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Family Lines Newsletter, March 9, 2006
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**Theory Is Fine, But Practicing Is Hard!**
By David Chadwell
 
John 13:12-17, So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
 
The theory of forgiveness is wonderful. Practicing forgiveness is hard. The theory of compassion is wonderful.  Practicing compassion is hard.  The theory of mercy is wonderful.  Practicing mercy is hard.  The theory of grace is wonderful.  Practicing grace is hard.
 
Why is it so difficult to be forgiving, compassionate, merciful, or a person of grace?  Why? Because you forgive those who hurt you, show compassion to those who offend you, show mercy to those who do not deserve kindness, and give grace to those “who do not deserve it.”  If I do not deserve it and receive it, it is wonderful!  If you do not deserve it, why bother?—You are just getting the consequences you deserve!
 
The standard is not “us.”  We “measure up” pretty well to people.  What is the standard?  It is what God did and does for all in Jesus Christ.  That is one standard above all of us!
 
In the above passage, Jesus completed the undesirable, humiliating task of washing feet.  He asked the twelve, “Do you understand what I did?  I gave you an example.  And you are not superior to me.  So…’put your money where your mouth is.’”
 
Satan constantly (all our lives!) places us in circumstances that demand we validate our theory by our behavior.  He did with Jesus and will with us.  He did with the twelve and will with us.  He did with the 1st century church and will with the 21st century church.
 
It is easy to declare God’s love for all, but can be demanding to take God’s love to all.  It is easy to declare that God champions the weak and helpless, but demanding to care for them.  It is easy to declare kindness to all, but demanding to be kind to all.  It is easy to declare God’s caring, but demanding to be an agent of God’s caring.
 
Matthew 5:43-48, You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
 
It is simple to become God’s child.  It is demanding to live as God’s child.
 
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**Remember in Prayer**
(In alphabetical order by first name.)
• Amanda Daws is having complications with her pregnancy. She is resting at home.
• Chuck Cunningham (See a note from Karen in “Family Updates.”)
• Fred Jackson – continue to pray for healing of his blood clots.
• Joan Jenkins’s next CAT scan is 3/20/06. (Read Dena’s note in “Family Updates.”)
• Joel Prigge (brother-in-law of Louise Howard; cancer treatment)
• John Paul Hundley (missionary in Marceilles, France) is recovering well from heart by-pass surgery and may be released on Monday (3/13/06).
• Myra Flippo (See Myra’s note in “Family Updates.”)
• Nash Burkett is doing well after his surgery on Monday.
• Natalie Nelson is having tests.
• Slats Slaton (Brian Pistole’s father-in-law; cancer treatment)
• Vashtie Locklear, Judy Walker’s mother is in the hospital with a lung infection.
• Wendell Fenton (father of Natalie Nelson; cancer treatment)
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Nancy Brasher in the recent loss of her brother, Dr. Robert Goldman.
 
**Prayer Pagers**
A 441-1648 Nash Burkett
B 441-1734 Jane McGowan
C 441-2290 Mary Broyles
D 441-2344 Sharon Barker
E 441-2591 John & Melody Priester
F 441-2593 Duane Walker
G 441-6639 Anita Maxwell
H 784-7490 Fred Jackson
I 441-1791 Jeana Belote
J 441-1792 Amanda Daws
K 441-2388 West-Ark Elders (group)
 
When you pray for the names listed with pagers A-J, one phone call will notify them all at 441-2395.
 
**Military in Prayer**
Mitchell Bryant, Shane L. Newton, Adam Morrissun, Alan Todd, and Charlie Remaley.
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• Jerry Canfield and Thomas Teng (Lao Church) in SE Asia.
• Thomas Kweekul in Thailand.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France.
• Our missionaries in Laos and Vietnam.
 
**Welcome New Member**
Eugene Puckett
5215 Hiway 217 South
Booneville, AR 72927
 
**Family Updates**
 
To my brothers and sisters in Christ,
Thank you for the many prayers prayed for me the last 10 days. It has truly been uplifting to have the prayer pager and know that I have been lifted up to the Father with your prayers. I have a spot on my lung and a spot on a lymph node. There is reason to believe the spot on my lung is cancer. The doctors will not know if the lymph node is cancer until after it is removed.  I am scheduled for a consultation with a surgeon in 3 weeks. I have turned my prayer pager back into the office until I have surgery. Your support and love are a real help to me. May God bless each of you for your caring heart.
 Myra Flippo (3/8/06)
 
Joan (Kerry’s mom) has had some eye difficulties (loss of peripheral vision in one eye, seeing strange lights, etc.)  She went to the optometrist and was not satisfied with the “answers” she received.  So she talked to her oncologist.  He suggested that during her next scan on the 20th, they go ahead and scan her brain as well.  She is also going to an ophthalmologist on Friday.  She, understandably, is getting very apprehensive about her scan.  Please pray for her peace and for God’s complete healing.  I know that she would greatly appreciate any form of encouragement you can offer.  (I have included her address if you would like to send a card.)  She has come to know you as we do – a praying and caring family!  To Him be all the glory! ~~Dena Jenkins (3/8/06)
 Joan Jenkins, 706 Brighton, Paragould, AR  72450
 
Hey all y'all,
This is a very difficult thing to write and tell you. Yesterday Chuck had his MRI and it showed "significant growth." We actually expected it so it wasn't a shock, just a disappointment. Chuck's symptoms over the last 2-3 weeks made us know that things were not progressing well. Chuck will probably be back on chemotherapy "to prolong his life." Dr. Chin also has told Chuck not to drive anymore as he is at great risk for a seizure. Those of you who know Chuck well know that this is an enormous blow. He is having a tough time with all of this news and the restriction. Chuck's mom is here with us now for as long as I need her. His brother Mark was here from Thursday until today and they had a wonderful visit. Kacey and Nic are "hanging in there" but they need your prayers desperately. Thanks for all your support and love.  "In all things give thanks"....we are trying.
 In His care,
 Karen Cunningham
(via e-mail 3/7/06; edited for length)
 
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**Notes of Thanks**
 
I would like to express my appreciation to the many people who have given me rides to and from my doctor appointments. A special “thank you” and love to the one who has been so faithful to help me. She knows who she is.
 Alice Jean Rogers
 
Dear West-Ark Family:
Thank you for the peace lily sent in recognition of Dad’s going home to the Lord. We also greatly appreciate all of the cards, prayers, and expressions of sympathy given to us by all of you. The food provided to us was delicious. May God bless each and every one of you.
 Love,
 The Family of Robert Beshears
 
The prayer pager is such a blessing. Knowing your love and prayers were with me made my hospital stay easier. Thanks so much to each and every one of you!
 Mary Broyles
 
Dear West-Ark Family,
Thank you for all the prayers, cards, and kind words expressed during the illness and death of my grandmother. Your care and concern have meant so much to me and my family.
 In Christ,
 Tammy Keller
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
March 7
Peggy Pistole
 
March 8
Amy Burkhart
Marlene Tucker
 
March 9
Mary Frances Jackson
Mary “T” Kolb
Larry Roper
Ann Selig
 
March 10
Joyce Chadwell
Donna Lindgren
 
March 11
Lois Jester
Bill Stancil
 
**VBS Launching Session**
THIS SUNDAY, March 12th
5:15 p.m. in Room 100
ANYONE who is interested in helping with VBS is welcome.  If you are planning on helping but cannot attend the meeting, please contact Carolyn Harrell or Dena Jenkins.  We are planning some new and exciting things this year, so come join us!  We look forward to seeing you there!
 
**Joy Bunch!**
Come and join us Saturday, March 18 at 6:00 p.m. in the FLC for our potluck PLUS a style show – see the latest fashions!
 
**LTC Schedule**
Sunday, March 12
• 3:00 Sr. High Chorus
• 4:00 Sr. High Bible Bowl
• 5:00 Elementary Drama
• 5:00 Jr./Sr. High Puppets
• 6:00 Elementary Chorus
 
**Quilting Ministry**
Here is remainder of the list of handmade items produced in the past year by our Quilting ladies!
• 19 dish towels
• 1 quilt for burn out in Arkoma
• 4 boxes of material to the Republic of Liberia
• 5 quilts to the Clothes Closet
Gulf Coast
• 6 quilts
• 38 baby quilts
• 25 items of clothing
 
**News from the Nursery**
PAGERS!
We have pagers for the nursery! When you bring your baby to the nursery, we’ll give you a pager. If your baby needs attention during Bible class or worship, we’ll give you a buzz! Contact Nancy James if you have questions.
 
**Faith Comes by Hearing **
Week 8; Days 50-56
The complete 60, 90-day schedules are online at http://www.westark.org/library/schedule.htm
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole    
 
Thank you Gary, Rochelle, Meredith and Bethany for opening up your home to us this past Sunday night. We took about 40 Jr. High teens and parents over to the Brown’s for a night of food and fellowship.
 
Gary led us in a devotional that challenged us to better appreciate our Christian friends and the different ways God has made each of us. Hopefully we are all accepting his challenge this week to talk to our friends and let them know how much they mean to us.
 
I am thankful for the many different families that participated Sunday night. That made our time together very meaningful! I look forward to more times like this in the near future.
 
This coming Sunday night, we will be taking the Sr. High to Joplin, MO, for the third Sunday Night Live of the year. This is the only SNL of the year that will be Sr. High only because of time and space.
 
Because of the “longer than normal” traveling time, we will need to leave at 3 p.m. and we will not return until 10:30 p.m. So make sure your parents understand that it will be a later than normal return and get your homework finished before we leave!
 
Our guest speaker this Sunday night, from KOBC radio in Joplin, will be doing a presentation of “Elijah.” I look forward to his message, our time together, and to the fellowship with the teens from all the other area churches. See you Sunday!
 
**Morning Nursery**
Trish Carson
Morgan Dunavin
Dwonne Cogswell
Vicki Anderson
 
**Evening Nursery**
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker
 
**Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 660
Bible Classes  453
Sunday Evening 342
Wednesday Evening NC
Contribution   $19,304
Children’s Home $270
Laotian Attendance 31
Laotian Contribution $182
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 60
Contribution $341
 
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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