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Family Lines Newsletter, April 27, 2006
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**PRAYING ON A BAD DAY**
 
By David Chadwell
 
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
 
Hebrews 5:7 In the days of His flesh [speaking of Jesus], He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.
 
Most Christians enjoy praying on a good day.  We enjoy thanking God for blessings we see and glorifying Him for kindnesses obviously surrounding us.  To the Christian, it is a real pleasure to say, “Thank you!” to God when life is wonderful and going our way.
 
However, praying to God on a bad day is an entirely different story.  While the Christian is glad God is there to pray to on a bad day, it is much more difficult to see blessings on a bad day than on a good day.  Yet, I suspect all of us have had bad days and prayed the following prayer in some form on those days.
 
“Lord, this is a horrible day.  I am so shook up all I feel is anxiety!  If something could go wrong, it has gone wrong.  I feel awful!  I am so discouraged and feel so blah!  I feel like there is one knight fighting ten dragons, and I am that knight.  My Christian armor may be protecting me, but it is getting uncomfortably hot in here.
 
“Most of the time my life flies by, but this bad day seems to be dragging on forever.  I surely wish this bad day would come to a conclusion, and I could start fresh with a good day tomorrow—could you do that for me?  God, I know You are there, but I surely have trouble seeing You.  This bad day makes everything so dark I just do not see You at work as I did day before yesterday when everything was going great.
 
“Father, help me feel Your presence.  Things are so bad I do not even know what to ask to make the day better.  Just be close enough to me that I can sense Your presence, and—please—help this bad day come to an end.”
 
Everyone has bad days.  Jesus had Gethsemane.  Paul had the Damascus Road. Stephen was stoned to death.  Out of Jesus’ “bad day,” God made a Savior.  Out of Paul’s “bad day,” God made an apostle to the Gentiles.  Out of Stephen’s “bad day,” God made a martyr whose faith encourages us 2000 years after his death.
 
Wonder what God will make out of your bad day?  He is able to take your bad day and fashion it into something incredible and unbelievable—just like He made a Savior, an apostle, and an example from bad days.  However, there is a price!  The price is the faith of surrender.  When we have the faith of surrender, God can fashion the incredible from our bad days.
 
Do not ask God to end your bad day.  Ask God to use your bad day for His purposes.  Then God can turn our bad days into salvation days.
 
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Ava Jones is home from the hospital, but very weak. Her sister, Janet Cathey, is organizing food. If you would like to help, call Janet.
• Celia Looney is in St. Edward, room 3101 ICU.
• Praise! David Thompson had a heart cath Wednesday morning.  He did not need any stints.
• Don Reed (uncle of Louise Howard) is at Regency Hospital in Fayetteville. He has pulmonary fibrosis. 
• Joel Prigge (brother-in-law of Louise Howard) is starting his last chemotherapy treatment. It is a difficult time for him.
• LeRoy Null (Bob’s father) is in St. Edward Hospital, room 4521. He is scheduled for gall bladder surgery Thursday (4/27/06).
• Mia Nelson fell and broke her arm over the weekend.
• Patti Anderson chipped her elbow last weekend. She will probably have surgery on it next week.
• Patty Kaiser is having tests on Friday.
• Sean Snell (brother-in-law of Randi Perkins) is still in St. Edward Hospital, ICU. He is scheduled for surgery on May 2.
• Tyler Dale (newborn son of Katherine Evans -- the baby is not wanting to eat)
 
**Continue in Prayer**
• Chuck Cunningham
• Guy Foster (Lyndell’s brother)
• Hunter Hesslen
• Inez Hatfield
• Joan Jenkins (Kerry’s mom)
• Mary Wells (Joyce Chadwell’s mother)
• Myra Flippo
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Harold Binyon in the death of his aunt, Erma Binyon on Sunday. Funeral services were Wednesday in Paris, AR.
 
Our love and sympathy is also extended to Lance Haines in the recent death of his brother, Larry Haines, of California.
                                  
**Prayer Pagers**
B 441-1734 Jane McGowan
E 441-2591 John & Melody Priester
 
**Change of Address**
David & Jennifer Jennen
325 Windsong Way
Woodstock, GA 30188
 
**Car Clinic**
Saturday, May 6
8:00 – 10:30 a.m. at the Annex
Weather permitting (If it rains, it is cancelled.)
 
**Widows/Widowers**
Also on Saturday, May 6, the vans will leave the Annex at 11 a.m. for lunch at Fin & Feather. Call Mary or Bobbie if you need transportation to the Annex.
 
**90th Birthday Party**
Layne Downs invites everyone to a 90th birthday celebration for her dad, Johnny Mahan, on Sunday, April 30, from 2-4 p.m. at the Mahan home on Rudy Road in Alma. 
 
**New Babies**
Larry & Donna Roper have a new grandson! Bryce Randolph was born April 26 to Lloyd & Randi Perkins.  Bryce weighed 10 lbs. 7 ozs. and is 22 1/4 inches long.
 
The Evans Family has a new baby. Katherine Evans gave birth to a son on April 25. Tyler Dale weighed 7 lbs. 8 ozs. and was 19" long. Elizabeth Evans is the grandmother.
 
**CURE Work Day**
SATURDAY, APRIL 29TH
AT 9:00 A.M.
CURE has been given the contents of the Roland Medical Clinic!  We will meet at the Clinic to load the items and transport them to Judsonia, AR, for shipment to the Ukraine. The Clinic is on Hiway 64 just before entering Roland, OK.
 
**Notes of Thanks**
West-Ark Church Family,
Thank you for the cards, calls, and prayers I received after the passing of my grandfather. All of your encouragement has helped me get through this difficult time.  David & I feel truly blessed to be apart of such a loving congregation. Thanks again!
 In Him,
 Jenna Dickey
 
West-Ark Church Family,
I am so grateful for all of my Christian friends. It was during my surgery and now in my healing process that I feel the power of your prayers. I will cherish always your love and support for me and my family during my illness. I wish I could personally answer each card and note sent to me during this time. Thank you for your many acts of kindness and good deeds. They are the true meaning of Christianity.
 I love you,
 Myra Flippo
 
Church Family,
Thank you so much for your love and support during my surgery and recovery. The prayer pager was wonderful and such a comfort. The cards, calls and visits meant so much to us. Thank you!
In Christian love,
Dennis, Vicki & Benton Anderson
 
Brothers & Sisters at West-Ark,
I want to thank you for the beautiful peace lily and food tray. It means so much to my family and me that you remember us during this time of sorrow in the loss of Vicki.
 In Christian love,
 Jim Roughley & Family
 
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**Light of Life World Radio Program From Nongkai, Thailand**
Please read the printed newsletter for Jerry Canfield's report.
 
**Sunday Night**
Family Meeting at 6:00 p.m. followed by a fellowship meal in the FLC.  All who can, please bring desserts!
 
**Skating Party**
GATEWAY KIDS!
Sunday, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Jack’s Skateland
1413 Phoenix in Fort Smith.
(No siblings, please)
Skating and skates are free!
Bring money for the concession stand if you want food or drinks. Parents, please pick up your child/children by 4:00 p.m.
All GATEWAY staff are invited to come and have a good time.
 
**Hawaiian Cruise With Christian Friends!**
Please join us Friday, May 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the FLC if you would be interested in cruising with us on March 24, 2007 from Honolulu! Contact Carlene Payne if you have questions.
 
**4-Man Scramble Golf Tournament**
Saturday, May 20 at Ben Geren
Please call Niketa Stinchcomb or the church office if you want to participate. Deadline for registration is May 18.
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
The first Elder Appreciation Dinner was a huge success! I want to thank everyone who helped put it all together. Special thanks also to all of the teens who helped set up, serve, and clean-up. It was a great night of fellowship!
 
The final SNL of the Spring will take place on Sunday, May 7th. We will be leaving the Annex at 4:30 p.m., and we will return by 9:30 p.m. There is no cost to you and supper will be provided!
 
The guest speaker will be Mitch Wilburn from the Park Plaza Church of Christ in Tulsa, OK and the Christian Comedy duo, Beane and Bailey will also be there.  So come join us for a great night of worship and fellowship with over 300 area teens.
 
May 7th is also the deadline for the final Wilderness Trek payment of $150. Make sure you have it turned in to Brad by no later than Sunday, the 7th.
 
One of our 9th graders, Brent Perkins, recently had an awards ceremony for ROTC. He received an award as the Top 9th Grade Cadet as well as being listed in the Top 10 Cadets out of 114 Cadets in all grades.  He finished #2 overall.  He also received a National ROTC award from the American Veterans for academics and service to God and Country. 
 
He was selected to attend a 5 day leadership school in Texas for ROTC that will take place the first week of June. We are proud of you Brent!
 
**April 30 Nursery**
Morning
Cristy, Kay, Hannah & Maddie Pressley
Louise Howard, Cami Stancil
 
Evening
Robertta Moses
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
May 1
Evan Foley
 
May 2
Lisa Broom
Jon Keller
Ed Vampola
 
May 3
Missy Blasdel
 
May 4
Danna Turpin
Braden Walker
 
May 5
Sarah Sawyer
 
May 6
Shay Dotson
John Hawkins
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Morning Worship 740
Morning Bible class 450
Evening Worship 267
Contribution $16,301
Wednesday Night 345
Children's Home $259
 
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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