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Family Lines Newsletter, March 8, 2007
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** "Sometimes It Is Just Plain Difficult!” **
By David Chadwell
 
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”  (Galatians 5:16, 17)
 
The struggle between the spiritual and the physical over control of our lives is real and difficult.  In a society “hooked” on “quick fixes,” we discover there is no “quick fix” in this struggle.  There is no pill to swallow, no immediate service to demand, or no “I will report you to your boss” threats.  In fact, spiritual maturity intensifies the struggle.  Spiritual maturity increases the struggle because it brings awareness and growth.  It increases Satan’s problems.  Thus, spiritual maturity focuses Satan’s opposition.
 
Some things cause Satan minimal problems. Words and the life of the human speaker are inconsistent.  Judging is inconsistent.  (We condemn and excuse for the same offense.) Rejection is inconsistent.  (Some receive hate, and some compassion.)  Satan easily points out the inconsistencies.
 
Words, judging, and rejection are of minimal threat to Satan.  Even the immature can use words, judgments, and rejection.  All three are real “turn-offs” to most people.  All three make many Christians feel good about themselves [“I did my duty!”], but all three rarely touch the lives of people not in Christ.
 
However, godly examples cause Satan major problems.  Consider the man or woman in Christ (1) who dares know his or her sinful weaknesses, (2) who acknowledges weaknesses, but (3) who is a constant example of grateful service to the God who saves.  How does Satan discredit him or her?  The influence of a Christian who forgives personal offenders, who loves the unlovable, and who is gracious to the undeserving is an enormous threat to Satan!
 
Consequently, the more Christ-like we become, the greater threat we are to evil.  As we grow in Christ, we allow “God in us” to appeal to Satan’s subjects.  The result: we increasingly attract Satan’s attention.  God’s influence in human life has enormous appeal to those trapped by evil.  Peace in Christ and hope through God are powerful forces!
 
Do not deceive yourself!  You never escape [on earth] the struggle between physical desires that oppose God and spiritual desires to be like Christ!  Satan is shrewd and vicious!  However, never forget God is more than his equal!  Good triumphs through God’s acts!  Satan killed Jesus, but God triumphed!
 
As Paul said to the Galatian Christians, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9).
 
Never tire of doing good!  Travel to a place where we “fit” (Hebrews 11:14-16).  Let’s encourage each other to be real and to walk together!
 
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**Daylight Savings Time Begins**
It’s that time again!
Set your clocks ahead 1 hour at bedtime Saturday night.
 
**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Bonnie Marrs (recovery from a stroke)
• Coleen Shirley (recovery from surgery)
• Donna Miller asks that we remember her friend Bobbie Michael in prayer. Bobbie is scheduled for brain surgery at UAMS later this week.
• Harry Smith (Barbara’s husband)
• Kay Cole has been dismissed from HealthSouth.
• Malcomb Gordey is being treated at home for pneumonia. He is the uncle of Donna Miller, Marilyn Selby & Laura Smith.
• Naomi Spears (daughter of Pearl Beam) is in Sparks Hospital, room 450, with pneumonia.
• Patty Kaiser (chemotherapy treatments)
• Starr Pistole (chemotherapy)
• Teresa Beam (daughter-in-law of Pearl Beam) is in Sparks Hospital, room 448.
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Ronnie Galloway in the death of his father, Paul. Funeral services were 3/5/07 at National Cemetery in Fort Smith.
 
**Prayers for Mission Efforts**
• Thomas & Kindy Kweekul have been on the mission field since November.  They are scheduled to return to Arkansas next Monday, March 12.
• Continue to pray for our missionary families in Vietnam and Laos.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley are home from France for a visit.
• Steve & Coleen DeLoach, Operation Guyana
 
**Military in Our Prayers**
Adam Morrissun
Brian Harris
Charles Hardy
Jeff Amos
Jonathan Smith
Michael Anderson
Kyle Evans
Mitchell Bryant
Stephen McElroy
Wes Roper
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• Coleen Shirley, 441-2379
• John Richards, 441-2378
• Patty Kaiser, 441-2387
• 441-2395 – Will notify all that prayer has been offered.
 
**Change of Address**
Norma Bodley
5800 Grand Avenue, #802
Fort Smith, AR 72903
 
**The FLOCK Needs You!**
We have an immediate need for:
Wednesday Night & Sunday Morning FLOCK teachers (3 years old through 1st grade).
Contact Staci James, Dena Jenkins or Melody Priester if you can help. All materials and supplies are provided.
 
**JOY Bunch!**
Potluck Supper, March 17, 6:00 p.m. in the FLC.
It’s “Wear Your Hobby” Night!
Show and tell us about your hobby.
 
**Game Day**
Thursday, March 15, 12 Noon
Meg Canfield’s Home
Come and join us!
 
**60th Wedding Anniversary!**
Harold & Ruth Gouty
March 14
1947 - 2007
 
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**Note of Thanks**
We would like to express our appreciation for all the cards, phone calls, prayers, etc. after the death of Bob Neisler, brother of Don and uncle of Louise Hamilton and Karen Carter. Also, thank you to the church for the donation of a book to the Library for his memorial.
 Don, Billie, Louise, & Karen
 
**LTC Rehearsals, March 11**
4:00 Elementary Signing
 High School Quiz Bowl
4:30  Secondary Chorus
5:00 Elementary Puppets
6:00 Elementary Chorus
 
**LTC Art work for all ages!**
Please get you artwork to Shanna Davis by March 25.  The guideline/rule sheets are on the LTC table in the foyer.  If you have questions or need help, please call Shanna.
 
**Guyana Mission Art Project**
If you are interested in purchasing an original (5 x 7), framed watercolor of an "old mailbox on a post" with your family or someone's name on it, then e-mail J. Lankford (painter) or Matt Griffin (framer) to put in an order. Because of time, it will be on a first-contact basis. Allow some weeks for delivery. Payment should be made by check to "West-Ark Church of Christ" for the "Guyana Mission Trip" fund to help people from here go there. The amount of the donation is up to you.
 John Lankford   chembodad [at] yahoo.com
 Mat Griffin   matgriffin2 [at] cox.net
 
**HOPE CHEST Needs**
 We have a need for:
• towels
• washcloths and
• bedclothing (all kinds).   
They don’t have to be new, just clean and usable. 
 
**HOPE CHEST News!**
This past week was an exciting one for the Hope Chest.  In addition to serving approximately 150 house- holds, four Bible studies were set up by Oscar Nolasco, and Jack Lewis is going to have a follow-up Bible study with someone he met there and studied with.
 
Please make an effort to get acquainted with Norma Bodley who was recently baptized.  She is one of the volunteers at the Hope Chest and is very encouraged by her involvement with Christians who are eager to serve others.  You, too, can experience that encouragement by becoming involved at the Hope Chest.    If you have some time to give, please contact one of the committee members: Farrell Graves, Genneil Nye, Jeannie Cole, Linda Davis, Sheila Vaught, Kathy Rosalez, Ron & Betty Moreton, or Jim & Helen Pratt.
 
The container located in the foyer has been filled AGAIN.   Thanks for continuing to contribute to this ministry. ~~Helen Pratt
 
**Tulsa International Soul Winning Workshop**
March 22-24, 2007
Expo Square (The Tulsa Fairgrounds)
 
**Ladies’ Day at Alma Church of Christ**
Saturday, March 31
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
8:30 registration and refreshments
Lunch will be served.
Guest Speaker is Pamela O’Neal from Ridgetop, TN.
Her topics will be themed around quilts and patterns.
• “You Will Never Again Look at Quilts in the Same Way”
• “Patterns for Christian Living”
 
To register, please call (479) 632-2659 or (479) 670-2859.
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
Praise God for the things only He can do! It appeared that Winter Retreat was going to be a disaster this year. Our original weekend was cancelled due to snow and ice.  It was rescheduled more than once to try to accommodate the 8 different youth groups who wanted to participate.
 
Every time we found a date that would accommodate all of the different groups, the camp facility we needed would be booked. Every time the facility was free, several groups would have conflicts with the date and would not have been able to attend.
 
We finally made a tough decision…for the first time in 16 years Winter Retreat would have to take place individually with each different youth group. It seemed like the best and only option If it was still going to take place in the winter.
 
Then the second round of problems began. Finding a good weekend for our teens wasn’t easy.  It ended up being on a weekend that contained choir concerts, basketball clinics, baseball games and special events at West-Ark. Yet, all of the other possibilities were even more difficult. So we made it happen! And God did incredible things!
 
We studied John 10 and our theme was “The Good Shepherd.” I encourage you to ask any of our teens who went about the weekend. Ask them to tell you what they experienced.
 
I am thankful for Elizabeth Ludlow’s decision to be baptized into Christ as a result of what she experienced throughout the weekend. Many of you were present for her baptism Sunday night after services. God worked in her heart and in the lives and hearts of many others. He took an event that seemed filled with “impossibilities” and turned it into something wonderful! Praise Him for the things only He can do!
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
March 11
Bill Stancil
 
March 12
Alex Tomlin
 
March 13
Carol Green
Sarah Miller
Richard Nelson
John Richards
 
March 14
Vicki Anderson
John Berger
Luke Jones
Maxine Yates
 
March 15
Matthew Hines
Hayley Sanchez
Janie Wyatt
 
March 17
Marie Lile
 
**Morning Nursery**
Vicki Anderson
Trish Carson
Dwonne Cogswell
 
**Evening Nursery**
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 619
Sunday PM Worship 291
Bible Classes  393
Life Groups 79
Contribution   $19,727
Children’s Home $299
 
**Lao Worship**
Attendance 37
Contribution $188
 
**Iglesia de Cristo**
Attendance 56
Contribution $229
 
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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