Greetings Everyone:
We are experiencing spring-like weather here in San Diego. We have had some much needed and appreciated rain for the past week or so. I suppose those of you in the northern states are seeing some moderation of temperatures that indicate the deep cold days are over for this winter. Spending the winter in the northern part of Europe and North America can help one to understand how the pagans who did not know God could worship the heat giving sun!
MEDIA Yesterday Mr. Meredith and Mr. Ames recorded TV programs. Mr. Meredith recorded "Where Is God's Church Today?" and "Rapture? Or place of Safety?" Mr. Ames recorded "What Is True Education?" The next scheduled taping date is March 1st.
TORNADOES IN GEORGIA (USA) You may have heard of the tornadoes in Georgia which killed about two dozen and injured a couple hundred. According to Mr. Rand Millich, our Pastor in Atlanta, Georgia, there were two couples in the vicinity of the storms but no damage to a member of Living. As we enter the spring season, let us all pray for each other.
INTERNATIONAL Mr. Dibar Apartian is visiting Martinique this week. He will be doing radio interviews at the station which carries the broadcast, visiting brethren, and will conduct Sabbath services tomorrow.
PHILIPPINES
"Rain, rain, and more rain!" According to reports it continues to rain in Davao. However Rod McNair wrote, "We have not heard from Monkayo or Nabunturan; our prayers go out to the brethren there, and we hope it is not raining (there) for surely that would make their recovery from the last flooding even more difficult. We are certainly appreciative for the prayers of people all over the world for the plight of our brethren-and we have even received notes of encouragement via e-mail as well!
Mr. Casing (of Davao) says that "Metro-Kidapawan Cable TV" is planning to begin playing "Tomorrow's World" program this Friday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m. or Saturday, February 19, at 7:00 a.m. Although this is only a small station, like some of our others scattered around the country, we are excited that this is one more avenue for preaching the Gospel.
Mr. Tex Benitez reports that DXSY radio in Ozamiz City should be up and running again soon. Their staff has assured us that we will be able to broadcast again shortly. Mr. Benitez also reports that several new families from the Church of God 7th Day have been attending with us in Maranding the past few months and are happy to understand the exciting Truth about God's Holy Days.
Mr. Gideon Benitez, of the Iligan City congregation, was in a car accident last February 1 with his wife and son. Mr. Tex Benitez (his father) reports that an oncoming passenger jeep going at high speed struck the jeep they were driving. There was no way to avoid the oncoming car because there was a drop-off leading into a canal by the road. Fragments of shattered glass showered his face and eyes, and the impact hit his left hip. Thankfully, God protected them from serious injuries!
CONCLUSION Brethren, I hear daily of trials and tests our brethren around the world are enduring. Many are suffering serious health trials. God could intervene and relieve us immediately, but He has chosen to let us be tested. Surely, He in His great wisdom knows more than we. He hears our cries.
Perhaps David's exultation in Psalm 103 will encourage us: 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. 17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, 18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
As I will be attending a Biblical Archaeology Society seminar next week, I will not be reporting to you. I will attend lectures entitled "New light on the Earliest History of the Alphabet" and "The Crossing of the Red Sea," among others. I am particularly keen on hearing these two lectures as they are important subjects to me.
Have a GREAT Sabbath!
Carl McNair