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Family Lines Newsletter, August 30, 2007
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**Are You Willing to Let God “Finish His Work”?**
By David Chadwell
 
Ephesians 3:14-19, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”
 
Recently I read a work of fiction. One line really captured my attention.  A wife talked to her father (a preacher) about her husband.  Fearful and concerned, she expressed her anxiety.  Her father replied by saying, “Just because God saved him does not mean God is not still performing surgery on him.”
 
There is a tendency among too many to look at baptism as the completion of our covenant with God rather than the beginning of our covenant with God.  We forget Paul wrote to Christians in Ephesians (Ephesians 1:1).  So for Christians, Paul prayed that they would be “filled up to all the fullness of God.”  Or, in Peter’s words, “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord” (1 Peter 2:1-3).
 
At creation, people were sinless.  They lived in purity and innocence with voice-to-voice contact with God (Genesis 3:8).  As long as they were sinless, they were not terrified of direct contact with God.  Only when the power of choice was used to rebel against God’s wishes and instructions were they terrified of God.
 
There again will come a situation in which people will live in God’s presence without terror--in Heaven.  In a real way, existence in Heaven will only restore a relationship between God and people that existed when God created people.
 
However, the current reality: we all exist in a world of good and evil, living lives that are a strange mixture of good and evil.  Only by God’s grace and mercy expressed in His forgiveness can we escape the consequences of our evil.  Thus, from the time God was the “All in All” until the situation when He again is the “All in All,” God has much to do (with our cooperation).
 
In a real way, the immersion of a penitent believer is signing the consent form that knowingly, willingly permits God to do surgery as He cuts away the evil rebellion from our lives.  God wants us to be all we can be spiritually.  What we “look like” at baptism and what we “look like” after years of development in Christ scarcely resemble each other.  God’s surgery makes us better.  Only to a sinful world are we hideous.
 
As we exist in a world of good and evil, nothing Satan does destroys us.  Causes us suffering?  Yes!  Destroys us? No!  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
 
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Betty Monk (Gene’s mother) has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will begin radiation treatments on 8/30/07.
• Casey Oliver has an appointment at UAMS in Little Rock this Friday morning.  She is seeing a specialist for trauma nerve cases.  Her parents have been told that surgery will be needed, but a date has not been set.
• Chuck Combs has been dismissed from the hospital. Ann sent this note: Emily, Brandon and I are so happy to tell you that Chuck is home!  I'm sure we aren't as happy as he is after spending nearly 3 weeks at the hospital.  He still needs to rest as much as possible and will be followed up with his doctors for a few weeks.  We ask that you continue to remember to pray for him as he more fully recovers.  Thank you so much for all the cards, prayers, and buzzes on our prayer pager. You are appreciated much. ~~Ann Combs
• Connie Hixson’s surgery went well--no cancer was found in her lymph nodes.  She will learn next week what the next course of treatment is.
• Curtis Locklear (Judy Walker’s father) is in a lot of pain from cancer and has returned to the hospital.
• Eleanor Casey is in Room 204, HealthSouth Rehab Hospital.  She is doing well and will be transferred Friday to the orthopedic wing of Ashton Place Manor in Barling for continued rehab.
• Lela Neal is doing well following out-patient back surgery Tuesday in Fayetteville.
• Ona Dickens is in Sparks Hospital, Special Care room 640.  She is taking therapy twice a day and feeling better!
• Martha Walker’s knee replacement surgery on Tuesday went very well.  She is starting the rehab portion of recovery.
• Mayor Ray Baker (Tiffany Null’s father) will have surgery Friday (8/31/07) in Little Rock.
• Palmer Richardson's tests were positive for a recurrence of cancer.  She will go to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock today (8/30/07) to begin treatment. Palmer is the daughter of former West-Ark members, Scott & LoriAnn Richardson.
• Rusty Howard (son of Wilburn and Louise) had tests on Tuesday to see the results of his radiation treatments.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Allison McCall (daughter of Ken and Carolyn Johnson)
• Harry Smith (Barbara’s husband)
• Brady Burress (son of Chris & Carrie)
• Jerry Richards (son of John & Hazel)
• Troy Risley (Clark’s father)
• Vicki Varvel (daughter of Nadine & John Hawkins and sister of Robin Murphy)
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• 441-1722, Casey Oliver
• 441-1648, Chuck Combs
• 441-6639, Martha Walker
• 441-1681, Mayor Ray Baker (pager supplied by his home church)
• 441-2395 will notify all West-Ark pagers at once.
 
**Prayers for Our Military**
Brian Perkins
Brian Harris
Jeff Amos
Jonathan Smith
Kyle Evans
Mike Gooden
Ron Wheat
Stephen McElroy
Stephen Christian
Thomas Lara
Wes Roper
 
**Goody Boxes for Soldiers**
Gail Mason (a former West-Ark member) now lives in Dallas and attends Prestoncrest Church of Christ.  She is part of a group there that sends boxes of goodies each month to soldiers overseas. This weekend, the group has been blessed with more than enough items for their 150 soldiers, and they are looking for additional names to add to their list. Gail has extended the invitation to West-Ark families. If you would like your military family member to receive a goody box, e-mail Gail soon at Gebmason [at] wmconnect.com. They are packing boxes this weekend!
 
**Bridal Shower**
A shower honoring Meredith Dye (daughter of Charlie & Marcia) is planned for Saturday morning, September 8th, 10 to 12 a.m. in the home of Danna Turpin, 2405 Rannoch Lane (Fianna Hills: right on Ramsgate Way, left on Rannoch Lane). Meredith is registered at Dillard's, Now & Then Shoppe, Target, and Linens 'n Things.
 
**Wedding Invitation**
Grant Schaper & Jennifer Goines
will be joined in marriage on Saturday,
September 1st, 12:00 in the afternoon
at West-Ark Church of Christ.
Everyone is invited to attend.
 
**Notes of Thanks**
Thanks to our West-Ark friends and families for making our 50th Anniversary Reception a whopping success. You’ve been with us through the good times and the bad, the happy times and the sad, and through all this, you all kept the “big secret.”  Special thanks to the office crew for working with our children to keep it a secret from Don and I by withholding our bulletin, etc. It was great! We love you all.  Also, thank you for the cards and the great turnout at the reception that afternoon with a lot of old memories. It was really great. There is so much love in our hearts for all of you.
 Don, Billie, and all the Neisler Family
 
We appreciate so much the cards, calls, and prayers laid before the Father’s throne during my recent surgery. The Lord has truly blessed us beyond measure. We are grateful for your love and concern for both of us.
 Dale & Rita Brown
 
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
Thank you so much for all the flowers, calls, food, visits, and prayers while I was in the hospital. You truly show God’s love in the way you care about others.
 God Bless,
 Inez Hatfield
 
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**50th Wedding Anniversary**
Harold & Jane Binyon
celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary
on August 30, 2007. Congratulations!
 
**Gateway Teacher Needed**
Gateway is desperately in need of a teacher for “The Word Workshop.”  Contact Carolyn Harrell.
 
**Ice Cream Supper Mix-up**
Mary Burkett came home with her freezer but someone else’s paddle and lid. Please check your freezer and components to see if they match. If they don’t, call Mary.
 
**Vans -- Service Opportunity**
The church vans are used LOTS and need cleaning often. Rod Jones is looking for individuals or groups who would commit to wash and clean one van a month. It would be appreciated by all who use them! Contact Rod Jones.
 
**FLOCK PROMOTION SUNDAY is September 9th**
• 3 Years Old by September 1, 2007 = Happy Hearts
• 4 Years Old by September 1, 2007 = Terrific Triangles
• Kindergarten, Fall, 2007 = Dandy Diamonds
• 1st Grade, Fall, 2007 = Shining Stars
 
**Tuesday WINGS Orientation**
Get ready for Tuesday WINGS!  All ladies are welcome on Tuesday mornings for fellowship and Bible study.  Orientation coffee is September 11 at 9:30 a.m. Classes begin September 18th, with fellowship from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m., and class from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.  Childcare is provided.
 
**It’s Almost Tutoring Time!**
It’s time once again to get organized. We’ll need 24 tutors and substitute tutors, 2 van drivers, lots of storytellers and snack-providers to serve for 27 Tuesdays, beginning October 2 and ending the last Tuesday in April. Please sign up at the card table in the foyer. Our tutors and snack-providers did a fantastic job last year, and the children haven’t forgotten. If you have questions, please call Sheila Vaught.
 
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**TEN WORDS TO LIVE BY**
Over 3,000 years ago, God described how he wanted people to behave.  Over the ages, this description has been known as the “Ten Commandments.”
Questions abound concerning the Ten Commandments: Are they really commandments?  Are we expected to follow them?  Do they apply to everyone? 
Controversies continue regarding the Ten Commandments: Should they be on display in government buildings?  Should they be taught in schools? Are they of any importance to Christians?
These are questions worth considering.  Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 are still considered Scripture.  So let’s engage these Scriptures and the history of the Ten Commandments this fall. 
 
SUNDAY MORNING BEGINNING SEPT. 9
“Ten Words to Live By”
What was God thinking when he gave us these ten words? 
What kind of people would pay attention to them?
What does Christ have to say about it all?
 
SUNDAY EVENING BEGINNING SEPT. 16
DECALOGUE 2.0
This is the story behind what we call the “Ten Commandments.”  We will trace the events that led up to it and follow the events that came after it.  Along the way we will take side trips to see how these ten words have impacted culture to this day.
 
Please invite your friends and family to be a part of these teachings and discussions.  The Ten Commandments are usually a subject of interest or concern to people inside and outside the church.  Ultimately, these words originate from God and they will call people to know God and know Christ.
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
The following letter (dated August 20th, 2007) is from an elderly lady, Delaine Brown, from Minnesota. She lives on a 40 acre farm with her 33 year old son, who was severely injured in a car accident this past year. He broke his neck in several places. Her husband of 55 years also passed away this year. She now takes care of her son by herself and struggles to maintain her farm. The Rogers and West-Ark Youth Groups helped her this July during their Mission Work Camp. Delaine writes:
 
Dear Congregation at West Arkansas,
 
On Wednesday, July 25th this summer, Brad Pistole, Brian Hite, Ashley Singleton, Rheva Burgess, Courtney Strong, Sarabeth Sadler, and Emily Glidewell came to my home and did many work projects to help me. Some of them I could not do, and those that I could do have would have taken me many hours.
 
It was HOT and HUMID and I told them to just forget working. “Come on in and we can sit and talk with the fan on us!” They told me, “No! We came to work,” and they did.
 
The deck and ramp were finished being water-proofed. The front of our 3 stall garage (which had been scraped by the Rogers group) was primed and painted. Sarabeth and Emily (what a pair!) cleaned my lower kitchen cabinets so I don’t have to get down on my knees to do this.
 
Truly I appreciate everything that was done here, and very much enjoyed meeting and visiting with this group. Hope all is well with all of you. Thanks for sharing and caring!
 
In Christian Love,
Delaine Brown
 
Praise God for the many ways our young people continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need! All glory, honor and praise belong to Him!
 
**Serving at the Lord's Table in September**
David Berger
Mike Burk
David Burns
John Carson
Kelvin Kleman
Curtis McDonald
Gene Monk
Brad Moore
Bernie Morris
Bill Moss
Rick Nelson
Greg Null
Ben Pearson
Darrell Peters
Jim Selig
John Wood
Doyle Wright
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
September 2
Bobbie Hughes
Stephanie McClendon
Charlotte Pinedo
 
 September 3
Norma J Breedlove
Dixie Burkhart
Aaron Hite
Brandon Miller
 
September 5
Janice Hatcher
Natalie Hughes
Adrienne Kaminshine
Jena Roberts
 
September 6
Patty Null
September 7
Bruce Davenport
Kim Goode
Hannah Hatcher
Geneva Shepherd
Brandon Yowell
 
September 8
Bobby Beam
Pearl Beam
Donna Hite
Jordan Walker
 
**Morning Nursery**
Dena Jenkins
Suzi Jennemann
Melissa Walker
 
**Evening Nursery**
Gina Williams
Tammy Cypert
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 663
Sunday PM Worship
Bible Classes 433
Contribution   $16,417
Children’s Home $257
 
Lao Worship
Attendance 49
Contribution $320
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 151
Contribution $460
 

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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