From the Presiding Evangelist
Dear fellow servants of Christ,
In spite of the financial crisis affecting much of the world, God continues to bless His Work. As of today, our income is up 2.7 percent compared to this time last year. And the number of donors and co-workers continues to grow—for which we are very thankful. In addition, the response to the latest semi-annual letter is coming in splendidly—exceptionally good for a letter that was not focused on prophecy or offering a prophetic booklet.
In spite of my recent stroke, I am still working almost full-time every day. I am making television programs—as I did last week—giving sermons, writing articles, letters and conducting meetings on a regular basis. But I would appreciate your continued prayers for my complete healing as I still do not have the degree of energy that I had before the stroke. However, my mind is clear, and I am still able to write the articles and preach the sermons which yourselves often hear or read.
As I told the Council of Elders in our last meeting, we have always planned to "rotate" some members on and off the Council. Except for those who are on the Parent Church Board, each appointment is for a two year period. A number of our members have gone longer than two years because we simply did not make the change last winter. However, we do plan to make a few changes within the next few weeks—not because any one of the Council members has a problem, but it is simply giving others an opportunity to participate on the Council and also to give us increased input from a variety points of view.
So we will be announcing the new members within a week or so. I simply feel at this time it is better not to announce them until it is all set up officially—and until I have time to talk to each one of the "new" members to be sure that they would want to serve on the Council. But I want to tell those who are being rotated off—and all of you—that every one of the Council members have performed splendidly. Not one is being replaced because of any problem, but simply to enable more of our senior ministers and leaders to have the opportunity to be on the Council and—as I stated earlier—to give us input from a greater variety of sources. So we will hope to keep on with this program in years to come so that many of our ministers may have the opportunity to be on the Council within the next several years.
All of us, fellows, need to draw as close to Almighty God as we possibly can as we really are approaching the end of this age. Events have speeded up even within the last year in ways that have not occurred in the nearly sixty years I have been involved in God's Work. It is exciting. But it is also very sobering and humbling to realize that Christ's feet will soon be upon this earth and that we—weak as we are—will be used to literally rule over cities and nations to help straighten out, bless, build, encourage and teach thousands or perhaps even millions of confused human beings the way that God wants them to live and the way God wants the whole world to be governed and structured. Boy! What an opportunity we have to look forward to. So let us pray fervently for one another, for God's Church as a whole, and continually ask God to enable us to have far more impact on this confused world and truly prepare the way for Christ's return as King of kings.
Roderick C. Meredith
Church Administration
Greetings from Charlotte,
This has been an eventful week, both locally and globally. On the world scene, the Pope recently released a paper calling for "a true world political authority… to manage the global economy" because national governments are unable to influence world events—which points to the need for a global governing agency. Here in Charlotte, Mr. Meredith has held a number of meetings this week. Mr. Ames taped Tomorrow's World television program #356 titled "You Can Understand Prophecy!" which offers a The Power of Prophecy DVD. Mr. and Mrs. Ames will be in Springfield, Missouri this Sabbath, where Mr. Ames will present a Tomorrow's World Bible lecture. He will then present another TW lecture in Joplin on Sunday. Mr. Wallace Smith is in Charlotte for several days to tape new television programs. Last Sabbath, U.K. Regional Director Rod King had a very positive visit with our congregation in Belgium which recently decided to join the Living Church of God. Caribbean Regional Director Dr. Scott Winnail returned from Jamaica where last weekend he met with 86 brethren on the Sabbath and conducted with Mr. Fraser a Living Leadership Course Bible Study and several meetings with Church leaders. Dr. Scott Winnail also reports that we have more than 170 students registered so far for fall semester Living University classes. Mr. Phil Sena reports a positive follow-up to the TW Bible Lecture in Temple, Texas (see below). Mr. Rod McNair departs for Minnesota tomorrow to serve in the Living Youth Camp Voyageur's Adventure trip, which starts on July 16. Mr. Gaylyn Bonjour reports that The Big Picture DVD (offered in Dr. Meredith's June 4 semi-annual letter) was mailed last Thursday to Living Church of God member households in the U.S.
Disaster Relief Fund
This week we completed the process of wiring funds to the Philippines and Kenya to aid our brethren there whose basic sustenance was severely affected by various natural disasters.
Temple (Texas) Bible Lecture Follow-Up
Mr. Phil Sena reports: We had a very positive follow-up last Sabbath to the Temple, Texas Bible Lecture on June 27. Thirteen attendees returned from the week before, with some of those inviting four more to bring the total number of visitors to 17! This figure is even more encouraging considering this was a major holiday weekend in the U.S. I gave a sermon on repentance, and many visitors said they plan to return. We thank those who have been praying for the success of all the Bible Lectures because it appears that God is blessing them.
Caribbean Update
Mr. Lascelles Fraser, Jamaica Area Pastor, reports: The offering for Pentecost was up 23.5% over last year…. Income for the first six months was 11.7% more than last year, while expenses for the same period were up 17.5% over last year. The telecasts on the end-time prophecies continue to generate higher than average responses.
Living University
Fall 2009 Semester
We are now 5 ½ weeks out from the beginning of the fall 2009 semester for Living University. Two more courses that we are offering this fall are: THL 211—Old Testament Survey I, and THL 320—Introduction to Church History. Both 3-credit courses are applicable to the Diploma program and meet the requirements of a couple of different certificate programs. Enrollment for Semester 1—Fall in the Northern Hemisphere—ends August 16.
THL 211—Old Testament Survey I. This course provides an in-depth review of the books of the Old Testament—a review of the Law and the Former Prophets focusing on background, content, structure, geography, teachings, and basic meaning of each book as well as outstanding people and events. In this course Dr. Douglas Winnail emphasizes the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament as the background and foundation for understanding the New Testament.
THL 320—Introduction to Church History. In this intriguing course, Dr. Michael Germano traces the history of the Church of God from apostolic times to the present day. Topics include the development of the Church through each of its seven distinct eras.
For more information, go online to www.livinguniv.com or call Dr. Scott Winnail at 704-844-1960, ext. 304.
Feast of Tabernacles 2009
Sunset Beach, North Carolina
Accommodations: Starheel Properties, Inc. (www.starheelproperties.com) has numerous two and three-bedroom condominiums at the Crow Creek Golf Community, which is approximately eight miles from the Sea Trails Resort. Prices for nine nights are $560, with a returnable security deposit of $250. This is a relatively new complex and very nice. The phone number is 910-579-9434. When calling, ask for Linda and say that you are with the Living Church of God.
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Accommodations: The Luna Inn is now booked to capacity, so we have added another affordable property to the housing list for the Wisconsin Dells Feast site: the Mayflower Motel will now be offering discounts to Living Church of God members. Two queen beds (one to four people; includes anyone over the age of 3) are $48 plus tax per night; a room with two king beds and a sofa (one to four people; includes anyone over the age of 3) is just $68 plus tax per night. More than four people (anyone over the age of 3) in a room increases the price by $10 per person, per night charge. Call the Mayflower at 608-253-6471 or 1-800-345-7407 and mention that you are with the Living Church of God to receive the discount. The Mayflower has refrigerators, microwaves and Internet in the guest rooms as well as an indoor pool. NOTE: There are still rooms/condos/villas and suites available at the Chula Vista Resort: 1-800-388-4782; www.chulavistaresort.com.
Comments
The Value of Wisdom: We live in a materialistic world, where people strive to gain many things—money, homes, cars, fame, new experiences, etc. Yet, Solomon said that of all the things we can acquire in this life, "wisdom is the principal thing" (Proverbs 4:7). Solomon stressed that the value of wisdom is greater than gold, silver or precious stones and that gaining wisdom leads to happiness and a long and honorable life (Proverbs 3:13-16). Jesus stressed the importance of gaining wisdom, and we are told that as He grew up, "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). The Apostle Paul urged Christians to use wisdom in dealing with people (Colossians 4:5-6). The Bible reveals that the key to gaining and growing in wisdom is learning to fear God and learning to live by every word of God (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). We are also instructed to ask God for wisdom (James 1:7), and to seek wisdom by studying the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 4:1-10; 2 Timothy 3:15), and to listen to older and wiser people (Proverbs 10:1; 15:7; 18:15; 22:17). If we follow these instructions, we can grow to become more like Jesus Christ and the wise God that we worship (Romans 16:27; Philippians 2:5).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—July 9, 2009
Shepherds of Israel—Misguided Leaders. In a "Gay Pride" fundraising speech, British Tory leader David Cameron apologized on behalf of his Conservative party for 1980s legislation banning homosexuality promotion in public schools. Mr. Cameron also stated "The Conservatives had the first woman prime minister and we are bound to have the first black prime minister and the first gay prime minister." A former Tory leader accused Mr. Cameron of responding to focus group findings with his speech to gain votes (Daily Mail, July 2, 2009). President Obama also recently put down conservative Americans at a White House "LGBT Pride" reception, saying "There are still fellow citizens… who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes [about homosexuality being wrong]" (AP, June 30, 2009). This speech won him greater support among the "gay vote." God warned that at the end of the age, people would label sin as good and righteousness as evil (Isaiah 5:20). He also predicted that the leaders of the land would lead, not with righteousness, but in order to "feed themselves" (Ezekiel 34:1-6). Christ taught that we should not hate or despise any person (Matthew 5:43-48) and that we are to love all of our fellow human beings, regardless of their sins. However, He also taught that the Israelite-descended nations would ultimately be punished for their outright rejection of truth and righteousness (Hosea 4:6). With the moral decay of society and the lack of moral fortitude in our modern leaders, it certainly appears that we are approaching the end of the age!
Jews, Arabs and Christians: In Harmony on the Temple Mount? A young Jewish scholar recently suggested a way for Jews to have a temple on the Temple Mount, while Arabs maintain their holy places. His theory, insinuating that a "true prophet" could redirect the location of a future temple, goes against traditional thinking which requires the temple to sit on the site where the Muslim Dome of the Rock now stands. A Jewish interfaith initiative was recently launched to promote this idea. Its director then commented, "This vision of religious shrines in peaceful proximity can transform the Temple Mount from a place of contention to its original sacred role as a place of worship shared by Jews, Muslims and Christians" (Jerusalem Post, June 21, 2009). As bizarre as this idea sounds—of multiple faiths worshiping on the Temple Mount in peace—it is not far-fetched from a biblical standpoint. God prophesied through Daniel that a time would come when temple sacrifices would resume, and then be terminated, all within seven years of the return of Jesus Christ (Daniel 9:26-27; 12:11). Exactly how, and whether there will be a physical temple or just an altar for sacrifice, remains to be seen.
U.S. Homes for Sale on the World Market. According to one conservative U.S. economic forecasting editor, "In terms of the international purchasing power of the dollar, which has declined precipitously, the median price of a single-family home has fallen more than 35 percent to levels last seen in 1998... coupled with the decline in housing prices in dollar terms… It means more foreign investors should soon be investing in U.S. property… based on my travels, particularly through Asia, and considering especially metropolitan areas and their suburbs in places such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai and even Bangkok—I would say that U.S. property prices now represent some of the best bargains on the planet" (uncommonwisdomdaily.com, June 29, 2009). The current world economic situation is sobering to watch from any vantage point. It is also exciting to watch from a prophetic standpoint, because true Christians know that God is working. God warned long ago that, with declining morality and increasing disobedience to God among Israelite-descended nations, hard times would come. One prophecy closely related to the above real estate statistics is found in Lamentations. This book is a dual lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and the future fall of the Israelite-descended nations. "Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens, and our houses to foreigners" (Lamentations 5:2). As U.S. property prices drop on the world market and "foreigners" purchase them, Americans will truly lose the inheritance of generations. This sobering reality is a fulfillment of one of God's end-time prophecies.—Scott Winnail and Sue Bennett