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Family Lines Newsletter, May 3, 2007
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**Holy Manners: Love (Part 2)**
By David Chadwell
 
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)
 
As I share these thoughts, I am not one who has it all figured out.  No human, man or woman, “has it all figured out.” Humans encourage. God through Jesus Christ models. Appreciating human examples of godly influence is appropriate. However, Christians revere only one model: God’s actions and behavior through Jesus Christ.
  
The powerful affirmation of God’s love for us is found in Romans 5:8. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
 
While we were everything God is not, before we committed to any solution God gave for our salvation, before we pledged to transform our emotions or behavior, God paid the full price for our forgiveness at enormous cost to Himself.  God loved us while we were His enemies.  In the same context, Paul asked, “How can you doubt His commitment to you when God loved you enough to forgive you prior to your commitment to conversion?”
 
The relevant point to Christians as we define godly love is this:  If God loves us that much, how much should we love other Christians?  How much should we love people?
 
Love is not a weak emotion and behavior!  It is infinitely challenging!  To love believing, penitent, baptized Christians with whom we disagree is an enormous challenge!  It is extremely difficult to understand that Christians cannot represent God’s truth by attacking people!  Such does not reflect the way God in Christ functions!
 
In the Ephesians scripture, note Paul’s concepts.  (1) There is a fitting and unfitting way for Christians to behave.  (2) Fitting Christian behavior includes humility, gentleness, and patience.  (3)  Godly patience forbears [endures each other’s faults]. (4) Such humility, gentleness, and patience are possible in Christians because [like God] their love for one another is greater than the faults they observe.  (5) These qualities preserve unity and bind Christians together in peace.
 
They are not unified because they conform.  They are unified because their love for each other comes from God’s love for all of them.  They do not live in peace because they agree on everything.  They live in peace because God’s love is the source of their peace.
 
Anyone can live in unity and peace with those who agree with them.  Only the godly can live in unity and peace with those who do not agree with them.
 
The #1 holy manner in Christians is to act with love—even when we endure the unlovable!
 
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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
• Jerry Richards (son of Hazel & John) is in lots of pain from 2 herniated discs.
• Karen Carter requests prayers for her friend, Roberta Robberson, who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
• Luis Mendez continues to recover from two herniated discs.
• Patty Kaiser appreciates cards, calls, and visits.
• Richard Broyles is recovering from surgery on his lower eye lid.
• Robin Harper (six-month checkup at M.D. Anderson Hospital)
• Ruth Choate is at Methodist Nursing Home, room 128. She appreciates visits, but no food, please.
• The Smith Family is thankful for your prayers. Nancy’s father, George Breazeal is recovering from lung surgery, and no further treatment is needed.
• Tim Williams (son-in-law of Bob & Jane Fisher)
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to John Richards in the recent death of his nephew, David Friday.
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• Null Family, 441-2379
• Patty Kaiser,  441-2387
• Dialing (479) 441-2395 will contact all West-Ark prayer pagers at once.
 
**Prayers for Military**
Mary Broyles requests your prayers for Stephen Christian, who is in Iraq. He is the son of a friend.
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
 
**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Church Family,
THANKS to everyone for the many cards and expressions of love and encouragement given to Vivian and me upon my retirement as an elder. The reception was wonderful! We love and appreciate the family of God at West-Ark.
 Earl & Vivian Flood
 
West-Ark Church of Christ,
John, Sue, Moorea, and I wish to thank the church for the loving memory of a donation to the Library in Paul’s name. We are so blessed to have such loving brothers and sisters in Christ.
 Love to all,
 Fran Wade
 
Dear West-Ark Family,
 Thank you so much for all of the wonderful pounding you gave us last Sunday night.  We can tell we are loved and cared for here. 
 Natalie and Shane Hughes
 
**LFC Finals Week**
Pancake Breakfast
MAY 7-11, 7 – 10 AM
If you would like to help with breakfast for our college students, please contact Colleen Frost at home or at the church office.
 
**Branson Joy Bunch Trip**
We're planning a trip for May 19-20 to Branson, Missouri. The cost is $70 per person, which includes your room, evening meal, and a show. We'll leave at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday and return about 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Please give your money to Genneil Nye or the Turpins by May 13th.
 
**Car Clinic**
For 60+/Widows//Widowers and Single Ladies
Saturday, May 5, 8 - 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, Mary, or Janice if you need transportation to the Annex.  Come be a part of this terrific fellowship.
 
**“Catch Jesus in Action”**
VBS is June 18-21!
VBS is a very exciting event for ALL ages.  If you would like to help in any way, there is a place for you!  Contact Staci James or Dena Jenkins if you can help.  To God be all the glory!!
 
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**Brunch for Senior Girls**
Saturday, May 12, 10:00 AM in the FLC
Our brunch will honor West-Ark’s 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!  
 
**Wedding Invitations**
 
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 o’clock in the afternoon
151st  Street Church of Christ
Olathe, Kansas
Dinner reception to follow
RSVP to Ashlee Johnson by May 9
 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Keller request
the honor of your presence at the
marriage of their daughter
Julie Jean to
Mr. James Daniel Tignor
son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Tignor
on Saturday, May 19th
at eleven o’clock
Eagle View
100 Eagle View Drive
Searcy, AR
 
**Tutoring Program**
By Sheila Vaught
 
Another successful tutoring school year has ended. A much deserved “thank you” goes out to our 28 tutors, 18 substitute tutors, 26 providers of fantastic snacks, 8 storytellers, 2 van drivers, and 2 substitute drivers.
 
One knows what a great job the tutors did when on the second day several of the children asked if we could extend the time. Yesterday, one child couldn’t eat after he realized it was the last day.
 
Some of our students arrived hungrier than the average child, and our snack-providing heroes made it their goal to see that these children would not go to bed hungry on Tuesdays. The variety and quality of the snacks was a pleasure not before experienced by these young children. At the end of many a tutoring session, the student praying thanked God for the one who brought the food, by name, and the food you provided. For many, prayer was a new experience.
 
Until our storytellers, some had never had a Bible lesson. Storytellers arrived in costume as Bible characters, or some came as narrators, but all did a great job.
 
Of course, without our van drivers, this program could not exist or continue. Kudos to you, our men of steel!
 
A special thank you is due to the unseen works of the following: Jack & Glenda Lewis, Gary James, Leslie Holland, Warren Gardenhire, and Matt Thomas.
 
Thee donations of cash were used to buy Bibles. With the Bibles (reading-level appropriate), the students read the lesson just presented by the storyteller. Thus, these donations provided a way to teach reading while reinforcing Bible lessons. With the remaining funds, Leslie intends to purchase educational materials. Your donations were greatly appreciated.
 
The 86 members at West-Ark Church of Christ who actively participated in the 2006-2007 tutoring program provided memories these children will not forget, and most likely, you changed some of their futures. You gave them love, encouraged them, and convinced them they were better than their perceptions of themselves. You opened doors and turned on lights to visions or dreams they didn’t believe existed for them. Thank you for turning on “the Light.”
 
**27th Annual Fish Fry**
Mulberry Church of Christ
SATURDAY, MAY 19, 6:30 P.M.
All the fish, french fries, and hushpuppies will be provided. Please bring drinks, salads, and desserts, if you wish. Bring your lawn chairs, and join us for an evening of good food and fellowship. We plan to have the fish fry rain or shine.
John Callahan Home
6620 Slate Hill Road
Mulberry, AR
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
 
*Jesus – He’s So Nice, Part 5*
By Brad Pistole
 
Let’s be honest - to the average person, Jesus can be a little bit confusing! Especially when imperfect, sinful people are involved! Do you know how many different CONCEPTS of Jesus there are today?
 
So how do you make sense of it all? Who is Jesus? Really?
 
Is he the grace-filled, nice guy we read about in the gospels who defends the prostitutes, tax collectors and sinners? Or is he the rebel who challenges the religious authorities and traditions of the past and present?
 
Have you taken the time get to know Him? I mean REALLY know him?
 
I’m not asking if you know the Jesus “everyone else” has told you about. You know … the Jesus your friends, teachers, TV, radio, newspapers, media, movies, church members and preachers have told you about. Do you know the Jesus God wants you to know?
 
Have you examined the scriptures with open eyes (II Kings 6:17) often enough to see and understand who Jesus really is? Have you spent time in sincere prayer talking to him and developing an intimate relationship with him? Have you spent just as much time listening for his reply? Do you walk in this relationship every day?
 
Do you know where Jesus would spend his time on this earth if he were here this Sunday morning at 9 a.m.?  Where would he be Sundays at 6 p.m.? Wednesdays at 7 p.m.?   Would he be sitting in a pew in a local church building?
 
How would he respond to the people “the church” often avoids today? Would he treat the homosexual dying of AIDS, the meth addict and the porn-addicted, tattooed, body-pierced person the same way he treated the lepers, the adulterers, and the divorced people in his day? (Luke 17:11-19, John 8:1-11, John 4:1-42)
 
Would he respond to our religious modern-day Pharisees the same way he responded to the Pharisees of his day?
To be continued…
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
May 6
Shay Dotson
John Hawkins
 
May 8
Marjorie Blake
 
May 9
Ronald Bartlett
Eddie Harrell
Haley Hickey
 
May 10
Torrey Bishop
Adina Boatright
Milton Hendrix
 
May 12
Ron Moreton
 
**Morning Nursery**
Dena Jenkins
Suzi Jennemann
Melissa Walker
 
**Evening Nursery**
Gina Williams
 
**Serving at the Lord's Table for May**
Tom Beard
Mike Burk
David Berger
Jaythan Johnson
John Kamp
Sam Lively
Burnie Morris
Ron Morton
John Priester
Patrick Pruitt
Barney Puckett
Jim Selig
John B Smith
Daniel Tignor
Dawson Urrutia
Mike Williams
Jay Wood
Billy Yowell
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 671
Sunday PM Worship 315
Bible Classes 461
Contribution   $16507.92
Children’s Home $192
 
Lao Worship
Attendance 41
Contribution $310
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 45
Contribution $177
 
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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