Greetings everyone,
Dorothy and I had a very and reasonably comfortable flight to Anchorage, Alaska and back. While in Anchorage we tried to touch base with all of our members in the area before flying down to Soldotna (on the Kenai peninsula) for Friday night and Sabbath meetings. Shane and Kim Franke hosted a potluck meal Friday evening and we spent the rest of the time visiting. Sabbath morning service was slightly abbreviated in order for us to catch the flight to Anchorage and the afternoon service there at the home of the Host, Mr. Andy Grozier, followed by a potluck meal with everyone. We also had a few visitors who came to say hello.
I understand that Mr. Apartian (and others) have questioned why I chose to go to Alaska at this time of year. My response, "Why not?" Can anyone give me a time when it is not a real pleasure to feast one's eyes on those beautiful snow covered mountains and glaciers? And the temperatures are not so bad. As an old sourdough in Montana once said about –20 degree temperatures, "It's a case of mind over matter—if you don't mind, it don't matter!"
The Alaskans send you all an invitation to come up and see for yourself how wonderful their homeland is.
I receive almost daily a number of wonderful humorous anecdotes and funny stories, and I want you to know that I appreciate them and look forward to reading them—and passing them on when appropriate. However, I want to caution everyone to please screen your stories for offensive language before forwarding them on. While I find the Bible is quite specific about some sensitive actions and bodily functions, there is a lesson to be learned and some care used in choice of terminology employed. I do not think it necessary to point to specific examples—we are all aware of them. We should keep in mind the words of the apostle Paul, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers," (Ephesians 4:29) and, "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man (Colossians 4:6)."
We live in an ever-increasingly crude society, and we should not reflect it. Having grown up and having worked with men of the world, I am quite familiar with most of the vulgar expressions out there. I am neither shocked nor personally offended by them. Actually, I am more shocked and offended by blatant lying and deceit used by "polite society" than I am by the crude expressions employed by men of the world. But let's take care, please!
I just received the following story from one of our Hostesses:
A young man went to his Grandma complaining how everything was going wrong. He had school problems, peer problems, family problems, financial problems and severe health problems.
His Grandma listened—as she prepared to bake a cake. She asked, "Would you like a snack?" "Of course," the young man replied.
"Here, have some cooking oil," Grandma said.
"Yucky," said the young man.
"Well, how about a couple of raw eggs?" Grandma asked.
"Gross, Grandma!" he replied.
"Would you like some flour then?" Or maybe some baking soda?"
"Grandma, those are all yucky!" he exclaimed.
To which Grandma replied, "Yes, all of those things seem "yucky" by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!"
Words are not evil things of themselves. How they are used makes them either "good" or "evil." The apostle Paul said, "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung [a four letter word!], that I may win Christ (Philippians 3:8). Paul's use of "dung" was "earthy" and might be offensive in some cultures or if translated differently.
In one way or another, at one time or another, mankind has perverted every good thing God has created. This life is a journey out of perversion into a glorious world of purity and harmony. God speed that day!
Mr. Meredith has called a Council of Elders meeting (for tomorrow) to discuss the accomplishments of 2001 and goals of the Work for 2002—as well as numerous other items. We look forward to hearing from international ministers who will be here for the next two Sabbaths, and you will hear from them in due time via tape.
I appreciate Mr. Dibar Apartian writing you last week. He has his own inimitable customs and style, doesn't he? "Y'all" indeed, from a Francophone!
Have a great Sabbath. Drive safely and keep warm.
Carl McNair