AW English - December 2008.pdf

4HE )NTERNATIONAL 0APER FOR 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS

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DDICTIONS AND !T 2ISK "EHAVIORS

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4HE &INAL 2ESCUE

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!DDICTIONS AND !T 2ISK "EHAVIORS # / 6 % 2 3 4 / 2 9

! .EW (UMANITY

"Y !LLAN 2 (ANDYSIDES AND 0ETER . ,ANDLESS

"Y *AN 0AULSEN 4HE CHALLENGES WE FACE AS A CHURCH ARE HUGE "UT SO ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES $ % 6 / 4 ) / . ! ,

7ALKING IN THE ,IGHT "Y 2AMANI +URIAN /UR JOURNEY TO THE KINGDOM MAY BE LONG BUT WE LL NEVER WALK ALONE ! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 , ) & %

!DVENTIST 7ORLD /NLINE .OW EVERYONE WITH A COMPUTER AND )NTERNET ACCESS CAN BE PART OF A GLOBAL CONVERSATION

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5NIQUE AND 5NRIVALED "Y !NGEL -ANUEL 2ODR¤GUEZ

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2ESURRECTION 0OWER "Y -ARK ! &INLEY

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3ERVING THE -ASTER "Y %LLEN ' 7HITE )F WE RE FOLLOWERS OF #HRIST WE HAVE A JOB TO DO & 5 . $ ! - % . 4 ! , " % , ) % & 3

4HE &INAL 2ESCUE "Y -ARK &INLEY &OR CENTURIES #HRISTIANS HAVE DRAWN COMFORT FROM THE REALITY OF THE RESURRECTION ! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 ( % 2 ) 4 ! ' %

4HE 'UIDING ,IGHT "Y 2ON ,AING (IS ART HAS BEEN SEEN BY MILLIONS 2EAD HOW (ARRY !NDERSON MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF ONE OF HIS ADMIRERS

0UBLISHED BY THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS AND PRINTED AT ,ANE 0RESS "URLINGTON 6ERMONT FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION BY THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN !FRICA

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

7 / 2 , $ % 8 # ( ! . ' %

,ETTERS 4HE 0LACE OF 0RAYER %XCHANGE OF )DEAS

4HE 0EOPLE S 0LACE

7/2,$ 6)%7 -AKING 2OOM FOR 0EACE h,ORD GRANT US PEACE v HE PRAYER IS AS OLD AS THE #HRISTIAN #HURCH AND ONE OF ITS MOST ANCIENT HYMNS AS WELL &ROM THE CATACOMBS OF lRST CENTURY 2OME TO THE HIGH RISE APARTMENTS OF TWENTY lRST CENTURY URBAN LIFE BELIEVERS HAVE BEEN IMPLORING THE ,ORD OF PEACE TO QUIET THE hNOISE WITHOUTv AND THE hNOISE WITHINv THROUGH THE GIFT OF HEAVENLY PEACE 7E CRAVE A SENSE OF INNER CALM AS WE WRESTLE WITH THE PRESSURES OF DAILY LIFE GETTINGˆAND KEEPINGˆA JOB IN DIFlCULT ECONOMIC TIMES RELATIONSHIPS THAT CHANGE AND AGE SOMETIMES PAINFULLY THE FEELING THAT WE ARE hBEHINDv IN ALMOST EVERYTHINGˆIN TIME IN WORK COMPLETED IN THINGS DONE FOR THE ,ORD /NE HUNDRED MILLION TIMES A DAYˆOR MOREˆBELIEVERS ASK FOR THE PEACE THEY DO NOT HAVE 7E PRAY FOR PEACE HOPING THAT THIS GIFT WILL SOMEHOW BRING ORDER AND QUIET TO OUR LIVES "UT THE "IBLE REMINDS US THAT THE PEACE OF *ESUS DOES NOT SIMPLY SETTLE OVER OUR LIVES LIKE THE SPRING RAIN THAT REFRESHES THE LAND 0EACE IS ONE OF THE GREATEST SPIRITUAL GIFTS BUT AS ONE OF MY FRIENDS

4

LIKES TO SAY IT IS A hSPATIALv GIFT AS WELL IT TAKES UP ROOM IT MOVES THINGS ASIDE IT DISPLACES WHAT WAS ALREADY THERE 4HE PEACE OF *ESUS DOES NOT SIMPLY COVER UP AND MASK THE ANXIETY AND CONmICT IT COMES TO RESOLVE )T MOVES THEM ASIDE IT PUSHES THEM AWAY OUT OF OUR LIVES !ND IT REQUIRES THAT WE CHOOSE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ROOM BY SETTING SOME THINGS ASIDE AND EMBRACING OTHERS ) CAN INCREASE MY PEACE BY DOING CERTAIN THINGS AND AVOIDING OTHERS )F ) TURN DOWN THE MEDIAˆTHE NEWSPAPERS RADIO TELEVISION CELL PHONESˆ) DISCOVER A BLESSED SPACE IN MY LIFE IN WHICH THE PEACE OF #HRIST MAY RULE )F ) SILENCE MY TONGUE WHEN ) AM TEMPTED TO RESPOND IN ANGER OR PRIDE THE PEACE OF #HRIST HAS NEW ROOM IN WHICH TO DWELL )F ) CHOOSE BY 'OD S GRACE TO MEND BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS ) SPEND SO MUCH LESS TIME WORRYING ABOUT PAST PAIN AND INJURY THAT ) AM SUDDENLY FREED TO KNOW 'OD S JOYˆAND PEACEˆIN GREAT ABUNDANCE .EXT TIME YOU lND YOURSELF PRAYING FOR PEACE IN YOUR LIFE ALLOW THE (OLY 3PIRIT TO REMIND YOU OF THE SPACE YOU CAN MAKE IN WHICH THIS WONDERFUL GIFT OF *ESUS CAN lND A LASTING HOME

ˆ "ILL +NOTT

7/2,$ 2%0/24

N 4HE lNANCIAL SITUATION OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IS UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE TURBULENCE THAT ROCKED WORLD lNANCIAL MARKETS IN 3EPTEMBER AND /CTOBER 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE lNANCIAL OFlCIALS REPORT

BUT WORLD CHURCH LEADERS HAVE TAKEN WHAT THEY CALL PRUDENT STEPS TO MANAGE DURING THE CRISIS /N /CTOBER THE !NNUAL #OUNCIL OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS VOTED TO ACCEPT A BUDGET BASED ON S INCOME LEVELS ALONG WITH A RESOLUTION

#!2%&5, 0,!..).' 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE TREASURER 2OBERT % ,EMON AND ASSOCIATE TREASURER 2OY 2YAN LEFT DISCUSS INVESTMENT INCOME AND ROILING lNANCIAL MARKETS DURING THE /CTOBER !NNUAL #OUNCIL SESSION IN -ANILA 0HILIPPINES

- ! 2 + ! + % , , . % 2 ! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 2 % 6 ) % 7

"UDGET !DJUSTS FOR 4OUGH &INANCIAL 4IMES

$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

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ALLOWING THE '# !DMINISTRATIVE #OMMITTEE OR !$#/- TO MAKE INTERIM ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BUDGET BETWEEN THE -ANILA SESSION AND THE SPRING BUSINESS MEETING WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE HELD AT CHURCH OWNED /AKWOOD 5NIVERSITY IN (UNTSVILLE !LABAMA 5NITED 3TATES 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE TREASURER 2OBERT % ,EMON ADDRESSING !NNUAL #OUNCIL DELEGATES NOTED THAT TITHE RECEIVED BY THE WORLD CHURCH IN AMOUNTED TO 5 3 BILLION AN PERCENT INCREASE OVER S BILLION 7ORLDWIDE MISSION OFFERINGS FOR TOTALED 5 3 MILLION

APPROXIMATELY A PERCENT RISE OVER 5 3 MILLION RECEIVED IN 4HOUGH MUCH OF THE INCREASE HAS COME FROM INCREASED GIVING IN LOCAL CURRENCIES ,EMON SAID A hMAJOR PORTIONv OF THE INCREASE IS ATTRIBUTED TO CONVERSION INTO THE 5 3 DOLLAR

WHICH HAS WEAKENED 4ITHE IN THE CHURCH S .ORTH !MERICAN $IVISION INCREASED ABOUT PERCENT THE .!$ ALSO RECORDED AN APPROXIMATELY PERCENT INCREASE IN MISSION GIVING ,EMON REPORTED )N COMMENTING ON THE lNANCIAL SITUATION AND THE NEED TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE CHURCH S BUDGET AS CONDITIONS SHIFT ,EMON SAID THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OPERATES IN A WAY THAT S DIFFERENT FROM SOME OTHER ORGANIZATIONS h/UR BUDGETS ARE NOT BUILT ON THE DOLLARS WE HAVE v ,EMON NOTED hBUT ON THE BLESSINGS WE ANTICIPATE v 4HIS MEANS HE SAID h7E DON T KNOW WHAT EFFECT THE MARKETS WILL HAVEv ON FUTURE INCOME

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

4(!.+ 9/5 .ORMAN -APHOSA OF CHURCH OWNED 3OLUSI 5NIVERSITY IN :IMBABWE WHICH IS FACING AN UNPRECEDENTED DAILY LEVEL OF HYPERINmA TION EXPRESSES APPRECIATION FOR A GRANT TO THE CHURCH IN THAT COUNTRY - ! 2 + ! + % , , . % 2 ! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 2 % 6 ) % 7

)N LIGHT OF THIS CHURCH LEADERS ARE ALREADY MAKING MOVES TO ECONOMIZE

,EMON SAID h7E WILL BE HOLDING OFF AS LONG AS WE CANv ON lLLING VACANCIES AT THE WORLD HEADQUARTERS HE NOTED

THOUGH THE HOLD IS hNOT A TOTAL FREEZEv ON lLLING VACANCIES THAT MIGHT OCCUR 3IMILARLY THE VOTED APPROVAL OF A PERCENT INCREASE IN APPROPRIATIONS INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET MIGHT HAVE TO BE DELAYEDˆOR EVEN ELIMINATEDˆDEPENDING ON ECONOMIC REALITIES ! MAJOR PORTION OF THE /CTOBER !NNUAL #OUNCIL DISCUSSION SURROUNDED THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE S OPERATIONAL FUNDS EQUITY INVESTMENTS 3OME OF THESE HAVE TAKEN A TO PERCENT hHITv IN THE DAYS BEFORE THE MEETING BUT THEY REPRESENT A VERY SMALL PORTION OF OVERALL OPERATING FUNDS FOR THE WORLD CHURCH !SSOCIATE TREASURER 2OY 2YAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF MOST EQUITY INVESTMENTS IS TO GENERATE SUFlCIENT RETURNS TO

COMPENSATE FOR INmATION AND TO PRESERVE PURCHASING POWER 2YAN SAID IT IS NOT PRUDENT TO ATTEMPT TO hTIME THE MARKET v 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE PRESIDENT *AN 0AULSEN AGREED SAYING THE CHURCH hIS AS CONSERVATIVE AS POSSIBLEv WITH ITS INVESTMENTS !LONG WITH THE BUDGET MODIlCATION RESOLUTION OTHER ACTIONS TAKEN INCLUDE A VOTE TO RAISE

AT A MINIMUM OF PERCENT ANNUALLY

THE WORKING CAPITAL RESERVES FOR THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE FROM TO PERCENT OF A YEAR S UNRESTRICTED INCOME !NOTHER MOVE WOULD GRANT 5 3 MILLION TO THE 3OUTH !FRICA 5NION AS WELL AS LOAN AN ADDITIONAL 5 3 MILLION REPAID OVER YEARS TO SUFlCIENTLY FUND THE 5NION S PENSION OBLIGATIONS AS REQUIRED UNDER 3OUTH !FRICAN LAW 4HE MOVE

3OUTHERN !FRICA )NDIAN /CEAN

$IVISION PRESIDENT 0AUL 2ATSARA SAID

WOULD lNALLY UNIFY THE TWO PENSION PLANS OF TWO FORMER UNIONS !N ADDITIONAL MOTION GIVES THE WORLD CHURCH THE ABILITY TO ALLOCATE AS MUCH AS 5 3 MILLION TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION OF THE !DVENTIST 5NIVERSITY OF !FRICA A GRADUATE SCHOOL BEING CONSTRUCTED IN .AIROBI

+ENYA "Y MAKING THAT ALLOCATION NOW ,EMON SAID IT WOULD ALLOW CONSTRUCTION TO PROCEED IN A BETTER FASHION 0ERHAPS THE MOST POIGNANT MOMENT CAME WHEN APPRECIATION WAS EXPRESSED FOR THE GRANT OF 5 3

TO THE 3OUTHERN !FRICA )NDIAN /CEAN $IVISION FOR USE IN :IMBABWE WHICH IS FACING A RATE OF HYPERINmATION UNSEEN SINCE THE DAYS OF 'ERMANY S 7EIMAR REPUBLIC .ORMAN -APHOSA OF 3OLUSI 5NIVERSITY IN :IMBABWE EXPRESSED HIS THANKS TO THE WORLD CHURCH FOR THIS GRANT NOTING THAT THE hSITUATION IS DETERIORATINGv IN HIS COUNTRY )N OTHER lNANCIAL NEWS CHURCH LEADERS SAID THE hEXTRAORDINARY TITHEv REPORTED EARLIER AS THE PROCEEDS FROM A FAMILY S SALE OF A PRIVATE BUSINESS HAS REACHED JUST UNDER 5 3 MILLION

TO WHICH ANOTHER 5 3 MILLION IN INTEREST HAS BEEN ADDED /F THE 5 3 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR ALLOCATION SOME 5 3 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO WORLD DIVISIONS AS WELL AS '# INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS AIMED AT WORLD EVANGELISM !NOTHER 5 3 MILLION IS RESERVED FOR FUTURE ALLOCATION LEADERS SAID ˆ"Y -ARK ! +ELLNER NEWS EDITOR

!DVENTIST 2EVIEW WITH REPORTING BY !NSEL /LIVER !DVENTIST .EWS .ETWORK

WRITING FROM -ANILA 0HILIPPINES

-ILLION *OIN #HURCH IN 9EAR N &OR THE lFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR MORE THAN MILLION PEOPLE HAVE JOINED THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH WORLDWIDE ACCORDING TO THIS YEAR S CHURCH STATISTICAL REPORT #HURCH LEADERS SAID FOR THE YEAR ENDING *UNE

AN AVERAGE OF NEARLY PEOPLE JOINED THE CHURCH EACH DAY BRINGING THE WORLD MEMBERSHIP TOTAL TO

4HERE IS NOW ONE !DVENTIST FOR EVERY PEOPLE ON THE PLANET )N

THE RATIO WAS TO

4HIS YEAR S REPORT REmECTS A MEMBERSHIP AUDIT OF THE CHURCH S 3OUTH !MERICAN REGION WHICH RESULTED IN A MORE THAN

MEMBER DECLINE h7HILE PREVIOUS AUDITS IN OTHER DIVISIONS WERE ALSO INTENSE THE MORE ACCURATE MEMBERSHIP TOTALS SUGGEST A POSITIVE LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE v SAID "ERT (ALOVIAK DIRECTOR OF THE WORLD CHURCH S $EPARTMENT OF !RCHIVES AND 3TATISTICS

2EPORTING A hREALISTIC MEMBERSHIPv CAN PREPARE A REGION TO GROW CHURCH OFlCIALS SAID "ETWEEN AND THE CHURCH IN 3OUTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC LOST

MEMBERS FROM MEMBERSHIP AUDITS

(ALOVIAK SAID "UT THAT REGION NOW HAS THE SECOND HIGHEST REGIONAL GROWTH RATE OF PERCENTˆTHE HIGHEST GROWTH RATE SINCE THE REGION ORGANIZED IN SAID WORLD CHURCH EXECUTIVE SECRETARY -ATTHEW "EDIAKO "EDIAKO SAID HE HOPES MORE OF THE CHURCH S WORLD REGIONS WILL CONDUCT SIMILAR AUDITS "OTH "EDIAKO AND (ALOVIAK PRESENTED THEIR lNDINGS DURING REPORTS TO THE WORLD CHURCH S !NNUAL #OUNCIL BUSINESS SESSION IN -ANILA

0HILIPPINES ON /CTOBER #HURCH GROWTH PATTERNS INDICATE MOST CHURCH GROWTH TOOK PLACE IN NON 7ESTERN SOCIETIES !BOUT PERCENT OF CHURCH GROWTH OCCURRED IN SIX OF THE CHURCH S WORLD REGIONSˆ 3OUTH !MERICA )NTER !MERICA %AST

2 ! * - 5 . $ $ ! " 2 / 7 3 + ) ! . .

!5$)43 -%!.

'2/74( 7ORLD CHURCH EXECUTIVE SECRETARY -ATTHEW "EDIAKO SAID HE HOPES MORE OF THE CHURCH S WORLD REGIONS CONDUCT MEMBERSHIP AUDITS #HURCH OFlCIALS BELIEVE SUCH AUDITS GENERATE MORE ACCURATE MEM BERSHIP TOTALS AND INSPIRE NEW GROWTH

$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

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#ENTRAL !FRICA 3OUTH !FRICA )NDIAN /CEAN 3OUTHERN !SIA AND 3OUTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC !FRICA AND ,ATIN !MERICA ARE NOW HOME TO ABOUT PERCENT OF THE CHURCH S MEMBERSHIP !BOUT PERCENT OF MEMBERS RESIDE IN !SIA

PERCENT IN .ORTH !MERICA AND PERCENT IN %UROPE AND /CEANIA

(ALOVIAK REPORTED TO DELEGATES "EDIAKO SAID HE WAS ENCOURAGED THAT MISSIONARIES ARE NOW COMING FROM MORE COUNTRIES AND SERVING IN MORE COUNTRIES THAN EVER BEFORE 4HERE ARE NOW MORE THAN MISSIONARY VOLUNTEERS SERVING THROUGHOUT ALL THE CHURCH S WORLD REGIONS /THER CHURCH LEADERS PRESENTED THEIR EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS AS PART OF THE CHURCH S 4ELL THE 7ORLD INITIATIVE THE THEME FOR THE QUINQUENIUM ENDING IN 'ARY +RAUSE DIRECTOR OF THE CHURCH S /FlCE OF !DVENTIST -ISSION

REPORTED THE SUCCESS OF MISSION PIONEERS IN COUNTRIES WHERE THE CHURCH IS DEVELOPING 3EVERAL LEADERS ALSO MENTIONED THE SUCCESS OF CHURCH PLANTING IN DEVELOPING CHURCH GROWTH +RAUSE POINTED TO A &ULLER 4HEOLOGICAL 3EMINARY STUDY THAT SAID THREE PEOPLE ARE NEEDED TO BRING SOMEONE TO #HRIST IN A CHURCH THAT IS ONE TO THREE YEARS OLD 4HAT lGURE JUMPS TO SEVEN PEOPLE IN CHURCHES THAT ARE FOUR TO SEVEN YEARS OLD %IGHTY lVE PEOPLE ARE NEEDED IN CHURCHES YEARS AND OLDER ,EADERS SAID CHURCH GROWTH CAME FROM MANY INITIATIVES INCLUDING MEDIA OUTREACH PERSONAL WITNESS

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

02%33 0,%! 2OBERT 3MITH PRESIDENT OF THE 2EVIEW (ERALD 0UBLISH ING !SSOCIATION URGED A COMMISSION STUDYING THE STATUS OF PUBLISHING IN .ORTH !MERICA NOT TO MAKE THE CURE WORSE THAN THE DISEASE

SCHOOLS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLIC EVANGELISM ˆ"Y !NSEL /LIVER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR NEWS 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS REPORTING FROM -ANILA

0HILIPPINES !NNUAL #OUNCIL 6OTES !DMINISTRATIVE #HANGES N ,EADERS OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS HAVE VOTED TO ASK THE NEXT WORLD BUSINESS SESSION FOR BROAD AUTHORITY TO CHANGE CHURCH DEPARTMENTAL STRUCTURES AND HIRING

AS THEY PURSUE GREATER EFlCIENCY THAN THE CURRENT PROCESS LEADERS SAY h)T IS IMPORTANT FOR THE CHURCH TO BE ABLE TO MOVE WITH mEXIBILITY AND DEXTERITY v SAID *AN 0AULSEN

'ENERAL #ONFERENCE PRESIDENT THE MORNING AFTER THE /CTOBER BALLOT 4HE DECISION HE SAID hIS A SIGNAL OF THE FACT THAT WE WANT TO RETAIN THE mEXIBILITY TO FUNCTION AS A DYNAMIC COMMUNITY WHILE PROTECTING OUR VALUES v 0AULSEN S COMMENTS CAME AFTER THE !NNUAL #OUNCIL THE WORLD CHURCH S YEARLY BUSINESS SESSION VOTED TO ASK THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE

3ESSION IN !TLANTA 'EORGIA 5NITED 3TATES TO ALLOW THE CHURCH S %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE TO MAKE CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE OF HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENTS WITHOUT lRST GETTING A QUINQUENNIAL BUSINESS MEETING TO APPROVE THE MOVES 4HE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE lNAL AUTHORITY TO REVIEW OR REVERSE ADJUSTMENTS MADE BY THE %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE DURING THE QUINQUENNIUM !LSO THE ELECTION OF ASSOCIATE DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTORS OR ASSOCIATE SECRETARIES OF ASSOCIATIONS WILL SHIFT FROM A '# SESSION TO THE lRST !NNUAL #OUNCIL FOLLOWING A SESSION IF THE PROPOSAL IS APPROVED IN !TLANTA 4HE TWO ADMINISTRATIVE PROPOSALS WERE THE RESULT OF THE YEAR OLD #OMMISSION ON -INISTRIES 3TRUCTURES AND 3ERVICES WHICH HELD A SERIES OF GLOBAL MEETINGS IN WHICH THE CHURCH S OPERATIONS WERE EVALUATED 4HE REPORT CAME TO THE mOOR OF !NNUAL #OUNCIL ON THE DAY THAT 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE TREASURER 2OBERT % ,EMON REPORTED THAT THE MILLION MEMBER

3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH WAS DEALING WITH THE UNCERTAINTIES OF THE CURRENT WORLD lNANCIAL MARKET ,EMON 0AULSEN AND OTHER LEADERS EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR THE CHURCH TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO SUCH CONDITIONS MORE QUICKLY ! KEY RATIONALE FOR ALLOWING THE %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE TO MAKE DEPARTMENTAL CHANGES BETWEEN SESSIONS IS THIS NEED FOR mEXIBILITY IN CHANGING TIMES 4HE DECISION TO ASK FOR A CHANGE IN THE WAY ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS AND ASSOCIATE SECRETARIES ARE ELECTED IS DESIGNED TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON '# SESSION NOMINATING COMMITTEES AND NEWLY ELECTED DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTORS SOME OF WHOM HAVE HAD TO CHOOSE THEIR ASSOCIATES WITH VERY LITTLE TIME 4HE CHURCH DID hNOT GIVE UP ANYTHING THAT IS VALUABLEv IN TAKING THE ACTION 0AULSEN SAID BUT RATHER IS ENHANCING THE ABILITY OF CHURCH LEADERS TO MANAGE IN A MORE DYNAMIC FASHION (E NOTED THAT WHILE hWE HAVE DONE THINGS IN A GIVEN WAY FOR SO MANY

MANY YEARS PERHAPS THERE IS ANOTHER WAY v 4HE POTENTIAL FOR hANOTHER WAYv MAY ALSO EXTEND TO THE OPERATION OF TWO CHURCH OWNED PUBLISHING HOUSES IN .ORTH !MERICA THE 2EVIEW (ERALD 0UBLISHING !SSOCIATION 2(0! IN (AGERSTOWN -ARYLAND

AND THE 0ACIlC 0RESS 0UBLISHING !SSOCIATION 000! IN .AMPA )DAHO "OTH PRESSES HAVE HISTORIC ROOTS IN !DVENTISM 2EVIEW (ERALD WAS THE CHURCH S lRST PUBLISHING HOUSE AND FOR MANY YEARS OPERATED IN "ATTLE

#REEK -ICHIGAN AND 4AKOMA 0ARK

-ARYLAND 3TARTED IN -OUNTAIN 6IEW

#ALIFORNIA 000! IS ANOTHER LONG TIME PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR THE CHURCH "OTH HOUSES HAVE BEEN CENTRAL TO PRODUCING LITERATURE AND MAGAZINES FOR THE WORLD CHURCH AS WELL AS .ORTH !MERICA 2EVIEW (ERALD PRINTS !DVENTIST 2EVIEW AND MANY EDITIONS OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD 0ACIlC 0RESS IS LEAD PRINTER ON THE !DULT "IBLE 3TUDY 'UIDE THE CHURCH S 3ABBATH SCHOOL QUARTERLY (OWEVER 0AULSEN SAID /CTOBER

hPUBLISHING IS ALSO A BUSINESS v AND hFROM TIME TO TIME WE HAVE TO PONDER THE QUESTION IF WE HAVE THE BEST ARRANGEMENT OF PUBLISHING INSTITUTIONS v 0AULSEN ASKED h(AVE WE PUT TOGETHER THE BEST PUBLISHING STRUCTURE TO SERVE THE CHURCH v 4O lND OUT WHETHER THAT S THE CASE 0AULSEN PROPOSEDˆAND DELEGATES ACCEPTEDˆTHE CREATION OF A COMMISSION THAT WOULD HAVE hTHE TASK OF ASSESSING PUBLISHING REALITIES v 7ITH MEMBERS PRINCIPALLY DRAWN FROM .ORTH !MERICA THE GOAL IS TO HAVE THE COMMISSION S REPORT READY FOR THE 3PRING -EETING AT /AKWOOD 5NIVERSITY IN (UNTSVILLE !LABAMA 4HOUGH THE MOTION PASSED EASILY

2OBERT 3MITH 2(0! PRESIDENT

NOTED THAT THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE HAS STUDIED THE .ORTH !MERICAN PUBLISHING SYSTEM PREVIOUSLY (E URGED THAT THE NEW COMMISSION NOT hSTUDY US TO DEATH AND MAKE THE CURE WORSE THAN THE DISEASE v 3MITH ASSERTED THAT 2(0! MADE A PROlT OF IN THE YEAR ENDING 3EPTEMBER (E SAID THAT IF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE hWOULD GIVE US ALL

THE WORK THAT IS JUSTIlABLY OURS v THE PRESS S BUSINESS WOULD BE STABLE 0ACIlC 0RESS PRESIDENT $ALE 'ALUSHA TOLD !DVENTIST 2EVIEW h7E WELCOME OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS THIS TO EXPLORE BETTER WAYS TO EVEN MORE EFFECTIVELY STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH

PROMOTE ITS MISSION AND DELIVER FAITH STRENGTHENING AND SPIRITUALLY INSPIRING BOOKS AND MATERIALS TO OUR CHURCH MEMBERS v ˆ"Y -ARK ! +ELLNER NEWS EDITOR

REPORTING FROM -ANILA 0HILIPPINES .EW !DMINISTRATORS %LECTED N 4HE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH S %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE ELECTED FOUR NEW CHURCH OFlCERS AND LEADERS /CTOBER THE lRST FULL DAY BUSINESS SESSION OF ITS !NNUAL #OUNCIL 4HE COMMITTEE VOTED NEW LEADERS FOR 3OUTHERN !SIA .ORTH !MERICA

THE WORLD CHURCH HEADQUARTERS AND A LEGISLATIVE LIAISON FOR 7ASHINGTON $ # *OHN 2ATHINARAJ SECRETARY OF THE CHURCH IN 3OUTHERN !SIA WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE REGION BASED IN (OSUR NEAR "ANGALORE )NDIA AND PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT FOR THE CHURCH IN )NDIA .EPAL "HUTAN

AND THE -ALDIVES (E REPLACES 2ON 7ATTS WHO RESIGNED FROM THE POSITION EARLIER THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF FAMILY HEALTH MATTERS 2ATHINARAJ

SAID HE WILL FOCUS ON GROWING MEMBERSHIP IN THE REGION THROUGH CHURCH PLANTING AND EVANGELISM SETTING A GOAL OF

NEW CHURCH MEMBERS WITHIN ONE YEAR 4HE REGION WILL HOLD ABOUT

$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

PUBLIC EVANGELISM MEETINGS THIS YEAR INCLUDING YOUTH TO YOUTH MEETINGS AND LED EXCLUSIVELY BY WOMEN h) PRAISE 'OD BECAUSE THE CHURCH HAS MADE ME WHAT ) AM v 2ATHINARAJ SAID AFTER HIS APPOINTMENT h!S LONG AS ) LIVE ) MUST DO (IS WORK AND SERVE WHEREVER (E PLACES ME v 2ATHINARAJ SAID HE IS ENCOURAGED

BY THE WORLD CHURCH VOTING THIS WEEK A APPROPRIATION TO ESTABLISH A SEMINARY IN .EPAL A COUNTRY WITH SOME !DVENTISTS 2ATHINARAJ HOLDS A MASTER S DEGREE IN HISTORY FROM -ADURAI 5NIVERSITY IN THE SOUTHERN )NDIAN PROVINCE OF 4AMIL AND BACHELOR S DEGREES IN RELIGION AND EDUCATION 4HE WORLD CHURCH %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE ALSO APPOINTED ' !LEXANDER "RYANT AS AN ASSOCIATE SECRETARY FOR THE WORLD CHURCH AND EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE CHURCH S .ORTH !MERICAN REGION WHICH INCLUDES THE 5NITED 3TATES #ANADA AND "ERMUDA "RYANT

BECAME AN !DVENTIST AT AGE AND CURRENTLY SERVES AS PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH S #ENTRAL 3TATES #ONFERENCE A HISTORICALLY !FRICAN !MERICAN ADMINISTRATIVE CHURCH REGION IN THE -IDWESTERN 5NITED 3TATES h)T WILL BE MY GOAL TO HELP THE PRESIDENT WITH THE TREMENDOUS MISSION WE HAVE IN .ORTH !MERICA

ESPECIALLY IN OUR LARGE CITIES AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE GREATER INROADS IN THOSE URBAN CENTERS v "RYANT SAID 3INCE SERVING AS #ENTRAL 3TATES PRESIDENT BEGINNING IN "RYANT

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

2 !4 ( ) . ! 2 ! * ! . $ " 2 9! . 4 0 ( / 4 / 3 " 9 2 ! * - 5 . $ $ ! " 2 / 7 3 + )

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! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 - ) 3 3 ) / .

4OP LEFT 3/54(%2. !3)! ,%!$%2 *OHN 2ATHINARAJ WAS ELECTED TO LEAD THE !DVENTIST #HURCH IN 3OUTHERN !SIA

INCLUDING THE COUNTRIES OF )NDIA .EPAL

"HUTAN AND THE -ALDIVES 2ATHINARAJ WAS AMONG FOUR CHURCH OFlCIALS VOTED INTO NEW LEADERSHIP POSITIONS DURING THE CHURCH S FALL BUSINESS MEETING ,EFT (%!$15!24%23 2/,% (OMER 4RECARTIN WAS VOTED TO SERVE AS THE WORLD CHURCH ASSOCIATE SECRETARY IN CHARGE OF !DVENTIST 6OLUNTEERS !BOVE ./24( !-%2)#!. 3%#2%4!29 ' !LEXANDER "RYANT WAS VOTED AS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY FOR THE !DVENTIST #HURCH S .ORTH !MERICAN REGION 4HE POSITION IS ALSO AN ASSOCIATE SECRETARY FOR THE WORLD CHURCH

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SAID HE HAS FOCUSED ON CHURCH PLANTING INCLUDING THE INITIATIVE h%ACH /NE 2EACH /NE v DESIGNED FOR EACH MEMBER TO SEE THEMSELF AS A DISCIPLE (E SAID HE PLANS TO CONTINUE MAKING AN IMPACT ON CHURCH PLANTING IN HIS NEW ROLE AS WELL AS GETTING YOUTH INVOLVED AT ALL LEVELS OF THE CHURCH "RYANT WHO HOLDS A MASTER OF DIVINITY DEGREE FROM !NDREWS 5NIVERSITY IN "ERRIEN 3PRINGS

-ICHIGAN SAID HE PLANS TO TRANSITION TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE WORLD CHURCH AND .ORTH !MERICAN REGION IN 3ILVER 3PRING -ARYLAND AT THE END OF THE YEAR (OMER 4RECARTIN CURRENT PLANNING DIRECTOR OF THE CHURCH S /FlCE OF !DVENTIST -ISSION WAS APPOINTED TO HEAD UP !DVENTIST 6OLUNTEERS AS A WORLD CHURCH ASSOCIATE SECRETARY 4RECARTIN WILL CONTINUE TO OVERSEE THE WORK OF HIS CURRENT OFlCE AS WELL AS ASSUMING NEW RESPONSIBILITY 4RECARTIN

WHO HOLDS A MASTER S DEGREE IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION

WILL DIRECT THE RECRUITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS FOR ALL MISSIONS RANGING FROM STUDENT AND SHORT TERM TO PERMANENT MISSIONARIES AND 'LOBAL -ISSION PIONEERS 4HE %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE ALSO VOTED "ARRY "USSEY AN ATTORNEY AND 0UBLIC !FFAIRS AND 2ELIGIOUS ,IBERTY 0!2, DIRECTOR FOR THE CHURCH IN #ANADA AS THE NEW ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR THE WORLD CHURCH S 0!2, DEPARTMENT (E LL SERVE AS THE CHURCH S LIAISON TO THE 5NITED 3TATES #ONGRESS "USSEY REPLACES *AMES 3TANDISH

WHO EARLIER THIS YEAR WAS APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE 5 3

#OMMISSION ON 2ELIGIOUS &REEDOM )N "USSEY ARGUED THE POSITION OF THE !DVENTIST #HURCH ON THE SAME SEX MARRIAGE REFERENCE CASE IN FRONT OF THE 3UPREME #OURT OF #ANADA (E ALSO LED THE CAMPAIGN FOR #ANADA 0OST TO ISSUE A STAMP COMMEMORATING THE CHURCH S WORLD SESSION HELD IN 4ORONTO IN h(E LL BE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN LEGISLATIVE LIFE IN 7ASHINGTON PROMOTING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR ALL v SAID 0!2, DIRECTOR *OHN 'RAZ h4HIS IS A KEY POSITION FOR US NOT ONLY FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE 5 3 BUT AROUND THE WORLD v ˆ2EPORTED BY !NSEL /LIVER

!DVENTIST .EWS .ETWORK #HURCH /RGANIZES 2EGIONS N 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST WORLD CHURCH LEADERS CITED MEMBERSHIP GROWTH AND NEED FOR mEXIBILITY WHEN REORGANIZING ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURES IN !UGUST INCLUDING A LARGE REGION OF "RAZIL EXPERIENCING EXPLOSIVE MEMBERSHIP GROWTH /FlCIALS REVEALED TO THE CHURCH S %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE THE CHANGES IN "RAZIL S !MAZON REGION AND AREAS OF THE CHURCH S %URO !SIA $IVISION WHILE MEETING /CTOBER 4HE FORMER .ORTH "RAZIL 5NION -ISSION ENCOMPASSED ABOUT PERCENT OF "RAZIL S LAND MASS

SPANNING ABOUT MILLION SQUARE MILES 4HE AREA NOW COMPRISED OF TWO UNION MISSIONS INCLUDES ABOUT

!DVENTISTS AND CHARTS SOME

NEW MEMBERS EACH YEAR "RAZIL HAS THE MOST !DVENTISTS OF ANY COUNTRY WITH NEARLY MILLION MEMBERS h7E SEE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES THERE AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO BETTER SUPPORT OUR MEMBERS v SAID %RTON

+šHLER PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH IN 3OUTH !MERICA 4HE FORMER TERRITORY NOW COMPRISES THE .ORTH "RAZIL 5NION -ISSION AND THE .ORTHWEST "RAZIL 5NION -ISSION 4HE DISTINCTION OF A hUNION MISSIONv INDICATES THAT THE UNION RECEIVES APPROPRIATION FOR OPERATION

UNLIKE A hUNION CONFERENCE v WHICH IS SELF SUPPORTING !DDITIONAL FUNDING FOR MISSIONS IS SUPPLIED BY THE PARENT DIVISION ONE OF THE CHURCH S WORLD ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS 4HE %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE ALSO REVEALED TO DELEGATES CHANGES IN STRUCTURES IN THE %ASTERN %UROPEAN #AUCASUS REGION ,EADERS VOTED TO REORGANIZE THE #AUCASUS 5NION -ISSION INTO TWO UNION MISSIONS THE 4RANS #AUCASUS 5NION -ISSION WITH HEADQUARTERS IN 4BILISI 'EORGIA AND THE #AUCASUS 5NION -ISSION WITH HEADQUARTERS IN 2OSTOV 2USSIA !SSOCIATE WORLD CHURCH SECRETARY !GUSTIN 'ALICIA POINTED OUT THAT THIS CHANGE WAS STUDIED PRIOR TO CONmICT IN THE REGION IN !UGUST #HURCH STRUCTURE IN THE COUNTRIES OF "ELARUS AND -OLDOVA WILL BECOME hUNIONS OF CHURCHESv WITH CONFERENCE STATUS 4HIS STRUCTURE TYPICALLY APPLIED IN SMALLER TERRITORIES AND COUNTRIES

ALLOWS LOCAL CHURCHES TO ORGANIZE DIRECTLY UNDER A DIVISION -OLDOVA CURRENTLY HAS NEARLY MEMBERS WORSHIPPING IN CHURCHES UNDER TWO CONFERENCES 4HE &AR %ASTERN -ISSION IN %ASTERN 2USSIA WILL BECOME A UNION OF CHURCHES WITH MISSION STATUS ˆ2EPORTED BY !NSEL /LIVER

!DVENTIST .EWS .ETWORK

$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

7).$/7

!

LBANIA LOCATED IN SOUTHEASTERN %UROPE IS BORDERED BY 'REECE -ONTENEGRO +OSOVO

-ACEDONIA AND THE !DRIATIC AND )ONIAN 3EAS !RCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES SUGGEST THE AREA HAS BEEN POPULATED SINCE PREHISTORIC TIMES 3URROUNDED BY POWERFUL WARRING EMPIRES !LBANIA HAS BEEN OCCUPIED AT VARIOUS TIMES BY 'REEKS 2OMANS

6ENETIANS /TTOMANS AND )TALIANS

)NTO

!LBANIA

$URING 7ORLD 7AR )) THE POPULATION WAS FORCED TO SPEAK AND USE )TALIAN INSTEAD OF !LBANIAN !LBANIA IS THE ONLY %UROPEAN COUNTRY OCCUPIED BY !XIS POWERS THAT ENDED THE WAR WITH A LARGER *EWISH POPULATION THAN IT HAD BEFORE THE WAR .OT ONLY DID !LBANIANS REFUSE TO TURN OVER LISTS OF *EWISH FAMILIES THEY PROVIDED REFUGE TO *EWS OF NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES AND PROVIDED THEM WITH FORGED DOCUMENTS SO THEY COULD BE ASSIMILATED INTO THE !LBANIAN POPULATION #HRISTIANITY HAS BEEN PART OF !LBANIAN CULTURE SINCE THE lRST CENTURY !FTER !LBANIA FELL UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE UMBRELLA OF THE %ASTERN 2OMAN %MPIRE BUT !LBANIAN #HRISTIANS REMAINED LOYAL TO 2OME $URING THE 3CHISM OF #HRISTIANS IN SOUTHERN !LBANIA CAME UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IN #ONSTANTINOPLE AND THOSE IN THE NORTH BECAME LOYAL TO THE POPE IN 2OME $URING THE /TTOMAN INVASION OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY

THE )SLAMIC FAITH WAS IMPOSED ON #HRISTIANS AND PAGANS ALIKE !FTER INDEPENDENCE FROM THE /TTOMAN %MPIRE IN THE EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY POLITICAL REGIMES FOLLOWED A SYSTEMATIC PRACTICE OF SEPARATING STATE AND RELIGION )N THE LATTER HALF OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY THE GOVERNMENT PRACTICED A POLICY OF ELIMINATING ORGANIZED RELIGION

!,"!.)! #APITAL

4IRANA

/FlCIAL LANGUAGE

!LBANIAN

2ELIGION

-USLIM

!LBANIAN /RTHODOX

2OMAN #ATHOLIC

0OPULATION

!DVENTIST MEMBERSHIP

!DVENTIST TO POPULATION RATIO

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

FROM ITS TERRITORIES !LBANIA OFlCIALLY DECLARED ITSELF TO BE THE WORLD S lRST ATHEIST STATE !LTHOUGH RELIGIOUS FREEDOM HAS SINCE RETURNED TO THE COUNTRY MOST !LBANIANS DO NOT PRACTICE ANY RELIGION

BUT ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH ONE OF THE THREE TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS !DVENTISTS IN !LBANIA

4HE lRST !LBANIANS TO BECOME !DVENTISTS WERE BAPTIZED IN AN AREA THAT IS NOW PART OF 'REECE IN )N % (ENNECKE DIRECTOR OF THE 'RECIAN -ISSION MOVED TO 4IRANA WHEN HE WAS FORCED TO LEAVE 'REECE (E OBTAINED PERMISSION WITH TWO 'ERMAN NURSES

TO BEGIN A MEDICAL WORK IN !LBANIA 4HE PROJECT LASTED ONLY A FEW MONTHS WHEN ALL FOREIGN WORKERS HAD TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY /NE WOMAN WAS BAPTIZED AS A RESULT OF THEIR EFFORTS HOWEVER )N AN !LBANIAN $ # ,EWIS

LEARNED ABOUT THE !DVENTIST MESSAGE IN THE 5NITED 3TATES 5PON RETURNING TO !LBANIA HE BEGAN TO SHARE HIS FAITH AND FOUR PEOPLE WERE BAPTIZED $URING 7ORLD 7AR )) CONTACT WITH !DVENTISTS IN !LBANIA WAS LOST !FTER THE WAR IT WAS LEARNED THAT ,EWIS DIED SHORTLY AFTER THE WAR ENDED &OR MORE THAN YEARS THE CHURCH HAD NO CONTACT WITH ANY OF ITS MEMBERS "UT IN THE CHURCH DISCOVERED THAT TWO BELIEVERS HAD REMAINED FAITHFUL DURING THIS PERIOD OF ISOLATION !ND IN A TEAM OF EVANGELISTS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF $AVID #URRY -INISTERIAL !SSOCIATION SECRETARY OF THE 4RANS %UROPEAN $IVISION HELD MEETINGS IN 4IRANA AND +ORCE THAT RESULTED IN THE lRST BAPTISMS IN YEARS )N THE !DVENTIST $EVELOPMENT AND 2ELIEF !GENCY !$2! LEASED LAND FROM THE LOCAL COUNCIL IN 4IRANA FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A WAREHOUSE COMMUNITY CENTER HEALTH CENTER AND MICRO INDUSTRIAL UNITS 4ODAY NEARLY !DVENTISTS WORSHIP IN THREE CHURCHES IN THE !LBANIAN -ISSION #ONFERENCE

7 / 2 , $ ( % ! , 4 (

!DDICTIONS !DDICTIONS AND AT RISK BEHAVIORS OBVIOUSLY IMPACT OUR HEALTH VERY NEGATIVELY 7HAT IS THE BEST WAY TO EDUCATE OUR YOUTH IN ORDER TO PREVENT THESE BEHAVIORS OU ASK A VITALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION 7E OFTEN THINK THAT EDUCATION AND INFORMATION ARE THE MAIN PILLARS OF PREVENTION )NFORMATION AND FACTS ARE IMPORTANT

BUT THEY ARE NOT ENOUGH )F EDUCATION OR THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE DANGERS OF TOBACCO USE WAS ENOUGH OF A DETERRENT

WARNING SIGNS AND NOTICES ON CIGARETTE BOXES WOULD BE SUFlCIENT TO STOP PEOPLE FROM SMOKING 5NFORTUNATELY

THIS IS NOT THE CASE 7ARNING LABELS ARE VERY NECESSARY

AND SOME COUNTRIES ARE PLACING WARNINGS OF THE DANGERS OF DRINKING ALCOHOL DURING PREGNANCY ON BOTTLES OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES 4HERE SHOULD BE MORE OF THIS 3OCIOLOGISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS HOWEVER HAVE FOUND THAT EVEN LIFE THREATENING EVENTS SUCH AS HEART ATTACKS OR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER ARE NOT SUFlCIENT TO PRODUCE CHANGES IN HEALTH BEHAVIORS IN A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS 4HIS IS FRIGHTENING 3HOULD WE BE READING LABELS ON THE FOODS WE EAT AND WHAT WE DRINK !BSOLUTELY )T IS ESSENTIAL TO KNOW THE SODIUM CONTENT

FAT CONTENT TRANSFAT CONTENT NUMBER OF CALORIES ETC OF THE PRODUCTS WE CONSUME )F WE PAID MORE ATTENTION TO LABELS WE WOULD HAVE FEWER CASES OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND DIABETES )N THE AREA OF BEHAVIORSˆ SPECIlCALLY ADDICTIONˆIF EDUCATION ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE BE DOING 4HERE ARE MANY WELL CONDUCTED AND ANALYZED STUDIES THAT SHOW THERE IS POWER IN CONNECTION

OR CONNECTEDNESS 4HIS SHOULD NOT

9

0 ( / 4 / " 9 . ! $ % $ 5 # !4 ) / . 3 ! 2 ! ( , % %

AND

!T RISK "EHAVIORS

"Y !LLAN 2 (ANDYSIDES AND 0ETER . ,ANDLESS BE SURPRISING TO A PEOPLE WHO PREACH THAT OUR RELIGION DEPENDS ON A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH *ESUS -AYBE AS WITH OUR HEALTH HABITS WE PREACH MORE THAN WE PRACTICE "UT TO WHAT OR WHOM SHOULD WE BE CONNECTED )N ORDER TO HELP PEOPLE RESIST AT RISK BEHAVIOR ALCOHOL DRUGS

PREMARITAL SEXUAL EXPERIMENTATION

ETC THEY NEED TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH A PERSON OF SIGNIlCANCE IN THEIR LIFE 4HIS WOULD BE A PARENT GRANDPARENT TEACHER

PASTOR OR OTHER TRUSTED FRIEND 4HERE IS ALSO A SECOND AND EQUALLY IMPORTANT COMPONENT AND THAT IS A CONNECTION TO A SET OF VALUES 7E IDENTIFY THESE VALUES AS THOSE FOUND IN THE "IBLE AND EXEMPLIlED IN THE LIFE OF *ESUS 7HAT IS THE RESULT OF THIS KIND OF CONNECTEDNESS 4HE DEVELOPMENT OF RESILIENCE 2ESILIENCE IS THE ABILITY TO COPE UNDER DIFlCULT CIRCUMSTANCES AND IN STRESSFUL SITUATIONS 2ESILIENCE IS SOMETHING THAT DEVELOPS OVER TIME AND IS NURTURED BY A SUPPORT SYSTEM SUCH AS THAT FOUND IN FAMILIES CHURCHES AND COMMUNITIES 9OUTH WHO ARE CONNECTED TO THOSE OF SIGNIlCANCE IN THEIR LIVES HAVE MORE CONlDENCE AND SELF RESPECT 4HIS IS FOSTERED FURTHER BY LOVE

RESPECT AND ACCEPTANCE FROM THE SIGNIlCANT INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR LIVES AND ENVIRONMENT 3UCH RELATIONSHIPS PROVIDE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES AND METHODS FOR ADDRESSING THE VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THE !DVENTIST #HURCH FACES IN TRYING TO RETAIN ITS YOUTH 4WO OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS

STRENGTHEN THE BENElTS OF SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS /NE IS THE ACTIVE MENTORING OF OUR YOUTH 7E NEED TO BECOME MENTORS AND LIFE COACHES

SHARING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL HELP YOUTH TRAVEL LIFE S ROAD -ENTORING NEEDS TO BE COMBINED WITH THE OTHER ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTˆ SERVICE /UR YOUTH ARE TIRED OF OUR ATTEMPTS TO ENTERTAIN THEM THEY NEED RATHER TO BE INVOLVED IN SERVICE 3ERVICE FOR OTHERS HAS BEEN SHOWN TO STRENGTHEN RESILIENCE AND THE ABILITY TO COPE DESPITE THE CHAOS THAT SHOWS UP IN LIFE FROM TIME TO TIME -EANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS AND GOOD FRIENDS ARE BENElCIAL TO OUR HEALTH 0OSITIVE FRIENDSHIP CONNECTIONS PROMOTE POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH A SENSE OF BELONGING SELF RESPECT AND THE STRENGTHENING OF PURPOSE 4HIS CAN OCCUR AT ANY AGE )T IS VITAL TO FOSTER RESILIENCE IN OUR YOUTH INVESTMENT IN OUR FRIENDSHIPS CAN IMPROVE HEALTH AND BRIGHTEN DISPOSITION FOR THE LONG HAUL

!LLAN 2 (ANDYSIDES - "

#H " &2#0# &2#3# &!#/'

IS DIRECTOR OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE (EALTH -INISTRIES $EPARTMENT 0ETER . ,ANDLESS - " " #H

- -ED & # 0 3! & ! # #

IS )#0! EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE (EALTH -INISTRIES $EPARTMENT

$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

$ % 6 / 4 ) / . ! ,

3

OON WE WILL USHER IN A NEW YEAR -ANY OF US PROBABLY START .EW 9EAR S RESOLUTIONS 3OME WILL STRUGGLE TO FULlLL THEM

WHILE OTHERS WILL FORGET THEM AFTER JUST A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS 7HATEVER THE SITUATION AS FOLLOWERS OF #HRIST WE HAVE A CERTAIN MISSION TO FULlLL 7E VE BEEN GIVEN A SPECIAL CALLING 0ETER SAYS h"UT YOU ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD A HOLY NATION (IS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE THAT YOU MAY PROCLAIM THE PRAISES OF (IM WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO (IS MARVELOUS LIGHTv 0ETER 7E ARE NO MORE IN DARKNESS 7E ARE IN THE LIGHT THE MARVELOUS LIGHT THAT WILL BRIGHTEN US UP TO ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION ENTRUSTED TO US

"EING IN $ARKNESS

7HEN WE ARE IN TOTAL DARKNESS WE CANNOT SEE THE THINGS AROUND US 7E RE IGNORANT OF WHAT S HAPPENING AND KNOW NOT WHAT TO DO 4O REMAIN IN DARKNESS IS TO REMAIN IN OUR SINFUL CONDITION (ERE SELF ALONE IS OUR FOCUS (OW TO GRATIFY OUR OWN DESIRES NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TO OTHERS BECOMES THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF OUR LIVES 7E LOSE OUR CONNECTION WITH (IM WHO SAID h9OU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLDv -ATT 4HE END RESULT IS THAT WE ARE TIED UP WITH THE WORLD AND OUR HEARTS BECOME lLLED WITH hMALICE x DECEIT HYPOCRISY ENVY AND x EVIL SPEAKINGv 0ETER 4O GET OUT OF THIS SITUATION WE NEED TO GET CONNECTED WITH THE SOURCE OF LIGHTˆ*ESUS OUR ,ORD "UT MERE WORDS ARE INSUFlCIENT TO GET US CONNECTED 7HAT WE NEED IS TO EXPERIENCE *ESUS IN OUR LIVES !ND THIS IS POSSIBLE ONLY THROUGH THE STUDY OF 'OD S 7ORD ASKING THE (OLY 3PIRIT TO ENLIGHTEN US

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

7ALKING

)T S THE ONLY WAY TO FREEDOM AND JOY

,IGHT IN THE

"Y 2AMANI +URIAN

"EING IN THE ,IGHT

(OW 7E 3HINE

7HEN WE GET CONNECTED WITH *ESUS

WE LL LEARN HOW (E LIVED WHILE HERE ON EARTH (E LIVED AMONG THE PEOPLE

MINGLED WITH THEM ATTENDED TO THEIR NEEDS HEALED THEIR SICK COMFORTED THE DOWNHEARTENED CAST OUT DEVILS (E DID NOTHING WITH AN INTENTION OF SELF GLORY BUT EVERYTHING FOR THE COMFORT OF OTHERS 7HEN WE ARE IN THE LIGHT

THAT SAME SPIRIT OF UNSELlSHNESS WILL ENTER INTO OUR HEARTS AND WE LL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THE MISSION (E STARTEDˆ WHICH IS WHAT HEAVEN EXPECTS OF US 7HEN WE REALLY KNOW (IM OUR VISION IS ENHANCED AND WE GET A TRUE PICTURE OF OUR REAL CONDITION *ESUS IS THE ,IGHT AND BY BEHOLDING (IM WE ARE CHANGED INTO (IS LIKENESS (E WAS FULL OF COMPASSION FOR (IS ERRING CHILDREN 7HEN WE RE IN NEED OF CLEANSING (E IS READY AND WILLING TO CLEANSE US "UT THAT IS OUR CHOICE 7E OURSELVES MUST CHOOSE TO SEEK THAT CLEANSING 5NLESS WE PERSONALLY FEEL THE NEED FOR IT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO RECEIVE IT !ND WITHOUT IT WE CANNOT ABIDE IN THE LIGHT OF *ESUS 7E ARE TOO OFTEN PROUD

ARROGANT SELF SEEKING AND UNAWARE OF OUR NEED "UT UNLESS WE SURRENDER TO THE CLEANSING POWER OF *ESUS WE REMAIN IN DARKNESS 7E RE MADE NEW CREATURES ONLY WHEN WE SURRENDER OURSELVES WILLINGLY TO THE SOURCE OF POWER OUR COMPASSIONATE 3AVIOR h4HEREFORE IF ANYONE IS IN #HRIST v 0AUL SAYS hHE IS A NEW CREATION OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY BEHOLD ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEWv #OR %ACH OF US SHOULD THINK ABOUT IT AM ) EXPERIENCING THE NEW BIRTH IN MY DAILY LIFE

!S FOLLOWERS OF *ESUS WE NEED TO SERVE OUR FELLOW HUMANS WITH THE SAME COMPASSION AND KINDNESS *ESUS SHOWED WHILE (E WAS ON EARTH /NLY UNSELlSH SERVICE IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE ,ORD h@,ET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOUR &ATHER IN HEAVEN v -ATT 4HIS SHOULD LEAD US TO EXAMINE OUR MOTIVE FOR SERVICE !RE WE DOING IT TO GLORIFY 'OD TO WHOM ALONE GLORY AND HONOR BELONG ,OVE IS THE MEANS TO LIGHT UP THE WORLD 7ITHOUT LOVE EVERYTHING REMAINS IN DARKNESS !S HUMAN BEINGS WE ARE WILLING TO LOVE THE ONES WHO LOVE AND FAVOR US "UT #HRIST SAYS h@,OVE YOUR ENEMIES DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU xv ,UKE #HRIST LOVED US WHEN WE WERE STILL (IS ENEMIES 2OM )T IS THE KIND OF LOVE THAT REACHES OUT TO THE WICKED THE DOWNTRODDEN THE POOR

THE STUBBORN THE UNLOVABLEˆA LOVE THAT SOOTHES AND ENLIGHTENS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE !S #HRIST S FOLLOWERS WE NEED TO EXHIBIT THAT SAME LOVE A LOVE THAT DRAWS PEOPLE AND GIVES THEM WORTH 4HOSE WHO PRACTICE THIS KIND OF LOVE LIVE IN THE LIGHT AND THEIR WORK WILL NEVER GO UNREWARDED 4HE "IBLE ADMONISHES US TO hLOVE x ;OUR= ENEMIES v BEING EXAMPLES OF OUR HEAVENLY &ATHER WHO hIS KIND TO THE UNTHANKFUL AND EVILv ,UKE /F COURSE WE RE UNABLE TO ACHIEVE ALL THIS IN OUR OWN STRENGTH "UT WE HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO OBTAIN STRENGTH FROM 'OD TO GO FORWARD VICTORIOUSLY IN UNSELlSH SERVICE FOR

OTHERS !S *ESUS PRAYED FOR STRENGTH TO ACCOMPLISH (IS MISSION SO ALSOˆAND MUCH MOREˆWE NEED TO SPEND TIME IN PRAYER AND "IBLE STUDY SEEKING POWER FROM HEAVEN $IFlCULTIES

TRIALS AND PERSECUTION WILL NEVER STOP US FROM CONTINUING OUR VICTORIOUS JOURNEY SO LONG AS WE KEEP HOLDING THE HAND OF 'OD !ND WE HAVE THE ASSURANCE OF (IS PRESENCE h@'O THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL THE NATIONS x AND LO

) AM WITH YOU ALWAYS EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE v -ATT

7E -UST 3TRIVE FOR )T

"Y WALKING IN THE LIGHT WE ARE MOVING FORWARD TO AN ETERNAL GOAL h4HOSE WHO HESITATE TO DEVOTE THEMSELVES UNRESERVEDLY TO 'OD MAKE POOR WORK OF FOLLOWING #HRIST 4HEY FOLLOW (IM AT SO GREAT A DISTANCE THAT HALF THE TIME THEY DO NOT REALLY KNOW WHETHER THEY ARE FOLLOWING (IS FOOTPRINTS OR THE FOOTSTEPS OF THEIR GREAT ENEMYx 4HE LIFE AND SPIRIT OF #HRIST IS THE ONLY STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE AND PERFECTION AND OUR ONLY SAFE COURSE IS TO FOLLOW (IS EXAMPLE )F WE DO THIS (E WILL GUIDE US BY (IS COUNSEL AND AFTERWARD RECEIVE US TO GLORY 7E MUST STRIVE DILIGENTLY AND BE WILLING TO SUFFER MUCH IN ORDER TO WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR 2EDEEMER 'OD IS WILLING TO WORK FOR US TO GIVE US OF (IS FREE 3PIRIT IF WE WILL STRIVE FOR IT LIVE FOR IT BELIEVE FOR IT AND THEN WE CAN WALK IN THE LIGHT AS (E IS IN THE LIGHTv %LLEN ' 7HITE

4ESTIMONIES FOR THE #HURCH VOL

PP

2AMANI +URIAN IS ASSOCI ATE DIRECTOR OF WOMEN S MINISTRIES OF THE 3OUTHERN !SIA $IVISION OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS IN (OSUR )NDIA

$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 , ) & %

!DVENTIST

ORLD 7 ONLINE

&

OR MORE THAN THREE YEARS !DVENTISTS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE ENJOYED INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLES IN THIS MAGAZINE #IRCULATION FOR THE MONTHLY JOURNAL HAS EXCEEDED MILLION COPIES (OWEVER DID YOU KNOW THAT IN ADDITION TO THE PRINT MAGAZINE

THERE S ANOTHER WAY TO ACCESS THE SAME COMPELLING ARTICLES &ROM 3OUTH +OREA TO 3OUTH #AROLINA CHURCH MEMBERS ARE DISCOVERING THE MANY INTERACTIVE FEATURES IN !DVENTIST 7ORLD ONLINE WWW ADVENTISTWORLD ORG 4HE MAGAZINE IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE IN SIX LANGUAGES #HINESE

%NGLISH &RENCH 0ORTUGUESE 3PANISH

AND +OREAN .EARLY VISITORS FROM COUNTRIES HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE S NO NEED TO WAIT EACH MONTH FOR THEIR PRINT MAGAZINE TO ARRIVE IN THE MAIL OR RISK THAT THEIR

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

CHURCH S SUPPLY HAS RUN OUT 4HE SAME INSPIRING ARTICLES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SIMPLE CLICK OF A MOUSE 4HERE S ALSO A LINK TO ACCESS THE AWARD WINNING !DVENTIST 2EVIEW 7EB SITE )N ADDITION TO CARRYING ARTICLES AND NEWS REPORTS THE 7EB SITE CONTAINS SEVERAL INTERESTING FEATURES &OR EXAMPLE YOU CAN ACCESS ANY ONE OF THE SIX LANGUAGES FROM A SINGLE LOCATION )N THE ARCHIVES SECTION YOU CAN ACCESS BACK ISSUES DOWNLOAD 0$& COPIES

AND PRINT THEM /UR SEARCH ENGINE ENABLES YOU TO SEARCH THE CONTENTS BY TOPIC SUBJECT OR AUTHOR )F YOU RE INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR !DVENTIST 7ORLD THERE S A COMPREHENSIVE 7RITER S 'UIDELINES SECTION FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE 9OU LL ALSO lND ADDRESS AND E MAIL INFORMATION TO SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OR A PRAYER REQUEST

-ORE &EATURES

#HOOSE WHAT LANGUAGE YOU D LIKE TO ACCESS

#ONNECT TO THE AWARD WINNING !DVENTIST 2EVIEW 7EB SITE

ANT TO WRITE FOR 7 !DVENTIST 7ORLD ˆGO TO 7RITER S 'UIDELINES

!CCESS BACK ISSUES AND DOWNLOAD 0$& lLES

&IND HELPFUL ADVICE FOR BETTER HEALTH

2EAD CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

7ANT TO TAKE A "IBLE STUDY ˆSIMPLY CLICK ON THE "IBLE 3TUDY ICON

$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

# /6 % 2 3 4 / 29

4HIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PRESENTED AS A 3ABBATH MORNING SERMON TO CHURCH LEADERS AT THE !NNUAL #OUNCIL IN -ANILA 7E BELIEVE THE MESSAGE WILL GREATLY BENElT THE WIDER CHURCH ˆ%DITORS 3O FROM NOW ON WE REGARD NO ONE FROM A WORLDLY POINT OF VIEW 4HOUGH WE ONCE REGARDED #HRIST IN THIS WAY WE DO SO NO LONGER 4HEREFORE IF ANYONE IS IN #HRIST HE IS A NEW CREATION THE OLD HAS GONE THE NEW HAS COME !LL THIS IS FROM 'OD

WHO RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF THROUGH #HRIST AND GAVE US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION THAT 'OD WAS RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF IN #HRIST NOT COUNTING MEN S SINS AGAINST THEM !ND HE HAS COMMITTED TO US THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION 7E ARE THEREFORE #HRIST S AMBASSADORS AS THOUGH 'OD WERE MAKING HIS APPEAL THROUGH US 7E IMPLORE YOU ON #HRIST S BEHALF "E RECONCILED TO 'OD #OR .)6

4

HIS PASSAGE OF 3CRIPTURE SPEAKS STRONGLY TO ME ABOUT THE NEW KIND OF HUMANITY 'OD WILL CREATE THROUGH A PROCESS DESCRIBED AS hRECONCILIATION v "UT BEFORE WE EXPLORE THIS FURTHER ) WANT TO lRST RECOGNIZE TWO hBUFFER ZONES v OR hBOOKENDS v THAT SUPPORT AND SHAPE THIS MESSAGE OF A hNEW HUMANITY v 7HAT 'OD HAS DONE FOR EACH OF US PERSONALLY AND INDIVIDUALLY 4HROUGH #HRIST (E EXTENDS SALVATIONˆ COMPLETE TOTAL AND NEVER ENDINGˆTO ALL WHO ACCEPT (IM AS THEIR 3AVIOR (E SAYS h) AM NOT GOING TO HOLD YOUR SINS AND TRANSGRESSIONS AGAINST YOU #HRIST HAS TAKEN CARE OF THAT (E PAID FOR IT WHEN (E DIED ON THE CROSS !ND THAT IS ENOUGH v "Y THIS ACTˆBY THIS MEANSˆ(E SAYS WE HAVE BEEN RECONCILED WITH 'OD 'OD WANTS US TO TELL THE WORLD ABOUT (IS SALVATION ) WANT YOU TO BE MY WITNESSESˆMY hAMBASSADORSvˆSAYS 'OD 9OUR ASSIGNMENT IS TO TELL EVERYONE WHO IS A STRANGER TO *ESUS #HRIST THAT 'OD IS OFFERING A FRESH START A NEW START TO EVERY MAN WOMAN AND CHILD 4HIS IS THE hNEW HUMANITYv (E OFFERS AND IT IS DIFFERENT FROM ANYTHING YOU HAVE BEEN BEFORE )T HAS TO DO WITH BASIC VALUES AND QUALITIES OF LIFE 4HIS IS THE WITNESS YOU HAVE TO BRING TO THE UNBELIEVING WORLD (E SAYS !ND ) DON T WANT YOU TO STOP DOING IT UNTIL ) COME AGAIN )N FACT ) WILL NOT COME BACK AGAIN UNTIL YOU HAVE DONE THIS

*AN 0AULSEN IS PRESIDENT OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

A.EW

UM (

/UR LIVES ON EARTH /UR LIVES ON EARTH SHOULD REmECT OUR H HEAVENLY L HOPE H P HEAVENLY HOPE

4HESE FORM THE BOOKENDS FOR THIS NEW HUMANITY THE PERSONAL GIFT OF SALVATION IN #HRIST AND (IS SECOND COMING

WHEN THE FULL BENElT OF THIS GIFT WILL BE REALIZED 4ODAY WE LIVE BETWEEN THESE TWO MOMENTS 'OD SAYS TO US "ECAUSE OF WHAT ) HAVE ALREADY DONE FOR YOU THROUGH THE DEATH OF MY SON *ESUS #HRIST ) WILL BEGIN NOW TO CREATE A hNEW HUMANITYv OF THOSE WHO ACCEPT *ESUS ) WILL DO THIS IN PREPARATION FOR THE SECOND COMING OF -Y 3ON AT WHICH TIME IT WILL BE COMPLETED 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS ARE WELL FAMILIAR WITH THE TRUTH OF #HRIST S SECOND COMING )T HAS DElNED US AS A COMMUNITY SINCE WE BEGAN YEARS AGO )T IS A TRUTH THAT IS SOLIDLY BASED ON 3CRIPTURE 4HEREFORE WE KNOW THAT (IS SECOND COMING IS NOT AN IMAGINARY IDEA 7E KNOW THAT IT IS NOT AN UNREALISTIC VAGUE EXISTENTIAL NOTION 7E KNOW THAT IT WILL BE A REAL EVENT IN TIME JUST AS REAL AS (IS lRST COMING 7E KNOW THAT IT WILL END THE ONGOING PROCESS OF HISTORY 7E KNOW THAT IT IS ONLY AFTER THE SECOND COMING OF #HRIST THAT WE WILL DISCOVER WHAT IT REALLY MEANS FOR (IM TO hMAKE ALL THINGS NEWv SEE 2EV )F THIS IS NOT CLEAR TO YOU OR IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE THIS YOU HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH 3CRIPTURE

AN TY "Y *AN 0AULSEN

* % & & 3 # / ' ' ) . 3 * / ( . $ 5 2 / % ' , / " ! , - ) 3 3 ) / . $ ) ' ) 4! , ,9 - / $ ) & ) % $

.EW 2ELATIONSHIPS

7E ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN RECONCILED TO 'OD BY #HRIST S DEATH AND WHO ARE AWAITING THE FULL CONSUMMATION OF THAT RECONCILIATION AT #HRIST S SECOND COMING !ND SO NOW THE BIG QUESTION IS (OW IS THIS MEANT TO SHAPE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER PEOPLE #HRIST SAYS THROUGH THE APOSTLE ) AM SENDING YOU OUT AND ) WANT YOU TO BE -Y AMBASSADORS #LEARLY THEN OUR LIFE AND OUR MISSION MANDATE INVOLVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE ON A COMPREHENSIVE GRAND SCALE (OW IS THAT TO BE 2ECONCILIATION WITH 'OD TRANSLATES INTO RECONCILIATION BETWEEN PEOPLE PEOPLE WHO FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER

HAVE BEEN ESTRANGED AND HOSTILE TO EACH OTHER )T IS NOT ENOUGH TO PREACH RECONCILIATION BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL AND 'OD THERE HAS TO BE RECONCILIATION BETWEEN PEOPLE )T IS WITH THIS IN MIND THAT 'OD SAYS -Y INTENTION IS TO MAKE OF YOU hA NEW HUMANITYv SEE %PH 7HAT DOES THIS hNEW HUMANITYv LOOK LIKE h)F ANYONE IS IN #HRIST HE IS A NEW CREATION THE OLD HAS GONE THE NEW HAS COME v #OR .)6 4HE NEW HUMANITY HAS A NEW ATTITUDE IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN 0AUL S WORDS h&ROM NOW ON WE REGARD NO ONE FROM A WORLDLY POINT OF VIEWv #OR .)6 4HE WORLD OF PREJUDICES LOOKS AT THE EXTERNAL WHAT IMMEDIATELY MEETS THE EYE AND JUDGES YOU ON THAT BASIS 4HAT SAYS 0AUL WILL NOT DO FOR RECONCILED PEOPLE 7E DO NOT VALUE PEOPLE BY EXTERNAL CONSIDERATIONS SUCH AS WEALTH STATUS POSITION EDUCATION RACE COLOR OF SKIN LANGUAGE CULTURE TRIBAL IDENTITY GENDER OR AGE 7E ARE A GLOBAL CHURCH (OW IS THE CHURCH IN YOUR $ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

# /6 % 2 3 4 / 29

COUNTRY DOING IN THIS REGARD 0EOPLE ARE ON THE MOVE AND WE ARE CONSTANTLY IN CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM US $O THE DIFFERENCES BOTHER YOU 3OME PEOPLE WE MEET ARE DISPOSSESSED BY WAR SOME ARE VICTIMS OF POVERTY

AND OTHERS ARE JUST SEEKING BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN 7E MEET THEM BY THE MILLIONS IN THE MORE HIGHLY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES 7ARS POVERTY OR ETHNIC PERSECUTION

WHETHER IT BE IN THE "ALKANS IN %ASTERN %UROPE IN 3UDAN

IN THE -IDDLE %AST IN THE REST OF !FRICA OR IN !SIA HAVE SET MASSES OF PEOPLE ON THE MOVE (OW DO WE DEAL WITH THIS mOOD OF hSTRANGERSv )S IT THE mOODˆTHE FACT THERE ARE SO MANYˆTHAT IS THE PROBLEM OR IS IT THAT THEY ARE hSTRANGERSv 7HAT IF THEY ARE !DVENTISTS $O OUR BASIC SENTIMENTS CHANGE 9ES ) KNOW WE ARE TO TREAT WITH PARTICULAR KINDNESS THOSE WHO ARE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN FAITH BUT WE ALSO HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO RELATE TO PEOPLE JUST SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE HUMAN BEINGSˆ WHETHER IN THE FAITH OR OUT OF IT )N %PHESIANS 0AUL SPEAKS OF THE hCIRCUMCISIONv AND THE hUNCIRCUMCISION v 4HE SETTING IS THE BARRIER BETWEEN 'ENTILES AND *EWS 4HE *EWS CALLED THE 'ENTILES THE hUNCIRCUMCISIONvˆA DESCRIPTION OF CONTEMPT BECAUSE THE *EWS HAD NOTHING BUT CONTEMPT FOR THE 'ENTILES 4HERE WAS A SAYING AMONG THE *EWS THAT 'OD CREATED THE 'ENTILES TO BE THE FUEL FOR THE lRES OF HELL 5NTIL #HRIST CAME THE BARRIERS BETWEEN *EWS AND 'ENTILES WERE ABSOLUTE -ARRIAGE COULD NOT CROSS THAT LINE %VEN TO ENTER A 'ENTILE HOUSE WAS FOR A *EW TO BECOME UNCLEAN "EFORE #HRIST THE BARRIERS WERE UP !FTER #HRIST THE BARRIERS ARE DOWN 4HE 'ENTILES HAD NO HOPE OF THE -ESSIAH 4HEY WERE DESCRIBED AS BEING hSEPARATE FROM #HRIST EXCLUDED FROM CITIZENSHIP IN )SRAEL AND FOREIGNERS TO THE COVENANTSv %PH

.)6 4HEY WERE CONSIDERED TO BE WITHOUT PROMISE

WITHOUT HOPE WITHOUT 'OD AND WITHOUT A FUTURE 4O THE 'ENTILES HISTORY WAS CYCLICALˆIT WAS GOING NOWHERE "Y CONTRAST TO THE *EWS HISTORY WAS A MARCH TOWARD 'OD %VEN IN THEIR MOST BITTER AND DEFEATED MOMENTS THE *EWS NEVER DOUBTED THAT THE -ESSIAH WOULD COME AND THE FUTURE WOULD BE GLORIOUS 7HAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A STRANGER TO THE COVENANTS ON WHICH THE PROMISES WERE MADE )SRAEL WAS THE COVENANT PEOPLE 4HEY BELIEVED THAT 'OD HAD HANDPICKED THEM IN PREFERENCE TO ALL OTHER PEOPLES (E SAID h) WILL TAKE YOU TO ME FOR A PEOPLEv %X +*6 4HIS WAS BOTH A PRIVILEGE AND A RESPONSIBILITY )T INVOLVED KEEPING THE LAW THAT 'OD GAVE THEM !ND THEY AFlRMED h!LL THE WORDS WHICH THE ,ORD HAS SAID WE WILL DOv %X )T WAS A GRAVE AND SERIOUS COMMITMENT BUT IT GAVE TO THE *EWS A SPECIAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF BEING THE CHOSEN PEOPLE OF 'OD 4HIS IS A MIND SET 0AUL WAS WELL AWARE OF FOR IT WAS PART OF HIS OWN HERITAGE AND

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

CULTURE )T IS A MIND SET THAT COULD BE A PROBLEM -AYBE IT IS GOOD TO PAUSE JUST FOR A MOMENT AND REmECT ON WHAT IT DOES TO YOU AND ME IF WE BELIEVE WE ARE 'OD S HANDPICKED PEOPLE )S IT WRONG TO BELIEVE WE ARE 'OD S MOVEMENT OF DESTINY ) THINK NOT BUT THE BIG QUESTION IS 7HAT DOES IT DO TO OUR SELF CONSCIOUSNESS AND TO OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PEOPLE (OW GENUINELY OPEN AND CARING CAN WE BE TOWARD OTHERS #AN WE FUNCTION IN AN INOFFENSIVE WAY AS WITNESSES FOR 'OD .O -ORE "ARRIERS

0AUL CONTINUES AND HERE WE SEE THE hNEWNESSv h"UT NOW IN #HRIST *ESUS YOU WHO ONCE WERE FAR AWAY HAVE BEEN BROUGHT NEAR THROUGH THE BLOOD OF #HRISTx (E HAS DESTROYED THE BARRIER THE DIVIDING WALL OF HOSTILITYv %PH

.)6 4HIS hDIVIDING WALLv IS A SYMBOL FROM THE 4EMPLE 4HERE WAS THE COURT OF THE 'ENTILES THEN THERE WAS THE COURT OF WOMEN THEN THE COURT OF THE )SRAELITES FOLLOWED BY THE COURT OF THE PRIESTS AND THE -OST (OLY 0LACE )T ALL HAD TO DO WITH ACCESS TO 'OD S PRESENCE .O FOREIGNER COULD GO INTO THE INNER COURTS OF THE 4EMPLE AND FOR SOMEONE FROM ANOTHER NATION TO VIOLATE THE SANCTITY OF THE -OST (OLY 0LACE WOULD RESULT IN DEATH 4HIS KIND OF RELIGIOUS OR CULTURAL BARRIER WAS NOT UNIQUE TO THE *EWS 4HE 'REEKS HAD THE SAME AS THEY RELATED TO THE hBARBARIANS v ON WHOM THEY SIMILARLY LOOKED WITH CONTEMPT 2EFUGEES PEOPLEˆFOREIGNERSˆWHO COME FROM A FOREIGN LAND ARE VERY COMMONLY VIEWED WITH SUSPICION #ONSCIOUSLY OR UNCONSCIOUSLY WE MAY ASK h7HAT LUGGAGE

IN TERMS OF CRIME OR EVEN JUST DIFFERENT CULTURAL HABITS DO THEY CARRY v 4HERE IS A SAYING h5NKNOWN MAKES UNLOVED v )S THIS THE KIND OF MEASURED APPREHENSION WE HAVE TOWARD FOREIGNERS WHO COME AND INVADE OUR SPACE "UT THE TEXT SAYS THAT PEOPLE RECONCILED TO 'OD RELATE TO OTHER HUMAN BEINGS DIFFERENTLY h&ROM NOW ON WE REGARD NO ONE FROM A WORLDLY POINT OF VIEW v 4HAT IS A FOUNDATIONAL STATEMENT FOR US AS 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS TO TAKE WITH US AS WE RELATE INDIVIDUALLY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM US )T IS TRUE IN RESPECT TO HOW WE VIEW ANYBODY BUT IT IS ALL THE MORE TRUE ABOUT HOW WE VIEW PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF OUR SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY )N THE CHURCH AN INTERNATIONAL AND CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNITY

WE SEE AND TREAT DIVERSITY AS AN ENRICHMENT FACTOR NOT AS SOMETHING NEGATIVE 2ACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND A SENSE OF RACIAL SUPERIORITY DO NOT BELONG WITHIN THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH ! SENSE OF RESPECT OR DISRESPECT MUST NOT ARISE FROM EITHER WEALTH OR POVERTY FORMAL EDUCATION OR NONE PUBLIC POSITION OR THE LACK OF SUCH 7E WILL TREAT ALL PEOPLE WITH A SENSE OF RESPECT AND DIGNITY FOR WE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF 'OD

* / ( . $ 5 2 / % ' , / " ! , - ) 3 3 ) / .

"EFORE #HRIST

THE BARRIERS WERE UP !FTER #HRIST

"EFORE #HRIST THE THE BARRIERS ARE BARRIERS WERE UP DOWN !FTER #HRIST THE BARRIERS ARE DOWN

7E HAVE IN SO MANY COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF hETHNICv OR NATIONAL CHURCHES 4HEY ARE CHURCHES TO WHICH PEOPLE IMMIGRANTS OR REFUGEES CAN COME AND TASTE AND FEEL A BIT OF THEIR OWN HOME CULTURE SPEAK THEIR OWN LANGUAGE SING THEIR OWN SONGS AND NURTURE MUCH NEEDED SOCIAL LINKS 4HAT IS THE REALITY WE LIVE WITH IN WHICH PEOPLE ARE ON THE MOVE AND MANY OF THEM ARE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS 4HAT IS HOW WE MUST ACCEPT THOSE WHO HAVE COME INTO OUR AREASˆINTO OUR SPACE h#ONSEQUENTLY YOU ARE NO LONGER FOREIGNERS AND ALIENS BUT FELLOW CITIZENS WITH 'OD S PEOPLE AND MEMBERS OF 'OD S HOUSEHOLDv %PH .)6 "EING RECONCILED TO 'OD CAUSES BARRIERS TO BE GONE !S 'OD REACHED OUT TO (IS RECONCILED PEOPLE AND EMBRACED THEM SO RECONCILED PEOPLE REACH OUT TO EACH OTHER AND EMBRACE "EING hRECONCILEDv IS INCLUSIVE AFlRMING AND NONJUDGMENTAL 9ES THEY MAY COME INTO YOUR SPACE YES

THEY MAY TAKE YOUR JOB YES THEY MAY EAT YOUR FOOD BUT WE ARE JOINED AS HUMAN BEINGS BY VALUES THAT ARE GREATER ) HAVE TO COME BACK TO WHAT ) HAVE COMMENTED ON MANY TIMES BEFORE NAMELY THE ENGAGEMENT OF YOUTH IN THE LIFE OF OUR LOCAL CONGREGATIONS 7E SAY h4HEY ARE TOO YOUNG 4HEY LACK EXPERIENCE v ) SAY EXPERIENCE IS OVERRATED 'ET THE RIGHT PERSONAL QUALITIES AND PERSONALITY %XPERIENCE WILL COME WITH EXPOSURE TO THE ASSIGNMENT )NCLUSION

AFlRMATION AND EMPOWERMENT COME lRST /NLY AFTER YOU HAVE DONE THAT DO YOU COME TO THE NEXT QUESTION ARE THEY ABLE TO DO IT 9OU MAKE SURE lRST THAT THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

PERSONAL VALUES AND COMMITMENT ARE IN PLACE !ND THEN

LET US HELP THEM TO BE ABLE 0AUL S DISCUSSION OF THE REMOVAL OF BARRIERS AMONG 'OD S PEOPLE IS IN THE CONTEXT OF UNITY 3UPPOSE TWO PEOPLE HAVE A QUARREL AND A DIFFERENCE (OW CAN THAT BE RESOLVED 4HE SUREST WAY TO BRING THE TWO SIDES TOGETHER IS THROUGH A MEDIATORˆSOMEONE WHOM THEY BOTH LOVE AND RESPECT 4HAT IS WHAT #HRIST IS (E IS OUR PEACE (E HEALS BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS (E RECONCILES %PH )T IS 'OD S PLAN THAT THE PEOPLE WHO SHARE FAITH AND HOPE AND WHO LIVE IN ANTICIPATION OF #HRIST S SECOND COMING SHOULD BE BONDED AND UNITED AS ONE 4HIS IS A SACRED BOND MINISTERED TO

BY THE (OLY 3PIRIT 4HESE ARE 0AUL S WORDS h-AKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE 3PIRIT THROUGH THE BOND OF PEACEv %PH .)6 4HIS IS WHY #HRIST DURING THE LAST FEW HOURS (E WAS WITH (IS DISCIPLES BEFORE (IS DEATH

UNDERSCORED REPEATEDLY THE IMPORTANCE OF UNITY (E PRAYED hx THAT ALL OF THEM MAY BE ONE &ATHER JUST AS YOU ARE IN ME AND ) AM IN YOU -AY THEY ALSO BE IN US SO THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE SENT MEx -AY THEY BE BROUGHT TO COMPLETE UNITYv *OHN .)6 4HE CATALYST THAT BRINGS THIS ABOUT IS THE LOVE MINISTERED BY THE (OLY 3PIRIT $ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

# /6 % 2 3 4 / 29

' ,/ " ! , - ) 3 3 ) / .

7HEN 0AUL MAKES THE POINT THAT #HRIST MADE hA NEW HUMANITY OUT OF THE TWO v HE CHOOSES THE WORD FOR hNEWv KAINOS WHICH MEANS A NEW QUALITY NOT NEW IN TIME

MEANING hNEWNESSv OF A DIFFERENT KIND 4HE NEWNESS THAT #HRIST ACHIEVED IS NOT THAT (E MADE ALL 'ENTILES INTO *EWS OR *EWS INTO 'ENTILES "Y BECOMING RECONCILED TO 'OD ONE DOES NOT BECOME DECULTURIZED OR DENATURALIZED YOU DON T LOSE YOUR RACIAL TRIBAL NATIONAL OR CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS 9OU JUST BECOME ADDITIONALLY WHAT YOU WERE NOT BEFORE

US TO LIVE IN PEACEv #OR .)6 ,IVING IN PEACE IS THE COMMISSION THAT THE ,ORD (IMSELF GAVE WHEN (E SAID h"LESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERSv -ATT 0ARDONING 'RACE

4HIS ALL DEMONSTRATES THE DIFFERENT KIND OF PERSON THAT YOU AND ) ARE MEANT TO BE )N ADDITION TO THE WORD hLOVE v THE ONE WORD THAT CATCHES MY ATTENTION MORE THAN ANY OTHER IN A RECONCILED COMMUNITY IS THE WORD hFORGIVENESS v )T IS DIFlCULT TO lND ANY WORD THAT DESCRIBES THE #HRISTIAN ATTITUDE BETTER THAN THE READINESS TO FORGIVE 7E HAVE ALL BEEN FAULTED WE ALL NEED FORGIVENESS !S !LBERT 3CHWEITZER WROTE h7HY DO ) FORGIVE ANYONE ) MUST FORGIVE THE LIES DIRECTED AGAINST MYSELF BECAUSE MY OWN LIFE HAS BEEN SO MANY TIMES BLOTTED BY LIES ) MUST FORGIVE THE LOVELESSNESS

THE HATRED THE SLANDER THE FRAUD THE ARROGANCE WHICH ) ENCOUNTER SINCE ) MYSELF HAVE SO OFTEN LACKED LOVE HATED

SLANDERED DEFRAUDED AND BEEN ARROGANT v 7E HAVE THIS IN COMMON WE ARE ALL SINNERS IN NEED OF FORGIVENESS h&ORGIVENESSv DOES NOT TRIVIALIZE SIN IT HEALS THE DAMAGE AND HURT CAUSED BY IT 4HAT IS AS TRUE FOR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 'OD AND HUMANITY AS IT IS FOR THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PEOPLE ,ISTEN TO THE INSPIRED WORDS OF THE ,ORD S SERVANT h4HE GROUND OF ALL FORGIVENESS IS FOUND IN THE UNMERITED LOVE OF 'OD BUT BY OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS WE SHOW WHETHER WE HAVE MADE THAT LOVE OUR OWNx (E WHO IS UNMERCIFUL TOWARD OTHERS SHOWS THAT HE HIMSELF IS NOT A PARTAKER OF 'OD S PARDONING GRACE v

7HAT DOES THIS hNEW HUMANITYv LOOK LIKE CITIZENS OF 'OD S EVERLASTING KINGDOM 0EOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PREVIOUS DIVIDING LINE HAVE BEEN RECONCILED TO 'OD 4HROUGH #HRIST PEOPLE FROM hALL SIDESv HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO THE &ATHER %PH "Y WHAT LANGUAGE DOES THE "IBLE DESCRIBE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RECONCILED PEOPLE h"E COMPLETELY HUMBLE AND GENTLE BE PATIENT BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVEv %PH

.)6 h'ET RID OF ALL BITTERNESS RAGE AND ANGERv %PH

.)6 h$O NOTHING OUT OF SELlSH AMBITION x BUT IN HUMILITY CONSIDER OTHERS BETTER THAN YOURSELVESv 0HIL

.)6 h!S 'OD S CHOSEN PEOPLE HOLY AND DEARLY LOVED

CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH x KINDNESSx "EAR WITH EACH OTHER AND FORGIVE WHATEVER GRIEVANCES YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST ONE ANOTHERv #OL

.)6 h,IVE IN HARMONYx $O NOT REPAY EVIL WITH EVILv 0ETER

.)6 h'OD HAS CALLED

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

h)N THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF SINS FORGIVEN THERE IS INEXPRESSIBLE PEACE AND JOY AND RESTx @9EA THOUGH ) WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH ) WILL FEAR NO EVIL FOR THOU ART WITH ME x 0S v 'OD WHO RECONCILED US TO (IMSELF IN #HRIST *ESUS

HAS APPOINTED US AS (IS AMBASSADORS TO BE MINISTERS OF RECONCILIATION 4HAT IS OUR ASSIGNMENT OUR MISSION UNTIL (E COMES AGAIN WHEN WE SHALL SEE (IM FACE TO FACE AS LITERALLY AS WE SEE AND GREET EACH OTHER HERE TODAY AND WE SHALL HEAR FROM (IM THE BLESSED WORDS h7ELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT x #OME AND SHARE YOUR MASTER S HAPPINESSv -ATT .)6

! 3CHWEITZER #IVILIZATION AND %THICS )) P %LLEN ' 7HITE #HRIST S /BJECT ,ESSONS P %LLEN ' 7HITE 4HE -INISTRY OF (EALING PP

3ERVING THE

3 0 ) 2 ) 4 / & 0 2 / 0 ( % # 9

-ASTER

%VERY TALENT HAS A PLACE

)

T IS THE PURPOSE OF 'OD THAT THE PLAN OF SALVATION SHALL NOT BE WROUGHT OUT INDEPENDENT OF HUMAN INSTRUMENTALITIES (E HAS NOT CHOSEN ANGELS BUT MEN OF LIKE PASSIONS AS OURSELVES TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL TO THE HUMAN RACE 0AUL SAYS h7E HAVE THIS TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS THAT THE EXCELLENCY OF THE POWER MAY BE OF 'OD

AND NOT OF US v )T WAS THAT (E MIGHT RECEIVE THE HONOR THAT THIS WORK WAS COMMITTED TO WEAK ERRING MORTALSx )T IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL WHO HAVE BEEN MADE PARTAKERS OF THIS GREAT SALVATION COMMUNICATE TO OTHERS THAT WHICH HAS BEEN MADE KNOWN TO THEM

"Y %LLEN ' 7HITE

4HERE )S 7ORK FOR 9OU

7HEREVER A CHURCH IS RAISED UP THE MINISTER SHOULD NOT CONSIDER HIS DUTY DONE UNTIL IT IS THOROUGHLY ORGANIZED AND PLACED IN WORKING ORDER %VERY MEMBER SHOULD BECOME A MISSIONARY !LL SHOULD BE GIVEN SOMETHING TO DO TO HELP SPREAD THE LIGHT OF TRUTH FOR THIS VERY ACTIVITY WILL CAUSE THEM TO GROW IN SPIRITUALITYx .EVER SHOULD THE LABORER WHO RAISES UP LITTLE COMPANIES HERE AND THERE GIVE THE IMPRESSION TO THOSE NEWLY COME TO THE FAITH THAT 'OD DOES NOT REQUIRE THEM TO WORK SYSTEMATICALLY IN HELPING TO SUSTAIN THE CAUSE BY THEIR PERSONAL LABORS AND BY THEIR MEANSx

'IVE 9OUR "EST

!LL WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE LIGHT OF TRUTH ARE PLACED UNDER SOLEMN OBLIGATIONS TO LET THAT LIGHT SHINE FORTH TO OTHERS %ACH CAN IN HIS HUMBLE SPHERE DO SOMETHING FOR THE -ASTER (E MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE MAGNIlCENT OFFERINGS TO ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF 'OD BUT HE CAN GIVE THE WILLING CHEERFUL SERVICE OF AN OBEDIENT HEART !LL CANNOT BE PREACHERS ALL CANNOT BE GENERALS IN THE ARMY OF THE ,ORD BUT ALL CAN BE FAITHFUL PRIVATES FOLLOWING IN HUMBLE OBEDIENCE THE COMMANDS OF THE #APTAIN OF THEIR SALVATION 4HEY CAN CHEER THEIR COMPANIONS WITH WORDS OF HOPE AND COURAGE

AND BY SO DOING WILL SHOW FORTH THE PRAISES OF (IM WHO HATH CALLED THEM OUT OF DARKNESS INTO (IS MARVELOUS LIGHT 'OD DEMANDS OF ALL THE VERY BEST SERVICE THAT THEY CAN GIVEx ,ET EACH ANXIOUSLY INQUIRE 7HAT HAVE ) DONE FOR *ESUS x !ND THEN IN HUMILITY LET EACH SURRENDER HIMSELF UNRESERVEDLY TO 'OD SAYING (ERE AM ) ,ORD SEND ME )N THAT GREAT DAY WHEN EVERY WORK SHALL BE BROUGHT INTO JUDGMENT THE WORDS WILL FALL FROM THE LIPS OF THE -ASTER UPON THE ASTONISHED EARS OF THE HUMBLE PATIENT WORKER

h) WAS AN HUNGERED AND YE GAVE ME MEAT ) WAS THIRSTY

AND YE GAVE ME DRINK ) WAS A STRANGER AND YE TOOK ME IN NAKED AND YE CLOTHED ME v 4HE ONES THUS ADDRESSED HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE DONE ANYTHING WORTHY OF THIS COMMENDATION AND THEY ASK 7HEN SAW WE THEE THUS

,ORD 4HE ANSWER COMES h)NASMUCH AS YE HAVE DONE IT UNTO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BRETHREN YE HAVE DONE IT UNTO ME v h#OME YE BLESSED OF MY &ATHER INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD v x

&REELY 2ECEIVED &REELY 'IVEN

4HOSE WHO HAVE BEEN MADE PARTAKERS OF THE GRACE OF 'OD SHOULD NOT BE SLOW TO SHOW THEIR APPRECIATION OF THAT GIFT 4HEY SHOULD NOT LOOK UPON THE TITHE AS THE LIMIT OF THEIR LIBERALITYx .ONE SHOULD FORGET TO MAKE THANK OFFERINGS AND FREE WILL OFFERINGS TO 'ODx 4HE ,ORD GIVES SOME AN OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR HIM WITH THE ABUNDANCE OF THEIR SUBSTANCE OTHERS IF THEY CAN DO NO MORE CAN HONOR (IM JUST AS MUCH BY WATCHING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE A CUP OF COLD WATER TO THE WEARY THIRSTY DISCIPLE )T IS THE PRIVILEGE AND DUTY NOT ONLY OF THOSE WHO HAVE LARGE POSSESSIONS BUT OF THOSE WHO HAVE BUT LITTLE TO BE FAITHFUL TO GRUDGE NOTHING FROM THE ,ORDx (E WHO FOLLOWS 'OD S ARRANGEMENT IN THE LITTLE THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN HIM WILL RECEIVE THE SAME RETURNS AS HE WHO BESTOWS OF HIS ABUNDANCEx /H THAT ) COULD IMPRESS ALL WITH THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING 'OD S ORDER IN ALL THINGS AND OF BECOMING WORKERS FOR (IM ,ET US HUMBLE OUR HEARTS BEFORE THE ,ORD AND WHEN WE BECOME INDEED (IS TRUE FOLLOWERS WE SHALL FEEL TO CONFESS THAT WE HAVE DONE VERY LITTLE FOR THE DEAR 3AVIOUR WHO HAS DONE SO MUCH FOR US 4HIS ARTICLE IS EXCERPTED FROM ONE THAT lRST APPEARED IN THE !DVENT 2EVIEW AND 3ABBATH (ERALD NOW THE !DVENTIST 2EVIEW

!UGUST 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS BELIEVE THAT %LLEN ' 7HITE EXERCISED THE BIBLICAL GIFT OF PROPHECY DURING MORE THAN YEARS OF PUBLIC MINISTRY

$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

& 5 . $ ! - % . 4 ! , " % , ) % & 3

THE

& NAL

.5-"%2 7ORDS OF HOPE FOR THE DARKEST TIMES

)

"Y -ARK ! &INLEY

2ESCUE

lRST MET "ILL YEARS AGO IN 4HROUGH THE YEARS SINCE THEN WE TALKED OFTEN ABOUT HIS FAVORITE THEMES VISION OPTIMISM DEFEATING THE ODDS FAITH IN 'OD AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD 4HOSE OF US WHO KNEW "ILL WELL KNEW THAT HE HAD A PASSION FOR LIFE AND A PASSION TO MAKE OTHER LIVES BETTER BECAUSE OF HIS OWN )N THE LAST FEW MONTHS OF HIS LIFE "ILL AND ) TALKED REGULARLY OFTEN WEEKLY )N ONE OF OUR CONVERSATIONS ) SENSED "ILL S ILLNESS WAS TERMINAL AND THAT HE PROBABLY DID NOT HAVE LONG TO LIVE 4HAT lNAL CONVERSATION IS ETCHED IN MY MIND FOREVER 7E TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT ULTIMATELY

*ESUS WOULD TRIUMPH OVER ALL THE POWERS OF HELL AND DEATH WOULD lNALLY BE DEFEATED ) WOULD LIKE TO MENTION HERE SOME OF THE THOUGHTS ) SHARED WITH "ILL THAT DAY AS WELL AS SOME FURTHER REmECTIONS $EATH IS NOT SOME UNSOLVED MYSTERY )T S NOT A DARK HOLE IN THE GROUND )T S NOT A LONG NIGHT WITHOUT A MORNING *ESUS MET THE 'RIM 2EAPER HEAD ON YEARS AGO AND CONQUERED )N THE LIFE OF *ESUS THERE ARE THREE EPISODES IN WHICH (E CONFRONTS DEATH !ND ALTHOUGH THE LESSONS ARE OLD THEY SPEAK WITH INCREASING RELEVANCE TO US IN THE TWENTY lRST CENTURY 4HEY ARE EVER NEW EVER FRESH EVER SPEAKING HOPE AND COMFORT TO NEW GENERATIONS

%PISODE 4HE $EATH OF ,AZARUS

*ESUS FRIEND ,AZARUS DEVELOPED A SUDDEN ILLNESS AND DIED UNEXPECTEDLY 4HE SHORTEST VERSE IN THE "IBLE h*ESUS

-ARK ! &INLEY IS A VICE PRESIDENT OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE IN 3ILVER 3PRING -ARYLAND

5NITED 3TATES

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

(IS TEARS SPEAK OF A WEPTv *OHN IS FOUND IN THIS STORY 7HY DID *ESUS WEEP /NE REASON IS SIMPLY THIS (E IDENTIlED WITH THE PAIN IN THE HEART OF ,AZARUS S TWO SISTERS -ARY AND -ARTHA (IS TEARS SPEAK OF A 3AVIOR WHO UNDERSTANDS OUR TEARS *ESUS IDENTIlES WITH OUR PAIN (E UNDERSTANDS OUR GRIEF (E EXPERIENCES OUR SORROW (E IS ONE WITH US IN OUR SUFFERING (E IS OUR COMPANION IN TRIBULATION 7HEN OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN (IS HEART IS BROKEN TOO 7HEN WE HURT

(E HURTS TOO 7HEN -ARY AND -ARTHA WEPT *ESUS WEPT TOO (E SHARES OUR TEARS *ESUS NOT ONLY WEEPS BUT (E HAS THE DIVINE POWER TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT ,AZARUS S DEATH *ESUS DECLARES TO -ARTHA

h$ID ) NOT SAY TO YOU THAT IF YOU BELIEVE YOU WILL SEE THE GLORY OF 'OD v *OHN .!3" 4HOSE WORDS ECHO DOWN THE CENTURIES TO OUR TIMES "ELIEVE AND YOU WILL SEE THE GLORY OF 'OD 7E HAVE NOT SEEN OUR FRIEND "ILL FOR THE LAST TIME )N THE CATACOMBS UNDER 2OME CHISELED IN THE PAGAN GRAVES ARE THESE SORROWFUL WORDS h'OODBYE MY LOVE FOREVER v "Y CONTRAST #HRISTIAN GRAVES RING WITH WORDS OF HOPE &OR US

IT S h'OODBYE UNTIL THE MORNING v "ELIEVE AND YOU TOO WILL SEE THE GLORY OF 'OD 9OU HAVE NOT SEEN YOUR LOVED ONE FOR THE LAST TIME )N SOME OF THE MOST POWERFUL WORDS OF THE ENTIRE "IBLE *ESUS CRIED hWITH A LOUD VOICE @,AZARUS COME FORTH v *OHN $EATH mEES AT THE WORDS OF *ESUS THE TOMB GIVES UP ITS DEAD AT THE WORDS OF *ESUS 3ATAN TREMBLES AT THE WORDS OF *ESUS ,AZARUS ARISES AT THE WORDS OF *ESUS AND DEATH IS VANQUISHED AT THE WORDS OF *ESUS (ERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN BE CERTAIN OF *ESUS HAS NEVER LOST A BATTLE WITH DEATH !ND (E IS NOT GOING TO LOSE THE BATTLE WITH DEATH IN REGARDS TO "ILL 4HE RESURRECTION OF

AND $EATH 2ESURRECTION 4HE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH "UT 'OD WHO ALONE IS IMMORTAL WILL GRANT ETERNAL LIFE TO (IS REDEEMED 5NTIL THAT DAY DEATH IS AN UNCONSCIOUS STATE FOR ALL PEOPLE 7HEN #HRIST WHO IS OUR LIFE APPEARS THE RESURRECTED RIGHTEOUS AND THE LIVING RIGHTEOUS WILL BE GLORIlED AND CAUGHT UP TO MEET THEIR ,ORD 4HE SECOND RESURRECTION THE RESURRECTION OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS WILL TAKE PLACE A THOUSAND YEARS LATER 2OM 4IM

%CCL 0S

*OHN #OL #OR 4HESS *OHN

2EV

3AVIOR WHO UNDERSTANDS OUR TEARS ,AZARUS IS A TYPE OF THE RESURRECTION OF ALL BELIEVERS AT THE COMING OF OUR ,ORD %PISODE ˆ4HE 4ESTIMONY OF *ESUS

4HE RESURRECTION OF *ESUS #HRIST SPEAKS OF A 3AVIOR WHO HAS POWER OVER DEATH EVEN (IS OWN h@) AM (E WHO LIVES AND WAS DEAD v HE SAYS h@AND BEHOLD ) AM ALIVE FOREVERMORE !MEN !ND ) HAVE THE KEYS OF (ADES ;HELL= AND OF $EATHv 2EV 7E NEED NOT FEAR DEATH BECAUSE *ESUS HAS THE KEYS TO THE GRAVE #OME WITH ME TO A PLACE CALLED #ALVARY AND A HILL CALLED 'OLGOTHA ONE &RIDAY AFTERNOON YEARS AGO )T WAS A DARK DARK &RIDAY 4HE SUN REFUSED TO SHINE 4HUNDER CRASHED ,IGHTNING mASHED 4HAT DARK &RIDAY 0ETER DENIED THE 3AVIOR *UDAS BETRAYED (IM 4HE *EWS FORSOOK (IM 4HE DISCIPLES ABANDONED (IM AND THE 2OMANS CRUCIlED (IM 4HEY TOOK (IS BROKEN BLOODY BODY DOWN FROM THE CROSS !ND THE DISCIPLES HOPES WERE CRUSHED "UT THAT DARK &RIDAY WAS FOLLOWED BY ONE BRIGHT 3UNDAY MORNING *ESUS IS RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD $EATH IS DEFEATED 4HE ENEMY IS CONQUERED !ND THE GRAVE NO LONGER HOLDS ITS VICTIM !ND BECAUSE *ESUS LIVES OUR LOVED ONES WILL LIVE AGAIN

WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS TO MEET THE ,ORD IN THE AIR !ND THUS WE SHALL ALWAYS BE WITH THE ,ORDv 4HESS

*ESUS WILL RETURN 4HE LAST ENEMY WILL BE DEFEATED $EATH WILL BE GONE FOREVER h@$EATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY @/ $EATH WHERE IS YOUR STING / ;'RAVE= WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY x"UT THANKS BE TO 'OD WHO GIVES US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR ,ORD *ESUS #HRISTv #OR )N MY LAST CONVERSATION WITH "ILL WE TALKED ABOUT ETERNITY 7E TALKED ABOUT HEAVEN 7E TALKED ABOUT FOREVER !ND MY LAST WORDS AS A PASTOR AND A FRIEND WENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS h"ILL YOU ARE NOT ALONE #HRIST IS WITH YOU AND ONE DAY SOON MY FRIEND YOU WILL SEE (IM FACE TO FACE v "ILL S &INAL -OMENTS

!S "ILL FACED THE LAST FEW MOMENTS OF HIS LIFE HIS WIFE

"ONNIE AND HIS SONS "ART AND "RAD GATHERED AROUND HIS BED "ONNIE ASKED THAT THEY PLAY THE #$ OF RELIGIOUS HYMNS BY 7INTLEY 0HIPPS 3HE WANTED THE MESSAGE OF A FAMILIAR OLD HYMN TO BE IN "ILL S MIND AS HE LINGERED BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH 3OON THE WORDS OF THE FAMILIAR SONG mOWED INTO THE ROOM h7HEN YOU WALK THROUGH A STORM HOLD YOUR HEAD UP HIGH AND DON T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK v 4HE MESSAGE OF THE SONG IS THAT REGARDLESS OF WHAT FACES US WE NEVER WALK ALONE %PISODE ˆ*ESUS #ONQUERS $EATH &OREVER $URING LIFE AND IN DEATH IN *ESUS AND THROUGH *ESUS AND 4HE VICTORY OF *ESUS SPEAKS OF A CONQUEROR WITH A LASTING BECAUSE OF *ESUS WE NEVER WALK ALONE /NE DAY WE WILL SEE AND lNAL POWER OVER DEATH (IM COME /UR HOPE IS BUILT ON THE CERTAINTY THAT THE *ESUS 4HE APOSTLE 0AUL SPEAKS OF OUR lNAL HOPE IN THESE WHO ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND CONQUERED THE GRAVE IS COMING WORDS h&OR THE ,ORD (IMSELF WILL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN AGAIN TO TAKE US HOME WITH A SHOUT WITH THE VOICE OF AN ARCHANGEL AND WITH THE TRUMPET OF 'OD !ND THE DEAD IN #HRIST WILL RISE lRST 4HEN 3CRIPTURE QUOTATIONS MARKED .!3" ARE FROM THE .EW !MERICAN 3TANDARD "IBLE COPYRIGHT Ú

BY 4HE ,OCKMAN &OUNDATION 5SED BY WE WHO ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER PERMISSION 0 ( / 4 / " 9 - !4 4 ( % 7 ( % 2 : % ,

$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

( % 2 ) 4 ! ' %

)

WAS YEARS OLD WHEN ) STARTED VISITING MY GRANDPARENTS ON THEIR FARM IN !ROOSTOOK #OUNTY

-AINE $AD HAD DIED THE YEAR BEFORE FROM WAR INJURIES 3UDDENLY -OTHER S PARENTS BECAME A BIG PART OF MY LIFE !LMOST WEEKLY ) VISITED THEM IN WHAT ) THOUGHT WAS THE BIGGEST FARMHOUSE IN THE STATE )F ) STAYED FOR MORE THAN A DAY

'RANDMA INSISTED ) TAKE AN AFTERNOON NAP )T DIDN T MATTER TO HER THAT ) WAS NOT TIRED h#HILDREN NEED NAPS v SHE D SAY /CCASIONALLY SHE D LET ME REST ON HER AND 'RANDFATHER S BIG BED ) LOVED THE SMELL OF THEIR ROOM IT WAS LIKE SPRINGTIME WITH AN AROMA OF mOWERS

THE

'U DING ,IGHT (OW ONE MASTER S ART INmUENCED ANOTHER MAN S LIFE

AND FRESHNESS EVERYWHERE )N MY CHILDISH MIND ) RATIONALIZED THAT THIS CAME FROM THE ROSES ON THE WALLPAPER

BUT PROBABLY IT WAS THE PERFUMES AND POWDERS ON 'RANDMOTHER S DRESSER h*UST LIE DOWN FOR A BIT EVEN IF YOU RE NOT SLEEPY v SHE D SAY h"UT 'RANDMA THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS TO LOOK AT IN HERE WHY WOULD ) WANT TO GO TO SLEEP v "UT SHE HAD CLOSED THE DOOR

2ON ,AING IS A NATURAL IST AND PHOTOGRAPHER OF RENOWN WHO BLENDS HIS ART WITH HIS WRITING HIS FAVORITE SUBJECT REMAINS HIS NATIVE .EW %NGLAND WHERE HE RESIDES (E WAS EMPLOYED AT .EW %NGLAND -EMORIAL (OSPITAL LATER "OSTON 2EGIONAL -EDICAL #ENTER IN 3TONEHAM -ASSA CHUSETTS FOR YEARS

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

0UTTING -YSELF IN THE 0ICTURE

4HE THING ) LIKED MOST IN THE ROOM WAS A BIG PICTURE WITH A BRASS PLATE THAT SAID IN FANCY WRITING h4HE 'UIDING ,IGHT v THE SAME TITLE AS ONE OF 'RANDMOTHER S FAVORITE RADIO PROGRAMS SHE LISTENED TO WHEN ) NAPPED )N THE PICTURE WAS A GIRL ABOUT AND A BOY JUST A LITTLE OLDER WALKING DOWN A NARROW WOODED PATH WITH STEEP DROP OFFS ON EITHER SIDE !N ANGEL WITH WINGS OF GRANDEUR AND ARMS OUTSTRETCHED WAS WALKING CLOSE BEHIND

A BEAM OF LIGHT ILLUMINATING THEIR WAY (E S JUST GUIDING THEM ALONG ) THOUGHT IMAGINING THAT ,ORRAINE MY LITTLE SISTER AND ) WERE THE ONES ON THE PATH 7E STOPPED NOW AND THEN TO WATCH A BUTTERmY OR TO SMELL THE BLUE FORGET ME NOTS BESIDE THE PATH AND THEN HURRIED ON CAREFUL NOT TO FALL DOWN THE EMBANKMENTS h#OME SLEEPYHEAD WE HAVE THINGS

"Y 2ON ,AING

WE MUST DO BEFORE SUPPER v ) HEARD 'RANDMOTHER S VOICE .APTIME WAS OVER AND ) HADN T EVEN BEEN ASLEEP ) TRIED HARD TO ACT LIKE ) JUST AWOKE ) WALKED IN A WOBBLY WAY WIPING SLEEP FROM MY EYES BUT ) WAS NEVER SURE 'RANDMA BELIEVED MY LITTLE ACT 9EARS PASSED AND MY WIFE #AROLYN

AND ) HAD TWO LITTLE GIRLS OF OUR OWN /NE DAY WE DISCOVERED THAT A GIFTED ARTIST (ARRY !NDERSON HAD PAINTED A PICTURE WITH A THEME MUCH THE SAME AS THE ONE THAT HUNG IN 'RANDMOTHER S BEDROOM ) HUNG A COPY IN THE BEDROOM OUR DAUGHTERS SHARED HOPING THEY D RECEIVE THE SAME NOSTALGIC SATISFACTION FROM THIS PICTURE AS ) DID FROM 'RANDMOTHER S 4HE !RTIST

9EARS LATER #AROLYN AND ) HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET (ARRY !NDERSON .EW %NGLAND -EMORIAL (OSPITAL

A MEDICAL CENTER NORTH OF "OSTON

WAS GIVEN A MONETARY DONATION WITH THE PROVISO THAT IT hMUST BE USED TO REmECT 'OD S LOVE TO MANKIND FOR ALL PEOPLE TO SEE v !NDERSON HAD BEEN COMMISSIONED TO CREATE A PAINTING TO EMBODY THIS THEME (OSPITAL ADMINISTRATION IMPRESSED WITH MY CABINETMAKING SKILLS REQUESTED ) WORK WITH HIM IN DESIGNING A SUITABLE FRAME /N A WARM SPRING DAY WE VISITED THE !NDERSONS IN THEIR COZY #ONNECTICUT HOME (ARRY WAS A TALL GENTLEMAN IN THE lNEST AND MOST SPECIlC DElNITION OF THE WORD GENTLE

WELL SPOKEN PERHAPS A BIT SHY AND RESERVED 4HE KINDNESS IN HIS EYES MADE ME FEEL ) WAS SEEING RIGHT INTO HIS SOUL ,ATER WE FOLLOWED HIM THROUGH A mOWERING APPLE ORCHARD TO HIS STUDIO 3TANDING BEFORE US IN THE SUNLIGHT WAS AN AGED BUILDINGˆALL WEATHERWORN WITH LARGE WINDOWS ON THREE SIDES )TS FADED REDWOOD STAIN MADE IT BLEND PICTURESQUELY WITH THE LANDSCAPE 7HAT A WONDERFUL PLACE TO WORK )NSIDE THE SMELL OF OIL PAINT AND TURPENTINE WAS HEAVY AND THERE WERE DABS OF EVERY COLOR OF PAINT ONE MIGHT IMAGINE 4HE LARGE BY L FOOT PAINTING HUNG ON THE WALL 7ITHOUT SPEAKING WE GAZED AT A MASTERPIECE

!NDERSON IS FAR TOO FORMAL #OME LET ME SHOW YOU SOME OF MY OTHER WORK 9OU SEE PAINTING IS MY PROFESSION BUT CARVING IS MY HOBBY v !T THE HOUSE WE LOOKED IN AMAZEMENT AT SEA BIRDS SEEMING REAL ENOUGH TO mY AWAY IF STARTLED .EAR SUNSET WE GOT TO THE REASON FOR OUR VISIT 7E EXCHANGED IDEAS FOR THE FRAME S DESIGN AND SOON HAD DECIDED ON ITS ESTHETICS AND DETAILS (E EXPLAINED HOW TO PROPERLY MOUNT THE CANVAS AND EVEN GAVE ME A TOOL TO MAKE MY TASK EASIER h+EEP THE OLD TOOL AS A REMEMBRANCE OF OUR DAY TOGETHER v HE SAID WITH A TWINKLE IN HIS EYE 4OGETHER WE ROLLED WORTH OF ARTWORK ONTO A PIECE OF INCH PLASTIC DRAINPIPE AND SAID GOODBYE ) COULD HARDLY WAIT TO START CONSTRUCTION AND SEE !NDERSON S EXQUISITE PAINTING IN OUR HOSPITAL LOBBY ! "LESSING 0RESERVED

6ISITORS VIEWING THE PIECE WERE IN AWE OF THE PROFOUND AND POWERFULLY CONVEYED IMAGE &OR YEARS THE PIECE REMAINED WHERE ) HUNG IT THEN IN AFTER YEARS OF HEALTH CARE

0ICTURED IS A HOSPITAL SICKROOMˆAS REAL AS IF WE D WALKED INTO THE CANVAS ! YOUNG GIRL LIES QUIETLY ON WHITE INSTITUTIONAL SHEETS BESIDE HER A CONCERNED DOCTOR /N THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BED A NURSE LOOKS ON 4HE lGURE BESIDE THE DOCTOR IS *ESUS (IS HAND RESTING LIGHTLY ON THE SICK GIRL S FOREHEAD 4HE SOLEMNITY OF THE SCENE STRUCK US

YET WE FELT AN UNSPEAKABLE CALMNESS 7E EXPRESSED OUR PERSONAL APPRECIATION FOR THIS PICTURE -ORE THAN EVER WE FELT WE WERE WITH A MAN OF GREATNESS 4HIS SEEMED THE RIGHT TIME TO TELL HIM OF HIS PICTURE THAT HUNG SO LONG IN OUR DAUGHTERS BEDROOM AND THE JOY IT BROUGHT OUR FAMILY (E WAS DELIGHTED h#ALL ME (ARRY v HE SAID h-R

- !4 4 ( % 7 ( % 2 : % ,

4HE 0AINTING

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY THE BED HOSPITAL CLOSED &OR SEVERAL YEARS ) DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE !NDERSON PAINTING ONLY THAT IT WAS SOLD AT AUCTION (OWEVER A FEW YEARS AGO ) WAS DELIGHTED TO LEARN THAT A FRIEND

ONCE AN ADMINISTRATIVE INTERN AT .EW %NGLAND -EMORIAL (OSPITAL BOUGHT THE PAINTING FOR A HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS PRESIDENT ) VISITED THE HOSPITAL IN A BRAND NEW CITY CALLED #ELEBRATION IN CENTRAL &LORIDA AND ONCE AGAIN HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO GAZE AT !NDERSON S MASTERPIECE STILL IN MY FRAME ) TALKED WITH (ARRY ON THE PHONE SEVERAL TIMES AFTER OUR VISIT ) EVEN PERSUADED HIM TO GO TO SEE THE PAINTING IN ITS NEW HOME (E WAS DELIGHTED AT THE DISPLAY AND LIGHTING ) WAS PLEASED WHEN HE SMILED WIDELY AND APPROVED OF THE FRAMEWORK 4HE TOOL HE GAVE ME SO LONG AGO STILL HANGS IN MY OFlCE AS A DAILY REMINDER OF ALL THAT S GOOD IN THE WORLD (ARRY !NDERSON PASSED AWAY IN .OVEMBER AT THE AGE OF ,IKE SO MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD OUR FAMILY S LIVES WERE IMPACTED BY HIS IMAGES AND WE FEEL WE LOST A FRIEND

-EET THE

!RTIST

(ARRY !NDERSON WAS BORN IN #HICAGO IN (E HAD PLANNED TO BE A MATHEMATICIAN BUT IN HE TOOK AN ART COURSE AND DISCOVERED BOTH A TALENT AND A LOVE FOR DRAWING (E GRADUATED WITH HONORS FROM 3YRACUSE 3CHOOL OF !RT (ARRY AND HIS WIFE 2UTH JOINED THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN (E WAS APPROACHED BY THE 2EVIEW AND (ERALD 0UBLISHING !SSOCIATION TO PRODUCE RELIGIOUS ILLUSTRATIONS &OR YEARS HE PAINTED REPRESENTING RELIGIOUS CHARACTERS AND EVENTS WITHIN THE BACKDROP OF MODERN TIMES RATHER THAN "IBLE TIMES AS THEY HAD BEEN THROUGHOUT HISTORY (E IS BEST KNOWN FOR THIS GREAT BODY OF RELIGIOUS ARTWORK 4HROUGHOUT HIS CAREER !NDERSON RECEIVED NUMEROUS AWARDS FROM ART ASSOCIATIONS INCLUDING THE PRESTIGIOUS .EW 9ORK !RT $IRECTORS #LUB )N HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE 3OCIETY OF )LLUSTRATORS (ALL OF &AME (IS ARTISTIC CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE BROUGHT HEAVENLY THOUGHTS TO MANY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

")",% 15%34)/.3

$

ICTIONARIES DElNE hMONOTHEISMv AS THE BELIEF CLOSE TO POLYTHEISM A BELIEF IN THE EXISTENCE OF AND THE THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE 'OD FROM THE 'REEK MONO WORSHIP OF MANY GODS 4HE .EW 4ESTAMENT ACKNOWLEDGES hSINGLEv AND THEOS h'ODv 3CHOLARS FROM ALL THE EXISTENCE OF AT LEAST ANOTHER hGOD v h4HE GOD OF THIS AGE #HRISTIAN TRADITIONS HAVE DISCUSSED THE EXTENT TO WHICH THIS HAS BLINDED THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERSv #OR .)6 TERM EMBODIES THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF 'OD 4HE QUESTION THEY %VEN THE lRST COMMANDMENT COULD BE READ AS IMPLYING RAISE IS WHETHER THE "IBLE RECOGNIZES THE EXISTENCE OF OTHER THE EXISTENCE OF OTHER hGODS v h9OU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS GODS ) WILL DESCRIBE SOME OF THE ISSUES OF THIS QUESTION AND BEFORE MEv %X .)6 7HAT IS SURPRISING ABOUT THE MAKE SOME GENERAL COMMENTS ON THE BIBLICAL MATERIALS lRST COMMANDMENT IS THATˆAS FAR AS ) CAN TELLˆSUCH A -ONOTHEISM AND THE "IBLE "IBLE SCHOLARS USED TO PROHIBITION IS UNKNOWN IN ANCIENT .EAR %ASTERN RELIGIONS BELIEVE THAT ALL RELIGIONS WERE ORIGINALLY MONOTHEISTIC BUT 3UCH RELIGIONS DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT A JEALOUS 'OD THAT SLOWLY THE IDEA OF THE EXISTENCE OF MANY GODS CREPT WHO DEMANDED THE EXCLUSIVE SERVICE AND ADORATION OF INTO THEIR SYSTEM OF BELIEFS /THER SCHOLARS ARGUED (IS PEOPLE )N SUCH RELIGIONS HONORING ALL THE GODS WAS A THAT MONOTHEISM IS THE END VIRTUE AND USEFUL TO THEIR PRODUCT OF A LONG PROCESS PRACTITIONERS THAT BEGAN WITH THE CON 5NIQUENESS OF THE VICTION THAT THERE WERE ,ORD 7HEN EXAMINING MANY GODS OR MANY SPIRITUAL THIS QUESTION WE HAVE TO FORCES "UT THIS EVOLUTIONARY EMPHASIZE ONE THING THAT APPROACH TO MONOTHEISM IS THE "IBLE DEPICTS 'OD AS ALIEN TO THE "IBLE 2ECENTLY ABSOLUTELY HOLY UNIQUE

SCHOLARS HAVE RECOGNIZED AND WITHOUT EQUAL CF THAT BIBLICAL MATERIALS ON $EUT )SA (E IS 15%34)/.

THAT TOPIC ARE MORE COMPLEX THE 5NCREATED /NE THE 7HAT IS MONOTHEISM THAN PREVIOUSLY BELIEVED %TERNAL CF )SA "UT THEY ARE STILL ASKING (IS VERY NATURE PLACES "Y T H E M S E LVE S W H E T H E R A (IM OUTSIDE THE REALM OF !NGEL -ANUEL NARROW UNDERSTANDING OF (IS CREATIONˆEVEN THOUGH 2ODR¤GUEZ MONOTHEISM PROPERLY DES (E CHOSE TO DWELL WITH (IS CRIBES THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF CREATURES 4HOSE WHO ARE 'OD 4HAT DEPENDS ON HOW CALLED hGODSv ARE IN REALITY WE DElNE MONOTHEISM CREATURES AND THEREFORE /NE 9ET -ANY 4HE ESSENTIALLY DIFFERENT FROM "IBLE CLEARLY AFFIRMS THE THE ,ORD 4HEY WERE CREATED EXISTENCE OF ONE SUPREME 'OD 4HIS IS THE 'OD INTRODUCED BY (IM THROUGH #HRIST CF #OL BUT THEY CHOSE IN THE lRST VERSE OF THE "IBLE 'ENESIS )T WAS THE ,ORD REBELLION CF *UDE AND SOUGHT TO OCCUPY THE ,ORD S PLACE ALONE WHO CREATED EVERYTHING IN AN EFFORTLESS MANNER I E

IN THE LIFE OF HUMANS )SA %PH 4HEY WITHOUT HAVING TO FACE OPPOSING FORCES !T THE MOMENT PROCLAIMED THEMSELVES hGODSv BUT THEY ARE STILL ACCOUNTABLE OF #REATION (E WAS THE ONLY AND UNIQUE 'OD THE ,ORD TO THE ,ORD AND CANNOT FULLY FUNCTION INDEPENDENT OF (IM 7E lND PASSAGES STATING THAT hBESIDES HIM THERE IS NO CF *OB #OL 4HIS BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING OTHER ;'OD=v $EUT .)6 THAT hTHE ,ORD IS 'OD IN OF 'OD AND THE NATURE OF THE hGODSv MAY NOT FULLY lT A HEAVEN ABOVE AND ON THE EARTH BELOW 4HERE IS NO OTHERv TRADITIONAL AND NARROW DElNITION OF MONOTHEISM BUT IT $EUT .)6 SEE ALSO )SA -ANY OTHER PASSAGES IS MONOTHEISTIC IN THAT IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE EXISTENCE SUPPORT THE USE OF THE TERM hMONOTHEISMv FOR THE BIBLICAL OF ANY OTHER BEING THAT IS IN ANY WAY SIMILAR TO THE ,ORD UNDERSTANDING OF 'OD 'OD OR THAT PARTICIPATES OF (IS DISTINCTIVE NATURE 4HE "UT WE CANNOT IGNORE OTHER EVIDENCE THAT COMPLICATES UNIQUENESS OF 'OD DOES NOT DENY THE PLURALITY OF PERSONS THE ISSUE PARTICULARLY PASSAGES SUCH AS 0SALM WHERE IN THE 'ODHEAD BUT THEY SHOULD NEVER BE CONSIDERED TO BE 'OD IS DESCRIBED AS SITTING AMONG THE hGODSv IN JUDGMENT A PLURALITY OF hGODS v 4HE MYSTERY OF THE 'ODHEAD RESIDES IN AND PRONOUNCING A lNAL VERDICT AGAINST THEM h9OU ARE THE MYSTERY OF (IS UNIQUENESS @GODS YOU ARE ALL SONS OF THE -OST (IGH "UT YOU WILL DIE LIKE MERE MENv VERSE .)6 4HIS HAS BEEN CALLED hMONARCHIC MONOTHEISM v THAT IS TO SAY THE OTHER GODS ARE !NGEL -ANUEL 2ODRÓGUEZ IS DIRECTOR OF THE "IBLICAL 2ESEARCH )NSTITUTE OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE UNDER THE HEADSHIP OF 'OD CF 0S BUT THIS IS TOO

5NIQUE AND

5NRIVALED

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

" ) " , % 3 4 5 $ 9

0OWER

"Y -ARK ! &INLEY

2ESURRECTION

(AVE YOU EVER FELT POWERLESS IN YOUR #HRISTIAN LIFE $O TEMPTATIONS SEEM TO EASILY OVERPOWER YOU $O YOU FAIL AGAIN AND AGAIN 0ERHAPS YOU THINK #HRISTIANITY HAS TO OFFER MORE THAN THIS 7HERE IS THE POWER 7HY DO ) LIVE IN FRUSTRATED DEFEAT ) HAVE EXPERIENCED 'OD S SAVING GRACE FOR MY PAST SINS BUT ) LONG FOR (IS POWER NOW TO LIVE A DIFFERENT VICTORIOUS LIFE 9OU ARE NOT ALONE /THER COMMITTED #HRISTIANS HAVE FELT THE SAME WAY )N TODAY S LESSON WE WILL DISCOVER HOW TO TAP INTO THE SAME POWER THAT RAISED *ESUS FROM THE DEAD TO LIVE LIVES OF MORAL STRENGTH AND VICTORY

(OW DID THE APOSTLE 0AUL DESCRIBE THE DILEMMA EACH #HRISTIAN FACES h&OR ) KNOW THAT IN ME THAT IS IN MY mESH NOTHING GOOD DWELLS FOR TO WILL IS PRESENT WITH ME BUT HOW TO PERFORM WHAT IS GOOD ) DO NOT lNDv 2OM A )N OUR mESH NOTHING

DWELLS

B 7E MAY HAVE THE

BUT

C 7E ARE UNABLE TO

WHAT IS GOOD

7HERE DID 0AUL lND THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM h/ WRETCHED MAN THAT ) AM 7HO WILL DELIVER ME FROM THIS BODY OF DEATH ) THANK 'ODˆTHROUGH *ESUS #HRIST OUR ,ORDv 2OM

4HE SOLUTION TO THE CONSTANT FAILURE IN THE #HRISTIAN LIFE IS A RELATIONSHIP WITH

OUR ,ORD

4HERE IS ONLY ONE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM OF CONTINUAL FAILURE AND CONSTANT FRUSTRATION OVER OUR SINS *ESUS MAKES THE WEAK STRONG (E TRANSFORMS DEFEATED BELIEVERS INTO VICTORIOUS ONES (E LOOSES THE CHAINS THAT BIND US AND SETS US FREE TO SERVE (IM AND BLESS OTHERS WITH OUR WITNESS

7HAT WAS 0AUL S INNER SPIRITUAL LONGING h"UT INDEED ) ALSO COUNT ALL THINGS LOSS FOR THE EXCELLENCE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF #HRIST *ESUS MY ,ORD FOR WHOM ) HAVE SUFFERED THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS AND COUNT THEM AS RUBBISH THAT ) MAY GAIN #HRIST x THAT ) MAY KNOW (IM AND THE POWER OF (IS RESURRECTION AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF (IS SUFFERINGS BEING CONFORMED TO (IS DEATHv 0HIL

0AUL WAS WILLING TO COUNT ALL THINGS LOSS FOR THE

OF THE

OF

0AUL S HEARTFELT DESIRE WAS TO KNOW

HIS

AND THE

OF (IS

4HE SECRET OF LIVING A JOY lLLED #HRISTIAN LIFE RATHER THAN ONE OF FRUSTRATED DEFEAT IS hKNOWING #HRIST AND THE POWER OF (IS RESURRECTION v /NE OF THE CENTRAL TRUTHS OF THE .EW 4ESTAMENT IS THE RESURRECTION OF #HRIST $ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

7HAT TITLE DID *ESUS USE TO REVEAL (IMSELF TO THE APOSTLE *OHN ON THE ISLE OF 0ATMOS h$O NOT BE AFRAID ) AM THE &IRST AND THE ,AST ) AM (E WHO LIVES AND WAS DEAD AND BEHOLD ) AM ALIVE FOREVERMOREv 2EV

*ESUS IS THE

AND THE

*ESUS WAS

BUT NOW (E IS

FOREVERMORE

#HRISTIANITY IS NOT SIMPLY ANOTHER OF THE WORLD S BELIEF SYSTEMS *ESUS #HRIST IS ALIVE (IS POWER IS AVAILABLE TO US *UST AS OUR RESURRECTED ,ORD CONQUERED THE GRAVE AND GAVE US FREEDOM FROM DEATH S DOMINION THROUGH THE POWER OF (IS RESURRECTION WE CAN LIVE NEW LIVES

(OW DID THE APOSTLE 0AUL DESCRIBE THE EFFECT OF RESURRECTION POWER IN OUR OWN LIVES h"UT IF THE 3PIRIT OF (IM WHO RAISED *ESUS FROM THE DEAD DWELLS IN YOU (E WHO RAISED #HRIST FROM THE DEAD WILL ALSO GIVE LIFE TO YOUR MORTAL BODIES THROUGH (IS 3PIRIT WHO DWELLS IN YOUv 2OM A 4HE

B 4HIS SAME (OLY 3PIRIT WILL GIVE

RAISED

FROM THE DEAD

TO OUR MORTAL BODIES

4HIS IS AN AMAZING TRUTH 4HE SAME (OLY 3PIRIT WHO RAISED *ESUS FROM PHYSICAL DEATH WILL ENTER OUR LIVES THROUGH FAITH AND TRANSFORM US FROM SPIRITUAL DEATH TO SPIRITUAL LIFE .EW SPIRITUAL STRENGTH WILL BE OURS THROUGH THE POWER OF THE 3PIRIT

)F WE SURRENDER OUR LIVES TO *ESUS AND ARE WILLING TO BE hUNITED TOGETHER IN THE LIKENESS OF (IS DEATH v WHAT PROMISE CAN WE CLAIM h&OR IF WE HAVE BEEN UNITED TOGETHER IN THE LIKENESS OF (IS DEATH CERTAINLY WE ALSO SHALL BE IN THE LIKENESS OF (IS RESURRECTIONv 2OM )F WE ARE UNITED WITH (IM IN THE LIKENESS OF (IS DEATH WE SHALL ALSO BE IN THE

OF (IS

4O DIE WITH #HRIST IS TO SURRENDER OUR LIVES COMPLETELY TO (IM TO ASK (IM TO ALLOW OUR SINFUL NATURES TO BE CRUCIlED ON THE CROSS WITH (IM (IS PROMISE IS IF WE DIE WITH (IM WE SHALL BE RESURRECTED TO NEW LIFE THROUGH (IS RESURRECTION POWER

7HAT INVITATION COMES TO ALL WHO RESPOND TO THE PROMISE OF NEW LIFE h,ET US THEREFORE COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE THAT WE MAY OBTAIN MERCY AND lND GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEEDv (EB 7E CAN COME

SO WE MAY OBTAIN

TO THE

AND lND

OF

*ESUS LONGS TO TURN OUR DEFEATS INTO VICTORIES (E HAS OVERCOME THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE DEVIL AND CONQUERED DEATH ITSELF (E INVITES US TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT VICTORY THROUGH THE 3PIRIT IN RESURRECTION POWER

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

,%44%23

"UILDING 5P THE "ODY OF #HRIST

#AFFEINE )S $ANGEROUS

"ILL +NOTT IN HIS h7ORLD 6IEWv EDITORIAL h$ISCERNING THE "ODYv !DVENTIST 7ORLD 3EPTEMBER

EXPRESSED MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY (OW WONDERFUL IT IS TO COME TO CHURCH ON 3ABBATH MORNING NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO ATTEND CHURCH BUT BECAUSE WE ARE EAGER TO ATTEND 4HERE S SOMETHING ABOUT OUR MEETING TOGETHER THAT S UNEXPLAINABLE TO THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW 'OD S REJUVENATING AGENDA FOR (IS SPECIAL REMNANT PEOPLE (E WANTS ALL PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EXPERIENCE AND IT IS OUR WONDERFUL PRIVILEGE TO SHARE THIS BLESSING WITH OTHERS UNTIL (E COMES 4HEN WE WILL ALL PARTICIPATE IN WORSHIPPING OUR #REATOR AND 2EDEEMER TOGETHER FOR ALL ETERNITY (ELEN , 3ELF .ORTH #AROLINA 5NITED 3TATES

) AM WRITING CONCERNING THE ARTICLE h#AFFEINEˆ(AS THE #HURCH #HANGED )TS 3TAND v 3EPTEMBER BY $RS !LLAN (ANDYSIDES AND 0ETER ,ANDLESS /N ONE OCCASION WHILE CROSSING THE OCEAN IN %LLEN 7HITE S EARLY YEARS SHE BECAME SICK !T THE TIME SHE DRANK ONE CUP OF MILD TEA AS A MEDICATION /N ANOTHER OCCASION DURING HER SICKNESS SHE TOOK ONE CUP OF COFFEE WITH A RAW EGG AS A MEDICATION !FTER SHE WAS GIVEN FULL LIGHT ON THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF TEA AND COFFEE SHE WROTE THAT TEA AND COFFEE ARE HEALTH

DESTROYING SEE #OUNSELS ON $IET AND &OODS P AND SHE LISTED MANY OTHER HARMFUL EFFECTS )N %LLEN 7HITE S EXPERIENCE ONE CUP OF MILD TEA PLUS ONE CUP OF COFFEE WITH A RAW EGG IN HER LIFETIME DOES NOT ALLUDE TO HER USE OF THEM AS A MEDICATION % * .ICHOLS # HETWYND "RITISH #OLUMBIA

#ANADA ,ETTERS 0OLICY 0LEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TO LETTERS ADVENTISTWORLD ORG ,ETTERS MUST BE CLEARLY WRITTEN AND TO THE POINT WORD MAXIMUM "E SURE TO INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE ARTICLE THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND PAGE NUMBER WITH YOUR LETTER !LSO INCLUDE YOUR NAME THE TOWN CITY STATE AND COUNTRY FROM WHICH YOU ARE WRITING ,ETTERS WILL BE EDITED FOR SPACE AND CLARITY .OT ALL LETTERS SUBMITTED WILL BE PUBLISHED

%NCOURAGED BY !DVENTIST 7ORLD

) AM A REGULAR READER OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD AND ) REALLY ENJOY IT )N PAST ISSUES ) HAVE ESPECIALLY BEEN ENCOURAGED BY h0ULLING 4OGETHER v BY %LLEN ' 7HITE !UGUST h/NCE IS .OT %NOUGH v BY *OHN 7ESLEY 4AYLOR !UGUST AND h! ,ITTLE #HILD 3HALL ,EAD 4HEM v BY 7ILONA +ARIMABADI *ANUARY 'OD BLESS YOU 7ILLIE "ANDA +ATETE :AMBIA

$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

4 ( % 0 , ! # % / & 0 2 !9 % 2

'OD IS GREAT 0LEASE HELP US RENDER THANKS UNTO (IM (E HAS MADE A GREAT BREAKTHROUGH FOR US AS STUDENTS AT THE 5NIVERSITY OF &ORT (AREˆWE ARE NO LONGER WRITING EXAMS ON THE 3ABBATH 3ATAN WOULD LIKE TO SPOIL ALL THIS BUT PLEASE PRAY THAT THE ,ORD WILL SUSTAIN US 'ESHOM 3OUTH !FRICA ) AM A REFUGEE FROM THE $EMOCRATIC 2EPUBLIC OF THE #ONGO )TURI PROVINCE ) HAVE BEEN IN 5GANDA SINCE WITH MY CHILDREN ) NEED YOUR PRAYERS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY 0IRACEL 5GANDA 0LEASE PRAY THAT *OSEPH IS ABLE TO GO TO AN !DVENTIST COLLEGE (E WANTS TO BE A PASTOR 6IA E MAIL 0LEASE PRAY FOR OUR MARRIAGE AND lNANCES -Y WIFE DECIDED TO LEAVE THE MARRIAGE AFTER THE DEATH OF MY MOTHER WHO PASSED TO HER REST THIS YEAR AT THE AGE OF AFTER LIVING WITH US FOR THE PAST lVE YEARS -Y WIFE HAS JUST ASKED FOR A DIVORCE 0ETER 5NITED 3TATES 0LEASE PRAY THAT ) WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN TAKING MY BOARD EXAMINATION AND THAT SOMEDAY 'OD WILL GIVE ME A GOOD JOB TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY 2AIM 0HILIPPINES

) AM A YEAR OLD !DVENTIST FROM :AMBIA CRYING FOR HELP AND PRAYERS BECAUSE ) AM SINKING HERE ) THOUGHT ) COULD HAVE EVERYTHING ) WANTED IN THIS WORLD BUT THE QUEST FOR ETERNAL PEACE AND HOPE TOOK ME TO A LOT OF DARK PLACES AND FALSE WORSHIP ) COULDN T lND ANSWERS TO MY PROBLEMS BUT THANK 'OD ) MET AN OLD FRIEND WHO IS NOW AN !DVENTIST ) LL NEVER GO BACK AGAIN TO THE WORLD "RIGHTON :AMBIA ) AM PLANNING A #HRISTMAS PROGRAM WITH FOOD AND CLOTHING FOR ABOUT PEOPLE 0LEASE PRAY FOR THIS MINISTRY 9ESAIAH )NDIA * % 3 0 % 2 . / % 2

0LEASE PRAY FOR MY BROTHER WHO HAD AN ACCIDENT AND FOR MY FAMILY 6IA E MAIL

0LEASE JOIN ME IN PRAYING FOR THE 9OUTH 'UIDE #ONCERN A GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE FROM OUR CHURCH WHO ARE DOING CHARITABLE WORK IN THE -Y PRAYER REQUEST IS FOR MY FAMILY

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY BY SUPPORTING SPECIlCALLY THE lNANCIAL SITUATION OF MY HUSBAND 7E ARE PASSING THROUGH A ORPHANS AND THE ELDERLY %PHRAIM -ALAWI DIFlCULT PERIOD AND ARE DEPENDING ON THE ANSWER OF A JOB FOR HIM AND THAT WE WILL REMAIN STRONG IN FAITH 0LEASE PRAY FOR ME ! SITUATION IS %LAINE "RAZIL DEVELOPING THAT COULD CAUSE A LOT OF TROUBLE IN MY FAMILY 0LEASE PRAY THAT ) AM AN ORPHAN IN +ENYA 7E ARE THIS SITUATION WILL GO AWAY 4HANK YOU LANGUISHING IN POVERTY UNDER THE CARE FOR YOUR PRAYERS &ANNIE 5NITED 3TATES OF OUR GRANDMOTHER 0RAY THAT 'OD WILL CLOSE THE DOORS OF POVERTY AND REDEEM OUR FAMILY FROM THE WILES OF THE DEVIL 4HE 0LACE OF 0RAYER SEND TO PRAYER ADVENTISTWORLD ORG 3END US YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISE THANKS FOR ANSWERED *ILL +ENYA PRAYER +EEP YOUR ENTRIES SHORT AND CONCISE WORDS MAXIMUM ) AM REQUESTING PRAYER FOR MY SON TO PASS HIS EXAMS (E IS STRUGGLING WITH HIS SCHOOL WORK RIGHT NOW AND NEEDS THE MIGHTY HAND OF 'OD TO MOVE IN HIS BEHALF 0LEASE KEEP HIM BEFORE THE ,ORD 4HANK YOU 3HERMA 5NITED 3TATES

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER

)TEMS SENT TO THIS CATEGORY WILL BE EDITED FOR SPACE AND CLARITY %VEN THOUGH WE WILL PRAY FOR EACH ENTRY DURING OUR WEEKLY STAFF MEETINGS NOT ALL SUBMISSIONS WILL BE PRINTED 0LEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY S NAME WITH YOUR ENTRY 9OU MAY ALSO FAX REQUESTS TO OR MAIL THEM TO !DVENTIST 7ORLD

/LD #OLUMBIA 0IKE 3ILVER 3PRING -$ 5 3 !

h"EHOLD ) COME QUICKLYxv

%8#(!.'% /& )$%!3

/UR MISSION IS TO UPLIFT *ESUS #HRIST UNITING 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS EVERYWHERE IN BELIEFS

MISSION LIFE AND HOPE

-Y

0RAYER

! READER SHARES HIS DESIRE TO BE USED BY 'OD -AY MY LIFE BE A LIGHT UNTO OTHERS / ,ORD 4HAT ) MIGHT BE A CANDLE ALONG 4HY PATH IS MY PRAYER )N THE DARKNESS OF THE NIGHT MAY ) SHINE BRIGHTEST

-AKING THE ROAD A SAFER PLACE FOR THOSE UPON IT 4HROUGH THE THUNDER AND CLOUDS MAY ) BE A HAVEN OF WARMTH !S A SHIP NEEDS A LIGHTHOUSE

! TRAVELER HIS COMPASS

4O MAKE CLEAR THE WAY / ,ORD ) NEED 9OU -Y LIGHT IS FUELED BY 9OUR LOVE

-Y SAFETY RESTS IN 9OUR HANDS !LWAYS KEEP MY LIGHT

4HOUGH SMALL AS A CANDLE

"URNING BRIGHT LIKE A lRE FOR 9OU ˆ " Y !DAM # .EWBOLD

#OLLEGE 0LACE

7ASHINGTON 5 3 ! 4HIS POEM WAS WRITTEN DURING !DAM S SENIOR YEAR AT 7ALLA 7ALLA 6ALLEY !CADEMY WHILE HE WAS TAKING AN ADVANCED PLACEMENT CLASS IN LITERATURE

0UBLISHER 4HE !DVENTIST 7ORLD AN INTERNATIONAL PERIODICAL OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH 4HE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE

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IS THE PUBLISHER %XECUTIVE 0UBLISHER "ILL +NOTT !SSOCIATE 0UBLISHER #LAUDE 2ICHLI )NTERNATIONAL 0UBLISHING -ANAGER #HUN 0YUNG $UK 0UBLISHING "OARD *AN 0AULSEN CHAIR 4ED . # 7ILSON VICE CHAIR "ILL +NOTT SECRETARY !RMANDO -IRANDA 0ARDON + -WANSA *UAN 0RESTOL #HARLES # 3ANDEFUR $ON # 3CHNEIDER (EATHER $AWN 3MALL 2OBERT 3 3MITH 2OBERT % +YTE

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3TEPHEN #HAVEZ -ARK ! +ELLNER +IMBERLY ,USTE -ARAN %DITORS BASED IN 3EOUL +OREA #HUN *UNG +WON #HOE *EONG +WAN /NLINE %DITOR #ARLOS -EDLEY 4ECHNICAL #OORDINATOR -ERLE 0OIRIER %XECUTIVE !SSISTANT TO THE %DITOR 2ACHEL * #HILD %DITORIAL !SSISTANTS -ARVENE 4HORPE "APTISTE !LFREDO 'ARCIA -ARENKO 2EADER 3ERVICES -ERLE 0OIRIER !RT $IRECTION AND $ESIGN *EFF $EVER &ATIMA !MEEN "ILL 4YMESON #ONSULTANTS *AN 0AULSEN -ATTHEW "EDIAKO 2OBERT % ,EMON

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!RTUR ! 3TELE 5LRICH 7 &RIKART *OHN 2ATHINARAJ

"ERTIL ! 7IKLANDER 4O 7RITERS 7E WELCOME UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS !DDRESS ALL EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE TO /LD #OLUMBIA 0IKE

3ILVER 3PRING -$ 5 3 ! %DITORIAL OFlCE FAX NUMBER % MAIL )NTERNET WORLDEDITOR GC ADVENTIST ORG 7EB SITE WWW ADVENTISTWORLD ORG 5NLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ALL "IBLE REFERENCES ARE TAKEN FROM THE .EW +ING *AMES 6ERSION #OPYRIGHT Ú

BY 4HOMAS .ELSON )NC 5SED BY PERMISSION !LL RIGHTS RESERVED 4EXTS CREDITED TO .)6 ARE FROM THE (OLY "IBLE

.EW )NTERNATIONAL 6ERSION #OPYRIGHT Ú

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!DVENTIST 7ORLD IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY AND PRINTED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN +OREA "RAZIL )NDONESIA !USTRALIA AND THE 5NITED 3TATES 6OL .O

$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

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! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 , ) &% ) TURN OUT THE LIGHTS CLOSE MY EYES AND WAIT FOR THE FAMILIAR SOFT CLOUD OF WARMTH AND VIBRATION TO SETTLE DOWN UPON ME 3OUND LIKE SOMETHING SCI l OR MAYBE SOME PSYCHEDELIC EXPERIENCE .O

IT S JUST MY POUND CAT #RUSTY ,OU PURRING AND KNEADING AS SHE PREPARES FOR THE NIGHT ) SLEEP ON MY

BACK SO SHE CAN SLEEP ON MY LAP HER FAVORED SPOT FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS #ATS ARE FAMOUS FOR SEEKING OUT A WARM SPOT FOR THEIR NAPS AND MY DEGREE BODY CERTAINLY QUALIlES "UT ) CHOOSE TO BELIEVE SOMETHING MORE BRINGS HER TO ME EACH NIGHT AT BEDTIME ) BELIEVE SHE SEEKS ME OUT BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO BE WITH ME AND VALUES MY COMPANION SHIP AND IT PLEASES ME IMMENSELY !S ) DRIFTED OFF TO SLEEP LAST

$)$ 9 /5 + . / 7 &OUNDED IN #HRISTIAN 2ECORD 3ERVICES #23 IS A MINISTRY OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH THAT PROVIDES FREE #HRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS AND PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS %ACH YEAR THE LIVES OF APPROXIMATELY VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE ARE CHANGED BY SERVICES PROVIDED BY #23 WITHOUT COST !LL WHO ARE BLIND LEGALLY BLIND OR HAVE PHYSICAL IMPAIR MENTS THAT PREVENT THEM FROM HOLDING READING MATERIAL ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ITS SERVICES #HRISTIAN 2ECORD 3ERVICES IS LOCATED IN ,INCOLN .EBRASKA 5 3 ! 6ISIT ITS 7EB SITE AT WWW CHRISTIANRECORD ORG

NIGHT ) WONDERED IF IT PLEASES 'OD WHEN ) SEEK OUT (IS PRESENCE (E MADE ME TO BE (IS FRIEND IMAG INE THAT AND (E WAITS FOR ME TO WANT (IM AS MUCH AS (E WANTS ME 3OMETIMES (E TEMPTS ME WITH FRINGE BENElTS LIKE MY WARM LAP LURES MY CAT BUT THE GOAL IS COMPANIONSHIP &RIENDSHIP WITH AN INlNITE 'OD !MAZING ˆ,INDA * &INSTER

/KLAHOMA 5NITED 3TATES

3 /5. $"9 4%3

h7HEN AN INJUSTICE STOPS THE mOW OF LOVE

WE SEEK THE WAY BACK TO LOVE OVER THE BRIDGE OF FORGIVENESS v ˆ,OURDES % -ORALES 'UDMUNDSSON IN HER BOOK ) &ORGIVE 9OU "UT x P

! .37 %2 4HIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT THE -ARCION¤LIO 3OUZA 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN THE #ENTRAL "AHIA #ONFERENCE OF "RAZIL 4HE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE CELEBRATING THE SUCCESS OF h#ALEB -ISSIONv -ISSáO #ALEBE A PROJECT WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE DEDICATE THEIR VACATION TIME TO EVANGELIZE A TOWN WITH NO !DVENTIST PRESENCE