------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family
Lines Newsletter, April 26,
2007
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Holy Manners: Love (Part
1)**
By David Chadwell
Now as to the love of the
brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are
taught by God to love one another ... (1 Thessalonians 4:9).
Godliness foundation manner is
"agape" love. The Greek language (the primary, original language of the
New Testament) used four words for love. The English language has only one
word for love.
The Greek word often used in the
New Testament is some form of "agape." Its uniqueness is this: It is not
based on feeling (emotion), but on intent. One treats others as he or she
wishes to be treated. This treatment is not based on how the Christian is
treated, but on how God and Jesus Christ would behave.
Four scriptures come to my mind
quickly when I consider the loving Christian.
For if you love those who love
you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you
greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the
Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father
is perfect (Matthew 5:46-48).
Even if I do not feel positively
toward you, I treat you with respect as does my God.
So then, while we have
opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of
the household of the faith (Galatians 6:10).
A Christian seeks good for
all. He or she goes beyond the anticipated in doing good to other
believing, repenting, baptized Christians.
By this all men will know that
you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John
13:35).
The ability and willingness to
show loves respect is the primary mark of discipleship among
Christians.
... We know that we all have
knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies (1 Corinthians
8:1).
Few care what we know until they
see what we know affecting our behavior, making us better people. Until a
Christians knowledge leads to love, it produces arrogance.
Two of these statements were made
by Jesus. Two were made by Paul. All four address extremely difficult
situations: (1) the treatment of those you do not like; (2) the treatment
of weak Christians who fall to temptation; (3) the understanding that service is
superior to control; (4) idolatry [that affected most gentile
Christians].
For 2,000 years horrible things
have happened in Gods family when Christians have failed to understand the
manners of love.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**The Wonder Working Power of
Prayer**
Braden Zimmer (a friend of Hunter Pistoles) broke his ankle while
playing basketball.
Doris Robertson (continued recovery from back
surgery)
Doy Wilkins (Nancy Dockerys father) is scheduled for outpatient
surgery Thursday, April 26.
George Breazeal (Nancy Smiths father) is
scheduled for surgery Thursday, April
26.
John & Nelda Fowler request
prayers for their friend, G. L. Dotson, who is in St. Edward Hospital, ICU. He
has double pneumonia and heart problems.
Kathleen Nelson is in St. Edward
Hospital, room 3320. She may be dismissed this week.
Lisa Neisler
(daughter of Don & Billie Neisler) fell last Friday and broke her ankle in
three places. If you would like to send her a card, Lisas address is 3405
Willowood Circle #1035, Arlington, Texas, 76015.
Luis Mendez continues to
recover from two herniated discs.
Mary T Kolb appreciates cards and
visits, but please phone before visiting. She continues to recuperate at home
from a stroke.
Patty Kaiser has returned home. She is very
appreciative of cards, calls, and visits.
Praise! Starr Pistole is grateful
for the many prayers. She had her last chemotherapy treatment this week!
Roger Dicks
**Bereaved**
Our love and
sympathy is extended to Bob & Patti Null and their family in the death of
Bobs father, LeRoy Null. Visitation with the family will be Thursday (4/26/07),
6:00 to 7:00 PM at Lewis Funeral Home. The funeral service is planned for
Saturday, 1:00 PM, at Southern Oaks Church of Christ in Chickasha,
Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the West-Ark
Library or the Alzheimers Association.
Harold David requests prayers for
the family of James Brown.
**Prayer Pagers**
Null
Family, 441-2379
Patty Kaiser, 441-2387
Dialing (479) 441-2395
will contact all West-Ark prayer pagers at once.
**Pray for Our Military**
Continue to pray for:
Adam Morrissun
Brian Perkins
Brian
Harris
Jeff Amos
Jonathan Smith
Kyle Evans
Michael Anderson
Ron
Wheat
Stephen McElroy
Thomas Lara
Wes Roper
**Placing Membership**
Jeff
& Gina Null
Elise
2004 Park Ridge
Dr.
Van Buren, AR
72956
474-0952
Zoe Harger
115 Fort
Street
Barling, AR 72923
Phone: 452-0227
**Notes of Thanks**
Thank you so much for the cards,
calls, and food during my recovery from back surgery. The prayer pager was a
real blessing.
Love,
Doris Robertson
Dear West-Ark Members,
Thank
you so much for the use of your gym Saturday night (4/14/07). Our original plan
was to spend the night at Devils Den. We had to change plans due to the weather
report of rain & snow.
In Christian love,
All the Teens
of
Chenal Valley Church of Christ
Dear Church Family:
I find it
difficult to express to you my deep appreciation for all your acts of kindness
during my recent illness your prayers, cards, calls, visits and food meant so
much to me. Love and caring flow freely in the West-Ark Church, and I am so
grateful to be a part of it.
Sincerely,
Mary Frances
Jackson
Dear Christian Friends,
I want
to thank everyone for the cards, calls, and visits during my recent back
surgery. It is very encouraging during a time like that to hear from
Christian friends and know that they are praying for your recovery. I feel
very blessed to be a part of this congregation and such a great group of
people. Thank you again!
In Christian love,
Phil Burns
**Family Meeting, Fellowship Meal,
and "Pounding" for Shane & Natalie Hughes**
Sunday, April 29, 6:00
p.m.
Well have a fellowship meal afterwards in the FLC. Please bring
desserts!
Well also have a Welcome to West-Ark Pounding for Shane and
Natalie during Sunday night's fellowship meal!
Please bring a pound of
something for Shane & Natalie to let them know were glad they are
here! Just place your gift on the table by the FLC doors. Thank you all
for the wonderful, welcoming spirit you possess! ~~Karen
Benjamin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Summer WINGS**
A
Wednesday night "Summer WINGS" class is being planned for the ladies at
West-Ark. This 14- week study from Philippians and Colossians will begin May 2.
It will be very practical and appropriate for various ages to study
together. Would you be interested in being a part of this class? If
so, please call Helen Pratt at 782-6655 or e-mail her at TripleR123@aol.com before April 28.
It will be helpful to have the approximate number of ladies who will be
attending as the leaders begin preparation of the study material.
**Green Valley Meeting**
Well
have a short, informational meeting Sunday, April 29, at the front of the
Auditorium immediately after services. This is for anyone interested in going to
Green Valley Bible Camp this summer with our group (the first week in
July). GVBC is in Rogers, AR, and will accept campers who are 11 years of
age through high school seniors. Day Camp is available for those who
have finished 1st grade through age 11. Questions? Call Rochelle Brown at
452-3362.
**Lions for Christ**
Finals
Week Pancake Breakfast
May 7-11, 7 10 a.m.
If you would like to help
with breakfast for our college students, please contact Colleen Frost at home,
996-6096, or at the church office, 452-1240.
**Car Clinic for
60+/Widows/Widowers/Single Ladies**
Saturday, May 5, 8 to 11 AM
Bring
your cars to the Annex for oil changes (bring supplies), antifreeze checks, tire
checks, minor repairs, etc. This activity will be postponed if it is
raining.
**Widows/Widowers**
We will be
hosted Saturday, May 5 by the Barry Owen Family. We will leave the Annex
at 11:30 AM. Call Bobby (479-674-5814), Mary (646-6079), or Janice
(474-8851) if you need transportation to the Annex. Come be a part of this
terrific fellowship.
**Brunch for Graduating Senior
Girls**
Saturday, May 12th, 10:00 AM in the FLC
This brunch will honor
our two graduating senior girls, Bailey Williams and Molly Walker. We are
blessed to once again have Daisy Powell from Tulsa as our speaker. Please bring
a breakfast food. We hope to have ALL WOMEN, no matter what your age, to attend
and honor these two fine young women!
**Its VBS Time, and We Need Your
Help!**
VBS is June 18-21. If you would like to help in any way, there is a
place for you! VBS is a very exciting event for ALL ages. Contact
Staci James or Dena Jenkins if you can help. To God be all the
glory!!
Dena Jenkins, 478-6486
E-mail: dena@jenkinssite.com
Staci James,
484-7620
E-mail: ss_james@sbcglobal.net
**Wedding Invitation**
Mr.
& Mrs. Perry Johnson
request the honor of your presence
at the
marriage of their daughter
Ashlee Brooke to Jeremy Drew Beauchamp
son of
Mr. & Mrs. Milton Beauchamp
on Saturday, May 26, at four oclock in the
afternoon
151st Street Church of Christ, Olathe, Kansas.
Dinner reception to
follow.
RSVP to Ashlee Johnson by May 9th.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Family Life Ministry**
By
Brad Pistole
*Jesus, He's So Nice, Part
4*
In Mark 5:24-34, we read about a woman who was truly DESPERATE for Jesus.
The Bible tells us she had been suffering from a terrible bleeding disease for
12 years. It was a disgusting and embarrassing problem.
It goes on to say that she had
been to many doctors and she had spent everything she had to fix her problem,
but she had not gotten any better. In fact, her problem was getting worse.
Welcome to the land of desperation!
So she did what any desperate
person would do
she broke the rules. Remember, she was a woman. She was a
ceremonially unclean woman, and she approached Jesus PUBLICLY. She didnt ask
for anyones permission. She didnt follow the proper procedures. She didnt
wait in line. She pushed and shoved her way through the crowd of people (who
were headed to the RICH guys house to watch a little girl get healed) with no
thought for anyone else. She did whatever it took to TOUCH Jesus.
The nerve of some people! How dare
she! She has been described by some as rude, irresponsible, reckless,
disrespectful, inconsiderate, impulsive, and uncivilized.
Surely Jesus would rebuke her for
this. Surely he would remind her how important it is to be kind and considerate
of others. Surely he would withhold his healing from her until she learned how
to be patient, follow the rules, and treat others as she would want to be
treated. Right?
Instead, just like he did in Mark
2:1-7 for the people who destroyed someones house in their desperate attempt
to get to Jesus, he does the unthinkable. He turns to the irresponsible,
reckless, disrespectful woman and says, Daughter, your faith has made you well.
Go in peace. You have been healed. In Mark 2, he not only heals the
law-breaker but he also forgives his sins.
Does this make sense to you? He
scolds the religious law-keepers over and over again and then repeatedly heals
and forgives the people who go against the flow and break all the
rules.
What can this possibly
mean?
~~To be continued.
**Happy Birthday**
April 29
Jim Selig
April 30
Rebekah
Broom
May 1
Evan Foley
May 2
Lisa Broom
Jon
Keller
Kent Snider
Ed Vampola
May 3
Dave Barker
Melissa
Blasdel
May 4
Danna Turpin
Braden
Walker
May 5
Sarah Sawyer
**Morning Nursery**
Louise
Howard
Cristy Pressley
Hannah Pressley
Kay Pressley
Maddie
Pressley
Cami Stancil
**Evening Nursery**
Roberta
Moses
**Attendance and Contribution
Count**
Sunday AM Worship 687
Sunday PM Worship 250
Bible Classes
485
Life Groups 59
Contribution $15305
Childrens Home
$287
Lao Worship
Attendance
56
Contribution $208
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance
45
Contribution $188
"Making disciples for Jesus who
are eager to serve
others."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------