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Family
Lines Newsletter, June 22,
2006
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**Could You Explain to Me Why You Act That Way?**
By David
Chadwell
Ephesians 6:10-12, Finally, be strong in
the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that
you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our
struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces
of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Excuse me. I have been observing your
behavior for a long time. Could you explain to me some things? Why
do you treat your wife as you do? [Or, why do you treat your husband as
you do?] Why are you always careful to show your children respect and
love? Why are you so conscientious and trustworthy in your work? Why
do you refuse to lie when it seems it would be in your best interest to
lie? Why are you always so honestyou will not steal even when you could
get away with it; you will not be unfaithful to your wife [or husband] even when
no one would know it; you tell the truth even when the truth hurts you; you help
people when you know he or she might be taking advantage of your generosity; you
show respect to people who obviously have no respect for you.
I have tried and tried to figure it out,
and I cannot. The way you live and the way most people live is in such
contrast. Such behavior does not make you richer. I see catastrophe
come to your family as it does to other families. Your behavior is not
some sort of magical physical protection. So I often ask myself, Why does
he [she] live that way? It just does not make sense to me.
We increasingly live in a society in
which godly behavior does not make sense. There was a time when godly
behavior seemed to be a way of life many of the industrious disadvantaged
embraced. That time was followed by a period when the industrious
disadvantaged prospered. As these people prospered, the church
prospered. In fact, that period was followed by a time when the church was
filled with the successful middle class. It is amazing to note what
congregations could afford in 1975 that they could not afford in 1945! It
is equally amazing to note how the lifestyle of the typical Christian family
changed during that same time period in this society!
But, again, times have changed. The
time when godliness was admired and rewarded has passed. We increasingly
live in a period when godliness is looked upon as foolish, and when many
Christians think the path to godliness lies in political control rather than
godly behavior. Too often we allow society rather than God to define the
meaning of key wordsfun, pleasure, success, prosperity, ambition, commitment,
love, etc.
Perhaps there are two things in our
awareness we need to awaken. (1) The realization that someone else notes
how we live. (2) The realization that our struggle is against something
much bigger than the here and now.
Just in case someone asks about the way
you live, please do not begin your response with, I belong to the Church of
Christ
Begin with, I belong to the God who gave me Jesus Christ.
Honor God and Jesus in your lifestyle.
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
Dustin Medley (age 28) was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. Prayers are
requested that a treatment be found he will respond to. Dustin is a former
student of Metro Christian School.
Valerie Treece Elam was recently
diagnosed with liver cancer. Valerie is a member of the Alma Church of Christ
and a family friend of Sharon Faries'
since they were teens.
Pam Flippo Rhodes requests prayers for the Barrie
Family and specifically, Mark (the father) who had a positive PET scan. Either a
biopsy or surgery will be scheduled soon. Mark and his wife, Jill, have four children.
Debbie Hendrix asks
for us to pray for a family friend, Shirley Miller, who was recently diagnosed
with terminal cancer. Debbie would also appreciate anyone who will comfort or
encourage her friend with a card.
Shirley Miller
3319 Ridgeview Ave.,
Trailer 38
Springfield, IL 62702
**Continued Prayers**
Hailey Clayton,
Jane McGowan, Joan Jenkins, and Joel Prigge.
**Military in Prayer**
Mike Russell,
Lori Dotson, Mitchell Bryant, Shane L. Newton, and Adam Morrissun.
**Missionaries in Prayer**
John Paul
& Ruby Lee Hundley in France
Our missionaries in Laos in
Vietnam.
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is
extended to Fran Wade and John & Susan Wade in the unexpected death of
husband and father, Carl Wednesday afternoon at St. Vincents Hospital in Little
Rock. Funeral services are not yet complete.
Last
week we received the news at Bro. Shirley Allison (a former member) died June 15
in Pocahontas, AR. If you would like to send cards to the family, their
addresses are:
Mrs. Ella Allison
1519 CR 730
Jonesboro, AR
72401
Doug & Debbie Allison
768 Richmond
Lane
Keller, TX 76248
**New Arrival!**
Congratulations to
Paul & Alyssia Beneux on the birth of a daughter. Vivian Claire was born
June 20 and weighed 6 lbs. 7 ozs. and was 20 inches long. Big brothers are Alex
and Karsten. The happy grandparents are David & Donna Beneux and
great-grandmother, Eleanor Casey.
**Baptism**
We rejoice with Amanda
Broom on her decision to be baptized into Christ on June 11! Amanda is the
daughter of Blake & Lisa Broom.
**Staying in Touch**
Dorotha
Kirchner
1709 Cunningham Avenue
Rogers, AR 72758
Phone (479) 466-1754.
Greg & Robin Simpson
2394
Oakview
Springdale, AR 72762
Phone: (479) 927-9447
**100th Birthday Celebration!**
This
coming weekend Roy Dunavin's mother will be celebrating her 100th birthday.
Joyce Chadwell suggests it would be nice if Mrs. Dunavin got lots of cards from
West-Ark "
because what could make a mother happier than knowing so many people
love her son!" Great idea, Joyce! Roys mothers address is:
Mrs.
Frankie Dunavin
3306 SE 13th Ave.
Amarillo, TX 79104
**Memorials**
Rocker/Glider -- A rocker/glider was recently added to the
Childrens section of the church Library The glider was purchased with memorials
given in memory of Mary Wells (mother of Joyce Chadwell; Richard Hostetler, and
Virgie Neal (mother of Don Neal). Please do not remove the glider; it is to
remain in the Childrens Library.
Park Bench -- A park bench was recently placed
outside the entrance of our building. The bench is given in memory of George
Thompson.
**Notes of Thanks**
To my dear friends
at West-Ark,
I want to thank each one of you who prayed for me, sent me
cards, called me or just thought about me and my family during the past seven
months. Currently, I have completed six chemo treatments and the cancer is in
remission. God is so good! Youll never know how much your prayers meant
to me. I will be continuing chemo treatments once a month for another 12 months.
Lord willing, this will aide in keeping the cancer in remission. Thank you again
for all youve done.
In Him,
Jane McGowan
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For security precautions, "Mission Report from Kumphawaphi," by Jerry Canfield, is not published online.
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
A BIG THANKS to all of the volunteers,
adults and teens who help make Vacation Bible School possible each year.
It was another great year! We had
the opportunity to serve over 220 area elementary children each day and teach
them about the beginning of the life of Jesus.
Thank you for taking the time to make a
difference in the lives of children. They will remember experiences like this
and be blessed by it for years to come. May God bless all of you for giving back
and making this week a priority in your life.
Just a reminder
Splashdown Lock-in at
Wild River Country in North Little Rock will take place this Friday and
Saturday. We will leave at 4:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon. We will
return to the building early Saturday morning for a big breakfast.
We have a large group of about 40 teens
and parents going. The cost will be $20 and will include your ticket to
Splashdown and your breakfast. Each person will also need to bring approximately
$10 for supper on the way there and for snacks.
Be sure to bring a towel and a change of
dry clothes for the trip home. Parents, you will need to pick up your
teens at the FLC at 7 a.m. SHARP on Saturday morning!
**June 25 Nursery**
Morning
Berniece Rogers
Sharon
Faries
Kristin Smith
Donna Roper
Evening
Angela Dunavant
Denise
Lusby
**Happy Birthday**
June 25
Debbie Hendrix
John
Kamp
Betty Porter
June 26
David Gates
June 27
Patrick Murphy
Cami
Stancil
June 28
Jean Dicks
Paige
Kimbrow
June 29
Bethany Brown
Sedalia
Douglas
Margaret Thompson
June 30
David Burns
Judy
Walker
**Attendance and Contribution
Count**
Morning Worship 738
Morning Bible
class 440
Evening Worship 247
Contribution $19232
Wednesday Night
273
Children's Home $209
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance
67
Contribution $204
Lao Church
Attendance
38
Contribution $195
**The Hope Chest**
Open Tuesdays,
Wednesdays & Thursdays
9:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m.
Phone:
784-9715
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."
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