West-Ark Newsletter, 6 September 2007

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Family Lines Newsletter, September 6, 2007
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Acts 26:8-11, Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead? So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.

Paul made the above statement. He referred to the time when he was sure he had things figured out. To Paul, Jesus was a fraud, not the Christ; Jesus represented one of the great threats to Gods purposes. Paul was so certain he was right about Jesus that he aggressively assisted in killing fellow Jews who believed that Jesus was the Christ. These devout, literal descendants from Abraham through Isaac likely believed most of the things Paul believed EXCEPT for Jesus identity and Jesus role in Gods purposes.

Immediately following the above statement, Paul gave an account of his conversion to Christianity. He was on his way to Damascus to arrest Jewish Christians. Ironically, the resurrected Jesus informed Paul of two facts: (1) Gods purposes were at work in Jesus, and (2) God was sending this infinitely Jewish person (Paul) to the gentiles (Acts 26:17, 18). This man who could not tolerate Jews who believed Jesus was the Christ would now teach gentiles Jesus is the Christ! Talking about a turn-around, this one would pass 180 degrees (if there is such a thing)!

As a result of this incredible turn-around, Paul suffered enormously as a result of the opposition of Jews and gentiles (2 Corinthians 11:23-33). Thus, the man who was so certain in his view of scripture that he had everything figured out (Galatians 1:13, 14), discovered he had nothing figured out. The man, who was so certain he knew Gods purposes, discovered the hard way that he was not even close to Gods purposes.

What would you do if God redirected your focus? To Pauls credit, he was an honest man. He did not dig in and defend his past convictions though they represented enormous investments. He listened to the obvious rather than stubbornly argue with Jesus. He sincerely (though destructively) held his pre-conversion convictions with all his heart. He sincerely (though non-destructively1 Thessalonians 2:9-12) held his conversion convictions with all his heart. If possible, he was even more committed to the fact that Jesus the Christ could save gentiles as well as Jews. What to him had been unthinkable became the understood.

Are you convinced that you have everything all figured out? You can open your life to great blessing by understanding one fact: You do not! You have no idea of the curves before you. You have no idea of the flexibility that will be demanded of you.

The issue is not do you have everything figured out. The issue is will you let Gods purposes be with you even on the most dramatic curves? If you let God be with you, it will be okay even when you face the unexpected.

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**Remember in Prayer**
Eleanor Casey is continuing rehab therapy at Ashton Place, Room 207, 318 Strozier Lane, Barling, AR 72923. She appreciates your cards and visits.
Ona Dickens is in Sparks Hospital, Special Care room 640.
Martha Walker is in room 210 at Ashton Place in Barling. She is in therapy for knee replacement surgery and will probably be there about a week.
Mayor Ray Baker (Tiffany Nulls father) is recovering from surgery.
Rusty Howard (son of Wilburn and Louise) test results show the cancer masses have shrunk and surgery will be scheduled soon.
Sarah Hartley, daughter of Ed and Becky Grist, has pneumonia.
Troy Risley (Clarks father) met with his doctor Wednesday to discuss surgery.

**Continued Prayers**
Betty Monk (Genes mother)
Chuck Combs
Casey Oliver
Curtis Locklear (Judy Walkers father)
Connie Hixson
Harry Smith (Barbaras husband)
Lela Neal
Palmer Richardson

**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Connye Neal and Jane Smith in the death of their father, F. E. Harrell, who died on Sunday. Services will be Friday (9/7/07) in Lufkin, Texas. Memorial donations may be given to The Hope Chest.

**Prayer Pagers**
441-1722, Casey Oliver
441-1648, Chuck Combs
441-6639, Martha Walker
441-2395 will notify all West-Ark pagers at once.
441-1681, Mayor Ray Bakers pager (from his church).

**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

**Wednesday Ladies Bible Class**
Class begins next Wednesday, September 12, at 10 AM in the Annex fellowship area. Our study is Genesis. Come and join us.

**Worship CDs**
Sunday mornings, the West-Ark worship service (including singing) is recorded on CD. If you would like to have a copy, please call the office or fill out one of the forms in the Tape/CD drop box outside the Library.

**Its Tuesday Tutoring Time!**
Do you have 40 hours to give a child in need this school year? Then consider volunteering in West-Arks Tutoring Program, which reaches out to children in need from our community.

Tutoring takes only 1 1/2 hours a week (Tuesdays, from 3:30 to 5:00 PM). We tutor for 27 Tuesday afternoons, beginning October 2 through April 29. Well have 1 week off in November for Thanksgiving, 2 weeks off in December for Christmas, and 1 week off in March for Spring Break.

It is ESSENTIAL that the following needs be met for this program to be successful again this school year. We need:
12 tutors
21 substitute tutors
2 van drivers
17 snack providers
story tellers
Please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the foyer, or contact Sheila Vaught to tell her you want to be a part of this valuable program that is serving children in our community.

**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.

**WINGS 20th Anniversary**
All ladies are cordially invited for a special evening celebrating 20 years of Women in God's Service (WINGS). Singing and devotional thoughts will be brought to us by United Ladies of Tulsa. Join us for dessert, fun and fellowship at 7:00 PM, Thursday, September 20, in the Family Life Center. Child care will be provided.

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**FLOCK News**
Grownups of the FLOCK and Grownups of Two-Year Olds
Promotion Celebration Sunday is September 9! Along with the children changing groups, we will also be implementing some other changes including a check-in system beginning September 12. If you have not already received them, the details regarding these changes are available at the FLOCK Information Station and will also be sent home along with our newsletter on September 9. Please read the information and contact us with any questions or concerns so that we can make these changes as smoothly as possible for all concerned. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of teaching your little ones. To Him be all the glory!

PLEASE NOTE!!
Beginning September 12, the two-year olds and FLOCK Wing will be closed 15 minutes prior to class time until worship time on Sunday morning and during the entire Bible hour Wednesday evening. Please know that our intent is not to inconvenience anyone with these changes, but to create a safer and more peaceful environment for our little ones. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

GATEWAY is in need of a co-teacher on Wednesday evenings in our game workshop. Please contact Carolyn Harrell or Cami Stancil if you can help.

**Care Groups Potluck Dinners**
Where: Family Life Center
Date and Time: Friday, September 14, 6 PM
Purpose: To fellowship and grow our Care Group Ministry
Mission: To become closer as a church family, better at serving the needs of our own and others outside of our family.

We welcome to this meeting all group members and their leader, and all who would like to become a part of the Care Group Ministry we need you!

**JOY Bunch Potluck Dinner**
Saturday, September 15, at 6 PM in the FLC.
Jim Bolin will be our guest speaker.
Don't miss this interesting and fun evening.

*New DVDs**
Three DVDs of Buster Herrens recent Wednesday night Bible class presentation of How We Got the Bible have been added to the Library. If you would like to have your own DVD of this class, contact Ron or Debbie Belote.

In memory of Oneta Love, mother of Cathy Harris and sister of Marie Lile:
The Lords Prayer for Today
The Ten Commandments for Today
Both books are by Carl Knox.

Patterns for Living
Ladies Day at Sallisaw Church of Christ
Saturday, September 29
Registration & Breakfast: 8 AM
Lunch is also provided.
RSVP (918) 775-2627

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**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 614
Sunday PM Worship 207
Bible Classes 413
Contribution $17,240
Childrens Home $281

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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