Weekly Update

May 31st, 2018

Greetings from Charlotte,

The response to the new Living Education program is very encouraging. The online program is not set to begin until August, but we already have 393 registered for the upcoming classes. We also have seven women and six men registered for the onsite program here in Charlotte. This means we are almost at capacity, but if there are any others who want to attend the onsite program this year, you need to get an application in as soon as possible, as we have room for only two or three and we know of two who say they are working on their applications. Mr. Wallace Smith and I recorded Tomorrow's World telecasts this week. Four Tomorrow's World Presentations are scheduled for this weekend: Macon and Columbus, Georgia; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Harlingen, Texas.—Gerald Weston

Living Education

Living EducationCharlotte

Those who have applied to Living Education—Charlotte can expect to hear from our staff regarding your application within the next few days. If you would like to apply for the 2018-19 school year, but have not done so, it's important that you get your application in right away. We are almost at capacity for our onsite housing, so don't wait! For more details about the program and to apply, visit our website at lcgeducation.org and click on the "Charlotte" tab at the top of the page.—Jonathan McNair

Feast of Tabernacles

Sign Up for Service/Music

If you have registered for the Feast of Tabernacles, don't forget to sign up to serve! All brethren and guests are encouraged to sign up for service opportunities at your registered site (ushering, business office, activities, etc.). Also, please sign up if you can participate in any of the musical areas, such as playing an instrument or singing. It is extremely helpful to the Feast Site Coordinators if people will sign up early to serve at the Feast. This allows the coordinators to start the process of scheduling everyone in each area of service. Serving at the Feast is a great way to be a blessing to others, and have a great Feast yourself. To sign up for service opportunities, go to the MyLCG website (www.cogl.org) and sign in with your username and password.

Sites Closed to Further Transfers

The following Feast sites are now closed to additional transfers:

  • Carry-le-Rouet, France
  • Panama City, Florida
  • Marble Falls, Texas
  • Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

If you are waiting on transfer approval to one of these sites, please consider transferring to another site. Other Feast sites still have adequate space. For more information, contact the Festival Office at [email protected].

Living Youth Program

U.S. Camp Applications Deadlines

Deadlines to submit applications for the various LYP camps in the United States are as follows:

  • Missouri Preteen Camp: Friday, June 1, both staff and campers
  • North Carolina Preteen Camp: Monday, June 4, campers
  • Texas Teen Camp: Sunday, June 10, campers
  • Texas Preteen Camp: Sunday, June 10, campers and staff (a registered nurse is still needed)

LYP New Zealand Camp 2019 Registration Open!—Repeat Announcement

It is with much excitement that we can announce that camper and staff registration is now open for LYP New Zealand 2019! Camp will once again be held at Eltham, New Plymouth, which was a huge success last year. International applications are accepted and we especially encourage those in the Australasian region to consider taking us up on this incredible opportunity. The official dates for camp are 8 to 17 January, 2019, with staff needing to arrive a day earlier, on 7 January. You can request an application form by e-mailing LYP administration assistant Mrs. Kate Canary at [email protected]. Staff and camper places are limited, so we do encourage you to request your application form as soon as possible. For any questions, please e-mail Mrs. Canary and we will reply as soon as we can.—Paul Kearns

Comments

The Value of Education: Over the years, some have concluded that worldly education is of little value for true Christians. Since Satan is the god of this age, and Christians are to come out of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4; 6:14–18), some have assumed that getting an education in this world is ungodly, a matter of vanity and/or a waste of time. Such ideas overlook the fact that God used individuals who were schooled in this world in powerful ways. Moses was raised as a prince in Egypt and was "learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians" (Acts 7:22). Solomon was knowledgeable in many fields—including botany, zoology, and human relations—and he collected wise sayings in the book of Proverbs (1 Kings 4:32–34). Daniel was one of a group of intelligent young Jewish captives who were educated in Babylon before they were used by God (Daniel 1:3–4). Paul studied at the feet of Gamaliel, the leading rabbi of his day, before being used by God to write 14 books in the New Testament. Numerous studies show that more education can result in higher incomes that can enable Christians to provide better for their families. In today's world, in pursuing an education, we must also be alert to the social, moral and intellectual pitfalls that are also part of academic environments. Christians who understand the Truth of God and the Plan of God should wisely take advantage of the opportunities to gain an education—whether academic or vocational—that will help them prepare to serve others now and in the Kingdom of God.

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

News and Prophecy—May 31, 2018

Sweden Prepares for War: For the first time in more than 50 years, Sweden will send war-preparation packets to their entire population of 4.8 million households (The Guardian, May 21, 2018). The publication is distributed by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and "comes as the debate on security—and the possibility of joining NATO—has intensified in Sweden in the wake of Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and recent incursions into Swedish airspace and territorial waters by Russian planes and submarines."

The 20-page pamphlet shows citizens how to "secure basic needs such as food, water and heat, what warning signals mean, where to find bomb shelters and how to contribute to Sweden's 'total defense.'" Sweden first distributed similar publications in 1943 in the midst of World War II.

Although war in Europe may not be imminent, geopolitical trends and the actions of Sweden's neighbors have raised concerns among the nation's leaders. Jesus Christ warned that "wars and rumors of wars" will be one of the signs of the end of the age, but that these are just "the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:6–8). God also warns the Israelite-descended peoples (which includes the Scandinavians) that when they live contrary to His ways, they will experience "terror" that could impact their societies and national decisions (Leviticus 26:14–16). While it is sobering to see world events falling in line with ancient prophecies, there is hope ahead. For a glimpse into what is in store for the entire world, watch "What's Ahead for 2018 and Beyond?"

Freedom from Bondage? Women the world over are choosing career over family, encouraged by the ideas that women should live for themselves and avoid the bondage of marriage and family—or at least delay it! This trend is contributing to decreasing fertility rates around the globe—often to below replacement levels.

Recently, Canadian columnist Margaret Wente, writing in The Globe and Mail, voiced a concern about this alarming trend that is leaving many women unintentionally childless ("Where have all the mommies gone?," May 11, 2018). In her article, Ms. Wente shares her own decisions and priorities and their sad consequences. Her article highlights the growing problem of a culture that encourages women to seek the "freedom" to develop their careers while avoiding what some see as the "bondage" of matrimony and motherhood. Saying that she was "too fond" of her career, she writes, "By the time I got around to contemplating my options, they were gone… Childlessness wasn't a choice, really. It was more or less an accident, just as it was for millions of other women…."

Ms. Wente's column caught the eye of another Canadian, renowned journalist Ted Byfield, founder of the Alberta Report. Noting her observation concerning how many women pursue the goals of professional work and career, only to accidentally lose out on the more fulfilling opportunities of family and children, Mr. Byfield mused on his blog, "Perfect freedom… might mean: Get married, have children, and actively seek servitude to God. Then one day you will realize that in abandoning all hope of freedom, you have actually acquired it" ("The Mother's Day question that one columnist did not shrink to ask," tedbyfield.wordpress.com, May 14, 2018).

The Bible reminds us that Satan—the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4)—has deceived the entire world (Revelation 12:9)! Beginning in the Garden of Eden, he has convinced humanity that any choice can lead to happiness and fulfillment, as long as it is not the choice of following God's instructions in His word. As Scripture warns us, "It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23) and "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12). The way to a truly happy and abundant life is outlined in the Bible, and available to all who choose that way. For more encouraging information on how to become truly happy, watch our telecast "Keys to Happiness."—Scott Winnail, Chris Sookdeo, Deborah Lincoln-Strange and Stuart Wachowicz