Greetings from Charlotte,
Life is getting back to a more normal routine now that the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread are over. We have experienced some difficulty with our television stations in Australia and the United Kingdom. Apparently some subjects and/or graphics used on our programs do not meet their Parental Guidance standards. This is rather remarkable when you see what else is allowed under PG standards, but the stations have control of the situation and we have to work within their scruples. I mention this because some members think our programs need to be stronger, not realizing that we try to thread the needle between preaching the Gospel and warning the world, and maintaining our presence on television. Even the Internet is not as free as one might think. Dr. Meredith and Mr. Ames have done a remarkable job over the years in threading that needle. Some of us who are newer at it are having to learn. And at the same time, standards of what is allowed and what is not are becoming more constrictive in our politically correct world. Dr. Meredith continues to keep up with news as best he can from home. Mr. Ames mentioned today at lunch how much the cards and letters he has received mean to him.—GEW
Church Administration
Pre-Engagement Counseling—Must Read
The Bible tells us that good counsel is critical for making good decisions (Proverbs 1:5; 11:14; 12:15). Marriage is one of the most important decisions of one's life (second only to baptism). The ministry must never become a "blessing factory," just putting the Church's stamp of approval on a marriage, no matter what. Rather, the ministry is here to help couples seeking marriage discern God's will as they consider making a covenant with each other, before God.
While the Church has historically suggested premarital counseling for all couples considering marriage, it makes much more sense to seek pre-engagement counseling. The intended purpose of counseling has always been to help couples themselves better determine if they are "right for each other" in God's sight and to increase their opportunity for success in a potential marriage. Regrettably, in all too many cases, once a couple is engaged, the couple's focus is no longer on evaluating their relationship and whether or not they are right for each other. When their main concern is planning the wedding, they are far less evaluative of their relationship. Counseling can be simply an afterthought.
Pre-engagement counseling makes far more sense. The couple may be dating seriously but they have not yet publicly committed to marriage in an engagement and they are much more open to honestly evaluating themselves as potential marriage partners. This, in turn, gives much more opportunity for God to guide their decision-making. To better serve our membership in these critical decisions, the Church requests that all couples considering marriage seek pre-engagement counseling from the ministry before any formal engagement.
Northeast Region Spring Holy Day Weekend
Frost Valley YMCA Camp hosted 210 LCG members from the Northeast Region and beyond for the last four days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. All savored the spring temperatures and the brotherly warmth. The introductory program on Friday evening laid the groundwork, illustrating how "The Better Way" offered by God to mankind from the earliest days of human history is the only answer to mankind's problems. In sermons on the Sabbath and Last Day of Unleavened Bread, Mr. Mario Hernandez reinforced the lesson of removing man's ways from our lives as we observe the Spring Holy Days, and replacing them with God's way of love, reflected in the Ten Commandments. The activities brought us closer together, working on principles of "better ways" to think and act as congregations. The music inspired us and filled us with the same message, and the food and fellowship cemented our friendships. The service, cooperation, and participation of the brethren honored God and helped teach us more about His Way!—Jonathan McNair
Second Passover—Repeat Announcement
The Second Passover this year should be taken shortly after sunset on Tuesday, May 9. This Passover is for those baptized members who were unable to take the first Passover due to unavoidable circumstances. The biblical instructions regarding this ceremony are found in Numbers 9:1-4.
Internet Department
YouTube Channel Growth
Last week, the Tomorrow's World English-language YouTube channel passed more than 1,000 videos uploaded. This channel includes telecasts, webcasts, our new, live "TWNow" program, and a few other videos, such as animations and commercials. More importantly, the Tomorrow's World YouTube channel has passed more than 16,000 subscribers and more than 7.5 million views (see the YouTube "about page" for the most current numbers). We are also very thankful for the work of the Spanish and French departments, which are producing videos and providing translations for those languages. As was previously reported, the Tomorrow's World Spanish-language YouTube page, El Mundo de Mañana, continues to show very encouraging growth and now has more than 28,500 subscribers (see the Spanish channel "about page"), and the French-language YouTube page, Monde de Demain, now has over 3,400 subscribers (see the French channel "about page"). For those whom God calls (John 6:44), these and our other YouTube channels are powerful video resources. While God may not call every "subscriber" and while not every "view" may be of an entire video, we thank God for the growth of these channels, and we thank you for your prayers and support as we utilize various platforms and media to preach the Gospel to the world.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Living Youth Program
LYP New Zealand 2018 Staff and Camper Applications NOW OPEN!
The wait is over! We are now accepting applications for LYP NZ 2018 at a new location of Eltham Christian Camp, which is located in New Plymouth. It is a beautiful spot located in a secluded part of the North Island. The site offers many exciting activities and facilities, such as kayaking, a waterslide, a bonfire, basketball hoop, as well as natural beauty that will provide campers with a pure New Zealand experience! Staff must arrive at the campsite on Sunday, January 7 by 3:00 p.m. and campers are expected to arrive after 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 8. Camp will officially commence on Tuesday morning, January 9. To apply, please request an application form from Mrs. Sandra Dady at [email protected]. We encourage you to do this immediately, if you are genuinely interested in attending, and request that you return it as soon as possible. Once we have processed your application, you can then plan out your transportation arrangements, with which we would be happy to assist you, if needed. This promises to be a most memorable camp that will bring together LCG youth from many nations around the Australasian region. Get in fast and secure your spot!—Rob Tyler
Comments
Do You Love Your Neighbor? Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another, and He stated that the capacity to show love for one another would be a sign that would identify His true disciples (John 13:34-35). This command from Jesus takes on even more meaning when we realize that this instruction was given at the Passover—the last meal the disciples would have with Jesus until after His crucifixion—and in light of the fact that the disciples had actually been arguing among themselves at that dinner about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God (Luke 22:24). Regrettably, these same attitudes of strife and competition are still with us today, even within the Church, the body of Jesus Christ. According to the Scriptures, if we profess to be Christians and followers of Jesus Christ, but continue to hate (offend, despise, argue with, talk against, or be jealous of) our brothers and sisters in the faith, we are deceiving ourselves and actually walking in darkness (1 John 2:9-11). The Spring Holy Days that we have just completed are designed to help us identify and root out these wrong and sinful attitudes so we can more faithfully follow Jesus' instructions to love our neighbors. Let's strive to live up to this commandment in the days and months ahead.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—April 20, 2017
North Korea Heats Up! Just days after U.S. President Trump tweeted he would "'solve the problem' of North Korea" if China did not exert more pressure on its neighbor, North Korea warned there would be "catastrophic consequences" to any further provocations by the U.S. (Guardian, April 11, 2017). North Korea has threatened a nuclear response against the U.S. mainland should they feel threatened by U.S. actions (Deutsche Welle, April 12, 2017)—with one senior official warning that "thermonuclear war may break out at any moment" (Guardian, April 18, 2017). While Bible prophecy does not indicate that a full-scale global thermonuclear war will occur at any moment, the stronger-than-usual rhetoric emanating from Pyongyang is very sobering. Jesus predicted that wars and rumors of wars will escalate as we near the end of the age and the time of His return (Matthew 24:3-7). Bible prophecy also reveals that at the time of the end, a 200-million-man army will arise from a region north and east of Jerusalem (Revelation 9:13-19; Daniel 11:44). Sudden actions by a rogue nuclear power like North Korea could stir up trouble in this strategic region and lead to the emergence of this ultimate Asiatic superpower. For information on this vital topic, watch "The End of the World?"
Terrorist Attacks and Europe's Future: In barely half a year, there have been terrorist attacks in London (March), Paris (February), Berlin (December), Hamburg (October), and last week in Stockholm. In 2016, terrorist attacks in Europe claimed the lives of 150 people (USA Today, April 7, 2017). On a continent where EU leaders have prided themselves on the open borders issue, populist political candidates are gaining ground against traditional candidates, in part by proposing increased border controls and protections and a return to nationalism (Huffington Post, January 12, 2017). As the EU struggles with many issues, the rise of terrorist-fueled populism could have dramatic effects on the democracies of Europe (ABC, February 3, 2017). Bible prophecy reveals that at the end of the age, ten European leaders or "kings" will give their authority over to a powerful leader who will exercise authority over Europe (Revelation 13:1-10; 17:12-13). This leader will be influenced and promoted by a prominent religious leader who will rally many people to his cause (Revelation 13:11-18). The rise of populism in Europe could be the tip of the iceberg for what will happen in Europe's not-too-distant future. For more insights into this trend, read or listen to The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor or Soon-Coming Reality?
Severe Drought in Kenya! Over the last week, "60,000 Turkana pastoralists and 127,000 livestock have moved [from northwest Kenya] to Uganda's Karamjoa sub-region" in search of vegetation for their livestock (Deutsche Welle, April 18, 2017). "The end of March was supposed to bring rains to Turkana, transforming barren plains into pasture. It still hasn't happened. The dry spell is worse than in previous years," and aid workers report that over "three million people are in need of emergency humanitarian assistance" (ibid.). Jesus Christ warned that droughts and famines would be one of the signs of the approaching end of the age (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8). Yet Bible prophecies also reveal that when Christ returns to establish His Kingdom on earth, there will be rain in proper seasons (Deuteronomy 28:12), there will be an abundance of food, and the deserts will blossom like a rose (Amos 9:13; Isaiah 35:1). This is the good news that awaits the suffering people of Kenya and other parts of the world. For an inspiring vision of the future peace and abundance of God's Kingdom, read or listen to The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?—Scott Winnail and Chris Sookdeo