Monday, August 31, 2009

What is The Asssociation of Adventist Women?



by Helen Thompson-Zolber

Mission

The mission of the international Association of Adventist Women is to foster the participation of women in varied leadership roles in Seventh-day Adventist organizations, congregations, and communities.

Goals

The image of God, as embodied in the skills and insights of women, will be more fully reflected in our churches and communities as we achieve our goals:
  • To encourage Adventist leadership to enhance the church's effectiveness by creating more significant opportunities for women to be full partners at all levels of church life.
  • To promote leadership skills among the diverse groups of Adventist women of all ages.
  • To use print, electronic, and personal communication to highlight Adventist women's opportunities, contributions, and achievements.
  • To establish a network of Adventist women leaders who can inspire and mentor other women.
  • To demonstrate open and collaborate models by working in complementary ways with other church organizations.


Yearly Activities

  1. An annual conference which offers numerous seminars providing educational and spiritual growth opportunities for women as well as networking and mutual encouragement.
  2. A business meeting at the conference during which resolutions are determined and voted in accordance with the mission and goals of AAW.
  3. A Woman-of-the-Year program at its annual conference which recognizes outstanding women in the SDA church both at home and abroad.
  4. The publication of The Adventist Woman, an SDA women's newspaper, which keeps women and church leaders informed about SDA women's accomplishments as well as church policies that affect women.


Initiatives

Over its twenty years of existence, AAW has been an advocate for women in the SDA church, strongly recommending changes to various church entities to enable women to use their gifts fully and work with equity within the structure. At its annual conference, AAW formulates its recommendations to specific entities within the church. These recommendations are then tracked to monitor their implementation. Among its many recommendations are

  1. The establishment of women's ministries with paid leaders in the conferences, unions, NAD, and the GC with voting privileges on appropriate executive committees.
  2. A full-time woman director in the NAD and GC ministerial offices, specifically representing women in ministry.
  3. Pay equity throughout the world church, not just in the United States.
  4. The NAD union presidents to reaffirm and implement their statement "Commitment to Women in Gospel Ministry" as voted by the NAD union presidents on October 13, 1995, and to educate the laity about this issue in accordance with their document.
  5. The world church to recognize that women's ordination is an essential step in the growth and development of the SDA church.
  6. An increase in the employment of qualified women pastors.
  7. The establishment of a women's resource center.
  8. An increase in women in decision-making roles at every level of the church organization with at least one women GC vice president by 2005.
  9. The formulation of an abuse policy for all entities of the SDA church.
  10. The avoidance of stereotyping in children's Sabbath School materials.
  11. In agreement with counsel from E. G. White, appropriate remuneration for stay-at-home pastor's spouses.
  12. Since an increasing number of women are taking theology and religion majors, university, colleges and seminary boards and administrators should strive toward gender inclusiveness in selecting faculty for religion departments and for the SDA Theological Seminary.

Accomplishments

In addition to numerous recommendations and the monitoring of those, AAW publishes commendations of entities that place women in leadership roles (e.g., the GC for establishing women's ministries throughout the world field and having a full-time woman in charge, the NAD for electing a woman as vice president and another as associate director of the ministerial association, the Finnish Union for electing a woman as secretary of the SDA church in Finland and re-electing a woman as treasurer) and vote policy changes that grant equity to women (e. g., Southeastern California Conference which has a common credential for women and men pastors).

Besides its activities as an association, AAW has spawned several separate entities. Time for Equality in Adventist Ministry, chaired by Pat Habada, advocates the ordination of women to pastoral ministry and helps SDA women throughout the world attend SDA seminaries by providing scholarships. At last count, 67 women (14 of the total enrollment) were on campus at the SDA Theological Seminary at Andrews University. Other women theology students are attending SDA seminaries outside the United States. Scholarships distributed each year total about $25,000.

AAW also spawned the Adventist Women's Coalition, whose mission is affirmative action for SDA women both in relation to the church structure and in relation to the law of the land. Through correspondence and personal contacts this organization, under the direction of Rosemary Watts, recognizes the steps the church is making in relation to equity for women and urges continued efforts.

Another group begun via AAW is a committee on abuse, chaired by Peggy Harris. This committee has as its goals (1) to cultivate a healing environment in the family, church, and church-related workplaces to restore both the victims and perpetrators of sexual, spiritual, physical and emotional abuse; (2) to safeguard our children from being subjected to abuse in home, school, church, and youth activities; and (3) to educate church members and leaders to help stop harassment and abuse. (Further information at www.tagnet.org/wash) Peggy helped organize the sexual ethics committee of the NAD, which produced the NAD abuse policy, Sexual Misconduct in Church Relationships.

You are Invited to Participate

AAW invites SDA women from around the world to join the organization as it continues to encourage the church to acknowledge and use the many talents God has given to SDA women to help spread the good news of His soon coming.



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P.S. Bolds and Highlights added by blogman.


This my brethren is just a slice (a tip of the iceberg) of the strange things going on in the professed end time remnant church of God; which conference leaders, and local pastors conceal or will not admit to the congregation. Instead, they say:


The wheat and the tares are to grow together until
the end!


11Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
12As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
13The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.


Isaiah 3:11-13.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Hurricane Jimena Bears Down on Baja

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico, Aug. 31, 2009

Hurricane Jimena Bears Down on Baja

Powerful Category 4 Storm On Pace to Rake Mexican Peninsula; Government Plans to Evacuate 10,000 Families

At Left: A satellite image provide by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Jimena off the western Mexican coast in the Pacific Ocean, at 12:30 a.m. EDT, Aug. 31, 2009.





(AP) A strengthening Hurricane Jimena roared toward Mexico's Baja California peninsula, where residents stocked up on food Sunday and authorities set up shelters, anticipating landfall in the coming days.

Mexico issued a hurricane watch for the resort-dotted southern portion of Baja, meaning hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours.

Jimena, a dangerous Category 4 storm, could rake southern Baja California by Tuesday evening, forecasters said,

"I think it's going to be a substantial hurricane by the time it approaches," said Richard Pasch, a senior specialist with the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Brenda Munoz, who lost her home when Hurricane Juliette struck Baja in 2001, was taking no chances, stocking up on food this time around.

"I remember when Hurricane Juliette hit with a lot of intensity. It flattened our home, lots of flooding, lots of disaster," Munoz said at the resort town of Cabo San Lucas. "We're already prepared with food and everything so it won't catch us off guard."

But with the weather still mild Sunday, Jim Patterson, a tourist from Big Bear Lake, California, could not muster up much concern.

"Are you saying it would be a good idea to stock up on tequila?" he joked at a seaside restaurant. "No fear. I've been through tornados and earthquakes and everything else, but never a hurricane."

At least 10,000 families will be evacuated from potential flood zones, said Francisco Cota, the local director of Civil Protection. He said 60 shelters would be set up.

Farther south, Jimena kicked up surf along the mainland western coast and generated strong winds that bent trees in the resort town of Zihuatanejo, uprooting at least one. Strong waves and wind prevented a couple on a boat from reaching port, forcing them to spend the night at sea, said Zihuatanejo coast guard official Jose Angel Lara.

On Sunday night, Jimena had maximum sustained winds near 145 mph and was moving west northwest at 7 mph.


It was centered about 445 miles southeast of Cabo San Lucas and 255 miles south of Cabo Corrientes, a coastal town in the western state of Jalisco.

Authorities in Cabo Corrientes were setting up shelters in case of heavier wind and rain, said Arturo Garcia, an official with Jalisco's Civil Protection agency.

The U.S. hurricane center issued a public advisory for residents in western Mexico and the southern part of the Baja peninsula to keep tabs on Jimena.

Economists from around the world were scheduled to attend a conference sponsored by the Paris-based Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development on Tuesday and Wednesday in Los Cabos at the southern tip of the peninsula. It was not clear if the conference will still take place; the organization's office was closed Sunday.

Farther out in the Pacific, a weakening Tropical Storm Kevin had top winds of 40 mph and was centered about 840 miles southwest of the Baja peninsula's southern tip.
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Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/31/world/main5275636.shtml
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Colombian leader hit by swine flu

Page last updated at 23:51 GMT,
Sunday, 30 August 2009 00:51 UK

Colombian leader hit by swine flu



Mr Uribe was being treated at home and was doing well, an official said





Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has been diagnosed with swine flu, his spokesman says, days after attending a regional summit.

The 57-year-old leader was being treated at his residence and was continuing to work, the spokesman said.

Mr Uribe returned on Saturday from a summit in Argentina attended by leaders from across South America.

Those who held talks with him had been told of his infection, the spokesman said.

The Union of South American Nations (Unasur) summit met in Argentina on Friday to discuss a deal giving US troops access to Colombian bases.

Several countries say the deal threatens regional peace - a charge the US and Colombia deny.

To date, 621 cases of swine flu have been recorded in Colombia of which 34 have proved fatal, Colombia's social protection ministry says.



Source: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=36324418

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The Dance of the Generations: This Adventist Life


The Dance of the Generations: This Adventist Life


A Joint Conference of Adventist Forum and the Association of Adventist Women


November 6-8, 2009


Asilomar Conference Grounds

Pacific Grove, California

Click here for detailed event information


Registration Deadline: August 26, 2009




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Report: Young Women and the Word - “Hearing Voices, Finding Your Own”

11 May 2008

Report: Young Women and the Word - “Hearing Voices, Finding Your Own”
By Trisha Famisaran



in

image:
Crossposted from SDA Gender Justice.











More than 50 participants and over 125 guests met at Campus Hill Church in Loma Linda, California, on April 12, 2008, for the first annual Young Women and the Word Conference. The inaugural theme, “Hearing Voices: Finding Your Own,” was an invitation for speakers, panelists, and attendees to consider the question of young women and leadership across professional lines.


Young Women and the Word was inspired by the annual Women and the Word seminar started by Kit Watts. Rooted in empowering women and men through in-depth scriptural study to pursue issues of gender equality throughout all levels of God’s human family, the Young Women and the Word strives to engage the youth in this passion and dream. Speakers and participants showed commitment to empowering, connecting, exploring, and supporting a generation of young women and men across professional lines; with a hope that they become leaders whose voices and actions reflect faith in an inclusive and loving God, the Creator who affirms both Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female because we are all one in Christ Jesus. While the Women’s Resource Center’s most immediate connections are with women in ministry it also seeks to help individuals make a real and intentional difference in the wider world, whether they work in healthcare, education, social justice, politics, parenting, or business.

Four universities in the North American Division sponsored women theology majors to attend the conference—Alyssa Foll (Southern Adventist University), Portia Howard (Oakwood College), Amanda Whithers (Walla Walla College), and Jacqueline Sanchez (Columbia Union College).

Alyssa Foll opened the conference with a scripture study, “In the Cave: Between Anointing and Appointing,” which was a touching account of the time David spent in the cave of Adullam found in 1 Samuel 22. Pastor Marlene Ferreras offered the morning worship sermon, “Breaking the Rules,” which was an insightful exploration into the relationship between Judah and Tamar found in Genesis 38. The morning worship service included special music by Patty Cabrera, songs of praise by students from Loma Linda Academy and La Sierra University, and a responsive reading by students from Loma Linda Academy and Orangewood Adventist Academy. Kendra Haloviak opened the afternoon sessions with a message titled “The Voices at the Well,” a study of Jesus and the Samaritan woman found in John 4.

La Sierra University students performed The Cost, an original drama written and directed by Kassy Skoretz. This powerful story critiques the notion that progress necessitates leaving some groups behind and asks whether progress is good, in itself. The script was heavily inspired by liberation theology, which is a commitment to the visibility and voice of marginalized people and God’s “priority for the poor” demonstrated in the life and teachings of Jesus.

Yami Bazan moderated a leadership panel that included Kathy Proffitt, Carla Lidner Baum, Portia Howard, and Julie Schaepper. Breakout sessions were led by Carla Gober (Spiritual Wholeness, Jessica Trevithick (Art and Media in Ministry), Dilys Brooks (The Woman in the Mirror), Prudence Pollard (Leadership), and the Students for Social Justice Club from La Sierra University. The conference closed with an Agape Supper, which included a special liturgy written and led by Patty Cabrera.


Rundown of the Schedule:

9:30 am to 10:40 am - Sabbath School: “In the Cave: Between Anointing and Appointing” by Alyssa Foll (Theology Major, Southern Adventist University)

10:45 am to 12:30 pm - Church Service: “Breaking the Rules” by Marlene Ferreras (Youth Pastor, Campus Hill Church)

2:30 pm - Scripture Study: “The Voices at the Well” by Kendra Haloviak (Professor of New Testament, La Sierra University)

3:15 pm - Special Feature: “The Cost,” an original drama written by Kassy Skoretz (Undergraduate Student, La Sierra University)

4:15 pm - Special Feature: Leadership panel moderated by Yami Bazan, with audience participation, and featuring the following individuals:

Julie Schaepper (Director of Community-Academic Partners in Service at Loma Linda University)

Portia Howard (President of Sister Connection at Oakwood College)

Carla Lidner Baum (Director of the Dental Oncology Service at Loma Linda University)

Kathy Proffitt (Former United States Ambassador to the Republic of Malta and Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Call-America)

5:00 pm - Conversation Cafes:

Carla Gober (Spiritual Wholeness)

Dilys Brooks (The Woman in the Mirror)

Prudence Pollard (Leadership)

Jessica Trevithick (Arts/Media in Ministry)

Social Justice Club at La Sierra University (Social Justice)

6:00 pm - Agape Supper with Patty Cabrera

“Thanks for organizing this historic and inspiring day. I was truly blessed, as were many others I spoke to who also attended. We’d love this to be a ‘regular’! May God continue to use each of you in mighty ways.” - Cheryl Harvey Webster

“Thank you so much for making me feel welcome at the Young Women and the Word Conference. It was so nice to hear from other ladies in the ministry. I appreciate all the planning and work that went into the conference.” - Amanda Whithers
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Adventist Gender Justice is edited by Trisha Famisaran.

Trisha Famisaran is currently enrolled in a Dual Degree program at Claremont Graduate University* for an M.A. in Philosophy and a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion and Theology. She did undergraduate work in History and Political Science at La Sierra University in Riverside, California.

Comments
We still have a long ways to go before women are given the equality that, I believe, God intended for them to have. But, in the meantime, you might enjoy something that my husband showed me yesterday. It was a copy of the “1943 Guide to Hiring Women” exerpted from the July 1943 issue of Transportation Magazine, “written for male supervisors of women in the work force during World War II.” Here are the first 3 out of 11:

1. “Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of responsibility than their unmarried sisters, they’re less likely to be flirtatious, they need the work or they wouldn’t be doing it, they still have the pep and interest to work hard and to deal with the public efficiently.
2. When you have to use older women, try to get ones who have worked outside the home at some time in their lives. Older women who have never contacted the public have a hard time adapting themselves and are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy. It’s always well to impress upon older women the importance of friendliness and courtesy.
3. General experience indicates that ‘husky' girls – those who are just a little on the heavy side – are more even tempered and efficient than their underweight sisters.”

Well,I guess we have “…come a long ways, Baby” after all!!


Posted by: Gaylene (not verified) 11 May 2008 at 5:46

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I think I've come across an old copy of those "guidelines" before, or something similar (in a handbook, perhaps). I've been thinking about the GC meeting scheduled for 2010 and really hope that ordination and other issues surrounding gender justice are addressed. I wonder what can be done in the next 1.5 years to see that this happens. A lot of grassroots organizing took place before Utrecht.

On a similar note, I really hope to see gender justice back in formal discussion at the GC level through commissions or taskforces to talk about ordination, LGBT rights, rethinking normative gender ideals, and so forth. It seems apparent that a number of laypeople, theologians, and professors want to talk about it. These conversations have been powerful and constructive so far.

Posted by: Trisha (not verified) 14 May 2008 at 3:57

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A letter from the Nay 2008 Adventist World-NAD:

"I have a question: were women invited to the 2007 Annual Council? In an article that explicitly states that the council was convened to address specific challenges facing the church today, including cohabitation and same-sex partnerships, I was disheartened to note that all four photos attached to the article displayed only men. I hope these photos DO NOT accurately reflect the membership in attendance and that women were invited to attend as part of the 300 church leaders. No consensus will ever be found within a church that is not willing to listen to the voice of its entire membership."

Posted by: Elaine Nelson (not verified) 14 May 2008 at 5:27

Source: http://www.spectrummagazine.org/node/580

P.S. I decided to include the Comments to illustrate the extent of the departure from the established Adventist principles in certain circles. May God have mercy on His faithful remnant!

*Religion (Claremont Graduate University)
The CGU School of Religion has been touted in the media for its unique cross-faith design. Students can earn a degree with a focus in Mormon Studies, Catholicism, Islamic Studies, History of Christianity, Hebrew Bible, Indic Studies, Coptic Studies, Zoroastrianism; additional programs include Women's Studies in Religion, Theology, Ethics and Culture and Philosophy of Religion and Theology. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claremont_Graduate_University

Does someone believe anyone in this "bunch" will give the Third Angel's Message, or the Loud Cry?

I added Bolds and Highlights for emphasis.

Arsenio.

Foll to Serve as Ministerial Intern in Savannah








8/26/09

SAVANNAH, GA—On Sabbath, July 4, 2009 members of the Savannah First Church in Georgia officially welcomed Alyssa Foll as a ministerial intern to their church family.

Foll comes to the Georgia-Cumberland Conference under a special arrangement made between the Southern Union, the Georgia-Cumberland Conference and Southern Adventist University, from which Alyssa graduated last May.

The leadership of the Savannah First Church unanimously voted to have Alyssa join the pastoral staff and is supportive of the vision to have female ministerial candidates be afforded the opportunity to practice their calling to ministry. The church family received their new assistant pastor with open arms. They look forward to a fruitful and productive ministry experience for Foll as she furthers her life goals in the gospel ministry and in the southern region of the Georgia-Cumberland Conference.

Submitted by Mark Piotrowski



More News
Georgia-Cumberland Conference Mission for Shared Leadership :Following the apostolic model, pastors and teachers partner with each member, resourcing and developing spiritual leaders for effective ministry.

Source: http://www.gccsda.com/?option=com_content&task=view&id=2669

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P.S. I wasn't able to transfer the pictures which were included in the article; So, I searched for pictures on the Net.

Arsenio.

Ted Kennedy’s letter to Pope Benedict XVI, and the papal reply


Ted Kennedy’s letter to Pope Benedict XVI, and the papal reply
Sunday, August 30, 2009

Excerpts of a letter sent by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy to Pope Benedict XVI in July:

“Most Holy Father, I hope this letter finds you in good health, I pray that you have all of God’s blessings as you lead our church and inspire our world during these challenging times.

“I am writing with deep humility to ask that you pray for me as my own health declines. I was diagnosed with brain cancer more than a year ago, and, although I continue treatment, the disease is taking its toll on me. I am 77 years old and preparing for the next passage of life. . . .

“I want you to know, Your Holiness, that in my nearly 50 years of elective office, I have done my best to champion the rights of the poor and open doors of economic opportunity. I’ve worked to welcome the immigrant, fight discrimination and expand access to healthcare and education. I have opposed the death penalty and fought to end war. Those are the issues that have motivated me and have been the focus of my work as a Unites States Senator. . . .

“I’ve always tried to be a faithful Catholic, Your Holiness, and though I have fallen short through human failings, I have never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teaching of my faith. I continue to pray for God’s blessing, on you, and on our church, and would be most thankful for your prayers for me.”

Portion of the response from Pope Benedict XVI two weeks later:

“His Holiness prays that in the days ahead, you may be sustained in faith and hope, and granted the precious grace of joyful surrender to the will of God, our merciful Father. He invokes upon you the consolation and peace promised by the Risen Savior to all who share in His sufferings, and trust in His promise of eternal life.”





8877


Where's all this subliminal (Catholic proselytising) propaganda coming from?

Newpaper Headlines about letters to the pope, and TV coverage of one Mass, after another?

Letters of mea culpa confessions to his holi-ness?
Is this news in the USA? Or, in Mejico?

Yeah, we knew Jack Kennedy; And Ted was no JFK. Are these the same Kennedys? Is this the same country?

JFK kept his religion (RC) to himself, and didn't make a big production of it like what we see here. And, a military funeral service with all these Roman Catholic overtones?

Separation of Church and State has been suspended until further notice?

This whole event has been transformed into one big Roman Catholic spectacle.

Catholic indoctrination is taking a turn for the worse, something never seen before in the history of the United States.

I don't remember John's or Bobby's (46 and 41 years ago) funeral services have so much Catholic ritual? It's like we're in Italy or Spain all of the sudden!
Salve Regina! Ave Maria!

I thought we had no kings or popes in our republic.
Things have really changed; Get ready for more changes!

Arsenio. (Jesus is the only intercessor between man and God)

Philip Willan - The Last Supper, Vatican, Masons, P2, Mafia & the Murder of Roberto Calvi



August 20, 2009

Philip Willan has been specialising in Italian parapolitics, working out of Rome for more than 20 years. He is the author of "Puppetmasters, The Political Use of Terrorism in Italy" and his latest book is called "The Last Supper, The mafia, the masons and the killing of Roberto Calvi". Philp joins us to talk about The Mafia, the masons, The Vatican, the P2 Lodge, the Murder of Roberto Calvi, the Relationship Between Banco Ambrosiano, the Vatican and much more. Topics Discussed: Pope John Paul I, The Money changes, Robert Calvi, Banco Ambrosiano, Vatican Bank, Flavio Carboni, Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), PII lodge, Silvano Vito, Yugoslavia, Austria, Umberto Ortolani, Missing Brief Case, Vatican Right Wing Relationships with the Dictators, Rat Lines, Nazi's, Adolf Eichmann, Klaus Barbie, Josef Mengele and many others, Who took care of Calvi when he came to England? The Mafia Connections, Calvi's Murder Trial, Witnesses, Sicilian Mafia, Cosa Nostra, the 5 suspects, bande Delimaniana, Ernesto Diotallevi, Silvano Vittor, Chelsea Cloisters, Calò, According to the Trial Calvi was Murdered, Blackfriars Bridge, Alberto Jaime Berti. You don't want to miss hour two as we discuss more on Propaganda Due the P2 lodge, their grand master Licio Gelli, we'll talk about Freemasons and the possible P2 membership of people within the Vatican. We also discuss the murder of Pope John Paul the 1st after only 33 days in office ...what's the message? We talk about the Swiss Connection, not only to Hans Kuntz but the Pontifical Swiss Guard of Vatican City. Is there any connection to the powerful financial force of Switzerland and the fact that they hold the World Economic Forum in Davos every year? We also discuss the card found on Roberto Calvi from the Law Firm "Slaughter and May". We round things up talking about Operation Gladio and Opus Dei.
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Hour One Download:
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Download Instructions: Right click (Mac users: click and hold down) on the above download button, choose "Save Target As...", save the file to your hard drive and then open the mp3 file with your favorite media player.
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Quick Stats: Who Benefitted From Cash for Clunkers?

Nearly 700,000 Cars Sold During $3 Billion Program
by Reilly BrennanPosted: Aug, 28 2009
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The popular Cash for Clunkers program (aka CARS, or Car Allowance Rebate System) ended on Monday night. With nearly 700,000 clunkers taken off the road, the program could be called the most impactful automotive sale of all time. Rebate applications worth $2.877 billion were submitted, just under the $3 billion provided by Congress to run the program.

The Department of Transportation recently released statistics about Cash For Clunkers, showing which segments of the market saw the greatest interest:
Total Dealer Transactions: 690,114
$ Value of Submitted Dealer Transactions: $2,877,900
Top Vehicle Purchased: Toyota Corolla
Top Trade-In Vehicle: Ford Explorer
Top New Manufacturer Purchased: Toyota
New-Vehicle Mileage: 24.9 MPG
Trade-In Mileage: 15.8 MPG (Overall increase of 9.2 MPG, or 58% improvement)
But beyond the raw stats, who truly benefited from the program? Here's our take on the winners and losers from Cash for Clunkers:
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Winners



Top 10 New Vehicles Purchased During Cash for Clunkers

1. Toyota Corolla
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry
4. Ford Focus FWD
5. Hyundai Elantra
6. Nissan Versa
7. Toyota Prius
8. Honda Accord
9. Honda Fit
10. Ford Escape FWD


Consumers: Up to $4500 discounts for nearly every manufacturer? A cash-on-the-hood deal like that doesn't come along too often. Athough many manufacturers offer rebates that are into the thousands, we've never seen such an industry-wide sale.

Manufacturers of Small Cars: Some people find ire in the fact that the top manufacturer on the Cash for Clunkers list is Toyota (and its Corolla small sedan was the top seller during the program), but that shouldn't be too much of a surprise. Since Cash for Clunkers gave consumers the highest reward for buying a fuel-efficient vehicle, those buying patterns followed the reality of the market: Asian manufacturers largely dominate in small cars.

Ford: Whereas two or three years ago nobody ever would have considered Ford to be in a leadership position amongst the Big 3, the Blue Oval found its stride in 2009. When Cash for Clunkers first opened up, Ford shot to the top of the sales charts. While it lost the number one slot to Toyota, its Escape was the only SUV in the entire top 10 -- a remarkable feat.

Losers:

http://blog.pennlive.com/midstate_impact/2009/08/large_clunkers_crushed.jpg


Top 10 Trade-In Vehicles During Cash for Clunkers

1. Ford Explorer 4WD
2. Ford F150 Pickup 2WD1
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
4. Ford Explorer 2WD
5. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD
6. Jeep Cherokee 4WD
7. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD
8. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD
9. Ford F150 Pickup 4WD
10. Ford Windstar FWD Van

The 1990s: Do you remember those 90s glory days? Car makers surely do, when SUVs and trucks moved from utility vehicles to image statements. Along with that shift (something that nearly all manufacturers, not just the domestics, happily accepted) came fatter profit margins. Even those who never left the confines of the suburban jungle were buying 4x4s; the 1990s were as much about what was possible than anything. But what happened during Cash for Clunkers? A whole lot of people gave that dream up: the Ford Explorer, perhaps the first of the iconic SUVs, was the top trade-in vehicle. The entire decade went the way of the crusher.

The Government: Do you know why the Cash for Clunkers deadline was pushed back two times? It wasn't so consumers could take advantage of the program any longer; it was so dealers could submit their claim forms on the government's infamous rebate website. Dealers reported the website crashed numerous times during the month-long program, with many worrying they would never get their rebates submitted. From an organization standpoint, Cash For Clunkers was an administrative mess. "The most ironic thing happened during Cash for Clunkers," IHS Global Insight's John Wolkonowicz said. "GM and Chrysler -- who were in bankruptcy as of a few months ago -- had to give loans to the dealers to keep the dealers solvent because the government wasn't paying up in time. In fact, a large dealer in the Boston area was owed $2M by the government on Cash for Clunkers as of Monday and had not collected a single cent."

Charity Donation Programs: For many local charities, "clunkers" serve a different purpose. Many offer a tax rebate to those who donate their old cars, in turn providing those used cars to families without the means to purchase a new car. During the Cash for Clunkers program, many charities reported that their car donations plummeted, creating a shortfall that not only affected the charity itself but those families who could have benefited from an inexpensive vehicle.

Motorcycle Manufacturers: When Cash for Clunkers sprouted forth in the early summer, the plan included rebates for the purchase of motorcycles. Unfortunately, that part of the plan fell through when it eventually passed through Congress. As many a bike rider will tell you, the two-wheeled wonders are incredibly efficient, with miles-per-gallon ratings that far exceed any car on the road today. Why wouldn't they be included if the program was intended to reward those who lowered their carbon footprint?

What did you think about Cash for Clunkers? Did you participate? Leave your comment below and let us know.


Source: http://autos.aol.com/article/cash-for-clunkers-stats?icid=mainhtmlws-maindl4link3http%3A%2F%2Fautos.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fcash-for-clunkers-stats

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Danny wets East Coast; Pacific storm strengthens

This article has been read 3 times.
Associated Press

BOSTON - Heavy rain and dangerous rip currents from a weak tropical system emptied East Coast beaches for a second straight late-summer weekend, while a Pacific hurricane grew stronger Saturday and threatened the Mexican coast.

Jimena, the 10th named storm of the Pacific season, quickly became a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.

Fueled by warm Pacific waters, Jimena could be a major Category 3 hurricane by today as it tracked north-northwest at 12 mph about 655 miles off the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula. It was 270 miles south of Manzanillo, Mexico.

Farther out in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Kevin formed with top winds of 45 mph. The storm's center on Saturday afternoon was about 1,065 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. The storm could get stronger as it moves to the west-northwest, forecasters said.

Remnants of Tropical Storm Danny spun miles offshore in the Atlantic, causing mostly rain in the East. National Hurricane Center forecasters said Danny had been mostly absorbed by a low pressure system associated with a cold front over North Carolina.

"We were expecting that that was going to happen sooner or later. It happened a little bit sooner," said senior hurricane specialist Lixion Avila. "Basically, Danny has been swallowed by the big low."

In Boston, heavy rain fell on hundreds lining sidewalks as the funeral procession of Sen. Edward Kennedy passed through the city. A flood watch remained in effect for parts of Massachusetts as beaches were ordered closed and public ferry services in and around Boston were canceled. Cape Code and nearby islands were expecting 40 mph winds later Saturday.

"We are getting a number of reports of 2 to 4 inches of rain in the area," said Kim Buttrick, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass. "Wind isn't a factor now, but a wind advisory is in effect for the islands until this evening."

Towns along the Connecticut shore were prepared for the storm and had sandbags and water pumps placed on standby.

Large waves kept most people out of the water at beaches along the New Jersey shore Saturday, the second straight weekend marred by a storm system.

Waves as high as 6 to 8 feet were reported up and down the Jersey coast by late Saturday morning, and forecasters said the waves could be slightly higher as the day progressed. But those conditions were expected to improve during the overnight hours into today, when wave heights were expected to return to normal.

No injuries were reported, though authorities in Fair Lawn, N.J., rescued nine people trapped in five vehicles along a flooded street.

In North Carolina, tropical storm watches for the coast were discontinued, but people were urged to be cautious near the water.

The dangers of storm-agitated seas were demonstrated when a young boy disappeared Friday in rough surf off North Carolina. His mother reported seeing him go underwater off the town of Corolla, not far from the Virginia line. His body board washed ashore without him.

The Coast Guard and local authorities spent hours looking for the 12-year-old boy but called off the search Friday evening and didn't expect to continue searching Saturday.

Coast Guard spokesman Lt. j.g. Scott Hembrook said the waves in the area were about 4 to 6 feet tall.

In New York's Long Island, Nassau County's health department closed 20 beaches Saturday because of heavy rainfall. Suffolk County closed two beaches and advised against bathing at 64 more.

Storm water runoff often leads to sewage discharges and elevated bacteria levels on Long Island sound.

Health officials say the beaches will be reopened once tidal cycles have flushed the area.


Source: http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/StoryAP/08-30-TropicalWeather-9

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Adventist diplomat becomes U.S. ambassador to Suriname

Libna Stevens

Aug 25, 2009

A veteran United States diplomat and Seventh-day Adventist Church member is the new ambassador to the Republic of Suriname, a former Dutch colony on the northeastern coast of South America.



image by Megan Brauner
Ambassador to Suriname John Nay meets Adventist world church president Jan Paulsen before a protocol luncheon held at world church headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. From left: Judy Nay, John Nay, Jan Paulsen and Eugene Hsu, a general vice president


25 Aug 2009, Washington, D.C., United States...


Kevin D. Gurubatham/Adventist Review staff/ANN

A veteran United States diplomat and Seventh-day Adventist Church member is the new ambassador to the Republic of Suriname, a former Dutch colony on the northeastern coast of South America.

John R. Nay, who holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in history from Adventist-owned Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, was sworn in August 13 by Nancy J. Powell, director general of the Foreign Service. The ceremony took place at the U.S. Department of State headquarters, with Suriname's ambassador to the U.S. Jacques R. Cross also in attendance.

"I have drawn on my experiences to encourage people to see that working together helps make progress possible," Nay said after the swearing in. "While one cannot immediately change the legacy of centuries, a commitment to human rights and decency and working together by all sectors of society without regard to ethnicity or religion can help overcome legacies of the past."

He said the knowledge he gained representing the U.S. in countries such as India, South Africa, Taiwan and Singapore will help shape his approach to his assignment in Suriname.

In addition to the influence of his Adventist education, Nay credits his time as a missionary with influencing his career choices.

"My student missionary experience played a significant part in my joining the Foreign Service by helping to stimulate my interest in international affairs and the world," Nay said following the ceremony. "It was helpful to have a chance to see from abroad how the United States is perceived."

Nay said he is honored by the appointment and is looking forward to working with the government and people of Suriname.

"I am honored to be able to formally use the title 'ambassador,' but we must all keep in mind that we are all ambassadors -- for our countries, for our families, for our ideals, and for our faiths," Nay said. "As my wife and I represent the United States in Suriname, we will seek to do just that."

About 48 percent of Suriname's 487,000 people are Christians, with Protestants holding the largest share at 25 percent. An estimated 27 percent of Surinamese are Hindu and about 20 percent are Muslim. The Adventist Church organized in Suriname in 1945 and today has more than 3,700 church members worshiping in 17 congregations.


Source: http://www.interamerica.org/users/index.php?type=news&id=1346&language=en

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Inter-America concludes its 10th ASI Convention in Barbados

Libna Stevens

Aug 26, 2009

Inter-America's Adventist-layman's Services and Industries (ASI) convention held its 10th annual conference at the Sir Garfield Sobers Auditorium in Barbados from August 19-22, 2009.



image by Caribbean Union/IAD
More than 5,000 delegates and church members gathered for Inter-America's 10th ASI annual convention, held Aug. 19-22, at Sir Garfield sobers Auditorium in Barbados.




August 26, 2009 - Bridgetown, Barbados...[James Daniel/IAD Staff]



Inter-America's Adventist-layman's Services and Industries (ASI) convention held its 10th annual conference at the Sir Garfield Sobers Auditorium in Barbados from August 19-22, 2009. The convention featured seminars, musical presentations, and testimonies on witnessing in the marketplace. The ceremony on the final day saw nearly 200 delegates and thousands of church members in attendance.


Themed Triumphant by His Grace-Sharing Christ in the Marketplace, the convention covered topics such as small business management, professional development, media ministries, among many others.


During his keynote address, Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, said there are some who believe "if the Lord has blessed you then you are saved." However, he countered that "it is not by your riches or status that you are saved, but by God's Holy Spirit working in you. Abundance of riches is no indication of salvation."


Pastor Leito also said there are some who ask, just as Peter did, what is the reward for following Jesus? Pastor Leito pointed out that Jesus assured the disciples that there is something in it for them but cautioned them not to expect instant gratification.

"Adventists who ask what's in it for us--for all the sacrifices we have made, for all that we have endured--remember what Jesus said: Don't expect instant gratification. Live the life of hope," Pastor Leito added.

In a passionate address delivered on Friday night at the Breath of Life Church, Pastor David Gates of Gospel Ministries International called on the packed audience to be part of God's "special forces". Utilizing that military concept to get his message across, Pastor Gates said that "Special Forces do what the regular army cannot do-they go into extremely dangerous situations and pull off extraordinary feats. We need to be God's Special Forces to go into the marketplace and rescue people who are trapped in the condition of sin."

Guest speaker Pastor Ted Wilson, vice president for the Adventist World Church, gave the final charge and encouraged chapter members to take the messages of Revelation 13 to every people group and in every market place for "those angels carried the most magnificent news-salvation through Jesus Christ."


Pastor Leon Wellington, vice president of the church in Inter-America and secretary of the ASI Inter-America, said that this year's convention had a special element where chapter members went out to the churches for seminars and programs.

"This allowed many of the church members to get a better understanding of what ASI really is all about," he said.


"ASI is an evangelistic entity of the church to help achieve its [the church's] mission," Pastor Wellington added. "Many people view ASI as an exclusive club but it is a wrong view, it galvanizes the potential of the professionals and business persons among us to accomplish the same mission objectives at their level of operation."


The Caves Nursing Home, which is a local ASI project sponsored and managed by the Barbados ASI chapter, will benefit from this year's donations collected at the end of the convention.


The next ASI Inter-America annual convention is scheduled to be held in Jamaica in August 2011. ASI local chapters throughout Inter-America are scheduled to meet regionally next year.

To watch video streaming of Inter-America's 10th ASI Annual Convention, click here

ASI is the organization of professional Seventh-day Adventists in industry, education, and services interested in sharing Christ in the marketplace and supporting the global mission of the church. ASI's philosophy promotes a Christ-centered lifestyle, manifested by a commitment to daily partnership with God.


For more information on ASI Inter-America, visit http://www.asi-interamerica.org/




Source: http://www.interamerica.org/users/index.php?type=news&id=1348

Homeless in Washington Sign Book in Kennedy’s Memory

Late Senator Championed Eradication of Homelessness

Dorothy Rowley


AFRO Staff Writer



Rocky Twyman coordinated the Washington, DC, soup kitchen tribute to the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. From left: Lord Waters, Twyman, and Marcia Foster. (Photo by Dorothy Rowley)



(August 29, 2009) - The passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy, who was laid to rest this weekend at Arlington National Cemetery, has left a void in the lives of many in the country’s minority communities.

Among them were roughly 50 people who gathered Thursday during lunch hour District of Columbia soup kitchen where they paid homage to Kennedy, remembering his efforts to help the homeless by signing a makeshift notebook in memory of the iconic Democrat who died on Tuesday.

The book signing took place at First Seventh Day Adventist Church in northwest Washington. It was coordinated by Rocky Twyman, 60, of Rockville, Md., who said Kennedy’s unwavering efforts to end homelessness were unmatched.

“He did so much to help the poorest of the poor. He was a champion of their rights,” said Twyman. “I always admired Sen. Kennedy because he did so much for the cause of Black folks. He really supported us. ”

Tywman added that Kennedy was “a hero for Black people,” and that had it not been for his support, “Obama would not be in the White House.”

Kennedy once told the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless in a speech that a slate of issues contributed to poverty and, ultimately, homelessness.

“Each homeless person has their own story, with unique circumstances, but together, they teach us the same lesson,” Kennedy said. “We must deal more effectively with the problems that contribute to homelessness, such as drug abuse, poverty, domestic violence, mental illness and the lack of basic skills and adequate education.”

District resident Randolph Squire, 58, who frequents the soup kitchen, said Kennedy was simply a good man.

“He went out of his way to help the homeless,” Squire said. “No one can ever say that he didn’t fight for us.”

Tywman said Kennedy’s demise will have a significant impact on the soup kitchen because most of its clients are without health insurance. He said that with Kennedy’s passing, Obama now faces an uphill battle on health care reform.

“Kennedy was the one legislator who could shepherd those bills through Congress and now it will be very difficult for Obama without him,” Twyman said.



Source: http://www.afro.com/tabId/551/itemId/4511/Homeless-in-Washington-Sign-Book-in-Kennedys-Memo.aspx
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ANCHOR BABIES: THE EDUCATIONAL CHAOS


ANCHOR BABIES: THE EDUCATIONAL CHAOS


PART 4


By Frosty Wooldridge


August 27, 2009


NewsWithViews.com



In this final entry of this series on Anchor Babies in America, we shall investigate the unbelievable but verifiable costs to American citizens. Additionally, we will explore ancillary problems created by illegal alien children within our classrooms across the country.
Do we blame the children? No! Do we blame their parents? No!



Who do we blame? Simple! Our U.S. Congress and U.S. presidents from Bush 41, Clinton, Bush 43 and today, Obama! They must take responsibility for this fiscal/educational and linguistic fiasco. They failed to enforce our laws in the past 20 years, and Obama fails to enforce our immigration and labor laws in 2009. Thus, they allowed countless tens of thousands of employers within the United States to subvert our laws as to employment of unlawful immigrants. Our Congress allowed a new 21st century slave class to establish itself in excess of 20 million unlawful aliens—inside this country. The rich benefit and the rest of us subsidize and suffer from it.



While those 20 million enjoy employment, housing, welfare, food and medical care on U.S. taxpayer dollars, 15 million Americans cannot find a job. An astounding 32.2 million Americans subsist on food stamps. Our working poor and minorities languish in the streets and 13 million American children live below the poverty level.



EDUCATIONAL CHAOS
Those 400,000 anchor babies cost taxpayers big time! At $6,000.00 per delivery in our hospitals where those pregnant alien mothers take themselves to birth their children X’s 400,000 annually: $2.4 billion annually. Year after year after year! If the child suffers from autism, Down’s Syndrome, myocardial septal defect (hole in heart), deformity, premature birth in ICU or other problems—the costs may hit $1 million and more.



Remember also, that the mother becomes a ward of the welfare rolls in assisted housing, food stamps, medical care, welfare payments—all on the taxpayer’s dollar. Instead of 400,000 dependents, the actual number doubles to 900,000. Additionally, as that mother births more children, the costs rise dramatically.



Once the child reaches age five, it begins a 13 year educational journey that costs taxpayers on average $9,644.00 annually depending on school districts within the United States. When you add in ‘free’ breakfasts and lunches for those disadvantaged children, the costs rise into the billions of dollars. Finally, English as a Second Language costs taxpayers according to economist Edwin Rubenstein:


“The total additional per pupil costs for language assistance instruction was estimated to be in the range of $200 to $700 in 1981 dollars—equivalent to $460 to $1,600 in 2007 dollars. Using the average of the latter two amounts—$1,030—as our estimate of per pupil cost, the total cost of providing English Language Learning instruction to the 3.8 million students enrolled in those programs would equal about $3.9 billion. ($1,030 × 3.8 million.).”


(Source: http://www.thesocialcontract.com/, Department of Education - Immigration Fiscal Impact Statement, By Edwin S. Rubenstein Volume 18, Number 2 (Winter 2007-2008) Issue theme: "What price mass immigration?")



With those figures of 3.8 million illegal immigrant children and children born as anchor babies X’s a minimum figure of $5.00 for ‘free’ breakfasts and lunches X’s 180 school days equals: $5.42 billion annually.



Talk about throwing U.S. taxpayer dollars down a rat hole, NBC’s Brian Williams reported last June that high school graduation rates around the country suffered tremendously. Detroit public schools, loaded with Middle Eastern legal and illegal immigrants along with unlawful Mexican migrant children tallied an astounding 76 percent dropout/flunkout rate among potential graduating seniors. Other cities like L.A., Chicago and Houston hovered around 50 to 60 percent dropout rates.



Brian Williams reported that 1.2 million ‘American’ teens hit the streets annually “functionally illiterate.”



In my city of Denver, 67 percent of the graduating class dropped out or flunked out before age eighteen. (Source: Rocky Mountain News, “What Happened?”)



Dan Stein at http://www.fairus.org/ published a report titled: “Breaking the Piggy Bank: How Illegal Immigration is Sending Schools into the Red”. Estimated costs of educating illegal migrant children and anchor babies: $7.5 billion annually.



The report said, in California, the $2.2 billion spent educating illegal alien immigrants for one year could:



• Pay the salaries for 41,764 teachers.• CA schools are threatened with a $1.5 billion cut next year. Eliminating illegals would pay for all needs.• Pay for CA’s class sizes to remain capped at 20 students for a year, with $300 million to spare. • Buy books and computers to equip 346,689 classrooms or 79 percent of classrooms in California.• Fully fund the state’s free lunch program for poor American students for two years.



Instead, California dropped from the top five top school systems in the United States to the bottom five states. Teaches struggle teaching with 113 different languages in their classrooms. As a teacher, I can tell you that more than one language in a classroom causes educational tension, ethnic tension from lack of ability to communicate and racial separation.


Students become angry, stubborn and overwhelmed as they ‘drop out’ from sheer frustration and inability to perform academically. Violence ensues or complete withdrawal! Thousands join gangs for their identity.



Finally, what about U.S. children? What about the quality of their educations? What about their well-being? What about our own poverty-stricken students and special needs across the country?



Today, one-third of all students graduating from high schools heavily impacted by mass immigration must take remedial courses in universities to bring their minds up to speed for college work. In thousands of schools, gangs, foreign languages and strange customs usurp the educational experience for U.S. students.



At some point, and soon, we must stop ‘birthright citizenship’ as all other countries, including Ireland and New Zealand, have done.



This year, House member Nathan Deal introduced HR 1868: reintroduced his Birthright Citizenship bill that would eliminate automatic citizenship for children born in the United States to illegal aliens. The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2009 (H.R.1868) would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make it more difficult for children born in the U.S. to gain citizenship.



Under the proposed legislation, a person born in the United States, in order to gain citizenship, must have at least one parent who is:

a U.S. citizen or national; a lawful permanent resident alien whose residence is in the United States; or an alien performing active service in the U.S. Armed Forces. Thank you for joining http://www.numbersusa.com/ and http://www.capsweb.org/ and http://www.fairus.org/ to send in pre-written faxes that will push the entire Congress to pass this important bill. Otherwise, you will keep paying and paying billions and billions—year after year with no end in sight.

Additionally, when those kids reach 18, they can chain migrate their entire families into the USA—causing a horrific overload of our infrastructure, carrying capacity and quality of life. Not to mention we are displacing Americans out of their own culture, language and way of life!



Part 5: Fomenting failure in our educational systems



Listen to Frosty Wooldridge on Wednesdays as he interviews top national leaders on his radio show "Connecting the Dots" at http://www.themicroeffect.com/ at 6:00 PM Mountain Time. Adjust tuning in to your time zone.



© 2009 Frosty Wooldridge - All Rights Reserved



Source: http://www.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/frosty495.htm


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Saturday, August 29, 2009

WAS TORNADO GOD'S REBUKE?


By Jon Christian Ryter
August 27, 2009
NewsWithViews.com

In its online edition, Christianity Today poised the question, pondering whether or not there was any connection between the vote by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America [ELCA} to adopt a "sexuality statement" on homosexuality and the tornado which struck the Minneapolis Convention Center on Aug. 19 where they were meeting. John Piper, whose Baptist Church is just down the road from the convention center thought the storm itself was the message, telling Christianity Today reporter Ted Olsen that "...[t]he tornado in Minneapolis was a gentle but firm warning to the ELCA and to all of us: Turn from the approval of sin. Turn from the promotion of behaviors that lead to destruction."

A Christian renewal group within the ELCA reported that both sides of the discussion claimed the weather was a commentary from God supporting their point of view. WordAlone issued a statement in which they said "...a supporter of the social statement..." (those attempting to sanctify homosexuality in the Lutheran Church as normal behavior "...typified the storm as a mighty wind of the Holy Spirit, and as a positive message. Some WordAlone members heard a different message—a warning of God's anger at the ELCA in the wind." The tornado did significant roof damage to the Convention Center with 2,200 registered members debating the question of whether or not the Lutherans should approve a statement mitigating homosexuality inside. Outside the Central Lutheran Church, next door to the Convention Center, strong winds tore off part of the church's 90-year old metal steeple, then ripped apart large outdoor tents, and scattered chairs and folding tables across the parking lot. The tents were used earlier that day to serve breakfast to the guests attending the convention. Church member Jack Freitag said he saw a "..wall cloud from the south coming across the parking lot (with a) very loud roar." He saw signs and debris being blown around in the wind. "I was worried about the people then..."

About 120 people had taken refuge in the church's basement. The funnel cloud, which touched down twice, made significant physical impact on the terrain without doing any serious damage. A witness at the church said: "We saw the tornado. It was turning real fast. It got real black out here and had the trees coming to us on the left. The windows were shaking real bad, and all this stuff across the street in the church, they had a little dinner there, it tore it all up, and it was just lifting off the ground. And, it just disappeared. It just disappeared." Myself, if I had been one of the delegates voting, I would have voted against softening the position on homosexuality.

Nevertheless, with 2,200 registered attendees of which half were voters, by a vote of 676 to 338—the exact number needed to win—the delegates voted for a more open position on homosexuality (without officially sanctifying homosexuality as normal relationship). Their position became one of neither condemning nor condoning. The statement suggests the delegates could not reach a consensus although, in reality, they did. They agreed that in "...this discernment about ethics and church practices, faithful people can and will come to different conclusions about the meaning of Scripture and about constitutes responsible action. We further believe that this church, on the basis of 'sound conscience' will include these different understandings and practices within its life as it seeks to live out its mission and ministry in the world."

The fly in the ointment was found in the footnotes. The church statement clearly reveals what the church membership should view as a Laodicean red flag and find a Bible-believing church in which to fellowship with God. In the footnotes, this statement appears: "When the question is about morality or church practice, the Pauline and Lutheran witness is less adamant and believes we may be called to respect the bound conscience of the neighbor. That is, if salvation is not at stake in a particular question..." Since homosexuality is a violation of God's commandments (even in the Muslim faith), it cannot be casually overlooked and made acceptable to God when it is not.

The footnote continues that "...if a brother or sister...saw eating meat (offered to pagan idols as something inherently wrong), the Christian was obligated to "walk in love" by eating just vegetables for the neighbor's sake." In point of fact, what is corrupting Christianity is the practice of compromising the Word of God in an attempt to find common ground where Christianity can be merged with other religions of the world. Just as the cold water springs and hot springs that run under the ancient city of Laodicea merge, becoming neither hot nor cold, so are the hearts of today's social Christians who find social compromise works better than standing on unpopular Christian principles.

I believe the Minneapolis tornado, in this context, did allegorically represent God's anger and His disappointment in the elders of that body. And the torrential rains were His tears over the wrong decision made by His "freewill creation" as He watched with a freshly crucified heart as members of the Body of Faith divorced themselves from His Word and became part of the rapidly growing Church of Laodicea that sees no evil in evil. The ELCA mollified His commandments and bent them to the whims of man, who is now promoting the lukewarm societal church that offends no one—except God.

© 2009 Jon C. Ryter - All Rights Reserved

[Order, Jon C. Ryter's book, "Whatever Happened to America?" It's out of print, and supply is limited.]
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Maybe on Sunday - James Arrabito

James Arrabito

Maybe on Sunday (you have to see this!) incredible!

- 2:08:36 -

Jan 23, 2009

The Church in the Wilderness







James Arrabito

Jim Joe Maniscalco

Historic and biblical prophecy.

Daniel 11 and the Pioneer views of William miller's Prophetic Charts.

1844 and the cleansing of the heavenly Sanctuary and the three 3 angels messages of revelation 14. Bible study sermons on the daily and the antichrist 666 devil satan dragon good evil and mark of the beast of Rome.

Protestant and papal reformation from the pope.

Protestantism and America and Babylon the mother of harlots whore.

Christian Christianity church apostasy and salvation through Jesus Christ the seventh day Adventist church SDA Ellen White E G Gould Harmon King James Version Only.


North south Sodom Egypt battle Armageddon Megiddo millennium second coming economic crisis new world order Jesuits Jesuit catholic priest pastor minister bishop cardinal Joseph Mary miracle glorious land holy mountain new Jerusalem Mohamed Jehovah Abraham Jew Jewish Jews judgment white throne candle stick show bread ark of the covenant manna Moses Martin Luther Wycliffe Hus Tyndale Waldenses perdition man of sin four horseman 2 7 13 144,000 last plagues hell fire death resurrection famine pestilence blood martyrs cross crucified crucifixion chip implant bar code Sabbath Sunday seal forehead hand lion leopard bear 7 heads 10 horns jeff Pippenger dave westbrook«


Without a Wedding Garment


Page 307


Without a Wedding Garment
[This chapter is based on Matt. 22:1-14.]




The parable of the wedding garment opens before us a lesson of the highest consequence. By the marriage is represented the union of humanity with divinity; the wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding.

In this parable, as in that of the great supper, are illustrated the gospel invitation, its rejection by the Jewish people, and the call of mercy to the Gentiles. But on the part of those who reject the invitation, this parable brings to view a deeper insult and a more dreadful punishment. The call to the feast is a king's invitation. It proceeds from one who is vested with power to command. It confers high honor. Yet the honor is unappreciated. The king's authority is despised. While the householder's invitation was regarded with indifference, the king's is met with insult and murder. They treated his servants with scorn, despitefully using them and slaying them.

The householder, on seeing his invitation slighted, declared that none of the men who are bidden should taste of his supper. But for those who had done despite

Page 308
to the king, more than exclusion from his presence and his table is decreed. "He sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city."
In both parables the feast is provided with guests, but the second shows that there is a preparation to be made by all who attend the feast. Those who neglect this preparation are cast out. "The king came in to see the guests," and "saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment; and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

The call to the feast had been given by Christ's disciples. Our Lord had sent out the twelve and afterward the seventy, proclaiming that the kingdom of God was at hand, and calling upon men to repent and believe the gospel. But the call was not heeded. Those who are bidden to the feast did not come. The servants were sent out later to say, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage." This was the message borne to the Jewish nation after the crucifixion of Christ; but the nation that claimed to be God's peculiar people rejected the gospel brought to them in the power of the Holy Spirit. Many did this in the most scornful manner. Others were so exasperated by the offer of salvation, the offer of pardon for rejecting the Lord of glory, that they turned upon the bearers of the message. There was "a great persecution." Acts 8:1. Many both of men and women were thrust into prison, and some of the Lord's messengers, as Stephen and James, were put to death.

Thus the Jewish people sealed their rejection of God's

Page 309
mercy. The result was foretold by Christ in the parable. The king "sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city." The judgment pronounced came upon the Jews in the destruction of Jerusalem and the scattering of the nation.
The third call to the feast represents the giving of the gospel to the Gentiles. The king said, "The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage."

The king's servants who went out into the highways "gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good." It was a mixed company. Some of them had no more real regard for the giver of the feast than had the ones who rejected the call. The class first bidden could not afford, they thought, to sacrifice any worldly advantage for the sake of attending the king's banquet. And of those who accepted the invitation, there were some who thought only of benefiting themselves. They came to share the provisions of the feast, but had no desire to honor the king.

When the king came in to view the guests, the real character of all was revealed. For every guest at the feast there had been provided a wedding garment. This garment was a gift from the king. By wearing it the guests showed their respect for the giver of the feast. But one man was clothed in his common citizen dress. He had refused to make the preparation required by the king. The garment provided for him at great cost he disdained to wear. Thus he insulted his lord. To the king's demand, "How camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" he could answer nothing. He was self-condemned. Then the king said, "Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness."

Page 310
By the king's examination of the guests at the feast is represented a work of judgment. The guests at the gospel feast are those who profess to serve God, those whose names are written in the book of life. But not all who profess to be Christians are true disciples. Before the final reward is given, it must be decided who are fitted to share the inheritance of the righteous. This decision must be made prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven; for when He comes, His reward is with Him, "to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:12. Before His coming, then, the character of every man's work will have been determined, and to every one of Christ's followers the reward will have been apportioned according to his deeds.

It is while men are still dwelling upon the earth that the work of investigative judgment takes place in the courts of heaven. The lives of all His professed followers pass in review before God. All are examined according to the record of the books of heaven, and according to his deeds the destiny of each is forever fixed.

By the wedding garment in the parable is represented the pure, spotless character which Christ's true followers will possess. To the church it is given "that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white," "not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." Eph. 5:27. The fine linen, says the Scripture, "is the righteousness of saints." Rev. 19:8. It is the righteousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive Him as their personal Saviour.

The white robe of innocence was worn by our first parents when they were placed by God in holy Eden. They lived in perfect conformity to the will of God. All the strength of their affections was given to their heavenly Father. A beautiful soft light, the light of God, enshrouded

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the holy pair. This robe of light was a symbol of their spiritual garments of heavenly innocence. Had they remained true to God it would ever have continued to enshroud them. But when sin entered, they severed their connection with God, and the light that had encircled them departed. Naked and ashamed, they tried to supply the place of the heavenly garments by sewing together fig leaves for a covering.
This is what the transgressors of God's law have done ever since the day of Adam and Eve's disobedience. They have sewed together fig leaves to cover the nakedness caused by transgression. They have worn the garments of their own devising, by works of their own they have tried to cover their sins, and make themselves acceptable with God.

But this they can never do. Nothing can man devise to supply the place of his lost robe of innocence. No fig-leaf garment, no worldly citizen dress, can be worn by those who sit down with Christ and angels at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Only the covering which Christ Himself has provided can make us meet to appear in God's presence. This covering, the robe of His own righteousness, Christ will put upon every repenting, believing soul. "I counsel thee," He says, "to buy of Me . . . white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear." Rev. 3:18.

This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. "All our righteousness are as filthy rags." Isa. 64:6. Everything that we of ourselves can do is defiled by sin. But the Son of God "was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin." Sin is defined to be "the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:5, 4. But

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Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law. He said of Himself, "I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart." Ps. 40:8. When on earth, He said to His disciples, "I have kept My Father's commandments." John 15:10. By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God's commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.
The guests at the marriage feast were inspected by the king. Only those were accepted who had obeyed his requirements and put on the wedding garment. So it is with the guests at the gospel feast. All must pass the scrutiny of the great King, and only those are received who have put on the robe of Christ's righteousness.

Righteousness is right doing, and it is by their deeds that all will be judged. Our characters are revealed by what we do. The works show whether the faith is genuine.

It is not enough for us to believe that Jesus is not an impostor, and that the religion of the Bible is no cunningly devised fable. We may believe that the name of Jesus is the only name under heaven whereby man may be saved, and yet we may not through faith make Him our personal Saviour. It is not enough to believe the theory of truth. It is not enough to make a profession of faith in Christ and have our names registered on the church roll. "He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by

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the Spirit which He hath given us." "Hereby we do know that we know Him if we keep His commandments." 1 John 3:24; 2:3. This is the genuine evidence of conversion. Whatever our profession, it amounts to nothing unless Christ is revealed in works of righteousness.
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The truth is to be planted in the heart. It is to control the mind and regulate the affections. The whole character must be stamped with the divine utterances. Every jot and tittle of the word of God is to be brought into the daily practice.

He who becomes a partaker of the divine nature will be in harmony with God's great standard of righteousness, His holy law. This is the rule by which God measures the actions of men. This will be the test of character in the judgment.

There are many who claim that by the death of Christ the law was abrogated; but in this they contradict Christ's own words, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. . . . Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law." Matt. 5:17, 18. It was to atone for man's transgression of the law that Christ laid down His life. Could the law have been changed or set aside, then Christ need not have died. By His life on earth He honored the law of God. By His death He established it. He gave His life as a sacrifice, not to destroy God's law, not to create a lower standard, but that justice might be maintained, that the law might be shown to be immutable, that it might stand fast forever.

Satan had claimed that it was impossible for man to obey God's commandments; and in our own strength it is true that we cannot obey them. But Christ came in the form of humanity, and by His perfect obedience He proved that humanity and divinity combined can obey every one of God's precepts.

"As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John 1:12. This power is not in the human agent. It is the power of God. When a soul receives Christ, he receives power to live the life of Christ.

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God requires perfection of His children. His law is a transcript of His own character, and it is the standard of all character. This infinite standard is presented to all that there may be no mistake in regard to the kind of people whom God will have to compose His kingdom. The life of Christ on earth was a perfect expression of God's law, and when those who claim to be children of God become Christlike in character, they will be obedient to God's commandments. Then the Lord can trust them to be of the number who shall compose the family of heaven. Clothed in the glorious apparel of Christ's righteousness, they have a place at the King's feast. They have a right to join the blood-washed throng.

The man who came to the feast without a wedding garment represents the condition of many in our world today. They profess to be Christians, and lay claim to the blessings and privileges of the gospel; yet they feel no need of a transformation of character. They have never felt true repentance for sin. They do not realize their need of Christ or exercise faith in Him. They have not overcome their hereditary or cultivated tendencies to wrongdoing. Yet they think that they are good enough in themselves, and they rest upon their own merits instead of trusting in Christ. Hearers of the word, they come to the banquet, but they have not put on the robe of Christ's righteousness.

Many who call themselves Christians are mere human moralists. They have refused the gift which alone could enable them to honor Christ by representing Him to the world. The work of the Holy Spirit is to them a strange work. They are not doers of the world. The heavenly principles that distinguish those who are one with Christ from those who are one with the world have become almost indistinguishable. The professed followers of Christ are

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no longer a separate and peculiar people. The line of demarcation is indistinct. The people are subordinating themselves to the world, to its practices, its customs, its selfishness. The church has gone over to the world in transgression of the law, when the world should have come over to the church in obedience to the law. Daily the church is being converted to the world.
All these expect to be saved by Christ's death, while they refuse to live His self-sacrificing life. They extol the riches of free grace, and attempt to cover themselves with an appearance of righteousness, hoping to screen their defects of character; but their efforts will be of no avail in the day of God.

The righteousness of Christ will not cover one cherished sin. A man may be a law-breaker in heart; yet if he commits no outward act of transgression, he may be regarded by the world as possessing great integrity. But God's law looks into the secrets of the heart. Every act is judged by the motives that prompt it. Only that which is in accord with the principles of God's law will stand in the judgment.

God is love. He has shown that love in the gift of Christ. When "He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life," He withheld nothing from His purchased possession. (John 3:16.) He gave all heaven, from which we may draw strength and efficiency, that we be not repulsed or overcome by our great adversary. But the love of God does not lead Him to excuse sin. He did not excuse it in Satan; He did not excuse it in Adam or in Cain; nor will He excuse it in any other of the children of men. He will not connive at our sins or overlook our defects of character. He expects us to overcome in His name.

Those who reject the gift of Christ's righteousness are

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rejecting the attributes of character which would constitute them the sons and daughters of God. They are rejecting that which alone could give them a fitness for a place at the marriage feast.
In the parable, when the king inquired, "How camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" the man was speechless. So it will be in the great judgment day. Men may now excuse their defects of character, but in that day they will offer no excuse.

The professed churches of Christ in this generation are exalted to the highest privileges. The Lord has been revealed to us in ever-increasing light. Our privileges are far greater than were the privileges of God's ancient people. We have not only the great light committed to Israel, but we have the increased evidence of the great salvation brought to us through Christ. That which was type and symbol to the Jews is reality to us. They had the Old Testament history; we have that and the New Testament also. We have the assurance of a Saviour who has come, a Saviour who has been crucified, who has risen, and over the rent sepulcher of Joseph has proclaimed, "I am the resurrection and the life." In our knowledge of Christ and His love the kingdom of God is placed in the midst of us. Christ is revealed to us in sermons and chanted to us in songs. The spiritual banquet is set before us in rich abundance. The wedding garment, provided at infinite cost, is freely offered to every soul. By the messengers of God are presented to us the righteousness of Christ, justification by faith, the exceeding great and precious promises of God's word, free access to the Father by Christ, the comfort of the Spirit, the well-grounded assurance of eternal life in the kingdom of God. What could God do for us that He has not done in providing the great supper, the heavenly banquet?

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In heaven it is said by the ministering angels: The ministry which we have been commissioned to perform we have done. We pressed back the army of evil angels. We sent brightness and light into the souls of men, quickening their memory of the love of God expressed in Jesus. We attracted their eyes to the cross of Christ. Their hearts were deeply moved by a sense of the sin that crucified the Son of God. They were convicted. They saw the steps to be taken in conversion; they felt the power of the gospel; their hearts were made tender as they saw the sweetness of the love of God. They beheld the beauty of the character of Christ. But with the many it was all in vain. They would not surrender their own habits and character. They would not put off the garments of earth in order to be clothed with the robe of heaven. Their hearts were given to covetousness. They loved the associations of the world more than they loved their God.

Solemn will be the day of final decision. In prophetic vision the apostle John describes it: "I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Rev. 20:11, 12.

Sad will be the retrospect in that day when men stand face to face with eternity. The whole life will present itself just as it has been. The world's pleasures, riches, and honors will not then seem so important. Men will then see that the righteousness they despised is alone of value. They will see that they have fashioned their characters under the deceptive allurements of Satan. The garments they have chosen are the badge of their allegiance to the first great

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apostate. Then they will see the results of their choice. They will have a knowledge of what it means to transgress the commandments of God.
There will be no future probation in which to prepare for eternity. It is in this life that we are to put on the robe of Christ's righteousness. This is our only opportunity to form characters for the home which Christ has made ready for those who obey His commandments.

The days of our probation are fast closing. The end is near. To us the warning is given, "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." Luke 21:34. Beware lest it find you unready. Take heed lest you be found at the King's feast without a wedding garment.

"In such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." "Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." Matt. 24:44; Rev. 16:15.


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Christ's Object Lessons, E. G. W. , pp.307-319.

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