Posted by David on March 18, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
This week someone commented his life had been lived in the best of all ages. As an American who has spent most of sixty years in the United States, I agree. I am unaware of another time or place offering greater privileges and opportunities. I feel blessed and fortunate to live in this country the last six decades.
I also am aware of the powerful deception the past fifty years produced. This deception expresses itself in many ways. The deception: we have the power to produce ideal lives. We think we have the power and intelligence to do anything. We can and will make it happen. Our dream of ideal existence will become reality.
Need a new liver? lungs? heart? Right now you can have a transplant. In the future we can grow transplants. Knee or hip worn out? We can replace them. Need an arm? a leg? a hand? They can be replaced; they may even function as your mind directs.
We can cure many of the incurables of forty years ago. With time, that list will grow. Severe respiratory problems? We can help you breathe. Heart out of rhythm? We can make it beat properly and a pacemaker will keep it in rhythm. Blood pressure up? We can control it. Blood too thick or thin? No problem!
We envision the day when computers can do anything. Cars will drive themselves. Lawn mowers will run themselves. Energy efficient houses will create ideal living environments. And life will become the ultimate in joy!
What is “the ultimate in joy”? Will everyone experience it? Can everyone afford it? How do you know that “joy” exists? by divorced marriages? neglected spouses? children who feel abandoned? earnings that cannot feed families? grief experiences? loneliness? emptiness? being an “outsider”? living lives of “have nots”?
I have experienced both expectations and realities. I know the expectations of labor-saving devices and the realities of their stress. I know the expectations of “wonder” machines and the frustrations of their malfunctions. I know the expectations of higher incomes and the realities of prices.
Because of the nature of what I do, I frequently see the “wonderful life” facade only to know the despair behind the facade. I know people who have everything but have nothing. I know people who have nothing but have everything. Commonly, expectation becomes cruel deceit. Commonly, the possession owns the owner. Commonly, people confuse pleasures with values. [Values fulfill; pleasures produce selfish people.] Commonly, people invest the precious in matters that grow increasing insignificant.
We parents sacrifice for twenty years so our children “can have it better than we did.” Sorrowfully, often in thirty years we learn what our children have is not “heaven on earth.” And “heaven on earth” becomes “hell on earth.”
Posted by David on March 11, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
A basic understanding of many Christians: Christians pay their debts. However, some debts cannot be paid. Two thousand years ago, Paul wrote of a debt that could not be paid: “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another…” (Romans 13:8). We never “love enough” to pay our indebtedness to God’s love and Jesus’ love.
In the summer of 1996, four people traveled from Fort Smith to Oxford, Mississippi, to meet the Chadwells. The Chadwells did not know they were coming. The visit was brief. They drove many hours to talk to us perhaps ten minutes. The four were Mat and Jo Griffin, and Paul and Jonette Shirley.
In November, 1996, Joyce and I came to Fort Smith to work with you. It is no exaggeration to say that we came because we were touched by the elders. Mat contributed significantly to that positive impression.
The congregation cannot possibly grasp its debt to Mat and Jo. [Each time an elder unselfishly honors his commitment, his wife makes a sacrifice.] Fifteen years is not a long time, unless you serve unselfishly, lovingly as a shepherd. Then, fifteen years is an incredibly long time.
To serve as an elder with a heart filled with love is a difficult challenge. Elders deal with so many needs, problems, crises, and hard decisions that are unknown to most. It is hard to care, be compassionate, feel concern for people, as need after need, problem after problem, crisis after crisis, challenge after challenge arises. It is easy to “burn out,” to diminish concern for people, and to become pragmatic and “matter of fact” as weariness, needs, and demands increase. Caring hurts!
In the four years I have known and worked with Mat, I watched his love and his sense of caring grow. I watched him learn from the past so that he could be a greater blessing to the present. I often wondered how a man could care so much.
Great caring can easily become passion. A passionate person easily can become confrontational. Passionate, confrontational people can be difficult “team players.” If any of our elders said, “Working with Mat was difficult,” I would be amazed. Mat cares deeply, but his spirit is quiet.
As Bob Null said with great appreciation Sunday, Mat has a big heart. Big hearts bring helpful perspectives to a congregation and its leadership.
Mat is not “retiring” from an active, involved role in West-Ark’s life and work. He will pursue his heart’s passion among us. He loves to encourage and strengthen family units. Leading “His Needs/Her Needs” is a work of joy and love.
Thank you, Mat, for blessing us with your faith and love.
Posted by David on March 4, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
Satan constructs unique prisons. As he builds prisons, his construction uses unexpected labor. His construction blueprint depends on control. He wants to control me in ways that destroy me.
Satan is like an adult who allows a small child to do anything. The small child considers only fun, never danger; only pleasure, never consequence. The initial impression: He is good to me! He lets me have fun! The truth? He could not care less about me.
Love never allows certain things to happen. Love never allows self-seeking ambition to neglect the one loved. Love never encourages the one loved to hurt self. Love never lets the one loved believe the present makes the future insignificant.
Satan encourages me to indulge my desires. When my desires control me, I become addicted. In time, my addiction becomes a prison.
Satan urges me to be selfish. If you do not look out for yourself, who will? My selfishness produces isolation. In time, my isolation becomes a prison.
Satan tells me to love things. Possessing your wants is life’s most wonderful achievement. The more I love the material, the less I love people. Only greedy people choose to be around me. In time, my possessions become a prison.
Satan challenges me to judge. Mercy and compassion are weakness! I develop expertise in judgmental attitudes. When I proficiently attack compassion and mercy, I am judged as harshly as I judge. In time, my judgmental opinions become a prison.
Satan trains me to manipulate. Use people! Through manipulation, I destroy my trustworthiness and genuineness. No one trusts me, and everyone doubts my motives. In time, my manipulation becomes a prison.
Satan entices me to indulge my senses. Pleasure is life’s true goal! The joys of indulgence are life’s greatest pleasure! With time, pleasure becomes empty and meaningless. My pleasure highs, easily generated at first, become elusive. In time, my pleasures become a prison.
Satan instructs me to look out for number one. You are the only truly important person you know! I make choices considering only me. The end result of thinking only of me is living only with me. In time, my loneliness becomes a prison.
It was for freedom that Christ set us free… For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another (Galatians 5:1,13). Christ builds freedom. Satan builds prisons. Christ used himself to free me. Satan uses me to build my prisons.
Posted by David on February 25, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
Satan uses quite a collection of weapons against the godly. His attacks are highly specialized. He always uses “the effective weapon of choice.” His objective is always the same: in each situation, do as much damage as possible. He does not use the same weapon against every godly person.
Godly individuals exist in a variety of different circumstances. Satan rarely attacks anyone with a weapon he knows will be ineffective. His purpose in the attack is to create distressful temptation and struggle.
Never doubt Satan’s ability to choose an effective weapon! Peter was one of Jesus’ “inner three” apostles. God revealed to him that Jesus was the Christ (Matthew 16:17). Even the other eleven did not understand that truth! Peter was the confident champion of Jesus the Messiah. The last night of Jesus’ earthly life, Jesus told Peter that Peter would deny Jesus that night (Matthew 26:34).
Impossible! Peter was certain death itself could not make him deny Jesus (Matthew 26:33,35)! Yet, before daylight, Peter said, not once but three times, that he did not know Jesus (Matthew 26:75).
How could “the impossible” happen? Did Satan use alcohol, drugs, a seductive woman, greed, or jealousy? No. In that situation, those were ineffective weapons. Ineffective weapons would strengthen Peter, and that was not Satan’s goal! Satan used an effective weapon, a weapon Peter regarded stupid and ridiculous. He was strong! He was sacrificial! He paid great prices to follow Jesus!
Satan’s weapon? Complacency. “Oh, no! Peter’s situation was highly volatile–the last supper, the garden, the prayers, the betrayal; Jesus’ arrest, trials, and humiliation! Those circumstances were too volatile for complacency!” A form of complacency thrives in volatile situations. In volatile situations, it is a powerful form of temptation. It counts on volatile situations to make it effective.
What form of complacency is that? The complacency that convinces you strength comes from faith in yourself. The form that convinces you the present situation does not equal your past performance. The form that convinces you that you are “right.” The form that makes it easier to pass judgment on the moment instead of opening your mind to consider the complexity of the situation.
Peter was certain he was strong because of his commitment and conviction. Peter was certain he was equal to the situation because of his past performances. Peter was certain he understood God’s will, and it did not include Jesus’ death. So, in the certainty complacency produces, Peter judged the moment instead of opening his mind.
It always is easier to judge the moment than to open our minds and hearts–and think. It always is easier to pass judgment than it is to see and deal with complexity.
Posted by David on February 18, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
Sunday was special! It was special for many reasons. It was special because of decisions made by Christian men and women over twenty years ago; because of the sacrifices, commitment, and dedication of Christ-serving Christian men and women in that period. It was special because of those who had dreams and visions, gave time and effort, provided leadership, taught classes, preached sermons, served in ministries, loved, and trusted God. Without all of them, Sunday would never have happened.
It was special because so many made the day possible. We appreciate Jack Harriman and his family returning and sharing. We appreciate Will Ed Warren returning and sharing. We appreciate everyone who helped make worship a time to praise God and lift our hearts. We appreciate all who came early and worked hard to prepare the meal. We appreciate all those who stayed to clean up and put up.
We appreciate all the love and the rewarding bonds of fellowship. We thanked those who were the avenue of blessing, but we understand God gave the blessings. In both the twenty years and Sunday, each opportunity for good came from God who created those opportunities in Christ. God made it all possible by giving us Jesus and letting His Spirit live in us so we can be His temple. Nothing was or is possible without God.
God gave us His Son to reconcile us to Himself. He gave us His Spirit to make us His living temple. Jesus showed us what God wants in human existence. He taught us the meaning of love from God’s perspective and showed us how to be God’s servants. Because of Jesus, we learn the meaning of compassion, mercy, kindness, forgiveness, and self-sacrifice. Jesus intercedes for us before God, and the Spirit helps us express ourselves to God when words fail us.
Where would we be if God had not re-created us in Christ Jesus? Where would we be if Jesus was not Lord? Where would we be without the Spirit’s encouragement? Where would we be if God refused to reconcile? Where would we be if Jesus refused to give the atoning blood? Where would we be if we had no access to the Comforter? Where would we be without “new birth” and “re-creation”? Where would we be if God did not clothe us in Christ? Where would we be without the purity, the holiness, and cleansing God provides us in Jesus every day we live?
Where would we be without Jesus’ cross and resurrection? Where would we be without our God who accepted Jesus’ death and provided the power of Jesus’ resurrection?
Where would we be? No where–except in the pits of inescapable, hopeless despair.
Always, always, always appreciate God.
Posted by David on February 11, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
Twenty years! How things change in twenty years! In 1981 Ronald Reagan became our fortieth president; the first portable computer was introduced (the Osborne 1); the first case of AIDS was reported; Prince Charles married Diana; the space shuttle Columbia made its first successful space voyage; John Lennon was killed; and Lionel Richie had his first of thirteen top ten hits, all occurring in six years.
Oh, the changes that occurred in my life in the last twenty years! What about your life? Where were you twenty years ago? Where were your children twenty years ago? What was your personal “vision” for life twenty years ago? Were you married twenty years ago? What was your “vision” for your family’s future twenty years ago? What “now” knowledge was not even a “thought” twenty years ago? Examples? In 1981, did you use a personal computer, e-mail, a cell phone, a disc player, a microwave, or cable television? How is the car you drive today different from your 1981 automobile?
Sunday we celebrate twenty years of existence. In the 9:30 a.m. Bible class hour, all adult and teen classes are encouraged to meet in the auditorium. Roy Dunavin, Brad Pistole, Ted Edwards, and David Chadwell each will share a brief thought or insight.
In the 10:30 a.m. worship assembly, Jack Harriman will speak. Jack was pulpit minister of West-Ark when we began.
At 1:30 p.m., we will enjoy an early afternoon worship. Will Ed Warren will speak. Then we will dismiss for the afternoon. At 6 p.m. a communion assembly will meet for those who were unable to attend the morning worship.
Where do you think God will lead West-Ark in the next twenty years? We are deeply grateful for our past blessings and opportunities. May they be a platform for our future usefulness to God’s purposes.
Posted by David on February 4, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
“Faith is…” seems such a simple statement to complete. It seems that statement’s ending should be as simple as its beginning.
Ask a Christian who was abandoned as a child, or who was abandoned as an adult, or who feels abandoned now, to complete that statement.
Ask a Christian who is a recovering alcoholic, or who is in the middle of recovering from substance abuse, or who fights addiction to materialism, to complete that statement.
Ask a Christian who has lost his or her job, or who has lost his or her business, or who dedicated years to a company that just “closed down,” to complete that statement.
Ask a Christian whose life is being destroyed by incurable disease, or who daily endures severe disability, or who lost abilities in a tragic accident, to complete that statement.
Ask a Christian who is lonely, or who is deeply troubled, or who is struggling in the diligent effort “to make sense of what happened,” to complete that statement.
Ask a Christian for whom life is good, or who sees and acknowledges incredible blessings, or whose life has “fallen into place” recently, to complete that statement.
Will they all complete the statement with similar endings? No. Faith has many legitimate facets. Faith is like an expensive, exquisitely cut diamond. What you see is real. However, what you see depends on your angle of vision and the lighting. When we look at faith, what we see depends on our angle of vision and the lighting.
The message was devastating. God’s punishment was inescapable. Jerusalem would become ruins. The temple would be destroyed. Many Israelites would die. Survivors would be captives. Nothing could prevent this. Then came an astounding message. God promised the Israelites they would come home. The same prophet who delivered God’s “bad news” was instructed to “comfort my people” (Isaiah 40:1).
Among Isaiah’s encouragement was this: Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary (Isaiah 40:31).
It all happened. Jerusalem fell. Babylonian captivity became reality. Israelites, in time and after repentance, could return home.
Sometimes faith is … waiting for the Lord. Waiting is God’s most difficult expectation. Waiting takes our highest level of trust. Fear attacks faith and waiting. It is easier to fear than to trust.
Posted by David on January 28, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
We, as a congregation, are in shock. The ice storm devastated the area. Most of us were victimized by that natural tragedy. Some were without power or water for days. For months we have witnessed so much physical tragedy and sickness. While each incident caused us to grieve, Jonette Shirley’s situation devastates us. Jonette is not yet 50. She bubbles with the joy of faith and life. Paul served us faithfully as an elder. He is open and friendly to all. To learn that multiple tumors are attacking her body exceeds comprehension.
Both incidents emphasize the importance and power of Christian relationships. In natural disasters, we need the closeness and strength that are natural expressions of godly friendships. In times of distress and trial, we need the loving support and comfort produced by godly friendships.
People who belong to Christ have something special to share. But we cannot share that “something special” if (a) we do not know each other, and (b) we do not experience joy in being with each other. A new need has evolved in this twenty-first century. The new need is to understand and form a caring, loving community.
Our older generations well remember when that need did not exist. Community and togetherness were the common state of existence. They know the meaning of closeness, caring, and receiving care. Those times are past realities. Today’s culture emphasizes the individual, demands overcommitment, and imposes a hectic lifestyle. Many do not understand how to be family. Few understand how to be community. “No time” exists to know people. Consequently, we live as strangers in our own neighborhoods and perhaps in our own families.
This year we will experience several “target occasions” to encourage biblical but varied objectives. The first occurs this Sunday afternoon and evening. The objective is simple: strengthening and nurturing Christian friendship. We want you to discover or advance the joy of being with fellow believers. Come enjoy longstanding friendships and build some new ones.
Posted by David on January 21, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
When the freed Israelite slaves stood on the eastern shore of the Red Sea, they celebrated (Exodus 15:1-21). Egypt and its army was behind them, beyond the western shore. Through incredible, unimaginable blessings, God released these captives from their captors. Slavery was behind them, and a new destiny in their promised country was ahead of them. They had reason to celebrate!
When the first Christians understood the new forgiveness, they celebrated (Acts 2:41-47). Guilt for Jesus’ crucifixion was on the other side of baptism. Through incredible, unimaginable blessings, God released these captives from evil. With joy they embraced God’s liberation. Their former slavery to sin was behind them, and a new destiny in Christ was ahead of them. They had reason to be filled with joy!
God’s community of Christians at West-Ark has special reason to celebrate. In February, this congregation becomes twenty years old. Our twenty year journey has traveled through trials, dark moments, and incredible blessings. If God had withheld His gracious, patient help, Satan could have used some of those trials and dark moments to destroy us. But our patient, merciful God is greater than Satan. When we looked to Him in faith, He blessed us. Our reasons for joy and celebration are incredible!
February 11 is our “20th Anniversary Celebration Sunday.” Over twenty years ago, the decision was made to merge Windsor Drive and College Terrace. New facilities were constructed on the site that is now West-Ark [formerly College Terrace]. During construction, the merged congregations met in the Windsor Drive facilities.
Jack Harriman was the minister of the College Terrace congregation prior to the merger. He continued as West-Ark’s first minister. Jack will speak in our a.m. worship assembly February 11. Dub Chism [a former minister of West-Ark] was also invited, but his health does not permit him to travel.
Roy Dunavin was a minister of evangelism in the College Terrace congregation. He continued in that role in the West-Ark congregation. Roy and Joyce have been a part of this congregation since its first day of existence. Brad Pistole grew up in the West-Ark congregation. He also attended Metro Christian School that was housed in these facilities when West-Ark began. Earl Flood was the Administrator of Metro, and several current members worked as teachers in Metro. Myra Flippo served as secretary for College Terrace. She began her work as West-Ark’s secretary shortly after the merger.
February 11’s schedule: 9:30 a.m. –a combined teen/adult auditorium assembly. Roy Dunavin, Brad Pistole, Ted Edwards, and David Chadwell will each share thoughts. 10:30 a.m. –worship, Jack Harriman will be the speaker. Noon –we will share a fellowship meal and visit. 1:30 p.m. –Will Ed Warren will speak in an early afternoon assembly. Will Ed brought special blessings to this congregation during two extended periods of transition.
On February 11 this community of Christians gratefully acknowledges its past blessings and joyfully looks to its future. Do you know someone who would like to enjoy the day? Invite them!
Posted by David on January 7, 2001 under Bulletin Articles
Joyce and I married in 1961. I was a senior in David Lipscomb College. She earnestly sought a job, any job (which took three months to find). I preached for the Old Charlotte Road congregation for $25 a week. Rent was $50 a month. The other $50 actually bought our food and paid our bills.
In 1961 we bought our first life insurance policy. The amount: $10,000. We were assured (and convinced) that $10,000 could care for Joyce for life.
Has our world changed? Radically! In the 1960s people used goals to prepare for the future. Goals were calculated and strategies formed. While change was a part of the formula, it was an extremely small part. Change occurred very slowly.
Now a formula’s most important factor is change. At times change seems to be the entire equation! Age 61 rapidly approaches. This year Joyce and I celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. The 1961 amount of $10,000 that could “care for a lifetime of needs” cannot buy a “mid-line” new car, or provide housing for two years, or buy groceries for a long period.
Today life travels in amazing transitions at breakneck speeds. The 1960s was a goal-oriented era. It was so simple: set the goal; form the plan; work hard; reap the results (choose a career, get the education, accept the job, reach a secure retirement).
Now it is so complex. That “goals era” is dead. Now it is “identify and address existing now needs.”
“Now” we must prepare well for the uncertain. Not the uncertainties of 2010–the uncertainties of 2001! How can we make “good preparation” for the uncertain? We prepare for 2001’s uncertainties by addressing “now’s” needs wisely. We use “now” wisely by doing three things. (1) Identify basic “now” needs. (2) Admit those “now” needs are real. (3) Honestly address “now” needs.
We prepare for 2010 by addressing the needs of 2001. It is impossible to live in the past. It is impossible to imagine the future. What is possible? Address “now” wisely.
Your staff does not preach sermons just to “say something,” or teach classes to do “our job,” or plan and pray because “preachers should.” We constantly study, think, pray, and plan as we ask God to use Jesus to address the very real needs of “now.” We refuse to work, plan, preach, or teach “haphazardly.” May everyone seriously approach God in serious times. Daily live in relationship with God. Worship to change your heart.
Jesus said, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness … Do not be anxious for tomorrow … Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:33,34).
