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Family Lines Newsletter, August 3, 2006
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**The Obstacle Course**
By David Chadwell
 
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  (Hebrews 12:1, 2)
 
Adult life might be described as an obstacle course.  The adult race begins with a heavy dose of hormones, increases speed with a challenging mixture of responsibilities, maintains speed with urgent achievements, slows unwillingly with increasing physical weaknesses, and coasts to a stop with lots of remembrances [and perhaps a pinch of wondering about “what if”].
 
The ‘hormones’ can be responsible for temptations of poor judgment.  The ‘mixture of responsibilities’ involves temptations coming from new relationships that irreversibly change existence.  The ‘urgent responsibilities’ form temptations from the old ‘new’ awareness—the need for health insurance, the need for life insurance, the need for a higher education fund for the kids’ college experience, the need for retirement funds for the end of work life, the need for work success, the need to be competitive when you do not have the energy to compete, etc.  Temptations from ‘physical weakness’ come from just plain wearing out—that is when you sing to yourself, “the old gray mare ain’t what she used to be.”  The ‘remembrances’ give rise to the temptations of regret [the fact there are no “do overs” available to change any part of your past you do not like].
 
To think adult life was easy in any past time frame is deceitful.  To say, “But they didn’t have to contend with ...” is misleading.  Adult existence always has involved insecurity, uncertainty, and physical decline.  Every time frame and circumstance had [has] its own forms of powerful temptations.  The truth is that no adult “has it made.”  Anyone who thinks that would likely not last long in a “has it made” situation.
 
The Christian commitment is not an easy commitment.  It never has been.  It never will be.  He or she who expects it to become simple will only be disillusioned.  Thankfully, we have a God so filled with mercy, grace, and forgiveness that our weaknesses never weary Him.  He proved that is true and cared for all our needs in Jesus’ crucifixion.  All we must do is ‘run the course,’ obstacles and all, to express our appreciation for what He did and what He continues to do in our forgiveness.
 
Thanks to what God did, everyone who runs the race with his or her eyes on Jesus is a winner—not because of what we do, but because of what God did for us.  Never have you attended a victory celebration that can begin to compare to the victory celebration of praise when those in Christ are welcomed home to live with God!
 
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**Remember in Prayer**
• Helen Needham fell and broke her hip. She is in the hospital in Paris, Tennessee. If you would like to send a card to her home, the address is 312 Glendale Place, Murray, KY 42071.
• Ronnie Freeman (age 10) is in Sparks Hospital, ICU. Ronnie is recovering from an accidental gunshot wound. His father came to the office Wednesday to request prayers for his son.
• Kathy Rosalez request prayers for her mother, Trucilla Surratt, for regulation of her pacemaker and medication.
• Roxie Benincosa requests your prayers for Brandon Brock. Brandon is a Harding University student who has become extremely ill with complications from pneumonia.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Belle Wood
• Bobbie Bolinger, aunt of Rochelle Brown
• Buddy Green, brother of Allie Whitaker
• Connie Tipton
• Karan Tygart’s father, Luther “Odell” Bryan
• Kim Taylor-Dyer, friend of Karen Farris
• Margaret Wingo, sister of Debra Lively
• Mary Leigh Peterson, sister of G. C. Stone
• Norma Jean Breedlove
• Slats Slanton, father-in-law of Brian Pistole
• Valerie Treece Elam, friend of Sharon Faries
 
**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the following families.
• Harold Gouty, in the death of his brother, Loren David Gouty on Monday. Services are Friday (8/4/06) in Springfield, MO.
• Warren Gardenhire in the death of his sister, Lola Harris, on Monday. Funeral services are 10 a.m., Saturday (8/5/06), First Baptist Church in Fayetteville.
• James Word and family in the death of James’ father, Dewey Word. Funeral services were Wednesday in Searcy, Arkansas. 
• Kerry Jenkins and family in the death of Kerry’s mother, Joan.  Funeral services were Wednesday in Paragould, AR. Memorials can be made to either:
 Crowley’s Ridge Academy
 606 Academy Drive
 Paragould, AR 72450
      or
 Crowley’s Ridge Children’s Home
 5515 Old Walcott Road
 Paragould, AR 72450
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France
• Our missionary family in Vietnam.
 
**Baby Showers**
A baby shower is planned for Heather (Wilson) Carroll on Sunday, August 13, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the home of Rochelle Brown. Micah Quinn Carroll was born July 4th. Hostesses are: Yvonne Pistole, Rochelle Brown, Carlene Payne, Meg Canfield, Sheila Vaught, and Paula May.  Heather is registered at Wal-Mart and Toys-R-Us.
 
Meg Canfield and Lynn Dickey are collecting shower gifts (money) to be sent to our missionary family in Vietnam. The funds will be wired September 1st. Please get your gift to Meg or Lynn by August 27.
 
**Military Prayer List**
Wes Roper, Mike Russell, Lori Dotson, Mitchell Bryant, Shane Newton, Adam Morrissun, Jeff Amos, and Jonathan Smith.
 
**Changes of Address**
Edith Embry
Butterfield Place
8420 Phoenix Ave., Apt. 205
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone is unchanged.
 
Kristy Abernathy
603 South 16th
Fort Smith, AR 72901
Phone: 494-3039
 
**Notes of Thanks **
I would like to express my gratitude to the church members for their prayers, cards, and concern. I got my stitches out Wednesday. I’m doing well and free of pain.
 Betty Mathies
 
West-Ark Family,
Thank you so much for the flowers, visits, cards, e-mails, and calls following the death of my father. Your concern and compassion were so greatly needed and appreciated.
 David Boozer & Family
 
**Rejoice!**
In the spirit of Romans 12:15, we share the grief of those in sorrow and the joy of those who are honored. Recently, Duane Walker was publicly honored with the Arkansas Band Masters Award. A hearing disability [loud noises cause him severe pain] forced him to resign his position as band director in a junior high. The day he had to leave his office was a difficult day for him because he loves kids and he loves music! Recently, he was honored with a ‘silent’ standing ovation at a band performance! Duane, thank you for caring so much about others! May God continue to guide you as you represent Him in Christ!
 ~~David Chadwell
 
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**What Is A Motherly Love Dinner?**
Motherly Love is a program that attempts to fulfill the admonition of Paul in Titus 2:4-5 that the “older women” teach the “younger women.” For lack of a better way to define “older women” and “younger women,” we will define the older women as those in the congregation who no longer have children living in their homes. “Younger women” will be any others, whether single (out of high school), newly married without children, or those who still have children living at home.
 
The Motherly Love program consists of a meal hosted and served by the older women for the younger women and will include a devotional and prayer time conducted by the younger women. After the meal will be a lesson about the responsibilities of the Christian woman toward her family and home. The evening will conclude with a time for dessert and discussion.
 
Motherly Love Dinner
Thursday, August 17
6:30 p.m. in the home of
Margaret Thompson.
Guest Speaker: Patsy Cochran
“Disciplining & Raising Children”
Please sign the list on the bulletin board in the Information Center.
 
**Tutoring Program**
Our Tutoring Program needs 25 tutors, 12 substitute tutors, 7 Bible-story tellers, and snack providers for 25 famished children (K-6th grade) for 28 Tuesdays, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. beginning September 19 through May 1. When school is on holiday, we are too! Many say they are afraid of the math, but don’t worry, we have Matt Thomas (in house) and a “phone-a-friend” when we are stuck. Our children’s first needs are love and encouragement, then comes reading and math. Jack & Glenda Lewis in conjunction with Gary James and local school teachers do a fabulous job of selecting personable students with great potential for improving their grades. Please sign up in the Information Center or call Sheila Vaught. If you want to thank the people who make this program possible, thank Jack Lewis, Leslie Holland, Warren Gardenhire, Matt Thomas and Jennifer Dotson. They are a joy to work with!
 ~~Sheila Vaught
 
**20th Anniversary Tea Postponed**
Due to a scheduling problem, the ladies’ tea party celebrating 20 years of WINGS is being postponed. Be watching for a new date and time!  Until then, don't forget that WINGS   orientation   for   Tuesday morning WINGS is September 12th at 9:30 a.m. in the FLC.  This year we are studying Judges and a study entitled “In the Shadow of the Cross”, by Casandra Martin.  Be sure and join us!
 
**KFC Kids**
This Sunday night our evening service will need your involvement for our singing and worship. Please plan to join us. We would like to ask all 5th and 6th grade young men to meet with Gary Brown at 5:00 in classroom 100 Sunday afternoon.
 
**Joy Bunch!**
Do you play an instrument, sing, recite poetry? Can you do book reviews, tell jokes or stories? How about card tricks or magic? The talent show is scheduled for August 19th, and we need entries!! Musical accompaniment and/or special props can be provided. Please contact Danna or Winston Turpin.
 
**Ladies’ Retreat Planning**
If you would like to help develop plans for our Ladies’ Retreat, please contact Melody Priester. Please be in prayerful consideration for what God can do with this year's ladies retreat!
 
**Wednesday Night WINGS**
Wednesday Night Wings will begin September 6th, in room 211 at 7:00 p.m. We have chosen the study "God, Pass by Me: Seeing God's Glory Through His Names, Titles and Descriptions” by Casandra Martin.  Cost of the book will be approximately $10 - $12.  For enrollment, contact Peggy Pistole. Deadline for enrollment is Sunday, August 20th.
 
**Car Clinic**
Saturday, August 5
8 to 11 a.m.
Annex parking lot
 
**Widows/Widowers**
Come join us in the Annex for an “indoor cookout” at 12 noon on August 5th.
 
**The Hope Chest Hours**
Many are cleaning and reorganizing closets in preparation for the new school year. Please take your items directly to the Hope Chest during their working hours (not the church building, FLC, or church office).
The Hope Chest, 784-9715
4th & H Streets, Fort Smith
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole  
 
Please keep our Wilderness Trek Group in your prayers as we travel this weekend. We will be leaving Colorado late Friday evening and will return late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.
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
Stephen Tomlin
 
Praise be to God for allowing us to participate in this event and the many other events that have blessed us throughout this summer. I am thankful for Vacation Bible School, Splash-Down Lock-in, Green Valley Bible Camp, our Youth and Family trip to Dallas, and Wilderness Trek.
 
**Happy Birthday**
August 1st
Pat Beard
Myra Flippo-Puckett
Patricia Smith
 
August 2nd
Cara Hickey
Paul Tucker
 
August 3rd
Jay Glidewell
Mary Huff
Charles Karr
 
August 4th
Jim Arnold
Winston Turpin
 
August 5th
Eric Berger
Luis Mendez
Ben Neal
Sarah Robbins
 
August 6th
Jim Pratt
Barbara Smith
 
August 8th
Wayne Bailey
 
August 10th
Mary Vampola
 
August 11th
Michael Blasdel
Heather Curtis
Mitchell Harper
John Lankford
 
August 12th
Carlene Payne
 
**A.M. Nursery**
Melissa Walker
Suzi Jennemann
Dena Jenkins
 
**P.M. Nursery**
Dixie Burkhart
Gina Williams
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 663
Bible Classes  430
Sunday Evening 286
Wednesday Evening 254
Contribution   $30,704
Children’s Home $166
 
Lao Church
Attendance 37
Contribution $205
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 52
Contribution $203
 
**Communion Servers for August**
Stephen Jennemann
Benny Gooden
Kevin Hesslen
Blake Frost
Tim Smith
Larry Todd
Barry Owens
Bob Faries
John Glidewell
Kerry Jenkins
Jerry Glidewell
David Burns
Ben Neal
Jaythan Johnson
Andrew Todd
John Kamp
 
Ushers/Nursery Communion
J.T. Smith
Charley Douglas
 
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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