------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Lines Newsletter, June 2, 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**The Challenges of Being A Christian With An Open Mind**
By David Chadwell
 
Romans 14:16,17 “Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
 
By God’s design, Judaism in the Bible was smallness that focused on retaining smallness.  Israel was a small nation—so small that all the men of the nation were commanded to assemble in a designated place three times yearly to worship God (Deuteronomy 16:16).
 
In contrast, Christianity, by God’s design, is enormous (Matthew 13:31-43).  It is worldwide in existence, outreach, and influence.
 
Often God’s people victimize themselves through their expectations.  First century Israel struggled to grasp that God loved and cared about all mankind.  Their expectations declared God loved only people who did things the way Israel did them.  Sometimes we struggle with the same understanding.  It is easy to think God is happy if “He just has us.”
 
Opening our minds to the fullness of God’s purposes is easily intended, but challenging to do.  It is too easy to dismiss a concern from God by saying, “That is not what God wants!” or “God is not like that!” or “God is not interested in those things!”  Too often it is we who do not want that, or do not like that, or have no interest in that.  Most of us cannot image God not having the same concerns and focus “I have.”
 
The prophet Isaiah said of God (Isaiah 55:8, 9) “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  Paul told Athens’ elite they should not think of God in terms of a piece of physical art work produced by humans (Acts 17:29).  Paul also reminded Christians that God did the unimaginable:  “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:33-36).
 
The challenge an open mind presents to the Christian is not the challenge to believe anything declared by people, but to believe everything declared by God.  It is not to be easily deceived by human reasoning, but to be open to God’s word.  It is not to be lead by the desires of people, but to be open to the heart of God.  It is not to seek the praise of people, but to never stop seeking God’s purposes in Jesus Christ.
 
It is the willingness to let God lead us as we grow in understanding.  It is the willingness to refuse to attempt to manipulate God.  It is the willingness to repent and redirect life any time such repentance and redirection is needed.  It is the willingness to refuse to shackle God’s work by our expectations.  It is the willingness to free Jesus Christ from our expectations.  It is the willingness to listen as the word speaks to us rather than dictating to the word its meaning.  Quite a challenge, isn’t it?
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Ann Combs’ father, Bob Callicott, had surgery in Houston June 1st to fuse 3 vertebrae. He has an aggressive cancer that will also require chemotherapy.
• Earl Flood is in St. Edward Hospital, Room 3315. He had some heart problems Wednesday afternoon and was admitted for observation and a stress test.
• Bill Houlker’s condition has worsened, and he was readmitted to the hospital. Bill is Roy & Joyce Dunavin’s son-in-law. Bill & Becky live in New Zealand.
• Don Green has prayer pager 441-2593.
• Wendell Fenton (Natalie Nelson’s father) has prayer pager 784-7490.
• Floyd Douthit is in Sparks Hospital, Room 420, with a staph infection.
• Anita Maxwell will have a CT scan on June 7th.
• Audra (Beard) Bocksnick is scheduled for laparoscopic surgery June 2 in Tulsa.
• Charles Hill (Treva’s grandfather) is in St. Edward Hospital, room 5419.
• We are thankful to report that Bill Moss is home from the hospital and doing well.
• Prayer is requested for Zachary Scott, age 5. Zachary is at Children’s Hospital with 3rd degree burns.
• Cameron Armstrong had his tonsils removed Tuesday.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Adam Jenkins
• Chuck Cunningham
• Gene Smith
• Jay Wood
• Larry Treat
• Maile McDonald
• Mary Vampola
• Paul Flippo
• Therese Wieser
• Vicki Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
 
**Prayers for Men in Service**
Matthew Faries, Shane L. Newton, Daniel Kweekul, Aaron Bailey, Philip Lux, Adam Morrissun, Ronnie Wheat, David Jennen, and Jacob Roper.
 
**Prayers for Guyana Mission Team**
Our 15th annual Guyana medical mission team is scheduled to depart the Fort Smith airport on Saturday, June 4, at 6:40 a.m. Please keep these West-Ark missionaries in your prayers.
Christy Anders
Sandy Berger
Azia Blasdel
Missy Blasdel
Michael Blasdel
Richard Bullard
Shirley Bullard
Michael Cole
Joyce Dunavin
Roy Dunavin
Colleen Frost
Jim Hardin
Nancy James
Glenda Lewis
Jack Lewis
Charlotte Pinedo
Larry Roper
Niketa Stinchcomb
 
**Change of Address**
Paula May
2701 South 56th, Apt. 1
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone: 452-6747
 
**Big Changes Ahead!!**
We would like to invite all current teachers and all who may be interested in teaching ages 3 years through 1st grade to a meeting this SUNDAY, June 5, at 5:15 in Room 100 to receive an update from the Planning Team on the decisions that have been made thus far.  Come be a part of this very exciting time of changes for our kids!
 
**Wedding Shower**
A shower honoring Paige Freeland and Bill Wilson is planned for Sunday, June 12, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. in the home of Jill Roberts, 2304 Dundee Drive. Men are welcomed to attend! The couple is registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond and Dillards.
 
**Note of Thanks**
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your prayers, telephone calls and cards. I will be having radiation treatments five days a week for a total of thirty-three treatments. I would appreciate your continued prayers.
 Mary Vampola (5/24/05)
 
**Do you have a need?**
I can help. For a small fee, I can house sit, baby sit, or help with elder care; run errands, transport you to doctor appointments or provide out-of-town driving for appointment or trip needs; do light housekeeping, cooking, filing, bill paying, etc. Call me at 629-6005.
 Linda Shank
 (Dorothy Harwell’s daughter)
 (Debra Willis’ sister)
 
**Missing**
• 4 assorted butter knives
The knives were misplaced after the Motherly Love dinner. Coleen Shirley has collected them over the years. If you recently found 4 different butter knives in a Wal-Mart sack, please give Coleen a call at 474-5256.
 
**Vacation Bible School 2005**
July 18-21 will be here before we know it!  There is a place for everyone! 
Contacts:
• To be a Family Leader/Helper; Rochelle Brown (646-4105)
• To be a Marketplace Shop Keeper/Helper; Karen Benjamin (414-8166).
 
**Widows/Widowers**
June 4, we’ll leave the Annex at 11:30 a.m. to go eat lunch and ride the trolley.
 
**Car Clinic**
We’ll meet Saturday, June 4, from 8 – 11 a.m. at the Annex for our car clinic (weather permitting).
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
** “Jump Start Your Week” **
Summer LIFE Groups combine and begin meeting together Sunday, June 5, 6:00 p.m. in Room 200.

**Lions for Christ**
The LFC’s are collecting used CD’s and DVD’s to send to Operation Razorback, an organization that supports local troops (from Arkansas and Oklahoma) while they are stationed in the Middle East. A box is in the Campus Room for donations.
 
**FLC Kitchen Needs**
• dish towels
• dish cloths

**Sunday Morning**
“The Good News of Jesus Christ”
Mark 1
Chris Benjamin
 
**Sunday Evening**
“Going Back to Where We Started”
David Chadwell
 
**Written Without Ink**
http://www.westark.org/benjamin/blog.htm
 
**Snippets from David**
http://www.westark.org/chadwell/blog.htm
 
**Happy Birthday**
Eleanor Casey celebrated her
91st birthday on June 1st!
 
June 12
Barbara Aldridge
June 13
Randy Moss
June 14
Marcia Dye
Lynnette Purvis
John Wood
June 15
Christopher Burress
William Burress
Beverly Ingram
Jeffrey Nolasco
June 16
Kalen Griffin
Loretta Loudermilk
June 17
Louise Hamilton
Marquetta Walker
June 18
Dale Brown
 
**Nigerian Benevolence Contribution Report**
By Jerry Canfield
 
For my recent trip to Nigeria, I asked for financial assistance to meet benevolence opportunities which are presented during such a trip, and especially for assistance for the family of the recently deceased evangelist, Emanuel Nwosu.  As usual, the congregation was very generous. $7,885.00 was contributed for this purpose and taken to Nigeria. This is a summary report of the uses made of the benevolence funds.  There is more information in individual reports for those of you who would like to review the “longer version.”
 
In summary, the following uses were made of the funds:
 
1. $2,220.00 provided to the family members of Emanuel Nwosu, deceased, with an additional $950.00 (total of $3,170.00) held in reserve for future school tuition and other expenses;
2. $1,700.00 reserved for medical care for Itofa Ivarah (individual report available);
3. $275.00 assistance (individual report available) to blind evangelist Fredrick Ofutu from Cross River State to pay his annual home rental;
4. $500.00 paid to Nigerian Christian Hospital on the medical bills (in excess of $800.00) for Maria, sister of Fredrick Ofutu and the mother of two children, who had been in NCH for more than a month being treated for breast cancer;
5. $500.00 to Daniel Ogbonna, a long time evangelist who is currently serving as a chaplain at Nigerian Christian Hospital and as an evangelist with a local congregation, for the purpose of paying tuition expenses for two of his children who are in the process of completing a college degree program and a technical school program;
6. $250.00 to Joy Nwosu, wife of evangelist Brecwaits Nwosu, to be used for clothing for Joy and their five children (a portion of a contribution by Mat Griffin);
7. $250.00 to Beatrice Nwachukwu, wife of evangelist Christian Nwachukwu, to be used for clothing for Beatrice and their four children (a portion of contribution by Mat Griffin);
8. $100.00 to David Ukagdu, an Mbaise area evangelist as a contribution to the funeral expenses incurred at the death of his mother-in-law;
9. $100.00 to NCH worker Jumbo (a portion of the contribution of Ben Pearson);
10. $250.00 to Ike Appollos, an NCH worker, for the purpose of paying two years’ rent on a shop for the trading business of his wife to enable the family to provide additional income for school fees for their children;
11. $200.00 to evangelist Raymond Omnumere of Agbanna, Anambra State;
12. $200.00 to evangelist Sunday Okah of Obokolo, Benue State;
13. $100.00 to evangelist Sunday Onah of Makurdai, Benue State;
14. $100.00 to evangelist Isaiah Adikwu of Makurdai (North Bank congregation), Benue State; and,
15. $200.00 to congregation at Okpoga, Benue State (report available).
 
Total $7,895.00
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**School's Out!!**
By Brad Pistole
 
The first official week of summer break has arrived and we are excited! Brad and the teens will leave this Sunday afternoon, June 5th for Senior High Week at Green Valley Bible Camp.
 
This first week of camp at GVBC focuses on developing leadership skills in our area 10th-12th graders. Teens from AR, OK, and MO will be present. Jackie Chesnutt, the pulpit minister from the Southside congregation in Rogers will be leading us through a study of I Timothy throughout the week.
 
Brad, Marshall Brown and several other area youth ministers and volunteers will be teaching classes and serving as cabin counselors. John Priester will take a group of the Lions For Christ up for a visit on Tuesday evening to lead the worship service and to make contact with potential future students at UAFS. Brad will also be speaking during the Wednesday night worship service.
 
This is one of the best weeks of Green Valley Bible Camp and it’s a great way to kick off the summer for area youth groups. Many of our students are going to camp this year during this week for the first time. Please be in prayer for the youth group as they travel to and from camp and pray specifically for their spiritual growth.
 
May God continue to bless our youth group and our families through the many activities he will lead us through during the summer of 2005!
 
**A.M. Nursery**
Melissa Walker
Dena Jenkins
Irene Willis
Annette Sharp
 
**P.M. Nursery**
Dixie Burkhart
Gina Williams
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 592
Bible Classes  NC
Sunday Evening NC
Wednesday PM  296
Contribution   $16,273
Children’s Home   $286
Hispanic Contribution $134
AM Hispanic Attendance  59
Laotian Contribution $305
Laotian Attendance 27
The Way Contribution $74
The Way Attendance 29
 
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax  (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------