West-Ark Newsletter, 10 May 2007

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Family Lines Newsletter, May 10, 2007
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Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:1-4)

Though the Philippian Christians seemed untroubled in a casual reading of Pauls letter, evidences in the letter suggest they had interpersonal relationship problems as Christians.
    a. The challenge to behave worthy of Christs gospel (1:27-30).
    b. Pauls plea in the above text (2:1-4).
    c. The sending of Timothy to check on their condition (2:19).
    d. Pauls explanation for his personal commitment (3:1-17).
    e. Recognition of the enemies in the congregation (3:17-21).
    f. The congregational conflict involving Euodia and Syntyche (4:2, 3).

In the context of internal rivalry, consider Pauls admonition concerning proper conduct:
    a. If you want to give me genuine cause for joy as I am under arrest, be of one mind (toward each other), preserve Christian love(that brought you together in Christ), be united in spirit (Jesus Christs spirit that produced your salvation), have a common purpose (determined by Jesus Christs objective).
    b. Never function in selfishness or empty conceit in the Christian community.
    c. Function in humility with high regard for other Christians.
    d. Consider the interests of other Christians as superior to your own interests.

Paul based the example of appropriate Christian conduct on Jesus example in yielding to God, coming to earth, and living a life of surrender as a creature he helped bring into existence (2:5-8). He (as should we) let God magnify him (2:9-11), which God did.

One of the more difficult challenges every Christian confronts: determining appropriate behavior when a fellow Christian does not share our values, come to our conclusions, or behave like we want him or her to behave. Those moments make Pauls injunction to contending Christians in Romans 14:10-12 extremely difficult to understand and follow. It is hard to leave such matters in Gods hands!

We understand that we practice good manners in physical matters to preserve civilized behavior. Good manners are not practiced because such are deserved. When people fail to practice good manners, civil behavior unravels. More is threatened than the moment!

Religiously, Christians practice holy manners to preserve Jesus Christs influence in the Christian community. Failure to do so threatens our spiritual family. Always, more is threatened than the moment! Gods influences advance with godly manners! Gods influence suffers when Christians use ungodly manners in His family.

**The Power of Prayer**
Adrienne Kaminshine requests prayers for her father, Doug Wilson of Benton, AR. He has skin cancer and is waiting for test results.
Luis Mendez (back pain)
Jerry Richards (back pain)
Patty Kaiser
Randy English and his family (missionaries to American Samoa) have returned to M. D. Anderson in Houston. Randy will have a PT scan to determine if he has scar tissue on his neck or if the cancer has returned.
Tim Williams
James Winchell is doing well after lung surgery on Wednesday (5/9/07). He will be in ICU at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock until the weekend.

**Baptisms**
We rejoice with Jeff and Michelle Lovelace on their baptisms Wednesday night after classes. They have been studying with David & Joyce Chadwell. The Lovelaces have three children.
Jeff & Michelle Lovelace
7109 Lookout Dr.
Fort Smith, AR 72916
Phone (479) 648-1594

**Diapers Times Three**
We are showering the Bice Family with diapers! Baby Juddson Bice was born April 19 to Josh & Kim, and mom and dad now have three little ones in diapers! The baby needs size 1, but any size from 1 to 4 can be used. A table is set up in the foyer for your gifts.

**Baby Bottle Campaign**
Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center saw over 1500 clients in 2006! In honor of Mothers Day this Sunday, you can help the Pregnancy Support Center by taking a baby bottle home with you to fill with your spare change. Below are some of the services offered to women, babies, and families in our area.
Free Pregnancy Testing
Pro-Life Counseling
Baby Items
Adoption Referrals
Post-Abortion Trauma
Parenting Classes
Maternity Items
On June 3, 2007, you will be asked to return your baby bottle filled with spare change ($ bills or personal checks are welcomed, too). This will help Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center to continue its ministry this year!

**Wedding Invitation**
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 oclock
Eagle View, 100 Eagle View Drive, Searcy, AR

**FLOCK Fun**
The FLOCK is in need of sports equipment for upcoming lessons. We specifically need football gear and any other sports gear that is used for safety (helmets, pads, etc.). Please contact Dena Jenkins if you have any of these items to donate or loan.

**Thank You!**
[Editors note: Saigon is the old name for Ho Chi Min City.]
April 26, 2007
Dear Brethren,
Thanks so much for your recent contribution of $3510 in behalf of Tom's Kids, a special project of Amazing Grace International.
Currently, over 80 children are being educated in Saigon, and all of them participate in assembling with Christians and worshiping on the Lord's Day. On April 3 of this year, a local Saigon newspaper published a lengthy article on scholarships that are being given to Vietnamese children. The article was about a partnership between the Asian Foundation and Vietnam's Center for Raising Intellectual Standards that resulted in the scholarships. We have no ties with the government, but the article shows us that what we are doing should be well received when we begin to seek an official status. If we are successful, it will be easier for us to secure a larger meeting place.
We appreciate your interest.
Romans 15:13
/s/ Mike Tune

**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.

**Brunch for Senior Girls**
SATURDAY, MAY 12
10:00 AM IN THE FLC
Our brunch will honor West-Arks 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!

**VBS is June 18-21!**
Catch Jesus in Action!
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!!

**Family Life Center Request**
The TABLES, CHAIRS, and KITCHEN equipment were purchased specifically for the Family Life Center in order to assure ample support for any fellowship meal or activity. Please do not take tables, chairs, or kitchen items out of the FLC for any reason. If you need to borrow tables and chairs, please use those stored under the stairwell. You can check them out in the office. If you need tables in your classroom, please notify the church office. Only your cooperation will keep things where they are supposed to be.
David Berger & Bill Kamp, FLC Deacons

**Metro Christian School Is Having A Reunion!**
Date: Saturday, June 16 (Fathers Day weekend)
Time: 11 AM until ??
Where: Cookout at Ben Geren Park (look for signs)
Cost: Cookout is $5 per person or $20 per family of 4 or more.

Dinner will be on your own make arrangements with friends for even more catching up!
Who: All students, faculty, teachers, and their families are invited! This is the formal invitation!
We are just trying to get the word out to anyone and everyone who has EVER attended MCS.
For questions or to register (by June 1) contact:
Tracy Griner, tracey.griner@verizon.net (972) 307-7925
James Cole, enviropest@suddenlink.com (479) 857-0559

When you think about it, the Just-So-Nice Jesus had some very thought-provoking things to say to the religious teachers and leaders of His time. These have been recorded in Gods word for our benefit. As modern-day disciples, lets pay close attention to what was said.

The religious people in Jesus day were eager to get the word out about their faith, just like religious people are today. They thought they were very clear about their understanding of the way GOD wanted things to be done and they even went on mission trips to share their faith with others.

In several places in the Gospels, we are given a snapshot of what Jesus thought about this. In Matthew 23:15, Jesus looked right at the religious leaders of His day and time, and said the following:

"What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves already are. (Matt. 23:15) Just before that, He told them, for you wont let others into the Kingdom of Heaven, and you wont go in yourselves.

Why would Jesus say something like this to a religious leader who was out sharing his faith with the lost? Does this make sense to you? Perhaps a deeper question is, would He make comments like that to religious leaders today? Would He say something like that to you and to me? If so, why? What was it about their mission and their message that would cause the Savior to respond like that? After all, they knew Gods law better than anyone else. Right? And that should have been a good thing unless

They began to rely on their knowledge and their concepts of God, rather than relying on God. Scholars believe Jesus responded this way because their attempts to convert others focused on making others more like them rather than on making them more like Christ. It seems they were more comfortable with everyone doing things just the way they did instead of doing things Gods way.

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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