Greetings everyone,
My how the weeks "fly by!" Sorry for the dangling preposition there — and for those my critics who are pilots, I know what a fly-by is in aeronautical terminology! A "fly-by" is definitely not a passing housefly
We in the USA are experiencing the "dog days of summer." It has been quite hot across the nation. Naturally the demand for electricity has risen greatly, and with increased demand the $$$ cost has risen dramatically. San Diego currently has the highest rates in the nation, I've heard. Electric utility bills have "sky-rocketed" for most of us here in San Diego. Coupled with the 10 to 20 percent increase in gasoline prices, the Church is experiencing the same financial crunch our members are feeling.
MEDIA NEWS
The July-August issue of Tomorrow's World magazine should be in your hands by now. I would hate to give our Editorial Staff and writers a big head, but I think this issue is outstanding! I could not put the magazine down when my wife brought in the mail. The article "Have you been sold… A Different Gospel," by Dr. Winnail is a powerful witness to the world.
INTERNATIONAL
(The following is from an e-mail by Mr. Charles Bryce, Director of the Canadian Work and Regional Pastor of the Northeastern USA.)
The Canadian Work has had a splendid year so far in 2000. Returns from the Semiannual Letter are at 11% and still coming in daily. The Pentecost offering was 8% more than last year. The overall income is running at a 33.3% increase over 1999 and a -2.5% compared to 1998,which means we have almost regained the ground lost in the disruption of Nov. '98.
Operating expenses are up as well. It costs a lot of money to fulfill the two-fold commission God has given us to do, especially when dynamic growth is taking place. Sometimes, outgo gets ahead of income but with God's help and the inspiring dedication and diligence of God's people, we are holding our own for now. Church attendance is increasing also—by 6.9% over last year at this point in time.
I trust you have been keeping up with the news. Sometimes the news of this dying world is overwhelming, but when viewed in the light of Biblical prophecies, we maintain a proper perspective. It seems as if the whole world is drifting into a deep slumber, oblivious to the mortal dangers all around.
We in God's Church dare not sleep! We must be alert and watching (I Thes. 5:1-9.) Satan is very clever and he would lull us to sleep, or into the stupor of false security and serenity. If that brings us down, then he has accomplished his purpose! We must now abound in God's Work. We must not neglect God's precious truths and salvation. (Heb. 2:1-3).
There are now less than 100 days to the wonderful time of God's Fall Festival! Think on that during these "dog days."….
Speaking of time "flying," I will pass on the following story I received from Mr. Ames the other day.
One day a duck went into a cafe and asked the waitress, "Do you have any milk?" The waitress said "no." The duck then left. The next day the same duck came into the cafe and asked the waitress, "Do you have any milk?" The waitress said, "No." And the duck left. The next day the duck came back to the cafe and asked, "Do you have any milk?" The waitress said, "No! And if you come again and ask for milk, which we don't ever have, I will nail you to this wall!" The duck, a little scared, left the cafe. The next day the duck came back and asked, "Do you have any nails?" The waitress, surprised that it didn't ask for milk said, "No." Then the duck asked, "Do you have any milk?"
Do you suppose the duck ever got his milk?
And for those critics who have a problem appreciating my inclusion of humor in the update, I will include the following story (also from Mr. Ames, although I first heard it about 50 years ago!)
"A country housewife was walking down a country lane. She was carrying a roll of baloney in a wicker basket. Unnoticed by her, the roll of baloney fell out on the ground and she just went on. Some time later, two sparrows saw the baloney and lit on it. They both tried it. The one didn't like it, so he ate just a little. The other loved it. So he stuffed himself with it. Suddenly, they looked up and saw a cat charging at them. The one who hadn't eaten very much flitted up on a nearby pump handle. The one who had stuffed himself had to flap and flap to just barely make it to the same pump handle. The cat started circling the pump, which made the two sparrows very nervous. The one who hadn't eaten very much just flitted away. The one who was stuffed with baloney tried to fly away, but couldn't. He flopped to the ground where the cat pounced on him and ate him. The moral of this story is: Don't fly off the handle when you're full of baloney."
So, there we are full circle—back to the fly….
FRANCE
I assume that you all noted July 14, Bastille Day.Mr. Apartian supplied me with an article from the Los Angeles Times, titled Feeding a Patriotic Hunger, France Marks Bastille Day with 600 Miles of 'Incredible Picnic.' It has been called by Michelle Demestine, government secretary of state for tourism, "the biggest outdoor lunch of the century!" Can you picture a 600-mile long picnic table? That's almost like clear across TEXAS! Will Texans now organize a Barbecue Across Texas? That would be a lot of beef!
Have a GREAT Sabbath and keep cool during these long summer days—and nights.
Carl E. McNair