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Family Lines Newsletter, April 7, 2005
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**How Will God Use My Struggles?**
By David Chadwell
 
Abraham went from Ur’s security to live as a nomad.  Isaac favored a son and alienated a wife.  Jacob constantly mediated between two jealous families.  Joseph went from favorite son to slave because of the combination of his arrogance and his brothers’ jealousy.  Moses left perhaps the most powerful family in the world to be a shepherd in the wilderness.  Samuel watched the people he spent his lifetime leading to God reject God (1 Samuel 8:1-7).  David fled for his life.  Solomon let his wives lead him away from God (1 Kings 11:1-8).  Elijah fled from Jezebel.  Jeremiah anguished because God’s message through him was rejected (Jeremiah 20:7-11).  Daniel was a captive in a foreign country.  Jonah, with all his being, objected to God’s mission.  Hosea endured the misery of being a living parable to illustrate the faithlessness of God’s people.  Most written prophets endured the agony of declaring bad news.  Peter denied Jesus in the worst of circumstances. Paul was pursued and ridiculed by Jewish Christians who disagreed with his message.  The Christian missionary Demas abandoned Paul and Christ to return to the world (2 Timothy 4:10).
 
The history of Israel’s story and early Christianity’s story is filled with people who experienced struggles because they followed God.  From the perspective of “here and now,” that appears to be a bad choice.  Why make that choice when their world had no respect for their decision?  Speaking of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, the author of Hebrews said this in 11:13-16:
 
"All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.  For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.  And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them."
 
Two reasons for their decision: (1) They understood God planned something special.  (2) They understood that they did not belong in a world unconcerned about righteousness.
 
The something special God planned was Jesus.  Because God agreed the righteous did not belong in an unrighteous world, He is preparing a place in which they do belong.
 
Physical existence without struggle is not an option—not in Christ, out of Christ, or sometimes in and out of Christ.  Struggle is part of physical reality.  God uses human struggle to accomplish eternal purposes.  He always has, and He always will.
 
The issue is not, “Will I endure struggle?”  The issue is, “Will I surrender my struggle to God and allow God to produce eternal good from the difficulties I experience?
 
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm" (Ephesians 6:10-13).
 
Even Jesus, God’s own son, endured stress and surrendered to a cross!
 
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**  (In alphabetical order by first name.)
• Aline Phillips had pacemaker surgery on Wednesday morning at St. Edward Hospital. She is in Room 3411.
• Allie Whitaker is scheduled for knee surgery soon.
• Anetia Livesay requests prayers for Marveil Smith, who fell and fractured her hip.
• Arista Lindgren had foot surgery April 1st. She will be in a cast for several weeks.
• Betty Pence, mother of Cyndi Glidewell, is in the Mayo Clinic.
• Betty Porter has been in the hospital with a bacterial stomach infection. She was dismissed Saturday (4/2/05).
• Curtis Hendrix, Milton’s dad, is under Hospice Care at home.
• Ian Gilley is recovering from a broken ankle.
• Jay Arnold had surgery on his leg and ankle Monday. He was dismissed from the hospital Wednesday.
• Jay Wood will start radiation treatment April 6th.
• Jeanetta Falls will have thyroid surgery Thursday, April 7.
• Jennifer Collins requests prayer for her landlord, Herb Mitchell, who is in Crawford County Hospital.
• John Fowler was hospitalized over the weekend with pneumonia.
• Kay Cole is in room 237B at Health South Rehab.
• Linda Hamlett reports that Eddie’s last biopsy test does not show any cancer cells. Praise!
• Maile McDonald has prayer pager 441-1648 (see letter from her family in “Notes of Thanks.”)
• Michael Cole had emergency eye surgery Thursday morning in Little Rock.
• Natalie Nelson's Father, Wendell Fenton, has prayer pager 784-7490 through the week while Natalie accompanies him to Little Rock for testing and consultation with a specialist.
• Pearl Shields is in Health South Rehab following a stroke.
• Sharon Barker request prayers for her sister, Jan Murphy. Jan was diagnosed with cancer and will be having surgery April 12.
 
**Sympathy**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Louise Howard in the death of her father, Clarence Reed. Funeral services were Wednesday at Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Adam Jenkins
• Anita Maxwell
• Chuck Cunningham
• Don Green
• Fred Jackson
• Irene Willis
• Kathleen Taranto
• Larry Treat
• Louise Cline
• Lynne Alexander
• Palmer Richardson
• Paul Flippo
• Vicki Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
 
**Placing Membership**
Cindy Yielding
4906 St. Andrew’s Way
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone:  (479) 462-9478
 
I recently moved to Fort Smith, and I’d like to place membership here because I’ve come to know this church as one that truly represents the body of Christ. I see arms that reach, hands that touch and words that teach. Thank you to those who have made me feel so welcome.
 Cindy Yielding
 
**Changes of Address**
Sarah & Gene Smith
P.O. Box 4535
Fort Smith, AR 72914
 
Anita Maxwell
5100 South Zero, Apt. 3909
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone: 649-9824
 
Kevin & Christy Hesslen
Hope, Hannah & Hunter
1159 Mt. Harmony Road
Greenwood, AR 72936
Phone number later
 
**Note of Thanks**
Dear Church Family,
Thank you so much for your prayers, cards, and also the donation made to West-Ark Church of Christ in memory of my sister, Betty Brewer.
 Love,
 Jo Griffin
 
Your kind and thoughtful expressions of sympathy in the loss of my mother, Beatrice neighbors, is deeply appreciated. The flowers are lovely.
 Jo and Bud Harper
 
To the West-Ark Church Family,
Thank you so much for your visits, prayers, calls, and cards during my hospital stay. They meant so much to me. I am improving. Hope to be able to return to worship soon. Please continue to pray for me.
 In Christian love,
 Theresa Wieser 3/30/05
 
Dear Church Family,
I wanted to give an update on Maile. She had her treatment and spinal tap yesterday, and everything went extremely well.  She is still clear, and we are so grateful to you for all of your prayers. God has been so good to us, and we give Him all the glory. Thank you again for remembering our Maile. Please keep her in your prayers this week as she goes through the effects of the treatment.
 Jeanie McDonald 4/5/05
 
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**Guyana Mission Funds**
Our cost of $2,300 per person is due by April 15. If you plan to contribute to the team or a specific team member, please give your donation soon. We thank you if you have already contributed. Please pray for us.
 
**Motherly Love Program**
A sign-up sheet is posted in the Information Center for all women (younger and older) who want to participate. The first motherly love dinner is May 19th.
 
**60+ Potluck**
Saturday, April 16
6:00 p.m. in the FLC
Bring your favorite game!
 
**Auditorium Bible Class**
We will begin a study of 1 & 2 Timothy starting Sunday morning, April 10th.
 
**Clothing Ministry**
We are now collecting:
• Spring & summer clothing (no winter clothing, please)
• Housewares
Donations may be dropped off at the church office (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
 
**Guyana Needs**
We need sunglasses and
children’s vitamins for Guyana.
Please add your donations
to the boxes in the foyer.
 
**Birthday Announcement**
Please join our family in celebrating the 90th birthday of LeRoy Null.
Come and Go Reception
April 9, 2-4 p.m.
Bob and Patty Null
1530 River Overlook Loop
Van Buren, AR
Call for directions:
474-0529 or 285-5509.
Cards only, please.
 
**Wedding Invitation**
Mr. & Mrs. Joel David Johnson
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Melissa Ruth to
Mr. Robert Andrew Rye
Saturday, April 16
at half past six o’clock
First Presbyterian Church
Fort Smith, Arkansas
 
**April is Autism Awareness Month**
If you know a family with an autistic child, take the time to pray for and encourage them. Flyers with information on a local Christian support group are in the foyer.
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
April 17
Dave Cogswell
Barry Neal
 
April 18
Ronnie Abernathy
Darra Dismuke
 
April 19
Kevin Hesslen
 
April 20
Jenny Atchison
Wyatt Benjamin
Chase Turpin
Robin Webber
Lauren Willis
 
April 21
Inez Hatfield
Jewell House
 
April 22
Valerie Beshears
Lindsay Hines
 
April 23
Sarah Jane Gilley
Erin Mason
Mia Nelson
 
**Coming Events**
Gospel Meeting
Poteau Church of Christ
Friday & Saturday, April 15-16
7:00 each evening.
Bill Wallace, Preaching
 
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
Dayton Church of Christ
Saturday, April 23
7:30 a.m.
For further information, call Larry Bridges at (479) 996-2625.
 
9th Street Church of Christ
Invitational 3-on-3 Youth Basketball Tournament
April 23, 2005, Tip off @ 10 a.m.
Registration 9:15 to 9:45 a.m.
Rules and Registration forms are in the
West-Ark church office.
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
If you are new at West-Ark, you may not know about our involvement in a special youth series for 7th-12th graders called Sunday Night Live that takes place once a month at various congregations in Northwest Arkansas.
 
The purpose of SNL is to get teens together to worship, fellowship, and strengthen their relationships with each other. Our teens need to know they have brothers and sisters in Christ in the various schools and communities they are involved with throughout the year.
 
We now have 8 different churches participating in Sunday Night Live: West-Ark, Pleasant Valley (Van Buren), North Street (Fayetteville), Johnson, Robinson Avenue (Springdale), Southside (Rogers), Bentonville, and Mt. Hope (Joplin, MO).
 
We take a break from the regular schedule from June – August when youth groups are traveling about for various camps, retreats, and mission trips. Our next SNL will take place this Sunday night in Bentonville at the Bentonville Church of Christ.
 
We will leave the parking lot at 4:00 p.m., and we will return by 9:30 p.m. A meal will be provided after services and there is NO COST to our teens. Big thanks to the Bentonville congregation for hosting us this week. West-Ark will host SNL in October. Come join us for a great night. Moms and dads are welcome too!
 
**Great News**
Congratulations to Jamie Redmond and Reanna Pearson (seniors at Alma High School). Jamie started attending West-Ark about a year ago through the efforts of Shane and Audra Bocksnick. Jamie was baptized by Shane Bocksnick on March 17th, and she helped lead her friend Reanna to Christ this week. Shane baptized Reanna on Wednesday, April 6th.
 
**Second Sunday Nursery**
 
A.M. Infants
Trish Carson
Morgan Dunavin
Dwonne Cogswell
Vicki Anderson
 
P.M. Nursery
Terri Jones
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 697
Bible Classes  401
Sunday Evening 193
Wednesday PM  346
Contribution   $19,753
Children’s Home   $195
Hispanic Contribution $150
AM Hispanic Attendance  39
 
Laotian Contribution $241
Laotian Attendance 28
The Way Contribution $58
The Way Attendance 38
 
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax  (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
http://www.westark.org/
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"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
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