Greetings from Charlotte,
Carol and I returned home on Wednesday after attending the Family Weekend in Joplin, where we enjoyed wonderful fellowship and creative activities. We also visited my sister in Branson and Carol’s family in Kansas City. I worked on a new booklet and the script for the Behind the Work video for this year’s Feast of Tabernacles, and I touched base with Mr. Rand Millich on several items regarding the upper Midwest region, which he oversees. While there, we also learned more about the severe drought conditions in some of the western states where ranchers have severely trimmed their cattle herds, causing beef prices to rise. It is interesting how so many events are coming together to create perfect storms. While cattle herds have been significantly decreased and will take years to rebuild, many people are going on the “carnivore diet,” consuming protein almost exclusively and raising the demand for beef. Meanwhile, as mentioned in the video update this week, South Africa is suffering from drought, floods, and foot-and-mouth disease—all of which have devastated the cattle industry there.
—Gerald E. Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last week, we held two follow-up presentations in Braselton and Stockbridge, Georgia. These events drew a total of twelve guests. This week, we will hold two additional follow-up presentations in Braselton and Stockbridge, Georgia; as well as a “presentation series” event in Panama City, Florida; an online presentation in Canada; and one initial presentation in Lebanon, Missouri. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support for the Tomorrow’s World Presentations.
Living Youth Program
Texas Teen Camp
So far, 72 campers have applied to come to camp. This is a great response, but we still have plenty of room left. We’ll begin to send out acceptance information in the coming weeks, so be on the lookout for your packet if you’ve applied. For staff applications, we have 73 who have applied to come and serve. This is a wonderful outpouring of interest, and we look forward to beginning the acceptance process for staff soon. To apply for camp, just go to https://camp.livingyouth.org/.
Comments
Loose Bricks or Big Picture? Over the last twenty years as the head of Church Administration, I have noticed a number of very interesting and also sobering situations—new people coming into contact with the Church and truth of God for the first time, others gratefully reconnecting with the truth they once learned, and others who decide to leave the Church they were once excited to be part of. Usually, those who leave start looking for “loose bricks.” They begin to compile lists of what they think are problems that need to be addressed—editorial mistakes, misspoken words in a sermon, perceived offences, supposed doctrinal errors, administrative decisions they disagree with, or people they don’t like. We need to remember that David and Samuel, Paul and Barnabas, Peter and Paul all had problems from detractors and issues between themselves, yet God used these imperfect human instruments to carry on His Work. Instead of focusing on personalities, local issues, and personal preferences, we need to focus on the big picture of what is being accomplished by God’s little flock. Do we appreciate that the Tomorrow’s World telecast, magazine, and Internet efforts are reaching millions around the world (Mark 16:15)? Hundreds of thousands are responding, and lives are being changed by the true Gospel. This is the big picture we need to keep in mind instead of getting caught up in local personal issues and looking for loose bricks! Brethren, let’s stay focused on our mission and our part in that Work.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy
Finally… a Two-Speed Europe? Last week, European Union leaders met to discuss the rapidly changing scene on the continent and how to respond (Politico, February 12, 2026). Pressured by the cratering economies of multiple EU nations and the need to take charge of their own security, EU leaders seem to have concluded that a two-speed or multi-speed Europe is necessary to the bloc’s survival. “With the bloc buffeted by multiple geopolitical crises, it’s starting to realize that it can’t come to grips with them if it only acts when all 27 member countries agree.”
Next month, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will present a new “roadmap” with actions to be taken by 2027, and European leaders are expected to vote on this plan. “If not all 27 countries agree in some areas, the EU will use what it calls ‘enhanced cooperation’—smaller groupings of member countries moving faster on policy proposals.” Some EU leaders see the threat of “enhanced cooperation” as a tool for stirring some reticent nations to take action. The leaders of these nations will not want to be left behind as the central mass of the EU body moves forward.
The idea of a two-speed Europe has been bandied about for decades. Now, with the world changing so quickly, Europe can no longer afford to debate until everyone agrees. Agreement to go forward—in smaller groups of nations if necessary—could powerfully impact Europe’s future. Students of Bible prophecy should note which nations begin to work together under such a system: Prophecy points out that ten leaders, nations, or groups of nations will eventually give their power and authority over to the coming European “beast” (Revelation 17:12–13). You can learn more by reading or listening to “Is There a Beast in Your Future?”
Screen Time Harms Toddlers: The UK government recently published an alarming report, noting, “Screen use is now near-universal in early childhood, with 98% of two-year-olds watching screens daily” (The Guardian, January 11, 2026). Research suggests that this abundance of screen time negatively impacts the vocabulary and coordination of these children.
Two-year-olds who viewed screens for five hours a day “could say significantly fewer words than those with screen use of about 44 minutes a day.” Too much screen time in younger years “can start to crowd out the talking, play and reading that are so important for children’s language and development.” Educators have noted that children who spend a lot of time on screens are less coordinated, less capable of putting puzzles together, and less able to use verbal language (The Guardian, January 22, 2026). The World Health Organization recommends that children under two have no screen time at all and that children two to four years old have no more than one hour per day. According to one UK survey, “Almost a third of children who started reception [preschool] last year were not able to use books correctly, sometimes even trying to swipe or tap them like a smartphone” (Sky News, January 22, 2026).
To raise children that thrive and grow physically, emotionally, and intellectually, parents must be engaged and not give in to the temptation to use devices to pacify their children. Healthy and intelligent children have parents who read to them, talk with them, challenge them, and play with them. Parenting is not a pastime—it is a full-time obligation, a privilege and responsibility from God. You can learn more about effective parenting by listening to or reading Successful Parenting: God’s Way. —Scott Winnail, Francine Prater, and Chris Sookdeo