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Family Lines Newsletter, September 13, 2007
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**The Faith That Lives Is the Faith That Grows**
By David Chadwell
 
Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.  (Galatians 3:6-9)
 
How Abraham’s faith grew!  God said, “Go to Canaan.”  Abraham left the area of Ur and went with his extended family to settle in Haran (Genesis 11:31).  When Terah died, God said, “Leave your family, go to a place I will show you, and I will take care of you and make you a great nation” (Genesis 12:1-3).  The childless Abraham took his wife and his nephew, Lot, and became a nomad in Canaan. Though God said He would make Abraham a nation, Abraham begged his wife to say she was his sister because he feared the local people would kill him to obtain her (12:10-12).  When strife arose between Lot’s herdsmen and Abraham’s herdsmen, Abraham told Lot to choose where he preferred to live (Genesis 13:8, 9).  When Abraham continued to have no child, he doubted he ever would.  He proposed a solution God rejected, and he trusted God’s promise (Genesis 15:1-6).  Abraham’s faith grew to the point that he refused to withhold his promised son from God.  When God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, he quickly made preparation to comply with God’s instructions (Genesis 22:1-19).
 
To this day he is known as our example of faith.  Though he did many great deeds in obeying God, he is forever the example of trusting God.  Though he likely was an idolater when God first called him (Joshua 24:2, 3), to us he is always the man of faith. Yet, how that faith grew from Ur to Isaac’s sacrifice!  How small his faith was at Ur when compared to his faith at Moriah!
 
We are called to duplicate Abraham’s faith.  We are nomads in this life headed to an eternal Canaan of permanent peace. To reach there, we need to trust God against what seems to us to be overwhelming odds, just as did Abraham.  If we develop that growing, maturing trust in God, we through our faith become descendants of the man of faith.
 
We must learn a key lesson from Abraham.  Abraham trusted the giver rather than the gift.  So must we!
 
“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13-16).
 
Where is your country?  To what country do you belong?
 
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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
• Adam Sowells, 2½-year-old grandson of Richard and Shirley Bullard, will have foot surgery Thursday in Kansas City.
• Buddy Brock (Yolanda Gunn's cousin), is in a Little Rock hospital due to a minor stroke. He will be undergoing tests.
• Casey Oliver will have surgery (for nerve repair in her arm) on Friday (9/14/07) at 1:00 PM, in Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR.
• Eleanor Casey is still at Ashton Place, Room 207, 318 Strozier Lane, Barling, AR 72923. She is looking forward to beginning to bear some weight on her broken hip today. Your cards and visits mean so much.
• Praise! George Breazeal (Nancy Smith’s father) had his last chemo treatment today.
• John T. Smith, Sr. (JT’s father) will meet on 9/20/07 with a surgeon to schedule surgery to remove an upper lobe of one of his lungs.
• Ona Dickens is in Sparks Hospital, Special Care room 640. 
• Martha Walker was dismissed from Ashton Place (rehab) on Wednesday.
• Troy Risley (Clark’s father) is scheduled for surgery September 25 in Kansas City.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Betty Monk (Gene’s mother)
• Chuck Combs
• Connie Hixson (read her letter in “Note of Thanks.”)
• Curtis Locklear (Judy Walker’s father)
• Harry Smith (Barbara’s husband)
• Ray Baker (father of Tiffany Null)
• Rusty Howard (son of Wilburn and Louise)
 
**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 Baker’s 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
 
**Baptism**
Jacqueline Oliver was baptized into Christ Sunday night after Youth Worship! Jacqueline is in the 7th grade and is the granddaughter of Ginny Oliver.
 
**Welcome, New Members!**
 
Lisa Grace
9500 Meandering Way, #5
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(501) 281-0477
 
Daniel & Susan Perry
Scott and Caitlin
1603 Cedar Street
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone: (479) 651-8342
 
Ted & Sharon Knight
P.O. Box 822
Poteau, OK 74953
Phone: (918) 647-9366
 
Aubrey & Leslie Ziegler
Luke and Ginny
7118 South “T” Street
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone: (479) 478-1984
 
**Note of Thanks**
Thanks to all of my brothers and sisters in Christ at West-Ark for the phones calls and cards during all the testing, surgery, and possibly chemo and radiation.  I return to the surgeon on Friday, then back to the oncologist for treatments. Meanwhile, I fell and found out I broke my lower fibula. So, I am booted to the knee, with a cane, and may heal with a limp.  However, I feel so blessed to be a part of such a loving congregation as West-Ark. The Guyana Medical Mission trip back in June prepared me to expect the unexpected, depend on God and my teammates, and allow God to be in control. So, no matter what, I am going to be just fine. Thank you once again. 
 In Him,
 Connie Hixson (9/11/07)
 [Edited for length]
 
**Hope Chest Work Night**
Monday, September 17
6:00 - 8:30 PM
Your help is needed to pack the summer items and begin restocking for fall/winter.  Any assistance you can give to this effort will be appreciated.  The Hope Chest will reopen Wednesday, October 3.
 
**Safety for Our Little Ones**
The two-year-olds and FLOCK Wing will be closed 15 minutes prior to class time until worship time on Sunday mornings and during the entire Bible hour Wednesday evenings.  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.
 
**Tuesday Men’s Class**
Tuesdays, 10 AM in the Annex
All men are invited to study Acts.
 
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**WINGS 20th Anniversary**
Thursday, September 20
7:00 PM in the FLC
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. Child care will be provided.
 
**Toys for Fall Festival**
It’s time to begin collecting small toys (think fast-food) to be used as gifts in our Fall Festival. The date will be announced soon. Dena Jenkins has placed a “toy box” in the foyer for your donations.
 
**Gateway (Grades 2-6)** [URGENTLY NEEDED]
A teacher and helper is needed for Wednesday night Game Workshop.  Contact Carolyn Harrell or Cami Stancil.
 
**Tuesday Tutoring**
The kids will thank you!  Volunteers are greatly needed! 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 need in our community.
 
**Care Group Potluck Dinner**
Friday, September 14
6:00 PM in the FLC.
 
**JOY Bunch Potluck Dinner**
Saturday, September 15
6:00 PM in the FLC.
 
**C.U.R.E.  NEWS **
(Compassionate Utilization of REsources)
September, 2007
 
Since CURE was organized in 1996, supplies and equipment have been shipped to 26 different countries. Here’s what CURE has been doing during the past three months.

• CURE has taken enough supplies and equipment to Judsonia Church of Christ and Cloverdale Church of Christ to fill 3 containers going to the Ukraine, Honduras and Sudan.
• CURE has taken enough supplies and equipment to Lakeside Church of Christ in Columbus, MS to fill a container going to Honduras.
• Picked up 6 truckloads of supplies and equipment from 4 different cities in Iowa.
• Picked up a load of hospital beds and wheelchairs in Harrison, AR.
• CURE continued to support Inner City monthly meals and West-Ark grocery program.
• Picked up clothing in McAlester, OK; some will go to The Hope Chest, and the remainder will go to Sudan and Honduras.
• CURE made 4 pick ups of supplies & equipment from Sparks Hospital.
• Picked up clothing from Columbus, MS and Highland Street Church of Christ in Memphis for The Hope Chest.
• CURE supplied baby food, juice, and other items for The Hope Chest.
• Donated children’s books to Hope Church of Christ to be given out in a Fair Booth as outreach.
• CURE loaded one container out of Fort Smith going to Honduras.  The Honduran Government is very cooperative and receptive of all the much-needed supplies and equipment being sent to their country.  The Government even provides for the shipment of some of the containers.
• CURE picked up a truckload of physical therapy equipment and exam table in North Little Rock.
• On return trip from Judsonia, CURE picked up equipment and supplies from Saline County Hospital in Benton and Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock.
• In addition to the loading and unloading of trucks and the Honduras container, CURE has had one work night at the Vicksburg warehouse.  More work nights will be scheduled since cooler weather is on its way.
 
Thanks to all of the volunteer workers for your prayers and support.

**West-Ark’s Media Library**
• Sunday morning and evening, the West-Ark worship service (with singing, sermon, and
prayers) is recorded on CD.
• Sunday morning and evening, the sermon only is recorded on cassette tape.
• Audio files of the sermons are available online at www.westark.org/benjamin/sermons.htm.
 
If you would like to have CD or tape, please call the office (452-1240) or fill out one of the NEW FORMS in the Tape/CD drop box outside the Library.
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
You say: It’s impossible…
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: I’m too tired…
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: Nobody really loves me…
God says: I love you (John 3:16)
You say: I can’t go on…
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9,  Psalm 91:15)
You say: I can’t figure things out…
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5, 6)
You say: I can’t do it
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: I’m not able…
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: It’s not worth it…
God says: It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
You say: I’m afraid…
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: I feel all alone…
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
THANK GOD FOR HIS PROMISES!
 
**Happy Birthday**
September 16
David Beneux
Joann Davenport
Isaac Mobley
 
 September 17
Cheryl Byrd
Ann Holland
Matthew Myers
Connye Neal
 
September 18
Madelyn Willis
 
September 19
David Harwell
Andrew Todd
 
September 20
Virginia Mobley
Callie Walker
Wanda Wear
 
September 21
Pam Watlington
Russell Wieser
 
September 22
Tiffany Blake
Jordan Haworth
Bea McDonald
 
**Morning Nursery**
Elaine Hill
Flora Johnson
 
**Evening Nursery**
Tiffany Blake
Sheila Vaught
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 692
Bible Classes 452
Sunday PM Worship 303
Life Groups 11
Contribution   $14,534
Children’s Home $398
 
Lao Worship
Attendance 30
Contribution $217
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 51
Contribution $208
 
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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