**A Paradox**
By David Chadwell

 

For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.  (Paul’s words about himself, 1 Corinthians 15:9, 10)

There are numerous stories that serve as illustrations. You probably have heard all of them in some version: the farmer who put a latch on his barn door after a fire in his barn scattered his animals never to be found; the man who put house locks on his doors after a thief stole everything he owned; the man who never left his keys in his new car after his older car was stolen because he always left the keys in it.

All the stories make the same point: it is too late to prevent a tragedy after the tragedy has occurred.  I have wondered (many times) the feelings that Paul the Christian felt when he passed places where Paul the persecutor had harmed others.  Remember Acts 8:1-3?  Saul (Paul) was in hearty agreement with putting Stephen to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

After he knew Jesus was in fact God’s Christ (Acts 9:1-9), it had every impact on what he did in the future, but it changed nothing he did in the past.  In past acts, Christian men and women were still dragged from their homes, wives still saw Christian husbands killed, and orphans still existed because of what happened to Mom and Dad.  Nothing Paul did could undo what he had done before his understanding that Jesus was the Christ.  Unfortunately, we all have to live with our past.  No matter how we use our future (read 2 Corinthians 11:22-33), our past still occurred.

No matter what we do after we learn Jesus is the Christ, we still are what we are because of God’s mercy and grace.  Wise is the person who never forgets that truth.  The Christian Paul never did!

Yet, the wise, mature Christian who gladly accepts God’s forgiveness of his or her past, uses an understanding of the past to demonstrate the incredible blessing God gives us through Jesus Christ.  The same incident which causes us intense shame or grief becomes the incident that communicates God’s love and forgiveness.

Oh, the arrogance of the person who convinces self that acts of obedience obligate God by somehow intimidating Him!  With all Paul did, he never forgot that he was least of the apostles and did not deserve to be called an apostle.  Never did he forget he was what he was through God’s grace.

We each are what we have become in Christ, not because we are self-made, but because we are God-made in Jesus Christ.

 

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**Remember in Prayer**
• Bob Williams (Debbie Belote’s father) is now under hospice care in his home. 
• Diane Greenhaw (Rochelle Brown’s cousin) has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. She will have surgery Friday in Springfield, Missouri.
• Grace Peters is in Sparks Hospital,  room 694, with pneumonia.
• Lance Haines had surgery for a bowel obstruction over the weekend.  It went very well, and he did not have to have any of his colon removed. Continue to pray for him as he recovers  from two surgeries.
• Mark Gober, who has been instrumental in the CURE effort, is seriously ill at Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock.
• Matthew Pinedo (Charlotte’s grandson) was released Friday (7/11/08) from the Wichita Burn Center. His doctors think that with time his face and eyes will heal, and he will have sight in both eyes.
• Paula May is in Sparks Hospital, room 521, after having foot surgery.
• Jerry Aldridge is in St. Edward‘s rehab wing, room 5204.
• Patty Kaiser has moved from ICU to St. Edward, room 5511.
• Rachel James had her tonsils and adenoids removed on July 14th.
 

**Continued Prayers**
• Alisha Wewers
• Dan Ogden
• Frances Threet (former member)
• Harry Smith
• Inez Hatfield
• Lloyd Priester (Jim’s father)
• Louise Cline
• Margaret Stone
• Randy Bridges (minister at Washburn and area educator)
• Sara Firm (daughter of Tim & Cathy,  former West-Ark members)
• Tom Drane
• Wilma Son

 

**Military Prayer List**
• James & Megan Johnson
• Jered Goddard
• Jeremy Grist
• John Clark
• John Lemley
• Lance Hurst
• Michael Priester
• Mitchell Bryant
• Ryan Almond
• Will Domer

**Prayer Pagers**
• Jessica Frost, 441-2386
• Family of Ashton Stein,  784-7490

 

**Missionaries in Prayer**
• Our missionary families in Vietnam and Laos.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in  France and Belgium.
• Evangelists and their families with whom we work in Ethiopia and Nigeria.

 

**Welcome, New Members!**
Clay & Vanessa Wesley
1304 Harvard Avenue
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(580) 399-5937

 

Heath Browning
22 Lovers Lane
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 471-8286

 

**For the Garden of Daily Living**
Plant 3 Rows of PEAS:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul

 

Plant 4 Rows of SQUASH:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
 
Plant 4 Rows of LETTUCE:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another

 

No Garden is Without TURNIPS:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service 
3. Turnip to help one another

 

To conclude our garden, we must have THYME:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends

 

**Alliance  Counseling and Therapy**
“Working together to help individuals and families resolve life’s challenges.”
If interested, call David Chadwell at 452-1240.
Confidentiality will be protected.

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**Pictorial Church Directory**
Update In Progress
Mat Griffin is now booking photography appointments for Sundays and Wednesday evenings.  If there have been any additions or changes to your existing directory photograph, see Matt Griffin on Sunday.  A table for making appointments has been set up in the church foyer.

 

**Financial Peace University**
August 24 - November 16th
Sunday Evenings, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
West-Ark Main Building. Childcare will be provided.
Enjoy 13 Lessons that deal with different topics each week that will change the way you think about personal finance. You will learn how to save money, live on a budget, communicate about money, eliminate debt, find bargains, and experience the joy of giving like never before.
Preview the class on July 20th after morning services.  To register, or for more information, contact Jeff & Michelle Lovelace.

 

**Baby Bottle Campaign Total!**
The total amount raised during the baby bottle campaign was $4,700. Thank you for your generous support!

**JOY Bunch Outing**
Saturday, July 19
Arnolds’ cabin near Mountainburg
We will leave from the FLC parking lot at 4 PM and return to Fort Smith about 8 PM.  Transportation and all the food and drinks will be provided.
Please sign the list in the foyer if you plan to attend, or contact Diane or Jim Arnold, Danna or Winston Turpin, or Carolyn or Charles Hankins no later than Thursday, July 17.

**Sunday PM Speakers for July**
July 20 -- Larry Bridges (preacher for Dayton Church of Christ)
July 27 -- Larry Mitchell (preacher for Booneville Church of Christ)

**Sunday Evenings in August**
August 3 -- Dr. David Burks, President of Harding University
August 10 -- Jim Boatright (minister at Mulberry Church of Christ)
August 17 -- Singing night
August 24 --  Phil  Powers

**Wedding Invitation**
Together with their families Elizabeth Wagner and Michael Jones invite you to share in the joyand celebration of their marriage on Saturday the 26th of July at 10:30 in the morning.
Anniversary Rose Garden
200 South 12th Street
Fort Smith, Arkansas

 

Reception following at Riverfront Amphitheater, 121 Clayton Expressway.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony and reception will be at West-Ark Church of Christ.

**Ice Cream Social**
Sunday evening, August 31
Ice Cream Fellowship at Jerry & Meg Canfield’s home

 

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**Youth Group // news**

 

Paintball // Saturday, July 26
Note: The date has changed.
- Vans will leave at 8:30 AM and return around 3:30 PM.
- Bring money for lunch.
- Cost is $20. This includes your field fee, mask, unlimited air,
  marker and 500 rounds of paint. Turn in your money to Jackie.
- The last day to sign-up is Wednesday, July 23.
- You must fill out All American’s waiver. You can’t play without one! (Copies are on the youth table.) If you filled out a waiver the last time we played, you do not need to do it again. 

 

End of Summer Lock-in // Friday, August 1 – Saturday, August 2
- We will begin the evening by seeing The Mummy.
- Parents: if you would like to help with this event, please contact Jackie Sofio
  or John Berger.

 

Devil’s Den Day Trip with Pleasant Valley // Saturday, August 9
- Families are welcome to join us. More details to come!

 

Service Projects: Every Thursday there will be an opportunity for the 7th – 12th grade boys to serve in various areas. Contact John Berger for more information.
Girls making an IMPACT (9th-12th girls) will be meeting every Thursday to do service projects in the community. Contact Natalie Hughes for details.

 

DON’T FORGET TO PICK UP A SUMMER CALENDAR!

 

**In The Library**

 

In loving memory of Leroy Null from Ron & Brenda Lenderman

• John the Beloved Disciple by Reymond
• New American Commentary 1, 2, 3 John by Akin
• Life Change Bible Study 1, 2, 3 John by Hinckley

**Happy Birthday**

 

July 21
Karen Farris

 

July 22
Colleen Frost
Brynn Walker

 

July 23
Maile McDonald
Oscar Nolasco
Ian Smith

 

July 25
Bob Fisher

 

July 26
Carol Evans
Joseph Rosalez

**Morning Nursery**
Betty Callicott
Flora Johnson

 

**Evening Nursery**
Sheila Vaught

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship.…….563
Sunday PM Worship………NC
Bible Classes……………...383   
Contribution……….….$19,529
Children’s Homes…..….…$282
Wednesday Classes……...229

 

Lao Worship
Attendance…………….….63
Contribution…………….$300

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………...64
Contribution……………..$239