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Family Lines Newsletter, September 15, 2005
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**Sometimes the Where Is Not Clear; Sometimes the Why Is Not Clear; Always the Who Must Be Clear.**
 
By David Chadwell
 
“Where are you going, Joshua?”  To conquer Canaan!  “How much area will you conquer?”  I don’t know.  “How long will it take?”  I don’t know.  “Will some of your men be killed?”  Certainly!  “Then why are you doing this?”  For two reasons:  (1) God is with us; (2) Canaan is God’s promised gift to us.
 
“David, where are you going?”  To the wilderness.  “Why?”  Saul is trying to kill me!  “Why?”  I don’t know—it does not make sense to me!  “How long will you be gone?”  I don’t know!  “Where will you stay?”  I don’t know! “Will you be okay?”  Surely—I am going to the wilderness; I am not leaving God.  God is there, too, you know.
 
“Why do you look so confused, Habakkuk?”  I am trying to figure out what God is doing!   “What is going on?”  God constantly gives me visions of horrible destruction on His people!  “Ah, I understand!”  I doubt it!  He will use the fierce, arrogant, wicked Babylonians to destroy Judah.  How can God use a people more wicked than Judah to destroy Judah.  Judah surely are not angels, but they are not as evil as the Babylonians.  Sorry; I must go—I have to figure this out!
 
“Why are you so despondent, Jesus?”  I am on my way to my execution.  “If you know where you are going, why go?”  God wants me to go.  “Aren’t your desires bigger than God’s will?”  No!  “Why?”  Simple—God’s purposes are significantly greater than my desires.  My desires focus on now.  God’s purposes focus on forever as He wars against evil. My body and mind scream ‘don’t die’, but my understanding realizes God’s purposes are bigger than me.
 
“Where are you going, Paul?”  I am going to my beating, or my shipwreck, or my stoning, or to my next dangerous journey, or my next personal struggle—take your pick.  “Paul, why knowingly have any of those experiences?”  Simple—I understand what God did for me in Jesus Christ. God’s gift and Jesus’ sacrifice far exceed my discomfort.  Besides, everyone needs to know what God did for him or her in Jesus!
 
Where are you going?  You don’t know?  You don’t even understand why?  You struggle to grasp the ‘eternal’ is bigger than the ‘now’—especially when ‘now’ seems real and the ‘eternal’ seems artificial?  Don’t be distressed by your confusion or your struggle!  Why?  For two reasons: (1) You are in good company; (2) God is there as surely as He is here.
 
Psalms 139:7-12 Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence?  If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.  If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will hold me.  If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,” even darkness is not dark to You, and night is bright as the day.  Darkness and light are alike to You.
 
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**Remember in Prayer**
• All those who are hurt, displaced, and grieved from the hurricane and its impact.
• Duane Walker is having an acute inner ear problem. The situation is difficult to diagnose, extremely painful, and makes his work as band director an impossible task. Duane has been referred to a specialist in Oklahoma City. He and Marquetta much need your prayers and encouragement in an extremely difficult time. Duane has prayer pager 441-2593.
• Loretta Loudermilk fell and broke her wrist.
• Missy Blasdel’s father, Dave Moore, is very ill and beginning a different chemo treatment.
• Ivy Davenport (Bruce’s father)
• Joan Jenkins (Kerry’s mother)
• Anna Ramsey is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3516. Anna is scheduled for additional surgery.
• Martha Gooden has requested prayers for the Fred McDonald family of Alma, AR. Fred died unexpectedly on Saturday. He was well known at the school systems in Alma, AR and Northside High School in Fort Smith.
• Lynette Purvis
• Barbara Perkins (Janet Jackson’s mother)
• Brian Stone (grandson of G.C. & Margaret)
• Vicki Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
• Bob Callicott (father of Ann Combs)
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• Maile McDonald, 441-6639
• Joan Jenkins, 1-800-421-5436
• Duane Walker, 441-2593
 
**Sympathy and Prayers**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the following families in the loss of their loved one.
• Michael Blasdel’s mother, Evonne Kelly, died Thursday morning (9/15/05) from cancer.
• John Priester’s grandmother, Arlene Priester, died Wednesday (9/14/05) in Wichita, Kansas.
• Lynn Peters’ sister, Jean Graham, died on 9/8/05 Funeral services were in McAllister, OK.
• Linda Jackson’s father, Dewey Jackson, died 9/8/05. He lived in the Fayetteville area.
 
**Prayers for Men in Service**
Matthew Faries, Shane L. Newton, Aaron Bailey, Adam Morrissun, Ronnie Wheat, David Jennen, Jacob Roper, Jackie Luong, Joe Armstrong, Alan Todd, Michael Gooden, and Brian Perkins.
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• Our missionaries in Laos and Vietnam.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France
 
**Change of Address**
Linda Shank
P.O. Box 10952
Fort Smith, AR 72917
Phone: 629-6005
 
**News From “The FLOCK”**
Please register your children at the FLOCK Information Station or you can print off a copy of the form at
http://www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/flock/ and then turn it in.
 
Parents, please make note of the following changes that are being made effective immediately.
1. Children need to be taken directly to the workshop for their group each class time. This applies to both Sunday morning and Wednesday evening classes. 
2. Wednesday night classes (2 year olds – 1st grade) will begin at 7:00 instead of 7:15 p.m.
 
Further explanation of these changes is available in a parent note at the FLOCK Information Station. Any questions, please contact any planning team member (Cathy Firm, Staci James, Dena Jenkins, Melody Priester.)
 
**David Is “In” **
Some have asked me if I am still working.  I am.  I am still in the office as usual (unless I must go to therapy).  Do not hesitate to call me at 452-1240 -- if I cannot meet your scheduling request, I will tell you so.  Everyone is being very thoughtful and kind to Joyce and me.  Thank you for your graciousness, encouragements, and prayers!  David Chadwell
 
**Joy Bunch**
Our “Back to School” party is Saturday, September 17th, at 6:00 in the FLC.
 
**LTC Sign-Up Deadline **
Sign-up sheets need to be turned in on Sunday, September 18. Sheets are posted on the bulletin board in the foyer. Contact Clark Risley or Nancy Smith if you have questions.
 
**Wedding Invitation**
Together with their parents
Loretta L. Head and Jerry W. Webb
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage on Friday, September 23
at seven o’clock in the evening
West-Ark Church of Christ
RSVP on or before September 15
1-479-674-1056
 
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**Church Directory Photo Sign-Up**
Photographs for the new picture directory are being taken September 17 - October 1
 
Sunday – Friday
2:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
 
Saturday
10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
 
Appointments can be made at the tables set up in the lobby.
Table No. 1:  September 18 – September 24.
Table No. 2:  September 25 – October 1.
 
It would be greatly appreciated if we could concentrate our efforts on getting as many appointments during the first week as we can.
 
Questions: Please call Mat Griffin (if I am not home leave a message and number where you may be reached). 
 
Casual dress is ok. These are family photos.
 
**Disaster Relief**
Over $56,000 was contributed for
Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief on September 11.
Additional donations are welcomed and needed!
 
**Fall Festival is Saturday, October 29**
Be watching for more details of how you can support this fun family event.
 
**Tutors GREATLY Needed **
There is a GREAT need for additional tutors for some GREAT kids on Tuesdays. We need:
• 3 tutors and
• 5 substitute tutors
Tutors arrive at the FLC no later than 3:40 p.m.and depart at 4:45 on Tuesday, except when
school is not in session. Call Sheila Vaught if you can help.
 
**Fall Revival at Ninth Street Church of Christ**
9/18 Sunday 3:00 p.m. Worship
9/19 – 9/21
Monday – Wednesday
7:00 p.m. nightly
Guest Speaker: Robert Harper of Houston, TX.
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
September 12
Alex Beneux
Paula May
Travis McDonald
 
September 13
Mary Broyles
Kimberly Davis
Cheryl Hamilton
Barry Owen
 
September 14
Ethan Benjamin
Logan Kleman
Lela Neal
 
September 15
Nancy Dockery
Irene Willis
 
September 16
David Beneux
Joann Davenport
Isaac Mobley
 
September 17
Cheryl Byrd
Ann Holland
Matthew Myers
Connye Neal
 
**Congratulations!**
Genevieve Rhodes was recently named one of the “Top 25” Volunteers of the 2nd Quarter for RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program)!
 
**Golf Tournament**
River Valley Golf (at Dyer, AR)
Saturday, October 1st
7:30 a.m. registration; 8:00 tee time
Shotgun start; 4-man scramble
$100 per team, and proceeds to go Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.
To register, contact Randy Coleman.
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
Are you overwhelmed yet? If you are a teen or a parent, you probably are. It’s hard to make the transition from the summer schedule to the fall schedule. I’ve heard the same phrase from our teens over and over for the past 3 weeks … “I have so much homework!”  And when you throw in all of the sporting events, practices, school activities, and youth events, it can leave you wondering how you will ever get it all done.
 
We’ve had a good summer and a great start to the fall. And we’re just a couple of events away from taking a good, month long break from major activities. But before we do, here’s what’s coming up during the next two weeks:
 
The West-Ark Youth Group will host the Sunday evening devotional for the Methodist Village Nursing Home on Sunday, September 18th. We are in charge of the entire service from 4:00-4:30. We will leave the annex at 3:30 p.m. and we will return at 5:30 p.m. We will go grab some ice cream after we’re finished so bring $5.
 
Finally, the 12th annual Crosswalk Youth Rally in Rogers, AR will take place at the Southside Church of Christ on Saturday and Sunday, September 24th-25th. We will leave Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and we will return Sunday by 1 p.m. Watershed Worship will be there to sing. Theatron from Harding University will be there to perform some skits. Wiley Lowe will be our guest speaker, and several area Youth Ministers will teach the various classes.
 
Make the most of these next two weeks and then we take a break during the month of October.
 
**A.M. Nursery**
Gail Mason
Bo Mason
Flora Johnson
Kristy Abernathy
 
**P.M. Nursery**
Sheila Vaught
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 603
Bible Classes  450
Sunday Evening 319
Wednesday PM  305
Contribution $17,290
Children’s Home $268 
Laotian Contribution $213
Laotian Attendance 28
the Way Attendance 35
the Way Contribution $90
Hispanic Contribution $213
Hispanic Attendance 28
Hurricane Relief $56,623
 
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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