Greetings from Charlotte,
Prophecy marches on! This past week, England has been shaken by rioting youths who have destroyed property and taken innocent lives. Strikes and destructive violence have also troubled some South African cities in recent weeks. In Europe and America, monetary concerns are increasing, and Germany continues to gain more financial leverage over other nations on the continent. Here in Charlotte, Mr. Meredith has been writing and holding meetings. Mr. Ames is in the UK for Church visits. Mr. Wayne Pyle is doing better, and he reports that last weekend's Tomorrow's World television program, "The Coming Day of the Lord," by Mr. Ames is expected to draw more than 5,400 responses. Last weekend, I was able to make Tomorrow's World Special Presentations in Norfolk and Richmond, Virginia and then drive to Delaware, Ohio to visit the Living Youth Camp (for teens). Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan McNair and their dedicated staff of volunteers have put together an excellent program for helping our teenagers grow and develop. It was very inspiring to meet and talk with both staff and campers and to tour the facilities of the camp. In a troubled world, we certainly have much to be thankful for!—DSW
Church Administration
Riots in the United Kingdom
Mr. John Meakin reports: Despite these riots being so terrible and shocking, our members have not been directly affected. Several live near places where there have been disturbances, but none has been directly affected. The nearest was a member in Liverpool. The entire nation has risen up in profound disgust because of these riots; arson, looting and just rampaging through cities for the sheer entertainment. No respect for any authority or the police or people's property. No sense of right or wrong. A chronic lack of effective parenting. A national preoccupation with rampant materialism via the media. This has been a slow-burn moral crisis building up over the past 30-plus years. The hands of the police have been tied by a liberal agenda of the intelligentsia and successive governments and an unhealthy pre-occupation with human rights, while neglecting human responsibilities. This has spawned an uneducated, amoral, unemployable, criminal underclass which sees nothing wrong in getting its own back against society and the authority figures like the police. Small wonder that Prime Minister Cameron speaks of a broken society in which segments of it are simply "sick." He accepts what is needed is a moral revolution, but can he deliver?
What is needed is action not mere words and the forces of liberalism are very strong. The riots for the most part are now over. Cities are swamped with police who are empowered to act more strongly. Thousands of citizens have committed themselves to a rapid clean up and to peaceful protection of business and private properties. Criminal justice will be hard, swift and strong on the perpetrators, whose identities have been recorded on many a high definition surveillance camera. Parliament was recalled from the summer recess and an emergency debate is still under way as I write. There will be a long moratorium and enquiry as to causes stretching past the summer recess. Lots of hand wringing. But will anyone conclude that when you leave God out of national affairs and the family, and disregard His laws, what we have seen is the inevitable result?
Mr. Rick Stafford reports: Our London members, who live in communities which have been affected by the recent riots, have reported that they have not received any property damage or suffered personal injury. One just said it was "scary." A prospective member, who owns a retail store, called and expressed his gratitude for God's protection when gangs just walked by his place on Tuesday afternoon. I was visiting in one of the troubled areas but, heeding advice, I postponed my scheduled evening visit into Croydon (those whom I was going to be visiting live directly across the street from a heavily damaged store.).
Mr. and Mrs. James and Sue Bennett report: A member living in Liverpool was the only one in a trouble hotspot. Four cars were set alight and windows smashed in her street on Tuesday evening/early hours. She went to bed and slept peacefully knowing she could do nothing and God was in charge. We haven't heard anything this morning (Thursday) but I think it was much quieter last night. Her brother would welcome her into his home if the trouble started again. Services this Sabbath will be in Manchester and those members who travel through Piccadilly Gardens (the place to avoid!) will keep an eye on the situation. Jim has already advised them not to put their safety at risk.
Tomorrow's World Special Presentations
Barrie, North Bay and Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: On July 22-24, Mr. Gerald Weston held Tomorrow's World Special Presentations in the Ontario cities of Barrie, North Bay and Sudbury, and each produced encouraging results. Barrie had 20 new attendees for its initial presentation and seven new attendees at the follow-up presentation, which was given by Mr. Winston Gosse on July 29. In North Bay and Sudbury, both more than three hours north of Barrie (the nearest congregation), the results proved positive as well. Mr. Weston's presentation in North Bay was attended by 13 new people and 25 guests attended in Sudbury. The follow-up presentations, presented by Mr. James Ginn on July 29 and 30, brought nine new guests in North Bay and 16 guests in Sudbury. One visitor made a 4.5 hour bus ride (more than 400 km) to attend, and many of the guests expressed interest in attending Sabbath services.
Richmond and Norfolk, Virginia: Dr. Douglas Winnail conducted TWSPs in Norfolk and Richmond, Virginia on August 6 and 7 delivering a PowerPoint Presentation titled, "What's Ahead for America?" In Norfolk, 40 guests joined 27 brethren for the meeting in the Holiday Inn Select Norfolk Airport hotel. In Richmond, 35 guests and 14 brethren assembled at the Sheraton Richmond Park South hotel. At each meeting, a number of people asked about attending our new congregations in those cities, including one lady who requested baptism. A couple guests commented that our ministry is what they have been looking for. Delicious refreshments were provided by local brethren during the fellowship. After months of planning and preparation involving all the brethren from both congregations, it was exciting to see it "all come together" at these special events. Next weekend will be the follow-up lectures by Mr. Ken Frank on the topic, "Where is God's Church Today?" Your prayers for success would be much appreciated.
Canadian Update: Canada Adds Two Congregations
God has richly blessed a team of efforts in the areas of Moncton, New Brunswick, and Sudbury, Ontario. On the Sabbath of July 16, the new Moncton congregation met for the very first time and has been averaging 13 people in attendance. It only took three more Sabbaths before the new Sudbury congregation was started, beginning with 11 new attendees. The Moncton congregation is being served by Mr. Frank Best, while the Sudbury congregation is being served by Mr. Winston Gosse. Thank God for opening doors for fellowship in areas previously not served, and please pray for the continued success of these efforts.—James Ginn
West Virginia Family Campout
From July 31 through August 5, the West Virginia congregations hosted their second annual Family Campout. Fifty-three campers, including 27 youths and 26 parents and family members met at the Glenwood 4-H Camp in Princeton, West Virginia, for six glorious days. Mr. Rod McNair and Dr. Scott Winnail and their families from Charlotte added a wonderful dimension! This year we provided a camping experience for families with structured activities for the children. One goal was to help our youths build godly confidence, learn to work together and lay a foundation to later attend one of the Church's Living Youth Camps. Certainly challenging, but also truly rewarding—striving to balance structure for our youths and total family involvement. The following comment by one of the moms sums up the general sense of the campout quite well: "The highlight for me was watching both my sons in archery and my daughter in canoeing while little children and parents watched and cheered!" Classes included canoeing, archery, life lessons, guitar, sports and crafts. Each evening we enjoyed one of the following activities: Bible bowl, line dancing, barbeque with sing-a-long and a fun show. Results of the guitar class were immediately witnessed when the boys and girls demonstrated their new guitar skills during the fun show. After accompanying the boys, the favor was returned as the boys accompanied the girls as they sang "Country Roads" to the delight of parents and everyone present.
Teamwork and camaraderie were truly outstanding. The greatest blessing was seeing God's presence and intervention in virtually everything we did. It was as if He was smiling upon us during those six days! The weather was cooler and much nicer than normal for this time of year; the owner of a local archery store gave us a compound bow that was superior to anything we had when we went in to purchase an inexpensive target! As he handed me the bow, he said, "Tell the kids to have a good time in archery!" Also, the 4-H Club loaned us their canoes, paddles and life jackets—the first group to be given this privilege! The camp improvement project also proved to be a double blessing. Leaving the facilities in better condition than we found them in, the superintendent waived half the camp fee saying, "We're even. You're a good group. You do a lot for the camp. We look forward to seeing you next year!" Wow! God's way not only works, but truly is the best way! And this was demonstrated for six unforgettable days!—Paul Shumway
Feast of Tabernacles 2011
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon CDs (Repeat Announcement)
Attention Pastors: Please send Mrs. Dorothy McNair, at [email protected], the names of those in your congregation(s) who will be unable to attend the Feast and who will need to receive the Feast of Tabernacles sermons on CD. The deadline to submit this is August 23. Note: Feast sermons will also be uploaded (one per day) during the Feast at www.lcg.org, for those who have Internet access.
Living University
Still Time to Register!
Living University classes begin Monday, August 15, and it is not too late to register to take a class this semester. For those who have never before taken an LU class, the deadline for making an application is Sunday at 6:00 p.m. EST. You will need to apply for LU Admission first, and then you can register and order books. For those who have taken classes before, you may register through Wednesday, August 17. The admissions process is easy and all online. For more information on LU admissions and to register for classes, please visit our website at www.livinguniv.com. For detailed questions, please contact Ms. Michelle Bottella at [email protected] or at 704-708-2294.
Comments
The Blessings of Unity: We live in an increasingly divided world, yet David wrote, "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psalm 133:1). Jesus said, "I and My Father are one" (John 10:30). He also prayed for His disciples, "that they may be one as We are" (John 17:11). The Scriptures reveal that while the disciples had different perspectives (Acts 15, Galatians 2), they learned to work together as a coordinated team to achieve their mission (2 Peter 3:14-16). They obviously realized that if each marched to his own drum, the job they were given would not get done. This is why Paul stated that as we do the Work of God we must be respectful and patient with each other, "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3). Paul also emphasized that there is "one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism" and that the work of the ministry (and the goals of Christians) involves fostering the unity of the faith and not being split apart by different ideas about doctrine and procedures (Ephesians 4:4-16). As we are led by the same Spirit, we will see divisions diminish and we will be more "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10). The peace, harmony and unity that is possible among Spirit-led Christians can be an inspiring light in a troubled world!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—August 11, 2011
London Riots Spread. This week's London riots have spread menacingly across the nation to Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. Youthful rioters burned vehicles and buildings and looted shops and businesses. More than 100 police were injured and more than 1,000 youths were arrested—some as young as age 11! While some attribute the riots to race and class issues, sociologists say the youthful rioters are "unoccupied—and therefore more likely to loiter on the streets and in shopping centers, and to get wrapped up in the madness of rebellion" (Time, August 10, 2011; Telegraph, August 9, 2011). Although many youths may have "nothing to do," the question remains, "Where are the parents in all of this?" Young people today are not being taught to respect people or property and they are not properly supervised. As a result, many people lost their homes, autos and businesses to the destructive mobs. Isaiah prophesied of the end of the age, "As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths" (Isaiah 3:12). Society today is reaping the results of children left to raise themselves and parents who are often absent. God speed the day when the hearts of fathers are turned to their children and the hearts of children are turned to their fathers (Malachi 4:6)!
Tragedy of Famine. The Associated Press recently announced, "Hundreds of thousands of Somali children could die in East Africa's famine unless more help arrives, a top U.S. official warned Monday in the starkest death toll prediction yet… drought has turned into famine because little aid can reach militant-controlled south-central Somalia, forcing tens of thousands of Somalis who have exhausted all the region's food to walk to camps in Kenya, Ethiopia and the Somali capital of Mogadishu… More than 29,000 children under the age of 5 have died in the last 90 days in southern Somalia alone, according to U.S. estimates. The U.N. says 640,000 Somali children are acutely malnourished, suggesting the death toll of small children will rise" (Associated Press, August, 9, 2011). This humanitarian tragedy is occurring while the affluent western world worries about losing money in the stock market. However, there is a God who cares, and He instructed the prophet Ezekiel to write concerning the people of Jerusalem, "put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it" (Ezekiel 9:4)—God notices those who are saddened by atrocities they see around the globe! Jesus Christ also prophesied that one of the signs of the end of the age would be famines in various places that would kill many people (Matthew 24:7, Revelation 6:5-8). God is not pleased with people who squabble and "feed themselves," while other human beings suffer. This is why Jesus Christ is going to return and establish the Kingdom of God to bring peace and justice to the earth (Isaiah 9:6-7).
"Bring Back the Deutschemark!" A highly successful German businessman, Hans-Olaf Henkel, recently called for the eurozone to split in two. The monetarily strong "northern zone" would comprise Germany, Austria, the Benelux nations, Finland, and possibly Ireland. He also asked the question: "German industry's success was for decades tied to a strong and stable currency with low inflation. Seventeen currency appreciations not only strengthened the deutschemark, it kept the export industry on its toes. For how much longer will German industry allow itself to be seduced by the sweet-smelling poison of a devalued euro?" (see Guardian.co.uk, March 13, 2011). This week another writer, Holman Jenkins Jr. suggested that "Germany and its solvent neighbors should leave the eurozone in favor of a new currency"—the D-mark! Citing both Hans-Olaf Henkel and the turmoil in the southern eurozone nations, Jenkins made a strong case for the re-emergence of the deutschemark (Wall Street Journal, August, 10, 2011). Bible prophecy describes a Beast power that will arise in Europe in the last days (Revelation 17:7-13). This Beast power will very likely be led by a monetarily strong Germany—a nation that we have for more than 60 years said would rise again! This Beast power will bring temporary peace and prosperity to much of the world, yet its downfall will come suddenly (Revelation 18). It is sobering to see these ancient prophecies taking shape today!—James and Sue Bennett, Deborah Lincoln-Strange, Scott Winnail