Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Missionary tabloid



Like the leaves of Autumn…..truth filled literature is being spread throughout the world proclaiming the soon coming of our Saviour. We have a work to do and we must do our part in sharing this message with every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people. One way in doing this is by scattering the everlasting gospel like the leaves of Autumn in printed form.

Steps to Life is working closely with Cornerstone Publishing to see that Earth's Final Warning is given by sending container loads of materials throughout the world. With our new capacity of up to 1 million tabloids and other materials in each container the word is getting out, being distributed by eager and faithful workers. Let us know if you would like to take part in this effort to reach the world with the Three Angels Message of Revelation 14:6-12.

Ongoing Projects Needs

Rapidly closing events demand that we ship around the world on a regular basis in order to reach the 7 billion people before Christ comes. To date we have shipped 148 containers to 58 countries in 18 languages with each container up to one million tabloids on board with the full gospel message having a phenomenal success rate. Our plan is to print 7 containers each printing event (up to 7 million copies) at a total cost of $125,000 and continue this on an ongoing basis until Jesus comes. We are looking for sponsors to cover the cost of 1 container at $18,000 but in view of the urgency of the times you may want to sponsor a full block of 7 containers at $125,000 in order to keep ahead of closing doors. You can select the countries of your choice and we will ship prepaid and even see that it is distributed. We especially welcome your prayers and if God places it on your heart - your small to large donations given commensurate to how He has blessed you. Christ has chosen you and I to take the final warning message to the world to prepare a people just before He comes.

Some of the countries shipped to in recent months have been: Argentina, Spain, Uruguay, Brazil, Hawaii, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Yemen, Togo, Cameroon, Mauritius Island, Central California, Nigeria, Colombia, Netherlands and Mexico. At an average cost under 2.5 cents per 4 to16 page periodical we can flood each country like the leaves of autumn like an invasion of well trained soldiers. Why not be part of this thrilling spiritual adventure which will fill the whole earth with the God's Glory. It will happen! Be part of it!

Your financial support and prayers would be most appreciated. If you would like to help with this project you may mark your donation for Missionary Tabloid Fund, payable either to Cornerstone Publications or to Steps to Life at the addresses listed below:

Cornerstone Publications


3249 A Old Baldy Mt. Rd.
Rice, WA 99167
(509) 722-3357



Steps to Life
PO Box 782828
Wichita, KS 67278
1-800-843-8788




Below you will find a map of the world showing where containers have been shipped and the number of containers sent to that country if more than one has been shipped to a country. Countries not listed or not colored in on the map are still needing to be reached.

Approximately 64,100,000 tabloids have been shipped worldwide.


Click Here to Read Earth's Final Warning (PDF)


Click Here to Read Behold He Cometh (PDF)


Click Here to Read Health of the Nations (PDF)



To read all PDF files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader



Source: http://www.stepstolife.org/html/missionary_tab.htm

..

Influence of the Printed Page


More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications.--Ev 693 (1885).

The results of the circulation of this book [The Great Controversy] are not to be judged by what now appears. By reading it some souls will be aroused and will have courage to unite themselves at once with those who keep the commandments of God. But a much larger number who read it will not take their position until they see the very events taking place that are foretold in it. The fulfillment of some of the predictions will inspire faith that others also will come to pass, and when the earth is lightened with the glory of the Lord in the closing work, many souls will take their position on the commandments of God as the result of this agency.--CM 128, 129 (1890).
.
In a large degree through our publishing houses is to be accomplished the work of that other angel who comes down from heaven with great power and who lightens the earth with his glory [Rev. 18:1].--7T 140 (1902).
.
.
Last Day Events, Ellen G. White, pp. 213-214.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Adventist Composes Opera With Mission 
in Mind

“Oh My Son” to debut in New York’s Carnegie Hall

BY JILL WALKER GONZALEZ


With the exception of great music, “Oh My Son,” an operatic tableau by Adventist composer Marcos Galvany, is an entirely different sort of opera: It tells the greatest story of our faith, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The work is due to premiere at New York’s Carnegie Hall on April 10, 2010. “Oh My Son” cast members are Valentina Fleer, soprano; Antonio Gandia, tenor; Javier Gonzalez, tenor; Meghan McCall, soprano; Matthew Osifchin, baritone; Karla Rivera, soprano; Adrian Rosas, bass-baritone; and Marie Te Hapuku, soprano. Accompanying the singers, under the baton of conductor Michael Rossi, will be a 100-voice choir and the New England Symphonic Ensemble.


OPERATIC TABLEAU: “Oh My Son,” an operatic tableau by Adventist composer Marcos Galvany, is due to premiere April 10, 2010, at Carnegie Hall in New York City.



Galvany, who is originally from Spain, 
came to 
the United States to attend Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Maryland, where he studied music. During his college days he spent much of his time touring with the New England Youth Ensemble (NEYE) in the United States and abroad. Galvany has lived in the Washington, D.C., area since 1996 and has continued touring with NEYE and attends the Takoma Park Seventh-day Adventist Church. Because of his music ministry, he visits and performs at many different Seventh-day Adventist churches in the United States.

With this work Galvany wishes to bring the humanity of the story to the forefront: “It’s not merely about telling the story again,” he says. “It’s about bringing the story to people, making it real and relatable. My vision is for individuals in the audience to see themselves as a mother; as a Jesus who is scared, but ready to be sacrificed; even as a Mary Magdalene.”

It is certainly Galvany’s hope that God will work through his craft, the craft of opera—the blending, as Galvany says, “of literature, art, music, and, in this case, the Message.” Galvany feels art is a powerful medium. “It breaks through culture, religion, and language.” That has been his goal in writing “Oh My Son”—to tell the story of the cross as it is in the Bible, bereft of religion and politics, so that it reaches the hearts of people who hunger for the truth.

As an operatic tableau, “Oh My Son” is essentially a series of scenes from the life of Christ, scenes inspired by the images paraded through Galvany’s childhood hometown of Crevillente every Easter as he was growing up in Spain. “During the parade my mother told me the Bible story behind each image,” he recalls. “This was my first spiritual meal.”

Born into a Roman Catholic home, Galvany became a Seventh-day Adventist as a child when his family was introduced to the Adventist message by a neighbor. Though the scenes of his operatic tableau were inspired by the works of art in the processionals of his hometown, it was the gospel story of the cross itself—as presented in the Bible and as told to him by his mother—that inspired him the most.

The story of Jesus Christ stayed with him from childhood to adulthood. In fact, the operatic work originated with a single song (“Oh My Son”) that Galvany composed when he was 17 years old. Since then the larger operatic tableau has been a labor of love; something he has been working at on and off for many years, the last two years almost exclusively.

How does Galvany feel to see his dream of years coming to fruition? “Anxious, scared, overwhelmed,” he says. “The only thing that calms me down is praying.” Galvany, after all, not only composed the work; he’s also been its producer, lyricist, fund-raiser, business manager, designer, and organizer.

Recently Galvany has been blessed with a team of volunteers who, along with the singers, have stepped in to support the work. Together they have tirelessly promoted “Oh My Son.” Performances of the work, or selections from it, have already taken place at the residence of the ambassador of Chile, the United States Department of State, and various churches in the Washington, D.C., area.

The premiere of “Oh My Son” on April 10 may seem like the culmination of many years of effort, but Galvany hopes that Carnegie Hall is only the beginning. His dreams for the work are bigger than that. “I want this work to be done in every country,” he says, “in every language. This, for me, is mission.”

..

Source: http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=3243

.

Adventist Pastor Speaks for Community Palm Sunday Service

4/22/10

DUNLAP, TENN—Local congregations from the Dunlap, Tenn., fellowship of churches met together March 28 for a Palm Sunday service at the Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church located on highway 28. David Ryder, pastor of the Dunlap Seventh-day Adventist Church, was the speaker for the evening. He chose the gospel of Matthew and the prophecy of Daniel 9 to show that Jesus, the Messiah, came, ministered, and died right on time.

Dan Raines, pastor of the Church of God on highway 28 called for the offering. Over $500 was collected for the express purpose of helping local people in need with their utility bills.

“This was a wonderful service,” said Charlie Rawlins, pastor of Covenant Fellowship Center and president of the fellowship of churches board.

Submitted by Dan Miller
.
.
Source: http://www.gccsda.com/?option=com_content&task=view&id=2928
.
Note: Bolds and Highlights added.
.

Creation Seventh Day Adventist Church members protest court order

by Jebb Johnston
2 months ago


John Orman with Nickels Signs & Graphics paints over what remains of the white lettering of the name of Creation Seventh Day Adventist Church in accordance with a court order.
.
.
GUYS, Tenn. — Members of Creation Seventh Day Adventist Church watched Tuesday as a sign company stripped the letters spelling the name of the church from their building just across the state line on Old Highway 45 in Guys, Tenn.

Under the supervision of a constable, the sign company removed all signage from the old gas station-style canopy and then used spray paint to cover what remained. Religious materials were also confiscated, and several church members stood by holding signs of protest.

It all stems from a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church against the Guys congregation which resulted in an injunction barring the church from using the Seventh-day Adventist name. The Creation Seventh Day Adventist Church formed 19 years ago and has been at its Guys location for about eight years.

The church members feel they are victims of religious persecution.

“For us, it’s a matter of religion and conviction to use the name,” said Lucan Chartier, assistant pastor. “For Seventh-day Adventists, that name, using it is actually part of the religion. Both we and the church that is suing us believes that.”

In 1991, the Creation church notified the Seventh-day Adventist Church of its formation, its name and reasons for separating, according to Chartier.

“After 20 years, they finally decided to go after us,” he said.

Chartier said the larger church’s similar action against other churches prompted the formation of the Creation Seventh Day Adventist Church. He said the church used the trademark of the name to “try and shut out any religion that resembles theirs from using that name. We couldn’t be members of a church that was doing that. We couldn’t give our tithes and support to an organization that we thought was forcing people to violate their conscience.”

The churches have some doctrinal differences. Prominent among them is the Creation church’s belief in complete separation of church and state — an area where the trademark issue comes into play.

The plaintiff in the case is the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The defendant is pastor Walter McGill, who church members said is in Africa doing mission work.

Court documents show the plaintiffs filed a motion for sanctions and permanent injunctive relief after the defendant “displayed an unwillingness to appear at several court-ordered mediation conferences.” A magistrate judge concurred.

McGill has since been found in civil contempt stemming from the continued use of websites, signs and promotional materials that violate the injunction.

“They are trying to get an arrest warrant for him as soon as he comes back into the U.S.,” said Chartier. “They are trying to get him extradited. They basically are trying to get all information on bank accounts, our websites, anyone who may be in any way associated with this church, preaching its message in any capacity, and locking them down. So people are at this point either leaving the country or preparing to go to jail.”

It is unclear what comes next for the church, which has had a congregation of 10 to 15.

“There’s really nobody that has been attending for the last few weeks,” said Chartier. “We’re pretty scattered at this point.”

But they are keeping in touch, and he believes they will have a future.

The defendant has been ordered to pay attorney’s fees and costs of $35,567 to the plaintiff.

“Obviously, we can’t afford that,” said Chartier.

Beyond the trademark question, he would like to see a court address whether the larger church’s trademark is constitutional.

Signs and materials were also removed Tuesday from a free community counseling center the church operated in Corinth.
.
.
.
.
Note: Bolds and Highlights added.
.

But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers



1 Corinthians 6


1Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

2Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

3Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

4If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

5I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

6But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

7Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

8Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

12All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

13Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

15Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.


King James Version (KJV)
.
.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Is 6 enough?


We never know...stay tuned...
.
.

Can we have our cake and eat it too?



Wednesday, March 31, 2010


Over the last few months I have had conversations with a number of parents along a recurring theme. The sentiments of the conversations go something like this. “You know that my child is about the only Adventist in his/her class and I’m not happy with the influence the others are having on him/her.”

Most Adventist school leaders know that over the last 10 years we have experienced a huge demographic change within our classrooms. Where once the class was made up mainly of Adventist students many are now made up of up to 80% and beyond of non-Adventist students. And we know also that the change was not because of a refocus on mission. It is true we are trying to trumpet that song now, but a number of years ago what was driving the change was economic rationalism, and in some schools it still is. Simply put, if we did not open up our schools to non-Adventist student enrolments we would no longer be able to offer Adventist education. There would be no Adventist education system.

I notice too, a growing unease in some quarters of our church membership who are also wondering if we have lost the plot in having so many non-Adventist students in our schools, especially at the spiritual cost of our own children.

So the question, Can we have our cake and eat it too?

I believe we can, based on a couple of conditions.

Condition 1 As a school and school system we must empower our parents to view the growth of non-Adventist students in our schools as an opportunity to provide an authentic setting for the sharing of our lifestyle and beliefs. Many are yet to see that a challenge to our values and beliefs presents a golden opportunity to sit together and work through the issues explaining why we believe and practice what we do. It is not easy, but it has to be done. It is a change of paradigm.

Condition 2 As a school and school system, we must keep our churches appraised of our changing demographics and engage their support. If our message is the ‘truth’ and if our lifestyle is so great, then why do so many of our churches refuse to be involved with our non-Adventist families and be prepared to draw them into our fellowship? There is a lot more that we as a school system need to do to bring about this change in attitude.

As schools, we need to support our Adventist parents a lot more than we do. Ongoing dialogue would be a good place to begin. But opportunity for action needs to follow with a proactive stance being taken to ensure that the Adventists are being supported and to be seen as winning the battle rather than losing it and their children as well.

A Close Shave Indeed
From time to time life can throw us a real reminder that we are so vulnerable. Len Farquarson was riding his bicycle on the F freeway last Sabbath and was hit from behind by a driver who had suffered a micro-sleep. Apart from a few broken bones and much soreness Len is fine. But another couple of centimetres over and the outcome could well have been devastating both to his family and to Avondale School community where he is head of Primary. Our prayers are with you Len for a speedy recovery.

Not so lucky was Richard Laws who last Wednesday was killed on the M7 motorway when he pulled over to answer his phone. A heavy truck ran into the back of his car and subsequently rolled. Richard was working for Sanitarium. His two girls were past pupils of Hills Adventist College, so please spare a thought for them and the school staff tomorrow as the funeral is held.

When death comes suddenly and closely, and when we listen to the news and where this old world is heading, it makes me wish Jesus would come sooner rather than later.

May each of your staff and pupils sense the urgency of the battle we are in and be empowered to live victoriously and in a way that will attract even more pupils and families into a saving relationship with Jesus.

God bless your efforts.

Ken Weslake,
Associate Director, Education South Pacific Division, SDA Church

News about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.

Posted by Ken Weslake at 8:33 AM

.

.

Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?



Acts 19
1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

7And all the men were about twelve.

8And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

9But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

10And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

11And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

13Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

15And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

16And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

18And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

19Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

21After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

22So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

23And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

25Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

26Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

27So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

28And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

29And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

30And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

31And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

32Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

33And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

34But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

35And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

36Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

37For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

38Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

39But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

40For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

41And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.



King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
.

Promote Healthful Living


I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom. 12:1.


It is impossible for a man to present his body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, while continuing to indulge habits that are depriving him of physical, mental, and moral vigor. Again the apostle says, "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Rom. 12:2.

We are in a world that is opposed to righteousness or purity of character, and especially to growth in grace. Wherever we look, we see defilement and corruption, deformity and sin. How opposed is all this to the work that must be accomplished in us just previous to receiving the gift of immortality! God's elect must stand untainted amid the corruptions teeming around them in these last days. Their bodies must be made holy, their spirits pure. If this work is to be accomplished, it must be undertaken at once, earnestly and understandingly. The Spirit of God should have perfect control, influencing every action.

The health reform is one branch of the great work which is to fit a people for the coming of the Lord. . . . Men and women cannot violate natural law by indulging depraved appetites and lustful passions, without violating the law of God. Therefore He has permitted the light of health reform to shine upon us, that we may realize the sinfulness of breaking the laws which He has established in our very being. . . .

To make natural law plain, and to urge obedience to it, is a work that accompanies the third angel's message. . . . He [God] designs that the subject shall be agitated, and the public mind deeply stirred to investigate it; for it is impossible for men and women, while under the power of sinful, health-destroying, brain-enervating habits, to appreciate sacred truth. . . .

He who cherishes the light which God has given him upon health reform, has an important aid in the work of becoming sanctified through the truth, and fitted for immortality.

.

Maranatha, p.119.
.

Modern Day Pilgrims and Puritans



It's my opinion that a situation exists today in America simiilar to the conditions in colonial New England. Back then, there were Pilgrim settlers and Puritan settlers on the coast of present day Massachusetts. These two groups differed fundamentally in that the Pilgrims (also called Separatists) separated themselves from the Church of England to worship The Almighty God as they were led by the Holy Spirit through prayer and study of the Holy Bible; On the other hand the Puritans remained within the Corporate Body of the Church of England, and attempted to 'reform' that denomination from within its structure. The Pilgrims saw the futility in undertaking such a task, and readily 'extracted' their participation from an apostate church. During the same period the Puritans (who quickly followed the Pilgrims sojourn) enthusiastically defended the Anglican Church's sovereignty, even in the newly 'acquired' colonial territories. The Puritans saw themselves as the defenders of the Faith. While the Pilgrims sought to dedicate their efforts to worship their Creator in spirit and in truth without involving themselves in clerical matters.
.
My comparison does not refer to the doctrines the two groups espoused, or how they relate to modern Christian beliefs, But rather to their approach to livng a 'religious' lifestyle and their relationship to the 'world' .

There are two similar forces in christian churches today. There is a group similar to the Pilgrims of yesteryear who refuse to participate in an Ecumenical Corporate Structure that is genetically a clone, and also a member of the New Age organizations NCC and WCC; A Corporate Body that may own a copyright (Registered Trademark) of (on) its name.

The modern day Pilgrims separate themselves from these generic churches which are indistinguishable one from the other, since they believe the time has arrived for a millennium of peace and security. Had they read their Bibles prayerfully they would have discerned that it's time for the second coming of Jesuschrist to bring judgement to a rebellious and sinful world. To bring judgement and destruction to the evil doers; Not peace and security! Also, to save and remove His faithful servants from this corrupt environment.
.
The Puritans of today are busy planting churches on every corner, and organizing volunteer programs to help Haiti, to help the elderly, and to feed the needy. Yet, their sermons are devoid of any redeeming truths. This social gospel is not Biblical. They lie about there awaiting mankind decades of hope and prosperity; When the signs clearly point towards a time of unprecedented destruction and chaos. Had they read their Bibles, instead of People Magazine, they would have known that Jesus is at the threshold. The Puritan's counterpart now are as lost and confused as their namesakes were 400 years ago; Since the purpose of the Lord for a Church and a faithful people are not to defend corporations, societies, real estate property, or fallible men; But, rather to be the salt of the earth. To represent the Almighty God, to love, and to worship only Him with all your might. To prepare a people for the great day of the Lord. Never has it been the purpose of God to have a group of politicians using His name to further their sinful goals, and goad others to do likewise (conform).
The Puritans and the Pilgrims are alive today.


Which group are you in?
Are you in the group that wants to "fix" the church, the USA, the world?

Or, are you instead in the group that is reforming themselves and preparing others for the soon triumphant return of the Lord?


The Pilgrims and the Puritans are back!
Arsenio..

Thursday, April 22, 2010

The New England Colonies


Depicting the Pilgrims as they leave Holland for new shores, "The Embarkation of the Pilgrims" can be found on the reverse of a $10,000 bill. Too bad the bill has not been printed since 1946.


The founders of the New England colonies had an entirely different mission from the Jamestown settlers. Although economic prosperity was still a goal of the New England settlers, their true goal was spiritual. Fed up with the ceremonial Church of England, Pilgrims and Puritans sought to recreate society in the manner they believed God truly intended it to be designed.

Religious strife reached a peak in England in the 1500s. When Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church of Rome, spiritual life in England was turned on its ear. The new church under the king's leadership was approved by the English Parliament, but not all the people in England were willing to accept the Church of England. At first, the battles were waged between English Catholics and the followers of the new Church — the Anglicans. The rule of Queen Elizabeth brought an end to bloodshed, but the battle waged on in the hearts of the English people.

The Pilgrims, called the Separatists in England because of their desire to separate from the Anglican Church, were persecuted by agents of the throne.

The Puritans, so named for their desire to purify the Church of England, experienced the same degree of harassment.
Pilgrims and Puritans both believed in the teachings of John Calvin. According to Calvin, neither the teachings of the Catholic nor the Anglican Churches addressed God's will. By the end of Elizabeth's reign, England was a nation of many different faiths.




John Winthrop was a spiritual and political leader of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was elected governor of the colony in 1629.







The Stuart family, who ascended to the throne after the demise of Elizabeth, made matters worse for the followers of John Calvin. King James and his son Charles supported the Church of England, but secretly admired the ceremonies of the Catholic Church. To these kings, Calvin was a heretic, a man whose soul was doomed for his religious views.

The Pilgrims, called the Separatists in England because of their desire to separate from the Anglican Church, were persecuted by agents of the throne. The Puritans, so named for their desire to purify the Church of England, experienced the same degree of harassment. By the second and third decades of the 1600s, each group decided that England was no place to put their controversial beliefs into practice.





This map, the work of William Hubbard, depicts the expanding New England colonies as they were in 1677.






Where else but in the New World could such a golden opportunity be found? The land was unspoiled. Children could be raised without the corruption of old English religious ideas. The chance to create a perfect society was there for the taking. The Stuart kings saw America a means to get rid of troublemakers. Everything was falling into place.

By 1620, the seeds for a new society, quite different from the one already established at Jamestown, were planted deeply within the souls of a few brave pioneers. Their quest would form the basis of New England society.


Source: http://www.ushistory.org/us/3.asp
.

The Pilgrims and Puritans

For most Americans, the Thanksgiving holiday will be spent doing something other than pondering history. Even I will be watching the Packers beat play the Lions in an artificial war waged by men far more durable than I. Later in the day however, I will spend time talking with my family about the courageous group of Pilgrims that landed in a region which has largely forgotten God in our day. They were Puritans you say? Well yes and no. They had the same beliefs and origins, and because of that we sometimes inaccurately called them Puritans. But they were actually another group of people categorized as Separatists; the ones who came here we also call The Pilgrims. The Puritans soon after lived in the colony right next door. One thing is for sure, the Boston and Plymouth colonies were both filled with durable people, and they had so very much in common. But one group being Puritans and the other being Separatists, they also had their differences. This page on aPuritansMind.com has an excellent morsel of church history for you to feast on. It's a five minute overview of the differences and similarities between the Puritans and Pilgrims, taking you all the way back to their Reformation roots. Enjoy the read, and enjoy the day, being thankful for what the Lord has accomplished through them, to the glory of the almighty God. ...




Total Reformation for the Glory of God

by Samuel T. Logan. Jr.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What's the difference between the Pilgrims and the Puritans? Are they all the same folks? When did the two groups first form? And why did they emerge as distinct religious groups?

Excellent questions, every one!

In answering all of the above questions, the year 1517 was especially crucial.

Most know one reason for this-in October of 1517, Martin Luther nailed his theological theses (declarations) to the castle door in Wittenberg, Germany. But 1517 is a crucial year for another reason as well, for in that year, in Boston, England, at a site where now stands an English pub called Martha's Vineyard, John Foxe was born. To anticipate just a bit, John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress, once said that something John Foxe did, more than any other human action, caused the rise and the flourishing of Puritanism.

by 1526, regular (rather subversive) theological discussions were being conducted in the White Horse Tavern in Cambridge. Participants included such future luminaries as Thomas Bilney, Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer. Every one of the four was later martyred.

In the meantime, in the late 1520's and early 1530's Henry VIII was experiencing matrimonial and political difficulties such that, in 1533, he insisted that the Convocation of Canterbury declare his marriage to Catherine of Aragon annulled. In the next year, Henry had the English Parliament declare him the Supreme Head of the Church in England, thus severing all ties with the Roman Church.

While Henry had no particular desire to "reform" the theology of the church, those who had been meeting at the White Horse (and many of their colleagues and supporters) saw this as an opportunity "of the Lord." Perhaps now the Scriptures alone could genuinely become the foundation of the church and the nation.

Such hopes found little royal support during Henry's lifetime, but, when the King died in 1547, his nine-year-old son Edward officially assumed the throne, ruling primarily through regents, both of whom (first the Duke of Somerset and then the Duke of Northumberland) had more sympathy for the vision which had illuminated those White Horse discussions. The push for the purification of the church and the state gained great momentum in England between 1547 and Edward's death in 1553.

But the next Tudor on the throne was Mary Tudor, better known to later generations as "Bloody Mary." Mary wanted nothing more than to return "her" country to the Roman Catholic fold, no matter the cost.

Between 1553 and 1558, Protestant exiles flooded Europe, hoping to escape Mary's sword by gathering in such Protestant bastions as Geneva and Frankfurt. To the latter came the 38-year-old John Foxe. Foxe developed a powerful vision of what England could be, if only God's Word were fully and faithfully followed.

Mary's death in 1558 and the accession to the English throne of Mary's Protestant sister Elizabeth reversed the earlier tide and sent Englishmen and Englishwomen home in droves. The seed which became Puritanism received a full shot of theological fertilizer from the pen of John Foxe.

During Mary's reign, hundreds had died for their faith. Would the people of England honor those deaths by seizing the marvelous opportunity the Lord had given England by removing Mary and replacing her with Elizabeth?

Would the people of England now insist that their church and their state be completely purified of all non-biblical elements so that both institutions (and all the people therein) might bring singular honor to the Lord God of Scripture?

These were the questions asked in Foxe's monumental work which we know as The Book of Martyrs. First published in 1563 Foxe's work was an intense account of the pain suffered by the Marian martyrs and a clarion call to bring both the nation and the church of England into full conformity to the Word of God.

Many of those who shared the dream which had been nurtured at the White Horse Tavern now seized upon Foxe's expression of God's expectations of His people and insisted, with ever-increasing fervor, that both their royal and their ecclesiastical leaders direct all English affairs sola Scriptura, according to the Scriptures alone.

Queen Elizabeth I, however, saw things differently. Her vision was of political stability and order. Elizabeth had no interest in any kind of extremism, especially the kind of religious extremism which the theological heirs of those White Horse discussants seemed to her to represent.

England (including the English church) should, in this Elizabethan view, be broad and inclusive and should base its life on tradition and reason as well as on the teachings of Scripture.

So, by 1570, there had developed in England two parties- 1) those who favored this more rationalistic understanding of church and state, and 2) those who continued to insist that further purification of those two entities was required by Scripture and that England must now seize the spiritual opportunity so brilliantly described by John Foxe. And it was in the midst of this controversy that the term "puritan" began to be regularly used by the first group as a derisive epithet of attack upon the second group.

The 1570's saw the intensification of this conflict with little "progress," at least from the standpoint of the Puritan party. In fact, with the dismissal of Thomas Cartwright from his teaching position at Cambridge for promulgating the heresy of Presbyterianism, it appeared to some Puritans that the cause was being lost and this perception led to the first major split within the Puritan party.

As the Puritan impulse might be primarily associated with (though it actually preceded) Foxe's Book of Martyrs, so the "Pilgrim" ethos might be traced appropriately to Robert Browne's book, Reformation Without Tarrying for Anie, first published in 1580. Browne might be called a disillusioned Puritan. He shared the vision which informed Foxe's work, but after more than a decade of seeking revival within the English church, he came to the conclusion that it just wasn't going to happen. Browne "separated from" the English church and, with the like-minded Robert Harrison, started his own congregation in Norwich in 1581.

Thus was formed the "Separatist" movement, a movement which later produced suchleaders as John Smyth (whom some regard as the father of English Baptists), John Robinson, William Brewster, and William Bradford. The latter three were directly involved in that group of Separatists which, in 1608, left England for the Netherlands, and then later decided to emigrate to the New World, landing at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620.

Many (probably most) Puritans chose to remain within the English church working for reform, and it was from this group that a much larger group of emigrants left from England for New England in the late 1620's, establishing their colony at Massachusetts Bay.

The Boston and Plymouth colonies were distinct political and religious entities (at least until the English government combined them in the late 1680's) and, while relations between them were generally friendly, members of both groups were crystal clear on the differences between them.

"Puritans" wanted to remain as part of the English establishment, working for biblical reform from within. Even as they emigrated to New England, they affirmed their "Englishness" and saw the main purpose of their new colony as being that of a biblical witness, a "city on a hill" which would set an example of biblical righteousness in church and state for Old England and the entire world to see. As deeply committed covenant theologians, they emphasized especially strongly the corporate righteousness of their entire community before God.

"Pilgrims" wanted to achieve "reformation without tarrying," even if it meant separating from their church and their nation. While they continued to think of themselves as English, their emphasis was on their new political identity and spiritual identity. Because of their passionate commitment to the necessity of reformation immediate and without compromise, they emphasized especially strongly individual righteousness before God.

What united Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth, what united both Puritans and Pilgrims was far more significant than what distinguished them. All children of the Reformation, they knew that salvation was by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. And they knew this because they took, as their authority, Scripture alone.

They all knew that to God alone must be the glory and, in their different ways, they sought to bring every thought and every action-religious, political, social-captive to the Lordship of Jesus.

Could there be any more important goal for American Christians today?


Reprinted from Tabletalk magazine, vol. 20, no. 11, November 1996, with permission of Ligonier Ministries, P.O. Box 547500 Orlando, Florida 32854 1-800-435-4343.


[Dr. Logan is President of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pa. where he teaches church history.]


Source: http://www.puritansermons.com/banner/logan1.htm
.

Daniel Estulin on Bilderberg 2009

http://

corbettreport — May 16, 2009 — Veteran Bilderberg researcher Daniel Estulin joins The Corbett Report to discuss this year's Bilderberg conference. Download the entire interview from The Corbett Report homepage:http://www.corbettreport.com

.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

David Rockefeller speaks about population control

http://

An Assault on Salt (Salt too?)


Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men... Matthew 5:13-16


The FDA is preparing to pass laws to regulate the use of table salt.

What an invasion of privacy?

I you don't mind; I'll curve my own consumption of salt without you having to legislate a reduction of salt use.

As I look around I see headlines about the latest intrusion into the privacy of American citizens; The government wants to legislate what you eat, and at the same time tell you that taboo behavior is just an alternative lifestyle. This reminds me of the scripture where Jesus speaks of noticing faults in others: Luke 6:42.

Personally I believe it to be hypocrisy of the worst kind when you attempt to influence even minute aspects of a person's personal life, even when it's not government's prerogative to impose its desire on its constituency. School lunches are one thing; Or, that Mayor Bloomberg wants New York City restaurants to cut down on fats. But, the "Federal Government" infringing on what people eat? What to eat, and what not to eat? That's yours and my choice, not a government employee's business. This is tyranny in the most picayune manner. What a waste of salaries and misuse of politics?

I'm too busy trying to keep eggs and milk out of my food, thank you! They seem to put those two toxic ingredients in every type of processed food you can buy at the marketplace. I remember these two ingredients are fundamental in the famous food pyramid. Thanks, but, no thanks, I prefer not to eat Egyptian food. I wear my reading glasses (to spot the presence of these animal bi-products) when I shop for food since eggs and milk are so plentiful, and producers are so willing to hide it in bread, cookies, crackers, pasta, vegetable soups, powdered mixes, etc.

If you don't mind, I'll keep my salt; And you can you can keep your milk, eggs, plus your hamburger, shrimps, live Maine lobsters, chuck roasts, pork butts, bacon, Hagen Daz Ice Cream, deluxe frozen pizzas, chocolate, your cigars, cigarettes, Budweiser beers, Riunite wine, Jack Daniels Bourbon, and your lottery tickets. I know what's best for my body. You and your AMA, FDA, CDC, and FEMA, surely are lost without a clue and can't tell me what to eat, or do. Start by checking your diets, before you want to legislate my use of salt. By the way, keep your Starbuck's Triple Mocha Frapaccino, too! I can wake up every morning and function real serene without the need of using caffeine.

I'm not trying to be pugnacious, but, when you want to take a salt shaker out of a man's hand; Where do you draw the line?

You don't have to let go my eggo, keep it! Just leave my salt shaker alone!


Arsenio.


Here's what I'm talking about:



FDA considers salt regulation
CNN Video

Setting Legal Limits on Salt
ABC News Video

Hold the Salt: Laws to Control Food?
ABC News Video

FDA Wants Fla. Lab to Stop Making Animal Drugs
AP Video
Examples Of High Sodium Levels
Red Lobster Admiral's Feast (fried seafood): 4,400 mg Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana: 3,380 mg Denny's Moons Over My Hammy (scrambled egg sandwich with ham and cheese, hash browns): 2,580 mg McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder with cheese,…
WSB-TV Atlanta
·
14 hours ago
Examples of sodium levels found in some popular foods
·
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Examples of sodium levels in some foods
·
BusinessWeek
More on this story
Oregonian
New study urges FDA to help Americans reduce their salt ...
... foods, including restaurant meals, to reduce Americans’ risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, the report says. Dietary guidelines call for adults to consume about 2,300 milligrams of sodium ... salt, said Jane Henney,…
Cincinnati.com
·
20 hours ago
Enact rules to reduce salt in food, report urges
·
HeraldNet
Report calls for mandatory reduction of salt in food
·
Pioneer Press
More on this story
Med India
General Mills says it'll cut sodium
General Mills said it will cut the amount of sodium by 20 percent in a number of its cereals, soups, snacks and other products by 2015. General Mills, which makes foods such as Cheerios and Progresso soup, is the latest of several major…
Pioneer Press
·
4/14/2010
General Mills to cut sodium in some products
·
BusinessWeek
General Mills to Further Reduce Sodium
·
FLEXNEWS
More on this story
Research and Markets: Sodium borohydride (CAS 16940-66 ...
... 16940-66-2) Market Research Report 2009 : " report to their offering. The study Sodium borohydride (CAS 16940-66-2) presents an overview of the Sodium borohydride market globally and regionally by contemplating and analyzing its…
PR Inside
·
4/12/2010
Research and Markets: Sodium borohydride (CAS 16940-66-2)…
·
PR Inside
Research and Markets: Nitroguanidine (CAS 556-88-7 ...
·
Forbes
More on this story
Local Experts Say Cut The Sodium
AMARILLO, TEXAS - Thousands of people in our area become new heart patients every year. To prevent yourself from becoming one of them, a possible solution is gaining national attention. The Cardiology Center of Amarillo alone sees 5,000 new…
KFDA
·
45 minutes ago
Bumble Bee Foods(R) Announces Completion of First Phase ...
Bumble Bee albacore products will now contain 140mg of sodium or less per serving?a reduction of 44 percent from average sodium levels of 250mg in 2008. Light meat tuna by the brand has been reduced to 180mg per serving. The company was…
Earthtimes (press release)
·
1 hour ago
Sodium Bicarbonate
I have read that ingesting before racing can help by buffering the acid production during intense effort. I'm intrigued as to whether it actually works or not...? I presume its added to a drink an hour or so before a race
BikeRadar.com
·
51 minutes ago
IOM Report Urges FDA to Set Standards for Sodium ...
With 32 percent of U.S. adults combating hypertension -- and another one-third of the adult population dealing with prehypertension -- the Institute of Medicine, or IOM, is calling on the FDA to set mandatory national standards for the…
American Family Physician
·
2 hours ago
Salt shake up: UC Davis scientists oppose reducing sodium…
The Institute of Medicine issued an official report claiming that Americans consume too much salt, and urged that new government standards be established for "acceptable sodium content" in foods. However, two UC Davis nutrition experts…
Woodland Daily Democrat
·
58 minutes ago

.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Senate To Consider Sex Offender "No Loiter" Zones



Apr 16, 2010 12:12 pm US/Eastern






TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) ― Florida sex offenders already have a difficult time finding a place to live, due to laws that exclude them from living within a specified distance of places children congregate. Now, he Florida Senate will consider a bill that would ban registered sex offenders from being found within 300 feet of such places.

The Florida House unanimously passed legislation Thursday that would bar offenders from coming within 300 feet of schools, day care centers, parks and playgrounds. The bill now heads to the Senate.

The bill (HB 119) would make it a first-degree misdemeanor for registered sex offenders to violate the 300-foot, 24-hour no-loitering zones.

The bill also makes other attempts to keep sex offenders from coming into contact with children. One provision would prohibit sex offenders from wearing Santa Claus suits or other costumes attractive to children.

The bill would also prevent the state from labeling someone a sex offender for having consensual relations with a minor if there was less than a four-year age difference between perpetrator and victim.
.
.
Source: http://cbs4.com/local/Florida.House.bill.2.1637114.html
.

P.S. Now if they will only pass a law prohibiting child sexual predators and pederasts from wearing priest costumes; If they will only pass a law that prohibits pedophiles from "using" altar and choir boys...
Arsenio.
.

In memory of April's fallen


Monday, April 19, 2010
< Previous

Next >
1 of 6 images
Waco Oklahoma City Columbine High School Virginia Tech

The tragedies of Waco, Oklahoma City, Columbine High School and Virginia Tech are etched into the hearts and memories of many. Two of these heinous acts happened on the same day, in a different year. As the anniversaries approach, we take a moment to remember the victims and honor the heroes.


.
.
.
.
P.S. On another note, Cardinal Ratzinger was "elevated" to pope 5 years ago, today!
Happy anniversary Imperatore germano-romano. Happy dodging the suits!
..

"Nobody here, but us chickens" Preaching


Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Proverbs 29:18


Recently, I have noticed that their is a uniformity in preaching styles in what was formerly called "Protestant" churches. It's as if all the church's pastors are preaching form the same "guideline"; They are using the same format: Jesus is Love (and he wants you to be happy). This is no accident; It's a manifestation of the triumph of the Catholic agenda begun during Vatican II proceedings. During that prolonged event the holy see attempted to lay out a subtle plan to infiltrate and neutralize all Reformed Protestant Christian churches by promoting a concentration on vague similarities of all those churches; while discarding all doctrines founded on the Holy Scriptures. The blind are leading the blind...
Henceforth we find the namby-pamby, wishy-washy, ecumenical, counterfeit that passes for sermons, so popular today.
.

The pulpit is nowhere to hide! It's no place for shenanigans, either.
Stop the silly: Nobody here, but us chickens sermons!
All those years of theology must have taught you that the Lord is coming very soon. .


In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, such a work as that of John is to be done. God calls for men who will prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. . . . As a people who believe in Christ's soon appearing, we have a message to bear--"Prepare to meet thy God." Amos 4:12. Our message must be as direct as was the message of John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity. Notwithstanding that his life was imperiled, he did not hesitate to declare God's word. And our work in this age must be done as faithfully.


Maranatha, p.116, E. G. White..
..

If it is not followed by a thus saith the Lord; it's not needed at a time such as this.

Let's get back on the script...The Holy Scriptures...The books of Revelation and Daniel, for example..


Arsenio.
..

Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand


Matthew 3



1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

10And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.


King James Version (KJV)

.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Air France, Lufthansa Test Flights as Ban Is Extended (Update3)



By Gregory Viscusi and Omar R. Valdimarsson


April 18 (Bloomberg) -- Air France-KLM Group and Deutsche Lufthansa AG were among carriers saying they managed to fly aircraft without suffering damage as governments across Europe extended a flight ban after Iceland’s volcanic eruption last week caused the grounding of 63,000 flights.

Air France’s KLM Dutch unit operated nine test flights after a technical inspection following one late yesterday in Dutch airspace revealed that the quality of the atmosphere is “in order.” Air France said its engineers found no visual impact on a test flight from Paris to Toulouse. Lufthansa sent 10 aircraft from Munich to Frankfurt to reposition its fleet yesterday. All arrived safely.

“We asked the Frankfurt crew to check any damage with the aircraft and the windows,” Wolfgang Weber, a spokesman at Lufthansa, Europe’s second-largest carrier, said in a telephone interview. “There wasn’t even the smallest scratch.”

About 17 percent of 24,000 flights that usually cross Europe’s airspace on a Sunday will fly today as airports from Dublin to Moscow are closed, according to Eurocontrol. While the Brussels-based group forecasts as much as half of Europe’s airspace may be “risk free” tomorrow, U.K. Transport Minister Andrew Adonis said in televised comments that flights across northern Europe won’t be safe in the next 24 hours, citing advice given by the country’s Met Office.

Air Berlin, BA

Volcanic ash can cause jet engines to fail by melting and then congealing in the turbines. Test flights so far have shown no dangerous particles in European airspace following the eruption, according to airline executives.

Flights were grounded after April 14 when an eruption at the 1,666-meter (5,466-foot) Eyjafjallajökull volcano spewed dust across Europe’s airspace. The disruptions are costing carriers $200 million a day, the International Air Transport Association said.

Air Berlin Plc ran two test flights yesterday from Munich to Dusseldorf and from Nuremberg to Hamburg without problems, flying at the permitted 3,000 meters, the carrier said in a statement.

“We’re puzzled why the results of the Lufthansa and Air Berlin test flights had no influence on safety authorities’ decision criteria,” Air Berlin CEO Joachim Hunold said.

British Airways Plc, Europe’s third-largest carrier, said it operating a test flight today from Heathrow Airport to assess the quality of U.K. airspace. The carrier has canceled all flights to and from London through tomorrow.

Assess the Impact

The European Commission said it will set up a group to assess the impact of the ash cloud on the travel industry and the economy. Spain called a video conference for European Union transport ministers tomorrow to discuss emergency plans.

U.K. airspace will remain restricted until at least 7 p.m. local time tomorrow, the country’s flight-control authority, National Air Traffic Services, said.

“Conditions around the movement of the layers of the volcanic ash cloud over the U.K remain dynamic,” NATS said in a statement. “NATS is maintaining close dialogue with the Met Office and with the U.K.’s safety regulator, the CAA, in respect of the international civil aviation policy we follow in applying restrictions to use of airspace.”

In Norway, the airspace north of Bergen airport until Berlevag was re-opened, air controller Avinor said on its Web site. The airspace over southern Norway may be cleared in the next six to 12 hours, Avinor said.

Sweden opened the air space north of Soderhamn, including Kiruna airport, according to the LFV flight controller. The rest of the air space remains shut, it said.

Italy Reopens Tomorrow

Italy will reopen all its airspace at 7 a.m. tomorrow after conditions in the north of the country improved, ENAC, the nation’s civil aviation authority, said.

Germany’s DFS flight safety authority eased a ban at some airports today. Still, all the country’s airports will shut again by 8 p.m., with Berlin-Tegel and Berlin-Schoenefeld closing at 10 p.m., a spokeswoman at the agency said. The closings will remain until at least 2 a.m. tomorrow.
France’s civil aviation authority banned flying in the previously unaffected south of the country today. French airspace and all airports in the country will remain closed until at least 8 a.m. tomorrow.

Spain, Greece, Turkey

Airspace in northern Spain was also shut. Rome, Madrid, Athens and Istanbul were the only major European airports still in operation.

The Netherlands extended the closure of its airspace until 8 p.m. local time, and Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is closed until at least that time.

“We hope to receive permission as soon as possible after that to start up our operation and to transport our passengers to their destinations,” KLM Chief Executive Officer Peter Hartman said in a statement.

Airlines in the Asia-Pacific region canceled most Europe- bound flights, with Qantas Airways Ltd. saying it won’t fly to European destinations before April 20 and can’t confirm when service on those routes will resume.

Carriers including Air China Ltd., Japan Airlines Corp., Thai Airways International Pcl, Korean Air Lines Co. and Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. shut down service to Europe, while Singapore’s Changi Airport reported cancellation of 34 arrivals and departures, including Singapore Airlines Ltd. flights to nine European destinations.

Haraldur Eiriksson, a meteorologist at the Icelandic meteorological office, predicted little changes in the ash pattern in Europe until at least through April 23.

‘Ongoing Impact’

“This could have an ongoing impact on European air travel,” he said. “The forecast hasn’t changed, although the height the volcano is spewing the ash into has decreased from 5 to 6 kilometers to less than 3 kilometers, and now it can’t be seen on our radars. Due to cloudy weather conditions at the site of the volcano, we can’t say what the exact height of the ash is.”
Volcanic eruptions may continue for months and curtail European air traffic, said Sigrun Hreinsdottir, a geophysicist at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik. “It could erupt, pause for a few weeks, and then possibly erupt again.”

The last eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in December 1821 continued until January 1823. The current blast has sent ash to as high as 7 kilometers (4.5 miles), according to Gudrun Larsen, a vulcanologist at the University of Iceland. The magma had to pierce 200 meters of ice before reaching the air, she said.

“We really don’t know if this eruption is going to last as long as the previous one, but we can’t say it’s not a possibility,” Larsen said by telephone.
Funeral Plans Canceled

The volcanic ash cloud also led world leaders, including Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy to cancel plans to attend the funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, who died with 95 others in an April 10 plane crash.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in a government jet which had clearance to fly at low altitudes.

Airline stocks, including British Airways, Lufthansa, and Ryanair Holdings Plc, fell April 16 as fleets were grounded. El Al Israel Airlines, which has canceled all European flights except to Madrid, Rome and Athens, fell the most in 17 months on the Tel Aviv exchange today.
Exports of Italian products such as mozzarella cheese, flowers, fruit and vegetables worth 10 million euros ($13.5 million) are blocked, the country’s Coldiretti agricultural group said in a statement.

Diverted Air Freight

Deutsche Post AG’s DHL unit has diverted air freight to southern European airports including Bergamo in Italy to maintain services. DHL has closed its Leipzig-Halle freight hub where at least 50 aircraft land each week, carrying up to 200,000 deliveries, spokesman Stefan Hess said. DHL switched to rail and road for deliveries in northern Europe April 16.

Because of the wind direction, Iceland’s Keflavik airport is open, and North American flights are running on schedule.

OAO Aeroflot, Russia’s largest air carrier, is flying to North America via the North Pole to avoid volcano ash over Europe, Transportation Minister Igor Levitin told Prime Minister Putin at a meeting today, Interfax said.

The U.S. Air Transport Association said yesterday that 282 of 337, or 84 percent, of the day’s non-stop flights between the U.S. and Europe were canceled.

Delta Air Lines Inc., the world’s largest carrier, scrapped 97 flights today to and from Europe, spokesman Anthony Black said. Another 49 flights have been grounded for tomorrow. AMR Corp.’s American Airlines has canceled 30 flights to Europe so far today, according to spokeswoman Andrea Huguely. American is able to operate flights to and from Spain and Italy, she said.

Chicago Cancellations

Chicago’s Department of Aviation, which operates O’Hare International Airport, Midway International Airport and Gary- Chicago International Airport, said 14 flights bound for Chicago from northern Europe were canceled today.

The eruption began on March 20 with a lava flow on the eastern flank of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, according to the Institute of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland. After a lull, it resumed early on April 14, directly under the icecap that covers most of the mountain.

To contact the reporters on this story: Gregory Viscusi in Paris at gviscusi@bloomberg.net; Omar R. Valdimarsson in Reykjavik valdimarsson@bloomberg.net


Last Updated: April 18, 2010 16:48 EDT
.