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Family
Lines Newsletter, March 20,
2008
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**Jumping Boxes**
By David
Chadwell
"Therefore no one is to act as your judge in
regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath
daythings which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs
to Christ. Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in
self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has
seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the
head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints
and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God" (Colossians 2:16-19).
In a book (The Purse-Driven
Life by comedienne Anita Renfroe) given to Joyce, Renfroe discussed growth
as changing boxes. If peoples expectations of us put us in a box, it
seems to me that we spend a good deal of our time on earth just swapping
boxes. We get some knowledge in one area of our life and realize we have
been enslaved to an idea or expectation. We leave that mindset, only to
find that we miss the structure the box afforded us, so we find another one to
climb into. We say we dont like them, but we keep climbing in (pp. 44,
45).
Spiritual growth accurately can be
compared to outgrowing boxes. While my graduate degree is in Bible, my
college undergraduate degree is in chemistry (long story). I remember
spending a lot of time learning a view of an atom, only later to be told the
view must expand. That happened over and over as we moved to bigger
boxes!
A time in life was when parents had the
answers, then when a gifted Sunday school teacher had the answers, when a
beloved preacher had the answers, when an insightful professor had the answers,
or when a movement had the answers. Parents had some of the answersas did
Sunday school teachers, preachers, professors, movements, etc.
Why only some answers? As we grow, have new experiences, and age, we discover
dimensions of questions that were unknown to us. You provide yourself
insight. Was any spiritual question the same at age 15 as it was at age
8? Or at age 25 compared to age 15? Or at age 40 compared to age
25? Or at age 65 compared to age 40?
Do you realize how much you have
grown? There was the all black and white with no gray age; the black, white,
and a little gray age; the black, white, and expanding gray age; and the age
when wisdom confessed I dont knowwhich was completely unacceptable in the
all black and white age. Pick your subjectchild rearing, godly
marriage, unity, love, forgiveness, holiness, Christian serviceand watch
scripture cause godly people to grow into the Lordship of Jesus Christ and Gods
character and purposes. A 15-year-old will conclude things that cause a
40-year-old to shake his or her head because the 15-year-old has not even seen
all the question.
A think about question: was God
with you in your small box? When your growth demanded a bigger box, did
God go with you? Was He in the bigger box ahead of you? Can you put
God in a box, or is God bigger than all boxes?
Do you understand that healthy
congregations are made of people who do not fear spiritual growth? Never
stagnate where you are! Never stop growing closer to God!
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**In Our Thoughts &
Prayers**
Billy Sue Atkins (a friend of Norma Jean Breedloves) broke her
knee. She is in Sparks Hospital, room 511, and had surgery on Wednesday
(3/19/08).
Denna Rogers (Sharon Faries' mother) had back surgery Wednesday
(3/19/08) at NW Regional Medical Center.
Georgia Burns (James Andersons
mother) fell Saturday night and broke her hip. She had surgery (with three pins
put in her hip) on Monday morning at Sparks Hospital. She is in room 513.
Louise Cline is in Sparks Hospital, room 453. She has gallstones, but has
been unable to have temporary stint surgery due to complications. She will
be in the hospital for two more weeks.
Chris Benjamins grandmother
recently moved out of the nursing home and back to her own home. Some have asked
about sending her a note of encouragement. Chris says she would love
that. Her address is Mildred Benjamin, 5 Broughton Drive, Apalachin, NY
13732.
Paige Dalton, two-week-old niece of Debbie Hendrix, is in ICU at
Arkansas Childrens Hospital with a staph infection.
Patty Kaiser had
exploratory surgery Tuesday and the doctor found that her cancer had spread
throughout her stomach area. She is in St. Edward Hospital, room 5511. In a few
weeks, Patty will learn treatment options. Please continue to pray for her
comfort and peace of mind at this time. Cards and visits are
appreciated.
Ruth Branum (Richard Branums mother) is very ill at home.
**Continued Prayers**
Betty
Monk (mother of Gene)
Bob & Norma Williams (parents of Debbie
Belote)
Gerald Jones (friend of Karen Carter)
Isaac Mobley
Joel
Prigge (Louise Howard's brother-in-law)
John Amerise (friend of Ed
Grist)
Leo Atkins
Lloyd Priester (father of Jim)
Mary King
Margaret Stone
Norma Treadway (Kathy Glidewell's mother)
Wilma
Son
**Welcome, New Member**
Wanda
Braker
1118 Rena Road
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone: 474-5008
**Jail Ministry
Baptism**
Bobbie Ann Paul was baptized March 15 by Jack Lewis.
**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love
and sympathy is extended to Clark Risley in the death of his cousin, Jeff, last
Friday. Clark asks for prayers of comfort for his aunt, Coralee Risley, of
Edmond, OK.
**Pray for Our Military**
Brian
Perkins
John Clark
Michael Priester
Mike Gooden
Mitchell
Bryant
Ron Wheat
Megan & James Johnson (married
couple) left for Iraq on 3/17/08 and will serve in the same unit. Megan is Retha
Woods niece and the sister of Ron Wheat (also on our list).
**Prayer Pagers**
Brothers
and sisters of Ashton Stein, 784-7490
Donna Wheeler, 441-2378
**Note of Thanks**
I would like
to thank all of you for the cards, prayers & food that was brought to us. A
special thanks to the ones in our care group. Isaac is in The Van Buren Health
Rehab getting therapy and is gaining some strength -- is walking some
now. I am home & being cared for by our son, Dale & his wife. We
plan to bring Isaac home as soon as he is able.
The
Mobleys
**Wedding Shower**
A shower
honoring Ben Dye and his bride-elect, Tara Gurley, is planned for Saturday,
April 5th, from 10 to 12 in the morning at the Davidson home, 1811 South 73rd
Circle. Ben and Tara are registered at Dillards, Linens N Things, and
Now and Then Shoppe.
**Motherly Love Dinner**
You
are invited to a Motherly Love Dinner, March 25, 6:30 - 8:30 PM at Karen
Carter's home. We encourage young married women & mothers with children at
home to come. The topic is "Spring Cleaning of the Heart, Mind and Soul"
with spring cleaning tips. Sign up at the Information Center or by e-mail
to Joyce Chadwell. If you have questions, call Coleen Shirley.
**Teacher Needed Wednesday
Nights**
Games Workshop (Grades 2-6)
Call Carolyn Harrell
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**Mission Report from
Vietnam**
Thomas Teng, of the Lao
congregation, and Jerry Canfield provide this report from their visit in early February.
The young congregation in Ho Chi
Minh City, Vietnam, continues to meet in a hotel room in an area of the city
central to the various locations of the members' homes. On a typical
Sunday, approximately 100 assemble in a hotel room (with furniture removed)
sitting on small plastic stools (in order to conserve space). The members and
many guests arrive in groups from around the city shepherded by elderly
grandparents or by teenagers. It was a pleasure to meet again a middle-aged lady
(who brings her nephew to the services by motorcycle) who was introduced to the
congregation last year during a post-services visit to a nearby zoo. The
congregation is composed of individual Christians, young and old, with amazing
stories of faithfulness and courage.
The discussions with the leaders
of the group centered on maturing the many baptized in the past couple of years.
Emphasis was placed on expanded time for Bible study at assembly services and
during the week. Also, plans were considered for maturing leadership by
providing (1) a Christian environment in a Buddhist society and (2) vocational
training so that the young leaders can be self-supporting. Please pray for
the conversion of mature men and women who can provide vocational training from
a Christian perspective.
Our missionary couple is very
active. Their three children, one adopted and two others (two girls and a son),
are well except for typical childhood illnesses. Their home is open to two or
three of the congregation's young members each weekend.
IT IS MARCH
AND TIME TO "RENEW" SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS. West-Ark has been committed to
fund twenty five (25) scholarships at a cost of $144 per year per
scholarship. The small cost provides school fees for a year for a child
from a slum area, thus providing basic education and hope of productive life to
children who otherwise have no hope of education. The scholarships provide a
relationship in which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached and demonstrated.
If you wish to help with a scholarship, please give a check payable to West-Ark
or a pledge (a copy of this article with your name) to Lynn Dickey, Bob Fisher,
or Jerry Canfield.
**Elders, Deacons & Ministry Leaders Meeting**
March 23, 4:00
PM
Upstairs in the FLC
**Family Meeting**
March 30, 6:00 PM
with a Fellowship Meal
afterwards in the FLC.
**Useful to God**
This new Bible study, written by David Chadwell,
begins April 6th. Teachers Study Guides are available in the Library. Student
lessons will be in participating classrooms on Sunday morning, March 30.
The lessons are also at
www.westark.org/chadwell/useful.
**The HOPE CHEST***
We need your help next week to restock with
spring/summer merchandise. Any amount of time you can give to accomplish
this will be greatly appreciated. We will be working on Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday beginning at 9:30 a.m. each day. PLEASE JOIN
US.
We have an immediate need for deodorant and toothpaste. Clean, usable
clothing for infants and children is always needed. Your
contributions may be left in the gaylord container in the foyer just outside the
library door.
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**Youth Group News**
Congratulations!
Jenapher Burnett and Graham Coffelt were
inducted into the National Junior Honor Society on March 11.
Azia Blasdel and
her basketball team, the Pocola Lady Indians, won the Class 2A State
Championship on March 8. The last time the Lady Indians won this title was in
1995.
Youth Worship
Youth Room, 6:00 7:00 PM
// Sunday, March 23
West-Ark Retreat at Camp Caudle (Its almost
here!!)
Friday, March 28 Sunday, March 30 // Speaker R.
Oglesby
Cost - $35 (Give payment to Jackie soon)
Leaving at 6:30 PM
on Friday (Eat before you come!)
**You must fill out a Medical Release
Form! Copies are available on the table in the foyer. We cant let you go
without a completed form!**
There is still time to sign up, but we cannot
guarantee that you will get a shirt. Please sign up though, we want you to
come!
If you have any questions, email Jackie at
Jackie@westarkchurchofchrist.org
Family Meeting
Sunday, March 30 // Meet in the
Auditorium at 6:00 PM
**In Memory of LeRoy Null**
By Risley/Null Group
Doctrines That
Divide by Lutzer
The Promise of His Appearing by Leithart
Breaking the DaVinci Code (DVD)
By Jack & Arenda Yancey
New Mormon Challenge by Beckwith,
Mosser, Owen
The Message of the Trinity by Edgar
**Happy Birthday**
March 23
Diane Arnold
Jess Huff
Garrett Keller
Kimberly
Layman
March 25
Deja Henry
Taylar Lovelace
Wilma Son
Larry
Treat
March 26
Mike Burk
Larry Prater
March 27
Landry Dockery
Helen Pratt
Hannah Pressley
March 28
Tammy Keller
Glenda Lewis
Melissa Myers
March 29
Hope Evans
Forrest Hickey
**Morning Nursery**
Sharon Faries
Berniece Rogers
Kristin
Smith
**Evening Nursery**
Angela Dunavant
Denise Lusby
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 592
Bible
Classes 360
Sunday PM Worship 204
Life Groups
11
Contribution $16,099
Childrens Homes $187
Wednesday
Classes 303
**Lao Worship**
Attendance 41
Contribution $167
**Iglesia de Cristo **
Attendance 63
Contribution
$219
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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