Greetings from Charlotte,
Judging from the reactions to President Obama's State of the Union message, there are growing concerns in the nation and abroad over the America's ballooning deficit and the implications for the global financial system. The months ahead could be interesting. Here in Charlotte, Mr. Meredith has been holding meetings and staying in touch with ministers in the field. He will be writing a co-worker letter and preparing another television script in the days ahead. Mr. and Mrs. Ames will be in Kingston, Jamaica, for services on the Sabbath and a Tomorrow's World Bible Lecture on Sunday. Your prayers for their safe travel and a good turnout for the lecture are appreciated. Dr. Fall reports an encouraging response to the second TW Bible Lecture in Sacramento last Sabbath (see below). I had a very profitable visit with congregations in Columbus and Akron, Ohio, last weekend. While the weather was quite cold, the attitudes of the brethren were warm and positive. We are happy to have Mr. and Mrs. Rod Reynolds visiting Headquarters on the "HQ visit program" this week. Mr. Reynolds is the Area Pastor for congregations in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Church Administration
Sacramento Tomorrow's World Bible Lecture
Dr. Jeffrey Fall reports: Our TW Bible lecture went very well last Sabbath… we had 36 new people (about half attended the lecture the previous week). I figure that we will have 8 to 12 attending services this coming week. The two-part TW lecture series has been a significant uplift to the Sacramento congregation and certainly will produce fruits over the long run… it has been an excellent platform to work from.
Latest Haiti Update
We heard this week from Mr. Jove Jean-Pierre, our long-time deacon in Port-au-Prince. In his e-mail, he shared details about his experience during the devastating earthquake… He was in his home, reading an article in the November-December 2009 Living Church News. He was about to finish the article's paragraph about not worrying, when the earth began to tremble. Actually, contrary to what we had previously understood, two of his children were also in the house during the quake, and they were all able to escape from under the rubble, the doors having been blocked by collapsed walls. His wife was in the city's center and was unable to come back home until the evening. Similarly, another son returned late that night, while a daughter was able to make her way back home the following day, having to spend the night in the street. He wrote, "Thus, by the grace of the living God, we are all alive and the Church is doing well." Last Sabbath, sixteen members were present for the two-hour service. Without electricity, they utilized the time to sing and pray, and listen to a sermonette delivered by Mr. Jean-Pierre. Please continue to pray for God's little flock in Haiti. They are looking for a suitable place to hold services, but are having difficulty since all the hotels are closed.
Spanish Update
Good news from the Spanish broadcast in Miami: One of the respondents to the third airing of the Living Church of God's Spanish language broadcast in Miami was a Colombian lady who, after the apostasy, had lost contact with the true Church of God and had moved to the United States. During all these years, she continued to keep the Sabbath and to pray that God would bring her back to His fold. On Sunday, January 31, she was searching through the radio dial, as she had done many times in the past, hoping to find some substance among the numerous Sunday religious programs. She came across a broadcast in which God was referred to as "The Eternal" and mention was made of keeping God's laws and statutes. She said in her heart: "This is home." She will be attending God's Church for the first time in 20 years this coming Sabbath, February 6.
Carolina Singles Weekend
Do something extraordinary! This Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-31, 2010, LCG singles of all ages are invited to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the Carolina Singles Weekend! The weekend activities will start off with a Friday evening dinner and an Orientation/Bible Study at the HQ office building. On Sabbath, May 29, there will be a morning Bible Study and lunch. The Charlotte congregation will host a covered-dish meal after afternoon Sabbath services, and in the evening we will have a social and dance. On Sunday, May 30, join us at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte for a whole day of rafting, biking, hiking, rowing, climbing, zipping—or just relaxing on the patio! For more information, visit www.usnwc.org (we will have a special group rate). Sunday evening, we are planning an outdoor cookout and bonfire. Monday morning, May 31, will conclude the weekend with a coffee klatsch and two morning lectures.
We will soon be posting more information on the local Charlotte congregation website (www.charlottelcg.org) regarding the overall schedule, housing, transportation, cost, and registration information. You can also e-mail Mark D. Smith at [email protected] for more information. See you there!
Living Youth Camp
Though we have just opened the registration process, we have already had a number of people register for the preteen and teen camps. For those who are interested in the Adventure Program, registration will be coming on-line shortly. Don't miss your opportunity to be involved with our summer camp program. Campers and staff are welcome to apply now. Just go to www.livingyouth.org for information, including a link to register for the program of your choice.—Jonathan McNair
Comments
Keys for Working Together: Jesus referred to His disciples as His "friends" and encouraged them to "love one another" (John 15:12-17). The Apostle Paul referred to those who assisted him in his ministry as "my fellow workers" (Romans 16:3). He also referred to members of God's Church as "God's fellow workers" (1 Corinthians 3:9) and "workers together [co-workers] with Him" (2 Corinthians 6:1). These are exciting opportunities that carry an important responsibility. In the Scriptures we find important guidelines about how to work together. We are instructed to "be perfectly joined together in the same mind" and not let contentions divide us (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). We are also advised to get along and live in harmony, to avoid being haughty and conceited or ambitious for a position, but to be humble and do what is right, and to strive to live and work together peacefully (Romans 12:16-18). If we can learn to "love one another" and treat each other as "friends" we will be more effective "fellow workers" for the Kingdom of God.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—February 4, 2010
German-Israeli Relations Tighten. Germany and Israel met for the first-ever joint cabinet meeting in Berlin. On the table for discussion were Iran, the Middle East peace process, and German aid to the Israeli military. Israel has acquired three Dolphin-class submarines from Germany, with two additional subs to be delivered. Each is a conventional submarine but can be upgraded to support a nuclear payload. Although the current German administration is highly supportive of Israel, there is increasing dislike for Israel among the German populace. All this is occurring while Germany continues to support and increase trade with Iran (Jerusalem Post online, January 18, 2010). Bible prophecy indicates that, at the end of the age, Germany will again lead Europe, likely as the head of the Beast Power. One of the actions of the Beast will be to promote a seven-year peace treaty involving nations in the Middle East (Daniel 9:27; Psalm 83:5-8). It appears Germany is working to develop relationships with nations throughout the Middle East. God may use these German-led activities to bring a temporary "peace" to the Middle East—until the Beast breaks the treaty after just 3½ years (see Daniel 9:27).
Increasing EU Solidarity Centers on Muslim Clothing. Following Switzerland's recent outlawing of the construction of new minarets on mosques in the country, France's call for banning of burqas (body coverings for Muslim women) has spread to several European nations. Now, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy are considering similar bans on either the burqa or the Muslim female head covering known as the niqab. Proponents aim to suppress Islamic customs as a reaction to "excessive Muslim immigration into Europe." Leaders advocating these bans on Islamic clothing hope that the sentiment will be picked up and followed by other European governments. While only Muslims will be impacted by the bans, some fear a backlash by Islamic forces within and outside of Europe. "More broadly, widespread calls for policies like the burqa ban underlie growing native European resentment against Muslim immigrants. These resentments historically have become more intense and more accepted during times of economic crises—like the one under way in Europe" (Stratfor, January 29, 2010). While the exact nature of the prophesied "push" by the king of the South against the king of the North remains to be seen (see Daniel 11:40), the Islamic "push" for the "Islamization of Europe," is beginning to cause a reaction and Europeans appear to be "pushing back."
U.S. Deficit: What Can Happen? In 2009, the U.S. posted a record one-year deficit of $1.4 trillion… and the deficit spending continues. Like many nations around the globe, the US has elected to "spend" its way out of the current budget crisis. In response, "China, the biggest U.S. foreign creditor, has been warning Washington to rein in the ballooning deficit. If the Obama administration fails to make headway, China and other creditors could demand higher rates for U.S. Treasury bonds" (Reuters, January 23, 2010). In response to China's demands, President Obama has asked Congress to set up a council to look at ways to rein in the deficit. Meanwhile, China continues to fund U.S. deficit spending. In a prophetic warning, God warned millennia ago of the woes of debt, "Woe to him… who loads himself with many pledges… Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the people shall plunder you…" (Habakkuk 2:6-8). The near future does not bode well for the U.S., because it has broken God's laws and principles. However, there is hope when Christ returns to set up His kingdom on this earth. "'Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,' says the LORD, 'nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, and no one shall make [him] afraid'" (Jeremiah 30:10).—Scott Winnail and James Ginn