------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Lines Newsletter, January 26, 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**Determining the Important**
By David Chadwell
 
The older I get the smaller I get and the bigger God gets.  No, I am not talking about size.  I am talking about importance. Yes, I gained a couple of pounds lately, and God never gains weight.  Weight seems to be only a human concern, not a divine reality.
 
With me lately transition is the basic consideration and reality of every day.  Goals change.  Ambitions change.  My list of “cannots” increases.  My list of “wants” decreases.  Pleasures decrease.  Things I planned to do change.  Things I want to do change.  Pace changes.  Rate of accomplishment changes.  Frankly, at times I hardly recognize me.
 
I sincerely doubt God’s goals or ambitions concerning us change—ever!  While He is incredibly patient with us, what He wants in us and for us is changeless.  I sincerely doubt His “to do” list changes.  Things that give Him joy are changeless.  His plans do not change.  His pace and rate of accomplishment do not change because His patience, mercy, and forgiveness are beyond human comprehension. (Read 2 Peter 3:8, 9 lately?)  God’s pace is unhurried but certain.  God is the same as He was when we were born, or even when humanity began—He is very recognizable.
 
The older I get the more unimportant I realize I am.  At the same time, the older I get the more important I realize God is.  I hope in some meaningful way I have been and am useful to God as He achieves His purposes.  Yet, I realize that with or without me, God’s purposes will be done.  I also realize most of my moments of urgent crises regarding the church are more a product of my fears than God’s realities.  After all, God has worked with humans a long time.  He knows what to expect from us.  As much as we wish it were otherwise, I sincerely doubt that we surprise Him—ever!
 
To me it is incredible that we humans hold any significance to God.  Were it not for us, God would have a lot less heartache and anxiety.  Yet, for some unfathomable reason, we are important to Him.  How important? Important enough for God to love us when we do not deserve His love or patience.
 
One of Paul’s favorite illustrations to describe our usefulness to God is the illustration of the body (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31).  Among the many points Paul made in his illustration, two stand out to me.  First, we serve the role in the body God gave us.  The primary thing my large intestine, my pancreas, and my eyeball have in common is, thankfully, they are parts of my body—though you would never know it by looking at each individually.  Second, while we are not able to perform the same functions, we each are useful to God’s purposes—if we perform the function He gave us.
 
Incredibly, to God there are no unimportant people when we as individuals have the courage to be a part of His people.  Unlike humans, the issue with God is NEVER on what we cannot do.  It is always on doing what we can do by being what we can be.
 
Thus the older I get, the more at peace I am with being unimportant—as long as God grows in importance to me.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**Prayers and Thanksgiving**
• Chris Benjamin’s father, Gerald, is in the hospital for dehydration.
• Anita Maxwell (former West-Ark member)
• Ollie Amos
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law) is beginning his second round of chemotherapy.
• Kaila Cartwright, a relative of Angela Dunavant
**Prayer Pagers**
• Corey Johnson 784-7490
• Duane Walker 441-2593
• Maile McDonald 441-6639
• Jane McGowan 441-1734
 
**Military in Prayer**
Shane L. Newton, Adam Morrissun, Jacob Roper, Jackie Luong, Bob Mason, Alan Todd, and Charlie Remaley.
 
**Baptisms**
Chanthavy Chanhnouvong (age 20)
822 South 39th
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone: 474-3316
Chanthavy was baptized January 15th by John Priester.
 
Karen Farris was baptized last Saturday evening by Michael Cole.
 
**Notes of Thanks**
To my dear friends at West-Ark,
You will never know how much your precious cards, phone calls and prayers have meant to me and my family. Your prayers have been felt and witnessed in many ways in our lives during the past month. Surgery was successful due to God’s mighty hand. We will need your continued prayers during the chemo stage in order to rid my body of the cancer. Thank you also for prayers for my family as they are affected by this trial greatly. You are wonderful Christian friends, and I have been so blessed by your concern and your thoughtfulness. May God continue to bless the saints at West-Ark.
 I love you all,
 Jane McGowan
 
Dear West-Ark Family,
We want to thank each one of you for your prayers, concerns, and cards. We received cards from so many of you and some who have moved away from us. What a close family we have in the Lord. The lung surgery was successful (but still painful). They found no cancer in the lymph glands, but did remove two lobes on the right lung. Apparently, they caught it early, and we are so thankful. We have been so blessed by you. Please continue to pray for us as we do for you, also.
 With our love always,
 Jack & Rita Harriman
 
Dear Church Family,
Thanks so much for the prayers and for your support while I have been ill.  I appreciate each one of you so much. Thanks for the cards, phone calls and food. A special thanks to my "good buddies" who went to visit with my mother, Jewel King, during this time. It kept her mind off of me, and she loved having company.
 In Christian love,
 Barbara Miller
 
**Congratulations!**
Tim and Donna Davis are now grandparents! Isaac Payton Davis was born to Aaron & Amanda Davis on January 25th. Isaac weighs 6 lbs., 15 ozs. and is 20 inches long.
 
**Refrigerator Needed**
The LFC campus ministry is in need of a refrigerator for its campus center.  If you have one and would like to donate it to this ministry, please see John Priester.  It doesn't need to be big or fancy, just one that keeps food cold.
 
**COMING EVENTS**
 
MEN’S BIBLE CLASS
Remember the men’s Bible class that begins the first Tuesday morning in February [February 7] at 10 am in the annex meeting room [by the offices] with Russ McConnell and David Chadwell as rotating teachers.  Any man of any age is welcome to come to all or part of the classes.  We begin our study in Luke with the goal of continuing into Acts.  We will break in May for the summer.  It will be an informal, interactive class.  Please come as we draw closer to God and each other!
 
CAMPUS ENCOUNTER
LFC's!  The time is now for you to sign up for Campus Encounter at OSU. The dates for the trip are February 17-19 and the cost is only $10. Come and share in this wonderful event with other state school ministries from all over the mid-west.  Sign up now so we can be sure to have housing for the event.  See you there!
 
LTC SCHEDULE
Sunday, January 29
• 3:00 Sr. High Chorus
• 4:00 Sr. High Bible Bowl
• 5:00 Elementary Chorus
• 5:00 Jr./Sr. Puppets
• 6:00 Elementary Drama
 
WOMEN’S RETREAT
February 3 & 4 at
Mt. Sequoyah Retreat Center in Fayetteville, AR.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
DYNAMIC MARRIAGE
(Formerly His Needs Her Needs)
Current plans are to start the class in mid February 2006.  We will need commitment from at least 10 couples. The cost for everything needed is $130.00.  Paul Shirley and Mat Griffin are facilitators certified by Family Dynamics Inc. Let one of them know if you are interested in participating.
Paul Shirley
Mat Griffin 
 
**Make Reservations Now**
Care Groups, LIFE Groups, or anyone reserving the main building, FLC, or Annex -- please call the office to renew your reservation for 2006.
 
**FLOCK Needs Shoe Boxes**
We need 60 shoe boxes for a project. Please leave your boxes on the table in the FLOCK hallway.
 
**Happy Birthdays**
 
February 1
Brandon Combs
Carolyn Harrell
Ashley Haworth
 
February 3
Jared Hollomon
Jane Newman
 
February 4
Jaythan Johnson
 
February 5
Krystabella Jones
 
February 7
John Glidewell
 
February 8
Megan Perkins
 
**VBS News**
It's that time again! Please put June 19-22 on your calendar for VBS. Due to many requests, we are having VBS earlier this year.  Hopefully, this will work well in YOUR schedule.  We will be contacting people a little later, but it is not too early to contact us if you know what you would like to do.  Just call Dena Jenkins or Carolyn Harrell.  We look forward to hearing from you.
 
**“We Praise God for Answered Prayers”**
Sunday Night, January 29
Family Meeting at 6:00 followed by a Fellowship Meal in the FLC.
Please bring desserts and Fritos (if you want Frito pie)!
 
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
2 ½ years ago, Maile McDonald was diagnosed with an acute childhood leukemia. Last month after extensive testing, her parents,
Travis & Jeannie McDonald, were given the wonderful news: MAILE IS CANCER FREE!
 
We PRAISE GOD for answered prayers! Plan to be here Sunday night for a time of thanksgiving with Maile and her family!
 
A basket for cards and notes will be available.
 
**Faith Comes By Hearing**
Days 8-14 (Jan. 29 - Feb. 4)
The complete 40, 60, 90-day schedules are online at http://www.westark.org/library/schedule.htm
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
                                                    
*Winter Retreat ‘06, February 3rd – 5th in Siloam Springs, AR*
 
Come meet area teenagers from the Ft. Smith, Rogers, Bentonville, and Joplin, MO Youth Groups
 
Theme: “Chronicles of Faith – The Prophets, The Rabbi and the Fisherman”
 
Cost: $40 includes everything – housing, 4 meals, all snacks and drinks, and a long sleeve retreat t-shirt
 
Supplies: Each person needs to bring a sleeping bag or sheets, pillow, towels, bathroom items
(shampoo/soap/toothpaste/toothbrush), flashlight, Bible, notebook/pen, warm clothes.
 
When: We will leave Friday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. (EAT SUPPER BEFORE YOU ARRIVE)
and we will return Sunday by 1:00 p.m.
 
**A.M. Nursery**
Cristy Pressley
Kay Pressley
Hannah and Maddie Pressley
Louise Howard
Cami Stancil
 
**P.M. Nursery**
Robertta  Moses
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 652
Bible Classes  390
Sunday Evening 299
 Wednesday Evening 343
Contribution   $14,405
Children’s Home $244
Laotian Attendance 34
Laotian Contribution $187
Hispanic Contribution $191
 
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."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------