West-Ark Newsletter, 21 February 2008

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Family Lines Newsletter, February 21, 2008
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Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:16-21).

The man or woman who has the confidence in God to be a Christian accepts an unusual challenge! While forgiveness is available to all, transformation is demanding. First, through Gods act in Jesus cross comes ongoing forgiveness (see 1 John 1:8-10). One rises from immersion into Christ (Galatians 3:27) to begin the continuing process of transformation (Romans 12:1, 2)a lifetime process. Most of the New Testament is devoted to the continuing process of transformation individually (Romans 12-15), as well as congregationally (Revelation 2-3).

In the verses above, notice a particular statement: Respect what is right in the sight of all men. The immediate context is in the matter of vengeance. The larger context is in the matter of transformation.

This statement illustrates the unusual nature of Christian existence. The Christian is not only concerned with how things look to Christians. He or she is also concerned with how things look to people not controlled by faith in the God who sent Jesus. It is not only of concern that other Christians see what he or she does as respectable, but that those without faith in God see his or her actions as respectable.

The broader context of Pauls statement illustrates how remarkable it is. Christians in the first century lived in an idolatrous world. The empire rulers, the national government, the city establishment, the business owners and craftsmen, and the military worshipped other gods. To be against drunkenness, or lying, or merchandizing people, or fornication, or homosexuality, or unstable marriages, or other common forms of self-indulgence was extremely unpopular. For anyone to advocate such was just plain weird if not crazy! Yet, Christiansto properly represent Jesus Christ and Godaccepted the responsibility to act honorably among people who often defined honor quite differently.

Does that mean everyone viewed Christian attitudes and acts as good and profitable? No! Even as Paul made the statement, he said, If possible, as far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. If peace did not exist, it would not be the Christians fault! This same man detailed reactions against him in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33. His efforts to be at peace with others did not always produce peace! Perhaps Pauls devotion to peaceableness is best illustrated in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12the pre-Christian arrestor of Christians became a kind, tender, caring, encouraging person.

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Isaac Mobley is still in Sparks Hospital for evaluation.
Kathleen Taranto is recovering from hand surgery. Everything went well.
Kathy Rosalez requests prayers for a dear friend, Allie Bauer, and her mother Nikki. Allie is recovering from a car accident.
Jay Wood is recovering from out-patient surgery on Feb. 18.
Jessica Frost is having a bone scan and an MRI Thursday, February 21, for a cyst in her heel bone. She also has an appointment on February 28 with an orthopedic doctor in Little Rock.
Leo Atkins is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3302, and welcomes visits!
Mary Broyles is still not fully recovered from a severe case of bronchitis with infection. She has been sick for 6 weeks. Prayers for healing are appreciated.
Olivia Casady requests prayers for her grandfather. He is in a Missouri hospital with a bloodstream infection.

**Continued Prayers**
Ashton Stein (2-year-old son of James & Debbie Stein, and the grandson of Bob & Charlotte Rye)
Betty Monk (mother of Gene)
Bob Callicott
Bob Williams (father of Debbie Belote)
Clarice Tisher (grandmother of Carrie Burress)
Connie Hixson
Donna Wheeler (friend of Tammy Cypert)
Gerald Jones (friend of Karen Carter) has had the flu but is doing better. He will have his 3rd chemo treatment today, if there is no fever.
Joel Prigge (Louise Howard's brother-in-law)
Larry Schluterman
Madelyn, Wendy & Jeremy Grist (family of Ed Grist)
Margaret Stone
Patty Kaiser
Virginia Mobley
Wilma Son

**Prayer Pagers**
Jessica Frost, 441-2379
Brothers and sisters of Ashton Stein, 784-7490
Connie Hixson, 441-1792
Donna Wheeler, 441-2378
Greg, Dena & Caitlyn Russell, 441-2387

**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. They will begin the journey back to France on Feb. 28. Bon voyage, chers amis!
Evangelists and their families with whom we work in Ethiopia and Nigeria.

**Tornado Assistance**
If you would like to make a donation to help with tornado/disaster relief efforts in Atkins, Choctaw, Clinton, and Mountain View, Arkansas, make your check payable to West-Ark Church of Christ with a memo for tornado assistance. Please give your check to Lynn Dickey or one of the elders.

Thank you so much for all the cards, flowers, calls, and especially the prayers made during Onas illness and death. Your kindness and thoughtfulness will forever remain in our hearts.
   Harold Dickens
   Teresa, Steve, Trevor Kolb
   Stephanie, Jeff Kear & Family
   Carolyn Wright

Each time Bill and I have had need for prayer and support you have been there. The love, spiritual and emotional concern, and prayers have seen us through some difficult times in the last two years. Thank you for being our family. God bless all of you and continue to care for this family.
Bill and Lynn Dickey

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**LTC Practices for Feb. 24**
3:00 Elem. Signing
Jr./Sr. High Puppets
4:00 Elem. Drama
Jr./Sr. High Drama
5:00 Elem. Puppets
Jr./Sr. High Chorus
6:00 Elem. Chorus
Jr./Sr. High Signing

**Childrens Worship**
We are in need of teachers for the 4 and 5 years old Children's Worship on Sunday Mornings. This is on a rotation basis and would only require a commitment of one Sunday every four to five weeks. The lessons and materials are prepared for you. Please contact Greg and Nancy Dockery.

**Tutoring Program**
The tutors would like to have a set of World Books or encyclopedias for students to use. If you have a set to donate, please contact Sheila Vaught.

This meeting is to update parents of youth on our progress, and to allow you an opportunity to share your ideas and give input on the duties, responsibilities, and job description of the Youth & Family Minister.

Copies of two documents will be available on the Youth Table in the foyer Sunday for those who are interested. These documents are the Duties and Responsibilities (Job Description), and the Characteristics Profile. These documents can be reviewed to ascertain where we currently stand in the development of the final guidelines of our search. It will be beneficial to review these documents prior to meeting with the Search Team Wednesday night. Please keep in mind that these documents are works in progress. We will finalize them after taking into consideration the input of parents on February 27th. ~~ Bill Kamp (for the Search Team)

**Survey Results**
A printout of the results of the Youth & Family Ministry Online Survey is posted on the youth bulletin board in the foyer. Extra copies are available on the table below the youth board.

**Widows/Widowers**
Saturday, March 1
Come to the Annex for brunch!
Please note: We will eat at 11 AM since this is brunch
and not lunch. Call Mary, Bobbie, or Janice if you need transportation to the Annex.

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Home Devotionals
Sunday, February 24
Junior High Will be at the church (Youth Room, 6:00 7:00)
Senior High Billy and Melinda Yowells home
The van will leave at 6:00 PM and will return at 7:45 PM
Senior High please sign-up on the bulletin board in the lobby!

Valentines Thanks!
Thanks to all of the teens and adults who helped with the Valentine Banquet. We had a great time getting to know more about the widows and widowers. They sprinkled a little bit of their wisdom on us during our dinner and shared class time.

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 575
Bible Classes 439
Sunday PM Worship 229
Life Groups 29
Contribution $20,306.16
Childrens Homes $182
Wednesday Classes 280

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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