Greetings from Charlotte,

With the tragic shootings in “peaceful” Norway and the mounting financial problems in Europe and America, prophetically significant events continue to unfold as the world hurtles towards the climax of this age. This week in Charlotte, Mr. Meredith held a number of meetings and also recorded his sermon for the Last Great Day. Mr. Ames will make a Church visit this weekend to the Memphis, Tennessee, congregation and Mr. and Mrs. Dexter Wakefield will be making a Church visit in Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Wayne Pyle reports that last week’s Tomorrow’s World program by Mr. Wallace Smith, “Seven Signs of the Antichrist,” should generate more than 6,000 responses. Last weekend, I was able to make Tomorrow’s World Special Presentations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio, that drew 140 visitors. Mr. and Mrs. Rod McNair travelled to Wyoming for a weekend of activities with brethren in the Colorado and Wyoming congregations. Please pray that God will continue to guide, direct and bless His Work.—DSW

Louisville, Kentucky: A Tomorrow’s World Special Presentation hosted by the Louisville, Kentucky congregation was given by Dr. Douglas Winnail on the Sabbath of July 23. Forty-eight enthusiastic local members welcomed 39 visitors for the exciting message provided by Dr. Douglas Winnail. Members and guests were sobered by the powerful PowerPoint presentation of “What’s Ahead for America?” Guests commented about the warm and friendly reception provided by the Louisville brethren. We look forward to more positive results from our follow-up presentation that will be delivered at 2:00 p.m. on the Sabbath of July 30.—Lambert Greer

Cincinnati, Ohio: Sunday, July 24, Cincinnati, Ohio held the first Tomorrow's World Special Presentation in the area, and it was a great success! Forty-six local Church members were joined by 101 visitors for a grand total attendance of 147 people. Dr. Douglas Winnail presented the topic of America in prophecy and many visitors stayed afterwards to talk with local members, Dr. Winnail, Area Pastor Mr. Wallace Smith, and Regional Pastor Mr. Lambert Greer. Some of our visitors were members of other Church of God organizations who remarked on how much they enjoyed the presentation. A number of the visitors mentioned that they would like to visit our Sabbath services and said they were also coming to the next presentation (this Sunday) by Mr. Smith on the True Church of God. Our thanks to Dr. Winnail and to all who helped to make our first TWSP such a success.—Wallace Smith

Attention to those purchasing hymnals, please do not purchase your hymnals through the regular online donation system. You should follow the directions listed on the form for hymnal purchases, found at http://hymnals.lcg.org. The hymnal purchases must be accounted for separately and we cannot guarantee that any payment received through the regular online donation system will be processed correctly.

We are pleased to offer the French-speaking brethren the possibility of purchasing a personal copy of the French Hymnal. It would be the same as the existing French Hymnal, with the exception of added stripes on the cover. The cost will be a little higher than the English version, due to a smaller volume printed. The price will be $15 (Canadian currency) each, with shipping and handling charges included. If you are interested in purchasing a personal copy of the French Hymnal, please send your request by e-mail to marseneault@lcgcanada.org to receive further ordering and payment instructions.

All brethren: Please sign up for Feast of Tabernacles activities and volunteer services by July 31.This is important so that Festival Coordinators can adequately plan for the activities at each Feast site. If you are having difficulty registering, please see your Festival Advisor. Please contact your Festival Coordinator for information regarding payment of activities. If you haven’t already signed up, please log on to MyLCG (www.cogl.org) and sign up for the activities of your choice. Thank you!

Ticket orders are coming in for the Singles’ Sunset Cruise/Dolphin Watch and the Shell Island/Dolphin Cruise. There is a passenger limit on the ship and if you are planning to go on either of these excursions, please go soon to the Panama City webpage within MyLCG (www.cogl.org) and follow the instructions for ordering your tickets!—Panama City Beach Festival Business Office

There are now just two weeks until the start of the next semester. Classes begin on August 15. If you have not already registered for your LU classes and purchased your textbooks, please do so. If you are considering taking courses for the first time, it is not too late. You will need to apply for LU admission first, and then you can register and order books. The admissions process is easy and all online. For more information on LU admissions and to register for classes, please visit our website at www.livinguniv.com. For detailed questions, please contact Ms. Michelle Bottella at michelle.bottella@livinguniv.com or at +1-704-708-2294. Listed below are a few more courses being offered this semester.

This interesting course deals with the Law and the Former Prophets, focusing on background, content, structure, geography, teachings, basic meaning of each book and outstanding people and events. Emphasis is on the Old Testament Scriptures as the background and foundation for understanding the New Testament.

This exciting course traces the history of the Church of God from apostolic times to the present day. Topics include the development of the Church through each of its seven distinct eras. Students will learn to analyze significant developments in the history of the Church by the end of the course.

THL 332 – The Biblical Text
This in-depth course deals with the authority, inspiration, canonization, literary unity, and textual criticism of the Bible. Emphasis is on Bible translations, versions, textual analysis, exegesis, and research.

This course is an excellent tool for those considering marriage, engaged couples, those recently married, and even for those married for years. It covers many topics related to marriage and family, including: dating, engagement, preparation for marriage, successful home and family life, family management, and contemporary issues in marriage and family life.

This course, the first of two, focuses on the Apostle Paul’s life and writings including the background, message, purposes and theme, of each of his epistles. Emphasis is upon Romans, I and II Corinthians, and Galatians. Note that THL 136 is a prerequisite for this course.

This interesting course introduces selected works from the Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas from their literary beginnings through the seventeenth century. Emphasis is placed on historical background, cultural context, and literary analysis of selected prose, poetry, and drama.

This week’s Heads Up podcast is titled “TWSP Coming to a City Near You!,” with special guest Mr. Richard Ames. Download or listen at www.headsupshow.org.

The Value of Counsel: One of the common pitfalls of life is trusting in our own judgment when we only see part of the picture. When we make decisions or take actions based on how we see a problem, the results can be costly to ourselves and to others. This is why Solomon wrote in Proverbs 3:5, “lean not on your own understanding” and in Proverbs 3:7, “Do not be wise in your own eyes” and again in Proverbs 28:26, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool.” Solomon also warns in Proverbs 11:14, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” and again in Proverbs 15:22, “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.” We can obtain wise and valuable advice from prayerfully studying the book of Proverbs and from seeking counsel from parents, the ministry and from more experienced friends and associates who can be objective and help us see a bigger picture than we perceive on our own. God wants us to succeed and be happy—which is why He recorded this advice!

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

Will the U.S. Government Default? U.S. lawmakers and the President have been “haggling” for months over how to deal with the current debt ceiling crisis. Many commentators have compared the stalled arguments to children who will not give in unless the other party completely adopts their view. If a deal is not struck by August 2, the U.S. will be unable to pay about 45% of its bills for the month of August, which could result in the nation losing its AAA bond rating (MSN Money, July 25, 2011). The International Monetary Fund warned last weekend that because of the dollar’s world reserve currency status and the amount of U.S. bonds owned by world nations, “… a downgrade will be very damaging for both the U.S. economy and the rest of the world… But there is a lot of uncertainty; nobody really knows what would be the true effects” (CNN Money, July 25, 2011). Many now realize that efforts to solve the debt problem will just delay an inevitable collapse unless major cuts are made, because the U.S. debt is expected to exceed the entire U.S. gross domestic product in 2012 (Telegraph, July 26, 2011). If the government defaults, many predict major job losses in government and military sectors and rapidly rising interest rates. Lawmakers in both political parties appear to want “their own way” and seem unwilling to work together for the benefit of the nation (Associated Press, July 24, 2011)—ignoring the biblical principle of “submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:21). Bible prophecies also contain warnings for the leaders of Israelite nations, “You eat the fat and clothe yourselves… you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock… with force and cruelty you have ruled over them…” (Ezekiel 34:3-4). Our dysfunctional governments of today are a result of leaders who serve themselves and their personal desires instead of working for the benefit of those whom they serve. Jesus Christ is going to return and appoint righteous leaders who will put serving others first in the coming Kingdom of God. The result will bring true peace, stability, and prosperity to the peoples of this earth. For more information on this exciting subject, review our free booklet, The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?

Terror in a City of Peace! Oslo, Norway, the city of the Nobel Peace Prize, turned into a city of terror as an angry and deranged gunman set off explosives in the city center killing seven people. Later that day, he visited an island summer camp where he shot and killed 76 more people, mostly teenagers. While the Norwegian native gunman claims to be a member of an anti-Islamic group, the media has painted him as a “right-wing Christian extremist.” His lawyer and many others suggest that Anders Behring Breivik is mentally insane—a plea he may make himself at his court hearing. Meanwhile, many Norwegians grapple with the tragedy in a nation which has never experienced terrorist activity in the modern era. Norway’s prime minster recently described the nation as “A paradise island [that] has been transformed into a hell…” (New York Times, July 22, 2011; Christian Post, July 23 and 26, 2011). The sad fact is that despite the trauma and sadness, the Bible has long predicted events like this would occur in the Israelite nations when they reject God and His way, “if you do not obey Me… and if you despise my statutes… I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you…” (Leviticus 26:14-16). Norway is a nominally Christian nation, however a 2005 barometer poll revealed that only 32% of Norwegians even believe there is a God (http://ec.europa.eu/publicopinion/archives) and only 12% attend church each month. In 2009, 54% of all births in Norway were “out of wedlock” situations (www.familylifeculturewatch.com). Norway has also legalized same-sex marriages. It is a nation that needs to repent of its ways and truly turn to God. Jesus said that tragedies like this would occur and get worse before He returns to bring peace to this earth (Matthew 24:8)—may God speed that day!—John Meakin and Scott Winnail