West-Ark Newsletter, 15 June 2006

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Family Lines Newsletter, June 15, 2006
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God wants you to be all you are capable of being in Jesus Christ. Why? God wants you to intentionally focus your physical existence on the time that occurred when He surveyed all He made and said, “It is good!” Your distant ancestors were included in that statement!

There seems to be at least three classifications of people. (1) Those who have no interest in spiritual matters. To them, the only important consideration in existence is the physical. They prefer to indulge the physical while giving little thought to the spiritual.

(2) Those who wish to give just enough consideration to the spiritual to avoid disaster. It is not so much that they are afraid of hell as it is that they do not wish to go to hell if it exists. It is not so much that they wish to go to heaven, but they would like heaven to be their ‘fall back’ plan if there happens to be an eternity and heaven.

(3) Those who wish to use physical realities to enhance spiritual realities. These are fully convinced that we humans are spiritual beings designed to exist with God Himself. They view life as an investment. By choice, they invest the physical in the spiritual.

In a huge oversimplification, among those who acknowledge spiritual existence is at least a possibility, there seems to be two general classifications [with many hybrid classifications]: Those who wish to be spiritual by accident, and those who wish to be spiritual on purpose. Christians seek to be spiritual on purpose.

For a moment, consider spiritual existence from a genuine Christian perspective [with so many counterfeit perspectives declaring to be Christian, this is not a simple challenge]. From the genuine Christian perspective, the physical is temporary and the spiritual is eternal. The spiritual, not the physical, addresses who we really are—to the extent that the spiritual defines the physical rather than the physical defining the spiritual. The goal is complex but also simple: the goal is to allow God to define who and what we are.

Paul’s admonition to Christians in Thessalonia and Ephesus: “Do not resist God’s influence in your lives.” To them, God’s Spirit was God’s influence as they lived in corrupt environments, corrupt societies, and corrupt communities. On many occasions, it was easier to hide God’s influence on them than display God’s influence on them. Often it was simpler to behave in ways that made it harder for God to be a living influence in them. It is just so much more convenient to be ungodly in an ‘unspiritual’ environment!

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• Esther Gunn asks us to pray for a family friend, Misty Gassaway, in the unexpected death of her husband. The Gassaway Family has two children, ages 8 and 4.
• Please remember the wife of our Vietnam missionary in your prayers. She is due to give birth June 20th and recently fell on her stomach and was in the hospital for a short while.
• Tyler Evans (7 week old son of Katherine Evans) is sick with an ear infection and a cold.
• Inez Hatfield requests your prayers and cards or phone calls for a relative, Charles Hatfield. Charles is in Sebastian County Retirement Center, Phase 2, 201 S. 3rd Street, Barling, AR 72923.
• Danny Thompson requests prayers for better health. He is a visitor to The Hope Chest.
• Amy Lowry's biopsy results were all clear (good report). Amy is the daughter-in-law of Jack & Janice Lowry.
• Hunter Hesslen's MRI results were normal. He will continue with the anti-seizure meds for two years, and then hopefully, begin the process of weaning off the meds.
• Jordan Walker’s dad’s surgery went well, and he continues to recover.
• Joyce Cox's heart cath results were good. She has a few minor blockages that can be treated with medication.

**Continued Prayers**
• Hailey Clayton, the infant daughter of Todd Clayton (cousin of Carrie Burress)
• Jess Huff
• Joan Jenkins (Kerry’s mom)
• Joel Prigge (brother-in-law of Louise Howard)
• Kathleen Yother (mother of Shirley Bullard)

**Returned Pager**
Jane McGowan returned her prayer pager. It meant so much and was such an encouragement to her and her family! She wants to thank everyone for their prayers, cards and concern. She will have one more chemo treatment this month, then she will have them every 4 weeks for 12 months. She asks that we continue our prayers for her.

**Notes of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark Staff & Church Family,
We again thank you so very much for your help and kindness these past few months. We also thank John for his contribution [John’s a driver] to the van ministry.
Yours in Christ,
Theresa & Corey Wheeler

**Children’s Worship this Sunday, June 18**
Our children will remain in the Auditorium for worship with us Sunday morning so they can participate in our kickoff to VBS! We will not have a separate Children’s Worship.

**Wedding Invitation**
Janetta Lenore Henson
and
Brian Daniel Adams
Have chosen the first day
of their new life together
as Saturday, the twenty-fourth of June
You are invited to share in their joy
as they exchange marriage vows
at two o’clock in the afternoon
West Side Church of Christ
2300 West C” Street
Russellville, Arkansas

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**VBS Begins MONDAY!!!**
It’s almost here, and it’s going to be better than ever! Parents, be sure to register your children either at the table in the foyer or at www.westark.org. If they are registered by June 16, they can find out what family they are in on Sunday!

**VBS Volunteers**
Thank you for your commitment to help make VBS 2006 a success for our Lord! If you do not know your assignment yet, please see the bulletin board in the foyer and look for your name. If you do not find your name or have questions, please contact Carolyn Harrell or Dena Jenkins.

Set up is well on its way, thanks to Brad & the teens!
• Shop Keepers and family leaders may decorate their tents at any time.
• The FLC and auditorium will be accessible from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
• Remember, all greenery, rugs, pottery, etc. is on a first-come, first-served basis!
• You may check your costume in the FLOCK Lessons of the Heart Room -- which is the first door on the right past the elevator.

*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
*other interesting shops in the Marketplace!

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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole

I know it's hard to believe, but seeing is believing. Vacation Bible School is already here! This Sunday, you will notice major changes in the auditorium and Family Life Center, because it will be all set up for VBS '06.

VBS will take place this coming week, June 19-22 and if you haven't registered your children or grandchildren yet, it's not too late. You can do that online at our main website. You can also do it in person this Sunday morning and Sunday night.

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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