Next Wednesday television will tape programs by Mr. Meredith, Mr. Ames, and two by Mr. John Ogwyn.
Malang, East Java, Indonesia—by Bruce Tyler
Two hundred million Indonesians awoke this morning to the tragic news of the devastating and terrible bombing that occurred last evening on their resort island of Bali, just a relatively short distance from where Rajan Moses and I are presently visiting. We were not in any danger ourselves, yet to be so near to where such an attack took place demonstrates that as Satan becomes increasingly angry, no seemingly remote place on this earth is safe for anyone, apart from God directly protecting and sheltering us.
At the time of the attack we were visiting with a small isolated group of excited Indonesian citizens, who were very thankful to have a couple of God's servants come and spend time with them. For the past five years or so, about half of this group of thirteen have been studying literature translated into Indonesian from the old WCG Dutch booklets. They have been fairly well grounded in the Truth and have been waiting a number of years for us to come and personally counsel with them. Mr. Moses saw them briefly earlier this year and taught them some things they were lacking. It was gratifying to observe the instant and willing response of these people. They want to follow the Truth from the Scriptures when shown.
Sabbath dinner: After our arrival we enjoyed a Sabbath dinner and evening Bible study with a few of the Indonesian brethren. Many topics were discussed and questions asked about marriage and divorce, baptism, repentance, the Holy Spirit and God's teaching on war.
From 10:30 Sabbath morning to late in the evening we held Sabbath services and a marathon Bible Study with all 13 people in attendance for most of the time. It was very moving to hear these people, having had almost no personal contact with the church, sing the hymns from our hymnal both in Indonesian and English. Apart from Arius Nusantara most know little English, yet they want to learn. Arius is an excellent translator and we are pleased he can help us in such an important task.
Baptism: Some of these people had been waiting years for baptism. Sunday afternoon seven dear ladies were baptized in this predominately Islamic country where Saturday is a work or school day. Though few in number, they have not been dissuaded from the Truth because of opposition in the form of "name-calling" and insults from family, employers or the community. Even though all seven had previously had a "Christian" background to one degree or another, three of the ladies were from Islamic families. There are now eight newly baptized members of the Body of Christ in Indonesia who are the fruit of Mr. Herbert Armstrong's many years of labouring in God's Work. And, they clearly see Living Church of God and Dr. Meredith continuing the Work of God built under Mr. Herbert Armstrong. Even though these brethren are a small number in this vast population, they are zealous for the Truth.
God is truly blessing His work in Southeast Asia. A total of sixteen (16) people from Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and now Indonesia have been baptized in the past few months. With our literature being translated into the Indonesian language, there is the potential for many Indonesians to be called in this end age.
While Indonesia and the world were reeling from an act of terrorism, there was joy in heaven as God begat seven children to be brought into His ruling family when Christ brings peace to all nations!
Big Sky Winter Family Ski Event—by Ben Whitfield
"It is time to make plans for the annual 'Winter Family Ski Trip.' This year we're heading to Big Sky, Montana for a new adventure in the great outdoors. An Alpine and Nordic winter wonderland, Big Sky offers beautiful vistas, fresh air and uncrowned skiing conditions found only in Montana!
You may view information on pricing for lift tickets, special passes, discount cards online at: [www.BigSkyResort.com/winterpasses.asp ]. Or you may call Big Sky Resort at 406-995-5090 to order by phone. Time is of essence, so check it out right away.
Tahoe Singles Ski Weekend Forms Available—by Rod McNair
"Application forms are now available for all Living Church of God singles wishing to attend the annual Singles Ski Weekend, held in South Lake Tahoe, December 20-24. If you are interested in participating, please request the forms right away from Rod McNair, at [email protected], or call 530-822-0530. Deadline for applications forms to be returned is November 15th. Don't miss this exciting chance to meet and fellowship with other Living Church of God singles from all over!"
European News Watch—by Doug Winnail
EU to have 25 Member Nations by 2004 – The European Commission has given the green light to the expansion of the European Union, recommending the entrance of ten additional countries: Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Commission president Romano Prodi stated, "the expansion to the entire continent of the procedure that has brought us peace and prosperity. It is our political masterpiece." (News Italy, Oct. 19, 2002).
EU should be named United States of Europe – The president of the Convention on the Future of Europe, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, suggested recently the name of the EU should be changed to the United States of Europe. He said, "this linguistic question is not irrelevant, since the name has a symbolic power that gives the individual citizen the possibility of identifying themselves with the European project's uniqueness and ambitions." (euobserver.com, October 3, 2002)
Germany reinstates banned General Staff – Germany is to revive its military General Staff, an institution banned after both world wars because of the part it played in planning invasions…The decision, announced quietly by the new Defense Minister Peter Struck, stirs ghosts of the past…The new General Staff is to go under a different name—the Command Staff of the Armed Forces—and its chief, General Wolfgang Schneiderhahn, is to retain the harmless-sounding title of General Inspector. The aim is clear: full authority for military planning will pass to senior officers rather than to the civilian Minister of Defense…Between the wars the General Staff, which had been outlawed by the Treaty of Versailles, secretly reconstituted itself. Using undercover names, officers started from 1923 to plan the rebuilding of the army to wartime strength…The secret General Staff was told in 1923 to create an army of up to three million with 102 divisions…by the time the Second World War began, the German Army had exactly 102 divisions…Some historians therefore see the General Staff planning as one of the great German talents in military science…Germany's neighbors have overwhelmingly negative sentiments about the institution of the General Staff, however, a German defense ministry official stated, "it is a step towards more professionalism rather than more militarism." (The Times, Sept. 5, 2002).
Bismarck back in German Political Arena – The great great-grandson of Otto von Bismarck will follow his illustrious forebearer into national politics, standing as a candidate for the conservative Christian Democratic Union. Carl-Eduard von Bismarck I, an educated and experienced businessman has already held local elected positions. His famous ancestor was known as the "blood and iron" Chancellor from 1871-1890 under Kaiser Wilhelm I and helped unite Germany under Prussia's domination, defeating Denmark, Austria and France. Carl-Eduard described his strength as "the iron will that I have to achieve my goals." Of his great-great-grandfather he said, "he used wars to achieve goals, and they usually were short wars." (The Daily Telegraph, August 2, 2002).
Last week I included in this section Paul Harvey's story of the blind shipbuilder. I have had a number of responses to that story, including the following note from a member.
Dear Mr. McNair,
Thank you for your comments about the ship builder who could really see.
In July my four and a half year old daughter was singing a song of her own composition to me while we were driving to and from doctors' appointments in Seattle for her surgery. One of the parts of the song that brought tears to my eyes and which I thought was profound was when she sang,
" If you really love someone, you see with your heart."
A profound thought… from a four-year- old!
A story by Paul Harvey (The Rest of The Story—copyright by Hanover House, 1956) echoes that profound thought.
His work required considerable travel, and while Thomas was on an extended trip to Europe his wife battled smallpox. When Thomas returned home after seven weeks, "the speech which the doctor had rehearsed for this occasion came out painfully and a bit at a time. Mrs. Thomas was all right… nothing had happened. She was almost strong enough to leave her bed now—would, perhaps, in just a day or so…. "There was no danger… she would get well, but she didn't want to see her husband ever again."
Thomas pleaded with his wife in a pitch-dark bedroom to respond to him, but she refused to let him open the tightly drawn shades—or light a candle.
So, Thomas went to his study and spent the rest of the night in a labor of love—composing a song to his wife:
Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy gifts, fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored—as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will;
And around the dear ruin, each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.
Bessie and Tom lived happily ever after, because the first song he ever wrote—he wrote from his heart.
Thomas Moore was an Irish poet, satirist, composer and singer. Britanica Concise, online reported that Moore graduated from Trinity College and studied law in London, where he became a close friend of Lord Byron and P. B. Shelley. His collections "Irish Melodies" and "National Airs" (1807-1834) consist of 130 original poems set to folk melodies, include "The Minstrel Boy," "Believe Me, if All Those Endearing Young Charms," and "The Last Rose of Summer."
Maybe we can all compose a "song from our heart" for those in need in our circle of friends and brethren—and deliver it graciously.
Hope that you have a GREAT Sabbath, and please travel safely and keep well.
Carl E. McNair