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Family Lines Newsletter, July 12, 2007
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**Holy Manners: The Challenge**
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)
 
You may or may not agree with the characteristics I place in my emphasis on Christians having and maintaining holy manners.  There may be things you would add or delete.  If you would add, subtract, or both, fine (as long as we stay within scripture’s emphasis).  The important things are (1) we stay within God’s emphasis, (2) we concern ourselves with the complete godly character, and (3) we are committed daily to exemplifying God’s teachings.  We want to be God’s people.  We also want to act like God’s people.
 
Note three things in Paul’s statement in Ephesians 4:1-3.  (1) The way we behave must be worthy of our calling in Christ.  Obviously, there are ways to behave that misrepresent Christ. The Christian’s commitment must be (a) to understand the behaviors worthy of our calling (behaviors consistent with who our Savior is and what he is about) and (b) to practice those behaviors daily.  (2) The worthy behaviors are based on love’s tolerance (forbearance of love—KJV, RSV, NEB; helpfulness of love—TEV; bearing with each other—NIV, JB).  In our southern Christian culture, we put up with each others’ flaws because we love Jesus Christ.  We do not confront, declare war, or have a blood-letting.  Instead, we lovingly tolerate.  It is not, as many say, “the principle of the matter.”  It is the fact that we allow Jesus Christ to teach us how to love others.  The only way to reflect well on a Savior who died for us and a Father who forgives us is to love others despite their imperfections.  (3)  Worthy behavior and tolerant love preserve the Spirit’s unity in peace.
 
Note that Christians preserve unity.  They do not create unity.  God brought unity into existence through Jesus Christ.  We merely preserve what God made possible.  See Acts 2:36, 38 combined with Galatians 3:26-28.  God does the adding—Jew, gentile, men, women, slave, free, educated, uneducated, successful, failure, prosperous, poor (an unlikely group!).  All of us are in Christ by God’s act.   We preserve what He made possible.  It takes tolerant love to preserve unity in this unlikely group!
 
Only by learning holy manners can we preserve!  God placed each of us in His family.   We must treat each other as one in Christ or as one who has potential of being in Christ.
 
We must never forget that God did not ask our permission to put someone in Christ!  We are one because of what God did—not because we made ourselves one!  Since it is God’s ambition to save all (see 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4; John 3:16-18), the church always has been and will be an unusual group.
 
May we preserve what God does!
 
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**In Our Prayers**
• Bob Callicott (Ann Combs' father) is recovering from 11 hours of surgery on Monday (7/9/07).  Continue to pray for an infection-free recovery with no complications.
• Daphne Moore (Missy Blasdel’s mother) will see a pulmonologist today (7/12/07).
• Donna Miller requests prayers for her friend, Bobbie Michael, who was scheduled for brain surgery at UAMS in Little Rock on Wednesday.
• Hunter Hesslen (Kevin and Christy’s 5-year-old son) had a seizure Tuesday morning and was admitted briefly to St. Edward Hospital. Please keep the family in your prayers. Hunter is taking anti-seizure medication again and will soon visit his pediatric neurologist at Arkansas Children's Hospital.
• Lyndell Foster is doing well in Sparks Hospital, room 478, following surgery on Tuesday. The cancer was a slow growing, non-aggressive type and should not affect his quality of life. Lyndell’s prayer pager is 441-1648.
• Mary Wray’s (mother of Vicki Anderson) broken pelvis has healed, and she is beginning rehab. Vicki says the therapy is “long and grueling” and asks for your prayers that her mother will make it through the rehab to a good recovery.
• Patty Kaiser is having a very difficult struggle at this time while going through chemotherapy.
• Paul Quenin is having kidney problems which may require surgery, and he’s also having problems with gout.
• Praise! Madelyn Grist (Ed’s granddaughter) had her IV removed last week and is doing very well.
• Wendy Grist (Ed’s daughter-in-law) is still dealing with some difficult complications from lupus.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Emilio Mendez (father of Luis and Carmelo Mendez)
• Janet Tabor (friend of Missy Blasdel)
• Jim Roughley
• Ona Dickens
• Rusty Howard (son of Wilburn & Louise Howard)
• Severino Belotendos (Kimberly Shawver's sister-in-law's father)
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to:
• Mary Broyles in the recent death of her uncle, Joe Dailey.
• Donna Lindgren in the death of her brother, Phillip Cooper. Funeral services are Saturday, July 14, 2 PM at Evans-Miller Funeral Home in Poteau, OK.
• Randy English (missionary to American Samoa) in the death of his step-father, Ralph Bogner, on July 6. The English Family will return to American Samoa in a few weeks. They greatly appreciate your prayers.
 
**Baptisms**
We’re proud of you, Ana and Casey!
Ana Evans, a member of the West-Ark youth group, was baptized Friday at Green Valley Bible Camp.
Casey Oliver (daughter of Sam & Mary Beth) was baptized Sunday morning.
 
**Notes of Thanks**
I want to thank everyone for the prayers, cards, memorials, words of comfort, and the "hugs" on the behalf of my aunt, Mima Dunn.  She was a great servant for the Lord and a Christian example to me and everyone she knew!   I think of two songs when I think of her -- "Precious Memories" and "Lord, Make Me a Servant."
Because He Lives,
Peggy Pistole
 
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
Thank you each and everyone for your prayers, cards, and concern. (My husband said to thank you for your prayers!)  His CT and PET Scans showed no cancer in his body.
My son-in-law David has done well and continues to do so. I couldn’t have made it without you.
Giving God the glory,
In Christian love,
Barbara Smith & Family
 
Dear Lynn Dickey, Mary Burkett, Jesse Moore, and West-Ark Church of Christ:
Thank you for your wonderful and open hospitality. Our extra day here was perfect and well appreciated! Fort Smith was the perfect place for us to spend a day off resting, refueling, and fixing bikes. The blueberry muffins were delicious, too!
  Take care,
  Matt and Bri
  Overland American Challenge
 
We would like to thank every one for the prayers & cards that came our way after the passing of our nephew.
Isaac & Virginia Mobley
 
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**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.
 
**Prayers for Our Military**
Adam Morrissun
Bob Collier
Brian Perkins
Brian Harris
Jeff Amos
Jonathan Smith
Kyle Evans
Michael Anderson
Ron Wheat
Stephen McElroy
Stephen Christian
Thomas Lara
 
**Bridal Shower**
A shower honoring Katy Selby, daughter of Marilyn and Jerry Selby, is planned for Sunday, July 29, from 2:00 to 3:30 PM in the Annex. Katy is registered at Dillard's, Target, Now & Then Shop, Linens 'N Things, and Wal-Mart.
 
**Game Day!**
Thursday, July 19
12 Noon in the Annex
Come and join the fun and fellowship!
 
**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.
 
**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 Gina Williams or Greg with questions or to reserve your spot.
 
**Baby Bottle Campaign Totaled $3,500!**
Our “spare change” added up! Thanks to everyone who participated in the “baby bottle” campaign.  Your donations help the Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center continue their services to the women, babies, and families in our area!
 
**Recommended for Parents!**
Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna
Our books are in! If you pre-ordered, and have not already picked up your book from the office, please do so at Janice Lowry’s table in the foyer on Sunday. The cost of the book is $12. We have about 15 extra books, and they may be purchased Sunday morning also.
 
**On West-Ark’s Calendar**
• 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!
 
**More Coming Events**
 
36th Annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast
July 20, 6:15 AM
Holiday Inn Downtown
700 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, AR
The keynote speaker, Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie, was chaplain of the U.S. Senate from 1995 to 2003 and is the author of 52 books. Tickets are $12.00 and are available at the Chamber of Commerce, 612 Garrison Avenue.
 
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
Dayton Church of Christ
August 4, 7:30 AM
Contact: Larry Bridges, 996-2625
 
Abilene Christian University’s 90th Annual Lectureship
September 16-19, 2007
Theme Speeches from Micah: Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
Prophets’ University: Eighth-Century Prophet Classes
Art and Faith: Swords Into Plowshares
www.acu.edu/lectureship
(325) 674-3750
 
The 84th Harding University Lectureship
September 30 – October 3, 2007
Near to the Heart of God: Reflections on the Psalms
www.harding.edu/lectureship
(501) 279-5123
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
The same night Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, the same night He was betrayed by one of his closest companions, the same night He announced His departure to His disciples, He made a very famous statement.
 
In John 13:34-35, Jesus reminded his disciples of the MOST IMPORTANT THING for them to set their focus on. Are you ready to listen to his words?
 
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”
 
Then he goes on to say the most incredible thing. He really put everything into one simple command for us. If we could grasp this one thing, we would greatly increase our witness to a lost and dying world. Jesus looked at his disciples and said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
 
The New Living Translation says, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
 
Wow! Does that grab your attention? Does it shake you to the core?
 
Jesus says there is something more important than our knowledge, more important than our doctrines, more important than our worship styles, more important than our buildings and programs, and even more important than how perfectly we keep all of his laws. It’s the way we treat each other!
 
Do you ever find yourself focused on the smaller aspects of faith? It’s always good to step back and look at the bigger picture.
 
Church attendance doesn’t prove our love for God. Suits and ties don’t prove our love for God. Being right doesn’t prove our love for God. THE WAY WE TREAT EACH OTHER proves that we are truly his disciples. His word reminds us that the whole world will know about our love for Him through the way they see us treat each other! May God bless us all in this great journey of faith!
 
*Happy Birthday**
July 15
John B. Smith
 
July 17
Tommy Bishop
Morgan Dunavin
 
July 18
Jack Alexander
Sherria Burk
 
July 19
Scott James
Michelle Lovelace
Brad Pistole
 
July 21
Karen Farris
 
**Morning Nursery**
Elaine Hill
Flora Johnson
 
**Evening Nursery**
Tiffany Blake
Sheila Vaught
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 696
Sunday PM Worship 264
Bible Classes 492
Life Groups 12
Contribution $20,183
Children’s Home $297
 
**Lao Worship**
Attendance 30
Contribution $201
 
**Iglesia de Cristo **
Attendance 52
Contribution $202
 
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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