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Family Lines Newsletter, January 27, 2005
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**Agenda – God’s or Mine?**
By David Chadwell
 
At times it seems every event in life may be addressed with one question: “What are he/she/they up to?”  Our society and culture generates such skepticism.  On the whole, many people are convinced that everyone is “after something.”  Years ago when expense accounts were common, it frequently was said, “There is no such thing as a free lunch.”  The common, persistent attitude/concern was generated, “What is he after?”  “What does she want?”  “What are they up to?”  The conviction prevails: “There is a bad, self-seeking, exploitive motive for every occurrence.”  Consequently, it is automatically assumed (1) a bad motive is behind all deeds, and (2) the real reason behind happenings is a bad reason.
 
Unfortunately, Christians allow that attitude to explain much that happens among ourselves.   If “I” do it, “my” reason is noble.  However, if “you” do it, “you” are up to something.  This attitude too often is adopted by Christians for numerous reasons.  (1) There are con artists that use religion to work their cons.  (2) Often people have “hidden agendas.”  (3) Spiritual maturity is a demanding (often disturbing) journey—it is a journey, not a destination.  (4)  Maturing requires growth, and growth produces change.  (5) Forming "emotional attachments" frequently attacks understanding.  (6) It is hard to accept previously unknown information.
 
The pursuit of God’s will is a humbling, demanding challenge.  The human finite mind will never fully comprehend the infinite God.  That reality is distressing!  The more we understand God, the more we are challenged.  The more we are challenged, the more we grow.  The more we grow, the more we confront the need to develop.  As we spiritually develop, changes produced by improved understandings are certain.
 
As a result, the question, “What are they up to?” is horribly inadequate.  Quite frequently, all that "they" are "up to" is allowing God’s will to transform them.  That dedication often leads Christians to what other Christians declare to be the unthinkable.
 
Consider a first century example.  Commonly, devout Jews did not approve of idol-worshipping Gentiles becoming 100% children in God’s family without converting to Judaism first.  This disapproval was a major problem in the early church.  Even Jewish Christians said, “Gentiles (1) have the wrong ancestry; (2) are not covenant people; and (3) come from the wrong moral/ethical background!”  Justice is done to their concerns with these statements: “God would not do that! God does not think that way!  God is upset!  We demand things be done our way!”
 
Yet, it was God’s intent to bring all people to Him through Jesus Christ.  While that is a common understanding to most of us, it was a radical, unthinkable, preposterous suggestion to first century Israel who were "the people who belong to God" for almost 1500 years.  They were certain they understood God’s thinking, but they did not.  May we accept the challenge to pursue God’s agenda and never call God’s values preposterous.
 
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**Remember in Prayer**
• Fred Jackson is hospitalized with a bleed into the brain from a ruptured aneurysm. He is at UAMS in Little Rock for additional tests.
• John Hundley is in St. Edward ICU, room 3124. He is currently in isolation.
• Thelma Blackburn is in St. Edward Hospital, room 5410.
• Paul Flippo is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3208.
• Charles Rogers is in HealthSouth Rehab, room 575.
• O’dell Bryan, father of Karan Tygart, is in HealthSouth Rehab, room 203.
• Eleanor Casey twisted her leg, but thankfully, there is no break.
• Mary Burkett’s mother, Tina Eudaly, went back to the hospital in Springfield, MO over the weekend with chest pain.
• Marea Sutherland, mother of Sedalia Douglas, has broken her hip and is hospitalized in Hobart, Oklahoma. If you would like to send her a card, you may do so in care of James Sutherland, RR 1, Box 180, Lone Wolf, OK 73655.
• Angela Dunavant requests prayers for a family member, Amanda Pierce of Paris, Texas, who has been diagnosed with cancer.
• Anita Maxwell
• Adam Jenkins
• Don Green
• Larry Treat
• Chuck Cunningham
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• Fred Jackson (479) 441-2593
• Paul Flippo (479) 784-7490
Please pray for them and pass on that you have remembered them by phoning the prayer pagers.
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Cecil Knight, who died Sunday. Funeral services were Tuesday here at West-Ark.
 
**Prayers for Men in Service**
Matthew Faries, Shane L. Newton, Brandon Daws, Daniel Kweekul, Aaron Bailey, Philip Lux, Johny Lindgren, Adam Morrissun, and Ronnie Wheat.
 
**Baptisms**
Morgan Dunavin, Dillon Branham, and Trevor Branham (all cousins) were baptized into Christ yesterday by their grandfather, Roy Dunavin.  Morgan is the daughter of Brent and Jane Dunavin; Dillon and Trevor are the sons of Becky Branham Houlker. Becky and her sons are currently visiting from New Zealand.
 
**Attention All 2 – 6 Graders!**
Our Gateway Points Party is February 6th from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. in the FLC.  Pizza and drinks provided! Kids, bring a change of clothes for the big slide!! Hope to see you there!
 
**Mid-Week Ladies’ Class**
The Wednesday Morning Ladies’ Bible Class will have a potluck luncheon after class on February 2nd.
 
**Note of Thanks**
Thank you for remembering our aunt and sister, Lena Hall, with a memorial book for the church library. We appreciate your love and concern for her during her time at West-Ark. She appreciated your visits and cards. 
 Our love,
 Bill and Pat Yick
 Ruth Bearden
 
**Keys Still Missing**
Keys to the Annex and Main Bldg. remain checked out and/or missing. Keys to the basketball goals were taken off the AV cart and are missing.  If you have any keys you are not currently using, please return them to Lynn in the church office.
 
In a related topic, our security has gotten lax recently.  Several doors have been left open all night in the Annex and FLC. It’s wonderful that our buildings are used so much, but please do your part to make sure doors are locked and secure if you are the last to leave.
 
**Guyana Flooding**
Our brothers and sisters in Guyana need help right away because of excess rain this month. Every person our medical mission teams has met in Guyana in the past 14 years is affected. Please remember this disaster in your prayers.
 
To learn more about the flooding in Guyana and what Steve DeLoach is doing through Operation Guyana, please visit—
http://www.guyana-missions.org
 
If you want to make a donation by check, mark it for "Guyana Flood Relief" and send it to:
Operation Guyana
c/o Jenks Church of Christ
2101 West 118th Street South
Jenks, OK 74037
 
You may also contribute online to Operation Guyana's Christian relief efforts at:
http://www.guyana-missions.org/donation.htm
Type "Flood Relief Fund" into the Comment box at PayPal.
 
**Sunday Evenings**
January 30
We’ll have a Family Meeting followed by a Fellowship meal in the Family Life Center. 
Please bring desserts!
 
February 6
Evening service will be at 6:00 p.m.
 
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**OVERCOMER’S OUTREACH**
A Christ-Centered, 12-Step Support Group
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Mondays
West-Ark Church of Christ
Room 126B (enter through FLC double-glass doors)
If you have questions, call Caruth Alexander at
561-2333 or e-mail him at cmalex2333 @ aol.com
For Transportation, call 459-0168 or 452-1240.
 
Our primary purpose is to serve as a bridge between traditional 12-step groups, such as AA, and the church by using the Holy Bible along with the Big Book and the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as our tools of recovery.  We carry the message of Christ’s delivering power to individuals and families, both within and without the church, who still suffer, and we encourage attendance at other 12-step recovery programs.
 
Somehow, because we are Christians, we think we should be immune to “thorn in the flesh” addictions such as drugs, alcohol, or other crippling compulsions. Many times God does provide total, instant deliverance from life’s struggles, but more often than not, it is a frantic battle for those involved.
 
When addictive problems rear their ugly head, Christians work harder than most people to deny and cover up the situation so ministers, elders, and church friends won’t find out – and so end up fighting the problem all alone.  OVERCOMER’S OUTREACH is for all who seek freedom from the bondage of compulsive/addictive behavior and the serenity that is in Christ.
 
**LTC Christian Art (all ages)**
• Shanna Davis will be by the LTC bulletin board Sunday morning with instruction sheets.
• There will be an art workshop on February 20th from 2-4 p.m. if you need help with framing, would like some input on what you've done or want to do, etc.
• Completed Art work is due back to Shanna by March 6th.
 
**LTC Choir**
• Junior High -  2:00 p.m.
• Senior High – 3:00 p.m.
 
**Lions for Christ February Events**
February 6
• Super Bowl Small Group at Philip Burns’ House
February 11
• Scrapbooking and Movie Night
February 13
• LFC’s visit Dayton Church of Christ
February 17
• Noon Meal at West-Ark Church Annex
February 18-20
• Campus Encounter OSU
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
In the coming weeks, there will be several opportunities for our teens and families to be challenged and grow spiritually. We have 2 Youth Rallies and 1 retreat on 3 of the next 6 weekends. Mark your calendars and take advantage of these wonderful opportunities to grow in Christ.
 
January 28th-29th
Poteau Youth Rally
“Christ – The Thirst Quencher”
Leave Friday at 5:00 p.m.
Return Saturday by 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $15
 
February 4th – 6th
14th Annual Winter Retreat in Siloam Springs, AR
Theme: “Get Real”
Leave Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Return Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $40 includes lodging,
4 meals, snacks, and a long sleeve retreat t-shirt
 
February 29th
CHRISTeens Youth Rally in Russellville, AR
Theme: “Here To Please” from Galatians 1:10
Leave Saturday morning at 7:15 a.m.
 Return Saturday night by 10:00 p.m.
Cost: $15 plus money for one meal
 
**Nursery Workers**
 
A.M. Nursery
Berniece Rogers
Sharon Faries
Tracy Risley
Donna Roper
 
P.M. Nursery
Angela Dunavant
Denise Lusby
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 722
Bible Classes  471
Sunday Evening 307
Small Groups 20
Wednesday PM  367
Contribution   $17,332
Children’s Home   $195
Hispanic Contribution $113
Hispanic Attendance 36
Laotian Contribution $250
Laotian Attendance 32
the Way Contribution $65
the Way Attendance 56
 
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax  (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org
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"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
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