I managed a weekend without having to speak. Believe it or not, I enjoyed that. I just went to church like an ordinary person. (As a matter of fact, that's what I am--an ordinary Joe.) I suppose preaching doesn't make me dis-ordinary, un-ordinary, or extraordinary either, but it does keep an extra amount of stress on me. The day was peaceful and dreamy. Janet and I watched a Christian movie after Sabbath called "Faith Like Potatoes."It was about a Scottish African farmer who was forced to move from Zambia to South Africa and to start over again. (The movie is based on a true story.) It was quite moving and realistic. The part where the farmer runs over his nephew with his tractor breaks your heart. Anyway, they exemplified faith where the rubber meets the road.
This week I preach in Copper Mountain. Then on Sunday Janet and I take a six-day vacation in Florida--around Tampa. Some friends of ours are letting us use their house. They are farmers in Michigan. The Sunday after that we have a board meeting at Uchee Pines, followed by the OCI Retreat and the Southern Union ASI Chapter. We get home on the 16th of April.
Our Lifestyle Session ends tomorrow. Very interesting. My wife played the role of Director for the past two months. She made wonderful changes and we wish we could keep her. Unfortunately, she is bent on going back to Africa on April 25 for one month. (Better than three.) She will return with Jason till after the National ASI Convention.
There you have it. Even life on the fast track can be boring.
Our Mission team arrives from Dominican Republic tomorrow. They've had a very successful evangelistic thrust. (I can't give numbers yet.)
I'm trying to prepare a sermon for OCI. Sometimes it just doesn't get easier.
Lean hard on the Lord. When He says, "without Me you can do nothing," He means it.
So says the Preacher to his Tribe.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Columbia Union ASI Chapter
The weather is unseasonably warm, like summer in Northern Ontario. I'm not sure whether we are suppose to bask in its warmth or to dread global warming. I guess I'll just bask. Why not, life is short.
Janet and I spent the weekend in Vienna, Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC at the Columbia Union ASI Chapter. It was a good weekend. Not too much stress. The meetings were good--Ivor Myers and Henry Wright. I like Henry Wright's preaching. (That isn't to say Ivor Myers isn't good. He digs a lot of information out of the Bible that few people would ever see, but his style of preaching is a bit condescending. Perhaps it is cultural. Henry Wright uses similar approaches, except not so pronounced.)
There were many people and there was strong participation. The offering was weak, but I think the leaders included too many projects for the size of the congregation.
On Saturday night, those who were interested in joining ASI got together and everyone shared something of their ministries. We got to bed at midnight. (Bear in mind, the time sprang forward that evening as well.)
Janet and I don't need to travel for one and one half weeks. Isn't that cool? We get one weekend at home this month. Actually, we don't mind traveling, but it is hard on one's sleep and eating habits. Starting on the 25ft of this month, we will go until the end of April.
Am I making a difference? Only God knows.
It was a blessing seeing David Fournier and Arwyn in Vienna. Too many people around to really enjoy each other.
Janet and I spent the weekend in Vienna, Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC at the Columbia Union ASI Chapter. It was a good weekend. Not too much stress. The meetings were good--Ivor Myers and Henry Wright. I like Henry Wright's preaching. (That isn't to say Ivor Myers isn't good. He digs a lot of information out of the Bible that few people would ever see, but his style of preaching is a bit condescending. Perhaps it is cultural. Henry Wright uses similar approaches, except not so pronounced.)
There were many people and there was strong participation. The offering was weak, but I think the leaders included too many projects for the size of the congregation.
On Saturday night, those who were interested in joining ASI got together and everyone shared something of their ministries. We got to bed at midnight. (Bear in mind, the time sprang forward that evening as well.)
Janet and I don't need to travel for one and one half weeks. Isn't that cool? We get one weekend at home this month. Actually, we don't mind traveling, but it is hard on one's sleep and eating habits. Starting on the 25ft of this month, we will go until the end of April.
Am I making a difference? Only God knows.
It was a blessing seeing David Fournier and Arwyn in Vienna. Too many people around to really enjoy each other.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Joshua, Texas
At the ASI Winter Board in Ontario, California, I spoke on the topic of "It is Time . . . To Be About our Father's Business." The upshot is that we are living in the Antitypical Day of Atonement. In the Old Testament that was the day that everyone of God's children "afflicted his/her soul" before God. They searched their hearts to confess and forsake every habit or hint of sin in their lives. They attempted to present Israel as holy before God through the righteousness of Christ. All this prefigured the state of God's people just before the second coming of Christ.
You know, dear ones, it is really hard to preach such messages and not be influenced by the thought. I'm convinced the time has come to be purified of sin in the fullest sense of the word. It is time to bring every habit into line with God's will. It is time to sacrifice every worldly inducement, every worldly ambition, every worldly aspiration to compete for position, things or money. We can't wait until the national Sunday laws are passed to think of internalizing the word of God. Lord, help us.
Last weekend, March 2-4, Janet and I spent at the ASI South West Chapter Convention in Joshua, TX. The whole weekend was very pleasant. There were many personal friends there that we knew from other places. Cute little Monika Moore was there with her husband, Jim. (Some of you might remember Monika from Dunlap TN.) Her parents were there also. Mike and Teresa Zygmunt were there, Ron Wolsey . . .
The speakers were Ron Halverson and John Lomacane??? John L's testimony was awe-inspiring. Amazing life and guidance from God. I got to share what ASI is about and the new things that are happening. It seemed to me a long way to go at great expense just to talk for a few minutes. But I am assured that my presence, as ASI President, is important. (Honestly, my supposed importance escapes me. Besides, I don't know how to act important, do you?--Please advise.)
All is well, anyway. This weekend, we will land in Vienna, (don't get too green with envy) it's Vienna, Virginia. As far as I know, we will be meeting with the smallest chapter in ASI. I believe some people (those who don't have the privilege of traveling so much), would envy my "privilege", but truly, as much as I appreciate the honor, it sure would be a blessing to stay home to walk the mountains a little more.
So says the Preacher to his Tribe.
You know, dear ones, it is really hard to preach such messages and not be influenced by the thought. I'm convinced the time has come to be purified of sin in the fullest sense of the word. It is time to bring every habit into line with God's will. It is time to sacrifice every worldly inducement, every worldly ambition, every worldly aspiration to compete for position, things or money. We can't wait until the national Sunday laws are passed to think of internalizing the word of God. Lord, help us.
Last weekend, March 2-4, Janet and I spent at the ASI South West Chapter Convention in Joshua, TX. The whole weekend was very pleasant. There were many personal friends there that we knew from other places. Cute little Monika Moore was there with her husband, Jim. (Some of you might remember Monika from Dunlap TN.) Her parents were there also. Mike and Teresa Zygmunt were there, Ron Wolsey . . .
The speakers were Ron Halverson and John Lomacane??? John L's testimony was awe-inspiring. Amazing life and guidance from God. I got to share what ASI is about and the new things that are happening. It seemed to me a long way to go at great expense just to talk for a few minutes. But I am assured that my presence, as ASI President, is important. (Honestly, my supposed importance escapes me. Besides, I don't know how to act important, do you?--Please advise.)
All is well, anyway. This weekend, we will land in Vienna, (don't get too green with envy) it's Vienna, Virginia. As far as I know, we will be meeting with the smallest chapter in ASI. I believe some people (those who don't have the privilege of traveling so much), would envy my "privilege", but truly, as much as I appreciate the honor, it sure would be a blessing to stay home to walk the mountains a little more.
So says the Preacher to his Tribe.
Monday, February 27, 2012
ASI Winter Boards
Sometimes I wonder if I am alone so unsure. This weekend, Feb 23-26, Janet and I went to Ontario, CA for ASI's Winter Board. There wasn't anything to worry about except that I am the President, I am the Board Chairman, I was called upon to preach the keynote message and to give a president's report to the board. (There must be something wrong with my head/heart.)
I've always felt that the sermons I preach at ASI should be spot-on applicable, but the best I could do this time was prepare a sermon for ASI during the very last week before going. For me that is risking too much. Amazingly, the sermon turned out to be one of God's gifts to me. It seems He took my poor effort and made it resonate within the hearts of those who heard. (Except for Rusty McKee who slept through it all. In Rusty's defense, he had gotten up at 3AM and run seventeen miles that day.) I can't but praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever.
The Missions Inc. board was grueling. This is the body that apportions the offering to chosen projects. You couldn't imagine how agonizing that process is. I would say that 90% of the project proposals are worthy of the full amount asked, but there isn't that much money. The total amount requested was over 12 million dollars. That, of course, is about double the usual amount wanted. One entity asked for 6 million. Harold called them and told them that wasn't going to happen. He tried to coach them to ask for considerably less, but they said that they had prayed and the Lord had led them to ask for 6 million. Amazing, the Lord led them to ask for 6 million and the Lord led us to say no to their request. Anything wrong with that picture?
This left 6 million to share with the 81 projects remaining. Bear in mind, we only expect to raise a little above 1 million dollars this year. This is where the agonizing begins. We went over the list of projects four times. Each time we either dropped a project altogether, or slashed the amount they asked for. In the end we funded 36 projects of 82 and almost everyone got much less they they deserved. It's hard. It's painful. It is also, providential. I was happy to be a participant. I saw the integrity, the honesty and the sincere desire to do more for more people.
One of the most poignant moments was when Harold, the Chairman, made a heartfelt appeal to the board that we not allow for any favoritism--not even the slightest appearance of it. Frankly, that isn't easy. Some people have invested huge amounts of money in ASI and in the mission projects. With their money they have invested their time, energy, and lives. How deserving they are of pulling stripes when needed. On the other hand, how necessary that we continually be reminded to play by the rules so that no embarrassment occur to ASI.
I am happy to say that I have perfect confidence in the Missions Inc. process and the integrity of the members that form its board.
The main ASI board happened on Sunday. I was board chairman and needed to give a president's report. All went well. I remained comfortable throughout the whole experience and we finished 50 minutes early.
We aimed to finish at 1PM. At noon we had only gone through 8 of our 14 items on the agenda. By 12:13 PM we were done. Everyone seemed pleased, but none more than I.
God uses fools to confound the wise. He uses the weak to befuddled the mighty. He delights in raising the poor from the dunghill and placing them among princes, and if it ever goes to their heads, He is well able to abase. It's a ride, but I wouldn't get off the roller coaster for anything in the world.
This week, I'm on my way to Texas for the ASI South West Chapter meetings. A whole new round of prayers must storm heaven from my side and yours.
So says the Preacher to his Tribe.
I've always felt that the sermons I preach at ASI should be spot-on applicable, but the best I could do this time was prepare a sermon for ASI during the very last week before going. For me that is risking too much. Amazingly, the sermon turned out to be one of God's gifts to me. It seems He took my poor effort and made it resonate within the hearts of those who heard. (Except for Rusty McKee who slept through it all. In Rusty's defense, he had gotten up at 3AM and run seventeen miles that day.) I can't but praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever.
The Missions Inc. board was grueling. This is the body that apportions the offering to chosen projects. You couldn't imagine how agonizing that process is. I would say that 90% of the project proposals are worthy of the full amount asked, but there isn't that much money. The total amount requested was over 12 million dollars. That, of course, is about double the usual amount wanted. One entity asked for 6 million. Harold called them and told them that wasn't going to happen. He tried to coach them to ask for considerably less, but they said that they had prayed and the Lord had led them to ask for 6 million. Amazing, the Lord led them to ask for 6 million and the Lord led us to say no to their request. Anything wrong with that picture?
This left 6 million to share with the 81 projects remaining. Bear in mind, we only expect to raise a little above 1 million dollars this year. This is where the agonizing begins. We went over the list of projects four times. Each time we either dropped a project altogether, or slashed the amount they asked for. In the end we funded 36 projects of 82 and almost everyone got much less they they deserved. It's hard. It's painful. It is also, providential. I was happy to be a participant. I saw the integrity, the honesty and the sincere desire to do more for more people.
One of the most poignant moments was when Harold, the Chairman, made a heartfelt appeal to the board that we not allow for any favoritism--not even the slightest appearance of it. Frankly, that isn't easy. Some people have invested huge amounts of money in ASI and in the mission projects. With their money they have invested their time, energy, and lives. How deserving they are of pulling stripes when needed. On the other hand, how necessary that we continually be reminded to play by the rules so that no embarrassment occur to ASI.
I am happy to say that I have perfect confidence in the Missions Inc. process and the integrity of the members that form its board.
The main ASI board happened on Sunday. I was board chairman and needed to give a president's report. All went well. I remained comfortable throughout the whole experience and we finished 50 minutes early.
We aimed to finish at 1PM. At noon we had only gone through 8 of our 14 items on the agenda. By 12:13 PM we were done. Everyone seemed pleased, but none more than I.
God uses fools to confound the wise. He uses the weak to befuddled the mighty. He delights in raising the poor from the dunghill and placing them among princes, and if it ever goes to their heads, He is well able to abase. It's a ride, but I wouldn't get off the roller coaster for anything in the world.
This week, I'm on my way to Texas for the ASI South West Chapter meetings. A whole new round of prayers must storm heaven from my side and yours.
So says the Preacher to his Tribe.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Encouraged
What is it that encourages you?
I've been wonderfully encouraged lately. We've seen more miracles of healing lately than ever I remember. We had a Hindu-become-SDA from Montreal come to us in November with fourth-stage stomach cancer metastasized into his lungs. I couldn't, looking at him, give him much hope that we could help him, but the Lord is not hampered by my prognoses. Two weeks after returning home they could find no cancer in his lungs and the original tumors were shrinking. I talked to the man on the telephone and he sounded full of energy.
In September, I think, we had a man come to us with stage-four lung cancer. The man couldn't walk any distance. He couldn't breadth. Before he left EVI he was walking 2-4 miles a day. I thought sure he would go home to die. A few weeks ago, I heard that he had suffered three set backs. So I contacted his daughter-in-law and asked about him expecting to hear the worse. I couldn't have been more surprised. The man is cancer free.
We did have a strange tragedy. One of our sweetest guest went home and found out she was cancer free. The problem is, she died of a heart attack. Somethings are not easy to understand.
A 34 year old Vancouver man came to visit EVI. We invited him to come to visit when we saw him at GYC. While he was at EVI he found out, from tests done in Vancouver, that he had a very aggressive form of lymphoma. The doctor said he had as little as eight months to live (or as much as five years.) So being that he was here we gave him some treatments and arranged for him to return for the February session. He is here now. Trouble is, more tests done in Vancouver show that his cancer is totally eradicated. The surgeon in Vancouver is proud of his ability to remove all the cancer. Which is ok with me, but we'd like to give the glory to God. We did anoint Rob and without knowing what in the world happened, the man is perfectly healthy. So now we are giving him a full session that he may or may not need. Praise God.
Right now, we are treating eleven guests. One is deathly ill with terminal fourth-stage pancreatic cancer. He is from Ghana originally. His faith is strong, but humanly speaking, he doesn't stand an ice cube's chance in hell. One day, his eyes were florescent yellow from jaundice. (His liver is where the cancer is.) The doctor decided to give him a coffee enema. His eyes immediately cleared up. Now he takes two enemas a day and he is showing signs of a quick recovery. (Whether there is a recovery at all, I don't know, but he is far improved.)
I'm in the middle of preparing for an ASI board in two weeks in California. There is much I do not know, but to date the Lord is helping me graciously. For the next two months I must bounce from ASI Chapter meeting to Chapter meeting, besides all else. With that, I'm suppose to have something to say. Lord help me.
Blessings to all,
I've been wonderfully encouraged lately. We've seen more miracles of healing lately than ever I remember. We had a Hindu-become-SDA from Montreal come to us in November with fourth-stage stomach cancer metastasized into his lungs. I couldn't, looking at him, give him much hope that we could help him, but the Lord is not hampered by my prognoses. Two weeks after returning home they could find no cancer in his lungs and the original tumors were shrinking. I talked to the man on the telephone and he sounded full of energy.
In September, I think, we had a man come to us with stage-four lung cancer. The man couldn't walk any distance. He couldn't breadth. Before he left EVI he was walking 2-4 miles a day. I thought sure he would go home to die. A few weeks ago, I heard that he had suffered three set backs. So I contacted his daughter-in-law and asked about him expecting to hear the worse. I couldn't have been more surprised. The man is cancer free.
We did have a strange tragedy. One of our sweetest guest went home and found out she was cancer free. The problem is, she died of a heart attack. Somethings are not easy to understand.
A 34 year old Vancouver man came to visit EVI. We invited him to come to visit when we saw him at GYC. While he was at EVI he found out, from tests done in Vancouver, that he had a very aggressive form of lymphoma. The doctor said he had as little as eight months to live (or as much as five years.) So being that he was here we gave him some treatments and arranged for him to return for the February session. He is here now. Trouble is, more tests done in Vancouver show that his cancer is totally eradicated. The surgeon in Vancouver is proud of his ability to remove all the cancer. Which is ok with me, but we'd like to give the glory to God. We did anoint Rob and without knowing what in the world happened, the man is perfectly healthy. So now we are giving him a full session that he may or may not need. Praise God.
Right now, we are treating eleven guests. One is deathly ill with terminal fourth-stage pancreatic cancer. He is from Ghana originally. His faith is strong, but humanly speaking, he doesn't stand an ice cube's chance in hell. One day, his eyes were florescent yellow from jaundice. (His liver is where the cancer is.) The doctor decided to give him a coffee enema. His eyes immediately cleared up. Now he takes two enemas a day and he is showing signs of a quick recovery. (Whether there is a recovery at all, I don't know, but he is far improved.)
I'm in the middle of preparing for an ASI board in two weeks in California. There is much I do not know, but to date the Lord is helping me graciously. For the next two months I must bounce from ASI Chapter meeting to Chapter meeting, besides all else. With that, I'm suppose to have something to say. Lord help me.
Blessings to all,
Monday, February 6, 2012
Changes, never easy.
The weeks go by too fast, and the work piles on too quickly. Nevertheless, I know I have a whole crowd of people waiting to here from me. Well, two or three people. Anyway, it's been a good week. We just finished our third LIGHT school. This time, we did it on our own (without Wildwood's help.) We had 10 students. Wonderful people. Some came late, others needed to leave early, but all in all, I think it was a great success.
To add to the enjoyment, a snow storm hit just the night before the graduation. So, only four students were able to attend the graduation. Never mind, we made the best of it. The food was great, the fellowship better. (I'll throw in three pics just for the fun of it.)
A new lifestyle session started last night. I believe we have 11 guests. Cancer is still the prevailing issue. My dear wife, Janet, is the interim Lifestyle Director. Already she is making very important changes. Because we are dealing predominantly with cancer, she decided to change the food menu (I hesitate to say drastic changes, but I'm sure some people think so.) The guests now start with two days of fasting on juice, then they go for five days on raw foods with half juice. Then, they will go to eating super healthy food--no oil, no sugar.
The point is, people come to EVI to find healing. We may want to serve them with our best dishes, but our best dishes isn't what they need first. They need healing and they need it urgently. So we are determined to be more aggressive than we've been in the past. Pray for us.
My Lover has dropped 15 lbs. She isn't the only one. There is actually quite a movement at EVI for juice fasting. Pounds are disappearing everywhere. Donna McNeilus visited with us last week. This week she told me she lost 10lbs. Impressive. She didn't need to lose any, but hey, she's a lady and ladies have this thing about weight. As for me, I've gained three or four pounds. I had lost 7 lbs in Africa. I'm almost back to normal. My wife is overfeeding me. Good wife.
Blessings to all,
The Preacher to his Tribe.
To add to the enjoyment, a snow storm hit just the night before the graduation. So, only four students were able to attend the graduation. Never mind, we made the best of it. The food was great, the fellowship better. (I'll throw in three pics just for the fun of it.)
A new lifestyle session started last night. I believe we have 11 guests. Cancer is still the prevailing issue. My dear wife, Janet, is the interim Lifestyle Director. Already she is making very important changes. Because we are dealing predominantly with cancer, she decided to change the food menu (I hesitate to say drastic changes, but I'm sure some people think so.) The guests now start with two days of fasting on juice, then they go for five days on raw foods with half juice. Then, they will go to eating super healthy food--no oil, no sugar.
The point is, people come to EVI to find healing. We may want to serve them with our best dishes, but our best dishes isn't what they need first. They need healing and they need it urgently. So we are determined to be more aggressive than we've been in the past. Pray for us.
My Lover has dropped 15 lbs. She isn't the only one. There is actually quite a movement at EVI for juice fasting. Pounds are disappearing everywhere. Donna McNeilus visited with us last week. This week she told me she lost 10lbs. Impressive. She didn't need to lose any, but hey, she's a lady and ladies have this thing about weight. As for me, I've gained three or four pounds. I had lost 7 lbs in Africa. I'm almost back to normal. My wife is overfeeding me. Good wife.
Blessings to all,
Friday, January 27, 2012
Lite snow, LIGHT school
It's snowing. We are probably having one of the mildest winters ever. Sometimes, we can be outside in tee-shirts, but today it's snowing.
Last weekend, we had an ASI rally in Denver. The ASI chapter president, Jesse Johnson, could not attend because he's had heart surgery. It fell to me to be the master of ceremony. Do you know how nervous that makes me? It's amazing. You'd think that since I preach all the time that I could wrap myself around the little task of introducing someone without too much stress. Not so. All went well anyway. The Lord is having to help me all the time.
This week we finished another lifestyle session. We had at least 15 people. Wonderful. Actually, we didn't have any guests for January. We took risk and offered the session at a drastically reduced rate, and people just came out of the woodwork. We probably lost a bundle. No matter, we think it better to serve someone than to sit around waiting for the next session. The group was special.
I think next month's intake will be normal.
As we are serving in the Lifestyle Center, we also are doing a one-month LIGHT course. Ten students and all day classes. It's a blast. The Lord is sending us really beautiful people, even from as far as Hungary. Imagine that!
While at the GYC meetings a couple of weeks ago, I was greatly inspired by the energy and creativity of the young people. It got my juices running. ASI needs that kind of leadership. (They got me.) Isn't that a corker. Never mind, I'm not the only one on the team. I believe there are great minds among us. So I am calling a meeting of all the past presidents asking them to come up with solutions to our most pressing needs.
1. We have little trouble signing up members, but retention is another story.
2. How do we make our members feel like they belong to an affectionate family?
3. What kind of project can we invest in that will involve the greater number of members?
I've also asked the past presidents to come up with a new idea each as far as a new project is concerned. It will be fun to see what they come up with . . . if anything. Oh, I hope they do.
Blessings to all,
The Preacher to His Tribe.
Last weekend, we had an ASI rally in Denver. The ASI chapter president, Jesse Johnson, could not attend because he's had heart surgery. It fell to me to be the master of ceremony. Do you know how nervous that makes me? It's amazing. You'd think that since I preach all the time that I could wrap myself around the little task of introducing someone without too much stress. Not so. All went well anyway. The Lord is having to help me all the time.
This week we finished another lifestyle session. We had at least 15 people. Wonderful. Actually, we didn't have any guests for January. We took risk and offered the session at a drastically reduced rate, and people just came out of the woodwork. We probably lost a bundle. No matter, we think it better to serve someone than to sit around waiting for the next session. The group was special.
I think next month's intake will be normal.
As we are serving in the Lifestyle Center, we also are doing a one-month LIGHT course. Ten students and all day classes. It's a blast. The Lord is sending us really beautiful people, even from as far as Hungary. Imagine that!
While at the GYC meetings a couple of weeks ago, I was greatly inspired by the energy and creativity of the young people. It got my juices running. ASI needs that kind of leadership. (They got me.) Isn't that a corker. Never mind, I'm not the only one on the team. I believe there are great minds among us. So I am calling a meeting of all the past presidents asking them to come up with solutions to our most pressing needs.
1. We have little trouble signing up members, but retention is another story.
2. How do we make our members feel like they belong to an affectionate family?
3. What kind of project can we invest in that will involve the greater number of members?
I've also asked the past presidents to come up with a new idea each as far as a new project is concerned. It will be fun to see what they come up with . . . if anything. Oh, I hope they do.
Blessings to all,
The Preacher to His Tribe.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)