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Family
Lines Newsletter, January 17,
2008
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**Recognizing the
Unrecognizable**
By David Chadwell
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in
that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Recently, I watched a group of
scientists seeking the site of a huge sea battle occurring about 400 years
ago. During that battle, a huge fleet representing European commercial
interests confronted a huge Ottoman fleet. Both fleets were determined to
control commerce on the Mediterranean Sea. An important by-product of the
battle was the direction of world civilization.
The scientists painstakingly
researched ancient records. Then they took a ship outfitted with the
latest technology to the area of the battle in the Mediterranean Sea.
Lastly they used divers to perform hands on, actual sight investigations and
recovery.
It astounded me that part of the
site was located after being under water for 400 years. Shorelines
change! It astounded me even more that they recognized metal objects
covered with the rust and corrosion of 400 years in salt water. For
example, a diver recognized and recovered a sword handle. It was so
corroded it did not look like a sword handle. It looked like a worthless part of
the sea bed. However, the diver knew what he was looking for and recognized a
valuable find when he saw itin spite of enormous corrosion! To recognize
a metal object after 400 years of rust is unthinkable!
Consider something more
astounding. God recognized in us something of value after centuries of
rust and corrosion through sin. He did not merely remove the corrosion so
an ancient, flawed object became apparent. He removed the rust and
restored us to a form that reflects His image, as He intended in creation.
He has the power to remove the corrosion, restore the object, and allow the
object to reflect Him! Incredibly, God sees through the corrosion of
sin!
If we could see one human adult
untouched by sin and compare that person to human adults submerged in centuries
of sin, we would be astounded! What would astound us? We would
be astounded (1) by the amount of corrosion, (2) the amount of distortion
created by moral rust, (3) and by the fact God recognized anything.
However, God knows what He is looking for and recognizes it when He sees itin
spite of the amount of rust and distortion.
The challenge for us as Christians
is to recognize (as individuals and congregations) objects of value in people
who are covered and distorted by sinfulness rust. The reason this
challenge gives Christians so much trouble lies in our failure to see our own
rustiness. Whatever has been removed from us, God removed. The goal
of our obedience is merely to express our gratitude.
He or she who takes credit for the
process of his or her own rust removal is sadly lacking in an
understanding of Gods work in Jesus death and resurrection! The ultimate
expression of gratitude is to see others need for rust removal and bring them
to God. Only by removing rust can anyone reflect
God.
"Let your light
shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify
your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew
5:16).
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**The Wonder Working Power of
Prayer**
Asher Grace Faries has been been released from the hospital and is
much improved. She is receiving breathing treatments at home. Bob and Sharon
appreciate your continued prayers for their granddaughter.
Becky Hargrove
(daughter of Marjorie Blake) will have surgery today (1/17/08) in
Indianapolis. She has two aortic aneurysms and recently had triple bypass
surgery. There are also other health issues. Marjorie will be
traveling to Indiana for the surgery and stay there for a while.
Brady Burress test results were fine! His medication will be changed over the
next few weeks.
Carrie Burress requests prayers for her grandmother,
Clarice Tisher, who has lymphoma and began chemo on 1/16/08. She is also the
sole caregiver for Carries grandfather who has Alzheimers. Cards would be very
welcomed as Clarice will be confined to home after treatment begins.
Clarice Tisher
501 Eleventh Street
Mena, AR
71953
Dean Domela (son of friends of Debra Gail Hatfield) came through
surgery and is doing well.
Dorothy Green (Dana Turpin's sister-in-law) will
have breast cancer surgery and chemo port implantation on January 17. Chemo will
be followed by radiation treatments.
John Fowler is in St. Edward Hospital,
Room 5208, with pneumonia.
Lynn Dickey developed a sudden onset of glaucoma
over the weekend. She is responding to treatment and her eye (and vision)
is improving!
Patty Kaiser is in St. Edward Hospital, room 5511. She
can have visitors.
Wilma Son has moved to St. Edward Rehab, room
5418. She is doing much better!
**Continued Prayers**
Betty
Monk (Gene's mother)
Bob & Norma Williams (parents of Debbie Belote)
Bob Callicott
Chanthavy Chanhnouvong
Donna Wheeler (friend of
Tammy Cypert)
Eleanor Casey
Gerald Jones (friend of Karen
Carter)
Harry Smith (Barbaras husband)
Helen Epton (mother of
Rebecca Holloway)
Joel Prigge (Louise Howard's brother-in-law)
John
Wade
Margaret Stone
Mary T Kolb
Palmer Richardson
Rusty
Howard (son of Wilburn & Louise)
Sandy Chavis and her daughter,
Lara
Vicki Varvel (daughter of John & Nadine Hawkins and sister of
Robin Murphy)
Willard Lewis (99-year-old aunt of Sandy Chavis)
Virginia Freeman (Danna Turpins cousin)
**Prayer Pagers**
Donna
Wheeler, 441-2378
Greg, Dena & Caitlyn Russell, 441-2387
Bob
Callicott, 441-1792
**Bereaved in Prayer**
A good
friend of the Cunningham family sent the following e-mail message on January 10.
Tonight after several folks visiting, after about 90 minutes of singing songs
about Jesus ... Chuck Cunningham, no longer in pain or any suffering, is in the
arms of Jesus. Funeral services for Chuck were January 14th in Colorado. Cards
may be sent to Karen Cunningham, 220 Custer Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
Memorials may be directed to Pikes Peak Regional Medical Center Foundation, P.O.
Box 622, Woodland Park, CO 80866.
**Pray for Our Military**
Brian
Perkins
John Clark
Michael Priester
Mike Gooden
Mitchell
Bryant
Ron Wheat
Shawn Walker-Bandy
**Pray for Our Missionaries**
Our missionary families in Vietnam and Laos.
John Paul & Ruby Lee
Hundley are home for a visit from their work in France and Belgium.
Evangelists and their families with whom we work in Ethiopia and
Nigeria.
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**Wedding
Bells**
Congratulations to Adam Davis and Candice Landert who were married
December 3, 2007, in a private ceremony in
Fort Smith. Adam is the son of Tim and Donna Davis.
**Baby News From Across the Miles**
We received the happy news that Deacon
James Stinson was born January 12 to Patrick & Amy (Mason) Stinson in Ohio.
The baby weighed 7 lbs., 19 ozs. and was
19 inches long with lots of
hair! Congratulations to Vicky Mason (grandmother); Bob Mason (grandfather); Dorotha Kirchner
(great-grandmother); and Luke (uncle). Listed below are e-mail addresses
for anyone wishing to send congratulations to Vicki or Dorotha!
Vicki Mason: vamason3 [at] aol.com ; Dorotha Kirchner: DorothaLK5 [at] aol.com.
**West-Ark Ladies
Retreat**
February 8-9, 2008
Pajamas & Pearls
The cost is $65 per
person for rooms with two or more individuals. For those wanting to room alone,
the cost is $100. If attending Saturday only, the cost is $25. You may
register online at www.westark.org/retreat.htm or in the Information Center in the church foyer. Please
sign up and pay by January 27th. SPACE IS LIMITED. If you have questions, call Coleen
Shirley. Dena Jenkins, Staci James, and Esther Gunn will be
collecting the money.
**JOY Bunch!**
Well meet on
Saturday, January 19th at 6:00 PM in the FLC. You are encouraged to wear your
favorite hat, cap, or bonnet!
**On the Church
Calendar**
Sunday, January 20
Elders, Deacons & Ministry Leaders
Meeting, 4:00 PM in the upstairs room of the Family Life Center
Sunday Morning, January
27
After morning worship: Dynamic Marriage Sneak Peek in room
106.
Sunday Evening, January 27
6:00
PM Family Meeting followed by a Fellowship Meal in the FLC. Please bring
desserts!
**Notes of Thanks**
I want to
express my appreciation for the book donated to the Library in honor of my
sister, Mona Jo Quiram. She would have liked that because she was a
reader, too. Thank you again.
Wanda Lee Wear
Dear Christian family,
We have
surely enjoyed the comfort of knowing so many were thinking of us with concern,
calls, notes, cards, food and flowers sent during Jacks two months stay in the
hospital. The prayers were heard and he is improving and off his walker, but
still frail and weak. Our thanks to all of you and to the elders for the
lovely holiday basket.
Happy New Year to everyone,
Bobbye,
Jack & Jeff Ferrell
**LTC for Sunday, January
20**
3:00 Elem. Signing
Jr./Sr.
High Puppets
4:00 Elem. Drama
Jr./Sr.
High Drama
5:00 Elem. Chorus
Jr./Sr.
High Chorus
6:00 Elem. Puppets
Jr./Sr.
High Signing
**West-Ark Quilters Are Busy As
Bees!**
Report of Items Completed in 2007
2 pairs of
curtains
4 placemats
19 quilt blocks for Bible
classes
38 pillows
139 pillowcases
63 baby
quilts
61 quilts
172 clothes bags for childrens
shelter
42 items of clothing
17 tablecloths
101 lap
robes
11 receiving blankets
40 bibs
**Dynamic Marriage**
8-Week
Interactive Course Begins February 10!
You spend time and money maintaining
your car, why wouldnt something more valuable like your marriage deserve the
same? Could yours use a tune-up? Dynamic Marriage is designed to
take a good marriage and make it GREAT! Your car is expensive, your
marriage is PRICELESS. Contact Jeff or Michelle Lovelace at (479) 648-1594 or by
e-mail at arkboxmic@sbcglobal.net
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**Youth Group //
News**
Home
Devotionals
Sunday, January 20
Junior High -
David & Sandy Bergers home
Senior High - Jerry & Cyndi Glidewells
home
Vans are leaving at 6:02 PM and will be returning at 7:45 PM
Dont
forget to sign-up on the youth board or in class.
Singing Practice 5:00
PM
Youth Worship 6:00 PM, Youth Room
Sunday,
January 27
Super Bowl
Party
Sunday, February 3 // Family Life Center
Winter Retreat
Friday, February 8 Sunday 10
Sign-ups
and more information coming soon!
Valentines Banquet for the
Widows
Wednesday, February 13 // Family Life Center
**Added to the Library in Memory of Ruth Choate**
Mis-Quoting Truth / Jones
By Inez Hatfield
Passionate Conviction / Copan Craig
Inside the Mysteries of the
Bible / Time
By Margaret Thompson
How Jesus Transforms the 10 Commands
By Shirley & Richard
Bullard
**Happy Birthday**
January 20
Rose Davis
Jenna
Frederick
Beverly Lankford
Kara Lankford
January 21
James Anderson
Christopher Belt
Janice Lowry
January 22
Ted Knight
Lewis Livesay
January 23
Zach Barker
Race Burns
Ellen Kamp
Tom Porter
January 24
John Carson
Tom King
Julie Orick
January 25
Toka Beall
Carrie Burress
January 26
Harper Bice
Haleigh Evans
**Morning Nursery**
Elaine Hill
Flora Johnson
**Evening Nursery**
Tiffany Blake
Sheila Vaught
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 678
Bible Classes 431
Sunday PM Worship 222
Life Groups
34
Contribution $$18,518
Childrens Homes $335
Wednesday
Classes 321
**Lao Worship**
Attendance 33
Contribution $180
**Iglesia de Cristo **
Attendance 64
Contribution
$235
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Making
disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve
others."
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