Greetings from Charlotte,
The big news this week has been the severe weather—some of the worst in decades—in the central part of the United States—tornados, floods, and drought further to the west. Here in Charlotte, we are getting back to a normal schedule after the Council of Elders meetings that occupied most of last week. This week, Mr. Meredith conducted a finance meeting where we looked at projections for the rest of the year that are very encouraging, and for which we are very thankful. We have also reviewed a new song leading booklet and DVD that should be ready to send out soon. Several men and their families are in the process of moving to new assignments. A major Singles Activity is scheduled for this weekend in Charlotte. I will be in Tyler, Texas to conduct a Regional Ministerial Conference. On June 12 is Pentecost and a number of ministers and members will be traveling for combined services. Your prayers for God's inspiration and protection on all these activities will be much appreciated.—DSW
Church Administration
Tornado in Joplin, Missouri
The tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri, last Sunday has been called the "nation's deadliest single tornado since 1947." At least 125 people were killed. According to Mr. Karl Beyersdorfer, our pastor in the area, brethren in the affected congregations (Joplin, Harrison, and Springfield) are all well with no injuries that he's aware of. He also said the devastation from this tornado was like nothing he had ever seen. His own son and daughter-in-law lost their home and two cars, but survived the tornado unscathed (they were in an inside room in the house as it struck). Several others were in the path of the tornado, but escaped with no damage. In one case, as the tornado approached the home of one of our members, he went inside and began praying. The tornado "jumped" over his house. Please thank God for His protection of our brethren, and continue praying for the encouragement of those who have suffered damage (in LCG and other fellowships). Mr. Beyersdorfer said the outpouring of concern from brethren from all over the world, from many different fellowships, has been heartwarming and encouraging.
Tornado in Merrill, Wisconsin
LCG deacon Jeff Stevens sent us the following report, about his family's brush with a tornado last month. "I was standing outside watching a thick, dark, mass of storm clouds boiling straight for us. It was about 6:30 in the evening. I could hear a steady, rolling thunder and the tornado siren. As I stood there and watched this powerful sight, I asked GOD to take care of us. He did. As I watched the wall of clouds hit our property line, a strong wind from the South came up and hit them. They were turned 90 degrees to the North just like that. (One of the most amazing things I've ever seen.) As it turns out, it was an EF3 tornado about a half mile wide that traveled about 22 miles on the ground. When those swirling, boiling clouds took the 90 degree turn at our house, the tornado pushed past us to the north missing us by about a mile, mile and a quarter and blew apart a number of structures including the old '51 truck stop,' a steel-framed building. There was much damage just 1 mile west of us. Southwest of us there is a great deal of damage along the storm track. I saw one manufacturing building standing, but with virtually its entire skin gone. There is a Great GOD and He is good to us."
Papua New Guinea Update
Mr. Graeme Hemphill reports: I visited Wewak on the north coast in March 2011 and my time spent with Mr. Peter Devis was most profitable. During this time, there was a "payback" issue (clan hostilities) going on in the town, so Mr. Devis was careful about driving us around at certain times of the day. On Friday evening, the brethren had a Sabbath meeting, sang hymns and Peter gave a talk on a Bible topic. I gave a 20-minute talk on the blessings and cursings of Deuteronomy 28. The next day, the sermonette by Mr. Devis was on true friendship and I gave the sermon on true discipleship. We then had lunch and fellowshipped until late in the afternoon. A number of the brethren were then taken to the public motor vehiclestation for the trip back to their villages.
The trip to Maprik village (66 km west of Wewak) consisted of 100 kilometres of potholed bitumen and took about three hours with no stops. After settling in at the village… we talked with the locals while waiting for the Church members to arrive, as most of them live some (walking) distance from the village. A number of them turned up for the afternoon question and answer session and, as most of them understand some English, communication was not a problem. Some others joined us for the evening, during which the questions kept coming. It was interesting sitting under a starry sky, having voices coming out of the darkness, as we did not have proper lighting and often could not see who asked the questions. After the session finished about 10:30 p.m. we retired for the night, sleeping under mosquito nets in a hut on stilts. The next morning, several other members joined us. The questions continued. I went through our mission statement, explaining how we are a worldwide Church with a mission to preach the Gospel and that they are a part of this endeavor, not a small independent group. Both Mr. Devis and I explained about the importance of government in God's Church.
A number of things were achieved on the final stage of the trip [Port Moresby], but the highlight was the baptism of Mrs. Barbara Same. This took place on Friday morning, March 11, in the pool at the Crown Plaza Hotel. I asked the manager if it was going to be a problem and he said "not at all." His main concern being that it be kept low key. We had just finished and were getting out of the pool when a bunch of rowdy workmen appeared to set up a music stand for the evening! We got changed and she and her husband, Eugene, accompanied me to my room for the laying on of hands. Sabbath services the next day were held in the botanical gardens near the university—a truly millennial setting amongst palm trees and other exotic plants. I gave a sermon on the significance of the Middle East turmoil and the recent earthquakes, taken from Daniel, Matthew and Revelation. All listened intently. We had lunch, more fellowship and I answered more questions. I spent Saturday evening packing for my trip home. Mr. Same came by the hotel to say goodbye on Sunday morning before I headed to the airport and flying off to the northern Queensland city of Cairns. The PNG trip was quite an experience and I learnt a lot. It definitely helped to improve and cement my working relations and friendship with the PNG leadership. They have a zeal and commitment to get the Work going there.
Martinique Youth Speech Club
The Martinique congregation held its first Youth Speech Club session on Sunday, May 22. Six teens—four boys and two girls—participated in vocal exercises, table topics and introductory speeches. The club's president, an adult member with experience in public speaking, delivered the evaluations and also gave a "demonstration" speech. Elder Marcel Ginier provided the teens with helpful tips for effective public speaking. This first session revealed much potential in these dynamic Church teens. The club plans to hold its second meeting next month!
Comments
Humility—Key to Unity: King David wrote, "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psalm 133:1). The Apostle Paul urged Christians to "walk worthy" of your calling "with all lowliness and gentleness… endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3). He stated that the work of the ministry is to edify (build up) the body (the Church) "till we all come to the unity of the faith" (Ephesians 4:12-13). Paul also told the contentious Corinthians that they should be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10). In order to grow together in unity, we need to understand what causes the contentions that disrupt unity. The Scriptures reveal that pride is an underlying cause of contentions (Proverbs 13:10) and that pride will contribute to a person's downfall and destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Insisting on our own way also causes dissentions and strife (James 4:1). However, humility will eventually bring a person honor (Proverbs 15:33; 29:23) and will promote peace and unity (James 3:17-18). Just as Jesus Christ humbled Himself and followed His Father's instructions (Philippians 2:5-9), as Christians we must be subject to government (within and without the Church) and not resist authority (Romans 13:1-2). As we learn to exercise true Godly humility and treat each other with love and respect (Romans 12:10-18), we will promote unity within the body of Christ.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—May 26, 2011
Britain and Ireland Together. Queen Elizabeth II recently made the first visit to Ireland by a reigning British monarch in 100 years. Also, and in a highly unusual move, the Queen was accompanied by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron. According to one source, "The British Prime Minister David Cameron is 'seeking to capitalize' on rising anti-European sentiment within Ireland to form a 'grand alliance' with the government of Enda Kenny [Ireland's new Prime Minister] to counter the current dominance of Germany and France." Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Tanaiste noted that, "there was a strong commitment now to work much closer with Britain on the European agenda." Britain has come out in support of Ireland (against EU actions) involving EU corporate taxes and a reduction in the interest rate on Ireland's debt to the EU. A recent poll indicated that the majority of the Irish believe it is more important for Ireland to have a good relationship with the United Kingdom than with Europe (Sunday Independent, May 22, 2011). Bible prophecy indicates that Israelite-descended nations will eventually go into captivity because of their sins and are unlikely to align with the European Beast power (Ezekiel 7:1, 23-27; Hosea 5:5, 13-15; 8:7-9). Although Ireland is currently a "euro zone" member, the recent change in the British-Irish relationship suggests that these "brothers" may stick together after all.
Homosexuals Gaining Ground. The EU's high court has ruled that homosexuals living in "civil partnerships" must experience the same pension rights as those living in heterosexual marriages. (euobserver.com, May 10, 2011). When the French Secretary of State for Health commented that homosexuals are a "high risk group" for HIV/AIDS, her statistically accurate comments resulted in calls for her resignation, noting that she was "stigmatizing" homosexuals (Lefigaro.fr, May 4, 2011). As the U.S. Presbyterian Church struck down the requirement for its clergy to live in a state of "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness" (onenewsnow.com, May 11, 2011), the U.S. Navy announced that chaplains would now perform same sex marriages—a ruling that was later put on hold (Foxnews.com, May 11, 2011). We are witnessing churches and governments supporting and welcoming behaviors that were once considered perverted and sinful! Biblical instructions and God's sanctified marriage covenant between one man and one woman are coming under increasing fire, exactly as God prophesied! "… in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers… without self-control… despisers of good… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:1-4). God speed the day when Christ returns to set things aright (Acts 3:19-21)!
Deadly Tornados Continue. April witnessed tornados wreaking havoc in Alabama and the Carolinas. On Sunday night, May 22, a major tornado devastated Joplin, Missouri. The 200-mile-per-hour winds destroyed an estimated 2,000 buildings. More than 125 people lost their lives and more than 230 people are still reported missing (Wall Street Journal Online, May 26, 2011). The Joplin tornado was the deadliest tornado in the U.S. since 1947 (irishweatheronline.com, May 25, 2011). Tuesday night, more tornados ripped through Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma (Associated Press, May 25, 2011). The storms also dropped devastating hail the size of baseballs and softballs in the region surrounding Dallas, Texas (myfoxc.com, May 25, 2011). These storms appeared as the Mississippi River is flooding and Texas is experiencing major drought. Bible prophecies have long warned that if the Israelite-descended nations turn away from God and refuse to obey His laws, that God will "break the pride" of their power, and make their "heavens like iron" and earth like bronze (Leviticus 26:19). The term "make heavens like iron," when examined in the original Hebrew, indicates that the heavens will become like an "iron tool," or a tool of harshness and oppression. In these recent storms, the heavens have surely become tools of harshness and oppression as they rain down destructive hail and powerfully destructive winds and water. These ancient prophecies are certainly coming alive today! For more information on this sobering topic, please review our booklet, Who Controls the Weather?—Daniel Bennett, VG Lardé, Deborah Lincoln-Strange and Scott Winnail