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Family Lines Newsletter, November 20, 2008
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**The Circle**
By David Chadwell

 

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.  1 Corinthians 15:20-28

 

There is much we cannot picture.  God cannot be pictured!  The Bible says He is a definite being, but not like us.  He is not physical.  He is without physical limitations—cannot die (is eternal), does not age, is not subject to time, is sexless, is more intelligent than the most intelligent human, is more powerful than anything humans will ever invent using His resources, and knows and understands more than humans can know or understand.  We were made in His image, not He in ours.

 

Yet, we usually think of God in terms of a glorified human.  After all, the physical is what we know.  Though Genesis 1 in brief terms introduces us to Him as the Creator, we are more likely to think of God in terms of what He made instead of what He is.

 

He examined all He created, and was pleased. His conclusion: it was “very good” (Genesis 1:31).  If it was “very good” to God, it would be beyond comprehension to us.  There are several things I truly doubt any of us can imagine—“very good,” free from sin, ideal in the sense God would consider ideal, without flaw, cannot be improved, etc.

 

That is beyond my imagination!  I cannot picture anything God would call good.  I cannot think in terms of what God would consider ideal.  I cannot even think in terms of a state of sinlessness.  Can you imagine no evil anywhere in anything?

 

What do you think of when you think of restoration?  A building?  Think bigger!  A name?  Think bigger!  Forms?  Think bigger!  Methods?  Think bigger!  Rules and regulations?  Think bigger!  Relationships?  Think bigger!

 

The ultimate restoration is not about us!  It is about God!  God’s objective in our salvation is about more than forgiveness or human affairs.  It is about restoring God to His rightful place over creation that existed when creation occurred.  Christ came.  Christ reigns right now.  Christ will continue to reign until he defeats all that opposes God.  The last thing Christ will defeat will be death.  Then Christ will subject himself to God, and the ultimate restoration will occur.  Just as in the creation event, God again will be the “all in all.”  All rebellion will be defeated as God rules all He made.

 

The only question: are you to be defeated as God’s opponent, or do you exist and use your life to help restore God to His rightful place?

 

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Bob Faries was released from the hospital Wednesday afternoon.
• Chase Turpin has an appointment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota on November 24th.
• Don Todd (father of Larry Todd and Linda Davis) was released from the hospital Wednesday morning after having a stent repair on Monday.
• Dotty Saegert (Niketa Stinchcomb’s mother) is in rehab in Siloam Springs.  She still faces several health challenges.
• Kathleen Taranto is some better. Prayers for her to gain physical strength are still needed.
• Margaret Stone had out-patient nose surgery on Wednesday.
• Prayers are requested for Rex Lawman (age 94) a former West-Ark member now living in Little Rock. He has recently entered hospice care.
• Tracy Risley had surgery Wednesday morning at  St. Edward Hospital. She will be there overnight.

 

**Continued Prayers**
• Burnie Morris
• Inez Hatfield
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law)
• Larry Treat
• Lloyd Priester
• Louise Cline
• Sue Grantham (sister of Jennifer Dotson)
• Tina Eudaly (Mary Burkett’s mother)
• Wilma Son

 

**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Debbie Hendrix in the death of her uncle, Ralph Barnett, on Sunday morning.  Funeral services were Wednesday (11/19/08) in Van Buren.

 

**Prayer Pagers**
Ashton Stein,  784-7490
Dotty Saegert, 441-2378
ALL Pagers, 441-2395

 

**New Address**
Trey & Rachel Greer
(Will & Suzy)
475855 E. 1112 Road
Muldrow, OK 74948
Phone: 918-503-6057

 

**Financial Peace University**
January 11th – April 5th
Sunday Evenings, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Room 211
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. 
Free preview Sunday immediately after morning services upstairs in Room 211.

 

**Notes of Thanks**
To all our dear brothers and sisters in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
We want to send our heart-felt appreciation for your support in our mourning the loss of our precious sister, George Ann Gist. Her courage and perseverance inspires us, even in our loss. Thank you so much for the cards and book dedicated in her memory. Your prayers have been heard and honored by our Father that watches over us.
  Ray & Jewell House

 

 

 

**Widows/Widowers**
December 6 at 10 AM in the Annex,  we will be having cookies and milk or coffee or tea (whichever suits your fancy).  We will also exchange gifts.  Now don’t rush out and buy something.  We want this to be fun!  Look around your house and find something you are tired of looking at and wrap it up.  We will have a few surprises also. 
We are not having a Car Clinic in December.

 

**Mark your calendar: Game Day, December 11, at noon in the Annex.**

 

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**Mission Offering for 2009**
Thank you! So far, pledges and cash donations have totaled $175,249! Contributions are still being received. If you would like to make a donation, place your pledge or check in a missions contribution envelope. Envelopes are located in the Information Center.

 

**Hope Chest Appreciation Dinner**
Hope Chest volunteers and their spouses are invited to dinner on Monday, November 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center.  Please sign the list in the foyer if you can attend. 

 

**Thanks from The Hope Chest**
Thanks to everyone who donated to the “Batteries are Included” fund.  We collected almost $325 to help with this cost.  Also, another thank you to those of you who took those pitiful little dolls home and gave them an “EXTREME” makeover.  They just look lovely.  Any child would be excited to get one.  Your efforts in both these projects will make many children happy during the Christmas season.  I am always amazed but never surprised at the generosity of the West-Ark congregation not only with your money but also with your time.  ~~Connye Neal

 

**Thanksgiving Dinner Together**
Thanksgiving Day at noon, some of the West-Ark members will gather to eat and visit in the Family Life Center. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board in the foyer by room 100.  We also ask that you sign up to bring a food item to contribute to our potluck. If you have any questions, please talk to Blake or Colleen Frost. 

 

**Poinsettia Memorials**
In memory of:              Donated by:
Pittman King by Karen Farris
Alma Kelley by Karen Farris
Herman Kelley by Karen Farris
David & Dorothy Gouty by Jack & Janice Lowry
Raymond Welch by Sam & Debra Lively
J.J. & Wanda Lively by Sam & Debra Lively
Phyllis Brown by Sam & Debra Lively
Glynn Lively by Sam & Debra Lively
Jerry Lively by Sam & Debra Lively
Chuck Cunningham by Karen Cunningham
Allie Green by Allie Whitaker
Agnes Lewis by  Jack & Glenda Lewis
Helen Branam by John & Nadine Hawkins
Carl Nichols by John & Nadine Hawkins
Jonette Shirley by Paul & Coleen Shirley
Joe Cowan by Paul & Coleen Shirley
Lou Porter by Dale & Denise Lusby
Betty Monk by Gene & Kathy Monk
Virgie Moore by Gene & Kathy Monk
Mary Durman by Jennifer Dotson
Ralph Barnett by Milton & Debbie Hendrix
George & Hazel Hastings by Tom & Mary King
A.W. “Dub” Chism by Tom & Mary King
Caden Joshua Jenkins by Jeff, Christy, Wade & Hannah Pressley
Larry Burlison by Jeff, Christy, Wade & Hannah Pressley
Wesley & Odus Binyon by Harold & Jane Binyon
Harley & Mae Linton by Harold & Jane Binyon
E.L. Haines by Lance Haines/Lerene Haines
Jaylee Walter by Kathy Rosalez
Helen Branum by Kathy Rosalez
Lorene Yates by Kathy Rosalez
Brian Dahl by Kathy Rosalez
Mr. & Mrs. Leo Moss by Bill & Margaret Moss
Mr. & Mrs. Marshall Kidd by Bill & Margaret Moss
Clarence Reed by Wilburn & Louise Howard
Wendell & Helen Needham by Bill & Martha Walker