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Family Lines Newsletter, April 14, 2005
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**In Spite of Everything, It Is Happening!**
By David Chadwell
 
I do not like it, but not “liking it” does not have a vote!  A week ago I signed up for Medicare.  Yep, I had to admit that 65 is coming fast.  I love the prospect of health insurance that is more than a catastrophe safety net.  I love not receiving a letter from a health insurance company turning me down “because you are not the right shape.”  What is that?  Weight--okay.  Blood pressure problems--nil.  Health problems--little.  Family history of cancer or heart problems--no.  However, “shape” is a problem! Statistically I was a heath risk!  Fortunately, Medicare did not care about my “shape.”  Yes, I have to acquire a supplemental policy, but comparatively that is an incredible bargain—and I won’t be turned down!
 
“If the prospect of having decent health insurance is so wonderful, what do you not like?”  I do not like what age is doing to me.  At least at this point for me, aging is the incredible journey that constantly discovers “what you cannot do any more.”  One question I never had to ask myself as an adult was, “Can you do that?”  In the past, if “it” needed doing and opportunity existed, I did it.  No more!  Now everything is prefaced with that awful question, “Can I do that?”
 
Now my key word at this point in life is “transition.”  In the past I told myself, “If I need to, next year I can …” Surely I was aware of life’s uncertainties, and hopefully I took little for granted.  However, even with uncertainties I had options and opportunities.  Today there are question marks, and they keep getting bigger!  Even with life’s uncertainties, I liked options and opportunities much better than question marks!
 
In this time of transition, I constantly find a challenge that was totally unexpected.  “What challenge?”  The challenge to faith.  As I look over things in my past, I always leave moments of reflection with the same question: “Did I do that because of faith in me or because of faith in God?”
 
I constantly find myself tested with this question: “Can God use this to accomplish His purposes?”  That is not a new question or an age question.  Many Christians encounter the same question with a health crisis, a disease crisis, a relationship crisis, a family crisis, a career crisis, or [in fact] a genuine crisis of any kind.
 
The faith issue for a Christian is quite simple:  “Can God use adversity as well as blessing to achieve His purposes in human existence?  Or, is adversity blessing us?”  Somehow that sounds very un-American.  However, it sounds very God-centered.  The God who used a cross to provide me a perfect Savior can use my challenges and transitions to strengthen my salvation in Jesus Christ.  The focus is not “do I like it.”  The focus is God can use any human experience to achieve His purposes.
 
Ephesians 3:20, 21 "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
 
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Sharon Barker’s nephew, Malcolm “Mac” Murphy, has been upgraded from critical to stable condition following a car accident in Hot Springs on Sunday.  Sharon’s sister/Mac’s mother, Jan Murphy, has postponed her cancer surgery until Thursday (4/14/05). A portion of an e-mail update from Sharon is included in “Notes of Thanks.” 
• Allie Whitaker is in Sparks Hospital, room 583 following knee surgery.
• Eugene Smith is in Sparks Hospital, room 440.
• Kay Cole is in room 237B at Health South Rehab.
• Natalie Nelson's Father, Wendell Fenton, is still in Little Rock for tests following his recent diagnoses of Multiple Myeloma. He has prayer pager 784-7490.
• Pearl Shields is in Health South Rehab following a stroke.
• Martha Gunter requests prayers for Frances Williams in Crawford County Hospital.
• Theresa Wieser is going back to Sparks Hospital Thursday (4/14/05) for a third surgery on her ankle. She expects to be there for 2-3 days.
 
**Dismissed from the Hospital**
• Jeanetta Falls
• Aline Phillips
• Sarah Newton
• Chad Graham (grandson of Daphne Israel)
 
**Sympathy**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Milton Hendrix in the death of his father, Curtis on Tuesday afternoon. Funeral services are Friday, 10 a.m. at Gregory Chapel Church of Christ in Alma, AR.
 
Our love and sympathy is also extended to Willie Lyle in the death of her son, Ronald Lyle. Funeral services were Tuesday.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Adam Jenkins
• Anita Maxwell
• Betty Pence, mother of Cyndi Glidewell
• Chuck Cunningham
• Don Green
• Fred Jackson
• Jay Arnold
• Jay Wood
• Kathleen Taranto
• Larry Treat
• Maile McDonald
• Palmer Richardson
• Paul Flippo
• Vicki Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• __________ in Laos
• Thomas & Kindy Kweekul in Thailand and Laos
• __________ in Vietnam 
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France
• Jerry Canfield in Nigeria (April 19 May 4)
 
**Prayers for Men in Service**
Matthew Faries, Shane L. Newton, Daniel Kweekul, Aaron Bailey, Philip Lux, Adam Morrissun, Ronnie Wheat, and David Jennen.
 
**Baptism**
Congratulations to Jamie Richardson who made the decision to be baptized into Christ on Wednesday night. Jamie was baptized by her father-in-law, Fred Jackson. 
 
**Babysitter Needed**
Jamie and Stephen Richardson need childcare for their son, Caidence (age 5).  The hours are noon to 9 p.m. Thursday through Monday. If you can help, please call them at 871-2626. Caidence will start Kindergarten in the fall.  
 
**Change of Phone Number**
Cyndi Yielding’s phone number has changed to 414-8057.
 
**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you so much for your prayers, please keep praying, God is listening, God is at work here… The doctors stand amazed that Mac is still with us, the nurses have told us, that ONLY GOD could have sustained Mac to this point, but we all already knew that. … He remains on life support, though they have turned down the oxygen levels some. … Please pray for Marly's family, her funeral is today.  We love all of you so much. Thank you for your prayers. Jeremiah 32:17
 Love,
 The Barker Family (4/13/05)
 [edited for length] 
 
Dear Friends & Family at West-Ark,
Thank you so much for the baby shower. Your kindness and gifts are very appreciated. It’s great to be a part of such a loving church family.
 Love,
 Jamey & Amy Burkhart
 Jacob & Jaci
 
Dear Family,
Thank you so very much for the prayers extended on my behalf, the cards, visits, calls, and flowers. I appreciate them so much, and they brightened some dark days. I love all of you so much and pray for God’s blessing on each of you.
 In Him,
 Kay Cole
 
I wanted to write a quick note from the Multiple Myeloma Institute Library here in Little Rock.  We just wanted to let you know that the prayer pager has been the most incredible source of encouragement to my dad and mom.  The week is going smoothly, and we will be here until Thursday.  We appreciate all the prayers and we can certainly feel them. We just wanted to let you know we can feel your love and prayers all the way over in Little Rock, and we truly appreciate it.  Thanks so much.  See you soon.   
 Love,
 Natalie Nelson
 
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**Trip to Nigeria and a Benevolent Opportunity**
Lord willing, I will be leaving for Nigeria on April 19.  I will be taking Bible study video tapes, so space is limited.  I do need to take two each Braille Bibles and large print Bibles.  If you are willing to donate same, please see me. 
 
Visiting several Nigerian congregations always presents many benevolence opportunities.  The following is one.  Emanuel Nwosu was one of the best of the Nigerian evangelists.  He was very helpful and almost always traveled with groups from West-Ark on trips to the Benue and Kogi States.  He unexpectedly died in his early 50's.  He left his wife and several children, none of whom had completed their high school education (so as to get employment and help the younger children).  The Nigerian brethren have tried to help.  Stephen Okoronkwo hired the oldest daughter as a librarian in his school in Aba.  Some money was raised to buy grinding equipment for the widow to use in the village to help support her family. But the assistance has not been sufficient. 
 
Several of the younger children do not have school fees.  I would like to raise approximately $2000 to make some permanent assistance available to complete the education of the children and provide permanent employment to some of the older who could then help the younger.  I remember West-Ark's generosity in raising money for the funeral expenses of the young child who died untimely, and I believe that a similar effort should be made for the children of a dedicated gospel preacher who always was helpful to our efforts in Nigeria.  There are interested, helpful brethren in Nigeria, including Dr. Robert Whittaker, who know the family well and who can properly handle any financial assistance. If you wish to help, please make your contribution payable to the West-Ark Church of Christ with a "Nigeria" notation. 
 Jerry Canfield
 JCanfield@dailywoods.com
 
**Financial Responsibility Workshop Scheduled**
There will be a financial responsibility workshop held on May 7, 2005 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the church annex. Babysitting will be provided.
 
The topics to be covered are:
• What the Bible says about financial matters
• Budgeting
• Setting financial goals
• Commonly misunderstood tax issues
• The need for wills, living wills, and trusts.
 
Paul Shirley, Ralph Harmon and Jordan Walker will be the class leaders. Please RSVP to Jordan Walker at 479 785-5923.
 
**Guyana Mission Funds**
Our cost of $2,300 per person is now due. If you plan to contribute to the team or a specific team member, please give your donation ASAP. We thank you if you have already contributed. Please continue to pray for us.
 
**Guyana Needs**
We need sunglasses and children’s vitamins. Please add your donations
to the boxes in the foyer.
 
**Tutor Needed**
Jack Lewis is in need of a tutor to teach adults how to read. If you would like to volunteer, call Jack at 459-0168 or e-mail him at jfredlewis@wmconnect.com .
 
**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
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
April 23
Louise Cline
 
April 24
Gary Green
Cristy Pressley
Wes Sawyer
 
April 25
Karen Carter
Adriane Martin
Madine Rose
 
April 27
Clark Risley
 
April 28
Michael Cole
Janet Gunter
Genneil Nye
 
April 29
Jim Selig
 
April 30
Rebekah Broom
Matthew Carson
 
**60+ Potluck**
Saturday, April 16
6:00 p.m. in the FLC
Bring your favorite game!
 
**Clinton Library Trip**
Thursday, April 28
A sign-up sheet and details are posted on the “coming events” board in the Information Center (foyer). All ages are welcome.
 
**Sunday Morning**
A Beautiful Thing
Chris Benjamin, Speaker
 
**Sunday Evening**
John Priester and Lions for Christ
will lead us in worship.
 
** “Written Without Ink” **
Chris Benjamin's web journal.
http://www.westark.org/benjamin/blog.htm
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
By now, I’m sure someone has asked you the question we all get asked at this point in the year, “So, what are your plans for this summer?”
 
The answer to this question varies from things like “sleeping late” to “hanging out” to “baseball, golf, tennis,” or “spending time at the lake.”  There’s also the standard answer a few people always seem to give … I’m going to do “as little as possible.”
 
While these answers may seem normal, something seems to be missing. It seems like we continue to go through the same old cycles every year. We are so ready for the summer break to arrive that we can hardly wait.
 
We dream about “hanging out, going to the lake, playing sports, sleeping late, etc.” Yet, in a very short time, we are usually “bored to tears” and ready for school to start again. Isn’t it strange how this works?
 
Why is it that “hanging out, sleeping late, and doing whatever you want” doesn’t seem to satisfy? Why does it lose its appeal so quickly? After all, that freedom is exactly what we were craving.
 
Maybe it’s because God is the only one that can fill us up inside. What would our summer be like if our answer to the question in the first paragraph was “this summer, I plan to do whatever it takes to make my relationship with God my #1 priority.”
 
Want to try something new this summer? Go to www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/youth
Look at our calendar of events for this summer and make plans now to G-R-O-W!
 
**A.M. Nursery**
Gail Mason
Bo Mason
Flora Johnson
Kristy Abernathy
 
**P.M. Nursery**
Sheila Vaught
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 646
Bible Classes  426
Sunday Evening 255
Wednesday PM  342
Contribution   $15,043
Children’s Home   $248
Hispanic Contribution $150
AM Hispanic Attendance  45
 
Laotian Contribution $243
Laotian Attendance 25
the Way Contribution $42
the Way Attendance 60
 
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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