West-Ark Newsletter, 27 July 2006

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Family Lines Newsletter, July 27, 2006
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Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that. (James 4:13-17)

Every person at some time in his or her life has dropped a stone in water. It may have been throwing rocks in a pond. It may have been skipping a rock on a river. It may have been dropping pebbles in a mud hole. The end result is always the same: the rock sinks, small or large waves radiate in a circle from the point of the rock sinking, and then in a few minutes all is calm and smooth again. It is as though the stone was never there.

Consider one other interesting observance in this fascinating phenomena: there is no visible hole. Unless it is a huge rock and a big splash, most people see no hole. Quickly, virtually instantly, water closes over the rock, and it is as though the rock never entered the water. You can see the rings of waves circling the entry point of the rock. You can, with a high degree of ease, guess the entry point of the rock. Yet, there is no hole!

When a death occurs, relatives and close friends may grieve a long time. There is a hole in their lives that cannot be filled. To them, there is an emptiness, a sense of loss that is visible every day. However, it is not so to people in general. Life, like water, quickly fills the void. Suddenly, to everyone else, there is no hole.

There are only waves moving away from the life that ceased a physical existence. If the waves are high enough, there can be disaster or healing in them. The waves Jesus death made are still rolling strong 2,000 years after he died. In those waves are hopethe hope of redemption, the hope of an existence that death cannot touch.

Years ago three friends shared much in their lives. One day one of the three suddenly, unexpectedly, died. The next morning one of the living friends drove down the street and past the home of the dead friend. When he reached his office, he called the other living friend and said in a sober voice, Nothing has changed! A life disappeared. A huge hole was left in two friends' hearts. Yet, life, unchanged, continued on.

All of us will die. Except for the few who were close to us, life quickly will cover us and move on. As time passes, most will forget we lived, rarely recalling our name. There is little most of us can do about that truth.

Yet, there is one thing. May the waves you leave behind give hope and not despair. May they bring abundance of purpose to others and not a meaningless existence. May people be blessed because you were.

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**Say A Prayer For**
Belle Wood has been diagnosed with lung cancer. She sees a specialist on Thursday, 7/27/06.
Margaret Wingo, sister of Debra Lively, is scheduled for surgery for a ruptured disc.
Rochelle Brown requests prayers for her aunt, Bobbie Bolinger, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Norma Jean Breedlove is recovering from a broken hip. She is staying with her daughter, Jean Ann, for the next 4-6 weeks. Cards may be sent to Norma Jean at 4940 Gull Point, Lee Summit, MO 64082.
Karan Tygarts father, Luther Odell Bryan is in Sparks Hospital, room 540.
Connie Tiptons surgery for colon cancer is July 28th.
Paige Wilson (daughter-in-law of Jim & Deborah Wilson and wife of Bill) is in the hospital with complications from her pregnancy. Things are now stable, and she may go home soon. Bill & Paige live in Monroe, LA.
Praise! David Hardys PET scan on his lung was negative and surgery is canceled for now.

**Continued Prayers**
Betty Mathies
Joan Jenkins (mother of Kerry)
Lola Harris (sister of Warren Gardenhire)
Valerie Treece Elam (friend of Sharon Faries)
Michael Weiche (friend of James Anderson)
Kim Taylor-Dyer (friend of Karen Farris)
Slats Slanton, father-in-law of Brian Pistole

Our love and sympathy is also extended to David Boozer in the unexpected death of his father, George Boozer. Funeral services are 10 a.m., Friday, July 28, at Sunset Church of Christ in Nashville, AR.

**Military Prayer List**
Wes Roper, Mike Russell, Lori Dotson, Mitchell Bryant, Shane Newton, Adam Morrissun, and Jonathan Smith. Please add Jeff Amos (grandson of Clayton & Ollis Amos) to this list.

**Baptism & Welcome**
Theresa Keith was baptized July 25 by Jack Lewis. Theresa and her fiancé, Darrin Nelson will be married on July 27. Darrin is placing membership, and they plan on making West-Ark their home church. Well have an address for them soon. Congratulations Theresa & Darrin!

**Note of Thanks**
Thank you for the prayers, the plant, cards and your concern in the death of my mother. All the love that was shown to us has been so helpful. You have helped us through a hard time, and we are so grateful for all you have done.
In Christian love,
Shirley Bullard and Family

**Wednesday Night WinGS**
(Women IN Gods Service)
Time to mark your calendars!!!!!!
Wednesday Night Wings will begin on September 6th, in room 211 at 7:00 p.m. with a get-acquainted session and receiving of books. We have chosen the study "God, Pass by Me: Seeing God's Glory Through His Names, Titles and Descriptions by Casandra Martin. Cost of book will be approximately $10 - $12. For enrollment e-mail Peggy Pistole. Deadline for enrollment is Sunday, August 20th.

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**Eddie Bowman**
Eddie is a former minister of College Terrace Church of Christ (one of 2 congregations that merged to form West-Ark). He will be the guest speaker at Mulberry this Sunday morning, 10:45 a.m.

**Planning Ahead for West-Ark Ladies Retreat**
I know several people have mentioned interest in starting to work on the upcoming year's ladies retreat. I also know committees can be one more obligation on the list of many, but if we start now, by spring time, it won't be a burden. Lord willing, it can become a joy and a wonderful time for us to fellowship with a purpose. The more that sign up will also enable members of the committee to share the responsibilities and alleviate the stress. If you are interested in serving in this way, you can respond in a number of ways.

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This coming week, July 28th August 5th, 15 of our teens and adults will be spending the week in Salida, Colorado at Wilderness Trek Christian Camp. We will spend 6 days backpacking and camping in the wilderness.

Our theme for the week is Ezekiel 37 which tells the story of the Valley of Dry Bones. The goal of Wilderness Trek is to challenge each individual spiritually and physically, while developing leadership skills and unity among youth group members.

Each trekking expedition is overseen by 2 Wilderness Trek staff members, but all of the cooking, cleaning, tent set-up, hiking, etc. is lead by our students. The adults have a very limited role in Trek, assuring the maximum learning experience for the students.

Please keep the following people in your prayers through the coming week: Zach Barker, Azia Blasdel, Michael Blasdel, John Carson, Brandon Coggins, Nathan Davis, Shanna Davis, Leslie Frederick, Molly Hudson, Jill Marley, Brent Perkins, Brad Pistole, Sarabeth Sadler, Lindsey Smith, and Stephen Tomlin.

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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