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Family Lines Newsletter, July 5, 2007
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**Holy Manners: Be An Example**
By David Chadwell
 
Paul about Paul and others: “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.”  (Philippians 3:17)
 
Paul to Timothy: “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:12)
 
Paul to Titus: “Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:6-8)
 
If we are committed to Jesus Christ, let us show others Jesus Christ in our lives by the way we act.  If we are committed to godliness, let us show others godliness in the way we behave.  If we are committed to being God’s people, let us show others what it means to be God’s people in the ways we talk and act.
 
Are we perfect?  Never!  Yet, may our love for each other be greater than the flaws we see in each other (Ephesians 4:32).  That is the incredible love God has for each of us.  Though He accurately knows the flaws in each of us, He loves enough to forgive.  How can we be God’s children and do less than love each other—even if we disagree?
 
I was recently reminded of how incredibly easy it is to be misunderstood.  All any of us can do is be sincere, honest, kind, and as consistent as humanly possible.  None of us will ever know how often brothers and sisters are compelled to explain something we did or said.  How can we repay such unknown but necessary kindness?  By being kind enough to explain when others misunderstand someone in Christ.  May we not doubt another’s Christian commitment to Christ because we disagree with his or her convictions!  May he or she not reject us!
 
Every religious group I have known understands how to squabble!  Most can squabble with genuine expertise!  Rare is the group that has more expertise in kindness and forgiveness than it has in squabbling.  The secret in eliminating squabbling is not found in controlling others—it is found in controlling yourself!
 
May we be a people wherever we are who know how to be kind and encouraging, but who refuse to squabble.  If you wish to be a striking example who cannot be ignored, have the courage to be a kind person rather than a contentious person.  Such will never be easy, but it will consistently represent God well by exhibiting godly manners!
 
When you deeply believe something, be consistent in your life with your faith, but act like a believer in your interaction with others.  In the first century, Jewish and gentile Christians did that with gaps bigger than anything we face.  May we learn to be as patient as God and as gentle as Jesus.  May our patience and gentleness be reflected in our holy manners!  May people consider what we say because they are impressed with our lives of consideration!  Being in Christ results in our becoming a people of holy manners!
 
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**The Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
• Bill Dickey is having minor out-patient surgery today (7/5/07).
• Daphne Moore (Missy Blasdel’s mother) will see a pulmonologist on July 12.
• Janet Tabor’s brain surgery was cancelled due to an emergency. Missy Blasdel requests prayers for relief of Janet’s headaches and blurred vision as she waits for a new surgery date.
• Jim Roughley is recovering at home from surgery to remove his spleen.  Jim is fighting melanoma cancer and recently completed chemo treatments at MD Anderson in Houston, TX.
• Jill Brightwell (Jenna Dickey’s sister) has had a relapse of malaria and is very sick.
• Lyndell Foster is scheduled for surgery to remove a tumor from his small intestine on Tuesday, July 10th.
• Phillip Cooper (Donna Lindgren's brother) is in Sparks Peachtree Hospice. He cannot have visitors at this time.
• Ed Grist asks that we keep his son’s family in our prayers. Ed’s granddaughter, Madelyn Grist, (age 7) is still receiving IV antibiotics (at home) for a bacterial infection. Wendy Grist (Ed’s daughter-in-law) has severe swelling in her feet and legs from lupus.  Jeremy Grist (Ed’s son) as he cares for Madelyn and Wendy.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Anna Dickerson (Coleen Shirley’s sister)
• Bob Williams (father of Debbie Belote)
• Mary Wray (mother of Vicki Anderson)
• Minnie Oakley (Blake Frost’s grandmother)
• Ona Dickens
• Rusty Howard (son of Wilburn & Louise Howard)
• Severino Belotendos (Kimberly Shawver’s sister-in-law’s father)
• Tonya Jenkins, Lila Hull's niece
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Gretta Payne in the death of her mother, Retta Rodin, after a long illness.  Gretta and Vince Payne are former West-Ark members.
 
Our love and sympathy is also extended to Anetia Livesay in the death of her sister, Marceil Stevens, this morning (7/5/07) in Plano, Texas. Marceil was a West-Ark member for many years.
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• Lyndell Foster, 441-1648
• Donna Lindgren for her brother, Phillip Cooper, 441-6639
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• Our missionary families in Vietnam and Laos.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France.
• Steve & Colleen DeLoach, Operation Guyana.
• Evangelists and their families with whom we work in Ethiopia and Nigeria.
 
**Baptism**
Uriel Cedillo (age 15) was baptized this week at Green Valley Bible Camp.  If you would like to send a card, Uriel’s address is 3316 North 49th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72904. We’re proud of you, Uriel!
 
**Prayers for Our Military**
Adam Morrissun
Bob Collier
Brian Perkins
Brian Harris
Jeff Amos
Jonathan Smith
Kyle Evans
Michael Anderson
Ron Wheat
Stephen McElroy
Thomas Lara
Wes Roper
 
**Birth Announcement**
Congratulations to Randy & Ashley Scott on the birth of a daughter, Aiden Claire, on July 3rd. Aiden weighs 8 lbs., 10 ozs. and is 21 1/8 inches long. Chris and Denise Campbell are the proud grandparents!
 
**Change of Address*
Chad & Kim Graham
Josh, Mariah, Miranda
3020 S. Hwy. 162
Alma, AR 72921
Phone: (479) 632-0181
 
**We’ll Miss You!**
Curtis & Jean Jackson
910 Lake Wofford Road
Fort Smith, AR 72916
Phone: 255-6045
Curtis & Jean are worshipping with the Bonanza Church of Christ.
 
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**Surprise 50th Anniversary Celebration**
In honor of the
50th Wedding Anniversary of
Don and Billie Neisler
their children and grandchildren
cordially invite you to a
special surprise celebration
July 8, 2007
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
West-Ark Church of Christ
Your presence is present enough.
 
**Note of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark Family,
Thank you for all the prayers, cards, and kind words expressed upon the death of my uncle. Your care and concern mean so much to me and my family.
In Him,
Louise Howard
 
**Wedding Shower**
A shower honoring Kevin & Kathryn Davis is planned for Sunday, July 8th, 3:00-5:00 PM in the Annex.  Correction from last week: the couple is registered at Linens ‘N Things & Wal-Mart.  Kevin is the son of Harold & Linda Davis.
 
**JOY Bunch!**
Saturday, July 21, join us for a “Christmas in July” gift exchange. Each person should bring a wrapped gift, not to exceed $7.
 
**Jail Ministry Opportunity**
Ladies, please consider becoming a part of our jail ministry.  We rotate our schedule so that you only go once a month for an hour on Sunday mornings at 8:30. Contact Rochelle Brown if you are interested.
 
**Self-Defense Course for Young Women**
Saturday, July 28
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Greg Null will offer a self defense course to high school and college age young women of West-Ark.  There is no cost.  Please call either Greg Null or Gina Williams with questions or to reserve your spot.
 
**Your Name Tags Are Ready!**
If you haven’t already done so, please pick up your nametag from the foyer. They are posted in the Information Center (close to the coffee serving area).  Thanks!
Bandy, Brad
Buchanan, Alan
Buchanan, Tami
Cain, Michael 
Cole, Kay 
Denton, Judy
Dizer, Adam 
DuMond, Thresa 
Dunlap, Barbara 
Gilchrist, Joseph 
Glidewell, John
Hays, Amanda 
Johnson, Ray 
Loftin, Jeff 
Magness, Anita 
Marr, Nolan
McGehee, Mason
Mitchell, Aric
Mitchell, Megan 
Moore, David 
Morgan, Joe 
Null, Jeff
Null, Gina 
Oliver, Rozan
Smith, Mildred
Snyder, Christine
Sofio, Anthony
Sofio, Jackie
Sweatman, Tori
Yowell, Lindsey
 
**Hope Chest Work Night**
Monday, July 9, 6:00 – 8:00 PM 
We will be hanging clothing to restock the racks.  Please join us.  Your help will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks to everyone for continuing to fill the container in the foyer.
 
**Recommended Reading!**
Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna
The West-Ark elders wish to assist parents in their child-rearing responsibilities.  As a service to our families, 40 copies of Revolutionary Parenting have been ordered by the church office.  Parents, if you would like to purchase a copy of the book, please call Janice in the office at 452-1240 or e-mail her at Janice@westarkchurchofchrist.org. The price for the book is $12, and it should arrive in a few days.
 
**On West-Ark’s Calendar**
• July 8, Sunday PM – Guest Speaker, Ron Brown, China Mission. Ron is an elder at the Peachtree City church of Christ, Peachtree City, GA. Ron has been a missionary for 26 years. Sixteen of the 26 years have been outside the US. He has worked in China for seven years.
• July 22 -- Meeting for Elders, Deacons, & Ministry Leaders, 4:00 PM in the upstairs room of the FLC.
• July 29 -- 6:00 PM Family Meeting followed by a fellowship meal in the FLC. Please bring desserts!
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
You mean the way I treat people is MORE IMPORTANT than my knowledge of the law? You mean the way I treat people is MORE IMPORTANT than my doctrine? You mean the way I treat people is MORE IMPORTANT than having all the right answers? You mean the way I treat others is MORE IMPORTANT than my faith? Paul backs up everything Jesus says in Matthew 22:35-40 and uses some very descriptive examples of just how important the two greatest commands are when he pens these words in I Corinthians 13:
 
“If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth, but don’t have love for others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or clanging cymbal.
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would I be?
And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody.
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.”
 
It sounds like Paul, through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit answered these questions very clearly, didn’t he? And he goes on to give us a true picture of love:
 
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever!”
 
May God help us all as we focus on our love for Him and our love for others! NOTHING is more important!
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
July 9
Caleb Barker
 
July 10
Martha Walker
 
July 11
Seth Kleman
Rachel Robbins
Aline Story
 
July 12
K. J. Speaks
 
July 14
Jennifer Dotson
Kacey Frederick
Ruby Nichols
 
**Morning Nursery**
Vicki Anderson
Trish Carson
Dwonne Cogswell
 
**Evening Nursery**
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 695
Sunday PM Worship 269
Bible Classes 391
Life Groups 7
Contribution   $19,798
Children’s Home $211
 
Lao Worship
Attendance 28
Contribution $193
 
**Iglesia de Cristo**
Attendance 50
Contribution $211
 
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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