Adventist News
- International Camporee Volunteer Tickets Are Limited Be part of the success of the 2024 International Pathfinder Camporee Hugh Davis – April 25, 2024
During a recent visit to Gillette, Wyoming, to tour the International Pathfinder Camporee grounds, we learned that out of the nearly 1,000 volunteers, approximately 200 volunteer tickets remain. The International Camporee’s success is dependent on volunteers. You can be a part of its success by volunteering for various opportunities: medical, activity, drum and drill staff are key areas where volunteers are needed. You can view available volunteer positions on the Camporee.org website. They ONLY have volunteer tickets for full-time positions. A formal process exists to become an official volunteer and receive your ticket. Volunteers must be 18 or older with legal status in the United States and Canada. You have to be willing to volunteer for approximately 8 hours a day. A camporee downline director will notify you in advance about what options are available, what to expect, and your expected start and end time for the day. Just because you register to be a volunteer does not guarantee you a ticket. You must go through the volunteer process to be selected by the director of the position you are applying for. Once you register, a background check will be performed (your must be submitted). Then, someone will contact you to be interviewed. After the interview is completed, the director for that position will determine if you meet the criteria. If you do, then you will be notified that you can purchase your volunteer ticket. Only after this process is completed will you receive your ticket, so make sure you complete your application so the process can move forward as quickly as possible. You can start your application on the Camporee.org website.
Read more... - COLD WEATHER DID NOT STOP GREATER SUMMIT RMCNews – April 25, 2024
The Rocky Mountain Conference Greater Summit teen prayer retreat took place at Glacier View Ranch in Ward, Colorado, Jan. 12-14. Jonathan Carlson, RMC director of camp ministries at GVR, commented, “Youth summit was exactly what GVR was designed for; a place for young people to meet and experience the love of Jesus Christ. That is exactly what happened.” Eighty-five participants came from as far away as Grand Junction, Colorado, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Lincoln, Nebraska. While the weather was snowy, windy and cold, our teens had an absolute blast. Jade Teal, RMC Youth Department assistant director, planned the event and did a fantastic job of facilitating and directing participants so everyone knew what was happening and when and where those things were taking place. Greater Summit is focused on three areas: Encounter: This was the worship time with praise music, prayer and opening the Word. The speaker for the weekend was Virgil Covel, the ministerial director for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference, who shared relevant stories to both challenge and encourage the teens. Engage: This was when the teens wrestled with some real questions about life and faith with their adult sponsors. Many great conversations took place, and the teens were invested in this time with one another. Enjoy: This was the time our teens spent in activities. Some of the outdoor activities included snowshoeing, hiking, snow tubing, making snow forts and more. Other teens were more interested in indoor activities like swimming, making crafts, filling out cards for shut-ins, or just enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with new friends. Carlos Santana, Campion Academy chaplain, said, “The Greater Summit was an amazing experience for our Campion students as well as for myself. The spiritual programing was on point for what the youth may struggle with during this time in their lives.” “The breakout Engage sessions were a highlight of the spiritual programing,” he continued. “Giving students the opportunity to share their testimonies and thoughts on the various topics we covered was such a blessing for us! The activities were well planned and fun, and even though weather didn’t cooperate, there was always something to do for our kids.” Santana finished by saying he was certain that “… all of our students would benefit from attending Greater Summit.” RMC staff members are already planning for next year’s Greater Summit, and they are certain it will be just as epic as this one!
Read more... - Church Members Utilize Spiritual Gifts Guest Contributor – April 25, 2024
Have you ever wondered how so many wonderful things we see at church are accomplished? We hadn’t either! That is, until this past Christmas, 2023. The church had beautiful decorations at the front of the sanctuary and throughout the building. Week by week, all those attending church online and in person enjoyed the lovely, creative and inspiring design. While at the church mid-week, just before Christmas, we discovered the artist who created the display. She was carefully touching up the delightful arrangements. It was then we realized that the wonderful things we may often take for granted resulted from a church member’s devotion! And from their spiritual gifts. Think of the time you, or a loved one, was baptized. Consider all that went into making that moment even more special. Each baptism and commitment to Christ is a celebratory experience. Church family members worked behind the scenes to make the moment exactly right. Who drew the water for the baptistry? Who prepared the garment you wore and saw to it that it was ready for the next baptism? Someone arranged the audio so the entire congregation could hear the pastor share a bit about your commitment to Christ. Our sanctuaries are well-lit. An observant worker replaces burned out light bulbs. The furnace runs in winter, and we are comfortable as we worship. So many spiritual gifts come together in service to the Lord. Consider the preparation of our Sabbath school teachers. We all have opportunities to share and witness, offer Bible studies, and more. Did you enjoy a potluck recently? Maybe a kind friend invited you to their home for Sabbath dinner. What a blessing! Our sanctuary decorator, Marcia McSweeny, said, “I’ve always loved beautiful things. I know our Creator does also because He created such a variety of beautiful things – flowers, trees, animals, stars, everything! My talents have developed over the years; I think that’s because I opened myself up to using them. Lately, I thought, whatever I do, I should try to do it to the best of my ability. So that has been my motto and I think that’s what God expects of us.” Gratitude and Spiritual Gifts As we contemplate all the blessings we experience as a Christian family, let’s take the time to recognize and be grateful for the little and the big things. We can encourage each other and express our appreciation. The number of kindnesses, hard work, and gifts expressed by our church families is countless! Each of us should ask, how can I best serve the Lord? We are encouraged to discern our spiritual gifts. The New International Version tells us in 1 Cor. 12:4- 6 that “there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” As we learn and employ our God-given spiritual gifts, the generous, gift-giving spirit of Christmas will be enjoyed all year long. Carol Bradley is a member of the Cedar Rapids Church in Iowa.
Read more... - Mid-America Executive Committee Honors Retiring Leaders Brenda Dickerson – April 18, 2024
Members of the Mid-America Union Executive Committee gathered on April 18, 2024, at union headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska, to receive updates, vote ordination/commissioning recommendations from local conferences and launch a new scholarship funding initiative for Union College, soon to be Union Adventist University. The 38-member group is composed of institutional leaders, pastors, educators and lay members from all six conferences in the union. The day began with biblical lessons drawn from the story of Jesus crossing the lake with his disciples, presented by Dr. Calvin Watkins, a vice president of the North American Division. With the theme of “Almost is never enough,” Watkins challenged the group to dream big and reach our full potential in Jesus Christ. “I want to go beyond my possibilities and walk in the promises God has for me,” he said. “We must act on the dreams God gives us.” During his remarks, MAUC president Gary Thurber mentioned the upcoming retirements of Iowa-Missouri Conference president Dean Coridan and Union College president Vinita Sauder. Sincere thanks was expressed to both Coridan and Sauder for their years of faithful service. Thurber also shared updates on plans for the International Pathfinder Camporee coming to Gillette, Wyoming, in August, and the Mid-America Union ministerial retreat being hosted in Kansas City in July. The NAD’s evangelism thrust for 2025 titled “Pentecost 3,000” also received attention. Churches hosting reaping events may receive special funding from the NAD under this initiative. Hubert J. Morel, Jr., MAUC vice president for administration, presented 11 ordination/commissioning requests from four conferences, three internship applications, one ministerial credential and one emeritus/honorary ministerial credential. Morel also shared the union’s statistical report, which showed a slight overall increase in membership across the union’s territory in 2023. In his financial report, MAUC vice president for finance David VandeVere reviewed 2023 financial results as well as comparing departmental ministries to their allocated budgets. A final vote approved the union’s 2024 budget. VandeVere also discussed specifics from the union’s Revolving Fund. Finally, VandeVere referenced the vast labor shortage in all areas across the division and the efforts being taken by various unions to provide scholarship funds for students attending Adventist colleges and universities. “We hope to have a unified structure division wide in the future that will be more sustainable.” said VandeVere. “You’re going to be hearing about this for a number of years in the future as we seek solutions.” Union College president Dr. Vinita Sauder, who is retiring May 31, reported that in addition to welcoming a new president (Dr. Yami Bazan) the school will undergo a name change, becoming Union Adventist University effective May 5, 2024. Sauder also gave updates on the Reiner Wellness Center, scheduled for an August 18, 2024, ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening. Continuing on the theme of health, CEO of AdventHealth Rocky Mountain Region Brett Spenst outlined the strategic plans, projects and facilities of AdventHealth’s ministry, which continues to grow in multiple areas. “AdventHealth’s goal for all their hospitals is to be either a 4 or 5 star rated hospital,” said Spenst. “ All five of our hospitals in Rocky Mountain are currently in that category. We want to do this because Jesus’ healing ministry was perfect and our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Christ.” Brad Forbes, president of AdventSource, presented a “show and tell” of new resources being released by the NAD in the area of church ministries, children’s ministries, financial training, grief support, evangelism and event planning. The final report was presented by Roberto Correa, MAUC multi-lingual, disabilities and Hispanic ministries director, who shared demographic statistics showing that one million immigrants enter the United States each year. “We have 23 language groups worshiping together on Sabbaths in Mid-America,” said Correa. He also notes that 37 percent of church attendees are currently ethnic minorities and across the division 60 percent of our members under age 18 come from ethnic minorities. The next Mid-America Executive Committee is scheduled for November 21, 2024. Photos: Hugh Davis/MAUC
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Blogs
- The Teacher’s Notes–Standing for the Truth, Lesson 4 Adult Sabbath School Lesson, 2024 2Q, "The Great Controversy" The Teacher's Notes – April 20, 2024
Sabbath School Lesson for April 20-26, 2024 Overview of Lesson 4 Memory Text: ” ‘And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.’ ” John 3:14, 15 NKJV Continuing the story of the great controversy, we are drawn once again to the persecution of God’s followers, which indicates the deadly lengths Satan will use to drown out God and His word. Smyrna, one of the seven prophetic churches mentioned in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, was an ancient city (now the Turkish seacoast city of Izmir) that had a thriving Christian population. It was in the town square of Smyrna that an early church leader in the second century, Polycarp, lost his life when he refused to burn incense to the Roman gods. But, the persecution only worsened, as each century brought more apostacy and alienation from God’s word. It was under the auspices of papal Rome that these tragedies occurred and lasted for 1,260 years (from 538-1798 A.D.). Looking at the sacrifices of faithful martyrs, such as the Waldenses, Wycliffe, and Huss, we are inspired by their unflinching loyalty to God and the Scriptures. Read chapters 4-6 of The Great Controversy for the historical background of our lesson this week. It will cover these topics: Sunday: Persecuted Yet Triumphant–understanding the prophetic time period of 1,260 days Monday: Light Vanquishes the Darkness–learning the origin of the Waldenses and how they differed from the Franciscans Tuesday: Courage to Stand–valuing the work and sacrifices of the Waldensian Christians Wednesday: The Morning Star of the Reformation–finding out why John Wycliffe is called the Morning Star of the Reformation Thursday: Cheered by Hope–being sustained by the same hope of martyrs such as Huss, Jerome, Tyndale, and Latimer Sunday: Persecuted Yet Triumphant Intense persecution lasting 1,260 days or years is found in Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 12:6. Many think this time period represents the medieval years of 538-1798 A.D. when the papacy held supreme power over much of the Western world. 538 has been chosen because that was the year that the last barbarian tribe of Ostrogoths was driven out of Rome, and 1798 was the year that the pope was kidnapped and taken out of Rome by one of Napoleon’s generals. Although many faithful Christian believers were tortured and even lost their lives during those difficult years, we are encouraged that their sacrifices were not in vain. God’s cause prevailed, and they, like the persecuted church in Smyrna, would be rewarded by receiving a crown of life (Revelation 2:10). We, also, are uplifted when we realize that times of persecution are limited, as this one was, and God is ultimately in control of events. This would, thankfully, include the final, fierce persecution we know is to occur just before Christ’s promised return to earth to take us home with Him (Matthew 24:21, 22). Bible Verses: Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6 Why do you think it’s reasonable to use the day/year principle in these verses (and others) about the 1,260 days prophecy? Daniel 8:23-25 and Revelation 12:6, 14 Why do you think we are given such a definitive timeframe of persecution, as seen in these 1,260 days, or prophetic years? Matthew 24:21, 22 How do these verses calm our fears about that final persecution in the last days? Monday: Light Vanquishes the Darkness At the beginning of the thirteenth century, two priests, both from wealthy backgrounds, decided to take vows of poverty and established orders in the Roman church. One was Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) and the other, a few decades earlier, was Peter Waldo (d. 1205). The monastic order of Franciscans was recognized by the pope, and still exists today (the present Pope Francis even honoring him by adopting his name). The difference in these two movements was the acceptance of the pope as their spiritual authority on earth by the Franciscans. The Waldenses, however, refused to give such allegiance, maintaining that their authority came from God’s holy Scriptures. The pope, therefore, declared that the Waldenses were heretics and sought to eliminate their influence by torture and death. But the courage of these brave martyrs inspired early Reformers to stand for Bible truths, as they were revealed to them. Many of them also lost their lives for their beliefs. Bible Verses: Jude 3, 4 Why do you think these two verses were so meaningful to the Waldensian believers in the Middle Ages? Revelation 2:10 What does it mean for the persecuted church members of Smyrna to have a crown of life? How does this verse encourage anyone who is persecuted for his faith? Tuesday: Courage to Stand Waldensian believers, forced to flee to the mountains of northern Italy and southern France, found ways to share their faith, despite the harsh living conditions in such mountainous terrain. They were one of the first groups to have the Bible in their own language. They lived before the invention of the printing press, so with great effort, they copied the Scriptures by hand. Not content to have God’s word just for themselves, they found ways to share it with those outside their own communities. Young people, who had been encouraged to memorize large passages of Scripture, traveled outside their mountain homes with portions of the handprinted word hidden in their clothing to share with those who were hungering to know God better. They went about as merchants and some enrolled in universities–finding ways to share their faith, despite the danger of being exposed as a Waldensian heretic and imprisoned or even tortured and killed. We are grateful for the vital role those courageous Waldenses played in preserving Bible truths for generations to come. Bible Verses: Acts 5:28-32, Ephesians 6:10-13, and Revelation 3:11 How would these messages have instructed and encouraged the Waldensians, and why should we also use God’s word for guidance and comfort today? Wednesday: The Morning Star of the Reformation Many people view Bible The Teacher’s Notes–Standing for the Truth, Lesson 4 Adult Sabbath School Lesson, 2024 2Q, “The Great Controversy”“>Read more…
Read more... - The Teacher’s Notes–Light Shines in the Darkness, Lesson 3 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 2Q, "The Great Controversy" The Teacher's Notes – April 13, 2024
Sabbath School Lesson for April 13-19, 2024 Overview of Lesson 3, Light Shines in the Darkness Memory Text: “Then Jesus said to them, ‘A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.’ ” John 12:35 NKJV There’s an expression that’s used to describe two very different things. We say they are as “different as night and day”. As we soon discover in looking at the attributes of good and evil, they, too, are as different as night and day. But, thankfully, as Jesus has told us, the light of God is bright enough to guide us out of our spiritual darkness. Darkness often overtakes us gradually. Even nature’s change from day to nighttime may be a slow process, allowing us some hours before the full darkness arrives. In the same way, sin can seep into our lives unknowingly until we suddenly find ourselves totally in darkness, because we listened to the dark messages of God’s enemy, Satan. In addition to the following topics we explore this week, read chapter 3 of The Great Controversy, called “An Era of Spiritual Darkness”. Sunday: Compromise, Satan’s Subtle Strategy–Knowing God through the Scriptures, aided by the Holy Spirit, is key to avoiding Satan’s cunning deceptions. Monday: Savage Wolves–Heresies, deviations from the truth, cause persecution from within the church. Tuesday: Safeguarded by the Word–The truth in God’s word builds us up and sanctifies us. Wednesday: Human Reasoning Apart From Scripture–Human reasoning through science, or even theologians, can’t always be relied on to show us the truth about God. Thursday: Battle for the Mind–Satan’s principal work is to blind or darken our minds, so we will worship him rather than the Creator of light. Sunday: Compromise–Satan’s Subtle Strategy Jesus defined Himself as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He also identified Satan as a murderer and a liar (John 8:44). We must choose between an all-knowing, loving God–or Satan, the father of deceitful lies and power-grabbing selfishness. But the choice is not as cut and dry as we might hope. Satan uses subtle compromises with the truth that lead us to doubt our confidence in God’s word, and to ultimately abandon our loyalty to God. In the Garden of Eden, Satan used the serpent to persuade Adam and Eve to disobey God’s clear instructions. He has had centuries now to perfect his deceitful strategies and keep his agenda hidden from unsuspecting members of the human race, including those in the church. The Great Controversy, p. 51, points out that the post-apostolic church, for hundreds of years, prohibited the distribution and reading of the Bible, causing most of the laity to accept the pope when he declared himself viceregent of God on earth and gained “authority over church and state”. We are witnessing today many countries combining church and state, in order to push their apostasies and distorted views of the Bible–combining them, of course, with some truth. These unholy alliances between church and governments can only lead to a renewed persecution and death for many of the faithful. Revelation 13:11-18 reveals how this happens in a powerful way at the end of time. Bible Verses: John 14:6 and 8:44 How does the darkness differ from the light? Why are so many deceived into following Satan’s lies? John 8:32 and 17:17 How do the Scriptures protect us from spiritual darkness? Monday: Savage Wolves The apostle Paul warned the churches to be wary of wolves, who like Jesus predicted in Matthew 7:15, would come into the flock in sheep’s clothing. These were actually savage wolves, Paul declared, who would speak perverse, wrong things to draw the sheep to themselves (Acts 20:27-32). It’s startling to think that our greatest danger, our most unbearable persecution, comes from within the church. But this is just how it has happened in the past. Look at the Dark and Middle Ages and you will find that the Roman church was indeed capable of such atrocities. As a matter of fact, Paul, in his time, perceived that the “mystery of lawlessness”, otherwise known as the Anti-Christ, the “man of sin”, was already at work (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12). Satan was working to secure his supremacy through pagan and then papal Rome. Even in Paul’s day, compromising doctrines were being formulated by Satan and his cohorts to draw people away from the truth of God’s word. Those perverse doctrines included bowing down to graven images (idol worship), the immortality of the soul with the dead immediately being transported to heaven or hell, and the transfer of seventh-day Sabbath worship to another day, namely Sunday. These compromising measures were justified as a way to include pagans and secure the power of the church leaders. Bible Verses: Acts 20:27-32 How were the churches warned about future apostasy and persecution from within the church? 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 How can we avoid the strong delusions that will assault God’s true believers? Tuesday: Safeguarded by the Word The best way to be protected from “savage wolves”, as Paul calls them, is to immerse ourselves in God’s word, the Bible. It is through the Scriptures that God’s love and will for our lives is most clearly revealed. In addition, it exposes Satan’s strategies and goals, giving us ample information and warning about his deceitfully subtle lies. The middle chapter of the Bible is Psalm 117. It’s also the shortest chapter, just two verses that praise God for His mercy and truth. It is shortly followed by the longest chapter, Psalm 119, where we find repeated references to the importance of God’s Word. See Psalm 119:105, 116, 130, 133, and 160. The New Testament supports the value of God’s word, as our eyes are more fully opened to God’s Son, the embodiment of that word (John 1:1, 14). It is through His Word that we are forgiven, sanctified, and at last glorified on Resurrection Morning, when the Lord, with The Teacher’s Notes–Light Shines in the Darkness, Lesson 3 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 2Q, “The Great Controversy”“>Read more…
Read more... - The Teacher’s Notes–The Central Issue: Love or Selfishness?, Lesson 2 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 2Q, "The Great Controversy" The Teacher's Notes – April 6, 2024
Sabbath School Lesson for April 6-12, 2024 Remember that Bible texts are hyperlinks to take you to the verses! Overview of Lesson 2, The Central Issue, Love or Selfishness? Memory Text: ” ‘ “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” ‘ ” Isaiah 41:10 NKJV After examining the origin of the great controversy between Christ and Satan, it’s logical to explore the destruction of Jerusalem that was foretold by Jesus while He was on earth. After all, He coupled the prediction of that important event with His prophecy of the last days in Matthew 24. We find in Jerusalem’s destruction in about 70 A.D. a foreshadowing of the attempts of Satan to deceive and destroy God’s people at the end of time. Isaiah 41:10, and many other verses like it, remind us that we don’t need to fear those times, as hard as they may be. God has promised to be there with us during it all. He will strengthen and uphold us just as He’s promised. We will look at the central issue in the controversy by studying… Sunday: A Brokenhearted Savior–Our loving Jesus does all He can to save His people. Monday: Christians Providentially Preserved–The faithful church has survived Satan’s attacks in the past with God’s providential care. Tuesday: Faithful Amid Persecution–The early church of the first century can teach us much about having faith despite hard times. Wednesday: Caring for the Community–New Testament believers were noted for their love for each other and their neighbors. Thursday: A Legacy of Love–The Christian church not only survived, but grew because of their selfless care of others. Read chapters 1 and 2 of The Great Controversy, by Ellen G. White. An easy-to-read version in today’s English, called Love Under Fire, is available online at https://media2.egwwritings.org/pdf/en_LF.pdf Sunday: A Brokenhearted Savior Even though “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11), Jesus did everything He could to call His people to repent. He delayed the consequences of their disobedience many times over the years. As Jesus approached God’s city for the last time, His tears flowed freely, showing the love He had for those who would experience the horrific attack upon the city forty years yet in the future. The many people who lost their lives when the Roman general Titus laid siege to Jerusalem was totally the work of Satan. God would have been justified in making it happen immediately after they killed His Son–the final act of their rebellious betrayal. But, out of His mercy, it was delayed another forty years. Christ lovingly gave His followers guidance on how to escape the disaster. By carefully obeying His directive to leave the city as soon as it was totally surrounded, many were able to survive the impending destruction of Jerusalem, which, according to the historian Josephus, killed more than a million people. Bible Verses: Luke 19:41-44, Matthew 23:37, 38, and John 5:40 What do we find here about the character of God, revealed in His Son? Matthew 24:15-20 and Luke 21:20-24 How important were these words to Christians still living in Jerusalem in 70 A.D.? Monday: Christians Providentially Preserved We may wonder how Christians were able to escape the city after they saw that it was surrounded by Roman armies. Some historians tell us that at some point before their final assault on the city, the Romans mysteriously withdrew, causing Jewish armed forces to pursue them, winning a great victory. It must have been during one of the brief pauses in the siege, when the Jews were able to drive back the enemy, that allowed enough time for Christians to get out of the city. Heeding the words of Jesus, some of them fled to Pella, a city just beyond the Jordan River. Hebrews 11, known as the faith chapter, mentions several times when God intervened and preserved His people. But the chapter also reminds us that many have fallen victim to intense suffering and even death for the cause of their faith. Thankfully, despite Satan’s best efforts to erase God’s followers from the face of the earth, they continued to grow in numbers, proclaiming the gospel with enthusiastic voices. Bible Verses: Psalm 46:1 and Isaiah 41:10 How does God help us during our trials? Hebrews 11:35-38 and Revelation 2:10 How does God reward the faithful, even those who suffer and are killed? Tuesday: Faithful Amid Persecution One has only to read the first eight chapters of Acts to get a sense of the crushing difficulties of the early church in those years immediately following Christ’s resurrection. They were fiercely threatened and imprisoned, and some were even killed. The death of the first martyr, Stephen, took place only three and a half years after the crucifixion of Jesus, with many others following. This intense persecution, however, led to the spreading of the gospel. Many Christians fled to other parts of the world, carrying with them their supreme desire to share the good news of the Messiah’s coming to anyone who would hear. Because of their fervent preaching, the church in Jerusalem grew by the thousands (Acts 2:41 and 4:4). Many of the Jews, from far and near, were delighted to hear about the Lord’s sacrifice, not just for them, but for anyone who chose to accept His love. The invitation to join God’s heavenly kingdom was more inclusive than they could have hoped for. Those Jews gathered in Jerusalem carried the disciples’ message back to their homelands, planting seeds that later bore fruit for apostles like Paul and Barnabas. Bible Verses: Acts 2:41, 4:4, 31, 5:42 Why did so many respond favorably to these early sermons of the disciples? Acts 4:17, 5:17, 18, 8:1 What kind of trials faced God’s people in the early years after Jesus’ sacrifice and triumphant victory over death? Wednesday: Caring for the Community It wasn’t just The Teacher’s Notes–The Central Issue: Love or Selfishness?, Lesson 2 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 2Q, “The Great Controversy”“>Read more…
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Featured Stories
- Connecting Through Building Community The loneliness of international students Guest Contributor – April 25, 2024
“Culture shock shoved the loneliness into me,” Dureti Olana expressed with a distant look in her eyes. Her winter-blitzed lips annunciated vague sadness as she uttered those words to me. Loneliness plagued her, and she wasn’t the only one who felt this way. Several others did. Those called “international students.” No one really talks about loneliness, especially among Union Adventist University students. It’s already hard enough to be individuals from different walks of life trying to navigate the four walls of a university. But what more do students feel who traveled thousands of miles across oceans to a country where they had to start afresh? That itself is terrifying. International students studying abroad in the United States is nothing new. In fact, exchange students have been around since the origin of the word “school,” but recent years have seen a significant influx of students from all over the globe into the United States for study. According to research conducted last year by Statista for Higher Education, international students make up 5.6 percent of the total U.S. student population. At Union, they make up 5.87 percent. Once in the host country, these students face a new way of life, different ideologies, and oftentimes no community to fall back on. One might ask what makes loneliness for an international student different from the average college student. I’ll answer that: the sudden transfiguration of a once controlled life to a fast-paced society with no foundation in the culture. For students like Dureti, the culture shock that comes with arriving in a liberal country such as America is enough to make one feel singled out and backed into a corner. Used to a communal life in her faraway home of Ethiopia, where neighbors were secondary caretakers of her property and welfare, she was surprised to discover the “individualistic” mentality of her new host country. In her words, “In America, it is out of sight out of mind.” She explained that people don’t think about you when they don’t see you. Culture shock isn’t the only harbinger of loneliness for international students. Tracy, an aspiring occupational therapy assistant from Kenya, has been a student at Union for two years. In that duration of time she suffered recurring mental breakdowns. Her stumbling blocks were the severity of her workload and homesickness with no one to run to. Over time she has gotten past that loneliness or has learned how to hide it better. Most international students rarely speak of loneliness and the boring routine of their lives for a single reason: the fear of sounding ungrateful. In a perfect world with no injustice, hunger or marginalization, most international students would rarely step off the shores of their country save for personal interests and curiosity. But the quest for greener pastures and a chance to earn a place at the table has propelled these students into the bigger unknown with their fates and the fates of their loved ones back home in their palms. To complain would be a travesty of providence. A quote from the Igbo people of Nigeria says, Those whose palm kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble. This was the mantra of many international students like Tracy, and as a result of self-silence, they back themselves into the cold arms of loneliness. Not every international student, however, experiences loneliness to the same magnitude. For Elvin, a Union computer science major from Rwanda, loneliness visited only when he was away from the gym, video games and arcade games. “You just have to find your tribe, especially people who will motivate you to keep pushing,” he stated over a game of checkers. Finding like-minded individuals and a warm community might sound easy, but it is a daunting task, especially to students who are more reserved in nature. This is where the already existing community can take the reins to spread warmth and welcome international students into the fold of belonging foremost as humans and essentially as Christians. Many times I have received help, guidance and assistance from wonderful individuals who made sure I settled in quite well the first few months after I arrived in the United States. So on days when loneliness would rock my boat, I remained steadfast from the single assurance of a community, no matter how small. There are various ways to spread warmth to international students. Care packages addressed to them, Thanksgiving dinner invites, and even a single note of reassurance and kindness would be a monumental display of connectedness. This will encourage togetherness and the type of fellowship spoken of in Romans 12:5: So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (NKJV). Through connectedness and community, loneliness is vanquished. A true act of goodwill sparks another. Fortune Ogulere is a sophomore English major from Imo State, Nigeria. With a pen dipped in creativity, he weaves prose, poetry, and thought-provoking pieces. He enjoys painting, singing, and eating ice cream. His debut novel is currently in the works.
Read more... - Fiery Peanuts Let’s discover how energy is stored in food! Guest Contributor – April 18, 2024
Supplies -Variety of nuts (peanut, walnut, almond, cashew) -Paper clip -Playdoh clay or pliers -Lighter or match -Ruler -Timer -An adult’s assistance and supervision Instructions Place a mound of clay on your counter and flatten it slightly to make a stand for your paperclip. Bend one end of the paperclip straight out so it’s a tiny “spear.” Use that end to carefully attach a peanut. Push the round end of the paperclip into the clay. Have an adult use a lighter or match and hold it under the end of the peanut until it successfully lights. Start a timer to measure how long the peanut burns and a ruler to measure the height of the flame. Record your results and other observations. Repeat process with other nuts and compare your results. Help clean up afterward. What Happened Peanuts have a lot of oil (fat) stored inside. When you set the oil on fire (combustion), it resulted in light and heat. This is a great example of the transfer of energy. The process of combustion converted the energy from potential energy to heat – a form of kinetic (moving) energy. Your body does a great job of changing food energy (calories) into an energy form you can use. Within your body, calories are converted into all kinds of energy: the warmth of your body (thermal energy), your brain signaling your muscles (electrical energy), and your muscles moving to perform work (mechanical energy). Food contains energy. Your body converts food into the energy forms we need for life, but some foods work better for this process than others. Peanuts are full of tasty calories that come in the form of oil (fat). This oil is what made the peanut burn so well. In contrast, fruits and vegetables are made up mostly of water, but they also fuel our bodies with important vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need. We never want to run out fuel – whether it’s calories for your body, gas for a car, or the spiritual fuel that comes from spending time with Jesus. Reflection How high did your flame get? How long did your peanut burn? Compare a peanut with another nut like a walnut, almond or cashew. How did the results vary? In terms of energy production, how is burning a peanut similar to eating a peanut? How are they different? How do foods we eat affect how our bodies feel and the amount of energy we have? What are some ways you can use your health and energy to share the love of Jesus? Bible Lesson Daniel 1:6-17 records the story of Daniel and his friends making a decision about what type of food they’d eat to fuel their bodies. Through this unique diet request, they became witnesses whom God used in amazing ways. Daniel and his friends grew strong and stood out from the other teenagers, which made the king take notice! King Nebuchadnezzar was so impressed with Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego that they were given important jobs in Babylon. They stood up for God over and over again and let their light shine for all of Babylon to see (Matthew 5:16). Fueled by the Holy Spirit, God used them to show His love and He wants to do the same through us today. Scan the QR code (or search in YouTube “Dakota SDA Kids Fiery Peanuts”) to join me in my kitchen for this experiment. We’ll also dive deeper into the story of Daniel and his friends being witnesses in Babylon. Kelli Wasemiller is elementary education superintendent for the Dakota Conference.
Read more... - THIS WATER Guest Contributor – April 17, 2024
John 4:13: “Jesus answered and said unto her, whosoever drinketh of THIS WATER shall thirst again.” In this verse Jesus mentioned that “this water” will cause her to thirst again, obviously because water must be sought after and the thirst is never quenched. Also water gives only temporary physical life with no lasting or eternal benefits. Jesus is wanting to give this Samaritan woman at the well an eternal value that can’t end, and an endless supply that will spiritually quench her soul. Which would continue to lead her into eternal life, and Jesus used the well-water to illustrate His point. You know, everything that comes from Jesus is not bad, and water is certainly one of them, but Jesus is referring to “this water” as an element that can only quench the physical thirst temporarily. And Jesus plainly tells her that “whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again.” This story is so much like all the desirous things this world has to offer, and because the sinful nature naturally craves those things – like a vacuum – the human soul will continually keep trying to quench itself. And even though it’s never satisfied and quenched, it continues to keep trying the next thing that comes along – until like the woman at the well— receives a well of water that springs up into everlasting life within her. All along it was Jesus who knew what would truly quench her human soul. In Mark 8:36 it says; “for what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Jesus puts a thirst inside every born-again Christian, and that thirst is a thirst for Him. Some learn this lesson soon and others later in life, but the sooner it’s learned is definitely better. Jesus comes with the good news in John 4:14, and it says; “but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him/her shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be IN him/her a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” If you do drink (Jesus doesn’t force) from the Lord’s well, He gives you the whole well: Jesus Himself! Jesus doesn’t withhold Himself, and it really doesn’t take long to realize that, no other well will do, for salvation can only come through One Name. And that name is Jesus. You can find that in Acts 4:12, which says; “neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The disciples realized this important spiritual element as they put their trust in Jesus, and in this next verse you hear Peter proclaim what all Christians must conclude. “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter [speaking for them all] answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:67-68). The disciples realized that the “well” for them was Jesus; there was no other person who had the words that would lead them to eternal life. Psalm 34:8: “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” Scott R. Holder is a bible student and occasional writer for OUTLOOK.
Read more... - The Transformative Power of Gratitude Guest Contributor – April 11, 2024
The biblical account of the 10 lepers in Luke 17:11-19 unfolds a powerful narrative, showcasing the life-changing potential of a thankful heart. While nine of the lepers remain ambivalent, it is the foreigner, a Samaritan, who exemplifies true gratitude. This story, a launchpad for personal discovery, has led to a conviction that gratitude is not just a virtue but an essential spiritual discipline. Gratitude as a Health Benefit Gratitude is not just an emotion; it is an essential component of good health. “Feeling it is only half the equation,” said Philip Watkins, a professor of psychology at Eastern Washington University and the author of Gratitude and the Good Life. Watkins emphasizes that both feeling and expressing gratitude are integral to reaping its full benefits. Studies show that gratitude reduces depression, lessens anxiety, lowers the risk of heart disease, relieves stress and improves sleep. Harvard happiness researcher Shawn Acor even considers gratitude as the number one ingredient in happiness. Gratitude in Spirituality Beyond its health benefits, gratitude is deeply intertwined with spirituality. The book of Psalms is packed with distinct life circumstances where gratitude is owed to God. In chapter 100, we are told to “Enter His gates with Thanksgiving…” The very act of thanksgiving is woven into the fabric of heaven’s culture, and gratitude is viewed as an act of worship. Ellen White highlights the communal impact of one leper’s gratitude: “For the sake of this one man, who would make a right use of the blessing of health, Jesus healed the whole ten” (3T 180). This is wonderful news as when one makes the right use of their blessings, Jesus can expand them tenfold! Consider the exponential impact of fostering gratitude within our church congregations and school classrooms. Gratitude becomes a catalyst for relational development, enriching marriages and fostering a positive community spirit. Have you ever tried to be critical of someone you are grateful for? Danger of Ingratitude Notice in Rom. 1:20-23 how gratitude to God is a theological kingpin and cornerstone. Remove gratitude and the spiritual Jenga tower collapses and comes crashing down. Gratitude and pride are inversely proportionate, and ingratitude is linked directly to the rise of pride. The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary states, “unwillingness to give thanks to God for His love and goodness toward men is one of the causes of corruption and idolatry. Ingratitude hardens the heart and leads men to forget the Being to whom they are unwilling to express thankfulness” (volume 6, page 479). Gratitude as a Moral Imperative The narrative of the 10 lepers is regarded as a historical event, distinct from a parable. The ratio of ingratitude to gratitude stood at 10:1, a fact that sends shivers down the spine. The realization that 100 percent of “God’s faithful people” were ungrateful is both astonishing and disconcerting. Remarkably, it was a Samaritan who demonstrated gratitude during this historical account. Neuroscientist Glenn Fox has dedicated his life to studying gratitude—How it improves our resilience, lowers stress, and boosts overall health. He is an expert on the ability of gratitude to help us through tough times. His studies state, “The researchers found that grateful brains showed enhanced activity in two primary regions: the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). These areas have been previously associated with emotional processing, interpersonal bonding, and rewarding social interactions, moral judgment, and the ability to understand the mental states of others.” Fox goes on to explain that gratitude is connected with morality and human dignity. (https://inside-the-brain.com/2018/11/22/this-is-your-brain-on-gratitude-2/) Gratitude becomes a guardrail against apostasy and idolatry, as seen in Deuteronomy 8. Acknowledging that everything is a gift becomes an antidote to pride, fostering humility and gratitude. A Call to Embrace Gratitude In a world fraught with challenges, the benefits of gratitude are clear: increased happiness, better health, and improved spirituality. The call to embrace gratitude is not just a personal journey but a communal responsibility. As individuals, communities, and even church leaders, the challenge is to foster and express gratitude liberally. In doing so, we fulfill a divine desire for healthier, happier and more faithful interactions. Gratitude, as a transformative force, is an invitation to a more enriched and purposeful life. Cultivating Gratitude in Daily Life Practical ways to cultivate gratitude include: maintaining a gratitude journal, counting blessings, writing thank-you cards, and engaging in prayer meetings with dedicated praise time. N James is the pastor of the Custer / Hot Springs church district in South Dakota.
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