08/21/08
Greetings from Charlotte,
We had a very profitable teleconference this week with members of the Council of Elders, and heard some very positive reports from around the world. The number of visit requests is growing and Church attendance is inching upwards. We are very grateful that income in the U.S. is 7% above last year and that the increase in income in Canada is even higher. Mr. Rod King will conduct a Public Lecture in Belfast, Northern Ireland, this weekend, and Mr. Millich in Chanute, Kansas. Here in Charlotte, Mr. Meredith, Mr. Ames and I have been busy taping lectures for Living University classes. It is hard to believe that the Fall Holy Days will be here in just about a month! Please keep our brethren in the Philippines in your prayers—as some are facing open warfare between factions in their own towns—see the following report.
Church Administration
Urgent Prayer Request—Violence in the Philippines
For some time, the Armed Forces of the Philippines have been in conflict with Muslim breakaway factions in the south, on the island of Mindanao. When a recent peace accord with the government fell through, Muslim militants attacked communities they deemed pro-Christian. Some of our brethren live within these localities. Mr. Gideon Benitez, our Area Pastor in central and northwestern Mindanao (Philippines), described their experience on the evening of August 19:
“While we were talking outside the house at 8:30 in the evening with our Muslim neighbors, we heard shouts along the streets followed by women running, carrying their children, babies and bags. According to them, Iligan City was under [attack] by MILF, just a few kilometers from our compound and heavy fights were going on and, suddenly, the lights on the streets were off and people started screaming [...] Our Muslim neighbors left our discussions and prepared themselves for eventualities because they did not know where to go. We immediately went inside our house and closed the doors and windows for our protection. After an hour, the City Mayor spoke on the radio asking the people to calm down, stay at home, not to panic, for the city of Iligan is surrounded with four Battalions of Philippine Army with six military tanks for assaults [...] Today, Iligan City is full of military personnel on patrol on the streets, city exits, entrances and in big government installations, and heavy guards on check points. All classes are suspended and city government offices are closed. The whole city is under [threat]. Yesterday establishments were already closed at 5 pm and very few people can be seen on the streets, even in big supermarkets. So far the brethren are not affected nor were they harmed by the on-going fights. All are safe and sound, but please don’t forget to include us in your prayers.”
Your urgent prayers are requested for our brethren around Iligan City and other parts of Mindanao affected by the recent fighting. Please also pray that brethren in Mindanao will be able to keep the Feast in peace and safety.
Traverse City, Michigan, Public Bible Lecture
Mr. Daniel Friz reports: The Public Bible Lecture in Traverse City on August 16 went very well. Twenty-six Church members from Traverse City and two from Lansing were present, as well as five new people. Two will be attending services this Sabbath! The other three expressed interest in more booklets and further study. We are experiencing growth in our area. Five of our six congregations have new people attending regularly—approximately ten people. New interest has also been shown in the Lima, Ohio, area. We held a Bible Study there in July with a good turn-out (12 adults and two children).
Living Youth Camp Adventure 2008—Bridger-Teton Wilderness, Wyoming
We have safely returned from an exciting and beautiful trip into the heart of the Bridger-Teton Wilderness near Pinedale, Wyoming. We spent five days backpacking over 40 miles, with heavy packs. While hiking, we reached 11,000 feet in elevation, weathered rain, sleet and snow, and went swimming in mountain lakes and rivers as cold as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The Sabbath was sunny and beautiful. Twenty-nine of us spent the Sabbath in the heart of the Wilderness, and another nine had services at the base camp in Jackson, Wyoming. Bible Studies were held each morning, prior to the day’s activities. Three of the seven topics covered included: “The First and Great Commandment,” “Endurance!” and “Overcoming Obstacles.”
On Wednesday, August 13, our group went whitewater rafting on the Snake River. We finished the rafting trip eating a steak dinner (salmon or beef) along its banks. Thursday was spent rock climbing near Jackson. Most of the campers and staff were able to scale the 80 foot climbs, and rappels! Later that night, we enjoyed a dinner and stage show at the Bar-J Chuckwagon Ranch. A delicious dinner and lots of laughs provided the perfect ending to a great trip!
It was inspiring to see the teamwork, willingness to pitch in and help, and positive attitudes of the young people on this physically-demanding and challenging trip. We thank God for blessing and protecting us. We would like to extend a special thanks to the staff, whose contributions were greatly appreciated! We look forward to another trip next year!—Sheldon Monson
Internet Department
Internet Update: New Design
Last week, a new design was published on the Church’s Website www.lcg.org. With this new design now in place, new content is added to the lcg.org website six days a week. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays a special commentary is added and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays a “News & Prophecy” article is published. Additionally, a new sermon is made available each Friday. We are receiving a number of positive comments on the new design of the lcg.org website. The feedback is greatly appreciated and has been encouraging to all.— J. Charles Ogwyn
Feast of Tabernacles 2008
Feast Speaking Schedules
The speaking schedules for the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean have been finalized and approved. They are being sent out. Those scheduled to speak at the Feast should be receiving the speaking schedule via e-mail and post.—Festival Office
Branson, Missouri
Family Day: Family Day at Branson will be held at the world-famous Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show! Not only is the Dixie Stampede giving us tickets at 15% to 20% off, but they are also reserving an entire section of their arena just for us, so all Church members can sit together, eat together, fellowship together, and enjoy the show together on Family Day!
However, to make these plans work, we need EVERY interested family to submit their information as soon as possible. Payment for our seats will come due BEFORE the Feast actually begins, so by September 12 we MUST have an accurate count of everyone going. Those planning to attend Family Day in Branson, please visit www.fotbranson.org and click on “Family Day”. You will find ticket prices and other information, as well as the sign-up form. Those who do not sign up by September 12 may not be able to attend the event, so don’t delay! This is one of the best experiences in Branson for anyone of any age.—Wallace Smith
New Braunfels, Texas
Children’s Choir: Parents of children wishing to participate in the Festival Children’s Choir in New Braunfels, Texas, should contact Myrtle Forrestier by e-mail at myrtlebethf@aol.com or by phone at 903-834-6459.
Adult Choir: Also, we need more bass and tenor volunteers for the Adult Choir. Those who would like to volunteer, please contact Glen Dean at 972-890-3897 or by e-mail at glen.dean@sbcglobal.net.
Comments
Signs of the Times: I am currently teaching a Living University class in Old Testament Survey, and I have been struck by the sobering parallels between significant events mentioned in Scripture and the times in which we are living. In Genesis 18 and 19, God sent two angels to warn Lot and his family that the cities where they lived were to be destroyed because of their wicked and perverted ways. Homosexuality is given as a major reason. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah—including Lot’s family—had forgotten why God destroyed almost the entire human race only 400 years before (Genesis 6-7)! Yet, Lot’s family enjoyed the abundance of the area (Genesis 13:10-13) and had grown so accustomed and tolerant to what was going on around them that they were reluctant to leave. Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt because she looked back longingly at what she was leaving behind. A decade ago, conservative judge Robert Bork wrote a book entitled Slouching Towards Gomorrah that catalogued the moral decline of America. Yet, today, two American states have passed legislation making marriage between homosexuals legal. In Canada, a minister was thrown in jail for stating what the Bible says about this lifestyle. In Britain, the Archbishop of Canterbury thinks it is fine to ordain such people into the priesthood of the Church of England! Do we recognize what is happening around us and understand why the Apostle Paul urged Christians to “come out” of this world (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)? We need to remember that these Old Testament examples were recorded for our admonition today (1 Corinthians 10:1-13)—because the judgment of our society is coming. We also need to recognize the significance of what is happening around us and earnestly pray “Thy kingdom come.”
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—August 21, 2008
A North-South Confederacy? Last month in a historic meeting led by Nicolas Sarkozy (French president and acting EU president), 43 nations that “rim” the Mediterranean met in Paris as the Union of the Mediterranean. Once just a vision of Mr. Sarkozy (and under Angela Merkel’s guidance), the Union has now become a European vision too. “The goal [of the Union] is to boost ties between the EU and its southern neighbors.” Egyptian President Mubarak and Mr. Sarkozy were made the first co-presidents of the Union (EUObserver, July 14, 2008). Commenting about the meeting, German Chancellor Merkel stated it was “a very, very good start for a new phase in the cooperation between Europe and the South” (New York Times, July 14, 2008). Psalm 83 notes a time at the end of the age when nations surrounding Jerusalem will try to “cut [Israel] off from being a nation.” “For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against You: The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assyria also has joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot” (Psalm 83:5-8). In 1979, the Church suggested a possible future cooperation between Europe and a confederation of Arab nations, based on Psalm 83 and Daniel 11. Last month’s meeting of the Union of the Mediterranean is very interesting in this light.
Global Implications of a “Summer War” in Georgia. Christ warned that signs of the end of the age would be “wars and rumors of wars” and nations rising against nations (Matthew 24:6-7). The brief “summer war” in Georgia and South Ossetia fits in well with Christ’s predictions—here we see ethnic groups in the north and south of Georgia fighting each other and the government of Russia quickly intervening in support of the break-away region. But this war is more than just a “summer war” over South Ossetia’s right to become independent. Currently, Europe relies on Russia for nearly 40% of its oil and gas. Georgia was a promising tool to bring oil and gas across southeastern Europe and into Turkey—and eventually to Austria to help offset Europe’s reliance on Russian fuel. This was while Georgia was viewed as a stable and safe nation. Russia, well aware of Georgia’s strategic fuel resources, opposed from the start a pipeline project to bring Georgian fuel to Turkey (Globe and Mail, August 18, 2008). Germany and Europe are in turmoil about how to deal with the current crisis, with many calling for “offensive” actions against Russia’s “imperial tactics” instead of just defensive (Der Spiegel, August 18, 2008). Russia’s “summer war” in Georgia will also likely further galvanize the EU—especially if the EU chooses to take unified military action on what many view as European soil.
Children Taken Into Captivity. A home-schooled family in Southern Germany recently had their three-year-old son returned to them after he and five of his brothers and sisters were taken into state custody in January, during a raid while the parents were not at home (two adult children were at home with the younger children). The parents are still fighting to have all their children—who all passed state-ordered psychological examinations with flying colors—returned to them. Homeschooling is illegal in Germany and parents who do it for religious or other reasons are fined or jailed when discovered. Germany maintains the highest incidence of removing children from homes of any nation in Europe. Germany’s rate of child removal is up 12.5% so far this year, despite child abuse rates remaining flat. The state’s practices surrounding child-removal have been criticized in Europe and even in Germany. One German politician recently stated in a radio interview, “Imprisonment or fines in this matter are absolutely excessive in my opinion, because homeschooling can provide very high-quality outcomes…” (HSLDA Weekly Update, August 5, 2008). God warned that a future world power will take children of Israelite-descended nations into captivity (Deuteronomy 28:41). Will the laws currently in place in Germany be used as blueprints to enable a future Beast power to carry out similar actions on a much greater scale?—Bob Thiel, Daniel Bennett and Scott Winnail
COGwriter 2008