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Family Lines Newsletter, July 26, 2007
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**A Matter of Perspective**
By David Chadwell
 
“So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).
 
Romans 14 dealt with a hard, tricky problem in the first century church—cultural differences. While cultural differences involve many things, may I point to just one familiar to most of us? The impact of culture on most people is this: culture frames the way we think.  What we see and understand in the majority of situations is determined by what our culture teaches us to see and understand.
 
For example, one looks at a situation and sees spiritual danger.  Another looks at the situation and sees nothing alarming.  Another looks at the same situation and sees actual good.  The first sees moral degradation.  The second sees innocence.  The third sees constructive fellowship.  Which is correct?  Possibly all are.  Why does each see something different?  Likely, their culture conditioned the way they looked at the situation.
 
That was the situation in Romans 14.  One strong in the faith could eat anything (an expression of a Gentile culture).  One weak in the faith was a vegetarian (Jewish culture feared the meat markets in Rome).  One recognized some days as more significant than other days (Jewish culture emphasized the importance of days).  Some understood that all days were of equal significance (an expression of some converted to Christ from both Jewish and Gentile perspectives).
 
Our approach would use a simple question: “Which position is right and which is wrong?  What should a Christian eat?  What should he/she not eat?  Should some days be significant and some not be significant?  If Christians should observe days, which ones should he/she observe?”  To many of us, it is a simple question of right and wrong.  If we decide and convince others of our “correctness,” we solve the problem.  All we need to do is announce, “This is the correct behavior for all Christians in all nations.”
 
Interestingly, Paul the apostle (the Jewish man who was God’s apostle to non-Jews) did not give that solution.  He did not issue an edict about what Christians should and should not eat or what days Christians should or should not observe.  Instead, he wrote about Christians not condemning Christians, Christians not judging Christians, Christians understanding they were servants, and Christians knowing their only Lord was Jesus Christ.  He even began his statement with this affirmation: “Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions” (Romans 14:1).  He even wrote: “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God” (Romans 14:22).
 
He also wrote: “So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).  That was not written as a frightening statement intended to terrify.  In fact, no Christian needed to be terrified by that statement unless he/she exploited the weak, judged the Lord’s servants, condemned the innocent, or tried to coerce other Christians. To those who disagree without being disagreeable, it is a comforting statement.  “Whatever conclusion you draw, the Lord will listen to your motives.”  We tend not to listen to each other, but the Lord will listen to our “whys.”
 
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Your prayers are requested for A. W. Chism, former West-Ark minister.
• Bill Huffman (friend of J. T. Smith) has improved and been moved from CCU to a room at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Little Rock.
• Casey Oliver (daughter of Sam & Mary Beth) is in Sparks Hospital, room 339. Casey fell from a horse last weekend and broke her arm. The surgery to repair the compound fracture was postponed until today when the risk of infection had lessened. Her hospital stay will probably be through the weekend.
• Dale Brown will be transferred from the hospital in Searcy to the Heart Hospital in Little Rock later today (or as soon as a bed is available). He will have open heart surgery to repair/replace a valve.
• Dot Turpin (Winston’s mother) is recovering from a mini-stroke.  She lives at Fianna Hills Nursing Home.
• Janet Tabor (Missy Blasdel’s friend) is at UAMS recovering from brain surgery. She is in a lot of pain and unable to see due to swelling.
• Glenanna O’Mara (daughter of Larry & Janice Prater and sister of Shanna Davis) is in Sparks Hospital with fever. She is receiving IV antibiotics.
• Inez Hatfield is in St. Edward Hospital, room 5530. She is scheduled for surgery at 2 PM for a bowel blockage and will then go to ICU.
• Jim Pratt returned to the hospital last weekend for additional tests. He was dismissed on Tuesday.
• Kathleen Nelson, our sister from Y City, who spent 37 days in the hospital during the spring, is receiving dialysis in Fort Smith.  She can be visited while receiving dialysis (but not during port hookup and disconnect). Her visitation information is as follows: Sparks Dialysis Center on Dodson, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 5 to 7 PM (only).
• Lyndell Foster received a good report from his doctor on Monday. He is feeling better, but recovery will be slow.
• Marilyn Wiles (sister of Trish Carson) will have a heart procedure Wednesday at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, AR.
• Ona Dickens is in Sparks Hospital, room 554. She will be receiving a chemo treatment next week. Harold and Ona are very appreciative of all the prayers, visits, and support.
• Paul Quenin will have out-patient surgery August 10 at Sparks Hospital.
• We have learned that Robert Randolph (former West-Ark member) has cancer.  He would love to hear from his friends at West-Ark.  You may write Robert at 393 Shadyside Drive, Apartment 11, Clayton, GA 30525-7003.
 
**Continued Prayers**
Bill Stokes; Mary Wray (mother of Vicki Anderson); Patty Kaiser; Roger Dicks (son of Charles and Jean); Rusty Howard (son of Wilburn & Louise Howard); Tonya Jenkins (Lila Hull's niece)
 
**Baptisms**
We’re proud of you Olivia, Logan & Rebekah!
• Olivia Kleman and Logan Kleman (daughter and son of Kelvin and Julie) were baptized Sunday morning after worship by their father.
• Rebekah Broom (daughter of Blake and Lisa) was baptized Sunday night after worship by her father.
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• 441-1722, Casey Oliver
• 441-6639, Inez Hatfield
• 441-1648, Lyndell Foster
• 441-2395 will notify all pagers at once.
 
**Members in Nursing Homes or Homebound**
We have a number of members who are homebound or in nursing homes. A list of their names and contact information is available in the Information Center. Please pick up the list and encourage them when you can with prayers, cards, visits, or phone calls.
 
**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Gary James in the accidental death of his uncle last week.
 
**Prayers for Youth Group**
Please keep the Minnesota mission group in your prayers. There are a total of 40 teens and adults from West-Ark and Southside Church of Christ in Rogers, AR, serving in a mission/work camp in Duluth, Minnesota, from July 21-28.
 
**Prayers for Our Military**
Bob Collier
Brian Perkins
Brian Harris
Jeff Amos
Jonathan Smith
Kyle Evans
Michael Anderson
Ron Wheat
Stephen McElroy
Stephen Christian
Thomas Lara
Wes Roper
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• Roy and Joyce Dunavin are in Ethiopia.
• 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.
 
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**Notes of Thanks**
 
West-Ark Family,
I want everyone to know that I'm doing much better.  I went to the doctor (surgeon) yesterday, and he said I was doing really well and dismissed me to the oncologist.  As far as I know now, there will be no other treatment. I think it's just a matter of getting my strength back and the 25 lbs. that I lost, loosing that much weight sure makes you look your age, or older.
I do not have the words to express to each of you how much your love, your calls, cards, and visits have meant to me.  You have all shown me what Christian love is all about.  It's something I'll never forget. From the bottom of our hearts, I want you to know that Venoma and I love each of you very much.
 Lyndell Foster
 
To my Church Family,
My family and I would like to thank all of you for your prayers, cards, and phone calls. They were very comforting to us. Also, thanks to Paula May, Beth Frederick, Diane Arnold, and the other ladies who prepared a wonderful meal for us.  Thanks again for being such a loving and supportive family.
In Christian love,
 John, Donna, Arista, & Kaylee Lindgren
 Lois Cooper, Holly McKay, & Phillip Cooper the 2nd
 
**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.
 
**Sunday Night, 6 PM**
We’ll have a Family Meeting followed by a fellowship meal in the FLC. Please bring desserts!
 
**Wednesday Night WINGS**
Enrollment for fall Wednesday Night Wings Class is now open through Sunday, August 19. You will need to enroll in order to receive a workbook. Our study will be "A Light in the Darkness: Elijah and Elisha" by Casandra Martin. The cost of the workbook will be about $12.00.  The first meeting will be on Wednesday, September 5th in Room 211 at 7 pm.  You may pay and receive your workbook at that time. The first class will be Wednesday, September 12th. To enroll, contact Peggy Pistole.
 
**Car Clinic for 60+ and Single Ladies**
Saturday, August 4, 8 to 11 AM, in the Annex parking lot. Bring your own supplies. If you don’t know what you need, please contact Jack Lowry, Mike Burkett, or Marvin Hughes for assistance.
 
**Widows/Widowers**
We will eat at the Catfish Barn near Poteau for dinner Saturday, August 4th. The cost will be $5. We will leave the Annex at 4 PM and return when our tummies are full!
 
**Come & Go 90th Birthday Celebration**
for Marea Sutherland
August 4, 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Lavaca Municipal Complex
Cards only/no gifts please
 
**Congratulations!**
Harold & Ona Dickens celebrated their
67th Wedding Anniversary on July 25!
 
**Baptistry Items Missing**
We are missing several items from the baptistry dressing rooms.  Please check to see if you may have taken these items home to launder and have not returned them. We really need them!
Missing are:
• 8 women's garments
• 3 men's garments
• 8 large green towels
 
**Motherly Love Dinner**
Theme: Christmas in July
July 31, 6:30 PM
Coleen Shirley’s Home
6021 Uniontown Hiway
Van Buren, AR
If you would like to attend, please sign the list in the Information Center. For more details, call Coleen.
 
**Caribbean Cruise**
Carlene Payne is organizing a Christian Women’s Cruise to Cozumel and Costa Maya for January 21-26. The cost is $349 to $399 (based on double occupancy). Departure is from New Orleans. A down payment must be received by August 17th. Contact Carlene for additional information.
 
**Iglesia de Cristo Furnishings**
The list of furnishings needed is posted in the Information Center. It will also be printed on the reverse side of the Order of Worship this Sunday morning. To indicate what you or your group are willing to fund, please call Coleen Shirley or the church office, 452-1240.
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
Please continue to pray for the group of 40 teens and adults from Ft. Smith and Rogers, AR who are serving this week in the 17th Annual Work Camp in Duluth, Minnesota.
 
I am thankful to God for the many wonderful things He has already done through our teens this summer. I appreciate their leadership and service through Vacation Bible School, Fort Smith Work Camp and many other individual acts of service.
 
I am especially thankful for the 12 teens who have given their life to Christ in recent weeks!  Praise God for: Elizabeth Ludlow, Chandler Harper, Elizabeth Harper, Lindsey Yowell, Tori Sweatman, Shay Dotson, Uriel Cedillo, Ana Evans, Casey Oliver, Olivia Kleman, Logan Kleman and Rebecca Broom.
 
**Library Memorials**
These Books have been added to the library.
In Memory of:
 
RODNEY MASON
(West-Ark Church of Christ)
Answers to Jewish Objections: Toxic Faith
 
AGNES ELY
(Bill & Lynn Dickey)
Life on the Ash Heap, Christ: Prophet, Priest, King
 
LEROY NULL
(Mike & Sheila Mosley)
Evangelicalism in the Stone-Campbell Movement
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
July 29
Caroll Robinson
Jerry Selby
Bill Yick
 
July 30
Cathy Harris
Sonia Henry
 
July 31
Jerry Aldridge
Adam Bailey
Anetia Livesay
Thad Stancil
 
August 1
Pat Beard
Ed Grist
Myra Puckett
Patricia Smith
 
August 2
Cara Hickey
Paul Tucker
 
August 3
Jay Glidewell
Mary Huff
Charles Karr
 
August 4
Jim Arnold
Winston Turpin
 
**Morning Nursery**
Louise Howard
Cristy Pressley
Hannah Pressley
Kay Pressley
Maddie Pressley
Cami Stancil
 
**Evening Nursery**
Robertta Moses
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 628
Sunday PM Worship 226
Bible Classes 415
Life Groups 11
Contribution   $16,209
Children’s Home $305
 
**Lao Worship**
Attendance 42
Contribution $239
 
**Iglesia de Cristo **
Attendance 48
Contribution $171
 
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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