West-Ark Newsletter, 15 February 2007

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Lines Newsletter, February 15, 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, What will we eat? or What will we drink? or What will we wear for clothing? For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:27-34)

I increasingly notice a concept that promises a lot but causes pain. The concept: We can have it all! It promises we can have everything without making choices. We can have it all, and no one will suffer. Values will not be diluted. Priorities will not be altered. Relationships will be blessed. Individuals will flourish. Families will remain intact. Everyone will be happywhatever that is.

Having it all requires adjustments, but the exchanges are okay. Thus, we exchange spiritual existence for a going to church habit. We exchange family time for couple of weekly meals together. We exchange My word is my bond! for Can I legally contest that contract? We exchange it is needful for it is pushing. We exchange relationships for lifestyle. We redefine success: success is what you possess instead of who you are as a person.

What results from seeking it all? Parents try to prove love by giving instead of being. Lonely, suffering children turn to anything that offers escape from loneliness. Divorce is expected. Religious habits replace spiritual development. Few are trusted [even in families!]; motives are doubted [what are they up to?] Boats dry rot in garages. Credit cards are over extended. We live today on what we hope to earn next year. We work too hard to enjoy each other. The gap between poverty and the middle class increases. Those with much seek more in the fear of not having. The definition of rich constantly changes. Remember when rich was having a few thousand dollars?

As the transition continues, two things are striking. (1) How easy it is to become selfish is striking. The question seems to be, Am I happy? The answer seems to be, No, but I will be when I get ... (2) The confidence we can have it all without having to make choices is striking. According to todays reasoning, responsibility destroys happiness!

Choices are inescapable! We cannot have it all! One huge self-deceit of evil is, We should never have to exclude anything. Perhaps we exclude God! If so, that is sad beyond description! Following God is about unselfish choicesalways! It is unselfish choices that define Gods concept of righteousness.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
Alice Rogers recovering from knee surgery.
Barbara Dunlap has been sick for several weeks with strep, bronchitis, and now an abscessed tooth. She is back at work, but knows your prayers will make a difference in her recovery!
Bonnie Marrs is in rehab at St. Edward, room 5215, following a stroke.
Coleen Shirleys surgery is planned for February 23. Coleen has prayer pager 441-2379.
Harry Smiths (Barbaras husband)
Lois Lancaster has been dismissed from the hospital.
Naomi Spears (daughter of Pearl Beam) is in Sparks Hospital, room 450.
Patty Kaiser (chemotherapy treatments). Patty has prayer pager 441-2387.
Rebecca Holloway had arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday, 2/15/07 (as an out-patient).
Starr Pistole (chemotherapy treatments)

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Inez & Debra Gail Hatfield in the death of niece and cousin, Frieda Kelly. Graveside services are Monday, 11 a.m. at National Cemetery.

**Note of Thanks**
Naomi Spears is a little better. She will be leaving the hospital soon for Legacy Nursing Home. Were so thankful for all the visits, calls, cards, and especially the prayers.
Spears & Beam Families

**LTC Rehearsals, February 18**
4:00 Elementary Signing
High School Quiz Bowl
5:00 Elementary Drama
Secondary Chorus
Junior High Puppets
5:30 Senior High Puppets
6:00 Elementary Drama

**LTC T-Shirts**
If your family is going to Tulsa, check out the t-shirt sizes posted on the LTC bulletin board by February 18. Well be ordering shirts soon; make sure the sizes for your family are correct.

**Soup Labels**
If you are collecting Campbells soup labels for the Childrens Home, new guidelines have been issued. Now, we also need the UPC code. Its probably easier just to clip the entire soup label and put it in the container in the foyer! Thanks for participating.

**FLOCK Needs**
Contact Staci James, Dena Jenkins or Melody Priester if you can help with any of the following needs.
Sunday & Wednesday Night Teachers. All materials and supplies will be provided.
Large, utility shelving (for our backstage area)
Christian Children's CDs (a capella or split track, please)
Split track CD player

**Note from the Elders**
The elders appreciate the excellent participation by the congregation as we searched for additional shepherds. Of those men who received a significant percentage of nominations, these four have agreed to serve: RON BELOTE, RUSS McCONNELL, LARRY TODD, JIM WILSON. If you are aware of any scriptural reason that would make any of them unqualified to be a West-Ark elder, would you please put your concern in writing, sign it, and give it to one of our current elders no later than February 25?

The many other names that were suggested has helped us to identify godly men who, with training and encouragement, will make excellent elders for this congregation in the future.

**Elder Selection Timeline**
February 18 25
Announcement of candidates.
Affirmation of candidates. The gold Pledge of Support forms may be found in the foyer and must be returned to the designated drop box on or before Feb. 25.
Scriptural concerns about any candidate should be submitted in writing to the elders for review. Unsigned letters will be discarded.
March 4
Dedication of elders

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Russ McConnell (age 73)**
Baptized into Christ in 1946 in Carrolton, KY.
Married to Jean for 50 years. Russ & Jean have two adult daughters.
Currently retired from a career of preaching.
Member of West-Ark Church of Christ for 1 year and 3 months.
Teaches Bible classes and preaches sermons as opportunities arise.
His vision for our church family is to grow in love for God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. He wants to encourage us to work hard to build better relationships with each other.

**Jim Wilson (age 56)**
Baptized into Christ in October, 1972 in Encardio, CA.
Married to Deborah for 33 years. Jim & Deborah have three adult children.
Currently a family physician.
Member of West-Ark Church of Christ since 1990.
Served as a missionary in Tanzania from 1988 1990.
Teaches Bible classes; serves as a member of our foreign missions team.
His vision for our church family is continued growth of each member and the church as a whole to better reflect the purpose of God.

**Ron Belote (age 53)**
Baptized into Christ in 1963 in Fayetteville, AR.
Married to Debbie for 32 years. Ron & Debbie have two adult children.
Currently an industrial engineer with Baldor Electric.
Member of College Terrace/West-Ark Church of Christ since 1980.
Congregational song leader for 25 years; serves as a deacon and member of our Business Management Team.
His vision for our church family is to be a fellowship wherein people can be renewed and uplifted no matter what condition they are in. He wants to encourage the involvement of every member in a work of service.

**Larry Todd (age 43)**
Baptized into Christ in 1977 at the Bethel Grove Church of Christ in Judsonia, AR.
Married to Suzette for 19 years. Larry & Suzette have two teenage children.
Currently Chief Financial Officer for AFMC and a Commander in U.S. Navy.
Member of West-Ark Church of Christ since 1989.
Deacon (emphasis on youth) and member of the Business Management Team.
His vision for our church family is to be Christ-centered, focused on continual spiritual growth, and a leader in the brotherhood in Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Winter Retreat has been rescheduled for March 2-4. We are taking our Senior High students on a trip to Oklahoma Christian for their spring visit on March 9-10. We will be hosting Sunday Night Live for over 200 area teens on Sunday, March 10. And Spring Break will take place the week of March 19-23.

We will be blessed to have a FANTASTIC guest speaker for our Sunday Night Live, Mitch Wilburn, who is the pulpit minister for the Park Plaza Church in Tulsa. He was a Youth Minister for 10+ years and a Community Outreach Minister for a couple of years. So make plans now to take part in as many our activities as you can and learn more about what it means to be a true disciple.

Youth groups and high school students are invited to participate in OC's annual youth rally on Saturday morning, March 10 at 10:30 a.m. Youth Forum will include an inspirational message, praise and worship, and performances by OC student groups Unbound and New Reign. This year's theme is the "Big Show."

The Christian life is lived for everyone to see. Your students' lives are their "Big Show". What kind of production are they staging? Does their "Big Show" bring others closer to God's kingdom or does it push them further away? This year's Youth Forum showcases practical Christians who are making the most of their "Big Show" by serving the poor, saving the lost and seeking Christ in their everyday walk. Your students will be challenged to do the same.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------