The International Paper for Seventh-day Adventists F R I E N D S H I P
I S S U E
10 Celebrate Wholeness and Health 14 A Life that Transformed the World 24 Connecting With Christ
ope H in a Hectic World ISSN 255003/09614
F R I E N D S H I P
C O V E R
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World President’s
Living the Good Life
Welcome
By James Standish
A D V E N T I S T
L I F E
Welcome to this special issue of
Health and Hope
Adventist World. Through these pages
By Cathy McDonald
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we seek to share with you the hope,
D E V O T I O N A L
Half a Bottle Won’t Last By Judith Fockner
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B E L I E F S
Jesus
you have met us in our many hospitals or clinics, or maybe you or someone you know has attended an
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Changed Lives
Adventist school. It may be that you’ve visited an Adventist church, or your neighbor, friend, or co-
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worker is an Adventist.
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C H U R C H
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The Seventh-day Adventist Church, united in its foundational belief in God and His Word—the Bible, N E W S
Celebrate Wholeness and Health 21
B I B L E
Q U E S T I O N S
A N S W E R E D
It All Begins Here 24
S P I R I T
O F
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is organized into 13 regional administrative divisions that make up the worldwide Adventist Church family. We are glad to share with you a little of who we are, and would be happy to meet you. With Seventh-day Adventists worshiping in more than 200 countries, you’re bound to find someone who would be delighted to talk with you and invite you to visit us.
P R O P H E C Y
Connecting With Christ 26
lically-based, compassionate, wholistic movement with more than 19 million members worldwide. Perhaps
By Oleg Kostyuk
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Saviour, Jesus Christ as we await His soon return! The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a solidly Bib-
F U N D A M E N T A L
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encouragement, and truth that we have found in our
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May you be blessed!
Ted N. C. Wilson President, Seventh-day Adventist Church
Esther: A Light Shining in Darkness 27
G L O W
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www.adventistworld.org Available in 10 languages online
E X C H A N G E
Adventist World
C O V E R
P H O T O :
S E B A S T I A N
J U L I A N
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I S T O C K
/ T H I N K S T O C K
W E L C O M E
Dear Friend,
God created us for a purpose and wants us to live healthy and happy lives.
In the islands of the Pacific most people have heard of the Seventh-day Adventist Church because on average there is one Adventist for every 29 people. In places such as the Solomon Islands the ratio is 1:12. In Australia and New Zealand, however, there are certainly fewer Adventists, and the ratio is more like 1:365. So if you don’t know us, it is because we keep a low profile and get on with life in our families and communities. We eat, drink, and play like most people, but with a twist. We believe that God created us for a purpose and wants us to live healthy and happy lives. So we aim to exercise, eat mainly plant-based foods, not smoke, not drink alcohol, and not use illicit drugs; and we value good rest. This rest is not just a good night’s sleep but also a weekly rest. We take the seventh day of the week for complete rest, as we worship together, spend time with family, go bush hiking, and/or serve the community on the Sabbath. By following these principles, epidemiological studies have shown that Seventh-day Adventists live between six to 10 years longer than the average population and have a better quality of health. We do realize we will all die someday. Death not only brings incredible grief for family and friends, but it seems an absolute waste, because all our knowledge and experience become worm food. Seventh-day Adventists are Christians who believe that Jesus Christ is God, and willingly came to earth as a baby, lived as a human, did good to many people in deeds and teaching, and was cruelly murdered on a Roman cross because of jealousy. However, this death was promised in the Bible as the way to take away evil and its consequence for every human being. Dead people cannot save us, and if Jesus remained dead, He could not save us either. The New Testament says Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection was also recorded by Jewish and Roman historians. Because Jesus overcame death, He has the power to do that for all who believe in Him. Life in this world is pretty crazy. In the South Pacific alone we have droughts, cyclones, and other natural disasters. Seventh-day Adventists are also aware of domestic challenges and understand that domestic violence is on the rise. Although a long way away from the big population centers of the world where ideas, economies, and religions clash, we are not immune to terrorism, war, or economic downturns. People need hope, and we believe Jesus gives hope. He is coming back to this world as the conquering king of the universe, and He is going to set injustice right and create a renewed perfect world. This belief gives us hope and is indeed good news. We want others to know it too. That’s why we are involved in various community groups and give A$20 million to people in need through ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency). We run 61 clinics and Sydney Adventist Hospital, and Atoifi Hospital in the Solomon Islands. We also operate 385 schools with 3,172 teachers and 69,194 students throughout the South Pacific. That’s not mentioning the media work we do through Hope Channel in addition to the printing and distribution of quality books on health, education, spirituality, and the like. So now that you know a little bit more about Seventh-day Adventists in the South Pacific, we hope to become better friends.
Glenn C. Townend President, South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Adventist World
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WORLD REPORT
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A D R A
S L O V E N I A
T
he 2.5 tons of clothing, food, and other humanitarian aid that arrived on the Greek island of Lesbos may have seemed like a miracle to desperate migrants. It was, and more. Seventh-day Adventist volunteers packed the shipment by organizing a lightning donation drive that took Slovenia by storm and created such a traffic jam of donors that the military had to escort the cargo through crowded streets to the airport. “Slovenian people are known for their generosity. When the help is needed, they provide,” said Maja Ahac, Slovenia country director for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). “Most of the donations came from people with low incomes, which is not surprising, as they understand what [poverty] feels like.” Lesbos, an island off Turkey’s coast, is one of the entry points to Europe that has taken the spotlight in the continent’s migrant crisis. The Slovenia aid story began on a Monday evening when ADRA learned via a local group of nongovernmental organizations that an urgent request had come in from a physician and veterinarian vacationing on Lebos. The pair had reported seeing many migrants in distress and no one assisting them. “There was not much time for planning, since the cargo had to be at the Slovenian national airport by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday for the last charter flight to Lesbos the following morning,” the Adventist Church’s Trans-European Division said in a statement. The division includes Slovenia and Greece. ADRA volunteers turned to social media to promote the campaign. While they initially sought cash donations, people from across the southeastern European country of 2 million quickly pitched in. Soon 11 official collection
Left: A Slovenian family leaves donated goods for Lesbos migrants at an ADRA drop-off point in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Right: Maja Ahac, ADRA’s country director for Slovenia, is interviewed by a television crew.
By Andrew McChesney
Migrant Aid
Exceeds Expectations Volunteers process 12.5 tons.
points sprang up, together with more than a dozen unofficial ones in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, and other places. National and private television stations sensed a big story and made the drive the top headlines on their news programs. They noted that ADRA was the first organization in Slovenia to collect and send humanitarian aid to migrants in the crisis. “By Wednesday evening, the first day of gathering humanitarian aid in Ljubljana, all in-kind donations for Lesbos were packed, weighed, listed, and prepared for transport,” Ahac said, according to the division’s statement. “We had to rent another warehouse for the night! And it was only day one of collection in Ljubljana!” The donations kept pouring in on Thursday, the deadline for taking the cargo to the airport, causing a major traffic jam on Ljubljana’s main road. Slovenian soldiers stepped in to help
ADRA volunteers transport all the boxes to the airport, and the cargo managed to arrive two hours ahead of the 3:00 p.m. deadline. The volunteers had hoped to collect 2.5 tons of goods, the maximum space allotted to them on the airplane. They ended up with 12.5 tons. ADRA volunteers contacted ADRA’s branch in Serbia to accept the overflow for local migrants. The Slovenian railroad agreed to cover the cost of transporting the 10-ton shipment to Serbia’s capital, Belgrade. Meanwhile, Slovenia’s national airline, Adria Airways, donated the cost of the transportation of the 2.5-ton cargo to Lesbos. Both airports—in Ljubljana and on Lesbos—allowed the cargo to cross the border without any taxes or other fees. All 12.5 tons of aid reached the hands of grateful migrants in Belgrade and Lesbos’ town of Molyvos. n
Street Kid
By Paul Charles
Becomes a Pastor
“I never repeated a grade at school.”
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few months ago, by God’s grace, I had the opportunity to successfully negotiate a special provision with South Africa’s education authorities for students who could not take exams scheduled on Saturdays, which the Seventh-day Adventist Church observes as the biblical Sabbath. After the discussions and the resolution, the chief director of exams asked me a polite question as we shook hands: “Where are you from?”
Pastor Paul Charles
The question “Where are you from?” is usually an invitation to share a little about yourself. When asked about myself, I like to begin by telling people that I attended 13 different schools in 12 years. People often guess that my parents must have been foreign ambassadors or held high-paying traveling jobs. But then I tell them that my parents were alcoholics, and that my brothers, sister, and I were removed from our home by social workers and
a five-minute court case that decided we should be sent to a place of safety and detention. Our new home ended up being more a place of detention than of safety. Shocked at my forthrightness, people probe a little more and hear that I picked food from trash cans to eat, slept in bus shelters, played in railroad stations, yet hardly missed a day of school except for events beyond my control. I have eaten food thrown away by others, worn clothes that were well worn and faded by others, and slept on floors, in sugarcane fields, and in the beds of others. I have heard the ridicule of a thousand voices for being a burden and always in need. I was born and raised in a crippling environment, and it is nothing short of a miracle that I never repeated a grade at school. At the age of 14, while I was living in a youth center and trying to maneuver between people, places, and things, a godly woman who thought that I needed something more than food to satisfy my unspoken requests and unmentioned questions gently placed the book The Desire of Ages into my hands. She had a compassionate plea in her eyes that looked past the boy who stood in front of her. After I read a second book, Steps to Christ, and while I was still in the middle of a third, Patriarchs and Prophets, she invited me to her church. We entered late, but just in time to hear the preacher say, “A more important question is not who you are, but whose you are.” From that moment, her church became my church, and her God became my God. Continued on next page
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WORLD REPORT Rookmoney Munisami, this woman who led me to Christ, looked into my eyes and, while I was in her embrace, pointed her finger at me and said: “God is calling you to be a pastor, and a pastor.” Rookmoney died two years later, at the same time that I was released from the care of the state. I lived in nine different places until I completed high school. But I will never forget Rookmoney from my very first encounter with her as we stepped out of the same taxi bus and began walking in the same direction toward the same destination. It was her first day of work at the youth center. It was the same day that I was admitted to the youth center. During the next two years God used her to encourage me to study the Bible and walk closer with Him. She assured me that God had a special plan for my life. She was first in line to greet me after I was baptized. She sat right in the front row of the church during my first sermon at the age of 15. I believe God extended her life for two years just for me. And I believe God is extending my life for somebody else, too. There are many things that I am not sure about, but the one thing that I know is that God is busy behind the scenes, orchestrating events in our favor. If only we would believe and live accordingly. If you are alive just as I am alive, it is because God has a plan to reach someone through you. Paul Charles serves the Seventh-day Adventist Church as communication director in the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division. He has authored a number of books, including Revolutionary Preaching . . . in a Secular World and The Wheelbarrow Kid. n
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By Kent Kingston
Fiji’s First
Adventist President Jioji Konousi Konrote says he knows his priorities.
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iji’s first Seventh-day Adventist president says he loves his South Pacific island nation but will keep God first in everything he does. President Jioji Konousi Konrote, 68, who assumed office in November, is a career soldier who rose through the ranks of Fiji’s armed forces and later became a diplomat and a politician. He was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church four years ago and held the twin roles of member of parliament and government minister when the parliament elected him as president. Konrote said in an interview that it was not a challenge to balance his Christian faith with everyday politics. “I’m very much guided by my conscience, and that is based on what is right before the Lord,” he said. “Before I make a decision, I get down on my knees and ask the Lord, ‘Is this right before You, Lord?’ And if it is, that’s it, that’s what’s going to be done,” he said. “It sounds very
simplistic, but that’s it. That’s the way I’ve been living my life.” Konrote acknowledged with a chuckle that his faith has not endeared him with people at times. “I’ve been a soldier all along,” he said. “People say: ‘You’ve gone into politics. You’re a politician.’ But I say: ‘No, I may be in politics as a minister of government, but I will always live my life as a soldier. What is right before the Lord will remain right. There’s no compromise when it comes to that.’ ” Konrote is the only Fijian to have been appointed as a United Nations (UN) force commander. He served as UN assistant secretary-general and force commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, confirming Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon in 1978. The role of president is largely ceremonial, which under Fiji’s 2013 constitution makes him the commander in chief of the armed forces and gives him certain powers that
Left: President Konrote reviews the honor guard. Right: Jioji Konousi Konrote is sworn in as Fiji’s new president in Suva on November 12, 2015.
F I J I
may be exercised in a national crisis. Konrote spoke candidly about his role, which is notable not just because he is an Adventist but also because he is the first ethnic Rotuman to become head of state and the first president not to belong to a chiefly family. Did the election come as a surprise to you? It was certainly a surprise. I’m most humbled and very grateful for the fact that I was considered worthy to be appointed to the post. You’re not only the first Adventist and the first Rotuman to hold this position, you’re also the first from a nonchiefly line. What’s the significance of that? Since we became a republic in 1987, the president has always been along chiefly lines. But I don’t think this is an issue as far as this government is concerned. The 2013 constitution is all about equal citizenry, and it states that whoever is going to be
G O V E R N M E N T
appointed should have a record of service to the country. What is your vision for Fiji? We want Fiji to be one nation, one people, one destiny. How long have you been a Seventhday Adventist? I’m a very new member of the church. I was born a Methodist and raised a Methodist. But I left the Methodist Church four years ago, so I’m a new member of the church. It’s a long story, but a lot of things prompted me and the whole family to make the switch, starting with the fact that I lived in the Middle East and in Israel, the land where the Savior walked. Reading the Bible and going back and comparing it with the secular history convinced me. It’s not that I don’t like other denominations, but it was time, I guess. God has His time and place for everything. When it was time to go, I was very much guided by the Word of the Lord, you know, to “come
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out of her, my people”—come out from Babylon. A position like this comes with a new level of scrutiny. Adventists in particular will ask, “Is this man going to represent us well?” Not only am I going to represent our little community, but I will also represent all the people of Fiji, regardless of religion, race, or ethnic background. That’s my guide. But the fact remains: I’m an Adventist. So Adventists shouldn’t be worried? I don’t think they should be worried. People are happy. I’ve been getting the support of the people. All I’m asking is for all Christians, including our Adventist people, to keep praying and keep righteous before the Lord. n
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A D V E N T I S T
L I F E
H
e who has health has hope; and he who has hope has everything.”1 It’s a profound statement, and when I read it several years ago, it captured my attention. I couldn’t help thinking about the significant opportunity highlighted in this proverb and what it presents for us as a group of people who desire to share health and hope with our community. It challenged me with questions. What is at the heart of the Adventist message of health? What is at the heart of our message of hope? Are the two messages intrinsically linked? How did Jesus share health and hope with people in His community? Our Example in Jesus
During His ministry Jesus healed people. Matthew 4:23 says, “Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.” Jesus’ mission was clearly much broader and deeper than healing physical disease alone. It included emotional, mental, and spiritual healing; the forgiveness of sins; and the experience of being whole in Him. Luke 4:18 says, “He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” (KJV). And Mark 6:56 says, “And as many as touched him were made whole” (ASV).2 Since reading the proverb, I’ve discovered that the words “heal” and “whole” come from the same Old English root, ha¯l.3 Healing is the process of becoming whole. There is indeed a beautiful link between health and hope. I’ve personally found it interesting to reflect on this link between health and hope while also considering the
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Health and
By Cathy McDonald
Hope
The Changing Paradigms of Health changing paradigms of health over time, such as changes in the way societies define and aspire to health. Paradigm Shifts
During much of the twentieth century, mainstream society defined health as the absence of disease, focused on the physical, and primarily sought to treat and cure disease. As important as conventional health-care treatments are, this way of thinking about health has its limitations. It doesn’t appreciate that you can still enjoy well-being in the presence of disease. For example, I know people who have had very difficult encounters with cancer but who still experience a deep sense of peace. This beautifully illustrates that even in our physical brokenness we may still enjoy wholeness in Christ. On the flip side, the conventional health paradigm doesn’t always allow for the fact that someone may not have been diagnosed with a particular disease per se, but may feel unwell through fatigue, loneliness, strained relationships, work stress, guilt, and a sense of
meaninglessness. People sometimes say, “I’m not sick; I just don’t feel well.” Throughout the past few decades researchers and health-care professionals have been experimenting with different paradigms on health. Since the 1980s we have seen the introduction of “preventative” and “alternative” health paradigms, with an emphasis on the connection between physical and mental health, based largely on the premise that we can choose positive thoughts and that these alone will be curative and foster good health. We’ve also seen the emergence of a paradigm defined by its “pursuit of happiness” and that aspires to a more integrated approach to health. In this paradigm there is significant interest in the link between physical and emotional health. And there’s acknowledgment that social health, through supportive relationships, can increase our feelings of well-being. Our “pursuit of happiness,” however, has not made us happy or healthy. We have tended to look for happiness in our achievements, reputation, and material possessions, yet may feel a sense of pov-
erty in terms of self-worth and meaning. This way of thinking does not acknowledge that other emotions, such as sadness and pain, are valid and normal parts of human existence. The Wholistic Approach
Recently there have been strong signals of an emerging wholistic paradigm on health, one that affirms the whole person (body, mind, heart, and spirit) and in which “wholeness” or “becoming whole” is being aspired to. The spiritual side of our existence is not only acknowledged in this paradigm, but is often given centrality. People want to experience a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. Interestingly, the Greek word for happiness, eudaimonia, actually has a meaning more accurately articulated as “contented living, virtuous living, living in a way that contributes to the greater good, having a sense of meaning and purpose in life.” This is the aspiration of the new wholistic paradigm on health. Hugh Mackay, a social commentator, predicted in a presentation I
attended that 2011-2020 will be the decade of spirituality. He said people will search to find an authentic spiritual framework for their lives that will give this desired meaning and purpose, and that they will have plenty of options in the spiritual supermarket from which to choose. Five years in, this prediction is ringing true. Message of Hope and Health
This brings us back to our significant opportunity as individuals and as a church. We have a message of hope that can bring true health, wholeness even in our brokenness. Our message of hope is centered in God. In relationship with Him, empowered by His Spirit and by His grace, we can enjoy meaningful living, regardless of our surrounding circumstances. We can experience His infinite and unconditional love for us. We believe God places infinite value on us, and this assures us of true self-worth. We believe He has gifted each of us with unique talents and gifts that serve a purpose for greater good, and this gives genuine purpose
to our lives. Jesus has, upon His return, promised to give us a full restoration of love; beauty; relationships and community; an authentic renewal of body, mind, heart, and spirit; a reinstatement of life as it was meant to be. Our spirituality is Christ-centered and informed by Jesus’ words: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Personally, I’m challenged to know, experience, and share His precious message of health and hope. It’s a promise of full and abundant living, no matter what. It’s everything. n 1 Thomas
Carlyle. 2 Texts credited to ASV are from The Holy Bible, edited by the American Revision Committee, Standard Edition, Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1901. 3 Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, eleventh edition; www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary.
Cathy McDonald is
executive general manager for health and well-being services at Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing Company in Berkeley Vale, New South Wales, Australia.
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W O R L D
H E A L T H
By Peter N. Landless and Allan R. Handysides
CELEBRATE
Wholeness and Health
E D
G R E G O R Y
Simple steps lead to amazing results!
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very person has goals and desires. Some wish to excel at athletics, golf, or tennis. Others want to be creative, perform or compose music, write, or cultivate exotic plants. Yet others find fulfillment in the professions: healing, teaching, science, law, commerce, architecture. No matter what our age or work may be, we all cherish the feeling of well-being and desire strength and vitality! Do you awaken in the morning feeling as if you have enjoyed quality rest? Do you spring out of bed and embrace the day with the renewed energy that healthful sleep imparts? Or do you dread the sound of the alarm and fumble for the snooze button to put off the reality of a new day? We can make changes that can revolutionize the way we feel, as well as improve the quality of the precious life that the Creator has entrusted to us.
that of others. But how we care for the gift of our health influences the expression of our genetic capacities.
How can we have this more abundant life?
E NVIRONMENT —prevent pollution and littering, and carefully enjoy sunshine. Pollution of water and air, destruction of natural habitats, and massive industrialization threaten the continuation of life as we know it; therefore, environmental awareness is important to the maintenance of health.
Health is not merely the absence of disease, but the complete state of physical, mental, spiritual, social, and emotional well-being. In order to achieve this state, we need to make choices. Choices influence our longevity and wholeness. As we celebrate the gift of life, here are simple and healthful tips for the journey:
C HOICES make the difference—invite God’s Spirit to guide you. To a large extent even our health can be determined by the choices we make on how we live, the risks we take, and the balance we seek in life. We each come into the world with an endowment for health that may vary from
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E XERCISE invigorates—make this a daily routine. Regular exercise is not only a preventive measure; it also works to maintain health at its best. A few of its many health benefits include lower risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and colon cancer. Exercise also helps prevent weight gain. L IQUIDS —refresh and lubricate our lives. Pure water is the drink of choice. Begin drinking water in the morning, because the body is relatively dehydrated from insensible (invisible) loss of water during sleep. Then continue to drink water at regular intervals throughout the day.
B ELIEF and trust in God—live in His presence each day. Belief in a loving God produces a powerful health-promoting state of mind. Nothing is more reassuring than the peace and satisfaction experienced by those who place their lives in the hands of a loving God and are aware of His love for them. This brings health, happiness, and a sense of purpose.
Healthy living can’t be reduced to merely what we eat. R EST each night from your work and toil— refresh both body and mind. Without rest and relaxation, all humans suffer cognitive impairments. Tired people become less efficient, slower, less safe, and more prone to mistakes. To remain “at the top of our game,” we need adequate sleep each night.
A IR sustains the body with oxygen—breathe deeply and be invigorated. Take intentional breaks during worktime to breathe deeply—outdoors, if possible. This helps obtain optimal respiration, ventilation, and blood flow through the lungs. T EMPERANCE implies balanced living—avoid the harmful and use the healthful wisely. Harmful substances include alcohol and tobacco, leading killers in the world today. I NTEGRITY —the key to a clear conscience, sound relationships, and the soft pillow of “no regrets.” It is an essential factor in the prescription for the vital and exuberant celebration of health. O PTIMISM —improves the mood, is based on hope, and positively influences immunity. Optimists may have peace and even joy when things do not turn out the way they wanted. By exercising the choice to be optimistic, we can enjoy wholeness even in our human brokenness. N UTRITION —best provided by a balanced vegetarian diet. In each meal, where available, one can enjoy a wide variety of nutrient-dense, whole-grain breads and cereals, along with rich, colorful fruits and vegetables containing abundant amounts of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, and phytochemicals. These energizing, body-building foods consumed daily in appropriate quantities can reduce the risk of cancer, coronary heart disease, hypertension, intestinal disease, obesity, and osteoporosis. S OCIAL support and connectedness—ensure resilience and meaning in service and caring. They are vital factors in the health of individuals and society because they help strengthen our coping abilities and reduce stress. Healthy living is sometimes reduced to merely what we eat. It’s important to eat the right foods. Scientific evidence
is robust and convincing that a balanced vegetarian diet (using low-fat dairy as a condiment to provide vitamin B12) is associated with longevity and improved quality of life. If your choice is to enjoy a total vegetarian diet (vegan), be sure to supplement your vitamin B12 and vitamin D (vitamin B12 is found only in animal sources or pharmacologic supplements). But there is even more to being healthy! Alcohol is a toxin associated with addiction, accidents, violence, cancer, and cirrhosis. The so-called health advantage attributed to alcohol since the 1970s (“the French paradox”) has been systematically disproved. Particularly because of the causal associations with breast and colon cancer, and also the propensity to addiction, it’s becoming more and more understood that there is no safe level of alcohol intake. Smoking takes the lives of more than 5 million people annually and is another poison to be totally avoided. Our choices inform our health and well-being! It’s worth reemphasizing that daily exercise increases energy, helps maintain ideal weight, improves cognitive function, elevates the mood, and helps ward off depression. Be sure to drink plenty of pure water each day. How much? Enough to ensure that the urine is pale and almost colorless. We are spiritual beings, hardwired by our Creator to enjoy deep and fulfilling relationships with God and with friends and family. We can then live John’s prayer that we “enjoy good health . . . even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 2, NIV). Wholeness—even in our inevitable brokenness, and then, only by His grace! n
Peter N. Landless, a board-certified nuclear cardiologist, is director of the General Conference Health Ministries Department.
Allan R. Handysides, a board-certified gynecologist, is a former
director of the General Conference Health Ministries Department.
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D E V O T I O N A L
W
ould you like someone to write a book about your next holiday trip? Let’s just hope it won’t be Michael Patrick Ghiglieri. I came across his book about 10 years ago, as a newlywed, while on an adventurous trip through the American West. We had been admiring the most magnificent natural wonders and had finally pitched our tent at the Grand Canyon. After a short hike I was browsing through the souvenir shop and stumbled over a 400-page book titled Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon. A thriller? No. I was actually holding a collection entitled Gripping Accounts of All Known Fatal Mishaps in the Most Famous of the World’s Seven Natural Wonders. There had been 683 since the establishment of the national park.
By Judith Fockner
Half a Won’t
Morbid Summer Reading
Undoubtedly, that’s the type of bedtime story every camper is looking for, I thought. What a find. Here are 683 ways to stay forever. Merely reading the table of contents gave me the creeps. One horror story followed another horror story, all of them true. I never bought the book. But it was meant seriously. Lurid, yes; but at the same time aiming to be educational. Michael Ghiglieri had been a tour guide for many years und therefore knew best how many of those tragic stories could have been prevented. A large number of the accidents included people falling off cliffs or crashing in airplanes. Hikers drowning or being hit by lightning bolts also seemed to be rather common. Eventually I started wondering about the most frequent cause of death. What was the biggest hazard? Rattlesnakes? No, not a single deadly bite. The answer was much less spectacular. It was the weather. Most people still fall victim to the high tempera-
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Fighting emotional tures year by year. “Almost routinely— despite the canyon’s infamous heat, its lack of water . . . hikers underestimate levels of thirst,” writes Ghiglieri. A malicious trap: the giant difference of temperature. It’s possible that you start your climb at the upper rim with a comfortable 26 degrees Celsius (approximately 79 degrees Fahrenheit) and reach the bottom of the canyon at 41 degrees Celsius (or 106 degrees Fahrenheit). Remember, the steep climb back to the top lies still ahead! The second trap: extremely low humidity. Your sweat evaporates immediately. So you feel as if you’re not sweating at all while losing a lot of
water without even moving! Guidebooks say: Keep drinking all the time. Even start a day before your hike! Take at least 3.8 liters (one gallon) of water per person. Ghiglieri recalls his record, an unbelievable 11 liters (three gallons) of water on a single trip! There are, however, still people who pack a tiny bottle of energy drink, and suffer from dehydration after a few kilometers. Everyday Foolishness
I thought about Ghiglieri’s book recently while facing a stressful situation. You keep going about your daily business with the same greenness as
Bottle
Last
dehydration
human body. I haven’t found the source for this “sense of being loved” within my own being, though, despite having many helpful advisers. So, like in the canyon, I depend on a constant external liquid supply. And, to paraphrase Ghiglieri: Almost routinely, despite the infamous heat and lack of water, hikers underestimate their levels of thirst and their need for water. We live in a world and culture that is not exactly known for its overflowing friendliness, care, and acceptance. In fact, competition, selfishness, and indifference are quite normal. People do not naturally love us; they use us. They challenge us. They ignore us. All of this scorches us like the blazing canyon heat and burns up our confidence faster than we realize. That’s how I feel. I jump into the day with a small positive thought in the morning, a little kindness for the people around me, and a tiny buffer against emotional injuries. After less than three hours of the day’s heat, however, my wonderful attitude has evaporated. Over the Edge
those tourists, I wondered. You get up in the morning, your mood is at a comfortable 26 degrees, and you think: This is going to be an easy tour—half a bottle will do. The more I thought about it, the more the similarities between a water supply for a major hike and our emotional state hit me: our sense of being loved; the sense that someone understands and appreciates us; the recognition that someone carries us and cares for us. This is a hot topic in my life. It’s precisely this awareness that provides my whole being with energy and power, such as water does for the P H O T O :
J O H N
F O W L E R
Here are some indicators of emotional dehydration I have recognized in my own life. I can’t handle people; I find them exhausting, irritating, or obnoxious. And in case they are smart and beautiful, I feel stupid and ugly myself. Sometimes I become easily discouraged and blame others for everything negative in my life. There are many variations to the same theme. I end up missing out on all the good things because of my parched, selfish condition. The Grand Canyon guidebook says: At the first symptoms, immediately seek some shade, pause, and drink, drink, drink—if you have enough water at hand, that is. I usually expect my basic emotional supply
to come from my husband. He has two disadvantages, though: He is neither almighty nor omnipresent. Which means that mostly his mailbox is answering when I need counsel, comfort, or encouragement. There I am, then, sitting at the bottom of the valley, pressing the last drop out of my small bottle, with the climb up still ahead! At the Source
Honestly, the only One who has proven to be a reliable source of strength in my life is God, the omnipresent one. He’s been there before I was; He’ll always be there. Since I know that He loves me, I don’t need to make myself believe anything. My “sense of being loved” has a totally different quality. The daily heat remains the same, but I live at the source. I drink. God assures me that He won’t allow me to dehydrate emotionally. He tells us: “Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life” (Rev. 22:17, NIV). I am fascinated how simply and accurately this sentence describes my life. God loves me with a never-ending devotion. Sometimes I avidly drink His words. Sometimes I underestimate my thirst and come crawling back parched. Love! Give me love! But I gain experience. Remember what they say about the toughest canyon days? Start drinking plenty before your hike. n
Judith Fockner,
originally from Austria, lives with her husband, Sven, and two sons in Alsbach-Hähnlein, Germany.
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F U N D A M E N T A L
B E L I E F S
J
esus is one of the most misunderstood persons in history. Atheists see Jesus as a sage or an ethicist, but nothing more. Jews agree that He might have been a rabbi, but certainly not the “Son of God,” or Messiah. For Muslims Jesus was a prophet who perhaps conveyed some messages of Allah. Hindus perceive Jesus as a sadhu, a holy man. For those who call themselves Christians, Jesus can also be many different things. Some see Him as a man, others as a miracle worker, yet others as the “Son of God.” These kaleidoscopic views about Jesus are often based on layers of presuppositions and traditions. Ambivalent presentations of Jesus often bring dissonance and lead to conflict in the religion that carries His name. As a result, today more and more Christians are looking for genuine spirituality, authentic religion, and the “real” Jesus. Not to say that the Jesus of today’s Christianity is not real, but His picture certainly feels a little blurry. That’s why two questions naturally arise in relationship to Jesus. First, where can we find this unadulterated presentation of Jesus? Second, who was Jesus, and why should He matter to people living in the twenty-first century? Records About Jesus
A quick Google search will produce thousands of books on Jesus and His life. All of them, however, are based on just a handful of ancient documents. The most important documents on the life of Jesus are the four canonical Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The rest of the New Testament is an interpretation of His life and His teachings. It also testifies to the dedication of Christians to Jesus and further emphasizes the importance of His mission. The records about Jesus outside the Gospels are extremely scarce. Roman authors Tacitus 1 and Pliny the Younger2 have a few lines about Jesus of Nazareth and His followers. Jewish historian Josephus mentions Jesus in passing.3 In addition to them, we can add two more passages from the Jewish Babylonian Talmud.4 And that’s pretty much it. So if we want to understand who Jesus really was and is, we need to look carefully into the four Gospels. They reveal a multifaceted picture of the One who is portrayed as both man and the Son of God.
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NUMBER 4
e us By Oleg Kostyuk
A life that transformed the world
Jesus the Man
The Gospels do not deprive Jesus of His humanity. On the contrary, they present Him as, first and foremost, a human being. He was a baby just like all of us once were (Luke 2:16); He grew up as we do (verses 51, 52); He had an ordinary job as a carpenter (Mark 6:3); He faced difficulties in life, just as we do (Luke 4:1-13). Jesus cried (John 11:35); He smiled; He enjoyed meals with His friends (Matt. 9:10) and those who didn’t like Him (Luke 7:36). He lived a life of an ordinary man, but He was not satisfied with ordinary living. That’s why He loved everyone to the point of death (John 13:1), stood up for those who needed protection (Luke 13:10, 12), abhorred fake religious piety that diminished others (verse 15), and preached a nonviolent resistance (Matt. 5:39). He literally transformed the world around Him. Today our culture praises those who promote unconditional service to humanity and stand against intolerance and inequality. But we seem to forget that these are the very values that were taught and lived by Jesus. For that reason, true followers of Jesus—those who call themselves Christians—are to imitate the life and mission of Jesus the man and champion His ideals.
The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus, the Son of God, was resurrected in the garden (John 20:15), echoing the Garden of Eden and serving as an assurance that God’s mission of restoration has been really launched. Earth is still in need of healing, but complete redemption is on its way. Jesus, the Son of God, promised that He would come back again for the final deliverance and the restoration of all things. Jesus and the Twenty-first Century
The life of Jesus and His personality continue to influence and transform the world. Today His followers are trying to peel off layers of traditions in their attempt to understand the real Jesus. I believe it can be done in three simple steps. First, return to the primary sources about Jesus: the Gospels, found in the New Testament. Second, while reading the Gospels, catch the true, unadulterated portrait of Jesus. You will certainly be captivated by His identity as man and Son of God. Third, seek a personal encounter with Him as a man who experienced the world as you and I do and as the Son of God, whose power and authority can and will restore and heal our broken humanity. n
Jesus, the Son of God
1 Tacitus
Jesus was not just a perfect example for how to live a life of love and radical acceptance. The gospels also portray Him as God’s Messiah, sent to redeem and save the world by establishing His everlasting kingdom. Jesus’ miracles were the signs of the inbreaking kingdom of heaven here on earth (John 20:31). One person at a time, Jesus healed the sick (John 5:8, 9), raised the dead (John 11:43, 44), and transformed lives. Jesus the Son of God, launched a mission of returning people back to the original state of harmony and joyful living anticipated by God for the Garden of Eden. We call this mission the restoration of earth.
3 Josephus
The
Annals 15.44. Letters 10.96, 97. Antiquities 18.63. 4 Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 43a; 107b. 2 Pliny
Oleg Kostyuk, a native of Ukraine, is the writer and host of Cross Connection, a weekly program focusing upon the New Testament Gospels that airs on Hope Channel. He lives with his wife, Julia, in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States, where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in biblical studies. You can watch him at hopetv. org/crossconnection.
Son
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly human, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God’s power and was attested as God’s promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to heaven to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (Isa. 53:4-6; Dan. 9:25-27; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; 10:30; 14:1-3, 9, 13; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17-19; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 2:9-18; 8:1, 2.) P H O T O :
I N T E L L E C T U A L
R E S E R V E S
L D S
M E D I A
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Standish daughter Shea, in her Mona Vale Nippers surf life saving uniform
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C OV E R S T O RY
Livin the
Good
By James Standish
Lı e
strolling, snorkeling, and a day off
E
very Sunday morning my kids don their green and fluorescent-pink Nippers surf uniforms and
C O U R T E S Y
O F T H E
A U T H O R
head down to the beach for lifesaving classes. It’s
a new part of our life since Leisa and I moved our family to Sydney’s Mona Vale Beach. We’re settling in fairly quickly; I was recently asked to join our council’s art and culture committee. Not because I’m particularly artistic or overly cultured, I must say! But I do enjoy doing my bit to make the place we live just a little more lively and interesting.
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Leisa at a cafe near their home: "more beautiful than ever," says James.
Leisa and I: Different
It’s 25 years now since Leisa and I were engaged in the idyllic town of Tauranga, New Zealand, where she taught primary school. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever set eyes on. That hasn’t changed a bit. Yes, I know that’s the sort of thing married guys are meant to say. But it’s really true! Leisa lectured at Macquarie University, a state university not far from where we live, before returning to teach in the classroom last year. “University lecturing is all well and good,” she says, “but I missed the children.” Fair enough. If you see us out walking along Mona Vale Beach in the morning— and you will if you visit our beach, as we walk every morning, rain or shine—you probably won’t notice anything particularly different about us. Unless you have a dog. Because if there’s one thing I can’t resist, it’s a friendly dog. But there is something different about us, and it affects every part of our life. And if you get to know us, you’ll see it. In some ways it will be obvious. In some ways it might be curious. Take, for example, the sausage sizzle that occurs every Sunday morning after Nippers surf lifesaving classes. You couldn’t get either Leisa or me to touch the sizzling bacon or the smoky pork sausages. Resisting a good old Aussie sausage sizzle? That seems almost unpatriotic! But there’s a reason. Leisa and I: Anchored
You see, Leisa and I have anchored our lives in a relationship with Jesus Christ, and that impacts everything about us, including our commitment to a healthy
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lifestyle. We’ve searched the Bible and found the amazing story of Daniel and his friends, who refused to eat the popular foods in Babylon, preferring to stick to a diet rich in fruit, veggies, and whole grains, given by God. The payoff? God blessed them with health and intelligence. Well, those are two things I can’t get enough of! And Jesus Himself? We don’t know exactly what He ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but we do know it wasn’t bacon or pork sausages. So we’ve decided to follow the Bible’s model. How’s that working out for us? Pretty well, I have to say. After all, last year the World Health Organization announced that bacon and processed meats are terrible for us. Well, that’s hardly surprising, but we feel affirmed in our choice to follow Daniel’s example and stick to good, healthy, natural foods. At home we love Middle Eastern falafels, Mexican burritos, enormous Greek salads, and, as I lived for 10 years in Asia, a wide range of Asian specialties. There’s never a boring meal at our home! And it’s always overflowing with fresh goodness. Just as it did with Daniel, following the Bible diet has helped our children perform athletically and academically. Our daughters swim competitively, and I have to tell you, they are like little whole-food-fueled torpedoes in the pool! I won’t bore
Y C O U R T E S
O F T H E
you with the details of their academic successes (don’t you just hate parents who blab on about how smart their kids are?). But suffice to say, they are doing very well, thanks for asking. God’s diet is, no surprise, the best diet of all. Leisa and I: Just Chillin’
We are heavy drinkers, Leisa and I, but not of alcohol. As King Solomon wrote in his book of Proverbs: “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise” (Prov. 20:1, NIV). Living alcohol-free makes us different from most Aussies and Kiwis. And that’s OK, because alcohol is a real curse in our societies. As the Guardian newspaper reported in 2015: “No other drug has come close to causing as much death, illness, violence, and lost productivity as alcohol.” Sure, Aussies and Kiwis are known for downing booze in vast quantities. But we pay a huge price for it—and it’s women and children who bear the brunt of that price.
A U T H O R
Worshipping God isn’t something unusual to the human soul; it is integral to it. But not my wife. And not my kids. Why? Because I follow God’s advice in the Bible and never touch the stuff. And there’s something else that is rather odd about us. We take every seventh day off. Really off. We don’t work. We don’t shop. We don’t compete in sports or do academic work. We chill. That doesn’t mean we sit and watch the grass grow, however. We begin with a beautiful meal as a family Friday night. On Saturday morning my oldest daughter and I have a tradition of walking along the clifftops overlooking the sunrise. Some of our best times together have been out early watching the sun peek over the breaking waves and just chatting away about life, the universe, and everything. After breakfast we head off to meet up with our friends to praise God together. Our friends at church are like an extended family, just a great group of positive, caring human beings. The kids have special ageappropriate classes during which they sing, do crafts, hear stories, and have a chance to talk about their lives, experiences, and thoughts. Not surprisingly, they love it. I say not surprisingly, as according to a report in the UK’s Daily Telegraph: an Oxford University researcher (1) found young children have faith even when they have not been taught about it by family or at school, and (2) argues that even those raised alone on a desert island would come to believe in God.
Worshipping God isn’t something unusual to the human soul; it is integral to it. We are naturally inclined to seek connection with a higher power. We’re designed for it! It takes effort to resist this call on our lives. And I’m concerned that when we impose an artificial atheistic worldview on our psyches, we may harm ourselves. Far better to experience the love and joy that comes naturally from being thankful to God for all He has given us. Part of what He’s given us is this amazing world. On Saturday afternoons we try to get out and about. When it’s warm, we sometimes head down to Shelly Beach to go snorkeling in the marine reserve there. When the weather’s cool, we often grab our bikes and head to the Narrabeen Lagoon. There’s a fabulous new bike path all the way around the lagoon, with cool bike bridges over the inlets. If you’re ever in Sydney, check it out. It’s glorious! Want to recharge your batteries after a brutal week at work? Shut down the computer. Turn off the TV. Don’t check work e-mail or take business calls. After 24 hours of time with God, family, friends, and a good dose of time in our natural environment, you’ll face another week pumped up and ready to go. Of course, for most of us living busy lives, it’s hard to imagine taking a full day off a week. But I’m a lawyer, and I took a day off every week all the
way through law school and when I was in private practice, and I do it now that I work in media. It doesn’t hurt my productivity; in fact, it greatly enhances it! So where did we get this idea from? Again, it comes straight from the Bible. God tells us in the Ten Commandments to take a break every seventh day of the week, the day we call Saturday (the Sabbath). That’s what Jesus did when He was on earth (Luke 4:16). It’s what early Christians did (Acts 13:42-44). And that’s what Leisa and I do. Does it make us different? Well, you can’t get much different than unplugging for a day in our modern world! But would I exchange the Sabbath for just another day on the 24/7 grind? No way! The Sabbath is a beautiful gift from God. Leisa and I: Praying
Which, I suppose, brings me naturally enough to another thing that’s different about our family. We start each day with a prayer together, and we end each day with prayer. Not long and drawn-out prayers. Just short prayers expressing our gratitude for all we have. Prayers for strength and wisdom. Prayers when we’re hurting. Prayers when others are hurting. Prayers about our hopes and dreams. All of it. Prayer is the most natural thing we do. Because we believe in some kind of myth or fairy tale? No. Because we know God. We know Him from His Word, the Bible. We know Him from His works all around us in nature. And most of all, we know Him by the way He gently moves in our lives. I could, of course, give a wide range of intellectual reasons God
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C O U R T E S Y
O F T H E
exists. You know the evidence. The extraordinary fine tuning of the universe. There’s the irreducible complexity of life. There’s the necessary interdependency of systems, with each requiring the other to be of any utility, but neither having a reason to evolve unless the other already existed. And there’s the amazingly intricate, complex, and astonishingly accurate prophecies in the Bible, predicting everything from precisely when Jesus would be born, to where, of whom, how much He’d be betrayed for, that He’d rise again: hundreds of specific prophecies written many hundreds and in some cases thousands of years before His birth. There’s all of these and many more reasons to believe in the God of the Bible. But the human choice to believe, or not to believe, has less to do with our intellects and more to do with our experiences. We’ve all been let down by other humans who claim to be Christians. We’ve all seen the failures of churches and church leaders. We’re all aware that there is no institution or human who is without fault. And some of us have suffered serious harm at the hands of the “pious.” But this is my experience: No matter the failures of humans, when I’ve reached out to God, He has never let me down. That’s not to say my life is smooth sailing. My parents divorced. Then my dad was killed in a car accident. We had a very precious, longed-for, little baby die late in pregnancy. All of that. And the usual 101
A U T H O R
James and Leisa at their engagement in Tauranga, NZ
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amazingly good work, and to be directly involved. We teach our kids to get involved in helping others too. After all, the biblical book of James says that helping others is what true religion is all about. Leisa and I: Got to Go!
disappointments and discouragements everyone faces. But through all of it, the hope, comfort, and love that God has given to us has helped us through. The answer to pain isn’t to reject the One who can heal us. The answer is to realize that we live in a damaged world because too many have rejected God; and that our only path to restoration is through His Son, Jesus. I could go on all day about the ways the love of Jesus impacts our lives. Let me just mention one more: giving back. I love snorkeling; I also enjoy a good scuba dive. I’ve been fortunate enough to dive in Asia, North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Australia, and all across the South Pacific. And everywhere I’ve traveled I’ve seen clinics and schools run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church serving the poorest and most vulnerable. I have to tell you, it is inspiring stuff! So we’re glad to play a very small role in supporting all that
I’m up early writing. And Leisa’s just woken up. It’s time to get over to the beach and breathe that beautiful clear air coming off the Pacific Ocean and soak up the joy of another sunrise. I don’t know the challenges we’ll face today. It could prove to be a day when all the projects and plans I’ve been working on come together in a wonderful symphony of successes. It could be a day where everything I’ve planned crashes into a heap. Probably it will be a little of both! But whatever comes my way, I can face it with courage and confidence because I’m not facing it all alone. As the Bible says: “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, NLT).* n * Bible texts credited to NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
James Standish is director of communication for the South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
B I B L E
Q U E S T I O N S
A N S W E R E D
It All
What Is the Bible?
Begins Here
The Bible/Holy Scripture is the sacred writings of Christians from which they acquire their understanding of God, their beliefs, and the way they live. They consider it a divine gift to humanity that guides all in their pilgrimage on earth and in their preparation for a future life with the Lord. I will summarize some of the reasons Christians consider the Bible their sacred text. 1. Origin of the Bible: The origin of the Bible and its central purpose are interconnected. It originated with God, who, in speaking to humans, revealed Himself to us as a God who cares for and loves us in spite of our lack of concern for Him and of the pain and suffering we experience. It was precisely because of our miserable condition that He chose to speak to us in order to infuse hope in our lives in the midst of our hopelessness. “All Scripture is Godbreathed [originated in God],” wrote Paul the prophet (2 Tim. 3:16, NIV). For Christians, the divine origin of the Bible invests it with unique authority. 2. Prophets and the Bible: God took the initiative to address us, but He did it through humans chosen by Him as mediators of His self-manifestation to the human race. He spoke directly to them in dreams and visions and through His spoken word, and they shared the messages received with others through their spoken and written word. Yet, what they proclaimed was what they received from the Lord: “The word of the Lord came to me,” said Jeremiah the prophet (Jer. 1:11). Humans could learn about God and His character only through His own selfdisclosure, and He did it throughout several millennia by means of His prophets. These prophets preserved for us the divine instruction in the Holy Scripture, our sacred text. 3. Christ and the Bible: Since the main reason God chose to address the human race through His prophets was to reveal the loving nature of His character, His revelation through the prophets was not enough. Only God can reveal to the human race the fullness of His character. He did it, not through a prophet, but by
becoming a human being and dwelling among us. This happened through Jesus Christ, who is God Himself in human nature. John the prophet writes, “The Word became flesh. . . . We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, NIV). In His own person, actions, and teachings God revealed Himself to us as never before as a God of love who was willing to do for us the unimaginable in order to restore us to permanent fellowship with Him. The revelation of God through Jesus Christ is supreme and unsurpassable; it is final because in it God Himself spoke directly to us. 4. Message of the Bible: The central character of the Bible is the God who spoke to us as Creator and Redeemer through Jesus Christ. As Creator, He brought into existence a very good creation that was later damaged by a rebellion in heaven against the goodness of God’s character. Humans joined the rebellion, and consequently we are all involved in a cosmic conflict. In the Bible God has preserved His self-revelation in order to call us to join Him in His conflict against the forces of evil. These forces cause suffering and death on the planet as they attempt to occupy the place of God on earth. As Redeemer, God became human, experiencing our suffering and dying for us. He now offers to all who join Him in the cosmic conflict what He originally intended for us, namely, the joy of eternal life. On the cross Christ defeated the forces of evil and revealed the unsearchable love of God manifested in His sacrifice for the human race. He demonstrated to the cosmos that God’s will for all is always good. His victory will be consummated at the Second Coming when the forces of evil will be deleted from the universe and there will be a new heaven and a new earth. The Bible is a book of hope given to us from God through Jesus Christ. n
After a distinguished career as a pastor, professor, and theologian, Angel Manuel Rodríguez is retired, living in Texas.
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F I R S T
P E R S O N
One Incredible From
Gangs to God By Rome Ulia, associate pastor at Kempsey Adventist church and South Kempsey Aboriginal church, New South Wales, Australia
I
grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, with three siblings: two sisters and a brother. Our mother was very religious, but our father was not. Dad was a heavy drinker and violent in nature. My mother, though, was a woman of prayer. She prayed for my siblings and me, and especially for my father. I was never able to discuss anything with my dad. He spoke to me only when I was in trouble. Whenever Dad was silent, I knew I had done something right. Dad would never speak his heart to us. He always kept his feelings in check. I struggled academically in
school and developed a hatred for it. My mother prayed for me every day, but nothing changed, so I developed a hatred for God as well. Eventually I was expelled from high school. I felt terrible. My parents had made many financial sacrifices for me, and I had failed them. My father and I had a big argument, so I left home and joined a gang of thugs and drug dealers. For the first time I felt as if I had purpose in my life. All my attempts to do something good with my life had failed, and gang life seemed to be my only option. Among the “boys” I felt loved and accepted.
From Despair to a
New Life in Jesus By Katherine Baker, a member of the Invercargill Seventh-day Adventist Church in New Zealand
A
bout 18 years ago my marriage began to fall apart. I became depressed, and the loneliness was unbearable. I began spending time with my neighbor, and one day while visiting her, I noticed her Bible.
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I asked if I could borrow it, and she said, “Sure.” I couldn’t put the Bible down, and kept reading it all that weekend. On Monday, after my daughters left for school, I prayed a simple prayer: “Oh,
HAPPY COUPLE: Keti and Rome Ulia
God, I am so sorry!” I fell down on my knees and cried. What I was reading in the Bible related so well to what was happening in my life, and through His Word Jesus began to show me the road I must take. A Huge Life Upset
At that time I was attending a Pentecostal church. In 2000 I decided to become a chaplain, and I served in that capacity for four years. Then in May 2004 my life was turned upside down. I woke up one morning lying on the floor. I’d had a stroke. The fol-
God!
Two Life Stories, Two Unique Journeys
Life-changing Experience
I soon met a woman, Keti, who became my escape from reality. We had been together for four years when she told me she was pregnant. I tried to convince her to abort the baby. We made an appointment for an abortion, but although I turned up, she didn’t. We argued over that decision until the day she gave birth to our son. This baby changed my life; he gave me something for which to live. I entered the hospital that day not caring about life, but I walked out excited! Then a gang-related brawl took place, and I was arrested on assault charges and unauthorized possession of a firearm. My mother was the only one who turned up at my court cases and for visitations. Keti and I were no longer together. She didn’t want my son to grow up around someone like me. When I was released from prison, I tried to be reconciled with my son, but his mother wouldn’t allow it. She had started a new life without me. I found I was no longer cut out for
lowing August I had another stroke. I lost my speech and mobility. After spending two weeks in the hospital, I was in rehab for almost a year. I was heartbroken and frustrated. After I finally returned home, I went back to church, but I felt spiritually dissatisfied and began to search for something more. One day a woman from church told me about a prophecy program being run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, so I attended. When I heard the messages presented about Bible prophecy, Jesus, and the SabP H O T O S :
C O U R T E S Y
O F T H E
A U T H O R S
gang life. Many of my mates were deep into drugs, but I wanted nothing but my son. I decided to leave the gang, and went to live with my brother in Cooranbong, Australia. A Welcoming Brother
When I arrived in Cooranbong, I was broken and depressed. I tried to forget about my past, especially my son. But I couldn’t. Thankfully, my brother welcomed me with open arms. He was a changed man, a newborn Christian and family man. He helped me find work and start a new life. One day he took me to the Avondale College Library and introduced me to social networking. That was how I found my son and his mother. I decided to try to contact Keti in hopes that she would allow me to be a part of my son’s life. I wrote to her every day. Ten months later she finally responded and said yes. I flew back to New Zealand and proposed to her. We got married and left for Australia to begin a new life together.
bath, I was captivated, and my heart was deeply touched. I had never heard such messages before. I was convinced that God had led me there. A year later, after consistent Bible study, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and was baptized at the Invercargill Adventist Church. My excitement was immense! I am so thankful that God led me to a church that follows the teachings of the Bible. Every day I am learning more about Jesus and am getting ready for His second coming. I praise the Lord for His goodness! n
A Surprise Call
About a year later I received a surprise phone call from my father. He wanted to visit me and my family. My dad had changed. He was now a leader in the church. My mother’s prayers for him had been answered, as well as those for my brother and his family. She had not not given up praying for me. My family and I picked up Dad from the airport, and that evening at the dinner table he opened up his heart to me for the first time. He said, “I love you, son, and I’m proud of you.” I broke down and cried. I made peace with my dad, and before he returned to New Zealand I asked if there was anything I could do to help make up for lost time. He said, “Take your family to church. Raise your son and a new generation of Godfearing children, and don’t look back.” After Dad left on the plane that night I went home, found a Bible, and started reading it. I read it every day, all the way into the waters of baptism! My mother said, “Thank You, Lord! After 30 years You have finally answered my prayers.” n
A CHANGED LIFE: Katherine Baker (left) stands with Invercargill church pastor Romina Lata Masih.
Adventist World
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S P I R I T
O F
P R O P H E C Y
CONNECTING Wi
Christ
By Ellen G. White The book Steps to Christ by Ellen G. White has changed millions of lives. Translated into more than 160 languages, this inspirational classic offers a step-by-step guide to knowing, loving, and following Jesus Christ. Here are excerpts from each chapter of this transformational work.
Step 1:
God’s Love for Humanity
“ ‘God is love’ is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass. The lovely birds making the air vocal with their happy songs, the delicately tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air, the lofty trees of the forest with their rich foliage of living green—all testify to the tender, fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children happy. . . . “God has bound our hearts to Him by unnumbered tokens in heaven and in earth. . . . Yet these but imperfectly represent His love. Though all these evidences have been given, the enemy of good blinded the minds of men. . . . It was to remove this dark shadow, by revealing to the world the infinite love of God, that Jesus came to live among men.”1
Step 2:
The Sinner’s Need of Christ
“It is not enough to perceive the loving-kindness of God, to see the benevolence, the fatherly tenderness, of His character. It is not enough to discern the wisdom and justice of His law, to see that it is founded upon the eternal principle of love. Paul the apostle saw all this when he exclaimed, ‘I consent unto the law that it is good.’ ‘The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.’ . . . [But] he . . . cried out, ‘O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?’ (Romans 7:24, margin). Such is the cry that has gone up from burdened hearts in all lands and in all ages. To all, there is but one answer, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29).”2
Step 3:
Repentance
“How shall a man be just with God? How shall the sinner be made righteous? It is only through Christ that we can be brought into harmony with God, with holiness; but how are we to come to Christ? Many are asking the same question as did the multitude on the Day of Pentecost, when, convicted of sin, they cried out, ‘What shall we do?’ The first word of Peter’s answer was ‘Repent’ (Acts 2:37, 38). . . .
24
Adventist World
A step-by-step guide to knowing, loving, and being a follower of Jesus “Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life.”3
Step 4:
Confession
“Confession of sin, whether public or private, should be heartfelt and freely expressed. It is not to be urged from the sinner. It is not to be made in a flippant and careless way, or forced from those who have no realizing sense of the abhorrent character of sin. The confession that is the outpouring of the inmost soul finds its way to the God of infinite pity.”4
Step 5:
Consecration
“Do you feel that it is too great a sacrifice to yield all to Christ? Ask yourself the question, ‘What has Christ given for me?’ The Son of God gave all—life and love and sufferP H O T O :
I N T E L L E C T U A L
R E S E R V E S
L D S
M E D I A
ith ing—for our redemption. . . . Every moment of our lives we have been partakers of the blessings of His grace, and for this very reason we cannot fully realize the depths of ignorance and misery from which we have been saved. Can we look upon Him whom our sins have pierced, and yet be willing to do despite to all His love and sacrifice?”5
Step 6:
Faith and Acceptance
“You have confessed your sins, and in heart put them away. . . . Now go to Him, and ask that He will wash away your sins and give you a new heart. Then believe that He does this because He has promised. This is the lesson which Jesus taught while He was on earth, that the gift which God promises us, we must believe we do receive, and it is ours.”6
Step 7:
The Test of Discipleship
“That so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from the obligation of obedience to God is not faith, but presumption. ‘By grace are ye saved through faith.’ But ‘faith, if it hath not works, is dead’ (Ephesians 2:8; James 2:17).”7
Step 8:
Growing Up Into Christ
“In the matchless gift of His Son, God has encircled the whole world with an atmosphere of grace as real as the air which circulates around the globe. All who choose to breathe this life-giving atmosphere will live and grow up to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.”8
Step 9:
The Work and the Life
“The apostle says, ‘Let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God’ (1 Corinthians 7:24). The businessman may conduct his business in a way that will glorify his Master because of his fidelity. If he is a true follower of Christ he will carry his religion into everything that is done and reveal to men the spirit of Christ. . . . “You are not to wait for great occasions or to expect extraordinary abilities before you go to work for God.”9
Step 10:
a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose rarely seen in these times.”10
Step 11:
The Privilege of Prayer
“Through nature and revelation, through His providence, and by the influence of His Spirit, God speaks to us. But these are not enough; we need also to pour out our hearts to Him. In order to have spiritual life and energy, we must have actual relationship with our heavenly Father. . . . “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. . . . Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.”11
Step 12:
What to Do With Doubt
“Many, especially those who are young in the Christian life, are at times troubled with the suggestions of skepticism. . . . “God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration.”12
Step 13:
Rejoicing in the Lord
“Satan is exultant when he can lead the children of God into unbelief and despondency. He delights to see us mistrusting God, doubting His willingness and power to save us. . . . “Thank God for the bright pictures which He has presented to us. Let us group together the blessed assurances of His love, that we may look upon them continually.”13 n 1 Steps
to Christ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1956), pp. 10, 11.
2 Ibid., p. 19. 3 Ibid., p. 23. 4 Ibid., p. 38. 5 Ibid., p. 45. 6 Ibid., pp. 49, 50. 7 Ibid., p. 61. 8 Ibid., p. 68. 9 Ibid., pp. 82, 83. 10 Ibid., p. 90.
A Knowledge of God
“There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the study of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If God’s Word were studied as it should be, men would have
11 Ibid., p. 93. 12 Ibid., p. 105. 13 Ibid., pp. 116-118.
Seventh-day Adventists believe Ellen G. White (1827-1915) exercised the biblical gift of prophecy during more than 70 years of public ministry as an author and speaker.
Adventist World
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S T U D Y
Esther
O T T O
A Light Shining in Darkness By Mark A. Finley
T
hroughout the Bible, God has used faithful women to advance His cause and make a powerful impact for His kingdom. Jochebed, the mother of Moses, influenced the entire Egyptian empire. Miriam, Moses’ sister, played a significant role in the nation of Israel. Deborah was a faithful judge at a time when male leadership failed. In the New Testament could there be a woman more influential in human history than Mary, the mother of Jesus? Then there was Lydia, a successful businesswoman, who established the first Christian church in Europe in her own home after her conversion in Philippi. This month’s study will focus on one of the Bible’s stalwart heroes of faith. Esther was brought on the scene of earth’s history during Israel’s captivity in Persia and Media. When King Ahasuerus desired to choose a new queen to replace Vashti, Esther’s faithful commitment to God and her desire to honor Him changed the future of the Jews.
1
Who was Mordecai, and what was Esther’s relationship to him? Discover the answer in Esther 2:6, 7.
2
When King Ahasuerus was preparing to choose a new queen, how does the Bible describe his response to Esther? Read Esther 2:16-18. The Scripture declares that Esther found “grace and favor” in the king’s sight. Her commitment to God flowed through her life. The qualities of humility, unselfishness, kindness, and compassion were reflected in her radiant countenance. The king saw in this woman of faith something different that strangely attracted him. Like Moses, Joseph, and Daniel, Esther revealed the inner strength that comes from a heart dedicated to pleasing God.
3 What do the following verses tell you about the character of Esther? Read Esther 2:15, 20-22. 26
Adventist World
S E M P L E R
B I B L E
4
Haman, the chief prince of Persia and Media, developed a conspiracy against the Jews. What was his ultimate goal? Read Esther 3:5, 6, 8-11, 13. Motivated by greed and the desire to dominate the inhabitants of the kingdom, Haman influenced the king to pass a decree “to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews” (Esther 3:13). Haman misunderstood a vital, eternal truth: God is sovereign. At times He allows His people to go through difficulties and extreme trials, but only to further His cause and advance His ultimate purpose.
5 When Mordecai learned of Haman’s conspiracy against the Jews, how did he challenge Esther and bring out that which was noble in her? Discover the answer in Esther 4:13, 14. 6 What was Esther’s response to Mordecai’s earnest appeal? Read Esther 4:15, 16. Esther sensed that she was a woman of destiny. In that moment she recognized that God had placed her in the king’s palace for a special purpose. It is a wonderful thing to recognize one’s purpose in life, to realize that God has placed each one of us on earth at a particular time, in a particular place, to fulfill His will and be part of a plan larger than ourselves to accomplish His purposes.
7 How did Esther’s faithfulness to God impact the entire history and future of Israel? Read Esther 8:8-11; 10. As a result of the faithfulness of one godly woman, the future of a nation was changed. We too have been born to accomplish the purpose of God in the very place we live. Our lives are not cosmic accidents, or products of random chance. The greatest joy in life is to know God and discover His purpose for our lives. His purpose is always far more amazing than anything we can imagine. Why not recommit your life to Him and ask Him to reveal His purpose for you? n
GLOW: Giving Light to Our World
through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). So we find that the very verse that warns us that we have earned death, also announces the remedy as a gift --the greatest, most valuable gift in all eternity. We need not get on a list, we need not wait. We can have it here and now, simply for the asking. We have seen the steps. Simply recognize your need, confess that you need this new heart, and ask God to give it to you. There is no magic formula, no set words. Just ask. Brody came through his transplant operation in high spirits. He not only had a new heart, he had a new life. But he had to learn how to live that new life. When we receive our new heart, we also need to learn how to live a new life. God has supplied the church, a community of others who have received new hearts, to help us learn to live that new life. Enjoy the gift!
A Gif t
for You
4
*All names have been changed.
3
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
1
Giving Light to Our World
2
Cover image: ©www.iStockphhoto.com
Are you ready for an adventure? One of the most exciting things we Christians can do is to share the wonderful message that God has given us. And one of the simplest ways of doing this is by handing out a piece of literature! Not long ago a man purchased several religious tracts. One of those tracts—which talked about what happens after death—ended up traveling to another country. There the tract was passed from hand to hand, until it ended up with a Baptist pastor who translated it into French and read it to 80 people at a funeral. Another person, a young woman, simply laid one of the tracts on a table. A jail chaplain happened to pick it up and read it. He later ordered more than 2,000 pieces of literature for the 900 inmates in his jail. Another woman timidly handed a tract to her seatmate on a bus one day. To her surprise, the man said, “I was just praying for God to send me a sign if He didn’t want me to commit suicide. I think this is it.” “We know not what may be the results of giving away a leaflet containing present truth.”* So, once again, are you ready for an adventure? In this month’s magazine we’ve included a GLOW tract for you to cut out, fold up, and hand out. As you do this, you will be joining more than 1.5 million Adventists across the globe who are doing the same thing! Take time to pray that God will guide you to a divine appointment or give you a creative idea. Then simply give the tract away or leave it somewhere to be found. Adventist World will print a cutout GLOW tract periodically throughout the year. Each time you give your tract away, send Adventist World the story of your divineled appointment, and how you distributed the tract. E-mail your story to nelson@puconline.org. Be as creative as you can, and your story might be featured in a future edition of Adventist World!
somber reality intruded. They recognized that the same event that gave them new hope had dashed the hopes of some other family. Brody’s chance at life came at the cost of someone else’s death. Our opportunity for a spiritual heart transplant, for salvation from sin, for a better life here and now, and eternal life hereafter, also comes at the cost of a life. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Notice, Christ died for us not “when we were worthy,” or “when we obeyed God’s law perfectly,” or even “when we became aware of our need,” but “while we were still sinners.” Brody’s heart was only going to get worse without a transplant. His desperate need made him eligible. And he had to depend on someone, somewhere, making a gift of a healthy heart. No hearts were available for purchase, and if they were, he and his family could not afford one. Once again, the same holds true for salvation: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
Stories
* Ellen G. White, Colporteur Ministry (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1953), p. 5.
The phone call—the call everyone hoped for, and everyone dreaded—came at 2:00 am. “We have a heart for Brody*,” the voice said. Everyone hoped for the call because 12-year-old Brody had been on the heart transplant list for many days, and before long his condition would deteriorate to the point where he would no longer be considered a good candidate for a heart transplant. When that happened, he would be removed from the list, taking with it his last hope. But on this day, Brody and his family were about to receive an incredible gift–the gift of a new heart, the gift of a new life. The Bible tells us that we are all in a situation more desperate than Brody’s, for more than this life is at stake. We have earned eternal death, because “The wages of sin is death,” (Romans 6:23) and “[We] all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). When we understand the original Greek in the latter verse, we
A Gift for You realize how desperate our situation is. The Greek words translated “fall short” indicate a continuing action—we continue to fall short. Sin is not just about past actions, but about our continuing state of existence. In good times, it’s easy to convince ourselves that this is not so. That we are really good people—not perfect, mind you—but not really evil. And then the neighbor gets a promotion and a raise we had hoped for, or buys a new car, and we discover envy in our hearts. Or we see a glamorous model or actress and wonder . . . well, let’s just say lust makes its presence known. Perhaps a car cuts in front of us in traffic, and we find a level of anger that surprises us. The more we honestly examine our lives, the more we see this is true. As a young atheist and professor at Oxford described the experience, “For the first time I examined myself with a seriously practical purpose. And there I found what appalled me; a zoo of lusts, a bedlam of ambitions, a nursery of fears, a harem of fondled hatreds. My name was legion.” (C. S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy) All this sin, we are told, proceeds from our sinful
E A S T
V E N E Z U E L A
U N I O N
M I S S I O N
hearts. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart[a] brings forth evil” (Luke 6:45). Indeed, it is our sinful hearts that hide our true sinfulness from us, because “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9). And so we find that, like Brody, our hearts are the source of our problem. We are not going to get better. No regimen or treatment will help us—our defective hearts must be replaced or we will die. Brody had to go on a list and wait. No amount of money could purchase what he needed. If no one would give him a heart, he would die. Our case is similar, but the Bible has wonder ful news for all of us in this desperate situation. It tells us that such a gift is available: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). Even better, there’s no waiting list, this replacement heart is available immediately, and once it replaces our own heart, we will not only continue to live, we will enjoy a different
F L O R I D A
H O S P I TA L
quality of life. Everyone dreaded the call because the procedure involved serious risks. Before the healthy heart could be implanted, his own heart would have to be removed. Once surgery began, there would be no turning back. With all these thoughts in the back of their minds, Bill and Jill roused themselves in the predawn dark, preparing themselves and Brody for the fateful journey to the hospital. Once there, they saw their son wheeled off on a gurney. We, also, must go through a kind of death first. Just as Brody had to allow surgeons to remove his own heart before a transplant, so we must give up on our natural heart. We must recognize that we need more than a touch-up here and there, more than a minor adjustment or correction—we need radical surgery. Nothing less will do. This frightening risk provided one reason Brody and his parents dreaded the call that a heart had become available. And although Brody’s parents rejoiced at the opportunity for a better life for their son, another, more
IDEA EXCHANGE
N I G E L
of
The Healing
Ministry
Health and healing have been part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s ethos from its very beginning as a movement. Adventists operate more than 425 hospitals, clinics, lifestyle centers, and sanitariums around the world: everything from tiny clinics in developing countries (which provide the only medical care for miles) to world-renown medical centers that serve entire metropolitan areas and have a worldwide clientele. Adventists put a premium on health because of the example of Jesus, who spent as much time healing as He spent teaching. Adventists’ emphasis on general health principles such as diet, rest, exercise, and faith has been demonstrated to increase longevity and promote spiritual and emotional health.
Jesus
C O K E
By the
Book
Seventh-day Adventists operate the largest Protestant educational system in the world. Its institutions span the spectrum from elementary to university. Many of its colleges and universities are regularly cited among the best schools in their respective countries. Some statistics (as of December 31, 2014):
Schools
Teachers
Students
Elementary
5,332
50,330
1,145.006
Secondary
2,296
32,070
566,301
Worker Training
49
500
5,922
Colleges and Universities
115
12,839
147,123
7,792
95,739
1,864,352
TOTAL
For information about Adventist education where you live, visit Education.GC.Adventist.org.
Prayer
PRAISE
Since its inception, Adventist World magazine exists to connect Adventists around the world in faith and fellowship. Perhaps the most powerful tool to accomplish this is prayer. Each week the editorial staff meets to pray for individuals who send us their requests. We also publish a sampling of those requests in each issue. Send your prayer requests to prayers@adventistworld.org, and watch this space so you can encourage your fellow believers with your prayers.
Adventist World
29
A
Brief History
of Seventh-day Adventists Matthew 28:19, 20: Jesus commissions His followers to take the gospel to “all the nations.”
William Miller
John Nevins Andrews
Martin Luther posts his 95 theses, questions, or propositions about the gospel in faith and practice.
William Miller, a lay Baptist preacher, announced that based on his study of the Bible, Jesus would return within 21 years.
Millerite Adventists experienced the “Great Disappointment,” when Jesus did not return as expected on October 22, 1844.
Further Bible study uncovered the understanding of the beginning of Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary on October 22, 1844.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is formally organized in Battle Creek, Michigan, United States.
The Western Health Reform Institute was founded in Battle Creek to care for the sick and provide instruction about living healthfully.
The first official Seventh-day Adventist missionary, John Nevins Andrews, helped start a publishing house in Basel, Switzerland.
The first Seventh-day Adventist college opens in Battle Creek, Michigan, United States, with a coeducational student body.
Abram La Rue arrived in Hong Kong and began selling Adventist literature.
Englishman Abraham C. Enns and German Johannes Ehlers arrived in Tanganyika (then German East Africa; now Tanzania) as the first Adventist missionaries in Africa.
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Adventist World
USA Today names the Seventh-day Adventist Church the fastest-growing denomination in North America.
“Behold, I come quickly…” Our mission is to uplift Jesus Christ, uniting Seventh-day Adventists everywhere in beliefs, mission, life, and hope.
Publisher The Adventist World, an international periodical of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The General Conference, Northern Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists®, is the publisher. Editor and Executive Publisher Bill Knott Associate Publisher International Publishing Manager Chun, Pyung Duk Adventist Review Ministries Board Ted N. C. Wilson, chair; Guillermo Biaggi, vice chair; Bill Knott, secretary; Lisa Beardsley-Hardy; Williams Costa; Dan Jackson; Peter Landless; Robert Lemon; Geoffrey Mbwana; G. T. Ng; Daisy Orion; Juan Prestol-Puesán; Ella Simmons; Artur Stele; Ray Wahlen; Karnik Doukmetzian, legal advisor Adventist World Coordinating Committee Jairyong Lee, chair; Yutaka Inada, German Lust, Pyung Duk Chun, Suk Hee Han, Gui Mo Sung Editors based in Silver Spring, Maryland André Brink, Lael Caesar, Gerald A. Klingbeil (associate editors), Sandra Blackmer, Stephen Chavez, Wilona Karimabadi, Andrew McChesney Editors based in Seoul, Korea Pyung Duk Chun, Jae Man Park, Hyo Jun Kim Operations Manager Merle Poirier Editors-at-large Mark A. Finley, John M. Fowler Senior Advisor E. Edward Zinke Financial Manager Kimberly Brown Editorial Assistant Marvene Thorpe-Baptiste Management Board Jairyong Lee, chair; Bill Knott, secretary; P. D. Chun, Karnik Doukmetzian, Suk Hee Han, Yutaka Inada, German Lust, Ray Wahlen, Ex-officio: Juan Prestol-Puesán, G. T. Ng, Ted N. C. Wilson Art Direction and Design Jeff Dever, Brett Meliti Consultants Ted N. C. Wilson, Juan Prestol-Puesán, G. T. Ng, Guillermo E. Biaggi, Mario Brito, Abner De Los Santos, Dan Jackson, Raafat A. Kamal, Michael F. Kaminskiy, Erton C. Köhler, Ezras Lakra, Jairyong Lee, Israel Leito, Thomas L. Lemon, Geoffrey G. Mbwana, Paul S. Ratsara, Blasious M. Ruguri, Ella Simmons, Artur A. Stele, Glenn Townend, Elie Weick-Dido To Writers: We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. Address all editorial correspondence to 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600, U.S.A. Editorial office fax number: (301) 680-6638 E-mail: worldeditor@gc.adventist.org Web site: www.adventistworld.org Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible references are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. Adventist World is published monthly and printed simultaneously in Korea, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Austria, Argentina, Mexico, and the United States. Vol. 12, No. 5
NOTICE BOARD
SOUTH PACIFIC PACIFIC
POSITIONS VACANT Manager—Camp Somerset, South Queensland. Full-time position commencing mid2016. The successful applicant will be a practising member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and have management experience preferably relating to convention centres/recreational camps. Qualifications in management/outdoor education and licences in the operation of machinery and heavy vehicles an advantage. Should have good communication and relational skills dealing with staff, church members and the community, and a clear commitment to the mission of the Church. Request job description from <scotthopkins@adventist. org.au>. Written applications to: Chief Financial Officer, Seventh-day Adventist Church (SQ Conference) Ltd, PO Box 577, Spring Hill, QLD 4004. Administration of Seventh-day Adventist Church (SQ Conference) Ltd reserves the right to appoint this position. Current residents of Australia or New Zealand only should apply. Applications close June 3, 2016.
Contact information for advertising in Adventist World
Human resources manager (People Services)—South Pacific Division. Seventh-day Adventist Church (SPD) Limited (Wahroonga, NSW) is seeking an experienced human resources manager who can develop effective relationships across the organisation and provide a professional HR service to the Church in the South Pacific. This fulltime role will be based at the Division head office in Wahroonga and will report to the general manager of People Services. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Australia. For full selection criteria please visit the South Pacific Division’s Human Resources website <www.adventistemployment.org.au>. All applications, including a cover letter, CV, three work-related referees and the contact details of your Adventist church pastor, must be forwarded to: Human Resources, Seventh-day Adventist Church (SPD) Ltd, Locked Bag 2014, Wahroonga, NSW, 2076 Australia. Or email <hr@adventist. org.au> or fax to: (02) 9489 0943. Applications close June 5, 2016.
Editor: James Standish Email: editor@record.net.au
Principal—Hills Adventist College–Greater Sydney Conference. Seventh-day Adventist Schools (Greater Sydney) Ltd is seeking to appoint an experienced principal for Hills Adventist College, which is a dual campus school, operating a P—12 education system. The successful applicant will be a practising and involved member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and have a minimum of five years’ teaching and administration experience in schools. The applicant will hold a teaching degree, with a Masters or higher qualification a preferred option. BOSTES registration and a current Working with Children Check clearance are essential. The core competencies of this role are: leading teaching and learning; developing self and others; leading improvement, innovation and change; leading the management of the school; and, engaging and working with the community. If you would like to lead an active team in a growing and developing Christian college as part of the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Greater Sydney Conference, then this is the opportunity for you. For more information and a detailed position profile, please contact Ian Low (Human Resources officer) on (02) 8876 5240 or email <ianlow@adventist.org.au>. Applications close June 7, 2016. Campground caretaker—Northern Australian Conference (Townsville, Qld) is seeking caretakers to manage the Riverside Campground and Convention Centre, commencing by the end of August 2016. This multi-faceted, live-in position would suit a caring, committed couple with good organisational and people skills. Ongoing marketing, cleaning, maintenance, gardening and handyman experience is required. This is more than a job, it’s a ministry. For further information phone Rob Ellison on (07) 4779 3988 or email <robellison@adventist.org.au>. Applications in writing should be sent to the General Secretary, PO Box 51, Aitkenvale, Qld, 4814. Applications close June 17,2016.
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Associate Editor: Jarrod Stackelroth Assistant Editor: Kent Kingston Sales & Marketing: Theodora Amuimuia Copyeditor: Tracey Bridcutt Editorial Assistant: Linden Chuang Graphic Designer Kym Jackson Email @ Record Noticeboard: ads@record.net.au www.record.net.au Mail: Adventist Media Network Locked bag 1115 Wahroonga, NSW 2076, Australia Phone: (02) 9847 2222 Fax: (02) 9847 2200
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Next issue June 11 Note: Neither the editor, Adventist Media Network, nor the Seventh-day Adventist Church is responsible for the quality of goods or services advertised. Publication does not indicate endorsement of a product or service. Advertisements approved by the editor will be inserted at the following rates: first 30 words or less, $A68 +GST; each additional word, $A1.98 +GST. For your advertisement to appear, payment must be enclosed. Classified advertisements in RECORD are available to Seventh-day Adventist members, churches and institutions only. See masthead (above) for contact details.
Adventist World
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Adventist Health Week May 14-21
Our hands, His touch Do your hands have the Master’s touch? Adopt a Clinic
Support Adventist Health Ministries · · · · · ·
CHIP Adopt-a-Clinic Comprehensive Health Ministry Health Promoting Churches Initiative Health Promoting Schools Initiative Health resources development and more
Visit adventisthealth.org.au to find out more.
Save a Life
Bring Hope
Help a Neighbour Bring Health and Healing
Adopt aa Clinic Adopt Clinic
HEALTH
Health Promoting Churches Bring Health and Healing Save a Life
Help a Neighbour
Get a free DVD
Bring Hope
HealthPromoting Promoting Churches Health Churches
Copies will be sent to your local church or you can contact Adventist Health on +61 2 9847 3367 or email info@adventisthealth.org.au.
Special Health Offering May 21 Your offering and efforts will support health promoting activities across our Division.
Complete Health Improvement Program
HEALTH