A Bad Story

On March 27, 2009 I rec'd an e-mail from a Justin Clark. He wrote to tell me and several others, including the President and Vice-president of OCI, that he couldn't believe we would have a certain worker at EVI. He told of his adultery when married to his first wife etc. (I actually talked to the first wife. She said her husband never committed adultery when they were together.) I sensed that Justin was not who he said he was so I asked him to call me. I figured if he was true he would call. If he had assumed a different name then he couldn't call because I would recognize his/her voice. He didn't call, he is too close.

In the meantime, I shared the defaming e-mail with Justin's target. In retrospect, I probably should have deleted it, but than again, how do we ever get to the bottom of things like this if they are not ferreted out. The victim decided to hire a private investigator and for $600 they promised to find the person. Soon, they claimed to have the person, but they can't tell us who it is because if they did they would be fined $10,000. What we must do now is hire a lawyer to supeona?? Yahoo and everyone down the line and press charges. Apparently, it is someone on EVI.

Our victim wanted to do just that, but wouldn't do it without my permission. I couldn't give my permission because the Bible says we don't bring a brother to court. (Now what?)

I believe the Lord gave me a plan. I called everyone at EVI to come to a meeting. I told them what happened and I asked the guilty party to come forward. If no guilty party would come forward within a week, then I would have to deduce that no one at EVI is guilty of this crime. This would free our supposed victim to press charges and carry through with the court action. No one came forward, as expected, but I made a strong appeal based on six principals.

(I would like to share these without going into details.)

1. The person who sent the e-mail does not realize the sinfulness of sin. Do you think Achan was planning a defeat for Israel when he stole the accursed thing, the goodly Babylonian garment? No. Likewise, the writer of the e-mail doesn't realize he is bringing the frown or God on EVI.

A year ago, nearly the same thing happened to one of our young ladies. Someone tampered with her e-mails and sent it to me. It told of her sexual exploits. Not pretty. It doesn't matter whether any of it was true or false. The intention was to corrupt my mind against her. (There is a sick mind behind these intrigues.)

2. "The displeasure of God," according to ST 1, 224, "will rest upon a people or a nation until the transgressor is searched out and punished." 

We are weak enough as an institution without having this kind of nonsense going on among us. I am determined to seek them out as God leads. He led Joshua, didn't He? He can lead me also. 

3. 5T 157:1 "If the presence of one Achan was sufficient to weaken the whole camp of Israel, can we be surprised at the little success which attends our efforts when every church and almost every family has its Achan?" Serious!

4. Confession is hard in the best of times, but have you ever thought what the alternative will bring?  Would someone throw away their salvation for fear of coming forward when they have sinned? Millions do! But it is INSANITY in the highest sense. 

PP 497:4 "Achan acknowledged his guilt, but when it was too late for the confession to benefit himself. 

Confession will come, of this I am certain, but what a tragedy when it must be forced from an unrepentant individual. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.  If the person came forward, we would forgive. No one is trying to rid EVI of anyone, but we can't have sin like this on the loose among us.

5. Numbers 32:23 "Be sure your sins will find you out." I didn't write this. God inspired Moses to set this warning out. We won't get away with anything. To think so is to work against ourselves.  It is all a matter of when, not if. And, another thing: "God is not mocked, what we sow, we will also reap." Gal 6:7-8. What we do to others will be done to us. Matt 7:2. (Obidiah 1:15.)

6. Now there is good news in all of this: 1 Kings 14:7-8 "Go tell Jeroboam, thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Forasmuch  as I exalted  thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel. And rent the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant  David , who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes."

This was written about David after his death. Did David do "only" that which was right in God's sight? How could God say such a thing? The reason is, God forgot. Notice Jer. 31:34 "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more." He chose to forget David's failures, specifically because David repented fully.

So with this I made a strong appeal that the person come forward. One mistake, or even many mistakes do not make the eternal punishment worth it. Like God, I would forget, we all would. I believe that, but pride will not let the individual off easy. 

In the end, this kind of stuff destroys my courage. How long should I stay in an institution where there are people willing to destroy each other? I wears my strength away. Bad story!

Taking Risks

Here we are, we've managed to survive another week unscathed. 

Last Thursday and Friday I fasted on water. That wasn't so bad, but my brother, Robert, had told me of a new cure-all he'd discovered and I decided to try it. (There isn't anything wrong with me. I shouldn't be trying to fix what isn't broken. I nearly broke it.) The potion is  pretty potent. I started with one drop on Thursday morning. I graduated to two drops on Thursday evening. On Friday morning, after having fasted since Wednesday evening, I though I would take three drops. I squeezed the bottle, one-e-e drop, two-o-o-o drops and when I went for three the bottle squirted. I don't know how much it squirted, but I thought, it will be okay. Well, it wasn't okay. I had to drive to DayStar Academy sick as a dog. Today, I still have diarrhea, one week later. 

I was invited to speak at a Camp Meeting in Russia in August. Can't go! I have a speaking engagement in Spokane at the same time. I don't think I would go anyway, except that I have gotten word that my Russian translator, Olga Martinemko, 32 just found out she has vaginal cancer third stage. She has only been my translator on two trips, but I have no better friend at that end of the world. She is a strong leader, doing many month-long schools all over the former USSR. I haven't seen her in at least three years, but I feel like I should do something for her. So, I'm going to try to raise money to bring her to EVI for a free session. She is in the hospital now, taking radiation. (A mutual friend tells me she lost 22 lbs.)  If it isn't too much for you to whisper a prayer for her, I know she'd appreciate it. 

May 23,

I was at DayStar for the graduation and board meeting. The Saturday night firefall was better than I've ever seen it. Every year, someone climbs the Perriott Mesa and builds a fire. After dark on the Sabbath of graduation they throw the fire off of a cliff, 1,500 ft. above the school. Sometimes, it is quite spectacular. (I slept longer hours than usual and took a two hour nap in the afternoon.)

May 24,

I did something I have always wanted to do. Though still a little weak for being sick, I climb the Perriott Mesa. It is only 1,500 ft. elevation, but I tell you the truth, it was the most difficult climb I've ever attempted. We were about eight people, half were very young, teens, including Jerry Harris' daughter Heidi. The other half was in their forties, and then there was me, 61. We had to help all the girls and at least one of the men up. I'm sure I could make it alone, but not without lots of scary moments. On our way back down, we met Dr. Wilson from Monument Valley on his way up alone. Dr. Wilson is 78 years old. He made it too. I was impressed. It seems like I was forever hanging over 1,000 ft. cliffs wondering where to get another hand or toe hold. At the end of the day, I was ecstatic for having done it. Now I can see what climbers feel when the conquer fear and mountain. 

I'm impressed with DayStar Academy. You know, Fountainview has a real classic thing going for them over there in Canada, but I like the rough and tumble, practical, cowboy western feel of DayStar Academy. 

May 25,

The board meeting was a pleasant experience. These folks haven't had a stipend for five months, but no one is complaining. Godliness with contentment is great gain. They have needs, however. They need two good teachers, a Registrar and a farm hand. Any takers? 

May 26, 

I got to talk with my Lover today. She is doing well, still working on papers for her land. She doesn't have a bird, like I would, when things go slow in Africa. Imagine all the birds she would have otherwise. I prep'd a special sermon today. (I might tell you about it in a couple of days.)

May 27,

There is good news and bad news: The good news is, ASI sent Janet a check for $17,500 and they sent EVI one for $10,000 for the farm. The bad news is, Dr. Iris Paul has kidney cancer. It is metastecized??? into other places. We voted at EVI to offer her a free Lifestyle session if she will accept it. She is selling her house and moving in with her daughter in CA.

May 28,

In our last Lifestyle session we had a man with cancer who was in such pain that he couldn't stand it. He decided to leave early on account of it. He drove home to Arizona, wrote us a beautiful letter of thanks and committed suicide. He shot himself outside the emergency unit of the local hospital.

Today, we put an extension ladder in the forks of our Bobcat and hoisted it to the top of the highest peak of our church. I took the risk of climbing up there to change a light bulb. That was actually every bit as scary as climbing Perriott. So, here is today's quizz: How many Eden Valley-ites does it take to change a light bulb? Three, if they have a Bobcat. 

I'll try to tell you a bad story in a day or two.  

Everyday Bore

To help myself forward with this blogging business, I started a little book. I leave the book on my pillow every day. At night, before I go to bed I write what happened during the day. Generally, this is pretty boring stuff, but I've noticed that when my kids talk about their everyday happenings, I am truly interested. For whatever reason, people who love you are just interested in what's happening. So, that's the experiment. Today you get the common, everyday, boring stuff. 

We'll start with last Sabbath. Ben Trajillo preached. I love Ben. He is straight talking. For the first time in a long time I haven't had to preach in three Sabbaths in a row. Unheard of, but a great rest. The whole church (80 people) came over to our cafeteria to eat lunch. Amazingly, we fed each one. After lunch I took our Lifestyle Guests to Lily Lake. The day was perfect. We walked around the lake, and climbed a small mountain. Lovely. In the evening, a young (18-22) Amish girl came to give us a concert on her harp. Not only did she play exceptionally well, but her music selections were pure. Her dress and demeanor were pure. Her countenance was pure. You couldn't miss that this young woman had an eye single to God's glory. That is so refreshing. Do people see that in me when they mix with me? That's what I want.

Sunday: 

I had to drive my friend Felix to the airport. Oh me, I wish I didn't have so many friends. He is an artist. He did a bronze replica of the Ten Commandments to give to 3ABN on behalf of Eden Valley. The piece looks good except that he divided the commandments five and five on the two tablets. It should have been four and six. I had to tell him he needed to fix that mistake or not give it to 3ABN in Eden Valley's name. If he wants to take the hit, he can give it in his own name.

I got a treat on Sunday. My brother Robert showed up. He helped my cut the grass in our cemetery. (Trudy Long was buried there this week.) Afterward we went to the restaurant. It was a very pleasant visit. I wish we had more time together.

Monday:

I finally got to talk to my Lover in Africa. She was sweltering in a little room in the YMCA in Dar. All is well, except that her accountant wants to charge $600 to do her books. (Too much.) I spent time with a man from the City Water Works dept. We are thinking of perhaps putting EVI on city water.  A pretty lady came by also wanting to exchange lectures (her lecturing our lifestyle patients) for a place to live. Sorry! We do all our own lecturing. 

When Rob came by, he told me of another magic potion. Apparently, it cures nearly everything. Isn't it amazing! I have cure-alls coming out of my ears. (No wonder I am so healthy.)

Tuesday:

Leonard Smith, our new accountant, showed up with his first load of furniture. I really enjoyed his company. He is a good conversationalist. His wife more. One lifestyle guest told me that he had been to four lifestyle centers and that EVI had the most spiritual people. I thanked God for the compliment and for blinding their eyes. Actually, I'm proud of my staff. In many respects, the man was right. Some people scoff at Christianity. Others rant against it. Few have ever seen the real thing face to face and they wouldn't give themselves the chance to see it for fear they found it to be true. One day, the Lord will glorify Himself through His people in a mighty way. I'd like to be used that way, wouldn't you? Jesus means everything to me.

Wednesday:

I preached a strong sermon to my staff. The sermon was a good stand-alone talk, but there were some in the audience who are privy to what is going on, and they caught the gist and intention of the message. They thought I was pretty bold. (I may tell you more someday.)

We unloaded Len's truck and while he put dead bolts on his doors I went to lunch with Bill Bosko and Kevin Hogfeldt. I don't like being invited by my Vice-chairman and Vice-president to lunch. You've got to know they intend to drill something into you. They did. It wasn't too bad. I think I drive business people crazy. My approach to leadership is too soft for them. They can see that things would go so much better if they could knock some sense into my head. I'm too soft, but my head, oh my head, it is so hard. I appreciate their trying. Little by little, something will get through. Maybe. (Maybe not.)

Tragedy. One of my lifestyle guest left discouraged. This so rarely happens that it when it does it leaves us sad to the core. His PSA went up while he was with us. It should have gone down. I can think of two other times that happened, and it happened to similar people. It appears like pessimists draw negative results to themselves. I believe in the power of positive thinking based on God's promises. Our poor man is expecting to die now and can't seem to see the hope that is so sure in Christ. I feel bad. Maybe I'll write him and try to speak hope to him.

Thursday: 

It's today. I'm fasting for two days. I hate fasting, but I have cause. I sat through several hours of Executive Committee deliberations this morning. Yuk! After Exc. Comm. I am always left with the dirty work of telling people their request was denied, or worse. Today wasn't so bad. 

That's it for now. Honor Him and He will honor you. 

The Power of Peace

I promise to get back to regular blogging just as soon as I am past being too busy. Boy, I don't know when that is going to be. In any case, life isn't boring. I wish it was and most of what is happening is too touchy to put on a public medium. Sorry!

The weather is beautiful. Our lifestyle center is full again. The people are out-of-this-world wonderful. One lady gave a testimony this morning saying that she is pain free for the first time in eleven years. She claims God told her to come to EVI to get a new start spiritually as well and physically. (I could hardly keep from crying. She couldn't.) 

We seem to be succeeding well at our Lifestyle Center, but I can't tell whether the farm will do as well this year. Everything looks good, but somehow everything looked good last year also. It didn't end up to be as good as it promised in appearance. 

It is evident by Jason's blog that my wife made it to Africa safely. I haven't been able to talk to her, however. 

I wrote an article for you: (I wish I knew how to cut and paste it in this format. I can't, so I must type it out again. Bummer.)

The Power of Peace

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne." Rev. 3:21. Wonderful promise, but flanked by a formidable qualifier.

Overcoming isn't easy. I know, I've often wept failing under its crushing demands.

For a while, I thoroughly enjoyed following Jesus; but something crept in to effectively destroy the joy I once had in the Lord. Religion began to mean getting the victory, being perfect--like Jesus. Suddenly, heaven seemed beyond my reach. The harder I tried to be pure and perfect, the deeper I sank into sin until I despaired of ever meeting so high a standard.

(I believe this is where thousands leave the church, or simply accept defeat as inevitable.)

Is defeat inevitable? No! So why the discouragement or the complacency? It appears that because the Bible emphasizes the blessedness of obedience, we naturally focus on obedience as an effort to gain the promised blessing. Take Isaiah 48:18, 22 for instance: "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments then had thy peace been as a river... There is no peace saith the Lord to the wicked." The wicked mentioned here are the disobedient. Logically then, to have the promised peace we must obey; and yes, it is true that victorious people do have peace--but do they get peace by obeying? No. Peace is not the child of obedience, obedience is the child of peace.

In the book, Steps to Christ, page 49:2, we read of an individual who struggles with all his powers to overcome sin in his life. The more he fights, the weaker he becomes until all he longs for is rest from this incessant turmoil. At this point in the narrative, we would expect the author of the book to say, "It is victory that is needed." But this isn't the song she sings. She says, in the very next sentence, "It is peace you need--heaven's forgiveness and peace in the soul." "This (peace)," according to MH 512:0, "will impart to the worker a power that nothing else can give."

But here's the problem. "The believer," according to 1Sm 395:0, "is not called upon to make is peace with God." (The only way I know to make peace with God is to bring my life into harmony with His will, i.e. to quit sinning.) But the believer is not called upon to do that. The quotation goes on to say, "He never has nor ever can do this. He is to accept Christ as his peace." So when the Bible says, in Isaiah 32:17, that "the work of righteousness is peace, it isn't pointing to our righteousnesses, we don't have any. It points to the righteousness of Christ. The effect of receiving His justifying righteousness brings a sense of peace that carries with it a power that nothing else can give.

In James 3:18 we read, "The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." Do you see it, friends? The fruit of right-doing is sown in the soil of peace because right-doing (i.e. obedience) can grow in no other medium. Don't try to obey hoping to find peace for your soul. Find peace through Christ's forgiveness and that peace will give you power to obey.