West-Ark Newsletter, 28 February 2008

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Family Lines Newsletter, February 28, 2008
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"We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches; and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness, taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (2 Corinthians 8:18-21).

Paul knew what it was like to live in the fish bowl. When you live in the fish bowl, you exist for others to observe. If they want to make it their lifes objective, they can spend a lot of hours discovering your flaws and calling your flaws to others attention. There were those who seemingly defined their lifes mission to be discovering Pauls flaws and announcing those flaws to anyone who would listen.

Paul had a huge problem. Prior to conversion, he was the poster child of first century Jews who hated what we call Christianity. (They often called it "the Way.") He said in Acts 26:9, So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth, and in verse 11, 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. He so violently opposed Christianity prior to his conversion that Jerusalem Christians feared him even after his conversion (see Acts 9:26).

Paul, the Jews Jew, understood the Christ (the Messiah) came to save gentiles as well as Jews (see Genesis 12:3; note all families of the earth; and Galatians 3:16). Pauls understanding was NOT popular among most first century JewsChristian and non-Christian! The result: the violent man became the target. One of the first centurys great ironies: the Jews Jew became the Christian apostle to gentiles! Even the Christian Peter, after his Acts 10 experience, lacked the courage to admit Gods interest expressed in Pauls mission to the gentiles (see Galatians 2:11-14).

Paul had a dream! He wanted to eliminate the gap between Jewish Christians and gentile Christians. To him, the best way to bring healing was for gentile Christians to send a gift to Jewish Christians to aid with physical necessities. Though Paul promoted the gift, collected the gift, and delivered the gift, he could not heal the breach!

Pauls passion to heal an unnecessary problem significantly contributed to the events that resulted in his death. He wanted to end a problem that God ended in Jesus Christs death and resurrection (read Galatians 2:11-21). He wanted to fix a condition that God fixed in Jesus Christ, and he could not! His great efforts to do things honorably in everyones sight failed. People continued to be people! Jewish Christians held so tightly to their views that they could not see through Gods eyes! They were so sure they saw correctly that they did not comprehend their blindness!

To me, there are several lessons to note. (1) Conflict always will exist among Christians. (2) Some conflicts cannot be fixed. (3) The challenge is not always the fixing, but being Christians when things need fixing. We can act like Gods people even when other Christians do not.

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
Amanda Daws is scheduled for a C-section Friday morning at St. Edward Hospital.
Anita Cook had bronchitis several times this winter and has just recovered from pneumonia. She saw a pulmonary specialist this week.
Charlie Surratt (father of Kathy Rosalez) is in Dardanelle Hospital with breathing problems.
Inez Hatfield has had some breathing problems this week.
Isaac Mobley is in Sparks Hospital.
Jessica Frost has an appointment on February 28 with an orthopedic doctor in Little Rock.
Leo Atkins is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3302. Leo greatly enjoys visits.
Lloyd Hardin (John & Hazel Richards' son-in-law) has been diagnosed with macular degeneration.
Trucilla Surratt (mother of Kathy Rosalez) has been diagnosed with ulcers. She is better and was dismissed from the hospital this morning. Kathy greatly appreciates your prayers for both of her parents!

**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 & Norma Williams (parents of Debbie Belote)
Clarice Tisher (grandmother of Carrie Burress)
Connie Hixson
Donna Wheeler (friend of Tammy Cypert)
Gerald Jones (friend of Karen Carter)
Joel Prigge (Louise Howard's brother-in-law)
Kathleen Taranto
Lloyd Priester (father of Jim)
Margaret Stone
Patty Kaiser
Wilma Son

**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the Burkett family (Mary, Mike, Kate & Nash) in the death of Marys nephew, Eric Myers. Eric died unexpectedly Sunday night in Crofton, Kentucky at the age of 25. Your prayers are also requested for Marys sister and her family: Carol & Fred Myers, and Erics siblings, Scott and Amy.

Our love and sympathy is also extended to the family of Malcomb Gordy who died on Wednesday. His nieces are Donna Miller, Laura Smith, and Marilyn Selby. Funeral services are 11:00 AM Friday at Fentress Mortuary. Visitation with family and friends will be Thursday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

Prayers are requested for a little girl named Amber who is one of Barbara Dunlaps students. Ambers 18 month-old cousin died this week and Amber is very distressed. Prayers for both families are needed.

**Pray for Our Missionaries**
Our missionary families in Vietnam and Laos.
John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley are returning to France and Belgium on Feb. 28.
Evangelists and their families with whom we work in Ethiopia and Nigeria.

**Faulkner University Chorus **
Wednesday Night, March 12
Faulkner University Chorus will be singing for us on March 12! All adult classes, the college class, and junior/senior high classes will meet in the Auditorium at 7:00 PM. Gateway and FLOCK classes will follow a normal schedule.

**Note of Thanks**
Dear brothers & sisters,
I wanted to let all of you know how very much we love and miss each and everyone of you. Also, thank you so much for all your prayers and cards. I am thanking God for hearing you, and I am on the mend. I feel so much better, and I know that everyones prayers are the reason why. Youre just the best, and the love we have for you will always and forever be in our hearts.
Love in Jesus,
Vicki Hardin

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A Future Together [Sunday AM]
Every Sunday we are sent out beneath a banner that reminds us of our mission: Making Disciples for Jesus Who Are Eager to Serve Others. Lets start talking about some practical efforts that would help us fulfill this mission. We have a future together as disciples and that takes shapes in very real and visible ways in our time and place in Gods history. Heres what we can expect as we discuss our future together . . .

Raising the Bar: Expecting the Best from Each Other March 2
Diet and Exercise for the Soul: The Importance of Spiritual Formation March 9
Every Shepherd Needs a Sheep Dog: One Another Ministry March 16
The Air We Breathe: Hope and Grace Through Christ March 23
Its Better to Have Permission than Ask Forgiveness March 30
You Cant Retire From Church April 6
Cloud of Witnesses: Quality Ministry for Youth, Families, and Congregation April 13
Across the Street and Around the World: Its All Missional April 20
Our Neighbor On Campus: Integrating Campus Ministry Into Church Life April 27
You Welcomed Me In: Practicing Christ-Like Hospitality May 4

A Past We Share [Sunday PM]
On Sunday evenings, the auditorium class will engage in a study of Restoration History. Understanding how the movement to be Christians Only took shape over the last 200 years will strengthen and challenge our commitment to be Christians Only in the 21st century. A sampling of the topics:

The Unity Movements of Early America
Revival and Evangelism on the Frontier
The 1832 Union
The 1906 Division
Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell
20th Century Conflicts
The Spirit of Unity

**Cruise Fun!**
Everyone who went on the last ladies cruise and anyone interested in going on the next one, is invited to the FLC for dessert, Thursday, March 13, at 6:30 PM. Were having a picture night so bring your memory chips and a dessert!

**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.

**LTC Practices for March 2**
3:00 Elem. Signing
4:00 Elem. Drama
         Jr./Sr. High Drama
5:00 Elem. Puppets
         Jr./Sr. High Chorus
6:00 Elem. Chorus
         Jr./Sr. High Signing

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