-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Lines Newsletter, July 20, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Can You See Too Much?**
David Chadwell
 
Matthew 15:12 Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?”
 
The context of the above statement is fascinating.  Jesus called the Pharisees and the scribes’ attention to the fact that their positions nullified one of God’s Ten Commandments given to Israel in Exodus 20.  The Pharisees and scribes’ reasoning seemed to be this.  God commanded us to take care of our elderly parents.  However, the temple is a national institution built to honor God.  It is more important [spiritual] to support the temple that serves God through sacrificial worship and prayer than it is to take care of parents.  Thus if you commit something to support the temple that should be used to meet your parents’ need, you are excused from caring for your parents.
 
Jesus made this statement to illustrate they actually did what they accused him of doing by violating the tradition of the Jewish elders.  Jesus also declared their hearts did not belong to God and their worship was useless.
 
Please remember the Pharisees and scribes existed as a significant spiritual influence and scriptural authority in Israel.  Even to Jesus’ disciples, the Pharisees and scribes’ feelings mattered.  At that moment, the disciples could not fathom Jesus’ insensitivity to the Pharisees and scribes’ feelings and reactions.
 
This is the point to note now: Jesus “saw” a reality that not even the twelve “saw.”  In fact, the only person who “saw” this reality was Jesus.  What Jesus “saw” was a fairly simple truth: we honor God by valuing what He values, not by honoring what we value. 
 
It was Israel that considered the temple as more significant than parents.  It was Israel that regarded worship at the national temple as more significant than a command from God Himself.  Do you give God the greatest honor by offering a sacrifice at the temple, or by obeying God?
 
Was what Jesus “saw” true?  Yes!  Was what he “saw” significant?  Absolutely!  Did what he “saw” direct people away from God?  Certainly!  Did what he “saw” cause spiritual people to substitute their values for God’s values?  Without question!  Did what Jesus “saw” make him popular or appreciated? No!
 
As we spiritually mature, we “see” things we never “saw” before.  More times than not, those around us do not “see” what we “see.”  Blessed is the Christian who refuses to stop “seeing” because he/she develops spiritually.  Blessed is the Christian who leads as he or she “sees” rather than destroys as he or she “sees.”  Read Matthew 15:13-20.
 
Matthew 12:7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**God Hears & Answers Prayers!**
• Betty Mathies had back surgery this week and is now at home. Her recovery is expected to take 4-6 weeks.
• Karan Tygart’s father, Luther “Odell” Bryan has improved some, but is still in intensive care at Sparks Hospital. He is recovering from congestive heart problems.
• Connie Tipton (former West-Ark member) will see a surgeon on July 21 for a date for colon surgery. She requests prayers to “our marvelous Father that He brings me through the surgery with healing and complete recovery.” Connie’s address is 1752 Sarah Ann Drive West, Southaven, MS 38671.
• David Hardy (son-in-law of Ken & Connie Tipton) has a spot on his lung and will have a PET scan on July 21. David and Kenna Hardy are expecting their first child in the fall. If you would like to encourage them with a card, their address is 4169 Anderton Blvd., Horn Lake, MS 38736.
• Joe & Peggy Pistole request prayers of peace and comfort for Slats Slanton, father-in-law of Brian Pistole.  Slats is in his final days with advanced cancer.
• Praise! Lisa Broom is thankful for the prayers on behalf of her mother.  Test results show that the spot on her lungs is not cancer. 
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Lola Harris (sister of Warren Gardenhire was recently diagnosed with ALS)
• Valerie Treece Elam (friend of Sharon Faries)
• Michael Weiche (friend of James Anderson)
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Colleen Frost in the death of her grandmother, Lillye Casada on Wednesday morning. Funeral services are Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m. at Heritage Addition Church of Christ in Booneville, AR.
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France
• Our missionary family in Vietnam
 
**Welcome Home!**
Chris & Heather (Wilson) Carroll and their three little ones arrived safely in Fort Smith Tuesday evening for a stateside visit with family and friends. Their address while visiting is 4526 Howell Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72904; Phone 782-2803.
 
**Military Update**
Wes Roper (son of Larry & Donna) reported to Camp Shelby, MS this week. He will spend the next 2-3 months preparing for deployment to Iraq. He is scheduled to be there for a year.  Wes’s address while in training is:
Roper, Wesley T.
2/142FA Bravo
Bldg. 2490, 25th Street 
Camp Shelby, MS 39407
E-mail: dylansdaddy1101@yahoo.com
 
Continue to pray for Mike Russell, Lori Dotson, Mitchell Bryant, Shane Newton, Adam Morrissun, and Jonathan Smith.
 
**Baptism**
Jennifer Burnett
4517 Spradling
Fort Smith, AR 72904
Jennifer was baptized while attending Green Valley Bible Camp.
 
**Moving Days**
Margie Mason
5501 Duncan Road, Apt. 26
Fort Smith, AR 72901
Phone: 478-0555
 
Howard & Dottie Hughes
15 Caddy Cove
Maumelle, AR 72113
(New phone number later.)
 
As of August 1, Tim and Cathy Firm and their girls will be back in Illinois (in their hometown).
Tim & Cathy Firm
Sara & Kailey
1001 Greglynn
Machesney Park, IL 61115
 
Thank you Cathy! & Welcome, Colleen!
Thank you Cathy Firm for your outstanding work as LFC Secretary this past year!  We’ll greatly miss your unfailing cheerfulness and the great work you did to support and connect our college students. Colleen Frost has accepted the position of LFC Secretary and is “learning the ropes” from Cathy.  Colleen, we look forward to working with you in the coming school year!
 
**Meeting with Elders for Deacons & Ministry Leaders**
Sunday, July 23, 4 p.m., Upstairs room in FLC.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Loaned Items from VBS Returned**
A special thank you to all who loaned items for VBS.  These items have been placed in the hallway by the elevator.  Please be sure and pick them up!  Any items remaining will be placed in storage at the end of July.
 
**Motherly Love Dinner**
Thursday, August 17
6:30 p.m. in the home of Margaret Thompson
4316 Urbana, Fort Smith, 72904.
Please sign the list on the bulletin board in the Information Center.
 
**Memorial Books Added to the Library**
In memory of Elmore Johnson, Ken Johnson’s father, who was active helping youth:
• Bringing Up Boys and
• Wild at Heart
 
In memory of Mary Wells, Joyce Chadwell's mother:
• Upside-Down Kingdom
 
In memory of Guy Foster, Lyndell Foster’s brother, who was a student of the Restoration Movement:
• Freed-Hardeman Lectures (2006) and
• Trials of the Restoration
 
In memory of Frank Flippin Jr. (given by his daughter Debbie Treat): two devotional-themed books.
 
**Jump Start News**
(Combined Summer Small Groups)
We’ll meet upstairs Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Afterwards (about 7:15 p.m.) we’ll go to the Annex for fellowship. Please bring finger foods.
 
**West-Ark’s “Umpteenth” Annual Ice Cream Fellowship!**
Sunday Evening, August 27
on the lawn at Jerry & Meg Canfield’s home
 
* Bring a freezer of your favorite ice cream!
* Don’t have a freezer? Bring toppings, cookies, desserts, or drinks!
* Lawn chairs and/or blankets are recommended!
 
All Ladies are cordially invited to:
**A Ladies Tea Party**
Celebrating 20 Years of WINGS (Women IN God’s Service)
Saturday, August 26, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. in the FLC.
The United Ladies of Tulsa, a singing group, will be performing for us! Bring your daughters!
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Family Life Ministry**
by Brad Pistole      
 
Every summer we take a youth and family trip that usually involves about 50 people from West-Ark.  This year, we will be taking 47 teens and family members to Dallas, Texas.  We will be gone July 20-22.
 
Most people think this trip is “just for fun” but what they do not realize is that it always ends up being one of the most rewarding trips of each summer.  Why?
 
There is a REAL blessing in spending quality time with each other and that kind of environment is always present on a trip like this.
 
We get to spend 10-12 hours together on a bus (Thank you BMT and West-Ark for providing the charter bus this year!) We get to spend several hours together each night in our hotel rooms talking, singing, playing cards, etc. and those kinds of experiences are great for developing relationships.
 
This is a great trip for 7th graders, families, and teens that are new to our group.  This year, we will be taking 16 teenagers who are either new 7th graders or who are new to West-Ark.  They have never been on a trip with us before.  Wow! What a great opportunity for us to get connected with them. 
 
Please be praying for our safety this Thursday-Saturday and for God to develop life-long friendships through this time together!
 
**July 23 Nursery**
Morning
Berniece Rogers
Sharon Faries
Kristin Smith
Donna Roper
 
Evening
Angela Dunavant
Denise Lusby
 
**Nursery Rules**
The use of the nursery is available only during services. For assurance that the nursery environment is clean and safe for the children during our services, the nursery is not to be used at any time without scheduling it first with Nancy James.
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Morning Worship 655
Morning Bible class 449
Evening Worship 262
Contribution $15,842
Wednesday Night 277
Children's Home $188
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 74
Contribution $211
 
Lao Church
Attendance 30
Contribution $190
 
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."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------