-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Lines Newsletter, June 29, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
** “But What Is Inside You?” **
By David Chadwell
 
Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
 
Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
 
Matthew 15:8 (Isaiah 29:13) “This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.”
 
Matthew 15:16-20 “Are you still lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”
 
Matthew 22:37 (Deuteronomy 6:5) “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
 
As we grow more spiritually mature, our perspective on spirituality changes.  When we are first converted, we commonly link spirituality totally with behavior.  Most of those links are with ‘what we do not do.’  Quite often righteousness is defined in terms of ‘what we are not.’  For example, “We don’t drink!  We don’t lust!  We don’t curse!  We don’t steal!”  [Certainly, these thoughts in no way encourage drunkenness, lusting, cursing, or stealing!]  It is all about the Christian controlling his/her behavior and the community of Christians controlling the behavior of all in it.  Faithfulness is reduced to (1) identifying the correct hurdles and (2) jumping over them.  If we are not careful, this concept of control extends from the individual to the congregation, from the congregation to our segment of society, from our segment of society to our entire culture, and from our entire culture to the whole world.
 
At some point in the spiritual maturing process, we hopefully realize that the foundation of spiritual maturity is a deep faith in God.  The companion awareness is that one can yield to human control without any faith in God.  Thus if one ‘does’ the expected routines, he/she is ‘in’.  He/she does not have to have an abiding faith in God.  He/she just has to conform to human external controls.
 
Thus when serious sickness attacks the family, or financial reverses visit the person, or any form of hardship befalls him/her, life falls apart.  Confidence was in a routine, not in God.  Hope was in protection from adversity, not in the strength to face adversity.  That which threatens life or makes us physically miserable becomes a desperate clinging to the physical rather than a transition to a superior eternal.  The comfort was in conformity, not in God who gave us Jesus Christ.
 
Spiritual maturity is found in expressing faith through behavior, not in substituting behavior for faith.  Does the way you live reveal your faith?
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**Prayers and Thanksgiving**
• Natalie Nelson requests prayers for her father, Wendell Fenton. Wendell is in Little Rock for the last round of his treatment.  He is still in remission, praise God!  The chemo is starting to work with the usual effects of nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. (See Natalie’s note in “Family Update.”)
• Michael Weiche (a friend of James & Patti Anderson and Adriane Martin) has cancer. He is being treated at MD Anderson in Houston.
• Chris and Heather (Wilson) Carroll are expecting their third child soon. Pray for a safe and timely arrival of the baby. The Carrolls are planning to travel home for a visit in mid-July.
• Paige Wilson (wife of Bill Wilson and daughter-in-law of Jim & Deborah) is experiencing complications with her pregnancy. Prayers for the health and safety of Paige and the baby are appreciated.
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France
• Our missionaries in Laos in Vietnam.
 
**Military in Prayer**
Mike Russell, Lori Dotson, Mitchell Bryant, Shane L. Newton, and Adam Morrissun.
 
**Scholarships for Bible Camp**
We have 8 of our inner city kids going to Green Valley Bible Camp this year! $90 will send a child to camp. If you want to sponsor a child, please visit with Jack Lewis.
 
**Van Traveling to Bible Camp**
If you do not have a ride to GVBC, please call Donna Lindgren or Niketa Stinchcomb to reserve a place on the church van. The van will leave Sunday (July 2) at 1:00 p.m. Please eat lunch before we leave. At the end of the week (Saturday, July 8), we’ll pick up campers and bring them back to Fort Smith (return time TBA).
 
**Thank You**
Thank you for the many birthday cards sent to my mother on her 100th birthday.  She had a great day with all her family and friends around her.  I appreciate all the ways you show your love to God’s family.
 God Bless,
 Roy
 
I want to thank my West-Ark Church family for all the love you have shown me through cards, telephone calls, visits, and especially, your prayers. A special thanks to my care group for the food you brought us. I could never tell you how much it has helped Carl and me out.
I love all of you very much,
Ruby Nichols
 
**Note from Breedlove Family**
Dear Family,
 I have been a member of the West-Ark Church of Christ previously College Terrace, for my entire life of 45 years.  I have a wonderful Christian family at West-Ark.
I have been offered and have accepted the position of full time pulpit minister at Valley View Church of Christ in Greenwood.  Although we will not be in attendance with you, we will always consider West-Ark home for me and my family. I ask for your prayers, as we strive to do the will of God in a different location.  Thank you for the Christian upbringing that I received at West-Ark.
 In Christian love,
 Steve Breedlove & Family
 
**Family Update**
[Edited for length]
We want to personally thank our wonderful church family for your continued prayers and show of support in so many ways this past year.  Our family has been touched in so many ways.  Each time we receive a note, a prayer, a hug, or the concerned questions in regard to our family we are touched deeply.  You have truly been a shining example of what the Lord asks us to do for our fellow neighbors. 
 In Him,
 Natalie and Rick Nelson
 
P.S. I know that your letters of encouragement and emails are very special to mom and dad, and they would love to hear from you during these long difficult days.  It means so much to them when they receive your letters.
Their address is:
Premier Suites
Attn: Wendell & Anita Fenton
11601 W. Markham, Suite D
Little Rock, Arkansas 72211
 
**New Phone Number**
Ken and Beth Frederick have a new phone number, (479) 221-7934.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**Order of Worship **
The communion servers and Children's Worship volunteers are prepared for a change in the order of worship through the summer, and we want you to be informed also.  From July 2 to Oct. 15 the sermon will precede the communion.  The sermons will not be "about" communion, but the themes of the sermon will anticipate our observance of the Lord's Supper.  Sometimes it just makes sense for the sermon to precede the communion because it enhances the whole of worship. This order of worship is not unusual and we have ordered the worship in this manner before.
 
If you have children that participate in Children's Worship, you can expect that children will be dismissed for the Children's Worship during the song before the sermon.  After the sermon, there will be an opportunity for parents to go to the Children's Worship area and bring their children back to the worship assembly in time for communion. 
 
Communion servers should continue to meet outside the auditorium before worship for preparation.  You are encouraged to be seated wherever you like during the first part of worship and then assemble on the front pews during the song before communion. 
 
All of us can look forward to a reverent and joyous focus on the Lord's Supper and reflection on the Word of God.  Though the order may be changed during this period, Jesus Christ remains the focus of worship and we always gather in worship to exalt him.
 
**Wedding Shower**
Congratulations to Ashley Campbell and Randy Scott who were joined in marriage on May 20th! A wedding shower is planned for them on Sunday, July 9, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Annex.  The Scotts are registered at Wal-Mart and Linens ‘N Things.
 
**Bridal Shower**
A shower honoring Jennifer Davidson, bride-elect of Brent Anderson is to be held in the home of Helen Pratt, 3705 May Branch Lane on Sunday, July 16, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Jennifer is registered at Dillards, Linens ‘N Things, and Target.
 
**Costume Missing**
The Roman soldier costume is missing after VBS. If you know where the black tunic and black cape (with brown leather trim) are located, please call Sheila Vaught. If you have the costume, please do not wash it.
 
**We Appreciate You!**
Our thanks to Marvin Hughes and James Anderson for painting the Annex hallway. It’s a welcomed improvement!
 
**Bible Student Baptized**
John & Hazel Richards are rejoicing with a Bible correspondence student they have been studying with in Petersburg, Virginia. She made the decision to be baptized and by connecting her to a local church’s minister, she was immersed into Christ on Wednesday afternoon. Thank you John & Hazel for your continuing work with Bible correspondence students.
 
**Sunday Night Bible Class**
Jerry Canfield and the Lao men are beginning an OT Survey class on Sunday evenings at 6:00 in Room 206B. Anyone interested in the study is welcomed to attend.
 
**3rd Quarter Sunday Morning Adult Bible Classes**
 
Auditorium;  *Chris Benjamin; How We Got the Bible
(*Roy Dunavin will resume the study of Hebrews on August 6th.)
 
Room 100; Kevin Roberts; The Living Sacrifice
 
Room 203; David Chadwell; The Living Sacrifice
 
Room 206B; Jim Wilson; Minor Prophets
 
Room 211; Larry Roper & Bob Fisher; The Living Sacrifice
 
Room 215; Michael & Jeannie Cole; Luke (for young married)
 
Annex Conf. Room; Phillip Burns; young adults class
 
Annex Fellowship Room; Gary Brown; James (college class)
 
Library; Bill Dickey; Acts
 
Room 202; Thomas Kweekul; Lao men's class
 
Room 206A; Meg Canfield; Lao ladies' class
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**Family Life Ministry**
by Brad Pistole  
 
I want to express my appreciation one more time for all of the volunteers who helped make VBS ’06 a huge success. We had approximately 400 total people here each day to help serve and make a difference in the lives of area children.
 
The number of children grew each day. We had 208 on Monday, 215 on Tuesday, 222 on Wednesday, and 233 on Thursday. When you throw in all of the teenagers, Marketplace workers, family leaders, van drivers, nursery workers, and many others, the numbers add up.
 
The students learned many wonderful things about the birth of Christ and they made several new friends. The children also donated over 1,500 cans of food to help feed the needy in the Ft. Smith area.  I know it was a week they will never forget! So once again, thank you for your help! We could not have done it without YOU!
 
**Summer Trip to Dallas**
The annual youth and family trip to Dallas, TX is scheduled for July 20-22.  The information is now on the youth website and on the Parent and Teen Information Board. The sign-up list will go up on Sunday, July 2nd before several of our kids leave for Green Valley Bible Camp. The cost will be $75. We will be limited to 55 total spots, so make plans now to go with us.  Make sure to sign up A.S.A.P. while there is still room.
 
**July 2 Nursery**
Morning
Melissa Walker
Suzi Jennemann
Dena Jenkins
 

Evening

Gina Williams

Dixie Burkhart

 
**Happy Birthday**
July 1
Shelby Breedlove
Kevin Curtis
Roy Dunavin
Ruth Gouty
Dillon Hamilton
DeAnn Hankins
Hunter Pistole
 
July 2
Trevor Curtis
Nelda Fowler
Dale Lusby
 
July 3
Dwonne Cogswell
Jane Fisher
Lindsey Yowell
 
July 4
Reva Hoff
Suzanne Karr
Jim Newton
 
July 5
Margaret Gillian
Melody Priester
 
July 7
Kristy Abernathy
Amanda Robison
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Morning Worship 622
Morning Bible class 404
Evening Worship 280
Contribution $16,084
Wednesday Night 301
Children's Home $237
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 62
Contribution $206
 
Lao Church
Attendance 22
Contribution $187

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