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Family Lines Newsletter, September 28, 2006
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**“But It Does Not Feel Like It!”**
By David Chadwell
 
We have enormous confidence in “feelings.”  We often determine danger on the basis of how we feel—“Something just does not feel right.”  We often encourage people to follow intuition on the basis of feeling—“Go with your gut feeling!”  We often encourage a person to search for truth on the basis of feeling—“How do you feel about it?”  We often use feelings as a guide to past experiences—“How does that memory make you feel?”
 
At least within our society, we adopt a way to measure life’s experiences.  It is a simple, subjective way to measure: Good things feel good, and bad things feel bad.  Thus, if something feels good, it cannot be bad; and if something feels bad, it cannot be good.
 
Most hasten to add that there are numerous exceptions:  Discipline rarely “feels” good.  Chemotherapy rarely “feels” good.  Yet, both are administered and endured because an eventual improvement is sought, but not guaranteed.
 
My point is NOT that one’s feelings have no value in determining wise and unwise, good and bad, or right and wrong.  My point: the Christian who uses only his or her feelings as a primary means to determine (1) the meaning of a scripture, (2) right or wrong, or (3) correct behavior makes himself or herself an inviting target for Satan’s deception.
 
Before Jesus raised Lazarus, he told Martha, “Your brother will rise again.”  Martha thought only of the final resurrection.  When Jesus’ affirmed he was the power of life and resurrection, Martha did not “feel” an immediate solution to her grief for her brother. (See John 11:23,24.)
 
When Jesus was in Gethsemane less than 24 hours before his death (Matthew 26:38-44), or Paul was frustrated by his thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10), or Peter was afraid of the Judaizing teachers (Galatians 2:11, 12), or Barnabas was deceived by hypocritical forces (Galatians 2:13), “feelings” either threatened to mask or did mask God at work.  Jesus’ feelings said, “Death is unacceptable.”  Paul’s feelings said, “You can be more effective for God without this thorn.”  Peter’s feelings said, “I do not want to experience that again.”  Barnabas’ feelings said, “They cannot be wrong about this.”
 
Thank God Jesus did not surrender to his feelings!  Thank God Paul listened to Christ when He explained!  May we be warned by Peter’s fear and Barnabas’ deception!  Yes, always consider your feelings, but never let your feelings become God’s voice.  (If we do not consider our feelings, we will have no conscience.)
 
Jesus knew God was at work in his death.  He saw beyond how he felt and felt grieved for those who caused his death (Luke 23:34).  Stephen even saw God at work in his death (Acts 7:59, 60).  That is the key for the Christian—to see God working when we experience the distasteful.  God often works through human pain and injustice.
 
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**Remember in Prayer**
• Aline Story is recovering from a broken hip and resulting surgery. She has moved to HealthSouth Rehab.
• Ann Selig will have some follow-up tests on her thyroid next week.
• Belle Wood is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3314.
• Carl Nichols is in Sparks Hospital, room 689.
• Donna Looney was recently diagnosed with cancer. She has an appointment at MD Anderson in Houston, TX next Wednesday.
• Frances Strawhacker was admitted to Sparks Hospital ICU (203) on Wednesday afternoon.
• Hazel Richards is in HealthSouth rehab and continues to recover from a broken knee.
• Maggie McElroy (mother of Bill Stokes) is in hospice care.
• Mary Broyles’ back procedure went very well. She had one injection to stabilize her back and is recovering at home.
• Rachelle Pratt will have neck surgery on Friday, September 29 in NW Arkansas.  Dr. Larry Armstrong is doing her surgery.
• Ruby Nichols fell and hit her head on Monday. She was treated in ER and is now home.
• Shirley Austin (mother of Sharon Barker) will be released from HealthSouth this week. She will be going home with Dave & Sharon and their family. Shirley still needs lots of daily care and assistance, so continue to pray for her and the Barker Family and be mindful of ways to encourage them.
• Wanda Snow, sister of Toka Beall, is in St. Edward Hospital.
 
**Military Prayer List**
Wes Roper, Lori Dotson, Mitchell Bryant, Shane Newton, Adam Morrissun, Jeff Amos, Jonathan Smith, Brian Harris, Kyle Evans, and Charles Hardy.
 
**Prayer Pagers**
Aline Story 441-2344
Belle Wood 441-1792
Carl Nichols 441-2290
Hazel Richards 784-7490
Sharon Barker (for her mother, Shirley Austin) 441-1791
 
**Welcome, New Member!**
Anita Magness
3223 Fairway Drive
Alma, AR 72921
Phone 632-9524
Anita is the mother of David Myers.
 
**New Phone Number**
Warren & Elizabeth Gardenhire
Phone: 452-5074
 
**Children’s Worship -- Reorganized**
Parents, please note the changes in room assignments beginning Sunday, October 1st.
Ages Room
2-3 years 128
4-5 years 106
6-7 years 121
 
**Congratulations**
Gene and Kathy Monk have a new granddaughter! Catherine Hope Garner was born September 13 to Jeremy & Karen (Monk) Garner. The baby weighed 6 lbs., 4 ozs. 
 
**Widows/Widowers**
A luncheon will be hosted by the Mike Burkett family, Saturday, October 7.  The vans will leave the Annex at 11:30 a.m.  Call Mary or Bobbie if you need transportation to the annex.
 
**Car Clinic**
Cancelled for October.
 
**New & Improved FALL FEST**
Mark your calendars for October 28 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  We are changing things up this year by having all of our fun-filled booths Bible-based.  The kids can have fun while remembering some of their favorite Bible Stories!  This will be a wonderful time of fun, food, and fellowship for our entire church family & friends, but we need your help with the following:
• Booth Operators (all supplies and instructions will be provided.  We need YOU!) 
• Small Toys (from fast food, birthday party leftovers, etc.  These may be put in the bin in the foyer.)
• Cash!
There is truly a place for everyone at Fall Fest.   Sign up today on the bulletin board in the foyer and join the fun!
 
**Life Group Opportunity
Do you need some pure JOY in your life?  Come and study Philippians with us as we discover what it means to have abundance of spiritual joy and love as Paul shares his perspectives with us through this encouraging letter. We start Sunday night. Give one of us a call!
• John & Melody Priester
• James & Patti Anderson
• Ron & Debbie Belote
 
**CD Benefits Disaster Relief**
Olan Bassham (Columbia, TN preacher and songwriter) has written 11 new songs and teamed up with his longtime friends, The Jordanaires (Elvis Presley’s backup singers) to release a new CD, “Take God’s Hand.” The sale of the CD is to raise funds for Churches of Christ Disaster Relief efforts in America and all over the world. The CD is $12 and can be ordered from:
Mercy Missions
1501 Jewell Drive
Columbia, TN 38401.
 
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Page 3  MINISTRY FAIR IS OCTOBER 8th!
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**Top Ten Reasons you should find a Ministry to be involved in!**
10.  God has picked work for you to do.
 9.   If you don’t do it, who will?
 8.   It will make a difference to someone else.
 7a. You will be modeling service for your kids.
 7b. If you don’t have kids, they will still see your example.
 6.   Low pay here … eternal benefits later.
 5.   It can be fun, rewarding, touching, emotional and uplifting -- all at the same time.
Return next week for the numbers 1-4!
 
**What possibilities do you see today to demonstrate God’s love?**
Photos in the printed newsletter include:
• Joyce Chadwell & Kristin Smith at Tuesday Morning WINGS (Women in God’s Service)
• Children participating in “Little WINGS”
• Wednesday Hope Chest Volunteers: Betty Summers, Betty Moreton, and Berniece Rogers
 
**Sunday, October 1**
Elders, Deacons, Ministry Leaders and all Staff -- 
Pot-Luck Lunch, Noon - 1:30 p.m. in the Annex
We will discuss display locations for the Ministry Fair, the value of your ministry to others, and the impact it can have.
This will be a true old-fashioned potluck! We will eat what is brought with no assignments as to who is to bring what! Bring something! Drinks will be provided.
 
**Ministry Fair Sunday! October 8**
Worship
Dinner on the grounds
 • Hot dogs, burgers…
 • Various ministries will have displays so you can learn more about what they do.
1:30 p.m. afternoon Worship
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
Sometimes you come across an article or a book that really grabs your attention. This past week, I had an experience like that. I started the book over the weekend and couldn’t put it down.
 
The book is called “Fully Devoted – Living Each Day in Jesus' Name” by John Ortber, Laurie Pederson, Judson Poling and it deals with “pursuing spiritual transformation.”  It talks a lot about what true spirituality really is and what it is not. It talks about the traps we can fall into when we get caught up in all of our “religiousness” instead of “righteousness.”
 
Let me share part of chapter one with you.  I hope it blesses you this week:
 
“Your spiritual life is simply your whole life – every minute of it and details of it – from God’s perspective. In other words, God isn’t interested in your spiritual life. God is simply interested in your life. And every moment is an opportunity to do life in Jesus’ name.
 
"…What makes you think that God is absent from the maintenance shop but present in the chapel? Holiness doesn’t depend on changing our jobs, but in doing for God’s sake what we have been used to doing for our own.
 
"Seriously, repair the equipment for God, answer the abusive phone calls for God, concentrate fully on the job you’re doing for God. He isn’t obsessed with religion - he’s the God of the whole of life.. But we need to give it to him, consciously turning it over into his hands. Then whatever we’re doing, provided it is not against his will, becomes an act of Christian service.”
 
**Nursery**
AM:  Melissa Walker, Suzi Jenneman. Dena Jenkins
PM: Gina Williams
 
**Happy Birthday**
October 5th
Sharon Faries
Leslie Holland
Dena Jenkins
Margaret Moss
Sam Oliver
Kinzey Rogers
Dalton Smith
 
October 7th
Andrew Heras
Migdalia Mendez
Dawson Urrutia
Carl Wood
 
October 8th
Gertrude Mize
Kevin Roberts
Neil Roberts
 
**October Communion Workers**
Tom King
Jack Lowry
Randy Hankins
John Lingren
Harold Binyon
J.T. Smith
Charles Hankins
Travis McDonald
John Wood
Doyle Wright
Curtis McDonald
Greg Null
Aaron Hite
Todd Andrew
Brent Perkins
Rick Nelson
 
**Ushers & Nursery Communion**
David Berger
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 700
Bible Classes  474
Sunday Evening 312
 Wednesday Evening 359
Contribution   $20,293
Children’s Home $280
 
Laotian
Attendance 38
Contribution $174
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 45
Contribution $136

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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