Laotian Contribution $231

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