Greetings everyone,
Our offices in San Diego are no longer the same—and they will never be. Piles of cartons are covering a good portion of the main floor; boxes lie here and there; furniture in some of the offices is gradually vanishing! A few in our staff have already sold their homes and are ready for their move to Charlotte. Mr. Don Davis is one of them. He is moving ahead of us to supervise the groundwork. In all probability, from now on, instead of counting the number of days until the next Feast of Tabernacles, he will be counting for us the number of days before our collective move to Charlotte.
Mr. Carl McNair and his wife left Tuesday afternoon for a well-deserved vacation. They will be returning on November 5th, on time for the Council of Elders' meetings scheduled for November 11-14.
MEDIA
This Thursday, Messrs. Meredith, Ames and Ogwyn made the following TV tapings:
#158 - RCM - "Will You Be Left Behind?" - Offers WAA - airs January 12
#160 - RFA - "Overcoming Your Anxieties - Offers TK, airs February 2
#161 - JHO - "Building An Intimate Marriage" - Offers BJM - airs February 9
#167 - JHO - "Ezekiel—A Watchman for Our Time" - Offers WAA - airs March 23
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
"Beltway Sniper"—on the spot report by our pastor Ken Frank
God's people in Maryland and Virginia wish to thank our brethren around the world for their concern and prayers for our protection during the alarming spate of shootings and murders by a serial sniper in this area. God has been merciful in sparing His people in our fellowship and we continue to trust in His protection.
As fully reported in the media, the shootings began three weeks ago in Maryland but have now expanded to the neighboring state of Virginia. Two people have been shot near our home area, killing one. One shooting occurred at a gas station at which a few of the Williamsburg, VA brethren and I have previously purchased gas. In this incident, a father of six from Philadelphia died. I went by this station the day after the shooting on our way to Sabbath services. It was a sad and sobering experience to witness the scene of this murder. A woman who survived after being shot the week before is now home recuperating. She was struck by the sniper's bullet outside a store at which my wife has shopped. We travel by it frequently.
Last week a woman was shot and killed outside a store in Falls Church, VA at which nearby members of our church often shop. A boy was shot a few weeks ago at a school near Bowie, MD, which is in close proximity to other church members who are quite familiar with that neighborhood.
Three of our female neighbors are terrified, fearing even to go out of their houses. Schools around Richmond, VA were closed two days this week after parents expressed their fears for their children after last Saturday evening's shooting just north of Richmond in Ashland, VA. My wife and I passed by the restaurant of the shooting only forty-five minutes earlier on our return from Sabbath services. We arrived home safely before the main highways were entirely shut down for up to four hours for police inspections.
Psalm 46:1 means a great deal now in reminding us, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (KJV)
Faith and courage are indispensable in times like these. Let us continue to pray for the families of the victims and that this killer be soon stopped.
Big Sky Winter—Family Ski Trip (repeat announcement)
This year's Rocky Mountain "Winter Family Ski Trip," is at Big Sky, Montana, Dec. 26th to Dec. 31st, 2002. An Alpine and Nordic winter wonderland, Big Sky offers beautiful vistas, fresh air and uncrowned conditions found only in Montana. Fellowship for everyone, young and old alike, snowy days and warm evenings by the fire in Big Sky, Montana! You don't need to be a "Snow Rider" to enjoy this year's trip! It's a "must do" for anyone who likes the great out of doors!... Reserve your spot today!
Come prepared to have a grand time in Montana this winter. (For pricing and further information you may contact Ben Whitfield at: [email protected] or 307-324-3600-Days; 307-324-7931-Eve.). I look forward to hearing from you soon. "Big Ben"
COMMENTS
We keep receiving excellent comments and reports about the Feast of Tabernacles, worldwide. The brethren everywhere were greatly uplifted by the sermons and sermonettes given at every site. They appreciated the good fellowship, the good excursions and the good food. Moreover, all of us learned good lessons. But the question is: how long will we remember these lessons?
One of them, whether or not directly discussed in a sermon, concerned the subject of PRIORITIES. Did you respect the right order of your priorities during the Feast? For instance: Did you miss the services because you were too tired and too sleepy from having gone to bed too late the previous night? Did you make an effort to make new acquaintances, instead of constantly being with those you already knew? Did you neglect your own prayers because you didn't find enough time or privacy in your lodging? This list can be endless but I am sure you get the point. Unless we learn and respect the right order of priorities in our lives, we cannot grow spiritually.
We know the answer Christ gave to Martha when she complained about her sister's neglecting her duties as hostess when Christ visited them. Martha expected Mary to help in her domestic chores rather than to listen to Christ's words. What was Christ's answer? "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41). Please understand: both sisters were doing what was right, necessary and important. But Martha didn't have the proper priorities in her mind.
We can find many such examples in the Bible. Consider, for instance, Esau's poor reasoning when he returned home one day, weary and exhausted from his hunting. In his physical hunger, he despised his birthright with all its blessings and sold it for a bowl of red stew (Gen. 25:31-34). For him, satisfying his physical hunger was much more important than conserving the privilege of his birthright. He, too, had his priorities wrong. By the time he understood and repented of his foolishness, it was too late.
Such things, not always so dramatic, can happen to every one of us unless we learn the right order of priorities in our lives—and respect it. If we trust God, if we are convinced that He is aware of all our needs, then we must let Him occupy the first place in our lives. Actually, this is the fundamental teaching of the entire Bible. That's what Christ said in His Sermon on the Mount, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). Notice, his RIGHTEOUSNESS, not ours. God's righteousness refers to His nature, His justice, His love, His commandments—one of which is respecting the right order of priorities.
Y'all have a wonderful Sabbath!
Dibar Apartian