Greetings from Charlotte,
This has been an eventful week on the world stage and here in Charlotte. Late last week, Russia invaded the tiny independent nation of Georgia, which controls a strategic pipeline that carries gas and oil to Europe. And today, the United States sent troops to Georgia—which could set the stage for an even bigger confrontation, as nations wrestle for the control of resources. This week we began the third semester of Living University classes with a total enrollment of more than a hundred students from around the world. It is really encouraging to read the enthusiastic comments of students about the courses. I hope that more will take advantage of this opportunity to prepare to teach God's way of life to a world that has lost its way. Mr. Meredith also completed another co-worker letter that will be mailed out soon. We had meetings related to Festival planning and discussed ideas for using the Internet more effectively. We appreciate the special offerings that have been sent to enable our brethren in poor international areas to enjoy the Feast—(please read Mr. Crockett's announcement). We have also received reports that the LYC Adventure Program in Wyoming went very well. Thank you for your prayers on these matters.
Other developments include our Tomorrow's World magazine subscription list approaching the 400,000-mark worldwide, with a November-December 2008 issue print run at 387,000. Also, at the beginning of this month, we received more than 41,000 copies of the redesigned Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return, one of our most popular booklets, which was updated with some current quotes and facts, as well as pictures. Next Wednesday, August 20, the Council of Elders will hold a teleconference. Your prayers for a successful and productive meeting are appreciated.
Internet Department
Internet Update: New Website Design
On Friday, August 15, a new design will be published on the Church's website www.lcg.org. The most prominent features of the remodeled website are an attractive new look and easier navigation structure. Other features and enhancements will be added in the coming weeks.– J. Charles Ogwyn
Church Administration
More Public Bible Lectures this Summer
Michigan Area Pastor Daniel Friz will be presenting a public Bible lecture in Traverse City this Sabbath (August 16). Then, on August 23, Regional Pastor Rand Millich will give a presentation in Chanute, Kansas. Two more lectures are expected to take place before the Feast of Tabernacles, one of them in Haiti. Last week, Mr. Bob League had 28 subscribers attend his follow-up Bible study in Chattanooga. His topic was on "The True Christian Sabbath." As Mr. Sweat writes, "These Bible lectures have been spiritually uplifting for all of us, and very moving to witness firsthand, God calling more laborers to the harvest."
The Philippines Scene
Mr. Basilio Osillos reports: Tension has gripped some parts of the Eastern and Western Mindanao areas, while about 50 barangays [villages] were taken over by the MILF (Mindanao Islamic Liberation Front) Muslim rebels. In Maguindanao and North Cotabato, casualties both from the military and the rebels were reported, including a number of innocent civilians. There are about 160,000 evacuees sheltered in schools and basketball courts—their houses burned down and possessions, such as farm animals, stolen. Some of the fleeing rebels had even planted land mines in these villages. There was also news that town mayors have armed themselves and their constituents to defend themselves. The military had given a deadline to this somewhat lost command of the MILF to pull out last Friday, but it had been ignored. So far no members of the Church have been directly affected by this conflict. Yes, there is great danger lurking in Mindanao. Please remember our brethren in Mindanao and pray, "Thy Kingdom come!" Most specially, let's pray for one another as God is our Rock and our Deliverer (Psalms 34:7).
Bluegrass Weekend Festival
This is a reminder that the Columbia, Missouri, congregation is hosting the First Hopefully-Annual LCG Bluegrass Camp Out over Labor Day weekend, from August 29 through September 1. Many have sent in their registration, but many more have mentioned they plan on coming but have NOT registered. We need an accurate count of everyone coming, so that we can accurately understand our costs. So please go to the website at www.eastmissourilcg.org (not an official Church website) and click on "LCG Bluegrass Weekend" to register ASAP, regardless of whether you are camping or staying in a local motel. If you have any questions at all, please e-mail Mr. Wallace Smith at [email protected] or give him a call at 636-744-1034.
Feast of Tabernacles 2008
Festival Assistance for Brethren in Third World Countries
There has been a very fine response to our previous announcement about our members contributing Festival funds from their own second tithe to assist those in poorer international areas who lack basic needs that we often take for granted in our more affluent countries.
A hearty thank you to all who have contributed. It is deeply appreciated. These funds will be distributed at the end of August to our brethren in needy areas around the world for the Feast this year.
However, there are still needs that have not been met. If you have not responded and would like to do so, there is still time. If you want to share and help others have a bountiful Feast, please make your check payable to the Living Church of God and on the information or memo line specify "International Festival Fund." Our members may contribute by regular mail, online at our websites, or by telephoning our office in Charlotte. Again, thanks for your concern and generous support.—Davy Crockett
Feast of Tabernacles Sermons—Attention Pastors
Some of the brethren in your congregations will not be able to attend the Feast of Tabernacles for valid reasons. We will be glad to send them Feast of Tabernacles sermons on CD. Please send us their names and addresses by September 14, if you have not already done so—or if they haven't registered yet as "unable to attend" on our online FOT registration system. The requests can be sent to us by e-mail at [email protected], or by phone at 704-844-1960, ext. 217, or by fax at 704-844-1975.
Feast of Tabernacles Sermons Mailed to Various Countries
This week we mailed Feast of Tabernacles sermons to various countries where we are unable to use fast private courier service—including Cameroon, Guyana, Kenya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Philippines, Peru, Vanuatu and Thailand—in an effort to ensure that the sites in these countries receive the Feast DVDs and CDs well in advance of Opening Night. Your prayers for all logistical aspects of the fall Holy Days are appreciated.
Children's Choir at Sunset Beach
Parents who wish to have their children (ages 4 and older) sing in the Children's Choir at Sunset Beach, North Carolina, should contact Mrs. Margie Dulaney for practice CDs or tapes at 540-662-3696 or at [email protected] .
Mail Processing Department
Mail Tracking Monitors
In order to improve our mail service to our members, subscribers and co-workers, we need to carefully track mailing times in the USA. When we identify areas where the service is not up to postal standards, we can report it to the USPS, and ask them to remedy the situation. Some have volunteered to serve as mail tracking monitors, but we have wide areas of the country from which we receive no response.
Note to Pastors: Please appoint someone in each of the congregations that you serve to be a mail tracking monitor. Let Mr. Gaylyn Bonjour ([email protected]) know his or her name and e-mail address. When a mailing is made from headquarters, Mr. Bonjour will send an e-mail alerting the monitors to be looking for it and to go to our website and enter the date received when delivery is made. Accurate information will be a great tool in improving our service.—Davy Crockett
Comments
The Importance of Wisdom: Solomon wrote that of all the things we gain in this life, "wisdom is the principal thing" (Proverbs 4:7). The Bible reveals that wisdom "is more precious than rubies" because it leads to real happiness and a long and honorable life (Proverbs 3:13-16). Jesus Christ applied this instruction as He grew to manhood. He "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). The Apostle Paul urged Christians to use wisdom when dealing with other people (Colossians 4:5-6). While we can learn from the school of hard knocks, there is a better way! The key to gaining wisdom is learning to fear God and live by every word of God (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). If we ask God for wisdom (James 1:5-7), and seek wisdom by studying His word daily (Deuteronomy 4:1-10; 2 Timothy 3:15) and listen to older and wiser people (Proverbs 10:1; 15:7; 18:15; 22:17), we will become more like Jesus Christ and our wise and loving Father (Romans 16:27).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—August 14, 2008
Will Britain Lose its Remaining "Sea Gates"? For nearly two centuries, the Falkland Islands have been a British territory, guarding a major sea shipping lane along the Argentine coast. In 1982, more than 1,200 British and Argentine lives were lost as the British defended the islands against Argentina's attempt to wrest control of the islands. Today, Argentina is again applying pressure to regain the islands (UK Express, July 6, 2008). Meanwhile, Spain and the United Nations (UN) are pressuring Britain to release Gibraltar, the strategic entry point into the Mediterranean Sea. "Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht" and at this point desires to regain it. In 2007, the UN drafted a "Special Report on Decolonization." It has now just modified the report to include territories like that of Gibraltar. The UN keeps a list of territories that they aim to release from colonial rule (Gibraltar Focus, June 26, 2008). God told Abraham that because of his obedience, his descendents would possess the "gates of their enemies." The Falkland Islands and Gibraltar are two remaining sea gates of the "once great" Britain. These strategic locations greatly impact world shipping lanes. What if a selfish nation with ulterior motives possessed these critical locations? Because of Israel's disobedience, God prophesied "your enemy shall distress you at all your gates" until they "come down" (Deuteronomy 28:52-55). Time will tell how this will happen.
California's Drought and Prophecy. California's Department of Water Resources Director, Lester Snow, recently commented, "…the state will end its water year [October 1] at 58 percent below normal precipitation, but more disturbing is that we will end the year with the lowest water carryover in four decades." But, forty years ago, the state and world population was markedly lower, as was the overall water demand. Mr. Snow also noted, "2008 is a disaster, but 2009 could be the worst drought in California history…. The resulting impact will affect consumers across the country." Mr. Snow also warned, "failure to respond to this water crisis puts more than $400 billion in direct support for the state's economy in jeopardy." The region's unemployment rate is currently 30% and is expected to climb at the end of harvest season (California Farm Bureau Federation, July 23, 2008). As homes and business fight with farmers for water rights, forecasters predict water rationing on farms for the first time since the Great Depression (San Diego Union Tribune, August 4, 2008). God warned that because Israel rejects Him, their heavens will become like iron and their earth like bronze, and the land will not yield its produce (Leviticus 26:19-20). God also warned of a time when "we pay for the water we drink, and our wood comes at a price…. We have given our hand to the Egyptians and the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread…. because of the fever of famine" (Lamentations 5:4-6, 10). Difficult times are coming. Prophecies that many simply do not know exist are being fulfilled.
Iran's Mounting Threat. Iran recently carried out two special missile tests. One test launched a missile from a location in the Caspian Sea—mimicking a ship-based launch. The second test detonated the missile at a high altitude (not on a targeted land site). Experts warn that the Iranians are preparing for a future strike on the U.S., possibly placing a nuclear scud missile onboard a shipping freighter and launching it off the East coast of the U.S. By detonating the missile at apogee—high up in the air above major cities—the nuclear explosion would create an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), knocking out all electronic communications. Speaking about the impact of an EMP above U.S. cities, one government spokesman stated that portions of the U.S. "would quickly revert to an early 19th century type of country, except that we would have 10 times as many people with ten times fewer resources, he said. One expert commented that 70 to 90 percent of the population would not be sustainable after such an attack (Newsmax.com, July 29, 2008). God warned of a future captivity of the Israelite-descended nations in which 90 percent of the population will be destroyed (Amos 5:3). While the above scenario may not be how God allows prophecy to be fulfilled, it is sobering that a small, rogue nation could cause such tremendous destruction.—Scott Winnail and Phyllis Api