Greetings from Charlotte,
World events and Bible prophecies continue to converge towards a striking climax! While Israelite nations continue their slide away from God and reap the inevitable consequences, rumors are flying that the eurozone appears to be on the verge of breaking up, and the 27-nation European Union may be headed for a dramatic re-arrangement that could include reducing the number of nations in the Union to the vicinity of ten—the number long-depicted in the Scriptures for the end-time beast power of Daniel 2 and Revelation 17. One observer has noted, "September is likely to be a defining month for the euro area's destiny." September will also see the Palestinians make a bid for membership in the UN that could pit America and Israel against the world. As we prepare for the Fall Holy Days—that picture the culminating events in God's plan for mankind—Satan appears to be preparing for his final attempt to disrupt God's plan.
This has been a busy week in Charlotte. Mr. Meredith, Mr. Ames and Mr. Rod King are taping new Tomorrow's World programs. Mr. Meredith chaired a phone meeting for the Council of Elders and is writing a co-worker letter. Last weekend's TW program by Mr. Meredith on "Answered Prayer" is expected to draw more than 4,100 responses. Mr. John Meakin was able to attend a briefing in London at the residence of the German Ambassador. Tomorrow's World Special Presentations last weekend by Mr. Rod McNair in Denver, Colorado and Casper, Wyoming drew 59 visitors. Mr. Ben Whitfield will make follow-up presentations this weekend. Mr. Gerald Weston's presentation in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada last weekend drew 47 guests. Follow-up presentations last weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana and Biloxi, Mississippi resulted in 21 visitors. Please pray that these activities will bear much fruit, and that God will hear the prayers of His people for help and healing.—DSW
*Please note the Feast of Tabernacles announcements below and Mr. Jonathan McNair's report on time spent online.
Church Administration
Tomorrow's World Special Presentations
Denver, Colorado and Casper, Wyoming: The Tomorrow's World Special Presentations hosted by the Denver, Colorado and Casper, Wyoming, congregations were given by Pastor Rod McNair on September 10 and 11. The Hampton Inn in Parker, Colorado, was the site for the TWSP in Denver and the C'mon Inn was the site for the TWSP in Casper, Wyoming. There were a total of 79 in attendance in Denver, including 37 guests and 42 members; and 47 in attendance in Casper, with 22 guests and 25 members. Mr. Rod McNair's presentations were well received by the audience, with many nodding in agreement as he explained the prophesied events that are going to happen shortly in America. Many of the guests in both Denver and Casper were very familiar with the Living Church of God as being the sponsor of the Tomorrow's World program as well as much of our roots being found in what Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong pioneered decades ago. Afterwards, guests and members mingled and talked for several hours with many guests asking about attending Sabbath services with us on a regular basis. Many commented that they would be back next weekend for the follow-up presentation on "Where Is God's Church Today?"—Ben Whitfield
New Orleans: We had a total of 40 attend the TWSP entitled, "Where Is God's Church Today?," in the New Orleans area, including 27 members and 13 guests. I spoke to four individuals after the presentation who asked me some serious questions, especially about Sabbath-keeping, and who indicated an interest in attending services.—Rod Reynolds
Biloxi, Mississippi: The Ocean Springs and Laurel, Mississippi congregations hosted a follow-up Tomorrow's World Special Presentation on September 11. The PowerPoint presentation, "Where Is God's Church Today?" was given by Mr. Ed Breaux. There were 32 individuals present for the presentation, including 24 members and 8 guests. Five of the guests had attended the initial presentation and three were there for the first time. During the break, members and guests mingled and enjoyed refreshments and after the presentation two guests asked for the time and location of services in the Biloxi area. It will be interesting to see when and how these presentations bear fruit.—Ed Breaux
Africa Update
Mr. King and I had the immense privilege of meeting with faithful brethren and prospective members, some of whom had not seen a minister of God in many years, in Nigeria, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi over the last two weeks.
Our first stop was to meet Dr. Akin in Lagos, Nigeria, who has been patiently serving the congregation, according to instructions from Mr. Apartian, for the past seven years. He has organized services, Tomorrow's World Special Presentations, and the Feast of Tabernacles in a peaceful setting in the heart of Lagos, with its population of more than 10 million people. We had the pleasure of visiting the hall where Mr. Harold Jackson inaugurated the Lagos congregations in the 1970s. We held services on September 3 in a nearby hotel, followed by a two-part Bible Study including a captivating description by Mr. King of the nations' migration routes around the globe. Fellowshipping continued in the hotel parking lot before we said our good-byes and everyone made their way home.
Next was a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Agyemang-Duah, who were among the founding members of the London congregation dating back to the mid-60s, now re-established in their home country of Ghana. We also met with members Mr. and Mrs. Djan and Kwame Gokeh from Canada, recently returned to their homeland of Ghana and anxious to see a congregation established and the Gospel preached. One highlight was meeting Mrs. Agyemang-Duah's 106-year-old mother! Mr. King conducted more visits before flying back to England and then on to Charlotte for the Council of Elder's teleconference and the filming of two new TW programs.
I flew on to the Democratic Republic of Congo to meet with Mr. and Mrs. Mukendi Kapingamulume. It was with Mr. Mukendi's help that the Church was first established in the Congo, so we hope that it won't be long before we can reestablish the Work in Kinshasa. On the Sabbath of September 10, I met with more old-time members, including Mr. Bamongo and his family. I spoke of the importance of government in the Church and our submission to one another. It took more than an hour to reach the distant corner of the huge city of Kinshasa, where we met under a tin-roof "meeting-hall." It was quite an ordeal since some of the roads we had to take were in total disrepair. It took even longer to come back into the city because the police confiscated a member's video camera and it took quite some time to have it returned. With upcoming elections, it is normal that there are more controls and such inconveniences.
On the following Monday and Tuesday, I had the pleasure and honor of meeting with one of the patriarchs of the Bujumbura, Burundi congregation, Mr. Wenceslas Kamwenebusa, along with his wife and family. After having shown remarkable patience, his wife, Jacqueline, their daughter, Ada, and son-in-law, Elie Kanigi, having waited 24 years, were baptized. We realized that Satan was doing his best to thwart the baptisms. Mr. and Mrs. Kanigi received news that their house in neighboring Congo had been ransacked, leaving their children traumatized. Courage added to patience, and finally they are now baptized. To add to the joy of the occasion, the Kamwenebusas' daughter, Prescille, and grandson, Méthode, were also baptized in Lake Tanganyika, the second largest freshwater lake in the world by volume, and the second deepest. Congratulations were in order at the Bible Study in Bujumbura that evening, where 24 of us gathered. There is growing interest in Burundi because of the Internet and high hopes that more people will be called. There is a solid, well-established core of brethren and there is much excitement as plans are laid for regular services in Burundi.
Please pray for the members in these African countries that they can meet in peace and safety and that the foundation is laid so an effective Work of preaching the Gospel can be done.—Rod King and Rees Ellis
Living Youth Programs
A new study, done by psychiatrists at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) ties depression in teenagers to the amount of time spent on the Internet and playing video games. According to the study, "UAMS psychiatrists found that youth who spend five or more hours per day online or playing video games are at a higher risk of depression and suicidal thoughts than teens who play fewer hours" (read article at Todaysthv.com). But time on-line can be worthwhile. Click to our updated Living Youth website at www.livingyouth.org, where you will find items that are interesting and worthwhile for kids and parents. You will also find the link to our Sunday evening Live Online Bible Study. Last week, we talked about the life of Joseph, a young man who showed integrity and character. Don't miss this week's follow-up study, where we will continue with the account of how he handled difficult situations in his life—and succeeded!—Jonathan McNair
Feast of Tabernacles 2011
Live video of Feast services streamed from New Braunfels: Once again, there will be a live video stream of daily services and Bible studies from the New Braunfels Feast site for those with Internet access who are unable to attend the Feast. More details will be given in The World Ahead in the coming weeks, but we wanted to let you know of our plans now.
Holy Day Offerings: If you are traveling internationally for the Feast, it is recommended that you leave your Holy Day Offering in your home country. This will ensure that you receive proper documentation for a tax deduction, if your country allows it. You should make an additional offering at the international site you attend, and can plan accordingly. Your attention to these instructions and your use of the preprinted Holy Day envelopes is greatly appreciated.
Hymnals: Brethren are encouraged to bring a hymnal (one or two songbooks per household) from their local congregation's supply after the Day of Atonement for use at the Feast. They should bring back to their congregations the same hymnals, after the Feast, so that an equal number of books is returned to each congregation.
Chemical Sensitivities: We want to remind everyone while at the Feast to be aware of the sensitivities to perfumes and colognes that some of our brethren have. For some of our brethren, because of serious allergies, walking by someone with a lot of perfume or cologne is not just uncomfortable but can send them to the Emergency Room. Let's use extra care to show love to others in this way at the Feast—please use moderation.
Health and Feast Travel: As we prepare to depart for the Feast of Tabernacles, it is not uncommon for God's people to "push themselves" and compromise their sleep and diet. Many of us try to get multiple tasks accomplished ahead of time (regarding work and school) so that we can attend the Feast without worry. Often this "push before the Feast" results in too little sleep and unhealthy eating habits. Then, when we finally get in the car, on the train, on the bus, or on an airplane, our bodies slow down and we get sick. In past years, this has resulted in some bringing the flu or a cold to the Feast site and spreading it to other Church members. If we do arrive at the Feast feeling ill, for the benefit of our brethren, it is important to avoid fellowshipping and attending services until all our symptoms are gone.
Because of the Swine Flu outbreak a couple years ago, many nations are still operating under a heightened state of alert with international travelers. Some nations even require a "health disclosure" in order for tourists to enter their nation. Tourists displaying signs and symptoms of the flu may be detained by the local government until the flu-like symptoms are gone. For God's people, this could cause us to miss part or even all of the Feast of Tabernacles while we are detained in local quarantine.
For all of us as God's people, it is essential as we prepare for Feast of Tabernacles travel, to get appropriate rest and maintain a healthful diet filled with fruits and vegetables. Parents should make sure that their children also get adequate rest and eat a very healthful diet before the Feast. For our older brethren, these actions are imperative! In taking measures to stay healthy and improve our health before the Feast, not only will we be more likely to arrive at the Feast "healthy" and not be temporarily detained by the local health officials (if we are traveling abroad), but we will also be physically and mentally prepared to partake of the powerful spiritual food and fellowship that God is preparing for us!
Finance Department
Hall Rentals: November hall rental vouchers should be faxed or mailed to Accounts Payable by September 30 to ensure processing before the feast.
Payments: Please note that our last scheduled day to print reimbursement checks will be Thursday, October 6. We will not be able to print any checks again until Thursday, October 27. Any invoices we receive before October 5 will be paid before the break. Any invoices we receive after October 5 will not be able to be paid until October 27. If you have any questions in regards to specific invoices or payments, please contact Samanthia Kreis in the Accounts Payable Department at 704-844-1960 ext. 2236 or send e-mail to [email protected].
Comments
Take Time to Think: Today our lives are filled with things that can totally occupy our minds and thoughts: television, video games, iPods, e-mails, cell phones, text messages, deadlines, daily commutes, gossipy conversations, endless routines, etc. Daniel warned that at the end of the age "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase" (Daniel 12:4). Jesus also warned that "the cares of this world" can "choke the word" and cause us to miss out on the Kingdom of God (Matthew 13:22). As the fall Holy Days approach, we need to remember that one of the biggest challenges Christians face today is the battle for what goes on in our minds—what we think about—which then determines our attitudes and actions. Solomon wrote that as a person "thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). David observed that a wicked person is proud, does not seek God and "God is in none of his thoughts" (Psalm 10:4). Yet, David was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22) because he meditated on God's law daily (Psalm 119:97). In Psalm 23 we read that God allowed David to "lie down in green pastures… beside the still waters." Such places are conducive to thinking and reflecting on the handiwork of God and His plan and purpose for our lives. If we want to grow and be prepared for the coming Kingdom of God, we need to take time to think and meditate on the word of God. Read a Psalm every morning or evening and meditate on the subjects mentioned in Philippians 4:8. We can develop the mind of God—if we think on these things!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—September 15, 2011
Will Europe Own Greece? With the financial crisis weighing heavily on Greece, creditor nations are now discussing the issue of obtaining collateral for money they loan Greece—in the event that Greece proves unable to pay back any loans. Such collateral could include Greek real estate, or shares in state assets such as utility companies. In fact, some have suggested the Greeks could sell some of their islands or even the Acropolis. Although no "deals" have yet to be agreed upon, given Greece's forecasted inability to repay much of its mounting debt, other nations in Europe could wind up owning much of Greece (www.euractiv.com, August 29, 2011). Long ago, God prophesied that at the end of the age, ten kings would give "their power and authority to" a European beast power (Revelation 17:7-13). While the Bible does not state exactly how this will occur, events across Europe are beginning to suggest ways in which "power and authority" might be given or surrendered to a central political power. If lending nations begin to demand collateral in assets in exchange for loans to handle the debt crisis, this would be a powerful and sobering precedent to set, not only for Europe, but also for the entire world—especially Israelite countries—because the borrower becomes a servant to the lender (see Deuteronomy 28:44; Proverbs 22:7).
China Buying into Italy? "Italy confirmed it held talks with Chinese officials amid speculation Rome is looking to persuade Beijing to buy its bonds or invest in its companies, while premier Silvio Berlusconi flew to Brussels Tuesday to discuss the market turmoil." While Berlusconi met with the EU President about Italy's debt, his government was apparently seeking bailout help from China. The Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times both reported that Italian talks took place last week with the chairman of China Investment Corp. According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, "Europe will continue to be one of China's main investment markets. We will also expand financial and economic cooperation and investment cooperation with European countries to jointly address the financial crisis." China Expert Romeo Orlandi identified the pros and risks of the situation with China: "In principle it's a win-win situation: Italy needs money, China has the world's largest reserves. But this means that we must sell pieces of Italy to China." He added that "the talks may be an indication of how serious Italy's financial troubles are" (Associated Press, September 13, 2011). Not only do Italy's recent actions indicate the depth of the nation's financial woes, they also highlight the tenuous iron-and-clay nature of the European Union—a union of nations whose unstable merger was prophesied millennia ago (Daniel 2:41-43). If China becomes a player in Europe, this may hasten the disruption and rearrangement of the current 27-nation EU. This action could be the beginning of significant developments across Europe.
Oklahoma's Cattle Industry Is Drying Up. Much of Oklahoma has had no significant rainfall in more than a year, resulting in zero crop growth. As a consequence, there is virtually no local food for cattle and it must be imported at great cost. Ranchers are selling entire herds that have taken a decade or more to build because they have no other choice. In the words of one expert, ranchers are "selling their factories"—referring to the potential for future cattle production—because they see a bleak future in an industry that, in some cases, has been a family business for generations. As entire herds are sold, if moist weather does return to Oklahoma anytime soon, it would take several years to build back to productive cattle levels again (Drover's Cattle Network, August 30, 2011). Bible prophecies have long warned that God will punish the Israelite-descended nations if they turn away from Him. Hosea wrote, "Therefore the land will mourn; and everyone who dwells there will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea will be taken away… because they have ceased obeying the Lord" (Hosea 4:3, 10). Moses also conveyed God's warning, "if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments… your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield its produce, nor shall the trees of the land yield their fruit" (Leviticus 26:14-20). As Israelite nations turn away from the laws of God, we are watching these ancient prophecies coming alive in headlines today!—John Meakin, Gene Hilgenberg and Scott Winnail