Greetings Everyone:
I hope all of you who celebrated Thanksgiving Day had a very good visit with family and friends. Two weeks ago we jokingly recalled that Mr. Apartian had predicted that we would have a newly elected President by that date — and we did, according to his explanation, we just did not know who he was. And we do not know who he is at this date. What a situation!
Many of you have forwarded humorous anecdotes, cartoons, and dancing caricatures of the two candidates. I appreciate most of them, but the anecdote I have enjoyed most is the following:
A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."
The woman replied, "You are in a hot air balloon approximately 30 feet above the ground. You are between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude.""You must be a republican," said the balloonist.
"I am," replied the woman. "How did you know?""Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I am still lost. Frankly you've not been much help so far."
The woman below responded. "You must be a democrat."
"I am," replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?""Well," said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise, which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault!"
All of the humor aside, some believe the presidential election is of little significance to "the rest of the world," but I believe they are wrong. Leadership (statesmanship, really) is woefully lacking in the world today. A leaderless world is an extremely dangerous world for all.
Scripture pictures nations and people as mountains, hills and waters. Leaders (and sometimes nations) are pictured as having the attributes of a Lion, Ox, or Wolf. Prophecy tells us that in the last days perilous times shall come. Some of the signs of these days were written by the apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy.
2 Tim 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. :2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, :3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
{false...: or, one who foments strife}:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; :5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
One commentator says that the leading actors in this day would be, " hypocrites, formal professors, and false teachers." Does this apply to both public and religious officials? Unfortunately for the world the result is chaos and ultimate destruction. People who are self-centered and self-willed (described in verse 2-5) will bring the prophesied end-time woes upon themselves and all humanity.
While we have been preoccupied with "Election 2000" here in America, Europe has moved forward swiftly toward the goal of a United Europe with a Rapid Deployment Force (RDF). The proposal for a RDF was put forward just one year ago—with a proposed date of 2003 for deployment (reported by STRATFOR.COM)
Why the speed-up in timetable? The proposed number of troops to be in the RDF was 30,000 to 40,000. Currently the proposed troop force is 80,000 at commencement, to be increased to 250,000 in the near future.
What is the impetus driving this speed-up? Reportedly, it is the "need" for Europe to deal with European problems and to respond to requests such as a recent one from Yassir Arafat and a proposal from Pope John Paul to enter the arena as peacekeepers. Is this significant? I believe it is. I hasten to add that Ehud Barak has vigorously opposed Europe's intervention in Palestine as requested by Arafat. I believe we have correctly understood the need to watch the Middle East, and specifically, Jerusalem.
INTERNATIONAL:
Mr. Bruce Tyler wrote: "Just today (11/23/00) we received a letter from Miss June Aye (Sa Khan Gyi — Saw Lay Beh's town) informing us that Saw Lay Beh died Tuesday, November 14. He was taken to the hospital two days earlier but died of some internal bleeding. We are not sure of the exact cause of the bleeding. He was 77 years old. At the moment that is all the information we have. We had planned to be in Burma next Wednesday to meet him and Thomas Tial Hoe. We will still travel to Yangong to see Thomas as well as a couple of other individuals who have asked to meet us. There is no doubt that Saw Lay Beh faithfully endured to the end."
My relationship with Saw Lay Beh has been through his letters, reports and statements from those who visited him personally. I have great respect for Saw Lay Beh. He was a PILLAR of strength to the brethren — and his loyalty and support of Mr. Meredith and headquarters never wavered. We extend our deep sympathy to his family and our brethren in Burma.
Mr. Bruce Tyler reports that he and Mr. Rajan Moses spent 5 days visiting 35 brethren in Thailand. They baptized 5 new members into the body of Christ. There was serious concern, however, as some of the brethren were apprehended and questioned by the police as they were seeing Mr. Tyler and Mr. Moses off at the airport. "We felt bad having to say good-bye as the police were in the process of questioning them." "Life is not 'normal' or easy for them to say the least." "I'm sure the adversary was upset that we had a profitable visit there." "God intervened for them, and all ended okay."
In addition, Mr. Tyler reported wonderful response to the telecast November 28 in Melbourne. "Even though it is a small station and the program is on late at 11:00 in the evening, the response was more than double what we have previously had for one program.
Mr. Rod McNair — PHILIPPINES:
Concerning the political crises in the USA and in the Philippines Rod wrote in his bulletin to the brethren: "we hear of more rallies and militant groups joining the opposition in the Philippines, in particular Metro-Manila, demanding President Estrada's resignation. In the midst of the crises of leadership, regardless of our personal feelings on the issues and personalities of our national leaders, it is good to be reminded of our responsibility as Christians. We are to 'fear the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change. For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knows the ruin of them both?" (Prov. 24:21-22) Our duty is to offer "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks… for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (1 Tim 2:1-3)
Mr. Charles Bryce reported on his recent trip to Newfoundland — "one of the best yet!" And he did not forward any jokes to me, either…. He said that even though they are isolated geographically, they do not feel isolated spiritually and Church-wise. Great distances separate the brethren, but they know that they are full team members in God's Church and the Work!
In addition, Mr. Bryce visited Kelowna (in September) and Regina/Yorkton in October, and Washington/Winchester in November. Do you suppose we should look for some work for him to do now?
MEDIA:
Mr. Wayne Pyle reported this week that "the record Tomorrow's World was shattered last week. The previous record was 1,368 (responses) set in January this year by the program, 'Is There Life After Death?' Last week's telecast 'Which Day is the Christian Sabbath?' brought in a record 1,448 replies for the booklet by the same title."
CONCLUSION:
Brethren, all of the men in the field have a "large plate" as it were. I am very pleased with the peace and tranquility in the Church at large. That is not to say that we have no problems to resolve, but that the spirit and attitude of service and cooperation — even toleration for one another's failings — helps us to focus on the Work we are committed to do as a TEAM. I sincerely thank you all for pulling your weight and supporting each other and headquarters. You make our burden light.
I have been asked to remind you (those here in the USA) who receive a summons for jury duty — please be sure to respond within the time limit dictated by the summons. Sometimes we ignore or forget to respond, jeopardizing our petition for dismissal.
Have a great Sabbath, and drive carefully!
Carl E. McNair