Greetings from Charlotte,
The drought in the Midwest—the "worst in half a century"—has not only not lessened this week, but actually worsened in Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of people are still homeless after horrific flooding in Japan and China. Truly, "extreme" weather is becoming the "new normal"! This is not a surprise, of course, to those who closely watch God's prophecies of how He will dramatically intervene in the weather at the close of this age.
It's been another busy week in the Work! Mr. Ames completed July's co-worker letter, which was mailed out earlier this week. As this week drew to a close, the Glacier Park, Montana, Adventure Camp wrapped up—we look forward to passing on reports next week. Last weekend's Tomorrow's World telecast is expected to draw 4,100 responses. Mr. and Mrs. Simon Roberts began their two-week visit in Charlotte this week, spending time with Dr. Meredith and meeting other Headquarters staff. They are en route to the United Kingdom, where Mr. Roberts will begin training for the ministry. Dr. Winnail is now in Adelaide, Australia, after delivering a Tomorrow's World Special Presentation in Auckland, New Zealand (see report below). Mr. Mario Hernandez is travelling in Europe this week and will be in Switzerland this Sabbath. Two hundred and twenty-nine guests attended TWSPs last weekend, and eight presentations are scheduled for this weekend. Please continue to pray that God would guide those He calls to help in this great Work!—RMcN
Church Administration
Tomorrow's World Special Presentations
Auckland: We had a great TWSP! The day was sunny and bright and the people came. Final results were 117 visitors and 50 members.—Kinnear Penman
Sacramento and Reno: This past weekend, Mr. Rod McNair presented "The Gathering Storm" to two very enthusiastic groups in Sacramento, California and Reno, Nevada. The excellent presentations were attended by 168 very attentive people; 92 of whom were new guests. Comments were heard such as: "You really have a warm, friendly group here" and "I have waited three long weeks for this Special Presentation."—Jeff Fall
Tulsa: We had 9 guests (4 returning from last week and 5 new ones) and 30 members in Oklahoma City this weekend. In Tulsa, we had 11 guests (7 returning from last week and 4 new ones) and 24 members. Many of the guests had Church of God background and expressed their approval of the presentation and commented that they plan to come back for regular services.—Gene Hilgenberg
Note of Appreciation
My family and I would like to thank all the brethren who sent us cards after the death of my dear wife, Judie Lowe. Before Judie's death, she received about 200 get well cards from around the world. We want everyone to know how comforting they were to her. Judie placed every card in a large photo album. She kept them by her favorite chair so she could see them and remember how many people were praying for her. My family and I will do the same with the cards of condolences. Thank you for your continued prayers.—Jack Lowe
Internet Department
Facebook and Twitter Update
Living Church of God social media reach has exploded over the last year, and huge numbers of new people are now being reached with the true Gospel. We would like to briefly make some comments about two very important social media services: Facebook and Twitter. Since August 2011, we have had a 175% increase in "page likes" on Facebook. We also experienced a record high in June, with 278,344 unique people reached in just one week by our Tomorrow's World Facebook page.
The Tomorrow's World Twitter account is now approaching 16,000 followers, with more joining every day. (For those of you who don't use Twitter, we also display all of our Twitter "tweets" on our Facebook pages.) Most of our Twitter followers are from the UK and the USA, with many from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia and the Philippines. However, we are also reaching hundreds of people in nations such as Kenya, Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Through our Facebook and Twitter services, you will find news of the Work and a lot of very encouraging information including photos, videos and announcements not seen anywhere else. If you use Facebook, please consider "liking" Tomorrow's World content and the Tomorrow's World Facebook page. If you see a question or a post on the Tomorrow's World or Living Church of God Facebook page that you would like to comment on, we do encourage brief and polite comments from our membership on these pages. If you do comment, please make sure that your comments are truly Christian (Colossians 4:6) and try to point people to LCG Church literature whenever possible. Most importantly, we thank you for your continued prayers that God will continue to bless all of these various media efforts.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Living Youth Programs
Teen Bible Study—Sunday Evening
This Sunday evening the topic is "Joseph: His Brother's Keeper," presented by Mr. Lambert Greer. The chat room is open at 6:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) and the Bible Study runs from 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Feast of Tabernacles 2012
Activity Payment
Feast of Tabernacles activity payment is now open for those Feast sites that are using the online payment system. Please go to www.LCG.org and click on the "Feast of Tabernacles" link.
Comments
Going Home: Waiting in an airport this past week, I got into a conversation with a man in his late 30s. As we talked, he described how his current job required him to be out-of-state for a month at a time. His home state's economy had virtually collapsed, and he was grateful for having a job at all, but it was a long way from home. His eyes lit up as he affectionately described his children, a girl and a boy, ages 5 and 7. He was so excited to be going home to see them! But amidst the joy there was a tinge of sadness, that his times with his children were separated by such long periods of absence.
As I boarded my own plane, I thought about this father I had met. It saddened me to see a man separated from his family at such a crucial time in their lives, just to find work. And yet in today's uncertain economy, many make similar sacrifices. It made me appreciate what a blessing it is when I can be home each evening with my family. Yet the blessing of going home is not just for those with physical family living in the same house. When we really understand it, the spiritual relationship we can have with one another supersedes physical relations, as Christ explained (Matthew 12:48-49). When we in God's Church are with brethren of the same mind, motivated by the same Spirit and desire to serve God's will, we are truly at home with family (Matthew 12:50).
Let's be grateful for the blessings God has showered upon us. Certainly among them is that we all—in the Church of God—are part of a family.
Have an inspiring and restful Sabbath,
Rod McNair
News and Prophecy—July 19, 2012
Could Syria Attack? The news on Syria changes daily. "Western military sources warned Saturday, July 14, that not only Israel, but additional strategic targets in Middle East lands deemed enemies by Bashar Assad should prepare for him to launch surface-to-surface missile attacks. The assaults would start out with conventional warheads, but… the next round of missiles [could come] from his huge stockpile of mustard gas—not to mention sarin nerve poison and cyanide" (DEBKA, July 14, 2012). Syria's weapons of mass destruction have recently been moved from storage. Potential Syrian missile targets so far include Israel, Jordan and Turkey. "Air and missile reprisals against Syrian military or regime centers would carry the danger of Hizballah retaliation from Lebanon leading to direct attacks from Iran" (ibid.). The Syrian government is now fighting to hold onto Damascus. "The Syrian general staff has prepared for the last battle for Damascus by relocating its command headquarters to a well-fortified complex" (DEBKA, July 17, 2012). What might happen if Syria launches an attack against Turkey, Jordan and the nuclear-armed Israel? God's word holds powerful prophecies regarding the future of Damascus—prophecies yet to be fulfilled. They indicate Damascus will be left in ruins and at least partially destroyed by fire—its mighty dead in the streets (Isaiah 17:1; Jeremiah 49:23-27). Events are happening quickly in Syria and prophecy highlights what might be just around the corner. These events are sad and sobering, but highlight the powerful insights of the Scripture. For more information on the future of the Middle East, be sure to review our free booklet, The Middle East in Prophecy.
EU Is Helping Devastate African Fish Stocks: Over the last six years, the EU has spent more than £500 million (about $780 million USD) purchasing fishing rights in the developing world—primarily Africa. This, because the EU has almost exhausted its own fishing stocks. One conservative MP and former MEP noted how "wrong" this action has been: "These deals—funded with taxpayers' money—are morally wrong. It is depleting the stocks and taking the fish from locals" (Times, June 24, 2012). Some sources calculate that "a European super-trawler can catch and process in one day the amount of fish that 50 traditional fishing boats would take in a year" (ibid.). But the EU is not the only one to blame. Russian, Lithuanian, Chinese and Icelandic fishing factories are also overfishing in African waters (Guardian, April 2, 2012). Long ago, God placed humans on earth to "tend and keep" or be good stewards of the earth (Genesis 2:15). God also gave principles for ensuring the survival of species, by leaving enough for species perpetuation (Deuteronomy 22:6-7). Modern factory fishing takes even the smallest of fish, reducing species perpetuation. The earth today actually cries out in agony, desperately awaiting right government and stewardship (Romans 8:19-23). Christ Himself warns that He will destroy those who selfishly destroy the earth (Revelation 11:18). Thankfully this selfish, Satan-inspired world is coming to an end and will soon be replaced by a world of peace and abundance. There will be a time in the future when fish stocks are renewed and people will enjoy fishing again in a more godly way (Ezekiel 47:10). For more information on that fantastic future time, review our free booklet, The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?
FDA Approves Promiscuity Pill? Hailed as a breakthrough in HIV/AIDS prevention, the drug Truvada was approved by the FDA this week (CBS News, July 16, 2012). Truvada has been used for HIV/AIDS treatment, but will now be used to try to prevent infection in those at "very high risk" for contracting HIV—primarily injection drug users and homosexual men. Due to the high cost (nearly $14,000 USD per year) and the extreme health risks for users of the drug (bone loss and serious kidney problems), only those at very high risk will be targeted (Wall Street Journal, July 16, 2012). Public health officials view Truvada as a key to reducing the HIV infection rate, along with condom use and needle exchange programs. Although there is no proof that Truvada will "increase" promiscuous and risky sexual behaviors, it will certainly do nothing to reduce them. Most public health officials ignore research demonstrating strategies proven to reduce HIV risk, including: cessation of extramarital affairs and casual sexual relations and commercial sex (PLoS Medicine, February 8, 2011). Man's ways can often help a little, but without changing sinful behaviors causing disease, elimination of HIV/AIDS will not happen! For more information on the way to a truly happy life, review our free booklet, The Ten Commandments.—Scott Winnail, John Meakin and Daniel Bennett