Greetings everyone,
Mr. Meredith and his wife left today for Charlotte, North Carolina, where they will spend the Sabbath. Following their home search next week they will return via Houston, Texas where they will spend the following Sabbath. Please pray for their safety and for a successful trip. While air travel is relatively safe, I am sure you all heard of the commuter plane that crashed yesterday while taking off from the Charlotte airport.
MEDIA
TV program topics taped this week were:
Programs:
171 - Dr. Meredith "Easter is Pagan" - April 20
172 - Dr. Meredith "Christ is Coming Soon" - April 27
174 - Mr. Ames "Seven Proofs God Exists" - May 11
175 - Mr. Ames "The Spiritual Dimension" - May 18
Planned for taping January 23rd:
173 - Mr. Ogwyn "A Biblical Tale of 2 Cities" - May 4
Personal Correspondence—by Mr. Gary Ehman
Personal Correspondence continues to respond to the rapidly expanding influx of mail response to the telecast and Tomorrow's World publications. A total of 1,805 letters were answered from regular and e-mail sources last year (2002)—over and above the normal fulfillment of literature requests.
Personal Correspondence also responds to telephone inquiries, averaging about four per day. And, we are developing a "Reprint series" and "Doctrinal letter series" for the church.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Bryce returned to Kansas City today after spending Monday through Wednesday this week in the office with us. He is now fully briefed on Church Administration and ready to "hit the ground running" when he arrives in North Carolina. He will be assuming the job of Director of Church Administration March 1st or as soon thereafter as the move is completed. We will keep you informed as the deadline arrives.
The office
International:
German Plans for Europe – Dr.Douglas Winnail
A reunited Germany is beginning to flex its political muscles! German politicians have been in the forefront of a crusade that the political union of Europe is Germany's—and Europe's—next big target. Toward this end a leading member of the German Parliament has asked what seem to be very logical questions, "why do 15 EU states still need 15 foreign ministers and 15 diplomatic services? Europe would be incomparably stronger if it spoke to the outside world with a single voice. Why do we still need purely national armies? One European army is enough." German foreign minister, Joschka Fischer, has proposed a joint president for the European Commission and the Council of Ministers—which would give a future President of Europe incredible power because the European Parliament is essentially powerless. One ominous power is the European Arrest Warrant that will allow European police to lock up citizens anywhere in Europe merely on the basis of suspicion—with no provision for trial by jury.
The foreboding implications of these plans are beginning to sink home, especially in Britain. Recently, a British politician stunned German diplomats when he charged that Joschka Fischer's proposal would favor "giving all power to a new kind of European Kaiser" who would "tell all other European institutions what to do" (Daily Telegraph, January 3, 2003). This comment certainly echoes Revelation 17:13 that states at the end of the age ten kings will "give their power" to a beast. These kings will be "of one mind"—their consensus to yield sovereignty will seem like a logical thing to do! Many are beginning to fear that behind the proposals of German politicians is a desire to undermine and destroy Europe's nation-states as they are assembled into a grand design for a new European superpower.
Comments
Respect and respectfulness are learned attributes. Disrespectfulness is a sign of "poor breeding," according to my parents. My father and mother were born in 1900 and 1901. They were taught principles of respect that reflect the culture of the "old south" and the "old world." And they taught their children those same principles.
Therefore, I am appalled by the trend toward slovenliness and uncouth demeanor. It is common in restaurants today to see men at the table wearing a cap or hat.
When I was a child I was taught there were two things one must do before entering a house—clean your feet and remove your cap! Cleaning one's feet when coming from the barn is obviously a necessity. In many cases, it was necessary to remove our shoes and leave them outside the house for sanitary reasons.
Not removing the cap or hat was considered disrespect toward the head and toward the women of the house. Furthermore, when adults came into a room we were taught to rise and offer our chair to them—we were not to wait to be asked.
Were the old teachings biblically based or just old customs we may disregard? Will the moral corruption and base conduct of national leaders and of leading sports figures destroy American culture?
The principle of respect for elders is taught in context with two very important Laws of God!
In Leviticus 19: 30-33 You shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary—I am the LORD. Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD. And, if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
Nobody in the Living Church of God would think of rejecting God's Sabbath—or commune with demon spirits. But, would any of us disrespect "the hoary head or oppress a stranger"?
While the principle in Leviticus 19 is to respect the elderly and stranger, the scriptures also teach respect for persons in offices and positions of authority.
I Peter 2: 13-19 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
RESPECT for elders and for people in offices of responsibility is a demonstration of love for God—a manifestation of respect for God.
Someone sent me an item entitled; "Old Geezers Are Easy to Spot." I am passing it on to illustrate a concept of respect that is biblical.
"At sporting events, during the playing of the National Anthem, Old Geezers hold their caps over their hearts and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them. Old Geezers remember World War I, the Depression, World War II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy and Hitler.
… If you bump into an Old Geezer on the sidewalk, he will apologize. If you pass an Old Geezer on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady.
Old Geezers trust strangers and are courtly to women. Old Geezers hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for protection.
Old Geezers get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children and they don't like filth on TV or in movies. Old Geezers have moral courage. They seldom brag—unless it's about their grandchildren."
While God protects His people according to their obedience to Him, I believe in respecting those who serve the country honorably in whatever capacity, according to their understanding and belief. I grieve the prevailing attitude of disregard for convention and customs handed down by our forefathers. I loathe the filth of entertainment figures and the utter vulgarity of major sports figures, and their unsportsman-like "in your face" antics. While entertainers and sports figures are among the highest paid "professions" in the land, they flaunt their depravity and disdain for the standards of decency I learned. And I do not support them if I can help it.
The Apostle Paul wrote, (2 Timothy 3:1-5) "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
I suggest that we set a standard for ourselves that is above the current disrespectful standard of this world—and teach our children our standard—in our dress, in respect for elders and those in authority, and in our standards of personal conduct.
I hope that you are all spiritually rejuvenated this Sabbath. Travel safely!
Carl E. McNair