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Family Lines Newsletter, August 17, 2006
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**Why Am “I” A Christian?**
By David Chadwell
 
“King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do.” Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”  (Acts 26:27-29)
 
This is a difficult passage.  For a long time, a debate has been ongoing about Agrippa’s attitude when he made the statement, “Paul, you almost persuade me to be a Christian.”  (1) Was the king near conversion?  Or, (2) was he chastising Paul for a brazen attempt at evangelizing him?  On Paul’s part, there was boldness in the original not evident in an English translation, a boldness the king may have considered shocking for a prisoner to make to a significant authority.  However, we could say nothing that would end the argument—too little information is available.
 
Perhaps we could ask a fruitful question by each asking self the question, “Why am I a Christian?”  Begin with the observation that the Christian in this situation was a prisoner.  Eventually his appeal to Caesar resulted in a trial in Rome.  Even later, his appearances in Rome resulted in his execution.
 
Am I a Christian:
1. To obtain advantages and blessings that would not otherwise be available to me?
2. To escape consequences which scare me?
3. To obligate God to protect me from bad things?
4. To express faith in the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection?
5. To declare faith in the restoration of the Creator God to His rightful position?
 
Consider some observations.  (1) It is common in talking about salvation to discuss our benefits, but to rarely discuss God.  We focus on matters like forgiveness, redemption, sanctification, justification, and propitiation as though salvation was primarily about us and not about the God who gave us Jesus Christ.  (2) It is uncommon for us to focus on or discuss the enormous injustice the Creator endured when His creation honored the evil that odiously perverted the earthly creation of the Creator.  (3) Perhaps the primary objective of our salvation is to promote the restoration of the Creator to His rightful place and the secondary benefit of our salvation is our forgiveness, redemption, sanctification, justification, and propitiation.  Unselfishness focuses on God.  Selfishness focuses on us.
 
“When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.” (Corinthians 15:28)
 
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**Prayers & Thanksgiving**
• Montie Ray, father of Karen Carter, had surgery on his carotid artery Wednesday morning at St. Edward Hospital.
• Margie Mason fell and broke her hip last week. She had surgery to repair it on Monday. She is in Sparks Hospital, Room 594.
• Georgia Cochran, Terri Parker’s mother, is very ill with pneumonia.
• Bobbie Bolinger, aunt of Rochelle Brown, had a good report after surgery last Friday. Future treatment is being considered.
• The Hesslen Family is waiting for some test results on Hunter’s seizure disorder.
• Shirley Austin (Sharon Barker’s mother) is still on antibiotics and will return to her doctor on 8/21.  If her infection is gone, they will reschedule her heart surgery.
• Suzette Todd is recovering quickly from shoulder surgery and has returned her prayer pager.
• Mia Nelson fell and broke her arm Wednesday on her first day of Kindergarten.
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Margaret Gillian in the death of her sister, Minnie Mudie on Friday. Funeral services were August 14th in Van Buren.
 
We also extend love and sympathy to Brian Robbins in the recent death of his aunt, Sandy Ahart, in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri.
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France
• Our missionary family in Vietnam.
 
**Baptism**
Eric Berger was baptized August 10th by his father in presence of family and friends!
 
**Baby Shower**
Meg Canfield and Lynn Dickey are collecting (money) gifts 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**
Good news! Mike Russell does not have to go Iraq. Continue to pray for Wes Roper, Lori Dotson, Mitchell Bryant, Shane Newton, Adam Morrissun, Jeff Amos, and Jonathan Smith. 
 
**Notes of Thanks**
Emailed Note from Joe & Peggy Pistole
August 10, 2006
Slats Slaton (Bryan Pistole's father-in-law from Chattanooga, TN) lost his battle with cancer this morning around 5:30.  Even though it is always hard to let go -- the family is at peace knowing that he is with his Lord.  They want to thank everyone for their prayers.  If you would like to send a card their address is:
Bryan and Starr Pistole
# 9 Pleasant Forest Cove
Little Rock, AR  72212
 
Dear Church Members,
First, thank God for all he has done for me and thank God for all he is going to do for me. Second, I would like to thank your church for giving me a cook stove which I really needed. Thank you all very much for helping the needy and may God bless each and every one of you.
 Yours in Christ,
 Everlean Porter, Fort Smith
 August 9, 2006
 
Thank you so much for the cards and messages sent to my mother during her battle with cancer and to us after her passing.  We appreciate it very much.
Kerry Jenkins and Family
 
Thank you for the beautiful potted arrangement sent in memory of Dewey Word. We appreciate the many thoughts and prayers offered on our behalf.
Laurelia Word, James Word, Kay Mills & Families
 
Dear Church Family,
Thank you so much for the beautiful peace lily. Thanks for all the prayers for my brother. They were comforting, and all the kind cards.
 In Christian love,
 Harold & Ruth Gouty
 
**Sunday Night Speakers **
• August 20, Russ McConnell
• August 27, David Chadwell will speak and give a survey.
 
**Jump Start**
Jump Start (combined summer Life Group) meets upstairs on Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. and will continue through September 3rd.
 
**Small Group Leader Training**
We will have leadership training for Life Groups on SUNDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 27TH, FROM 3:00 TO 5:30 P.M. IN ROOM 211.  If you are interested in learning more about Life Groups, please make plans to participate.  To enable preparation of sufficient training materials, please contact Larry Roper if you plan to attend.  This training will also qualify you to be a group leader. 
 
**Motherly Love Dinner Rescheduled**
Due to numerous “back to school” conflicts, the Motherly Love Dinner is rescheduled for THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, in the home of Margaret Thompson, at 6:30 p.m.
 
**Joy Bunch!**
Talent Show & Potluck
Saturday, August 19
6:00 p.m. in the FLC
 
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**Bible Classes Now Forming**
 
Men’s Bible Study
Tuesdays at 10 a.m., starting
September 5 in the Annex
All ages are invited. Teachers are Russ McConnell and David Chadwell.
 
Attention Men!
New men’s ministry class will begin forming Wednesday night, August 23, in Room 206B. All ages are invited to attend.
 
Wednesday Night WINGS
Wednesday Night Wings (Women in God's Service) begins September 6th, in room 211 at 7:00 p.m. For enrollment, contact Peggy Pistole. Deadline for enrollment is Sunday, August 20th.
 
Tuesday WINGS (Women in God's Service)
Orientation on September 12th
9:30 a.m. in the FLC
This year we are using a study of the book of Judges written by our own ladies. Be sure and join us!
 
WANTED: OLFC
(Old Ladies for Christ, ages 18-100) Must be willing to study God's Word, laugh, cry, share, eat good food and lots of chocolate. This new Bible study group is seeking women who desire to grow closer to God and to each other. We will meet once a month, beginning September 21st, at the church building. We will be ordering study books. Please RSVP to Sharon Barker or Beth Frederick.
 
**FLOCK Talk**
The FLOCK (ages 4 years through 1st grade) is in need of teachers.  This is a 4 week commitment. The lessons are written and all supplies are provided.  Contact Dena Jenkins.

**Sunday AM Sermons on CD**
Chris’s Sunday morning sermons are now available on CD (2 sermons on one CD).  Please use the Tape Request forms (in the box outside the Library) and mark "CD Request" at the top. Also, each week an audio link is posted with Chris’s sermon notes on the church’s web site at http://www.westark.org/benjamin/sermons.htm .
 
**Attention Deer Hunters and “Wanta Be’s” or Just for Fellowship!**
Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 21, 6:30 p.m.
We’ll have a cornbread and bean supper at our FLC. Bring your favorite hunting pictures and/or stories to share with the rest of us. We need an approximate number so we'll know how much food to prepare.
Contacts:
• Paul Shirley
• Patrick Pruitt
 
**Making Our List Right!**
We need your help to develop our list for the “Back to School Blessing”
Please proof the lists in the foyer.  We want the names of all students and teachers or workers with any school.  All we need is their name to be included in the blessing. We don’t want to miss anyone!
 
**Back to School Blessing & Worship Service**
Sunday, August 27, 10:30 a.m.
Join us as we pray for --
• All students, public, private or home schooled, and
• Everyone who teaches or works in our schools (in Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma).
 
**ICE CREAM SUPPER**
Sunday Evening, August 27
On the lawn at Jerry & Meg Canfield’s
2 Chestnut Court, Fort Smith, AR (Near Park Ave. at 66th Street – map next week)
~~Bring a freezer of your favorite ice cream!~~
If you don’t have a freezer, bring toppings, desserts, cookies, water, or sodas on ice.
Lawn chairs and blankets are also needed.
Join in the fellowship and put an end to Summer’s sizzle!
 
**Ministry Fair -- Coming October 8, 2006**
Here is your chance to discover up close “What’s Happening at West-Ark?”  Our various ministries will have information available explaining what they do and how you can be a part of their work.  Plan to be a part of this day. For more information, please see Gary Brown.
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
The first signs of fall have arrived as leaves start falling to the ground. Of course, they are falling because of the heat and the dry conditions, but that also means it won’t be long until cooler temperatures arrive.
 
Another sign of fall is FOOTBALL practice. Drive by any school in Ft. Smith early in the morning or late in the afternoon and you’ll see the “dreaded two-a-days” in progress.
 
But there is one final sign that indicates a change of pace is near…as all of you read this, our students from Pocola, Muldrow, and Union Christian Academy have already started school. And the rest of the area schools will follow right behind them on Monday, August 21st.
 
That’s right, summer is officially over and school is back in session. God has blessed our youth group in many different ways this summer through many events and times together. Please take the time to thank God for all he has done for us! May God bless all of you as you start back to school this week!
 
Special News:
Congratulations to Allison Todd. She recently attended Oklahoma Christian’s basketball camp and was named the 8th grade Most Valuable Player of the week.
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
August 17th
Richard Branum
Beulah Ann Chronister
Tiffany Null
Linda Wear
 
August 18th
Venoma Foster
Barbara Miller
 
August 19th
Ruth Burns
Louise Howard
Ben Webber
 
August 20th
Emily Kamp
Ben Pearson
Tanner Robbins
 
August 21st
Grace Peters
 
August 22nd
Sydney Anders
Leo Atkins
Gary Nolasco
Deborah Wilson
 
**Nursery Workers**
Morning
Flora Johnson
Elaine Hill
 
Evening
Shelia Vaught
Carolyn Hawkins
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 702
Bible Classes  442
Sunday Evening 298
 Wednesday Evening 303
Contribution   $16,620
Children’s Home $123
 
Lao Church
Attendance 32
Contribution $180
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 53
Contribution $204
 
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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