04/03/08
Greetings from Charlotte,
Things are busy here as we prepare for the upcoming Spring Holy Days. Mr. Meredith taped a television program this week, “The Antichrist Is Coming Soon,” which is scheduled to air on July 13 and will offer the booklet Who or What Is The Antichrist? Mr. Ames taped lectures for Living University. Last weekend, I traveled to Arkansas to visit congregations in Russellville and Little Rock and to attend a Sunday activity with leaders from the area congregations at the home of Area Pastor Mr. Rick Stafford. While it was cool and rainy in Arkansas (with a considerable amount of flooding), there was plenty of warm fellowship. Mr. Gary Ehman reports from the Personal Correspondence Department that the First Quarter of 2008 set a new record of 1,612 replies to inquiries. The previous record from 2007 was 1,364. It is encouraging to see this increased activity from people who want to learn more about the truth of God.
From the Presiding Evangelist
Dear fellow servants of Christ,
Greetings from Charlotte! All is well here at Headquarters and the Work is moving forward more forcefully than at any time in recent years! We have been receiving excellent responses to the television programs and we have had by far the greatest number of “Go To’s” sent out in our history. For the first three months of 2008, we have sent out 709 “Go To’s.” This is almost 40% higher than in the corresponding three month period of 2007. So we are very grateful for the increased interest of people in asking about the Church with many actually following through and beginning to attend Church as well.
As the American financial crisis continues, as a worldwide food shortage is building and as perhaps the weakest group of presidential candidates in American history roam the country in search of votes, millions of Americans are feeling “uneasy” to say the least. In His mercy, God has given us in this Work genuine understanding as to how all these things will eventually work out. Many thousands of “new” people are beginning to realize this and are starting to turn to us for help and understanding. Because all of these things, and others, I sense that it can’t be too long before we are really noticed by the world. That will greatly increase our impact. But it will also bring persecution as people come to realize the power of our message—a message which will often make them feel “guilty.” Since people don’t like to feel guilty, they will surely turn on us!
So, fellow servants, we do need to build a profound relationship with God and know that He really will take care of us in the end. And as we approach the Passover, we all should feel a deep sense of humility—realizing how weak we are and how massive our responsibility is to proclaim Christ’s awesome Message of His coming Government to the entire world.
Let us all deeply “examine ourselves” at this time—for even we in the ministry need a great deal of mercy and patience from our God. And we certainly stand in need of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our own sins and shortcomings. Let us do everything we can to help our brethren also really draw close to God and Christ at this time. Please encourage them—and each other—to spend a lot of extra time in deep Bible Study, meditation and prayer.
And I will ask all of you to pray fervently for the Work at this time—and for our financial income. For we are living in an age—totally unlike the age of the Apostle Paul—when we not only need to take care of our personal needs, but we need to pay huge bills for television, publishing, ministerial services, etc.
There really is so much we need to do in order to genuinely “finish the Work,” and so few resources to do it. Please spend extra time in the announcements encouraging and inspiring the brethren to give generously in the upcoming Holy Day offerings!
It is good even to remind ourselves that God absolutely does “bless” those who put their hearts and their resources into His Work! As the Apostle Paul wrote the Corinthians, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
Our God certainly is “able” to make His “grace” abound to those who give generously. For He can and will guide circumstances to make sure that His truly zealous children are well taken care of. And, as we all know, the ultimate blessing from God carries over into eternity.
Thank you, fellow ministers and servants, for your continuing faithfulness. I deeply appreciate your friendship, your love and your help. Please pray for one another, for all of God’s people and for Christ’s end-time Work.
Your brother in Christ,
Roderick C. Meredith
Media
Exciting News for Tomorrow’s World Television Production
As we move toward upgrading to digital television in February 2009, as mandated by the FCC, it is necessary to acquire all new equipment for producing the television program. Also, a new set design for the program has been approved by Dr. Meredith and the Media Department.
In the planning process to remodel the large room in the Headquarters building to house the new set and equipment, we realized that with Living University lectures, Holy Day sermons and other video productions in addition to the television program, the studio was being used much more than in the past. With the increased usage, we considered whether or not the current location was the best place for the studio and related functions.
While working on these plans, a 5,000sf building two doors down from the Headquarters building came on the market for sale. Inspection of the building revealed that it is very suitable for our purposes. In fact, the rear half of the structure is a large, open room with 16-foot ceilings, heated and cooled, which is very well suited for a television studio. The office portion of the building is laid out in a configuration that would accommodate our production staff. The remainder of the building can be retro fitted to accommodate our sound studio, duplication equipment and a conference room.
After some negotiation, the owner of the building accepted our offer to purchase the building and we are in the process of conducting our due diligence procedures moving toward a target date for closing on the building of May 15, 2008.
We hope to be producing television programs at the new facility in late summer for the 2009 season. Moving our television production staff to the new building will free up needed space in the Headquarters building for offices and additional meeting space. Your prayers for the successful completion of this important project will be appreciated.—Davy Crockett
Internet Update: New Record
Last month we had a record 75,208 visitors on our tomorrowsworld.org website. The previous record, set in January of this year, was 70,420 visitors. These visitors came to our site from 192 countries and territories around the globe. Each week our newest Tomorrow’s World television program is added to the website and twice weekly a written commentary is added.—J. Charles Ogwyn
Church Administration
Visit to Trinidad
Mr. Paul Shumway’s visit to Trinidad last week: Eighty-nine attended Sabbath services when Mr. Greeman and I ordained Mr. Damian Weekes to the office of Deacon. It was very encouraging and inspiring to the congregation! Sixty-eight stayed for LLC #12—Leading in Marriage and Family.
Living Youth Camp
LYC Adventure Team 2008—Bridger-Teton National Forest
We have only a few spots left for campers! If you are interested in participating in this year’s adventure, go to the LYC website lyc.lcg.org and fill out an application. You won’t want to miss this 40-mile, six-day, world-class backpacking trip in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The adventure continues in Jackson, Wyoming, with whitewater rafting down the Snake River (Lewis & Clark River Expeditions) and rock-climbing (guided service). We will conclude the experience on Thursday evening, August 14, with a special steak dinner and stage show at the Bar J Chuckwagon.
The cost will be $350 per person. Those who are 16-20 years of age are eligible to apply. You will need to supply your own backpack, zero-degree sleeping bag, hiking boots and personal items. Tents, cooking gear, water filters and food will be supplied.
If accepted, you will be required to organize your own transportation to and from this camp. Plan to arrive on Wednesday, August 6, for a 6:00 p.m. dinner and orientation meeting in Pinedale, Wyoming. Plan to depart on Friday morning, August 15. We recommend flying into Jackson (for those who are planning on traveling by air). We will be providing rides to and from the airport. Please note that all staff positions have been filled.
Texas Preteen Camp
Plans are well underway for an outstanding Texas-style preteen camp at the beautiful Fort Parker State Park June 15-20. Spaces for both boys and girls are available. If you have not registered your preteen, please do so as soon as you can at lyc.lcg.org. Also, anyone who is in need of a scholarship, who would otherwise be unable to attend, please call Mr. Dan Hall, Camp Director, at 903-882-8660. Scholarships are available. We look forward to seeing you in June!
Feast of Tabernacles 2008
Festival Advisors
Attention Area Pastors: If you haven’t already done so, please put together a list of the Festival Advisors in your area, itemized by church number. As a reminder, the Festival Advisor is the local contact who will help others in the congregation register online for the Feast. We will be contacting you shortly to obtain this information. This is an important step as we prepare for the May 4 USA/CANADA festival registration launch date. Thank you for your help.
Festival Coordinators Meeting
Festival preparations continue! We had a tele-meeting of Festival Coordinators from the United States, Canada and Australia this past week; we discussed the festival website and how coordinators can use it for their respective sites. The Festival Coordinators for the 2008 sites in the United States are: Branson, MO, Wallace Smith; New Braunfels, TX, Dan Hall; Newport, OR, Glen Gilchrist; Prescott, AZ, Rodger Bardo; Sunset Beach, NC, Rod McNair; Wisconsin Dells, WI, Sheldon Monson.
Spanish-English Volunteer Interpreters Needed
Experienced Spanish-English interpreters are needed to volunteer at the Feast sites in Argentina, Guatemala and Mexico. If you have experience in Spanish-English simultaneous interpretation, are planning to attend any of these sites for the Feast of Tabernacles and are able to volunteer in this capacity, please contact Madeleine Lincoln-Strange at 704-844-1960, ext. 217, or send e-mail to mlincoln@lcg.org.
The international Feast site featured this week is Glentana, South Africa.
Glentana, South Africa
The Living Church of God will hold the Feast of Tabernacles 2008 in the coastal resort of Glentana, near George, as it has done for the last several years. Glentana is situated 30 km from George, which has its own airport and lies in a beautiful coastal area known as the Garden Route, which borders the Indian Ocean in the southern part of the Western Cape. George Airport has domestic links with the international airports at Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Accommodations consist of private homes or flats situated on, or close to, the beachfront. It is a very relaxed setting and there are frequent sightings of whales and dolphins. There are a number of activities one can enjoy in the greater area, including scenic drives, forest walks, golf and mini golf, and other sporting facilities. Ostrich show farms, wildlife reserves and the famous Cango Caves are also within driving distance.
A disadvantage is the lack of shopping facilities in the immediate area, necessitating traveling to George to stock up on supplies (the vast majority of the accommodations are self-catering and there are very few nearby restaurants). For more information contact Mr. Pieter van der Byl at wyndover@intekom.co.za, or call (27) 21-572-1002.
Comments
Our Opinions or Christ’s Mind: How many times have you made or heard comments like, “Here is how I see it,” “Here is what I think,” “Here is the way it should have been done,” or “ I am going to give them a piece of my mind.” All too often, these comments are directed at people in leadership positions—even in the Church. Moses was criticized by men who held different opinions (Numbers 16), and Peter sharply differed with Jesus over an issue and even rebuked Christ (Matthew 16:21-23). In both cases, the people expressing critical opinions did not recognize the real source of their negative and divisive thoughts and actions. Before we share our “different” opinions, we need to remember God’s warning, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8). We also need to remember scriptural admonitions, “the carnal mind is enmity against God” and His ways—including His government (Romans 8:7), and “the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9). As Christians, our focus should not be to go around spreading our own ideas, but to develop a godly perspective that reflects the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). Jesus said, “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19)—as He sought to think and walk in harmony with God. Jesus’ attitude was, “not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). Jesus was circumspect, subject to His Father and not into promoting His own opinions and ideas. The Apostle Paul urged Christians to exercise self-control and to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Corinthians 10:5). Long ago, Solomon wrote, “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back” (Proverbs 29:11). As we approach the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, we each need to ask ourselves if we are promoting our own opinions and ideas, or are we developing more of the mind of Christ?
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—April 3, 2008
Saudis Lead Interfaith Effort. Saudi Arabian King Abdullah recently proposed an interfaith dialogue between the three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—it would be a seminar on “Culture and Respect of Religions.” According to King Abdullah, “The idea is to ask representatives of all monotheistic religions to sit together with their brothers in faith and sincerity to all religions as we all believe in the same God.” The king’s hope is to “agree on something that guarantees the preservation of humanity against those who tamper with ethics, family systems and honesty” (CatholicNewsAgency.com, March 28, 2008). The book of Daniel indicates that three-and-a-half years before the start of the great tribulation, there will be some type of seven-year deal struck between major world powers—a deal that will enable a relatively peaceful resumption of sacrifices on the Temple Mount (Daniel 9:26-27). For temple sacrifices to resume, some type of agreement will need to be made between the world’s three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. For all three religions, the Temple Mount carries great significance. The Pope has recently made overtures towards both Jews and Muslims. King Abdullah’s recent call for dialogue appears to be building on the Pope’s agenda.
Drug Use Up in Britain and Europe. “Police say privately that cocaine is becoming as acceptable in middle-class Britain as cannabis [marijuana] was a generation ago and that they are losing the battle against the drug.” A recently released UN drug agency report blames the “celebrity culture” for this increase and also blames police for “ignoring” the problem among famous persons. “Celebrity drug offenders can profoundly influence attitudes, values and behavior towards drug use, particularly among young people,” the report said. According to the report, Britain, Spain and Italy have the highest cocaine use levels in Europe (The Times, March 5, 2008). Most who turn to drugs do so to “escape” problems, people and society. They turn to the substance, rather than to the God who can help them. God’s spirit is one of a “sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7), not one of a mind totally out of control—the way that many psychedelic drugs affect the mind. Societies that turn to drugs are societies that are fearful, ambivalent, and lack real hope for the future. God promised “great peace” to those who love His law (Psalm 119:165)—a type of peace in which “nothing” can cause us to stumble. Today, people use drugs to hide from their fears—they put drugs “in the place of God”—effectively making drugs their “idol.” One day soon, when the earth is “full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9), there will be unprecedented peace among all people who choose to live God’s way—and faith will no longer be put in drugs to save people from their fears.
Does Cohabitation Increase Marriage Success? A resounding “NO!,” according to a new book by McManus & McManus. Contrary to popular belief, people who live together before marriage are almost twice as likely to divorce than those who do not live together before marriage. “It’s really more like a trial divorce,” Harriet McManus said at a press conference at the Family Research Council. “The only question is whether you break up before the wedding or after the wedding in a legal divorce. As one of our marriage educator friends says, you can’t practice permanence. Of 100 cohabiting couples, 85 break up before or after the wedding, leaving only 15 couples in a lasting marriage after 10 years, and who knows how many more divorces after 10 years.” According to McManus, cohabitation has a high failure rate because it’s based on selfishness (BaptistPress.org, March 26, 2008). Thousands of years ago, God gave important instructions for a happy marriage: do not commit adultery or fornication (Exodus 20:14; 1 Corinthians 6:18), love each other on a godly level (1 Corinthians 13), and do not divorce except in specific and very extreme situations (Matthew 19:1-10; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16). God’s ways are clear and bring true rewards, but man’s ways bring difficulty and death. One day soon, God’s ways will be the “only way,” and people will finally learn how to achieve true happiness.—Daniel Bennett and Scott Winnail
COGwriter 2008