West-Ark Newsletter, 1 June 2006

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Lines Newsletter, June 1, 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strong-willed children often "test" the "boundaries" placed on them. There are children who are eager to please, and there are children who resent any form of control. Thankfully, there are lots of children whose attitudes fall somewhere between eager compliance and rebellion against any form of control.

Children who resent control commonly test the boundaries of any control placed on them. "Will I really be in trouble when my parent counts to three, or can I push him [or her] to four, five, or six? Will a temper tantrum control the situation by putting me in charge by embarrassing my parents? Can I defy my teacher's instructions because he/she is afraid of my parents who are certain to rescue me and be on my side?" Etc.

All limiting instructions are a game. The object of this game is to determine who is in control. To find out the limits of "my" control, I deliberately "push the edge" to see how far I can go and what I can "get away with."

There are adults with that same attitude. Two sets of rules exist. One set for "me," and the other set for everyone else. This person operates on the attitude and thesis-in-life that "rules are made for me to break! If the speed limit is 30, I will go 45. If I am supposed to be thoughtful of my spouse on this occasion, I will ignore my spouse. If I am supposed to do things "Y" way in my work, I will do them "X" way. No one is allowed to tell me no, and no one is allowed to restrict me! I know what I am doing, so just get out of my way! If you cross me, I guarantee you, you will regret it! Life is always about "me," "my" pleasure, "my" ambitions, and "my" objectives. "You" exist to please "me," and don't "you" forget that fact!

Such attitudes have no desire to know God in any genuine sense, because God always is viewed inwardly as a rival Who places restrictions on people. In Deuteronomy 6:16-19, Moses warned Israel not to put God to the test. God does not bless us for us to "push His boundaries" in our relationship with Him.

To illustrate the point, Moses referred to the incident at Massah. The incident is recorded in Exodus 17:1-7. It was there that the thirsty people of Israel asked, "Is the Lord among us, or not?"

The question was needless. The issue was self-evident. God delivered them from slavery. God rescued them from a hostile army by deliverance across a sea. God made the waters at Marah drinkable. God gave them quail and manna to eat. Why should they doubt God would provide them water? Yet, instead of a faith reaction, they demanded for God to perform once again.

Moses made the point that Israel should obey God because they had confidence in God, not because God performed as they wished. He said if they obeyed God, (1) it would be well with them, and (2) they would possess the good land God promised them. Good things happening to them depended on their confidence in God!

Life is filled with undesirable circumstances and undesirable happenings. Each time the undesirable occurs, our issue remains the same: do I or do I not trust God? Does God truly know what is best for me? Will He in actuality keep His promises to me?

In each undesirable occurrence, the temptation remains the same: the temptation to demand that God perform in the manner we desire. Instead of trusting Him in the face of the frightening, we too often demand that "God do something immediately about this" regardless of what He has done for us in the past. Thus instead of the crisis becoming a time of confidence in God, it becomes a time to doubt God. In our arrogance, our importance constantly escalates as God's importance constantly diminishes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Remember in Prayer**
Richard Branum had out-patient knee surgery at Sparks Hospital on Thursday, June 1st.
Kathleen Yother (mother of Shirley Bullard) is in St. Edward, Room 3412. She was improving until she had a stroke on Friday night. She is unresponsive at this time and may be moved to a nursing home.
Amy Lowry, daughter of Jimmy & Debbie Edwards and daughter-in-law of Jack & Janice Lowry, will soon have a biopsy. Please keep her and husband Eric in your prayers.
Hailey Clayton is in Childrens Hospital in Little Rock. Hailey is the newborn daughter of Todd Clayton (cousin of Carrie Burress).
Celia Looney
Joan Jenkins (Kerrys mom)
Joel Prigge (brother-in-law of Louise Howard)
Larry Roper
Myra Flippo

**Guyana Medical Mission 2006**
Remember in prayer our Guyana Medical Mission Team as they begin their journey early Saturday morning. They will leave the Fort Smith airport at 6:30 a.m. on June 3. They are to return on Northwest flight 3037 on Sunday, June 11 at 8:37 p.m. While in Guyana, they will be working with the Church of Christ in the village of Nismes, where Vedda Zephyr's father, Desmond Zephyr, is the preacher.

Team members from West-Ark include:
Azia Blasdel
Missy Blasdel
Michael Blasdel
Richard Bullard
Shirley Bullard
Jeannie Cole
Michael Cole
Joyce Dunavin
Roy Dunavin
Colleen Frost
Nancy James
Glenda Lewis
Jack Lewis
Niketa Stinchcomb

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Joyce Chadwell in the death of her mother, Mary Wells on Friday. Funeral services were May 29 in Crossville, TN.

**Military in Prayer**
Please add to this list Mike Russell (son of Gene Russell). Mike is currently training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Continue to pray for Lori Dotson, Mitchell Bryant, Shane L. Newton, and Adam Morrissun.

**Congratulations, Hayden!**
We rejoice with Hayden Evans on his decision to be baptized into Christ on Sunday, May 21. Hayden is the son of Brent & Carol Evans, and grandson of Beverly Evans.

**Widows/Widowers**
Well have a BRUNCH in the Annex on June 3 at 11:00 a.m. If you need transportation to the building, please call Janice or Bobbie or Mary.

**Wedding Invitation**
Because you have shared in our lives
by your friendship and love, we
Sara Jean Word
and
Levi Edward Sisemore
together with our families
invite you to share
the beginning of our new life together
when we exchange marriage vows
on Saturday, the third of June
in the year of our Lord two thousand six
at two oclock in the afternoon
West-Ark Church of Christ
900 N. Waldron Road
Fort Smith, Arkansas

**Notes of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark Friends,
After several years of contemplation, I am moving to Oklahoma City where my daughter, son-in-law, and I have purchased a home. I will be living in a family again. Several people had told me that I would know when the time was right and that is how it happened. I want to thank everyone at West-Ark for their friendship and loving support for the past 26 ½ years. I would never have made it without you.
Jane Choate
5416 NW 106th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73162

Dear Quilting Ladies
Thank you so much for the beautiful blue and white quilt. Levi and I love it! You do beautiful work. Thank you for your wonderful gift. We shall always remember you for the love and time you poured into it.
We love you,
Sara Word & Levi Sisemore

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**VBS Recruitment**
We still have some openings that need to be filled. Please see the list below and pray about where you might be able to help. Feel free to contact Dena Jenkins or Carolyn Harrell with any questions or to let us know where you want to help. There is also a list of items that are needed either loaned or donated. Lets all work together to make this a fun, learning experience for our kids (and us) to learn how to Make Room for the Savior!

People Needed
Bakers (for flat bread and candy recipes are easy and will be available at the VBS table)
Registration Workers/Roamers
Preschool teachers (all lessons and materials are supplied)
At least one more Family Leader (all lessons and materials are supplied
Family Helpers
Marketplace Helpers
Enrichment Class Leaders
Bible-Time Games (all information and materials are supplied)
Bundles of Love (service project making baby blankets for those in need all info and materials supplied)

Have fun with your Bible-time family
Visit the Temple
Listen to the Storytellers
Play Bible-time games
Visit and participate in the Carpentry Shop
Candy Shop
Rope-Making Shop
Pottery Shop
Metal-Working Shop
and other interesting shops in the Marketplace!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My phone has been ringing off the hook this week, and Ive been hearing the same phrase over and over again, Im out of school! So it must be true - Summer is officially here! That can only mean one thing, its time for PROMOTION SUNDAY at West-Ark.

This coming Sunday, June 4th everyone in the youth group will be moving up to the next grade, and we will be welcoming a whole new group of 7th graders.

Also starting this week, we will be meeting for class in the large youth room as a 7th-12th grade group on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. We will do this for the entire month of June. This will give us time to get to know each other and focus on our group unity.

You wont want to miss class this Sunday morning at 9:30 as we welcome our new 7th graders into class with us for the first time along with doughnuts, milk, juice, and a few other surprises!

Then, we will meet for youth worship from 6-7, and have a special welcome party for the new 7th graders after services from 7-9 p.m. in the FLC. There will be food, fellowship, and all kinds of silly, youth minister get to know each other games. So come join us this Sunday as we celebrate the beginning of summer break.

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."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------