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Family Lines Newsletter,  June 12, 2008
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**Hard Choices**
By David Chadwell
 
“For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:16-19).
 
I have no desire to be an alarmist.  In fact, I am convinced that a continuing sense of alarm (just of itself) is useless.  I certainly am not against sober thinking or recognizing real dangers.  However, spending life focusing our physical existence on “what if” as the latest thunderhead appears on our horizon commonly wastes time and misses opportunity.  Life is not to be wasted, nor is it to be spent in a continuing state of alarm.
 
The issue is not, “How can we keep the worst from happening?”  The issue is, “Are we devoted to godly existence regardless of what happens?”  In the western world, things were deteriorating in the first century.  Things did not suddenly get better because Christianity became a part of the physical scene.  In fact, many Christians suffered as the western world continued to deteriorate. 
 
Christianity was not a “fix” to cure the consequences of many bad decisions.  Christianity was a way to see physical existence through the Creator’s eyes.  Because of God’s act, the hopelessness of physical life was not humanity’s only option, and physical death was no longer the ultimate enemy of human existence.  The human decisions of the godless could not destroy the eternal options of those in Jesus Christ.
 
For decades, Christians in this country seemingly had the option (1) in numerous ways to live the lifestyle of the godless and (2) to do so while devoting themselves to traditional expressions of Christian existence.  We were prosperous enough to do both.  We did so convinced that God protected us from the physically undesirable and prospered those who espoused His values.  We did so even though our Savior was crucified, apostles like James and Paul were killed, and numerous early Christians were killed.
 
What will happen if there is a severe recession in this country?  What if businesses fail in unbelievable numbers, and our homes continue to decline in value?  What if the job market continues to decline?  What if the entire world enters a recession?  What if there is massive starvation worldwide?
 
Believe it or not, Paul understood 2000 years ago that there is an issue more important than any reflected in those questions.  He even said that to believe in resurrection if there is none is simply pitiful.  He knew godliness was real only if Jesus was resurrected by God.
 
Resurrection exists for us only if Jesus was resurrected.  Life after death exists only if Jesus is the Christ through God raising him from death.  Godliness has power only if Jesus is alive.  Christianity is worthy of a life investment only if Jesus is enthroned.  Eternal mercy, grace, and forgiveness are genuine only if God made Jesus the Christ.
 
The hard choice: will we invest our lives in Jesus regardless of what happens in our world?  Will we be a godly people even if our world enters another period of chaos?
 
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Barbara Miller is now home and doing well. She will continue physical therapy for a few weeks.
• Bertie Prigge (Louise Howard’s sister) had knee replacement surgery on Tuesday and will probably go home this weekend.
• Carroll Wayne Gray (Jack Lowry’s cousin) had surgery Tuesday to repair a leaky heart valve.
• Jean McConnell will have surgery on Wednesday (6/18/08) at St. Edward Hospital.
• Jessica Frost will have foot surgery at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock on June 19. She has a pre-op appointment there on the 18th. The Frosts plan to return home on the 20th.
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law) showed no cancer in his last CT scan!
• John Davis (Harold’s brother) had surgery yesterday at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rogers for an aortic aneurysm and to repair an artery.
• Karen Benjamin is scheduled for surgery at St. Edward Hospital on June 20.
• Lloyd Priester (Jim’s father) has developed respiratory problems and is on oxygen. He is maintaining his independence with home nursing assistance.
• Louise Cline continues to recover and went to Oklahoma City for a checkup yesterday.
• Patty Kaiser was admitted to St. Edward Hospital yesterday with a blood clot. She is in room 5511.
• Randy Bridges (minister at Washburn and an area educator) is at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas, receiving treatment. He will be there at least three more weeks.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Bill Beall
• Ercie Gann
• Gerald Jones (Karen Carter’s friend)
• Harry Smith
• Henry Strawhacker (husband of Frances)
• Inez Hatfield
• John Amerise (friend of Ed Grist)
• Margaret Stone
• Tom Drane
• Wilma Son
 
**Bereaved**
• Former West-Ark member Wendell Needham died Sunday night in Murray, Kentucky. Graveside services were Wednesday in Formosa, Arkansas. For those who would like to send cards, Helen’s address is 312 Glendale Place, Murray, KY 42071.   Brenda Wilson’s address is 595 Tucker Road E, Mayfield, KY 42066.
• Janet Jackson’s father, Robert Perkins, died on Thursday. Funeral services were Wednesday in Fayetteville.
 
**Military Prayer List**
• James & Megan Johnson
• Jered Goddard
• Jeremy Grist John Clark
• John Lemley
• Lance Hurst
• Michael Priester
• Mitchell Bryant
• Ron Wheat
• Ryan Almond
• Will Domer
 
**JOY Bunch Game Night!**
Saturday, June 21
6:00 PM in the FLC
Bring your favorite game and let’s have fun!
 
**Fellowship Time**
Our family from Iglesia de Cristo (Hispanic church) will join us on June 29th for our 5th Sunday family meeting and fellowship meal.  They will prepare fajitas for us!  Plan on bringing desserts!
 
**Green Valley Bible Camp**
Please sign the list on the small bulletin board in the foyer if you plan to be a camper, day camper, or van driver for day camp the week of June 29 – July 5. (Day camp is June 30 – July 3.)  We are making plans for transportation for both day/night campers, so please sign up even if you don’t need a ride so we can have an idea of our needs. It’s going to be a great week!  If you have any questions, contact Rochelle Brown.
 
**Baby Bottle Campaign**
Don’t forget to bring your filled baby bottle on Sunday Morning!
All donations go to the Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center, Inc.
 
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**VBS is HERE!**
June 15-18, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Sunday - Wednesday
Kids, join us in the streets of our Jerusalem Marketplace!
• Bible-times crafts
• Thrilling dramas
• Bible-times games
• Tasty Middle-Eastern snacks
 
*Family assignments will be posted Sunday morning in the hallway behind the auditorium.
*Registration continues at www.westark.org/vbs.htm -- or in the church foyer.

------------VBS Adult Breakout Sessions--------------
 
You’ve Seen the Skit, Now Read the Book – Room 100
Each evening as part of the opening assembly, there will be a brief drama portraying events in Jesus’ life.  This class will take an in-depth look at the Scriptures that are the background of the drama.
•  Sunday – Matthew 21:1-11 - Bill Walker
•  Monday – John 13:1-17 - David Chadwell
•  Tuesday – John 17:1 - 18:11 - Jerry Canfield
•  Wednesday – Luke 23:26-55 and Matt. 28:1-10 - Roy Dunavin
 
The Parenting Odyssey – Room 106
Dr. Michael Cole, Jeannie Cole, Robin Owen, Melody Priester, Angelique Moses
This class will be of particular interest to parents or soon-to-be parents.  This class will offer practical and biblical advice aimed at equipping parents to teach their children about proper behavior, sexuality and faith.  Traits of healthy family dynamics will be emphasized throughout the discussions.
•   Sunday – It Starts in the Home
•   Monday – Positive Steps To Correct Behavior
•   Tuesday – Sex Ed Is Not A Hurdle
•   Wednesday – Walking Your Children to The Cross
 
Curing the Financial Stresses of Life – Room 203
Jeff and Michelle Lovelace
This class presents the basic steps for removing the financial worries in your life.  Learn how our society is over-marketed to and how it is causing strain on our lives.  Learn the basic steps to remove debt and write a budget.  God has given us over 800 verses in the bible related to money and possessions.  Learn how He intended us to manage them.
•  Sunday – A Materialistic World
•  Monday – Setting Up a Financial Plan
•  Tuesday – Give Yourself a Raise
•  Wednesday – Clearing Out Debt
 
The Gospel in Pop Culture – Room 211
Shane Hughes and Chris Benjamin
What does it mean to be a discerning Christian in the midst of our culture’s pop music and TV programming?  This class will focus on principles for discerning the good and the bad in contemporary media.  Like Paul on Mars Hill, if we pay careful attention to the culture around us, we will be more capable witnesses to that which is spiritual, good and redeemable in even the most unlikely sources.
•  Sunday – What’s Real About Reality Shows?
•  Monday – We Were Brought Here for a Purpose: The Gospel of LOST
•  Tuesday – Introducing the Hip Hop Prophets
•  Wednesday – Old-Time Religion in a 9/11 World: Spirituality in Country Music
 
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**Youth Group // News**
 
Welcome!
Please join us in welcoming John Berger, son of David and Sandy Berger, to the Youth and Family Ministry. He will be working as an intern this summer. He is here for you if you need anything! Drop him a line at jberger [at] harding.edu
 
7th-12th Pool Party!  // Friday, June 20
Join us for a fun pool party at the
home of Randy and DeAnne Hankins!
The vans will leave the church at 6:00
and will return around 9:00 PM. Dinner
will be provided. Don’t forget to bring a
towel and a change of clothes (if needed). 
Please remember to dress modestly!
Sign up on the bulletin board so we
know how much food to get!
 
VBS  //  Sunday, June 15 – Wednesday, June 18  //  6 – 8 PM
Have you registered to help with VBS? To register online go to: www.westark.org/vbs.htm.  Click on “Volunteer Registration” and enter your information.
 
*Don’t forget about Green Valley Bible Camp! See the small bulletin board in the foyer for more information.*
Clarksville Week: Sunday, June 29 – Saturday, July 5
 
**Library Memorials**
In Memory of Leroy Null from Null/Risley Life Group
•  I Turned to See the Voice by Humphrey
•  Popular Encyclopedia of World Religions by Wolff
•  Sense and Nonsense about Angels by Bowman
 
*Happy Birthday**
June 15
Brady Burress
Logan Burress
Beverly Maxwell
Jeffrey Nolasco
 
June 16
Kalen Griffin
Loretta Loudermilk
 
June 17
Louise Hamilton
Marquetta Walker
 
June 18
Susan Wade
 
June 19
Kaitlin Jones
 
June 20
Vivian Beneux
Jeannie Cole
Ronnie Galloway
Kerry Jenkins
Kent Smith
 
June 21
Leslie Frederick
 
**Morning Nursery**
Elaine Hill
Flora Johnson
 
**Evening Nursery**
Tiffany Blake
Sheila Vaught
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship  559   
Bible Classes  365
Sunday PM Worship  173  
Contribution  $13,919
Children’s Homes  $252
Wednesday Classes  259
 
Lao Worship
Attendance  34
Contribution  $180
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance   48
Contribution  $223
 
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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