As the world celebrates its traditional year-end holidays, it would be a good time to reflect on the plan of God, on your calling, on the mission that God has given to His Church, and on the increasingly obvious need for Jesus Christ to intervene in the affairs of mankind and bring peace to this world. Over the next several weeks, listen to the platitudes of world leaders and notice how they have little to offer when it comes to real solutions for the major problems that hold humanity captive. As you reflect on the condition of the world and humanity, take some time to prayerfully examine yourself to see if you are really growing to become like God in every way—in thought and action—so you can serve more effectively with Jesus Christ in the coming Kingdom of God. Then, formulate some plans to make the coming civil year a year of real spiritual growth.

 

Dr. Scott Winnail flew to Trinidad this morning. He will travel to Guyana with Mr. and Mrs. Greeman tomorrow where they will visit congregations in Georgetown and in the hinterlands, close to the border with Brazil, over the next two weeks. Your prayers for a successful and profitable trip, as well as for their safety, are appreciated. Requests for the DVD “2012: Mystery and Truth” offered in Dr. Meredith’s most recent semi-annual letter continue to come in. As of yesterday, almost 45,000 copies had been requested. This includes requests being received by our offices in Canada, Australia, UK, New Zealand, Caribbean and the USA.

 

Continue to remember Mr. John Turner in your prayers for God to heal him from a blood-thickening condition. Also pray for the complete recovery of Mr. Melicio Chico, our elder in Sindangan, Philippines, who is struggling with the effects of a stroke that he suffered two years ago. 

 

 

 

Mr. Barry Walker reports: We recently had a wonderful miracle in the Kelowna, British Columbia congregation. Two years ago one of our members was diagnosed with four separate brain tumors. The doctor told her that an operation would be very risky. We could see that this was taking a toll on her life; her health was fading with severe headaches. She was anointed and had a great deal of faith that God would heal her. One year after her initial diagnosis, she had one of many follow-up MRIs and one of the tumors was gone! She came to Church and told us that she would wait on God to heal her of the other three tumors. The next year was a struggle as she suffered with many severe headaches, but her faith never wavered as she continued to look to God for healing. After the Feast this year she had her 7th MRI and this was the one she was waiting for. On December 12, she was given the all clear, the other three tumors were gone! She was overjoyed and the doctors puzzled with the news of the miracle. There is no doubt in our minds that our Great God had heard the prayers of the righteous. We are all thankful for His mercy and healing power.

 

 

Plans for activities for our young people are in full gear.  Next year, we will again be hosting pre-teen camps in Texas and in Missouri.  For our teen camp this summer, we will be at a new location in western Pennsylvania.  Living Youth Teen Camp will be conducted at Raccoon Creek State Park, just west of Pittsburgh.  The lovely 101-acre Raccoon Creek Lake is the centerpiece of the park, one of the most beautiful parks in the Pennsylvania state park system. Located off of State Route 18 in Western Pennsylvania, Raccoon Creek has a swimming beach, a boat launch, a large Wildflower Preserve, mineral springs, hiking trails, camping and interpretive programs. And yes, there are raccoons!  Our camp program will run from August 3 through August 13.  For more details and a registration link, visit our new Living Youth website at www.livingyouth.org.  Registration will begin on February 1.—Jonathan McNair

 

 

 

On-campus Study and Registration for Spring Semester Classes: There is still time to register for LU courses that begin on January 19! Eleven different courses are being offered next semester. This week we will highlight two different courses. A full listing of “Spring Semester” courses (Spring in the northern hemisphere), can also be viewed on the Living University website under the link “2010 Spring Schedule.” To make an application to Living University and to register for courses, please visit the www.livinguniv.com website.

 

For those curious about our on-campus program in Charlotte, please read on! If you are interested in earning a college degree, or just experiencing a year of exciting learning in the stimulating environment of the Living Church of God’s international headquarters, consider our on-campus program in Charlotte, North Carolina. LU accepts home school students with the appropriate credentials. You can access the application and other related materials on the LU website, at www.livinguniv.com. On the home page, simply click on Making Application for instructions and further information. The website contains estimated costs, as well as materials that are necessary to complete the application process. Note that the application deadline for on-campus study in Charlotte is February 15, 2010. You will be notified of your admittance by April 1, 2010. For those with questions about on-campus study or for any other questions, please contact Dr. Scott Winnail at swinnail@livinguniv.com, or call 704-844-1966, option 7.

 

THL 467—Historical Geography of the Bible Lands: This course deals with the historical geography of the Bible lands as represented in ancient texts (the Bible as well as Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Canaanite sources). Emphasis is placed on the interrelationship of history and geography during the Bronze and Iron Ages, including settlement, economic, military, and communication factors in ancient Israel. Upon completion, a student will understand the importance of relevant archaeological, historical and biblical material and their relationship to important sites, roads, and features in each region. This rich history and understanding will add depth and richness to your understanding of the biblical events that have taken place in the region.

THL 474—Archaeology and the New Testament: This exciting course deals with the archaeology of Syro-Palestine from Herodian times through the Second Jewish Revolt (AD 132-135). Emphasis is placed on orientation to the geography and archaeology of the biblical world and the application of archaeology in biblical research. Aspects of the region will be highlighted, including the social, political and religious background of the biblical world.

Please be reminded that all U.S. contributions dated in December that are postmarked on or before December 31, 2009 will be counted as a donation for 2009, and may be tax-deductible in 2009, even if we receive it in January 2010. So, it is to your advantage to be certain that any December donations are dated and postmarked no later than December 31. For those who claim charitable deductions on their tax returns in the USA, the following advice was contained in a recent tax law update.  Please note: Your tax return should NOT be filed until you receive your year-end receipt for donations. The Internal Revenue Service requires this receipt as part of the tax documents to claim this deduction. We plan to issue year-end donation receipts on or about January 20, 2010.

 

As we close the calendar year for 2009, we want to extend a hearty thank you to all our members and co-workers for your generous financial support, and for your prayers for every aspect of the Work. The harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few, but collectively we are able to accomplish much.  Please continue to pray for God’s guidance in everything that we do at Headquarters, and in the local congregations around the world as we begin 2010.—Davy Crockett

Gentleness Is Godliness: The Scriptures state that Christians are called to become kings and priests—civil and religious leaders—in the coming Kingdom of God. Yet, today, leaders often feel they must exert control over others to show who is in charge! Jesus said this human tendency to “lord it over” others will not be tolerated in the Kingdom (Matthew 20:25-28). God is looking for individuals who desire to serve others, and who are able to lead in a gentle—but not weak—manner. David records how God dealt gently with him (Psalm 18:35). Solomon states that patience and gentle words can persuade difficult people (Proverbs 25:15). The Apostle Paul mentions that instead of making demands and issuing orders, he dealt gently with brethren (1 Thessalonians 2:6-7). Paul also urged Christians to be humble, gentle and patient when dealing with others (Ephesians 4:1-2). Bible prophecies indicate that while Jesus Christ will return and rule with a “strong hand,” He will gather His flock as a shepherd and “gently lead those who are with young” (Isaiah 40:10-11). Anyone who hopes to lead in the Kingdom of God needs to remember that gentleness is a trait of real Godly leaders.

 

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

 

 

News and Prophecy—December 24, 2009

 

German Court Enforces Sunday as Day-of-Rest. Under pressure from Catholics and Protestants, “Germany’s highest court has ruled that Sunday should be kept as a day of rest and has overturned a Berlin law easing restrictions on Sunday shopping. Most German newspapers on Wednesday greet the ruling, some for reasons of religion and tradition, others out of a concern for workers’ rights” (Spiegel Online, December 2, 2009—emphasis ours). The court ruling cited the need for a common day of “not working” that will improve family life and serve to anchor society. The ruling will not affect this Christmas shopping season. Although the current ruling tried to distance itself from religion, a look through the lens of Bible prophecy tells another story. The role of the Roman Church in life and society in the new EU is becoming more evident. Germany is the most populous and financially powerful nation in the EU and has the capacity to influence the rest of Europe. Bible prophecy indicates that the role of the Roman Church will also become more evident (Revelation 17).

 

Peru Buys Chinese Tanks. Peru recently made a deal to purchase between 80-120 Chinese-made tanks, upgrading its aging fleet of 50-year-old Russian and French units. Tensions between Peru and Chile have been growing tenser, and Peru’s change from “peaceful pursuits” sends a strong message to Chile and the region. Given Chile’s far greater fiscal resources as well as military might, Peru will not be “picking a fight” anytime soon. However, its growing discomfort with the current situation is evident (Stratfor, December 9, 2009). In this time of “regionalization of power,” where nations in regions around the globe are bonding together for trade and other reasons, we also see fragmentation and division regionally, such as in South America. God warns that at the time of the end, “nation will rise against nation” and that there will be “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6-7). The current military build-up in Peru supports the fact that God’s end-time prophecies are coming to pass.

 

Canadian Court Upholds Free Speech Law. In 2002, Pastor Stephen Boissoin wrote a letter to the editor of his local paper in Alberta, “deploring homosexuality” from a biblical perspective. In 2008 Pastor Boissoin was found guilty by the Alberta Human Rights Commission of breaking provincial crime laws. However, a Court of Queen’s Bench judge recently overturned the provincial ruling, stating that Pastor Boissoin’s comments were not in violation of hate crime laws and were protected by Canada’s free speech laws. Although the court ruled in favor of free speech, one individual, speaking on behalf of a free-speech organization, cautioned, “No citizen is safe from being subjected to a taxpayer-funded prosecution for having spoken or written something that a fellow citizen finds offensive” (The Canadian Press, December 4, 2009). In a world that wants to call “evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20), comments that state or infer that the behaviors of others are “wrong” or “sinful” will increasingly be seen as “hate speech.” However, we also know that God’s Work and the preaching of the Gospel must and will go forward, and God will allow the “laws of the land” to work in favor of the preaching of the Gospel as long as necessary. Let’s remember to pray for those “in authority,” so that God’s people may lead a quiet and peaceable life, and that the good news of God’s coming Kingdom can go forward in full force (1 Timothy 2:1-3).—Scott Winnail and Gerald Weston