May 19, 2011
Vol. 188, No. 14
GENERAL COMMENTS
This is an "end times" issue. It seems we have learned very little from the apocalyptic vocalizations of Harold Camping. In the short term, our "living in the last days of earth's history" pronouncements may be good for a few converts, but in the long-run, this continual harping leads to disillusionment and ridicule. Obviously, there are those within he Adventist fellowship who disagree. You will hear their voices here.
A MUST READ article by Karen Birkett Green provides information crucial to understanding and dealing with childhood grief.
REVIEWS
IS "REFORMATION" A CONFUSING TERM? Mark A. Finley provides the authorized definition.
"The spirit of revival and reformation will lead every institutional leader and administrative committee to reevaluate the practices of the institution they lead in the light of biblical principles and the counsels of the Spirit of Prophecy. They will ask, Does the institution I administer genuinely reflect the God-given principles and values of the Seventh-day Adventist Church?"
In THE COURAGE OF OUR CONVICTIONS, Sandra Blackmer explains what it means to stick up for our Adventist convictions in the fast approaching "end-time".
"Regarding God’s people in the end-time, Ellen White writes that 'the whole world was converted and in harmony with the Sunday law, and this little feeble people stood out in defiance of the laws of the land...and claimed to be the only ones right on the earth.' They do this, she says, because they 'take their stand on the living Word' " (Maranatha, p. 209).
Ellen G. White spoke about end-time readiness in GIVE ME OIL IN MY LAMP.
This article was originally published in the Review and Herald, September 17, 1895, under the title “Have You Oil in Your Vessels With Your Lamps?”
"It is in probationary time, the time in which we are living, that we should calmly contemplate the terms of salvation, and live according to the conditions laid down in the Word of God. We should educate and train ourselves, hour by hour and day by day, by careful discipline, to perform every duty. We should become acquainted with God and with Jesus Christ whom He has sent. In every trial it is our privilege to draw upon Him who has said, 'Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.'
"The Lord says He is more willing to give us the Holy Spirit than parents are to give bread to their children. Then let us have the oil of grace in our vessels with our lamps, that we may not be found among those who are represented as foolish virgins, who were not prepared to go forth to meet the bridegroom."
Gena Wahlen provides advice for getting ready for end-time events in PACK YOUR SURVIVAL KIT NOW.
"Talking about the end of time can be challenging. While we don’t want to be alarmists or date-setters, we do believe that the end is near and that certain cataclysmic events will take place before Christ’s second coming."
SEX AND THE CHRISTIAN is Tom Shepherd's warning that these are dangerous times.
"I am afraid that society around us, with its use of sexuality to sell everything from movies to magazines, beer to soap, and cars to cameras, has blinded our eyes and dulled our senses to the immense soul-destroying impact of sexual immorality.:
CHILDHOOD GRIEF, by Karen Birkett Green is a MUST READ. She discusses the common symptoms of childhood grief, and provides ways for adults to help children deal with the underlying painful feelings.
- Children May Not Always Grieve in the Same Way Adults Do. While children may display certain characteristics that we as adults recognize as grief, they may exhibit some behaviors that we do not identify as part of the grieving process.
- Encourage Children to Talk and Share Their Feelings. The subject of death is often an uncomfortable one for most adults. We may not know how to approach the subject with our children and may cope by convincing ourselves that by avoiding it, it will simply go away with the passage of time.
- Be Aware of Common Thoughts and Feelings of Grieving Children. Encouraging your child to share their thoughts about the death of a loved one might uncover some common thoughts and feelings that children have about death.
- Be Mindful of Religious Jargon When Talking to Children About Death. As Christians we will undoubtedly use religious themes when talking to our children about death. It’s important that they understand the Christian perspective of death; however, we must be careful in the words we use to explain it.
- Do Not Force Your Child to Attend Funerals and Other Memorial Services. Taking time to explain the formalities of death, such as funeral home viewings, funerals, and memorial services, is helpful in preparing your child for what to expect and removing the shroud of mystery that often surrounds these rituals.
- Inform Your Child’s School of the Death. Many parents often fail to inform teachers or administrators at their child’s school or day care about the death of a loved one.
- Help Your Child Find Ways of Remembering the Person Who Has Died. Helping your child find meaningful ways to remember the person who has died can also be beneficial to their grieving process.
UP TO THE CHALLENGE is Hyveth Williams RX for end-time challenges.
"The world is falling apart. Major disasters are everywhere. People are dying by the thousands without knowing Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. We have an urgent, divine summons to all who live in these last, difficult days.
"Our mission is to partner with Christ “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Ours was originally a “movement,” not to build institutions that demand more of our financial resources to maintain, leaving little to employ ministers to work for Jesus. Too many divinely called men and women, filled with the Holy Spirit and trained to labor for the Lord, are being turned away because of a lack of funds to hire them. Our mission is clear: we are to know nothing more than Jesus Christ and Him crucified. We must go speedily and tell everywhere that humanity’s hour of decision has come."
AN UNFORGETTABLE FLIGHT as told by Denny Kucich and narrated by Beverly Bass, is the story of a random act of kindness that turned a plane load of individual commuters into a community of friends.
"Just before takeoff a line of soldiers came down the aisle and took the seats across the aisle and in front of me. More came. Still more. Finally 10 soldiers filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I looked around...not one was buying a lunch. I was hungry, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat in front of them. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a $50 bill. 'Please take a lunch to all those soldiers,' I said."
This is the story of how Andy Nash became THE FACE OF HOME DEPOT, and what he learned from the experience.
"The crowd cheered. Then the Home Depot big shots hustled me outside to have my picture taken with two beautiful Home Depot models in front of the official Home Depot race car. (I was the only thing in the photo that wasn’t orange.)"
"GOODNIGHT IRENE is the reflection of Irene Wakeham who is looking forward to her ninety-ninth birthday on June 26, 2011. She describes what she still wants to do as she faces " the fact of my own mortality". Inspiring.
CHURCH NEWS
NEW: Radio Preacher's 'Rapture' Prediction Fails
After 'Great Disappointment, Adventist learned lessons, leaders say.
New: RHPA Officers Re-elected, Board Downsized
Adventist publishing house stems money losses.
New: Union College President Departs
David Smith to pastor Collegedale, Tenn., church.
Kenya: Wilson Stresses Unity
GC president meets head of state.
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