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Family
Lines Newsletter, June 9,
2005
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**Definitions**
By David Chadwell
Isaiah 5:20 "Woe to those who call evil good, and
good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who
substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!"
Luke 11:34, 35 "The eye is the lamp of your body;
when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is
bad, your body also is full of darkness. Then watch out that the light in you is
not darkness."
When was the last time you heard or read (in a
serious interview, news report, or public conversation) the words jail or
penitentiary? Those words basically have been replaced with the
appropriate correctional facilities. How often do you hear words like
crazy or handicapped?
Remember when gay was a good word referring to
an innocent, wonderful time? Years ago Joyce and I were visiting a
congregation in a distant state. A large group was to eat together at a
place requiring a reservation. Even with a reservation, a wait was
required. When our group was called, they called for the Chadwell
party. I was a bit surprised. Then our hosts (friends from the
past) whose name was Gaye turned to me and said, You didnt expect us to have
them call for the Gaye party, did you?
It is amazing how words have disappeared from
common vocabulary, or have been redefined, or have become acceptable, or have
come into existence within the last 30 to 50 years and are now common vocabulary
words.
Since language is alive and reflects a society as
it is, the fact that words change is a good thing if changes bring improvements
in concepts and communication. To me, the key is seen in the word
improvements. I certainly realize what is an improvement may involve a
truly subjective response. Virtually no reality exists that does not
offend someone. We can pursue good self-images with such a passion that we
ignore reality. Should I feel good about myself when I actually need to
recognize and address some major flaws evident in who and what I
am?
We cannot define ourselves into
righteousness. The Isaiah statement came in a series of highly unpopular
woes declared to self-professed godly people. By their concepts, they
were very godly people. By Gods concepts, they behaved in deplorable
ways. They were godly people in their own eyes because they swapped the
meaning of words.
The people who lived in Lukes world feared
darkness. Good things happened in daylight; bad things happened in
darkness. Jesus said the worst kind of darkness is the darkness that
occurs inside the person. He warned, Do not shut out light, because if
you do you only intensify the darkness.
I deceive myself, not God, when I seek to transform
my lifestyle and behavior by redefining words instead of changing the way I
live.
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
Ann Combs
father, Bob Callicott, had surgery on June 1st to stabilize vertebrae. It went
well. He will begin chemotherapy treatments soon.
Adam Jenkins will have
brain surgery June 14 at Childrens Medical Center in Dallas. Please read the
note from Kerry & Dena in Family Update. The Jenkins family has
prayer pager 441-2591. It is our newest pager and also works in Texas.
Vicki Hardin will have a spinal cord stimulation implant on June 15.
Greg
Dockery requests prayers for his aunt, Lynda Dockery. She is hospitalized with
diabetes and several other health problems.
Continue to pray for Bill
Houlker, Roy & Joyce Dunavins son-in-law in New Zealand.
Don Green has
prayer pager 441-2593. His conditioned has worsened in the past few days.
Wendell Fenton (Natalie Nelsons father) has prayer pager 784-7490.
Lewis Livesay had out-patient hernia surgery Thursday (6/9/05).
**Continued Prayers**
Anita Maxwell
Audra
(Beard) Bocksnick
Charles Hill (Trevas grandfather)
Chuck
Cunningham
Gene Smith
Jay Wood
John Fowler
Larry Treat
Maile McDonald
Mary Vampola
Paul Flippo
Therese Wieser
Vicki
Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended
to the following families:
Anna Holley and Doris Stokes in the death of
their father, Floyd Douthit, a long-time West-Ark member. Graveside services
were Wednesday morning at National Cemetery in Fort Smith.
Jeanetta Falls
in the death of her brother-in-law, Cleo Falls on Monday. Graveside services are
1:00 p.m. Friday in Aplin, Arkansas.
Jake Atchison in the death of his
grandfather, Charles S. Bud Taylor. Graveside services are Friday, 10 a.m. at
National Cemetery.
**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.
**Guyana Mission Team**
The Guyana mission team
is scheduled to return to the Fort Smith airport at 8:40 on Sunday night, June
12, on Northwest flight 5770. Please pray for their safe return.
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
**Baptisms**
Azia Blasdel was baptized
in the hotel pool Tuesday night in Guyana. Azia and her parents are part of the
Guyana Mission team!
Victoria Hernandez was baptized May 26 by Oscar
Nolasco. Victorias address is 119 North 39th Street, Fort Smith,
AR.
**Wedding
Shower**
You are reminded of the shower honoring Bill Wilson
and Paige Freeland on Sunday, June
12, from 1:30 3:00 p.m. in the home of Jill Roberts, 2304 Dundee Drive. Men
are welcomed to attend! Bill &
Paige are registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond and Dillards.
**Family Update**
Dear Church
Family,
The big news is that we have decided to go ahead with the
Chiari surgery. Both neurosurgeons that we consulted basically said the
same thing which was that if no other tests explained the cause for Adams
difficulties, then the Chiari surgery would be the way to go. Obviously,
not the most ideal situation for brain surgery for your child,
but
we have exhausted all
tests and have prayed so fervently to God (as have you for which we are
thankful) for his healing and for answers to help our Little Bud. Many
doors have been opened, making us believe that this is Gods answer to our
prayers. His surgery will be June 14 at Childrens Medical Center in
Dallas.
As a means to keep everyone updated as quickly as
possible, Kerry has worked really hard on creating a website for Adam. This site
will continue to provide written updates, photos and the ability to send text
messages to our email and cell phones at the same time! Please feel free to
visit Adams site at www.jenkinssite.com/
. Again, we cant tell you how much your prayers mean to us. Please
keep them coming! To God be all the glory!
Love you
all!
Kerry & Dena (6/6/05)
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**New Grandchild**
Congratulations to Paul and
Coleen Shirley on the birth of a granddaughter, Anna Elizabeth Shirley, born to
Ben & Laci on June 6. Anna weighed 7 lbs., 5 ozs.
**Notes from River Valley Christian
School**
Philippians 1:3-5
Dear West-Ark Church of Christ,
Thank you
for following God and participating these past seven years with River Valley
Christian School. We are so appreciative and thankful for your love, support and
use of your great church! Our oldest daughter was in the first graduating
class, our son was in the final graduating class and our youngest daughter was
in the 9th grade. Each of them were encouraged at school to walk with God and to
do their work with excellence. Your church has been a great witness in sharing
what God has given you. Thank you for opening your church to our school from
the first day until now. May God continue to bless you.
Our love in
Christ,
Don & Nancy Marley
Laura, Daniel &
Jill
Dear West-Ark Staff,
Thank you so much for your
sweet spirits and kindness to me over the past several years. As the secretary
for RVCS, I witnessed nothing but helpfulness, thoughtfulness and kindness from
all of you. Your church family, WINGS, and everyone I came in contact with were
all so sweet. Pray for all of us (RVCS) as we start a new work for the
Lord.
Sincerely,
Trisha Keys
**FLC Kitchen Needs**
dish towels
dish
cloths
**Attention Newsletter Subscribers**
(Note: this request does not apply to e-mail subscribers.)
We are updating our files!
If you are not
a member of West-Ark Church of Christ, but wish to continue receiving this
newsletter, Family Lines, by regular mail, please let us know.
You can call,
write, or e-mail, but we DO want to hear from you.
Contact information
(phone number, address, and e-mail address) are on page 4 of this newsletter.
**Happy Birthday**
June 19
Kaitlin
Jones
June 20
Jeannie Cole
Ronnie Galloway
Kerry
Jenkins
J. T. Smith
Kent Smith
June 21
Leslie Frederick
June 22
Shelly Perkins
June 23
Nash Burkett
Doris Karr
Rebecca
Myers
June 24
Tricia Carson
June 25
Debbie Hendrix
John Kamp
Betty
Porter
**Sunday Morning**
Chris Benjamin,
Speaker
Mark 1 & 2
**Sunday Evening**
Solving the Problem of
Faith
David Chadwell, Speaker
**Combined Summer LIFE Groups **
Sundays at 6
p.m. in Room 200.
**West-Arks VBS is July 18-21**
VBS planning is
in full swing. If you havent been contacted yet, dont give up hope. Were
still making contacts.
We do have some needs already.
We need to
borrow an anvil for the metal workers shop. If you have one or know of one we
could borrow, please contact Karen Benjamin (414-8166).
We also need
volunteers to cut out 10 pairs of sandals each. If lots of people help, it will
save one person a lot of time. The material and instructions will be given to
you.
**VBS at Rena Road **
June 20-24, 9:30 to
11:30
(age 2 through grade 12)
**VBS at Valley View**
June 20-22, 6:30 8:30
p.m.
(age 2 through adults)
**Gospel Meeting at Rena Road**
June
13-15
Singing at 6:30 p.m.
Worship at 7:30 p.m.
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad
Pistole
Special Welcome Party Sunday Night, June
12th
Family Life Center following 6:00 P.M. Service
All 7th 12th graders
invited!
Congratulations to all of our new 7th graders at
West-Ark. This past Sunday, June 5th was promotion Sunday, and we are excited
about all of our new students and families.
We will have a special Welcome Party this coming
Sunday night, June 12th in the Family Life Center immediately after the 6 p.m.
service. All of our 7th-12th graders are invited to join us for worship from 6-7
p.m. in the youth room. Then, we will go downstairs for some fun and
fellowship.
Our 8th-9th graders need to bring a dessert and our
10th-12th graders need to bring a 2-liter drink. Everything else will be
provided. You will also need to bring casual clothes as we just might play a
game (or two or three).
We are thankful for new teens and new perspectives.
We know that God has BIG PLANS for our new 7th graders, and we look forward to
helping them as they mature in their relationship with Christ.
We will wrap things up at 9 p.m. Mom and Dad,
you are more than welcome to join us for worship and for the party.
Come join us and take part in making a difference
in the lives of our young people!
**A.M. Nursery**
Trish Carson
Morgan
Dunavin
Dwonne Cogswell
Vicki Anderson
**P.M. Nursery**
Terri Jones
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM
Worship 587
Bible Classes 394
Sunday Evening NC
Wednesday
PM 317
Contribution $20,941
Childrens Home
$198
Hispanic Contribution $139
AM Hispanic Attendance 44
Laotian
Contribution $262
Laotian Attendance 22
The Way Contribution $94
The
Way Attendance 25
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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