Tuesday, May 06, 2008

THE WATCHMAN'S DUTY

1Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:

3If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

4Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

5He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.

6But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

7So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

8When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

9Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

10Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?

11Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

12Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.

13When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

14Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;

15If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.

16None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

17Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.

18When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.

19But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.

20Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.


Ezekiel 33:1-20.

Monday, May 05, 2008

DETAILS ABOUT DR. RUSSELL STANDISH'S ACCIDENT...

Church leader is killed in Mildura accident
Monday, 05 May 2008

An influential member of the worldwide Seventh Day Adventist Church was one of two people killed in Friday’s accident at the intersection of 19th street and Benetook Avenue.

Confirmation of the death of Dr Russell Standish was placed on the world wide Wikipedia Internet encyclopedia on Sunday morning.

In a simple entry at the end of his detailed biography, Wikipedia says “Russell Standish died in a car accident on May 2 2008 in Australia”.
He had been living at Mt Dandenong, near Melbourne while his equally famous and involved brother Colin Standish lives at Rapidan, Virginia in the USA where the brothers operate Hartland Publications, a self supporting Independent Ministry of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Dr Russell Standish had caught a commercial flight from Melbourne on Friday afternoon and arrived at Mildura Airport around 4.20pm.
He was met there by 78 year old Irymple man Cliff Cocks, who is listed as a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Mr Cocks was the driver of the car which cut across the path of a vehicle being driven north along Benetok Avenue around 5.25pm. He was the local person who died instantly in the accident.
Dr Standish generally made two or three trips to Mildura each year and these were sponsored by Mr Cocks, who also was part of a ministry group which holds meetings of conservative theology at the Anglican Church Hall at Red Cliffs.
The Red Cliffs group has around 10 members, all also being members of the main Mildura Seventh Day Adventist Church..
Dr Standish (pictured) was to speak at a private meeting at the home of Dany Wilson at Sunnycliffs on the Friday and then at a 10am gathering the next morning at Red Cliffs meeting at 7pm.
Although Dr Standish was a recognised public speaker on theology worldwide and came to Sunraysia a few times each year he had never been invited to speak the Mildura Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Not long after 6pm – half an hour after the crash which killed the two men – Dr Standish’s wife Glenys telephoned Mrs Heather Cocks at Koorlong to check that her husband had arrived safely.
It was then that Mrs Cocks began calling other members of the Red Cliffs group.
One family said they would go to her place and try and find out why there had been a delay in advising of the Doctor’s arrival.
But their son had located information about an accident near Mildura airport on an internet News website and decided physically to go to the accident scene.
At the accident scene he recognized the Mazda as being the vehicle normally driven by Mr Cocks.
He informed police that he knew the driver who had gone to the airport to collect Dr Standish and police said that while positive identification had not been made, the names he gave them matched identification found in the wreckage.
By this time the Sunnycliffs man’s parents had arrived at the Cocks house and were comforting a stressed Mrs Cocks who was worried about her husband.
It was then that police arrived – around 7pm – to inform her that her husband had been killed in the accident.
Her two sons David and Michael – who both live in Melbourne – drove to Mildura overnight arriving around 5am Saturday.
A daughter Elizabeth, who lives in Sydney, travelled by plane to Mildura Saturday and her husband and family will join her once funeral arrangements are known.
The late Dr Russell Standish had three sons – Stephen, James and Timothy – who are from his first wife Enid, who now lives in England.
Dr Standish and his twin brother Colin Standish were born in Newcastle in 1933 and at 17 went to a meeting held by evangelist George Burnside and were both impressed with his theology.
In 1950-51 the twins both went to Avondale College where they befriended another enrolled student, Queensland born Desmond Ford, who later became one of the most influential men in the Seventh Day Adventist Church and during his time in America in the 1960’s became embroiled in “Awakening” debates with Pastor Robert Brinsmead, another Australian, at world leadership level..
Colin Standish was ordained in 1971 to an independent Ministry of the Adventist Church and Russell Standish was ordained in 1980, after being a primary teacher, author and a medical doctor who served in senior administrative roles at major Australian Hospitals, including Melbourne's Austin Hospital, and as a medical missionary in South East Asia.
The late Russell Standish also established his own self supporting Remnant Ministry and founded the drug rehabilitation clinic Highwood in the vicinity of, but not connected to the previously owned Seventh Day Adventist Sanitarium project at Warburton.
Together the twin brothers wrote at least eight books based on Christian theology and lifestyle by corresponding with each other via the internet and these books are available from Hartland Publications at Rapidan, Virginia, where Colin has a huge book publishing operation.
The late Dr Standish also is the sole author of the book “Georgia Sits on Grandpa’s Knees”.
His funeral this month is likely to draw one of the biggest international gatherings of Seventh Day Adventist Church followers in Australia for many years.
But a lot of the work of Dr Russell Standish and his brother Colin Standish has not been given the stamp of approval by the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
In fact an American committee was established by the church in 1998 to investigate the Hartland Institute (run by Colin Standish in Virginia), another American operation and Dr Standish’s Remnant Ministeries in Australia.
The Committee "observed in conversations that they affirmed agreement on many of the major elements of the Seventh-day Adventist faith, however, the method they have used to express their concern has resulted in what is perceived by many to be a spirit of constant criticism directed against the Seventh-day Adventist Church.”
In Sunraysia the Mildura Seventh Day Adventist Church operates Henderson College, (previously the Adventist School in Deakin Avenue) but which was given a new name to attract and serve more students from various Christian families.

Source: http://www.milduraindependent.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3370&Itemid=54

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Ute driver dies in highway crash

Posted Mon May 5, 2008 7:48am AEST

A man has died in single car crash in south-west New South Wales, between Wentworth and Coombah.

The man's utility rolled and burst into flames about 200 metres off the Silver City Highway, about 100 kilometres north of Wentworth.

The crash happened on Saturday afternoon.

It is believed the man might have been from South Australia.

Meanwhile, police have released the names of the two elderly men who died in a two-car crash near Mildura on Friday afternoon.

Clifford Cocks, 78, from Irymple died when his car and another car collided at the intersection of Benetook Avenue and 19th Street.

A passenger in Mr Cocks' car, a prominent member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Dr Russell Standish, 74, also died in the crash.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/05/2235029.htm

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May 4, 2008

Dr. Russell Standish, RIP

I was sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Russell Standish, killed in a car accident in Australia on May 2. He and his twin brother Colin are well known in Adventist circles–Russell for his missionary service, Colin for his academic leadership, and both for their strong defense of what they regarded as historic principles of Seventh-day Adventism. I became aware of them thirty years ago when I was in high school, but only met them this past fall, at the “Questions on Doctrine” 50th anniversary conference at Andrews University. Though they are known for their fighting spirit, in person they are two of the gentlest, kindest, most grandfatherly gentlemen I have ever met. My sympathies to Colin and their families and friends.

Update: Be sure and read Julius Nam’s eulogy.

Source: http://billcork.wordpress.com/

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CINCO DE MAYO

Cinco De Mayo
Home Invasion?

THE PERIL OF A CONFEDERACY OR AN ALLIANCE...

The Peril of a Confederacy or an Alliance With Those Who Know Not the Truth
(Counsel given in 1890)


No confederacy should be formed with unbelievers, neither should you call together a certain chosen number who think as you do, and who will say Amen to all that you propose, while others are excluded who you think will not be in harmony. I was shown that there was great danger of doing this.

"For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. . . . To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." The world is not to be our criterion. Let the Lord work, let the Lord's voice be heard.

No Alliance With Unbelievers. Those employed in any department of the work whereby the world may be transformed, must not enter into alliance with those who know not the truth. The world know not the Father and the Son, and they have no spiritual discernment as to the character of our work, as to what we shall do or shall not do. We must obey the orders that come from above. We are not to hear the counsel or follow the plans suggested by unbelievers. Suggestions made by those who know not the work that God is doing for this time will be such as to weaken the power of the instrumentalities of God. By accepting such suggestions, the counsel of Christ is set at nought. . . .


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The eye of the Lord is upon all the work, all the plans, all the imaginings of every mind; He sees beneath the surface of things, discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart. There is not a deed of darkness not a plan, not an imagination of the heart, not a thought of the mind, but that He reads it as an open book. Every act, every word, every motive, is faithfully chronicled in the records by the great Heart Searcher who said, "I know thy works."

I was shown that the follies of Israel in the days of Samuel will be repeated among the people of God today unless there is greater humility, less confidence in self, and more trust in the Lord God of Israel, the Ruler of the people. It is only as divine power is combined with human effort that the work will abide the test. When men lean no longer on men or on their own judgment, but make God their trust, it will be made manifest in every instance by meekness of spirit, by less talking and much more praying, by the exercise of caution in their plans and movements. Such men will reveal the fact that their dependence is in God, that they have the mind of Christ.

Trusting in Men. Again and again I have been shown that the people of God in these last days could not be safe in trusting in men, and making flesh their arm. The mighty cleaver of truth has taken them out of the world as rough stones that are to be hewed and squared and polished for the heavenly building. They must be hewed by the prophets with reproof, warning, admonition, and advice, that they may be fashioned after the divine Pattern; this is the specific work of the comforter, to transform heart and character, that men may keep the way of the Lord. . . .


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Since 1845 the dangers of the people of God have from time to time been laid open before me, and I have been shown the perils that would thicken about the remnant in the last days. These perils have been revealed to me down to the present time. Great scenes are soon to open before us. The Lord is coming with power and great glory. And Satan knows that his usurped authority will soon be forever at an end. His last opportunity to gain control of the world is now before him, and he will make most decided efforts to accomplish the destruction of the inhabitants of the earth. Those who believe the truth must be as faithful sentinels on the watchtower, or Satan will suggest specious reasonings to them, and they will give utterance to opinions that will betray sacred, holy trusts. The enmity of Satan against good will be manifested more and more as he brings his forces into activity to his last work of rebellion; and every soul that is not fully surrendered to God, and kept by divine power, will form an alliance with Satan against heaven, and join in battle against the Ruler of the universe. --Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 462-465.

No Confederacy With the World. (Counsel published in 1900.) There is to be no change in the general features of our work. It is to stand as clear and distinct as prophecy has made it. We are to enter into no confederacy with the world, supposing that by so doing we could accomplish more. If any stand in the way, to hinder the advancement of the work in the lines that God has appointed, they will displease God. No line of truth that has made the Seventh-day Adventist people what they are is to be weakened. We have the old landmarks of truth, experience, and duty, and we are to stand firmly in


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defense of our principles, in full view of the world.--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 17.

Day by day I am impressed by the Holy Spirit that the very last messages of warning are now to be given to our people.

There is much to be said in regard to establishing what I shall designate as small sanitariums. In no place should a mammoth sanitarium be built up; for a great work is to be done in many places. In planning for new sanitariums, our brethren should reason soundly and solidly, and restrain the desire to surprise the world by building up something large in one or two places.

In all our great cities there will be a binding up in bundles by the confederacies and unions formed. Men will rule other men and demand much of them. The lives of those who refuse to unite with these unions will be in peril. Everything is being prepared for the last great work to be done by the One mighty to save and mighty to destroy.

Some who have had great light have had an almost uncontrollable desire to bind all our medical institutions under the supervision of one power. I am instructed to say that this desire is prompted by the same spirit that in the world manifests itself in the efforts of the unions to become a controlling power. The work that God has given His people to do is to bind up the testimony, and to seal the law among His disciples.

In all our sanitariums there is much, very much, that needs to be reformed. Justice, mercy, and the love of God are to prevail. The work in our sanitariums has been carried on more or less according to circumstances.


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Let none say, "You must bind yourselves by specified agreements to do thus and so, or else you cannot be endorsed by us." The signing of such agreements must cease. The day for work of this kind is past. It has already wrought much mischief. The Lord is our guide and our ruler. Let us bind ourselves up with Him. God does not desire men to be under binding agreements; for He is to move in His own way. Every yoke is now to be broken. The truth as it is in Jesus is of sufficient binding force to hold every mind, control every impulse, and direct every movement. Those whom God would control if they would submit to Him, but who do not choose to walk humbly with Him, are not to make terms for others. Let every man look to God, not to men. The Lord God of heaven rules.

These words I have been instructed to write out plainly. The condition of things before the Flood has been presented to me. The same binding up in unions that exists today existed in Noah's day. But never before have such transactions taken place as are now carried on in the selection of officers to govern the people. Those who occupy the highest positions in governments reveal how little confidence God can place in their rulership.

This is a wonderful age in which we are living. God is beholding the deplorable state of society. He requires those who believe His gospel to come out from the world. "Be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing."

Human, kingly power among God's people in any branch of his cause, as represented by the documents prepared for men to sign, is not ordained of God. Let those who believe the Bible study the principles that are to govern them in dealing with human minds. God is not the author of confusion, but of


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peace. The selfishness that exalts one man to rule the minds of his fellow men, is not inspired of God; for the Lord works in and through those who will be worked by Him, and who in every line of Christian service will act in accordance with divine enlightenment.

God is the author of all that is good. He blesses the children of men with prosperity, and gives abundantly to them by causing the earth to yield her treasures. But what does He behold among the few educated and trained men of talent? Not many are working after the divine order. Yielding to temptation, they rule the markets and control the merchandise in accordance with Satan's principles. They have the money which belongs to the people, the money which would give them a fair chance. God's poor are left to suffer and perish, while man's cupidity grasps every advantage.--Ms 145, 1902, pp. 1-3. (Diary, September 2, 3, 1902.)

During my stay in Southern California, I was enabled to visit places that in the past have been presented to me by the Lord as suitable for the establishment of sanitariums and a school.

For years I have been given special light that we are not to center our work in the cities. The turmoil and confusion that fill these cities, the conditions brought about by the labor unions and the strikes, would prove a great hindrance to our work. Men are seeking to bring those engaged in the different trades under bondage to certain unions. This is not God's planning, but the planning of a power that we should in no wise acknowledge. God's Word is fulfilling; the wicked are binding themselves up in bundles ready to be burned.


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We are now to use all our entrusted capabilities in giving the last warning message to the world. In this work we are to preserve our individuality. We are not to unite with secret societies or with trades unions. We are to stand free in God, looking constantly to Christ for instruction. All our movements are to be made with realization of the importance of the work to be accomplished for God.--Letter 157, 1902. (Last two paragraphs in Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 84.)

[ELDER AND MRS. BURDEN IN LATE 1902 WERE IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH ELLEN G. WHITE REGARDING THE NEW WAHROONGA SANITARIUM, NEAR SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, UNDER ELDER BURDEN'S MANAGEMENT; THE DEVELOPING OF A HEALTH-FOOD AND BAKERY WORK IN THE ENVIRONS OF SYDNEY; AND THE POSSIBLE MOVING OF THE HEALTH-FOOD MANUFACTURING BEING DONE AT COORANBONG, 75 MILES NORTH, TO SYDNEY. ELLEN WHITE IN SEVERAL LETTERS CAUTIONED AGAINST BURDEN'S TAKING ON TOO MANY BURDENS, WARNED AGAINST DEBT, AND COUNSELED DELAY IN THE MATTER OF ANY PROPOSED MOVE OF THE FOOD FACTORY. ON DECEMBER 10, 1902, ELLEN WHITE PENNED A LETTER WHICH FOR SOME REASON WAS NOT COPIED UNTIL JANUARY 27, 1903, AND HENCE IS IN THE 1903 FILE. COPIES WERE SENT NOT ONLY TO THE BURDENS BUT ALSO TO DR. D. H. KRESS, ELDERS G. B. STARR, E. W. FARNSWORTH, S. N. HASKELL, AND J. E. WHITE. PORTIONS OF THIS LETTER HAVE FROM TIME TO TIME BEEN USED, BUT WITH THIS BACKGROUND FOR THE STUDY OF THE QUESTION IN DEPTH, WE GIVE THE LETTER IN FULL.]

The Lord desires you to be of good courage. He has a work for you to do in evangelistic lines, a work demanding more distinctly spiritual efforts than the work in which you have been engaged. The greatest and most important work in which we can engage is the preparation of a people to stand in the day of God, upon which we are just entering. May the Lord help you, my brother, to devote your God-given capabilities to winning souls to Christ. Rest in God, and walk humbly with Him. You will need much of the rich grace of the Saviour, and a deep, settled conviction that the work of the people of God is to prepare for the events of the future, which will soon come upon them with blinding force.


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In the world gigantic monopolies will be formed. Men will bind themselves together in unions that will wrap them in the folds of the enemy. A few men will combine to grasp all the means to be obtained in certain lines of business. Trades unions will be formed, and those who refuse to join these unions will be marked men.

It is time for us to take our work out of the cities. Our sanitariums should be furnished with facilities for giving the sick the best of care, and they should be properly conducted; but they should be as far as possible from the cities. The whole world is to be tested, and obedience to the law of God is to be the test.

Unionism has revealed what it is by the spirit that it has manifested. It is controlled by the cruel power of Satan. Those who refuse to join the unions formed are made to feel this power. The principles governing the forming of these unions seem innocent, but men have to pledge themselves to serve the interests of these unions, or else they may have to pay the penalty of refusal with their lives.

These unions are one of the signs of the last days. Men are binding up in bundles ready to be burned. They may be church members, but while they belong to these unions, they cannot possibly keep the commandments of God; for to belong to these unions means to disregard the entire decalogue.

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself," (Luke 10:27). These words sum up the whole duty of man. They mean the consecration of the whole being, body, soul, and spirit, to God's service. How can men obey these words, and at the same time pledge


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themselves to support that which deprives their neighbors of freedom of action? And how can men obey these words, and form combinations that rob the poorer classes of the advantages which justly belong to them, preventing them from buying or selling, except under certain conditions! How plainly the words of God have predicted this condition of things. John writes, "I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. . . . And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in the foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

The Forming of These Unions Is One of Satan's Last Efforts. God calls upon people to get out of the cities, isolating themselves from the world. The time will come when they will have to do this. God will care for those who love Him and keep His commandments.

Brother and Sister Burden, we must now put on the whole armor of righteousness. We must be as true as steel to principle, standing steadfastly against every species of corruption. It is this steadfast adherence to principle that is to distinguish those who bear the seal of the living God from those who have the mark of the beast.

I write you this that in a guarded but decided way you may advise our people to keep out of the cities. But the cities must be worked; yes, and our people have been asleep, while Satan has been sowing his tares.

I have said little in regard to moving the food factory from Cooranbong to Sydney or even to Wahroonga, because I do not see what advantage there would be in doing this. The farther away we are from the cities, the better.


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it will be; for they are filled with men who have no sense of honor or true elevation, men who are ambitious for gain, and who to obtain gain will resort to any means. Even some among those who profess to believe the truth will through following wrong principles become greedy for advantage. There are those in our institutions who have for so long worked for selfish ends that they cannot be trusted. They have no sense of honor, or truth, or holiness, or righteousness. Selfishness and greed have expelled from the heart the sanctifying principles of the truth. They have lost all sense of distinction between right and wrong. And because they are in responsible positions--as if position made the man--they say, "The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are we"--holy because we are handling holy things. But the fact that they occupy an exalted position of trust only makes their guilt a hundredfold greater.

Those who love God and keep His commandments will not grasp for the highest wages. But there are those who strive to add to their wages without stopping to ask themselves whether in so doing they are not robbing a fellow worker whose lines have not fallen to him in pleasant places. Those who reason from this selfish standpoint will receive punishment with the open sinner, only they will be punished more severely, because they had opportunities and light that the open sinner had not.

There are many who will so outrage conscience and the law of God that in their hearts the pure, holy principles of truth will be corrupted. Between righteousness and truth and unrighteousness and fraud they will see no difference. Their judgment is perverted, and the position of trust they occupy is made a means of doing dishonest transactions, when they think that


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they can do this without detection.--Letter 26, 1903, pp. 1-5. (To Brother and Sister Burden. December 10, 1902.)

The same state of things exists today that existed before the Flood, and the nearer we get to the large cities, the worse the evil is. My message is, Do not build up sanitariums in the cities. The laws of the land will become more and more oppressive, as in the days of Noah.

How long will the Lord suffer oppression of the poor that rich men may hoard wealth? These men are heaping together treasures for the last days. Their money is placed where it does no one any good. To add to their millions, they rob the poor, and the cries of the starving are no more to them than the barking of a dog. But the Lord marks every act of oppression. No cry of suffering is unheard by Him. Those who today are scheming to obtain more and more money, putting in operation plans that mean to the poor starvation, will in the last great day stand face to face with their deeds of oppression and injustice. Those who claim to be the children of God are in no case to bind up with the labor unions that are formed or that shall be formed. This the Lord forbids. Cannot those who study the prophecies see and understand what is before us? The transgressors of the law of God have taken sides with their leader, the general of rebellion. He understands how to devise his satanic schemes and through whom to work for the carrying out of them. He is striving to lead every soul to take sides with him, and under the influence of his temptations, thousands are binding themselves up in bundles, ready to be consumed by the fires of the last day. Those who yield


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to his temptation become in their turn tempters, standing among the ablest of his helpers.

In the time of the harvest the Lord will say to His reapers, "Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into My barn." God has a people on the earth who will see the evil of every phase of oppression, and will refuse to unite with the enemy in carrying out his plans.--Letter 201, 1902, pp. 2-4. (To Elder and Mrs. J. A. Burden, December 15, 1902.)

[At the General Conference session of 1903 held in Oakland, California, Ellen White spoke on Friday morning, April 3, on "Our Duty to Leave Battle Creek." The sanitarium had burned on February 18, 1902, and was being rebuilt. The Review and Herald plant had been destroyed by fire on December 30, the same year--just three months before the General Conference session. It was a time when important decisions were being made. In her address she reviewed some of the high points of the history of the two institutions and pointed out some of the places where there had been a departure from following God's will. She then mentioned the difficulties which the labor unions would bring to our institutional work, and urged an away-from-the-city location for such work. An endeavor has been made in the excerpts which follow to catch the significant points of the broad presentation she made to the Conference as a setting for the reference to the labor unions near the close of the address.]

It will be impossible for me to do justice to the question before us unless I take some time. The question is one that should be clearly and distinctly understood by us all. Few of our people have any idea of how many times light has been given that it was not in the order of God for so much to be centered in Battle Creek. Much was gathered there; many meetings were called there. A school, and a sanitarium, and a publishing house were there. These institutions had an influence upon one another. If this influence had always been good, more of a missionary spirit would have been developed.


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There would have been a clearer understanding of what must be done in the various cities of America. It would have been seen that in every city the standard must be planted and a memorial for God established.
{4MR 79.3}

It is God's design that our people should locate outside the cities, and from these outposts warn the cities, and raise in them memorials for God. There must be a force of influence in the cities, that the message of warning shall be heard. . . .

The Publishing House. Again and again testimonies were given in regard to the principles that were coming in to leaven the publishing house. And yet, though the messages kept coming that men were working on principles which God could not accept, no decided change was made. . . .

God desired that every movement should be in accordance with Bible principles. There was to be no sharp dealing. But there has been sharp dealing, and God has been displeased. For the last twenty years God has been sending reproofs and warnings regarding this. The very worst thing that could now be done would be for the Review and Herald Office to be once more built up in Battle Creek. The way has been opened for it to break up its association there--association with worldly men, which ought to be broken. . . .

When the printing office was first established, in a little wooden building, the Lord showed me that its presses were to be used to send forth to the world the bright rays of truth. They were consecrated to the Lord. Light was to shine all through the office, which was to be a school of training for workers. But as the result of association with the world, many in the office grew worldly, and worked more and more on plans of worldly


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policy, and neither the discipline nor training of the youth employed in the office were as they should be.

I must say to our people that the Lord would have that institution established in an entirely new place. He would have the present influences of association broken up. Will those who have collected in Battle Creek hear the voice speaking to them, and understand that they are to scatter out into different places, where they can spread abroad a knowledge of the truth, and where they can gain an experience different from the experience that they have been gaining?

In reply to the question that has been asked in regard to settling somewhere else, I answer, Yes. Let the General Conference offices and the publishing work be moved from Battle Creek. . . .

There has been an anxiety to adopt a worldly policy. Warnings and reproofs and entreaties--you would be astonished to know how many--have been sent in regard to this. But they have not been heeded. Many have come to the place where they do not care to follow the directions that the Lord sends. They have walked in their own counsel, until the Lord has come near in judgment, and swept away the printing plant. Will you build up again in the same place that you were before? . . .

The Sanitarium. I need not speak any more on this point. I wish to speak now in reference to the sanitarium in Battle Creek. Our brethren say: "Sister White has confused us. She said that we must not let this sanitarium go into the hands of worldlings. And she said also that we must try to place the sanitarium upon a right foundation." Yes, this I did say. Now I repeat it. For years light has been coming to me that we should not center so much


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in one place. I have stated distinctly that an effort should not be made to make Battle Creek the sign and symbol of so much. The Lord is not very well pleased with Battle Creek. Not all that has been done in Battle Creek is well pleasing to Him. And when the sanitarium there was burned, our people should have studied the messages of reproof and warning sent them in former years, and taken heed. . . .

It has been stated that, when the sanitarium was first established in Battle Creek, my husband and I endorsed it. Certainly we did. I can speak for my husband as well as for myself. We prayed about the matter a great deal. So it was with the printing office, which was first established in a little wooden building. As the work grew, we had to add to it, and later, when ambitious men came in to take part in the management, more additions were made than should have been made, because these men thought that the buildings would give character to their work. That was a mistake. It is not buildings that give character to the work of God, but the faithfulness and integrity of the workers. . . .

Our leading brethren, the men in official positions, are to examine the standing of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, to see whether the God of heaven can take control of it. When, by faithful guardians, it is placed in a position where He can control it, let me tell you that God will see that it is sustained. . . .

Keep Out of Them and Away from Them. The crisis is coming soon in Battle Creek. The trades unions and confederacies of the world are a snare. Keep out of them and away from them, brethren. Have nothing to do with them. Because of these unions and confederacies, it will soon be very difficult for


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our institutions to carry on their work in the cities. My warning is: Keep out of the cities. Build no sanitariums in the cities. Educate our people to get out of the cities into the country, where they can obtain a small piece of land, and make a home for themselves and their children. When the question arose in regard to the establishment of a sanitarium in the city of Los Angeles, I felt that I must oppose this move. I carried a very heavy burden in regard to the matter, and I could not keep silent. It is time, brethren, that we heeded the testimonies sent us in mercy and love from the Lord of heaven.

Our restaurants must be in the cities; for otherwise the works in these restaurants could not reach the people and teach them the principles of right living. And for the present we shall have to occupy meetinghouses in the cities. But erelong there will be such strife and confusion in the cities that those who wish to leave them will not be able. We must be preparing for these issues. This is the light that is given me.

May God help you to receive the words that I have spoken. Let those who stand as God's watchmen on the walls of Zion be men who can see the dangers before the people--men who can distinguish between truth and error, righteousness and unrighteousness.--General Conference Bulletin, 1903, pp. 84-87. (E. G. White talk, "Our Duty to Leave Battle Creek." April 3, 1903.) {4MR 83.2}

Manuscript Releases/4MR (No. 214), Vol.4, pp.67-83.

WALK IN LOVE



1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:1-21.

Sunday, May 04, 2008

DR. RUSSELL STANDISH PASSES AWAY

Dr. Russell Standish Passes Away

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Dr. Russell Standish

We express our sorrow and sympathy for the family of Dr. Russell Standish, who was killed this morning, May 2 2008, in an automobile accident in Australia. This is very difficult time for Dr. Russell's family, as well Dr. Colin Standish and his family. Please remember them in your prayers. The ministry and person of Dr. Russell Standish will be greatly missed.

We will share more details as they become available.

Cliff Cocks, friend of Pastor Russell Standish, was also killed in the automobile accident. Please remember the Cocks family as well as the Standish family during this time of grief and sorrow.

Source: http://www.hartland.edu/cms/

P.S. My condolences to the surviors of Elder Russell Standish, to Colin Standish his twin brother. All their wives, their children, Family, friends, and brethren throughout the world. God bless you all.

It is a time of reflection for all, and time for commitment to continue the work this great man of God achieved throughtout his life.

My sympathy also to the Family of Brother Cliff Cocks. May the Almighty God bless them in this time of grief.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

REPAIRER OF THE BREACH






Repairer of the Breach



Isa chapter 58 explains who the repairers of the breach are. According to the scriptures they are watchmen who cry aloud and spare not. They lift up their voices and show God's professed people their transgression and sin against God's moral LAW of LOVE. The repairers of the breach are labors in the hands of God, to loose the bonds of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, and break every yoke that binds mankind in sin. They teach and preach God's holy law of the Spirit of life and liberty. They further give spiritual and physical bread to the hungry, they give shelter to the homeless which is the body of Christ, and clothe the naked with the robe of the righteousness which is of God by faith.. The light of God's righteousness is upon them, and when they call on the Lord His unfailing answer is "Here I am." The Lord guides them continually, and waters them so abundantly that they are like a spring of water themselves. Finally, it is declared in verse 12 of Isa. 58 that they shall be called, the repairers of the breach who build the old waste places and raise up the foundations of many generations.


The word breach in the phrase "the repairer of the breach" means according to the Hebrew "a break", or "a gap". So what is the relevance here for us today? When we look at verse 1 of Isa 58 we see that God is commanding that a loud cry be sounded among His people showing them their transgression and sins. These scriptures are not obsolete, but rather they are a command to God's faithful watchmen today to sound a loud cry and lift up their voices like a trumpet showing all of Christendom their transgressions and sins. This can only be done by revealing a revelation of God's perfect law of love.


Ever keep in mind beloved that the Holy Spirit witnesses in James 2:10-12, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, do not commit adultery, said also do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." There is but one law in the Bible that contains these commandments. It is none other than God's ten commandment law of love. Which verse 12 of James 2 declares to be the law of liberty for those who live it, because it is in their heart, written there by God Himself, thus it enables the receiver to be at liberty to do by nature the things contained in God's law of love.


The point to be noted here is that anyone who keeps the whole law yet willfully and deliberately breaks but one of its commands, is guilty of being a transgressor of God's law of love. This is the breach spoken of in Isa 58. It is because of transgressions against God's ten commandment law of love that the faithful watchmen are to cry aloud and spare not and lift up their voices like trumpets. It is sin, which the Bible defines in 1 John 3:4 as "the transgression of the law" that has created the gap between God and His professed people and necessitated the need for the repairers of the breach in Christendom.


In modern or present day Christianity, the professed followers of Christ feel at liberty to sin, and even habitually practice evil. The majority presume to misuse and abuse God's grace and mercy. They have made themselves to believe the lie that God's grace will overlook their willful and deliberate breaking of His Ten Commandment Law of Love. The Christian world is full of those whom Eccl. 8:11 uncovers. We read, "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." The sins of adultery, fornication, lying, stealing, robbing God of tithe and offerings, killing by abortions, selfishness, love of the pleasures and possessions of this world, the love of money, pride and the absolute absence of witnessing, has well nigh taken over the professed Christian world. But the Bible declares in Eccl 8:12-13, "Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged....it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God."


God says in Rom 2:13, "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified" Profession means nothing but condemnation unless one lives their profession. Church attendance, hearing the gospel preached every week is mocking God unless I live in my daily life the truths preached. James 2:14, 17, 19 and 20 says "What doth it profit my brethren though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble, but wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" Beloved, dead faith is no faith at all, it is idle and lying talk. It is a lying profession, and is the same caliber belief all the demons of hell have. Genuine faith is alive. Genuine faith works the righteous works of God. Genuine faith obeys God's ten commandment law of love. The Bible warns us in James 1:22-25 to, "be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." God's law of love is the law of liberty to those who hear it and obey all its precepts. The obedient child of God is especially blessed of God. Remember beloved the words of Jesus in John 14:15, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." The Word further warns us in 1 John 3:18, "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." Finally we find it declared in 1 John 5:2-3, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous."


You must be one of God's faithful watchmen giving a loud cry lifting up your voice showing God's professed people their transgression and sin. God calls you to love Him and obey all the precepts of His Ten Commandment Law of love and liberty. You are called of God to be a "Repairer of the breach" warning all both in the world and especially in Christendom to cease living in sin, and obey by the grace of God His law of Love?


Source: http://www.godsfinalcallandwarning.com/the_repairer_of_the_breach

MOMENTOUS STRUGGLE BEFORE US



Momentous Struggle Before Us

We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29.


A great crisis awaits the people of God. A crisis awaits the world. The most momentous struggle of all the ages is just before us. . . . The question of enforcing Sunday observance has become one of national interest and importance. We well know what the result of this movement will be. But are we ready for the issue? Have we faithfully discharged the duty which God has committed to us of giving the people warning of the danger before them? . . . {Mar 131.1}

There are many who have never understood the claims of the Bible Sabbath and the false foundation upon which the Sunday institution rests. Any movement in favor of religious legislation is really an act of concession to the papacy, which for so many ages has steadily warred against liberty of conscience. Sunday observance owes its existence as a so-called Christian institution to "the mystery of iniquity"; and its enforcement will be a virtual recognition of the principles which are the very cornerstone of Romanism. When our nation shall so abjure the principles of its government as to enact a Sunday law, Protestantism will in this act join hands with popery; it will be nothing else than giving life to the tyranny which has long been eagerly watching its opportunity to spring again into active despotism. . . . {Mar 131.2}

If popery or its principles shall again be legislated into power, the fires of persecution will be rekindled against those who will not sacrifice conscience and the truth in deference to popular errors. This evil is on the point of realization. {Mar 131.3}

When God has given us light showing the dangers before us, how can we stand clear in His sight if we neglect to put forth every effort in our power to bring it before the people? Can we be content to leave them to meet this momentous issue unwarned? . . . {Mar 131.4}

When the laws of earthly rulers are brought into opposition to the laws of the Supreme Ruler of the universe, then those who are God's loyal subjects will be true to Him. {Mar 131.5}

Maranatha, E. G. White, p.131.

WE MUST OBEY GOD...

1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

12And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

13And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

14And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

15Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

16There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

17Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

19But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

20Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

21And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

22But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,

23Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

24Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

25Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

28Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

33When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

34Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

35And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

36For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

37After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

38And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

39But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Acts 5

Friday, May 02, 2008

CARDINAL LEVADA OPENS NEW HOLY SPIRIT SEMINARY

Cardinal Levada opens new Holy Spirit Seminary


At the commemorative “obelisk” unveiled for the blessing and opening of the new Holy Spirit Seminary are (from left) apostolic nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Cardinal William Levada, seminary spiritual director Fr Gerry Kalinowski, rector Fr Michael McCarthy, Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane, St Paul’s Theological College president Fr David Pascoe and seminary vice-rector Fr Ken Howell

CARDINAL William Levada, a senior Vatican figure, has called on the Catholics of Queensland to “take pride in your new seminary, and take pride in your priests”.

Cardinal Levada, who is Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, blessed and opened the new Holy Spirit Seminary at Banyo in Brisbane last weekend.

The seminary serves the province of Queensland, covering the Cairns, Rockhampton, Townsville and Toowoomba dioceses as well as Brisbane archdiocese.

About 500 people of all ages attended the blessing and opening on the Saturday of last weekend.

Among them were representatives from all Queensland dioceses, with the bishops – Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane and his auxiliaries Bishop Brian Finnigan and Bishop Joseph Oudeman, Bishop James Foley of Cairns, Bishop Michael Putney of Townsville and Bishop Brian Heenan of Rockhampton – joined by clergy, religious and lay people from their regions.

Other guests included apostolic nuncio to Australia Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto; Bishop Peter Ingham of Wollongong; retired Bishop of Townsville Bishop Raymond Benjamin; retired Bishop John Gerry of Brisbane; Anglican Archbishop Philip Aspinall of Brisbane, who is Anglican Primate of Australia; and Moderator of the Uniting Church in Queensland Rev David Pitman.

In his homily during the liturgy for the blessing of the seminary, Cardinal Levada said “the construction of this new seminary is a gesture of confidence and hope for the Church in Australia”.

Preaching at the dedication of the chapel conducted the previous night by Archbishop Bathersby, Cardinal Levada said “convestitum Spiritu Sancto” (“Clothed with the Holy Spirit”) was more than a motto for the seminary.
“It is an expression of the very mystery of our salvation in Christ,” he said.

Archbishop Bathersby, speaking during the official opening, said he was “certain the new name of the seminary will fill us all with fresh hope and encourage us to rely more strongly on the power of the same Spirit as we move forward into the future with renewed energy”.

Source: http://www.catholicleader.com.au/index.php?id=4252

Highlights added for emphasis. Blogman.

PSALM 34

Psalm 34

1I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

11Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

16The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

20He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

21Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

22The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

SATAN REDOUBLES HIS EFFORTS



Satan Redoubles His Efforts

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. Ps. 34:7.


The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us were it not that we may find shelter and deliverance in the superior power of our Redeemer. We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. If permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder and torment our bodies, destroy our possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction. Fearful is the condition of those who resist the divine claims and yield to Satan's temptations, until God gives them up to the control of evil spirits. But those who follow Christ are ever safe under His watchcare. Angels that excel in strength are sent from heaven to protect them. The wicked one cannot break through the guard which God has stationed about His people.

The great controversy between Christ and Satan, that has been carried forward for nearly six thousand years, is soon to close; and the wicked one redoubles his efforts to defeat the work of Christ in man's behalf and to fasten souls in his snares. To hold the people in darkness and impenitence till the Saviour's mediation is ended, and there is no longer a sacrifice for sin, is the object which he seeks to accomplish.

When there is no special effort made to resist his power, when indifference prevails in the church and the world, Satan is not concerned; for he is in no danger of losing those whom he is leading captive at his will. But when the attention is called to eternal things, and souls are inquiring, "What must I do to be saved?" he is on the ground, seeking to match his power against the power of Christ. . . . He is in attendance when men assemble for the worship of God. Though hidden from sight, he is working with all diligence to control the minds of the worshipers.

Maranatha, E. G. White, p.130.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS SPARKS U.S. SURVIVALIST RESURGENCE

Global food crisis sparks US survivalist resurgence


So far the threat of a global food crisis has not affected Australia, but there are worrying signs appearing in the United States where some worried locals are beginning to hoard supplies. Two bulk US retailers are rationing some sales of imported rice and that's been enough for some Americans to begin stocking up. It has also rekindled America's survivalist movement. One leading survivalist warning of lean and hungry times ahead is Jim Rawles, a former US intelligence officer and editor of a survivalist blog, who lives in California. Mr Rawles says he thinks the food shortages being seen in the United States could soon become a matter of survival. "I think that families should be prepared for times of crisis, whether it's a man-made disaster or a natural disaster, and I think it's wise and prudent to stock up on food," he said. He says there are thousands of people in the United States stocking up to prepare for the possibility of a food shortage........ read more

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/28/2228908.htm

CHRISTIANS WHO STUDY BIBLE PROPHECY NUTS?

Christians who study Bible Prophecy - nuts?
If you are a Christian, and you believe that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled in this generation, then you are probably the oddball in your church. In fact, scratch 'probably'. It is pretty much a dead-bang certainty that you are. It is fascinating to me that a person can be pro-choice, anti-Israel, pro-gay marriage, and be labeled a 'Christian progressive'. But if you believe that God not only knows the future, but recorded it for us in advance, well, then you're a nut. Most Christians are ok with the idea that God created the universe. Whether or not they accept it as a literal 'creation' or some kind of modified evolutionary scheme notwithstanding, few Christians would argue that creation is beyond God's power. For reasons nobody has ever been able to logically articulate to me, Christians have no problem agreeing that the First Advent of Jesus Christ was prophesied. But prophecies pointing to His Second Advent are merely symbolic and not to be taken literally. If you do, then you are a nut. There are some churches, on the other hand, that are wholly given over to the study of Bible prophecy for the last days. If you are a member of a church like that, not only are you a nut, but you probably belong to a cult. If you wanted to draw a cartoon in which you wanted one of the characters to be instantly recognized as being a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic, the most recognizable way would be to draw a guy with a long beard wearing a burnoose and brandishing a sign saying, "Repent! The end is near!" And that's just the way the subject is treated by other Christians. To the world, if you study Bible prophecy, you are probably not just crazy, but dangerous.. ....... read more



Source: http://www.omegaletter.com/articles/articles.asp?ArticleID=6269

CONTROLLERS OF THE RULERS

Illuminati Founded – A Society Shrouded in Secrecy
CONTROLLERS OF THE RULERS
Illuminati Founded – A Society Shrouded in Secrecy
Allegedly, Weishaupt’s plan was to control the rulers of most countries. There were fears that he wanted to destroy the Catholic Church.

Joseph Stedul
A.Š. illustrative photo

On this day in history, May 1, 1776, the former Catholic priest and professor at the university in Ingolstadt in Bavaria, Adam Weishaupt, founded the Illuminati (meaning illuminate) with a group of similar minded people that, according to the thought of many, were financed by international bankers. The Illuminati were mentioned as far back as the 15th century as a group of Gnostics, and their activities were destroyed by the Inquisition.

Allegedly, Weishaupt’s plan was to control the ruling structures in most countries, and it was feared that he wanted to totally destroy the Catholic Church and all of its foundations.

Many consider that the Iluminati are the ideological founders of the new world order.

Their activities are covered in a veil of secrecy, and it is believed that this secret society has followers all around the world. However, there is little proof that Weishaupt’s Iluminati managed to keep tradition to today, even though many societies have used their name.

Published: May 01, 2008 04:01h

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

PLAYSTATION NATION


November 16, 2006


Are You Protecting Your Child from Video Game Addiction?



Written by Janice



“If you have a child who plays video games (or may in the future play video games), shut the cover of this book now, march up to the check-out counter at this moment, and purchase it. Immediately. Period.” – from Playstation Nation by Olivia and Kurt Bruner


Not too many authors start out commanding you to buy their book, but after having read the first few pages of Playstation Nation, I understood why Olivia and Kurt Bruner so adamantly insist that parents read their story.


In fact, I am one of the parents they are writing to — one of the people they believe must read their book. I am the parent they desperately want to reach before it is too late.


My son Jackson is almost five and, of course, he wants to play video games. I have a hazy feeling that I shouldn’t let him but we haven’t made any concrete decisions. Part of me feels like it is useless to fight against it – video games are everywhere. He has already played them at friends’ houses. At home he has played educational computer games… and some not so educational ones. But I haven’t given in and bought him a system.


Before reading Playstation Nation, I knew I didn’t want Jackson to waste any of his precious youth playing video games. However, I needed this book to show me the damage video games are doing to this generation and to give me the determination to fight the upcoming battles to keep video games in check in my son’s life.


Olive and Kurt don’t say that video games are from the devil and that we should throw them all in the garbage. Instead they walk us through a thorough look at the scientific facts of video game addiction and give us an inside look at many young people’s personal stories of addiction so we can make the best decision for our families.


Their book is the definition of eye opening. I had never realized the insidious danger that sits in so many family rooms and bedrooms across North America. Video games are a serious threat to our children’s well being, masked in the form of play. And busy parents everywhere are fooled into thinking that they are as harmless as the TV and just a part of life for children in this new millennium.


I was one of those parents. I am not anymore.


Through story after story and study and study, Playstation Nation will show you how video games are addictive and it will help you decide for yourself how your family should deal with the video game phenomena.


Here is a quick excerpt that discusses the physiological effects of video games…



“In 1998 a report titled ‘Evidence for Straital Dopamine Release during a Video Game’ published in the journal Nature describes a process called positron-emission tomography (PET). A team of British researchers found that video game playing actually changes the chemistry in the brain by increasing the activity of dopamine. Dopamine is the most important neurotransmitters in the brain, controlling movement, attention, and learning.


…Researchers at Hammersmith Hospital, a clinical research hospital in London, described the infusion of dopamine as being ‘similar to that observed following intravenous injection of amphetamine or methylphenidate.’


…To put it in layman’s terms, kids who play video games submit their developing brains to a pleasurable chemical reaction similar to an amphetamine drug injection! And the more often they play, the more likely they are to become hooked on the feeling.”


But if removing game systems from your child’s life sounds a little extreme (and I must stress, that is not what the Bruners are advising all parents to do), listen to what this young man, a successful former homeschooler who is currently in law school and still struggling daily with his video addiction, had to say when asked what he thought a mother should do if she has a child who wants to play video games all the time:



“Get rid of it, completely, entirely. I wish my mom had done that. Even if you limit the actual playing time, you’re not going to eliminate the kids thinking about it as long as it’s in the house. Even though I wasn’t allowed to play for a month, it was still all I thought about.”


Are your boys in college? If you think your children are too old to worry about video game addiction, Olivia and Kurt have some concerning facts for you too!


Through their book, I learned that college dorms are becoming dungeons of addiction, with young men trading in their education – and their parents’ money – for endless hours of mind numbing video gaming. If you have a young man at college I suggest you read this book and then send it to your child when you are done.


You can help protect your children from wasting these precious years. You can help them reclaim their time and turn off the video games.


I am so grateful that I read Playstation Nation. I strongly recommend it. I now feel empowered to make the decisions and to fight the inevitable battles in our future to keep my son from video game addiction.


Source: http://www.5minutesformom.com/640/video-games/