Greetings from San Diego.
Dr. Meredith returned from Europe Tuesday, and is recovering very well from jet lag. He expects to be one hundred percent by Sabbath. I reported last week that so far as I knew all had gone well in London. I have learned since that some material did not arrive in time for the board meeting and will necessitate some post visit work. Regardless, he enjoyed his visit to London and Paris.
Financial Affairs-Mr. Jerry Ruddlesden:
"We have been busy processing the Pentecost offering and planning for the summer and fall months. We appreciate your prayers as we assume new responsibilities and duties. As of today the Pentecost offering is still trickling in and we will give a report in a couple of weeks. As a reminder, those in charge of offerings should turn in a Holy Day Offering Report even if you combined with another group. These reports are needed for internal auditing purposes and you will be receiving a call if you forget to turn them in.
May 2001 ended very well for regular income-finishing 9.4% ahead of 2000 and as of today the year to date increase is 6.3% over 2000. We thank you on behalf of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father for your faithfulness to Him."
Festival Affairs:
A Reminder—June 9th is the day we have asked for a survey to be conducted that will give us everyone's choice of a Feast Site. (See last week's update). Thank you for your cooperation! This information is very important for our festival planning.
Mr. Davis reports that festival plans are coming along nicely, with the usual "glitch" here and there. He assures me that everything will come together well before the feast time. One way or the other we will keep the Feast of Tabernacles! While we are stretched thin, more speaking opportunities are offered to our Elders.
Please note that the Second Tithe Assistance request deadline this year will be August 15th. This affords enough time for our staff to review all of the requests and allocate available assistance well in advance of the feast and for those who may depend upon assistance to make their arrangements. Assistance requests must be submitted to the Area Pastor for review and his recommendation. Requests will not be approved without a properly executed form.
Media:
Mr. Gaylyn Bonjour reports that Dr. Meredith's new booklet, "Twelve Keys to Answered Prayer" was mailed to all Church members earlier this week. This is the booklet offered in last month's "semi-annual" letter to Tomorrow's World subscribers—several thousand of whom have already sent in their requests for the booklet.
Those with Internet access may also read the booklet online, at the official Church Web site, at URL: www.lcg.org/booklets/12k/default.htm or may download the booklet in PDF format at URL: www.lcg.org/booklets/12keys.pdf
Concluding thoughts
The Apostle James addressed the problem mankind has of speaking accurately and clearly. Try as hard as we may, we do offend. The following story was sent to me this week from a member in the western region that illustrates our (human) vulnerability.
HOW THE PROUD FROG FELL TO HIS DEATH — Author Unknown
In a certain pond lived two wild ducks and a frog, the best of friends. All day, long they played together.
When the hot summer came, the pond began to dry up. Soon there was so little water that they realized they would have to move. Now the ducks could easily fly to another pond, but what about their friend, the frog?
Finally, it was decided that the ducks would put two ends of a stick in their bill. Then the frog could hang onto the middle of the stick with his mouth, and the ducks would fly him to another pond.
As they were flying low, a farmer in his field looked up; and when he saw the strange formation, he said, "Well, isn't that a clever idea! I wonder who thought of that?"
The frog opened his big mouth and said, "I did!" Down he fell to his death. The moral of the story is that one may be right, but pride may cause us to open our mouth and express our righteousness, leading to our death.
In my office I regularly hear stories of people hurt by other people's verbal and non-verbal expressions. The only solution I know to verbal abuse lies in taking personal responsibility for our words. Isn't this what Jesus meant when He said in the instance of healing a demoniac and being accused of doing so by Satan, (Matthew 12:22-37) v. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Kindness is an attribute of the Spirit of God. Jesus was kind, especially toward those who were weak and helpless. He has been kind toward you and me-else we would not have shared His blessings. While there may be excuses for our behaving unkindly, there are no valid reasons.
The prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 42:3) prophesied Jesus would be a kind man. Leading to the healing of the demoniac in the above account, Matthew quoted the prophecy of Isaiah concerning Jesus (vs. 17-21). This is in stark contrast to the attitude of the Scribes and Pharisees-his constant accusers.
Do we always look for faults, or do we always look for positive attributes? Do we accuse or encourage? It all depends upon our focus and our attitude.
I expect most of you have heard the following ditty:
May those that love us, love us
As for that do not love us, may God turn their hearts
And if He can't turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles,
So that we may know them by their limp
A funny saying, perhaps, but is it a kind axiom?
I am very blessed to have Mr. Dibar Apartian working with me in this office, because he is kind and positive, as is my wife.
Are you a kind, positive asset to your mate and in your fellowship? I hope so, and if not I hope that you will think about it.
I hope you have a great Sabbath.
Carl E. McNair