|
Living
Church News |
| 1999
Top of Page
1999 |
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July-August
1999
1
Open letter:
What is Servant Leadership?
One of the vital themes I have emphasized over the
last several years is Servant Leadership. It is a concept
and a practice that I hope we can continue to implement in
the Living Church of God. "But," some continue to
ask, "What is Servant Leadership? And how can we
practice it?"---R. Meredith
3 Editorial:
Are We Disobeying Our Creator?
As we approach the turn of the Millennium, God is
obviously positioning the Living Church of God to do a
powerful Work. Prophetic events are occurring with
increasing frequency. Christ is coming soon. And we are
among the very few people on the earth to grasp the true
significance of all these things.---R. Meredith
7 Ministerial
Conferences: Church Vision Outlined
The ministry of the Living Church of God has been
shown its mission as it heads into the twenty-first century:
lead the churches in restoring Apostolic Christianity.---G.
Ehman
9 Are
You A Peacemaker?
The world is becoming an increasingly dangerous
place. Acts of hatred and violence occur every day in homes
and communities. Terrorism and the effects of ethnic strife
and war are constant topics in the media. The bad news is
that it is all going to get worse before it gets better- but
it will get better!---D. Winnail
12 How
Did We Get the New Testament?
Where did we get our New Testament? Who decided which
books were holy and deserved to be part of the Bible? The
Catholic Church claims that early church councils put the
New Testament together, but is that really the way it
happened?---J. Ogwyn
16 Report
From The Treasurer
18 Local
Church News
21 1999
Festival Updates
22
Local Church Listings |
September-October
1999
1
Open Letter
Prepare Spiritually and Physically for Y2K!
During our Council of Elders meetings, I asked our
ministry for their advice as to whether we should give all
of you a WARNING about the coming "Y2K problem"-
along with some fundamental suggestions as to how to prepare
for this event.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial:
The Importance of FAITH
Over and over, we have been emphasizing the vital
need to build an "atmosphere of faith" in the
Living Church of God. Scores of our brethren need to be
healed. Hundreds of our brethren are no doubt going through
trials and tests even as I write this. And we are now
entering the "last days" when -as the Apostle Paul
wrote- "perilous times will come" (2 Timothy 3:1).---R.
Meredith
4 The
Fall Festivals---Season of Hope and Glory
The promises of tomorrow's world offer a very
dramatic contrast with the reality of today's. While today's
world is rent with pain and sorrow, tomorrow's world is
characterized by hope and glory. As we approach the fall
festivals, our focus is lifted from what the Bible terms
"this present evil world" (Gal. 1:4).---J. Ogwyn
7 How
Do You Build Real Faith?
Faith in God is listed as one of the fundamental
teachings of Scripture (Hebrews 6:1-2). In fact, Christians
are told that "without faith it is impossible to please
Him" (Hebrews 11:6). However, Jesus Christ, looking
ahead to the end of this present age- our time today- raised
a sobering question to His disciples. He asked, "When
the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"
(Luke 18:8).---D. Winnail
11 Rejoicing
at The Feast
Most professing Christians do not know how to worship
God. We see this in the contradictory beliefs and practices
of the more than 450 sects, cults and fellowships of
Christianity that reveal a confusion rivaling the aftermath
of the Tower of Babel.---G. Ehman
14 Report
From the Treasurer
18 Living
Youth Camp---A Successful Beginning!
20 Local
Church News
22 Local
Church Listings |
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Top of Page |
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November-December
1999
1
Open Letter:
An Atmosphere of Faith
During the Feast, my sermons mainly touched on the
twin themes of "Restoring Apostolic Christianity"
and building an "atmosphere of FAITH" within God's
Church. I hope and pray that all of you are picking up on
these themes- and that you will pray about them, and really
study the Bible so as to be very conversant with these vital
themes.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial:
Let's Continue The WORK
Among the many splits and divisions of God's people
in the past several years, one troubling theme seems to be
springing up again and again. That theme or concept is that
"the Work is over", or that "we don't need to
do a Work except merely to feed the flock".---R.
Meredith
5 How
Deeply Are You Committed?
Commitment runs very shallow in our modern western
world. Whether it is in marriage or in religion, most people
want what is convenient and easy. What does Jesus Christ
expect of those who would be His disciples? How much
commitment is really necessary?---J. Ogwyn
8
Do You Have A Sense of Urgency?
When it comes to preparing for the Kingdom of God,
growing in faith and overcoming, doing the work of preaching
the Gospel and warning the world- do you feel a sense of
urgency? Or is your focus primarily on yourself and your own
concerns- your job, your family, amusing yourself, doing
your own thing by soaking up all that this world has to
offer? Do real Christians need to have a sense of urgency?---D.
Winnail
10 The
Blessings of Third Tithe
God pronounces a blessing on those who care for the
poor and the needy. He also emphasizes throughout the Bible
that it is the duty of the individual to closely guard,
protect and support those who are afflicted within society
by events and circumstances not of their choice.---G. Ehman
11 Go
on To Perfection
Every year the church concentrates its attention on
understanding God's awesome plan of salvation by keeping His
Holy Days. From the Passover throughout the Feast of
Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, Christians have been
made aware that God, indeed, has a plan of salvation, and
that each Holy Day is a milestone in His countdown to
Christ's return. God shows His concern for His people by
carefully insuring that much physical and spiritual pleasure
is provided for them.---G. Ehman
14 Mail
Processing Department---From Ground Zero
16
1999 Feast of Tabernacles
25 Local
Church News
26
Local Church Listings |
End
of 1999 |
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2000
Top of Page
2000 |
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January
2000
1
Open Letter:
Establishing Right Priorities
As we move together into this New Millennium- as
designated by the Roman calendar- we need more than ever to
prepare for the real New Millennium. For Christ will then be
here in dramatic REALITY! And EVERYTHING around us will
change.---R. Meredith
3
Editorial:
A Family Spirit
One aspect of restoring Apostolic Christianity that
we need to recover is a genuine "family spirit". A
few of our local churches have this. But others do not, and
certainly all of us can do better.---R. Meredith
4 Religion
101
One of the most remarkable developments that has
accompanied the fragmentation of the Church of God has been
to see individuals, once considered leaders in the work of
God or pillars in local congregations, begin to vacillate or
change beliefs they once firmly professed.---D. Winnail
8 How
Did We Get The Old Testament?
Where did we get our Old Testament? Who decided which
books were holy and deserved to be included as part of the
Bible? Did some council of Jewish rabbis define the canon?
If not, when was it done and who did it? Also, where did
they get the authority to say that certain books belonged in
the Bible while others did not?---J. Ogwyn
12 We
Still Must Preach The Gospel!
The United States Declaration of Independence makes
this classic statement: "We hold these truths to be
self-evident..." With every wind of doctrine gusting
through God's Church at this end time, virtually every
fundamental truth that has been maintained by the Church of
God has come under heavy assault.---M. Mendiola
15 Disfellowshipping
And Marketing
In the Church we hear occasionally that someone has
been "disfellowshipped" or "marked", but
these practices are not always well understood. Can a person
who is not a member of the Living Church of God be
disfellowshipped? No. Can a person who is not a member of
the Living Church of God be "marked"? Yes. So
there is a difference in the two. Can you explain what it
is?---D. Wakefield
17 God
Sits on The Mercy Seat
There are many references in Scripture to God as a
God of mercy, such as Psalm 136. But a term which vividly
captures this attribute is that of God sitting on a mercy
seat. The Hebrew word used to describe God's seat means lid
or covering, but is rendered "mercy seat" in the
King James and New King James translations.---D. Roach
19 Trip
Announcement
20 News
of The Work
21
Local Church News
|
February
2000
1
Open Letter:
Our Worship and Service to God
We have just completed an extremely warm and unifying
Council of Elders Conference. The members of the
Council---all dedicated to serving you brethren and to
preaching the Gospel to the world---are truly among the finest men I have ever known. As have many of you
brethren, they have been tried and tested---again and
again---and have regularly stood up for the Truth and
for Christ's approach to doing the Work.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial:
Trials and Persecutions
All of you brethren know, I'm sure, that I am a very
positive person. I try to look on the bright side of any
situation. I have always tried to project growth and
progress in the Work in most of my preaching and writing.
That is as it should be.---R. Meredith
7
Samson and Samuel---A Tale of two Nazarites
The twelfth century BC was a bleak one for ancient
Israel. The nation had been on a veritable roller-coaster
ride of ups and downs in relation to neighboring nations
since Joshua's death. Now, in the aftermath of Gideon's
death, the unity of the nation seemed to fracture.---J.
Ogwyn
10 Truly
"Knowing The Lord"
When I was in high school, a friend of mine invited
me to a Sunday evening church service where people in the
congregation were almost incessantly "praising the
Lord" and repeating the name of Jesus. On another
occasion, a group of young people invited me to a Bible
study after school. All they seemed to talk about was
"the Lord" this and "the Lord" that. At
that time, it was common to hear people ask, "Do you
know the Lord?"---M. Mendiola
13 How
Much Do We Really Love?
When I was 14 years old, I witnessed something that
should have left a profound impact on my young mind. I had
been attending services in a church area with my parents and
was impressed with the friendly and loving people in our
congregation. To me, these brethren were wonderful examples
of what true, caring Christians should be. One Sabbath
however, this impression was challenged as a middle-aged man
arrived at church for the first time.---S. Winnail
15 "I
Made A Mistake"
The Bible says, "Be you therefore perfect"
(Matthew 5:48), and "go on to perfection" (Hebrews
6:1). We must be striving to become like God, having His
character, overcoming faults and shortcomings, learning to
be and think like Him. But, all too often, we read those
verses and misunderstand them.---R. McNair
19 News
of The Work
20 Report
From The Treasurer
23 Local
Church News
24 Announcements |
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Top of Page |
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March-April
2000
1
Open Letter:
Filled with Christ, Not Egypt
All of us need to be preparing physically and
spiritually for this annual memorial service. All of us need
to be "examining" ourselves as Paul instructs in 2
Corinthians 13:5. As we think about the Passover and about
the original Days of Unleavened Bread, we remember that
Israel was preparing to flee Egypt- a type of SIN.---R.
Meredith
3 Editorial:
How Satan CONFUSES People
Satan the Devil has many tactics to turn people away
from God. He is, of course, the greatest LIAR in the
universe. Jesus Christ told the Pharisees: "You are of
your father the devil, and the desires of your father you
want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does
not stand in the truth, because there is NO TRUTH in him.
When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for
he is a LIAR and the father of it" (John 8:44).---R.
Meredith
7 Look
Out-I'm Offended!
Do you ever get angry? Do you ever get so angry you
want to scream, break something or retaliate in some way? Do
you find it hard to let go of your anger? Is it difficult
for you to forgive someone who has hurt you- so difficult,
in fact, that you never want to see the person again? Have
you ever felt guilty because you realize you are holding
onto anger and hurt feelings? If these issues are real to
you, then you have plenty of company!---D. Winnail
11 The
Hebrew Calendar And God's Church
Since 1986, the calendar has been a recurring source
of doctrinal controversy in the Church of God. Many articles
and papers have proposed different methods of calculating
the dates of the annual festivals, and at least a half-dozen
different calendars and calculation methods have been
offered.---J. Ogwyn
12
Lessons From The Red Sea
The miraculous parting of the Red Sea has inspired
generations. Cecil B. DeMille's portrayal of it in the
classic movie "The Ten Commandments" remains one
of the most memorable special effects ever shown on the
silver screen. Who can forget Charlton Heston's portrayal of
Moses and the awe-inspiring sight of the Red Sea's waters
dividing as the terrified Israelites witnessed Pharaoh's
chariots charging upon them?---M. Mendiola
16 DID
JESUS BREAK THE LAW?
They had figured out the perfect no-win situation for
Jesus. In the past the scribes and Pharisees had come up
with seemingly fool-proof questions that would trap Jesus in
His own words, and repeatedly He had turned the tables on
them. But this time it was going to be different. Either way
Jesus answered the question, they had Him.---D. Wakefield
18 The
Form AND the Power
Soon we will face the common challenge of removing
yeast, baking soda, baking powder, leavened products, and
bread crumbs, from our homes. But what utensils or tools do
you use to deleaven your home? Do you use a knife,
screwdriver and vacuum cleaner? Will you take a sponge to
clean your walls? Some overzealous brethren have, in times
past, gone to rather humorous extremes. What, specifically,
will you use to clean the toaster?---D. Hall
24 Prepare
for The Feast of Tabernacles 2000
Last year's Feast was the first one for the Living
Church of God, and virtually everyone who attended felt a
renewed spirit of love and unity among the brethren.---D.
Davis
25
What is Beauty?
If you are a young person, how should you feel about
the way you look? How should you view beauty? How does God
view caring for our appearance? To some, looking good
becomes a competition. If someone is "beautiful",
they are assumed to have it made.---R. McNair
26
Local Church News
28 Commentary
Do You Have God's Protection |
May-June
2000
1
Open Letter:
Correction: The Way to Maturity
We are rapidly coming up on the Day of Pentecost. It
is my hope that all of you have experienced a positive
Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread observance. Now, as we
prepare for Pentecost and the fall Holy Days, I want to
share with you something we all need to work on all year
long.---R. Meredith
3
Editorial:
Enthusiasm and ZEAL
Enthusiasm and zeal are both characteristics of
nearly every great servant of God in the Bible. Yet, in our
modern age, the attitude of being "cool" seems to
prevail. People seem to be suspicious of anyone getting
"too excited" about Christianity. Why is this?---R.
Meredith
4
Being a Holy People
The children of Israel were overwhelmed with a sense
of gratitude and awe. They had just witnessed one of the
most dramatic miracles of all time- the Red Sea literally
opening up and providing them a highway of escape from their
captors! Not only had God brought them through the midst of
this mighty body of water without so much as getting their
feet wet, He had then closed the waters over the pursuing
Egyptian army!---J. Ogwyn
7 Teamwork
One of the greatest challenges we face in this life
is learning to work together with other people. This is
especially difficult today because we are continually
bombarded by messages that urge us to do just the opposite.
Be your own person! Do your own thing! Look out for Number
One! Get yours while the getting is good! Nice people finish
last!---D. Winnail
10 Having
the Mind of Christ
"Let this mind be in you which was also in
Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Why this emphatic
statement about having the mind of Christ? Since the mind is
the seat of intellect, the control center for our thoughts
and actions, can we really have the mind of Christ?---M.
Fannin
13 Christ's
Most Painful Experience
Jesus Christ was a man of suffering, and One who was
acquainted with grief. "He is despised and rejected by
men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid,
as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did
not esteem Him" (Isaiah 53:3).---D. Roach
14
CAN You Take It With You?
It was an astonishing thing to hear. The Church
member said that a man with whom he had attended Church
several years ago had asserted: "Nowhere does the Bible
say there is a reward for works!" Not only did this
man, an elder, not believe as he once did- he had forgotten
what he once believed. But what does the Bible actually say
about "taking it with you?" Is there a reward for
works? Do our works in this life make a difference in the
Kingdom of God, or do they mean nothing after we die?---D.
Wakefield
16
Report from The Treasurer
17 A
Christian's Need for Fasting
When was the late time you fasted? Was it last week,
last month or on the Day of Atonement? The answer to these
questions may reveal how deeply you feel the need for
regular, personal fasting.---R. McNair
21 2000
Feast of Tabernacles
26 Local
Church News
28 Commentary
What Is Servant Leadership |
|
Top of Page |
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July-August
2000
1
Open Letter:
God Will Have to Intervene
While Sheryl and I were surrounded by approximately
250, 000 people in St. Peter's Square in Rome, I remarked to
her that, in this vast sea of faces, we were probably the
ONLY ones with any real knowledge of God or of His true PLAN
for humanity. Even in our so-called
"sophisticated" age, people were virtually
worshipping the little old man up there on the stage.---R,
Meredith
3 Editorial:
The Gifts of The Spirit
All of us in the Church of God today need to
understand more fully the role of the "gifts" of
the Spirit. I hope all of you will read this brief overview
along with my lead article/letter starting on page one of
this issue.---R. Meredith
4
What Does It Really Mean To Hallow God's Name?
The man sitting across the table seemed very sincere.
"I believe that it is just as important to keep the
third commandment as it is to keep the fourth one, " he
said. Of course, he was absolutely right. It is vital to
keep the third commandment. The Apostle James reminds us
that if we break one point in the law, we have broken the
entire law (James 2:10).---J. Ogwyn
8 What
Is The Mission of God's Church?
Jesus said, "I will build My church, and the
gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matthew
16:18). But why did Jesus start a church? What is its
mission and purpose? What should the Church of God be doing
today? Do you know- for sure?---D. Winnail
12 The
Church That Is In Their House
"We're going to hold church services in
someone's home? Where are the minister, pulpit, piano and
choir? Why not rent a hall? Where are the rest of the
people?" Did you ask yourself these questions when you
first learned about a nearby Living Church of God service
you wished to attend? You were likely not the first to ask!---K.
Frank
14 The
Importance of Maintenance
At one time or another, nearly everyone has had
something brand new. There is nothing like a new toy to
brighten the eyes of a young child. A new dress or pair of
shoes is a special joy to the lady in our life. And driving
a car for the first time is a thrill for the whole family.
New is great!---Jon. McNair
21
Local Church News
22
Evangelist Visits Philippines Churches
23 Feast
of Tabernacles Updates
24
Commentary
Is There Any Hope? |
September-October
2000
1
Open Letter:
Build a Relationship with God
In this open letter, I want to share with all of you
some of the thoughts, meditations and prayers that I have
been contemplating over the last several weeks. We are
certainly drawing close to the very END of this age. Yet we
do seem to be in a sort of "transition period"-
trying and testing our patience- before things speed up to
the grand-smash climax of world events.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial:
Give Your TIME to God!
In a recent sermon I brought out a vital key to
Christian living that many have not understood. It involves
how we give our lives to God. In Romans 12:1-2, the Apostle
Paul exhorts us: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by
the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove
what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of
God."---R. Meredith
4 The
First Feast of Tabernacles
We are all familiar with the story of the first
Passover. Every year at that season we look back to the
events surrounding God's sparing of the Israelite firstborn
and His deliverance of His people from Egypt. We reflect on
the lessons to be learned from the events connected with the
first Passover and Unleavened Bread season. We also look at
the New Testament fulfillment of those types by Jesus
Christ, with the events of the Last Supper and His
subsequent crucifixion and resurrection.---J. Ogwyn
7
Seven Lessons From the Seven Churches
We are living in challenging times in the history of
the church that Jesus founded. Ideas circulating through the
church today are significant in ways few realize! The subtle
return to mainstream "Christian" doctrines, the
fascination with new forms of church government, the desire
to dispense with the ministry and move beyond a hierarchy to
independence and the preference to debate instead of learn-
are sobering benchmarks to take note of!---D. Winnail
11
To the Youth: You Can Look Forward to Jesus Christ's
Return
One day, when I was 12 years old, I remember staring
out of the picture window of our home as I listened to my
mother tell me what she knew about Jesus Christ's return. It
was 1974, and she had recently become interested in God's
Truth. Until then my family was not religious, although we
colored Easter eggs and celebrated Christmas. I vividly
remember the utter sadness and despair I felt on that day.
As my mother talked, I kept telling myself, "I can't
believe it." What she thought was exciting meant the
opposite to me.---P. Sena
14
Did Jesus Profane the Sabbath?
It seemed that everywhere Jesus went, the religious
leaders of His day were watching Him to see if some fault
could be found. Because they rejected Jesus' teachings as
"unorthodox" they were particularly interested in
discrediting Him as an opponent of the law.---D. Wakefield
17
Report From the Treasurer
21 News
of the Work
22 Local
Church News
24 Commentary
"Catastrophe" |
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Top of Page |
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November-December
2000
1
Open Letter:
The Heart of a Champion
It was inspiring to see the young athletes in the
recent Olympic Games "give their all". Those young
people from all over the world spent years working,
training, disciplining themselves and driving themselves
toward a GOAL. They usually put that goal above everything
else.---R. Meredith
3
Editorial:
What Is Your Breaking Point?
Once or twice a year, I look through old Envoys-
yearbooks from Ambassador College. I note the leaders from
my student years, and from the better part of 35 years I
spent as a teacher. Where have these "leaders"
gone? What happened to most of the student body presidents
and even many of the evangelists in the Church of God?---R.
Meredith
4 What
Is A Calling From God?
The Bible speaks of people being called by God. But
what does that mean? Just what is a calling? Have you been
called? Is God calling you? How would you know? What proof
do you have? Is everyone who believes in God called by God?
Why does God call people? Does God call people for a purpose
other than just to know Him and love Him? Is a calling the
same as conversion?---D. Winnail
7 The
Hebrew Calendar---Part 1
Since 1986, the calendar has been a recurring source
of doctrinal controversy in the Church of God. Many articles
and papers have proposed different methods of calculating
the dates of the annual festivals, and at least a half-dozen
different calendars and calculation methods have been
offered.---J. Ogwyn
11 Christian
"Soldiers"
Since World War II, the United States Army has had an
elite fighting force called the Rangers. The Rangers were
called "triple volunteers", since most volunteered
for the Army, all volunteered to become paratroopers and all
volunteered to be Rangers. Ranger training was tough as well
as multi-faceted. Rangers were trained to use all types of
weapons and to fight in all types of situations. The Rangers
were highly disciplined troops meant to spearhead battles
and to go (and fight) behind enemy lines.---R. Thiel
15
Feast of Tabernacles 2000
25
Coming Soon: A National Youth Program!
At a Council of Elders meeting this past August, I
was asked to spearhead the building of a national youth
program for the Living Church of God. This article is
intended to give an overview of where we are today and to
discuss steps we can take to build an effective youth
program.---G. Weston
27 Local
Church News
2`8
Commentary
"Smart Teens and Sex" |
End
of 2000 |
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2001
Top of Page
2001 |
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January-February
2001
1
Open Letter:
Are You Really a Christian?
Most of us in the Living Church of God act like Christians
most of the time. But there are "those times" when
all of us slip up, act in a selfish or worldly manner or
simply get rebellious. Our enemy, Satan the devil, is always
waiting to "stir us up" in a moment of weakness.
So we must be on guard always---always!---R. Meredith
3
Editorial:
Gaining Wisdom
Are you a truly "wise" person? Are you now
learning to "think through" carefully all
important decisions that you must make? Are you preparing,
in this way, to fulfill your calling when Jesus Christ
returns and tells you, "Well done good servant; because
you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten
cities" (Luke 19:17)?---R. Meredith
4
The Bible Code: What Enthusiasts Overlook
Many have wondered about the "Bible Code."
Does it prove that God inspired the Bible? Does it
really predict the future? Does it give us remarkable
new insights into Scripture and the world around us?
Michael Drosnin's 1997 book, The Bible Code,
was an instant best-seller that enlivened talk shows
and spawned a series of "copycat" novels,
films and videos that were immediately snatched up by
a fascinated public. Interest in predictions runs
high---especially at the beginning of a new
millennium!---D. Winnail
7 The
Hebrew Calendar---Part 2
Does God expect individual Christians to determine His
calendar for themselves? Many self-appointed calendar
experts each claim that their calendar is the
right one. Did God intend the calendar to be
proclaimed by an authoritative body---or is it
"every man for himself?" Increasingly, we
see people simply doing what is right in their own
eyes. Is God the author of such spiritual anarchy? To
whom did God give responsibility for the calendar?---J.
Ogwyn
12
Military Service, The Draft and Christianity
One of a parent's worst nightmares is the thought of
losing a child in war. Many have made the sacrifice.
But should Christian men be sacrificed in that way,
for this world's armies and this world's wars? Our
understanding of prophecy---current events and coming
wars in the Middle East and around the world---makes
of special concern the possibility of the draft being
resumed. I do not wish to see you or any of your
friends in the Church caught unawares.---D. Haney
15 Are
You Dokimos?
The Greeks had a word for tested, full-value coins.
They were said to be dokimos. The word was
often applied to metals or ores that had been
certified as genuine, but it was also used to describe
a person who was proven and known to be
trustworthy. "In one century, more than eighty
laws were passed in Athens, to stop the practice of
shaving down the coins then in circulation. ---D.
Wakefield
16
Just for Youth: Is God Calling You?
What are some common misconceptions that second generation
Christians may have about conversion? Conversion is often a
confusing topic for young people who grow up in the Church.
Baptism can seem like an overwhelming commitment. It can
seem like a commitment that only applies to parents, somehow
"fake" for a second or third-generation Christian.
And it can seem like a deterrent to "having fun"
and "experiencing life." Each of these perceptions
can hinder you from taking that first step towards the
Kingdom of God. But they need not do so.---Rod McNair
18 Are
You Hospitable?
Many people regularly offer and accept hospitality,
but one could ask: do we really need to
be hospitable? Should hospitality be considered
essential?---W. Schutz
22 So
You Are Being Called for Jury Duty
In recent months, increasing numbers of those
affiliated with Living Church of God have been called
for jury duty. Many courts have begun to use driver's
license data to locate potential jurors instead of
voter registration information.---T. Turner
23
Local Church News
24
LYC Announcement |
March-April
2001
1
Open Letter:
Developing a Deep Love for God
As we approach the Passover, it is important that we
all try to draw closer to God in every way. God is our
Father. The Son of God is our Savior- our Lord, High Priest
and coming King. We can never in a billion years even hope
to begin to repay God for the gift of life, for being made
in His image and for the beauty and harmony of the marvelous
creation around us. How thankful we in God's Church should
be for His special calling- for His wonderful inspired Word
to enlighten, teach, and inspire us, and for the precious
gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us.---R.
Meredith
3
Editorial:
Are You Truly Humble?
Even in God's Church it is possible to find many men
and women who are very lacking in humility. As we approach
the Passover and the footwashing service- the
"ordinance of humility"- it will be helpful to
consider whether we meet the test of true humility.---R.
Meredith
4 From
Passover to Pentecost---Lessons for the Christian
Journey
The first two of the three festival seasons that God
gave to His people are connected in a special way. Pentecost
is the only festival that is not celebrated on a specific
day of the month. Rather, its date can only be calculated by
counting from the day of the Wavesheaf- the Sunday that
falls within the Days of Unleavened Bread. Why did God
connect these two spring festivals in this way? Are there
spiritual lessons that He would have His people learn from
focusing on this count?---J. Ogwyn
7 Do
Not Be Deceived
One of Scripture's clearest warnings concerns the
danger of religious deception. Jesus said: "Take heed
that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name,
saying, 'I am the Christ' (I am a Christian, or a minister
of Christ), and will deceive many" (Matthew 24:4-5).
The Apostle Paul warned that before Christ's return there
will be a great falling away, and that many will be deluded
because they did not love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:3,
10-11).---D. Winnail
10 Report
From the Treasurer
11 Do
You Live in the Shadows?
In Scripture, Jesus frequently used physical,
everyday occurrences and familiar situations to demonstrate
great spiritual lessons and truths. He described vivid
parallels contrasting the good or bad of daily scenes and
the gain or loss certain behaviors would bring to our
spiritual well-being.---H. Cooper
12 How
Reliable Are You?
Some people are notorious for not keeping their word.
Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister of Great Britain, said
in 1938 after signing the Munich Pact with Adolf Hitler,
that "in spite of the hardness and ruthlessness I
thought I saw in his face, I got the impression that here
was a man who could be relied upon when he had given his
word".---D. Roach
14 International
Corner...
18 2001
Feast of Tabernacles Site Information
25 Local
Church News
27 News
of the Work
28 Commentary
Sun Worship or True Worship? |
|
Top of Page |
|
May-June
2001
1
Open Letter:
Our Mission as a Church
As Mr. Armstrong used to ask: "WHY are we
here?" Every so often, it is good to review our goals
and purposes in God's Church- and in the Work which He has
called us to do. In the recent ministerial conference here
in San Diego, I reviewed some of these goals with our
ministers and their wives.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial:
Keep
"Watching" Carefully
When discussing the exact time of His Second Coming,
Jesus Christ told His disciples: "But of that day and
hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the
Son, but only the Father. Take heed, WATCH and PRAY; for you
do not know when the time is" (Mark 13:32-33).---R.
Meredith
4 The
Writings of John---Their Timing and Purpose
The rest of the New Testament had been completed for
more than two decades. Peter and Paul were both dead and the
Jerusalem temple had long since been destroyed. Nearly all
of the first generation of Christians had died. In the final
decade of the first century, the last surviving eyewitness
to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ took
his pen in hand to write the last books of the New
Testament.---J. Ogwyn
8 Biblical
Roles for Men and Women: Outdated Curse or Key to
Success?
The last half of the 20th century saw many changes.
One of the most profound was the rejection of traditional
roles for men and women in the family and society. Those
roles are outlined in the Bible. As the Western world cut
itself loose from the moorings of Scripture, pressure
mounted to discount and discard the traditional biblical
roles for men and women.---D. Winnail
12 International
Corner...
14 What
Does God Like to be Called?
God had many names and titles revealed in Scripture:
God (Genesis 4:6), I Am (Exodus 3:14) and Ancient of Days
(Daniel 7:9, 13, 22), among others. But does He especially
cherish one term that we may use when addressing Him? Does
Scripture show the very special importance of one of His
names?---D. Roach
16
Ministerial Conferences 2001
21 2001
Feast of Tabernacles Update
23 Local
Church News
24 Bible
Study
From "The Gospel of Matthew---Program 6" |
July-August
2001
1
Open Letter:
Will Just Any Church Do?
It has recently been reported that at least 318
churches and "splinter groups" have split off from
the Worldwide Church. It seems that every Tom, Dick and
Harry has decided to appoint himself as a "spiritual
leader" of a church or little group. Some ask: "Is
there anything WRONG with this? Didn't the early Christians
meet in 'house churches'?" What does God's inspired
Word tell us about this approach?---R. Meredith
3 Editorial:
Do We "Get It"?
For quite a number of years before his death, Mr.
Herbert W. Armstrong would look out over the Headquarters
congregation and say, "Brethren, I think that many of
us just don't get it!" Mr. Armstrong sensed that many
of God's people just "went along for the ride."---R.
Meredith
4 Is
There a Real Place of Safety?
As prophecy unfolds over the next few years, what is
ahead for the members of God's Church? For decades, we have
anticipated the coming together of the Beast power in
Europe- coupled with the decline of British and American
power and a growing crisis in the Middle East, centered on
Jerusalem.---J. Ogwyn
7 What
Does It Mean to be God's Chosen People?
What comes into your mind when you hear the phrase:
"God's chosen people"? Do you think of the Jews,
or the nation of Israel or some exclusivist group with a
better-than-thou attitude? When you hear someone say "I
am one of God's elect" or "We are God's
people," how do you react?---D. Winnail
10 What
Is a Philadelphian?
What is a Philadelphian? This article will review the
biblical passages about the Philadelphian Church and examine
when it began, what its traits were, why a remnant still
exists, how to determine who that remnant is- and why this
is important to know.---R. Thiel
12
International Corner...
20 LYC
2001 Pre-Teen Camps
22 Local
Church News
24 Commentary
Life's Real Goal |
|
Top of Page |
|
September-October
2001
1
Open Letter:
Earnestly Fasting and Seeking God
Once again I want to thank you for the many
encouraging responses to my letter calling for a Church-wide
fast on July 14, 2001. Every response I received was a
positive one, and a number of you suggested that we continue
to have Church-wide fasts every so often. This is an
excellent idea. But the vast majority of fasts in each true
Christian's life should be private and personal- just as the
majority of our prayers must be private and personal.---R.
Meredith
3 Editorial:
Living FAITH
The Eternal God has inspired me regarding the vital
need for all of us to grow in faith. Because of all of our
modern distractions, and because of the breakup of our
former association, many thousands of brethren around the
world have been deeply hurt or confused.---R. Meredith
4 Are
You a Person After God's Own Heart?
Many people have heard that David was "a man
after God's own heart". Many also realize that we, too,
should be striving to become persons after God's own heart.
But just what does that really mean? How would you know if
you are- or are not? What can you do to become a person
after God's own heart?---D. Winnail
7 The
Threshold of Tomorrow's World
We, God's people are going to the Feast of
Tabernacles this year with many significant events happening
in the world around us. While events in the Middle East have
dominated the news, important developments are going on
behind the scenes in Europe as well. Most of us realize that
these days we are preparing to celebrate will finally be
fulfilled in the not-too-distant future.---J. Ogwyn
10 Who
Will Attack America?
Some today, departing from what they were taught by
Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, now assert that prior to Jesus
Christ's coming it will not be a united Europe- including
Germany- which leads an attack on modern Israel (including
the United States). They suggest instead that the attack
will come from an alliance between Russia and such countries
as Iran, Libya, Pakistan and India.---R. Reynolds
12
International Corner...
15
LYC---A Legacy for Their Children
"By your actions you are building a tradition, a
legacy, for your children. In the last two weeks you have
been shown a different way of life from what you see at
school. We have tried to show you that when everything is
done decently, in order, and without confusion- when
everyone practices the way of outgoing concern, when no one
is left out, when self-centered 'out-cooling' one another is
de-emphasized- the result is peace, safety and blessings for
all.---G. Weston
21 Television
Studio Hard At Work!
23
Local Church News
24 Commentary
Sin Is a Reproach to Any People |
November-December
2001
1
Open Letter:
Prophetic Events Speed Up
There are so many things to think about and pray
about regarding the ongoing terrorist attacks that have
struck the United States and other nations. In view of that,
there are several issues to be aware of and to be praying
about. This Work- probably more than any other- has directly
predicted that this type of terrorism would soon occur!---R.
Meredith
3
Editorial:
Persecution Is Coming!
At baptism, each of us should have made a
"covenant with our Creator" to give our lives to
Him. We normally do this by giving our lives as a
"living sacrifice" as Paul instructs in Romans
12:1. But always we must be willing to suffer and even to
die in our service to the Christ who died for us.---R.
Meredith
4
Is There a "Plan of God"?
Have you ever stepped back to look at your life and
world events and asked: "What is really going on? What
does all this mean?" Hundreds of different religious
groups teach different ideas, yet claim to believe in the
same God. Nations and peoples fight each other, yet most
people just want to be left alone in peace.---D. Winnail
7 Relate
to God Rightly with Head and Heart
Human beings are complex creatures. We have minds
that set us far apart from the animal realm. Our minds are
not only able to catalogue and analyze facts, but are also
able to feel a wide range of emotions. From this combination
of thinking and feeling, we all make choices and take
actions. We relate to God, and to one another, with both
head and heart.---J. Ogwyn
10 Lessons
From September 11, 2001
Many have awakened to a realization that America has
determined enemies who hate the nation passionately, and who
have the capability of inflicting enormous suffering. People
in the U.S. and elsewhere have expressed unbelief, sorrow,
anger and vengeance. What are some of the spiritual lessons
we can and should learn from this horrible tragedy?---R.
Reynolds
13
Calling the "Second Generation"
Every young person who has grown up in the Church of
God has probably wondered at some point in time: "How
do I know if God is calling me? And if God is calling me,
how do I respond?" For some, this "calling of
God" has been mysterious and hard to grasp. God does
not communicate by "handwriting on the wall" in
this age, or by e-mail.---J. Fall
16
International Corner...
20
2001 Feast of Tabernacles Review
31
Local Church News
32 Commentary
Terrorist Attacks: European Perspective |
|
2002
Top of Page
2002 |
|
January-February
2002
1
Open Letter:
Are You an Armstrongite?
The various Sabbath-keeping Church of God groups owe
a tremendous debt of gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert W.
Armstrong. Standing virtually alone at first- enduring
persecution and physical and financial hardships for many
years- they worked together as a team to restore many truths
to the Church and to revive the Work of God.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial:
"Testing" Your Conversion
What is the one key area of Christian life which
shows whether a person is deeply converted or not? Sabbath
keeping? Showing love? Being zealous for the Work? While all
those fruits are important, by themselves they may be
misunderstood or misguided.---R. Meredith
4
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Nearly 2,000 years ago, Jesus spoke the parable of
the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). For many, it is a nice
little Bible story about lamps, oil and getting ready for a
wedding; yet the parable is actually a warning about
conditions that will exist at the end of the age. The target
audience is the generation that will see the return of Jesus
Christ!---D. Winnail
7 God
Protects His People!
How can God's people learn to cope with the threat of
terrorism- which many in America and around the world are
beginning to experience, now that international terrorist
organizations have openly vowed to terrorize major nations
of the world? Does the Great God promise to protect His
people during the awful mind-numbing terrors soon to be
visited upon this earth's inhabitants?---R. McNair
11 Report
From Finance and Planning
12 International
Corner...
14
Seven Lessons From the Book of Job
Most of the prophets of God suffered for their
faithfulness. In addition to them, the Patriarch Job is
pointed out as an outstanding example of steadfast faith in
the way he handled severe trials. The book of Job is the
story of a normal human being who is beset by misfortune and
suffering. This article will present seven specific lessons
we can learn about responding to trials as revealed in the
book of Job.---J. Ogwyn
21 Council
of Elders Meeting
22
Local Church News
24 Commentary
Why Do You Go to Church? |
March-April
2002
1
Open Letter:
Focus on "Apostolic Christianity"
As the end of this age approaches, we in God's Church
should "sharpen our focus". As the Living Church
of God, and the Work of this Church become more influential
and more recognized, it is vital that we speak clearly to
the world why we are "different" from mainstream
Christianity- and why and how we must be different in order
to genuinely be the Church of God.---R. Meredith
3 Editorial:
Do You Love the Jewish People?
Do you personally love the Jewish people? Or do you
have any feeling of "distance" between you and
them? Where does the Living Church of God stand on this
matter? What would God have us feel and have us do---R.
Meredith
4
How to Live By Faith
The Bible has a great deal to say about the
importance of living by faith. We are told that without
faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Abraham
is held up as an example to Christians of one who actively
walked with God and lived by faith. How do you actually live
by faith in your daily life? This is a vital topic that
every Christian needs to understand.---J. Ogwyn
7
Ministerial Conference 2002: "This Is Only the
Beginning..."
10
International Corner...
15
2002 Feast of Tabernacles
24
Living Youth Camp 2002
26
Local Church News
28 Member
Web Resources |
|
Top of Page |
|
May-June
2002
1
Open Letter:
Go Forward in Faith
In what direction should we walk? As human beings, we
will always have "setbacks". Even God's Work faces
setbacks from time to time. When the Work was hindered, Mr.
Herbert Armstrong used to compare this to the cocking of a
gun. The gun's hammer, though pulled back a short distance,
was being prepared to strike the bullet and propel it
forward at a faster pace. And so God propels His Work
forward at a faster pace when He determines to do so. But we
must always be ready to move forward when our Red Sea opens
for us.---R. Ames
3
Editorial:
The Power of Example
Jesus said: "You are the light of the
world" (Matthew 5:14). He said that we should shine as
lights in this world so that others "may see (our) good
works and glorify (our) Father in heaven" (Matthew
5:16). God has called us to live the way of life of genuine
Christianity.---R. Ames
6
Vital Keys For Staying Focused
One of the biggest challenges facing Christians today
is to stay focused and to maintain a right course in a world
filled with trials, temptations, distractions and
deceptions. Especially if we live and work around sincere
and well-meaning people, it can be easy to forget that the
god of this world deliberately sets dangerous traps to
deceive and destroy the unwary (2 Corinthians 2:11; 4:4;
Ephesians 6:11-13; 1 Peter 5:8-9).---D. Winnail
10
International Corner...
12 Why
Did Jesus Christ Come?
In the early 90s AD, the aged Apostle John wrote his
personal account of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
He wrote between two and three decades after the other
gospel accounts were written. When he wrote, he chose to
begin the story in quite a different manner than the three
earlier writers. While Mark began with Jesus' ministry and
Matthew and Luke started with the events surrounding His
birth, John started at a different point entirely.---J.
Ogwyn
16 Should
Christians Celebrate Birthdays?
Job, we are told, "was blameless and upright,
and one who feared God and shunned evil" (Job 1:1). Job
had seven sons, and "each one on his day" made a
feast (Job 1:4, Darby). Many Bible commentators regard
"his day" (yowm) as most likely a reference to his
birthday, as also in Job 3:1. Each time these celebrations
had run their course, Job felt obliged to offer burnt
offerings---R. Reynolds
19 Samaritans:
Old and New
Both the Old and New Testaments mention the
Samaritans. While the world in general likes to focus on the
parable concerning "the good Samaritan", it
usually fails to focus on what the Samaritans (and even
those Israelites who shared their wrong values) represented.
Do the Samaritans represent goodness, or faithfulness to
God? Or do they represent something else? The Bible- the
basis for doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16)- gives us the answer.---R.
Thiel
22 Local
Church News
24
Commentary
Seeds of Violence |
July-August
2002
1
Open Letter:
Recent Travel Enlightening, Inspiring
Quite a number of brethren have asked me for more
details of the recent trip my wife and I took to the
Australasian area and the Philippines. It was an eventful
trip, and there are many items that may be helpful to share
with you all. Also, I feel that many of you may not be aware
of the growth God is giving us in those areas, and of the
very fine servants God is using to build His Work and
strengthen His people in some of these nations.---R.
Meredith
3 Editorial:
Press Toward the Goal!
One of the primary dangers for all of us in God's
Church is Laodiceanism. We are definitely in what the Bible
indicates is the "last era"- the last church age
of God's Church just before the Tribulation. The Apostle
John was inspired to describe this era in very clear terms
in Revelation 3:14-22. Note that this era is condemned not
for any specific doctrinal errors, but for a complacent,
lukewarm attitude.---R. Meredith
5 Obey
God, and Enter His Rest
For 40 years, the Israelites had been wandering in
the Sinai wilderness. While the oldest segment of the nation
had teenage memories of life in Egypt, life in the
wilderness was all that the vast majority of the Israelite
population had ever known. Now the nation was encamped on
the plains east of the Jordan River, preparing to enter the
land that God had originally promised to their ancestor
Abraham centuries earlier.---J. Ogwyn
8 Achieving
Godly Success
We all know ambitious individuals who drive
themselves. They want success at all costs. We also know
people who consider themselves failures, who constantly feel
like giving up and are convinced they can never be
successful. But what is true success? There is a standard of
godly success, given in Scripture- and there are proven
principles that can help us achieve success.---R. Ames
12
Why Do Christians Suffer?
Suffering, by definition, is painful. So why would
God allow it in the life of a Christian- and even praise its
benefits? The subject of suffering is very serious, and
often misunderstood. Thankfully, God has given us
information vital to understanding the subject of suffering,
and how it relates to what He is doing here on Earth. When
we look at this information, we should be able to
acknowledge that we are willing- indeed that we need- to
suffer. Suffering can be a blessing, and is a vital part of
our Christian growth.---R. Wheeler
14
International Corner...
16 Agape
Love
What aspect of your Christian life would you most
like to enhance? If you could grow in any one area, which
would you choose? There are numerous areas in which we, as
Christians, all need to grow.---M. McDaniel
21
Local Church News
24 Commentary
A Cup of Trembling |
|
Top of Page |
|
September-October
2002
1
Open Letter:
After God's Own Heart
Do you want to be more like King David of Israel- the
"man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22)? Through
most of my Christian life, King David and the Apostle Paul
were my main biblical "heroes"- apart from Jesus
Christ Himself. As I have grown older, I have added Abraham
and the beloved Apostle John to the list. But that is
another story. Over the years, I have studied King David's
life, and have preached several sermons on why he was a man
"after God's own heart".---R. Meredith
3
Editorial:
Strive for Excellence
In our modern world it is often considered
fashionable to be "cool". Young people sometimes
pride themselves on not appearing to be "trying too
hard". Yet that is exactly the opposite of what our God
wants us to be and to do! In fact, most of us in God's
Church may need to "try harder" than those endowed
with more natural ability and who have perhaps been afforded
more opportunities for higher education and opportunities to
learn the social graces than most of us.--- R. Meredith
4 Dealing
With Trials
Why is life so difficult at times? For a child
blessed with a loving and nurturing family environment,
every day is a new adventure, and almost every new
experience generates excitement. As we mature beyond
childhood, we entertain bright hopes and dreams for the
future. However, as we grow older, life often darkens and
becomes a series of problems- and these problems usually
come at the most inopportune moments, when we least expect
or want them!---D. Winnail
7 Jury
Duty: A Christian's Perspective
My wife and I pulled into our driveway late one
Sunday afternoon, coming home from a church trip, and I took
our mail from the mailbox and brought it inside. As I
quickly sorted through the mail, a large yellow notice
leaped out at me. With dismay, I noted that I had been
summoned for jury duty.
Subheads:---J. Ogwyn
11
Keys to Happiness: Forward From the Feast
What is the purpose of human existence? Philosophers
have pondered this question for thousands of years, but
lacking God's Spirit and rejecting His counsel their answers
have been unsatisfactory and incomplete. Winston Churchill,
speaking before the U.S. Congress, said: "He must
indeed have a blind soul who cannot see that some great
purpose and design is being worked out here below"
(December 26, 1941).---R. Reynolds
14
International Corner...
16
LYC 2002
22 Local
Church News
24 Commentary
The Origin of the Universe |
November-December
2002
1
Open
Letter
Prepare Now for God's Kingdom
The past few years, an increasing degree of love and
unity was felt in nearly all of our Feast sites. This year,
that warmth and unity continued. Also, as Mr. Charles Bryce
expressed it: "The brethren seemed to be even more
focused on moving forward." No doubt most of you have
sensed that the end of this age really is drawing close and
the move of the Church Headquarters to Charlotte, NC will be
the beginning of a much more powerful Work.---R. Meredith
3
Editorial:
Christ Is Our LEADER
With an upcoming move to Charlotte, North Carolina,
and other areas of growth and change in the offing, it is
vital for all of our people to come to a deeper faith and
trust in Jesus Christ. It is easy to forget that Jesus
Christ is alive and very active! That He is the living Head
of the Church. That He is aware of the smallest detail.---R.
Meredith
4
Did Jesus Abolish the Law?
Many sincere Christians have been told that the laws
of God in the Old Testament- about the Sabbath, the Holy
Days, clean and unclean foods and tithing- have been
abolished and are no longer relevant for New Testament
Christians. Supposedly, these ancient laws were "nailed
to the cross" by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.---D.
Winnail
9 "Are
you 'Good Enough' Yet?"
Have you ever wondered whether or not you will
"make it" into the Kingdom of God? Have you
wondered whether you are good enough for the Kingdom right
now? If you are going to enter the Kingdom, how much better
must you become? Perhaps you have not phrased the questions
in exactly this way, but these thoughts have gone through
the minds of many in God's Church.---J. Ogwyn
12
International Corner...
14 Feast
of Tabernacles 2002 in Review
30
Local Church News
32
Commentary
Ominous Weather Ahead
|
|
2003
Top of Page
2003 |
|
January-February
2003
1
Open Letter:
Reflections on Two Anniversaries
By the time you read this, we will have celebrated
the tenth anniversary of the revival of the Work of God. A
little more than ten years ago- in mid-December, 1992- God
provided a "way of escape" for those who were
troubled by the changes being made in our former
association. My wife and I- with original founding Board
member Mr. Don Davis- were literally overwhelmed with phone
calls, letters and personal contacts from members all over
the world who were deeply concerned about the mounting
heresies..---R. Meredith
3
Editorial:
What Do You Stand For?
In this swift-moving, godless society, each one of us
had better take the time to decide what we really believe
in- what we are willing to "fight" for and, if
need be, die for. Today's materialistic, secular culture is
almost overwhelming in its influence on most who call
themselves Christian..--- R. Meredith
4 What
Do You Love the Most?
What is the most important thing in your life? Your
answer to that question is vitally important, because it
will determine the choices you make in the days and years
ahead. We are all confronted with choices and decisions
every day, and those choices determine our future. Indeed,
our very character is shaped by the choices we make.---J.
Ogwyn
7 Catch
the Vision
Have you really caught the vision that Jesus Christ
brought to this earth and that His disciples proclaimed to
this world? Do you really grasp the scope of the vision that
God revealed to His prophets of old? What impact has this
vision of the future had on your mind? Has the reality of
that vision changed your life in any way?---J. Ogwyn
10The
Hope of a Christian
God's Word says that "without faith it is
impossible to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6). But it is
also clear that a Christian must maintain hope if he expects
to enter God's Kingdom. "For we are saved by hope"
(Romans 8:24, KJV). What is the priceless Christian hope?---R.
McNair
14
International Corner...
16
LYC Camp 2003
21 Local
Church News
24 Commentary
The Fallacy of Situation Ethics |
March-April
2003
1
Open Letter:
What Is Your Personal "Breaking Point"?
God has truly blessed us in this Work in many ways.
We are now starting to have a more powerful impact in many
parts of the world. That is very good- and something for
which we can be very thankful. But each of us must deeply
realize that God's Word tells us again and again that severe
persecution has usually come along with any powerful
teaching of the Truth. "That," as they say,
"comes with the territory."---R. Meredith
3
Editorial:
Our Need for Living Faith
Thinking about the trials and tests that lie just
ahead of all of us, I recently began re-reading the Psalms
of David to gain inspiration and encouragement. I found in
these Psalms- again and again- powerful examples of the
great faith that David exercised in so many of his own
trials and tests. Often we focus on David's courage, bravery
and commitment. But we may not fully connect these fine
attributes with the remarkable faith of King David of
Israel.--- R. Meredith
4 Understanding
The "Night To Be Much "Observed"
What is the real significance of the occasion
observed by the Church of God at the beginning of the first
holy day of the Days of Unleavened Bread? Traditionally,
brethren have gathered in small groups for a festive
occasion of food and fellowship that evening. Why? We do not
begin any of the other holy days such as Pentecost or
Trumpets in this same way.---J. Ogwyn
8 Between
the Evenings
Over the years, some in God's Church have wondered
why we observe the Passover in the evening at the beginning
of Abib 14, while today's Jews observe it at the beginning
of Abib 15. Have we misunderstood the language, and thus the
command, of Scripture? Is there sound biblical and
historical evidence for the practice of the Church, or
should today's Jewish practice be considered authoritative?---R.
Reynolds
12Financial
Update: Practicing Wise Stewardship
14
International Corner...
16
Becoming a Leader: Five Important Steps
The Bible reveals that Christians are to become
"kings and priests" to reign with Christ on earth
in the millennium (Revelation 5:10; 1:6; 20:4-6). Scripture
explains that God is preparing a chosen people to function
as civic and religious leaders in the coming kingdom of God.
Many find this hard to believe, especially when the Bible
also states: "For you see your calling, brethren, that
not many noble, are called" (1 Corinthians 1:26).---D.
Winnail
16 Local
Church News
24 Commentary
The Privilege of Parenting |
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May-June
2003
1
Open Letter:
Prepare for the Times Ahead
Greetings from Charlotte! God is now opening up
doors for us here in North Carolina beyond what we
have ever experienced in this present Work. We are
most thankful for this, and are looking forward to
having a genuinely significant impact on the world
as times move along. But, right now, prophetic
events are moving along at a faster rate and in a
more broad-based manner than ever before?
Having been full-time in Christ's ministry for more
than 50 years, I hope I can bring some perspective
to the situation.
3
Editorial:
We All Need FAITH!
The Apostle Paul made a very interesting observation
in Colossians 1:24: "I now rejoice in my
sufferings fro you, and fill up in my flesh what is
lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake
of His body, which is the Church." Are there,
indeed, a certain number of the "afflictions
of Christ" which every true Christian needs to
face before entering eternal life> Is a certain
amount of trying, testing and even suffering usually
necessary to teach us the profound humility, the
steadfastness and the total commitment needed before
becoming a glorified spirit being in the very
family of God?---R. Meredith
5 Faithfulness
or Treachery? A Look At the Covenant Relationship
The Day of Pentecost is intimately connected with
the covenant relationship between God and man.
Historically, this day has been connected with the
establishment of the Old Covenant at Sinai, just
seven weeks after the Exodus from Egypt. Then,
centuries later, on the first Pentecost after Jesus'
final Passover, mankind was offered the better
promises of the New Covenant---including the
indwelling of the Spirit of God, and the ultimate
promise of eternal life in the Family of God.---J.
Ogwyn
8 Ready
or Not? Are You Prepared For Christ's Return
Do you remember playing a childhood game called
"Hide and Seek"? Everyone would run to
find a hiding place, while one player would close
his eyes...before opening his eyes and yelling,
"Ready or not, here I come." Remarkable as
it may seem, many today are playing a more serious
version of the same game, but for much higher
stakes!---D. Winnail
13 Creating
a Disaster Plan
One of the most important steps you can take in
preparing for emergencies is to develop a house-hold
disaster plan.---Excerpted
14 Church
Headquarters Moves to Charlotte, North Carolina!
17 Local
Church News
20 Commentary
"The Sum of All Fears" |
July-August
2003
1
Open Letter:
Jesus Christ Is in Charge
...As you know, tens of thousands of God's people
were hurt and discouraged by the spiritual malaise
that developed during the terrible apostasy that
took place after the death of Mr. Herbert W.
Armstrong. People began to be utterly confused
about the right form of Church government. For they
felt that, after Mr. Armstrong's death, Christ
somehow "forsook" His Church and let bad
things happen. These people lost sight of Jesus
Christ as the real Head of His Church! they
also veered away from many basic truths that the
Church of God had held for centuries, including
observance of the Sabbath and Holy Days, and the
expectation of Christ's literal reign on earth.
3
Editorial:
Wait on God
...So why are we not growing even faster?
First of all, we need to be very grateful for
the solid growth we are experiencing already—even
in a time of recession and some of the highest
jobless figures in recent years! In spite of all
this, the Work's income is growing at a rate close
to 8 percent so far this year. This is much
better than most religious organizations. And
most commercial businesses would be delighted with
this kind of growth in a recessionary environment.---R. Meredith
4 Building
on the Foundation of Jesus Christ
In the area of the country where I have lived for
many years, there are frequent advertisements for
foundation repair. Much of the soil in this area is
clay, and it tends to crack and shift over time.
This produces structural damage to the buildings
themselves. Sometimes this damage is minor, and
sometimes it is severe, but no structure can be more
solid and substantial than the foundation upon which
it is built.---J.
Ogwyn
7 International
Corner
Venezuela Update, Philippines Update, South Africa
Update, and Caribbean Update---various writers
9 2002
Audit Report: Involvement and Accountability
In a recent meeting with our auditors, Maginnis
Knechtel & McIntyre Certified Public Accountants
and Consultants, our conversation returned to the
topic of corruption in corporate fiscal markets. The
discussion focused on the fiduciary expectations and
responsibilities of both donors and nonprofit
organizations, as outlined in a December 2002 Business
Week article titled "The New Face of
Philanthropy."---Rodger L. Bardo
17 The
Big Picture: What Is Your Religion Preparing You
For?
Have you ever paused to look back over your life,
and asked yourself: "What am I doing
with my life? Will what I am doing now really
matter after I am gone?" Is there a greater
purpose for life? Does your life fit into a bigger
picture---D. Winnail
23 Local
Church News
24 Commentary
Prophecy Versus the Gospel?
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September
- October 2003
1
Open Letter:
getting Our "Balance" on Health
During our recent Council of Elders meetings, among
several other topics we discussed our approach to
divine healing. Since I hope to produce a booklet on
this vital matter, I wanted the input of the Council
on this topic. We all agreed that, in years past,
two extreme approaches often dominated the thinking
of ministers and Church members alike. In decades past, many felt that you were "weak in the faith"—or possibly even
sinning—if you took any physical action above
and beyond "fully trusting in God."---R.
Meredith
3
Editorial:
A WAY of Life
Most of you "old timers" in the Church
will remember that, back in the 1950s and 1960s, Mr.
Herbert Armstrong taught us that true Christianity
is an entire "way of life."---R. Meredith
4 Learning
to Practice the Way of Peace
...At this season of the year we frequently read,
and hear commented upon, scriptures describing the
peaceful and abundant world that will be ruled by
the Kingdom of God. Often, however, we fail to stop
and think about how this wonderful world will
actually be brought about.---J.
Ogwyn
7 Ten
Principles of Child-Rearing
Scripture tells us that children are the gift of God
(Psalm 127:3). Rearing godly children is a
responsibility placed on parents by the Giver of
that gift (Malachi 2:15). Unlike many animals, human
babies are without ability or instinct to go to the
source of their nourishment. Child-rearing is thus
basic to human society. It is the parents'
responsibility to prepare their
children for life, from birth to
adulthood.---Carl E. McNair
11 Do
you know how the Devil operates and why?
We live in a world filled with problems—
personal problems, problems between individuals,
problems within families, churches and organizations
and problems between nations. In our modern secular
society, many assume that the solution to
problems is negotiation, passing new laws or
enforcing old ones, providing counseling or
financial assistance or increasing opportunities for
the disadvantaged.---Douglas S. Winnail
14 International
Corner
Europe and East Africa update, Philippines update,
Caribbean update
16 Living
Youth Camp 2003
23 Local
Church News
back cover
Commentary
A Homosexual Bishop: Overlooking the Obvious---R.
Ames
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November-December
2003
1
Open Letter:
Are You Prepared for Persecution
.How spiritually strong are you, really? With
escalating hate and violence against America and its
allies around the world, we all need to strengthen
ourselves for the tough times ahead. And as god's
Work grows and our impact grows on this
God-rejecting world, religious persecution
will also be an increasingly obvious part of our
lives.---R. Meredith
3
Editorial:
Practice Servant Leadership
If any of us are placed in a position of authority
within the church, we must always remember that it
is for service—not to show how important we
are. We should often remember to read and meditate
on Jesus' instruction to His disciples along these
lines---R. Meredith
4 Study
the Bible
Over the years, the Church of God has emphasized four
keys to spiritual growth; prayer, Bible
study, meditation and fasting. The Bible reveals that
these tools were employed by
individuals who were close to God and who were used
mightily by God. However, a challenge that
many face in learning how to pray, study, meditate
and fast is how to put these keys for
spiritual growth into a proper perspective.---D.
Winnail
7 Understanding
Mankind's Suffering
Theologians and philosophers cannot figure it out.
If God is merciful and good—but also omnipotent—why is there so much
suffering?---D. Wakefield
11 Revelation:
Background to a Mystery
The Book of Revelation is, to most people, the most
mysterious book in the Bible. While many ideas and
interpretations have been advanced as explanations
for Revelation, few readers have really understood
the background against which this important book was
written. Such understanding is vital if we are to
grasp the role that God intended this final book of
the Bible to play in the life of His Church.---J.
Ogwyn
14 International
Corner
News of the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day
from around the world.
18 Feast
Roundup 2003
Covers the feast sites in the U.S.
backcover Commentary
Finding Your "Soul Mate"---G.
Gilchrist
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2004
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2004
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January
- February 2004
1
Open Letter:
Prepare NOW For Financial Woes Ahead!
It is my responsibility to warn all of you to begin
to prepare now for rough financial times ahead. This
world is in great turmoil. The recent capture of
Saddam Hussein is certainly encouraging---as far as
it goes. But that fact alone will do very little to
bail out most of our Israelitish nations from a coming
financial disaster!---R.
Meredith
3
Editorial:
How To Avoid Being a Laodicean
The vast majority of God's people are evidently
"Laodicean" at the end of this age. When
we truly understand Revelation 3, this is the clear
indication. And those who are Laodicean will have to
be chastened during the "fire" of
the coming Great Tribulation (Revelation 3:18-19).---R. Meredith
4 What
Do You See?
What do you see when you look around? In Psalm 73,
the psalmist described seeing some things that
greatly disturbed him. He saw that many people
around him appeared to be getting away with much
that was not right. The psalmist was discouraged,
and even felt a twinge of envy.---J.
Ogwyn
7 Child
Rearing: "In God's Image"
"Of making many books there is no end,"
said Solomon (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Certainly there
seems almost no end to the number of books that
so-called "experts" have written on child
rearing. From a wide variety of backgrounds and
philosophies, experts contradict each other and
leave a cloud of confusion in many parent's
minds.---J. Fall
10 Spiritual
Heart Disease: Will You Be a Victim?
Have you ever wondered if you had a fatal disease?
How would you know? What would you do to help
yourself if you recognized you had a serious health
problem---especially of the heart?.---D. S. Winnail
13 Wanted:
Television Representatives for the Tomorrow's World
Telecast!
Although the Tomorrow's World telecast is
currently aired around the United States on more
than 100 public access television stations, and on
more than a dozen leased access television stations,
there are more than 2,000 stations that have not yet
been contracted to air the program. Might you be
willing and able to help the telecast expand into
as-yet-unreachable markets?
14 International
Corner...
Sierra de la Ventana, Argentina
Puerto Rico
Barbados Oaxtepec, Mexico
15 Financial
Update
Strategic Reserves, Balanced Preparedness---R. Bardo
22
Local Church
News
Various Local Church news
back cover
Commentary
Bible Study: "Proverbs, Chapter 1"---C.
Bryce
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March
- April 2004
1
Open Letter:
Be Christ-Minded, Not Double Minded
...Many years ago, I saw a film revealing the double
life of its leading character. This character went
to church from time to time, and practiced certain
rituals of his religion to please his family. Yet he
was actually a vicious gangster, who would without
any scruples kill, maim, and torture his enemies.---R.
Meredith
3
Editorial:
Seek God's Will in Your Life
Even though we in the Living Church of God do not
spend most of our time and energy attacking
many of the vile practices of our society, I do want
all of you brethren and your families to fully
realize where we stand. For, in this mixed up
world, you dear brethren---and your children---are
constantly bombarded with the liberal media
propaganda that, for instance, abortion and
homosexuality are really "okay."---R. Meredith
4 Relationships,
Dating and Marriage
Are there really keys to success? Why is it
important to understand the subjects of
relationships, dating and marriage? How do they
relate to each other? Are there valuable keys to
help us succeed in these vital and very personal
endeavors?---D. Winnail
8 Refined
gold
Many people in God's Church are going through severe
trials. Some might wonder why God allows such
trials, and what possible good could come from
them..---M. Mendiola
11 Lessons
from Four Passovers
Our celebration of God's annual festivals plays a
major part in helping us really understand His great
plan. That plan begins with the Passover and the
Days of Unleavened Bread, which come in the early
spring. While the importance of the final Passover
season of Christ's life is easily recognized, few
focus on how significant were each of the
four Passovers during His ministry. Did you know,
for instance, that Jesus' public ministry both began
and ended in Jerusalem during Passover seasons three
years apart.---J. Ogwyn
14 International
Corner
Canadian Update Children's Camp in
Chile Caribbean Update
French-Speaking Europe
16 2003
Year End Financial Report:
Strong purpose and encouraging growth---R. Bardo
23 Local
church News
Various news items
back cover
Living Youth
Camp 2004:
Time to Get Ready---G. Weston
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May
- June 2004
1
Open Letter:
"A Mighty Oak Has Fallen..."
My wife and I have completed a most inspiring and
enlightening trip to Britain and South Africa. We
learned many things of interest, and the brethren in
South Africa were ecstatic that we had the pleasure
of coming to visit them. They are doing well, though
they need your prayers because of the potential
dangers in that area of the world. I had started
this letter on the way back, and intended to devote
it to the trip to south Africa. However, soon after
I arrived home, I was awakened from a deep sleep to
be told of the death of my friend and brother, Mr.
Carl McNair.---R.
Meredith
3
Editorial:
Called to Endure
It is vital dear brethren, that we never lose
our focus! It is exrememly important that we
learn to pray fervently every day that God
will keep us energized, and that we do not become
"weary with well doing"!---R. Meredith
4 "Thy
Kingdom Come" What Does this Really Mean to
You?
If you take the time to step outside of the
privileged lifestyle that you may enjoy, and
consider the needs of the billions of human beings
who struggle daily to survive, you will be able to
pray with more fervency and with a greater sense of
urgency, "Thy Kingdom come."---D. Winnail
7 What
Defines Your Life?
We are all powerfully affected by the world around
us. Clearly, we have all been greatly shaped by our
families, our communities, and our culture. In
addition to that, our day-to-day lives are often a
series of responses to the people and events that we
encounter each day.---J. Ogwyn
10 Child
Rearing: Self-Esteem or Self-Control?
Our primary examples in child rearing have been our
own parents. Whatev |