West-Ark Newsletter, 12 August 2004

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Family Lines Newsletter, August 12, 2004
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After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:21, 22).

Certain statements quickly catch my attention as warnings. For example, I am in a first session of premarital counseling. Seeking to befriend the couple, I ask, "Why are you getting married?" As they look at each other with "goo-goo" eyes, this is their response: "We are in love!" Instantly, alarm bells sound in my head. Is love critical to an enduring marriage? Absolutely! Yet, hormones must not be mistaken for love!

In a similar way, I am very concerned when a person's primary reason for being a Christian is "to eliminate problems in my life." What problems? (a) If the answer is to eliminate guilt, accountability for past failures through forgiveness in Christ, hopelessness, and living for something more important than the here and now -- excellent! (b) If the answer is to guarantee a good job, a desirable lifestyle, a trouble free existence, lots of pleasure, and the money one thinks "I need" -- deplorable!

Christianity has never been about living what the physical world commonly considers "the good life." We follow a King whose coronation was achieved through crucifixion and resurrection after a life of service, rejection, and surrender. He lived as a servant in poverty. He died as a servant in poverty.

Consider life's key question. Is life about me or God? The answers to that question are extremely different. Being a Christian because of "me" provides one answer. Being a Christian because of God provides quite a different answer.

This society's popular answer is this: being a Christian places the focus on "me." Thus worship is commonly centered on what "I" find pleasurable. Ministry is focused on what "I" find plausible. Service is focused on "my" approval. The key evaluation of everything happening is "my take" on the spirituality of the situation.

In a spiritual climate that focuses on "me," the message of a health and wealth gospel seems powerfully plausible and most appealing. Why shouldn't those who belong to the Lord enjoy the best this world has to offer? Surely the "good life" should belong to men and women who belong to God!

Why should the "good life" belong to us? Christians exist as redeemed people in an unredeemed world. They dare to live between the tension and pulls of good and evil. They struggle with temptation as they live among forces that reject God. They get tired as they witness so much unrighteousness and injustice -- they weary of being different, not belonging, not fitting. How can those who dearly love the Lord be comfortable in a world that either ignores or hates the Lord?

Those daring to follow God soon realize this world is no friend to the righteous. "The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever" (1 John 2:17). We live to the praise of His glory. Life is about God.

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**Back to School Blessing**
Sunday, August 22
A list is posted in the foyer with the names of everyone from West-Ark involved in education, whether a student, educator, staff, bus driver, etc. Please check the list to see if any names need to be added. We don't want to miss anyone!

**Missions**
This is a busy time for the congregation's missions program. Thomas Kweekul left last week to teach in Thailand and Laos until mid-October. John Paul and Ruby Lee Hundley are returning to southern France this week. __________ continues with his move to Vietnam. __________ will be spending time in Laos to determine if they can get visas to work there. Roy Dunavin (and Jack Harriman) will leave Monday for Ethiopia to teach in the preacher's school there. Please remember in your prayers all these, and many others, involved in foreign evangelistic efforts.

If you are new to the congregation or otherwise would like information regarding the congregation's missions programs (Ethiopia, South East Asia, France, Nigeria, Guyana, local Hispanic ministry), there will be a general discussion and prayer meeting with emphasis on the missions programs, Sunday afternoon, August 29, 1:30 p.m. in the Annex. You are invited to attend and participate.

**Tuesday Morning WINGS**
You are invited to a wonderful weekly fellowship and Bible study on Tuesday mornings. We support each other while studying God's word. We hope you will come investigate and decide to participate this year!
Orientation/Registration
September 7, 9:30 - 11:30
West-Ark Church of Christ
Family Life Center
Fall Study:
Paul & His Teaching about Jesus

**LTC Announcements**
Speech was inadvertently left off the LTC forms in the foyer. If your child wants to participate in Speech, please write "Speech" on the form and place a checkmark beside it.

**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.

**Fall/Winter Clothing**
We are now accepting fall and winter clothing for our next Community Outreach Day. The list is for men, women and children.
* Coats, jackets
* Warm-ups
* Caps
* Pants (large men and women)
* Sweaters
* Blankets
* Socks
* Shoes (winter)
* Gloves
* Thermal underwear

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
* Scott and Staci James appreciate prayers on behalf of Scott's mother who has pancreatic cancer.
* Pete Mendez (son of Emilio and brother of Luis) hopes to be moved to a hospital in Miami, Florida. His condition is improving, but serious.
* Norman McDonald (brother of Curtis) is in St. Edward Hospital.
* Logan Kleman broke his arm in a bicycle accident.
* Maile McDonald
* Judi Green
* Lear Mae Moody (mother of Sue George)
* Angela Dunavant requests prayers for her friend Dorothy Anderson who has an infection.

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to James and Patti Anderson and Adriane Anderson Martin in the death of Patti's nephew, Brandon Beshears on Saturday. Funeral services were Thursday, 10:00 a.m. at Edwards Van-Alma Chapel.

Our love and sympathy is also extended to the Beneux Family in the death of Donna's mother, Ruth Davis, on Saturday. Mrs. Davis is also the grandmother of Paul and Bryan Beneux. Funeral services were Tuesday at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Smith.

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

**Baby Shower**
A shower for Natalie Nelson is planned for Sunday, August 15th, from 2-4 p.m. in the Annex. The Nelsons are registered at Toys R Us. It's a boy!

**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Church Family,
Thank you so much for all of your thoughtfulness during this difficult time. Your many prayers, cards, calls, and kind words were so very meaningful. Thank you also for the delicious meal following the service, the food was delicious. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we begin to move forward in our lives without our precious loved one.
Our love and thanks,
Beverly Ingram
Cami & Bill Stancil & Family
Jim & Paige Ingram & Family

Dear Church Family,
Thank you so much for all of the prayers, calls, cards, and visits while I was in the hospital for the birth of my twins. You were all a great source of encouragement to me while I was on bed rest at the end of my pregnancy and while the babies were in the NICU at Sparks. Thanks for showing me and my family how much you care. We are all home now in Springdale and doing well. Jeff and I will really miss all of you.
In Christian love,
Jeff, Jamie, Kate & Cameron Loftin
3190 Greystone Dr.
Springdale, AR 72764
Phone (479) 927-9133

Dear Friends in Christ,
My mother, Beatrice Neighbors, appreciates so much the prayers offered for her by the congregation over the past three months of her hospitalization - as do Bud, Mitch, and I. Special thanks to Roy Dunavin for his many visits, to Chris Benjamin for his visits, and to the Carsons for serving communion to her on the last two Sundays at Health South. She is a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, and of course, away from her home church, so we are blessed to share in your Christian love and care.
Sincerely,
Jo Harper

West-Ark Church,
It is such a pleasure to be a part of such a loving church group. We want to thank each one of you for the cards and phone calls and helping us to have such a big day for our 70th Anniversary.
Our love,
Virginia & Isaac Mobley

Dear Family at West-Ark,
I want to say thank you, although that seems so inadequate, to express to all of you how much your care and concern has meant to me and my family. It was finally necessary to place Darrell where he is able to get more expert care than we were able to give him at home. He is in Methodist Nursing Home, number 129 West. Please continue to pray for us and keep us in your thoughts.
Love,
Wanda Wear & Family

Dear West-Ark Family,
Thanks for the prayers, cards, and love extended to me in the loss of my sister March 2 and my brother July 30. I appreciate all who helped me get through this.
Edith Embry

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People I trust have always told me "honesty is always the best policy." So here goes...It has been a great summer! I have been blessed by so many experiences with our teens and families the past 3 months. BUT...I'm glad it's almost over.

Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever wanted something that was really good to end? Is it possible to have too much of a good thing? I think so.

We all long for "Mountaintop Experiences." There's nothing quite like retreats, camps, and youth rallies, when we take a break from the world and open our eyes to what God wants to show us. These times inspire us to take our spiritual lives to the next level.

But for some reason, God has always chosen not to leave us on those mountains. He always seems to bring us back down into the valley. As a matter of fact, the majority of our lives are lived in the valley. Why is that?

Is it that we tend to take things for granted? Are we like the Israelites who were set free from their slavery only to begin complaining about the mundane soon afterwards? Perhaps it's because God uses the mountaintop experiences AND the battles we face in the valley to make us who we are.

I have no doubts that many of our teens have learned some incredible truths this summer. They've learned the importance of spending time in the Word of God on a daily basis. They've learned the importance of Christ-centered relationships. They've learned how to be honorable, trustworthy, and pleasing to God.

And while many of us may wish our year was one big long summer experience, that is not what God has called us to. He asks us to climb down off the mountain back into the valley where our daily battles are fought.

Why? There are those in the valley who need us...and we need them. Praise God for the mountaintop experiences he gives us and for the battles in the valley that make us who we are. (Romans 5:1-5)

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 709
Bible Classes 450
Sunday PM 319
Wednesday P.M. 346
Contribution $14,525
Children's Home $250
The Way 48
Hispanic Attendance 65
Hispanic Contribution $138
Laotians Attendance 29
Laotian Contribution $198

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