| Author | Message | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
I just thought that since this was the anniversary of the 911 attack, I'd ask if anyone is having any particualr reactions or memories and maybe church services that are meaningful today. I find myself a bit frustrated with two things: One, a sort-of emotional hype that demands sorrow over events and losses without a corresponding grip on the reality of what really is happening in the world; Two: an attitude that is common in California, at least, that we might be able to prevent these kinds of events if we just had enough understanding. Please don't hear me wrong; I firmly believe that in Christ there is no Jew or Gentile, East or West. The issues of spiritual warfare, though, are very real, and they are at work in the events of the world. I really believe that God is calling us to integrity. He is calling us to embrace him firmly and centrally. It seems to me that the world is polarizing. Relativism is chipping away at reality and would destroy truth if it could. I know from teaching Christian teenagers that relativism is having an effect on the way they see the world, even though they believe in Jesus and salvation through faith in him. Many of them are confused about how they should think about other belief systems even though they believe Christianity provides the way to the Father. I was talking with a colleague today who commented that a few years ago (say, 10) teens were taught that they could disagree with others' beliefs and perspectives if they were respectful of those differing beliefs. Today they're mostly taught that they have to accept those differing beliefs as equally valid with their own. Disagreeing with respect is not longer the popular option. At any rate, I believe that God is at work, and he is present with us. Jesus will never leave us, no matter what we face. Tonight we're going to a praise/prayer memorial service at our church. (They'll be showing a 7 or 8 minute video our older son put together of news clips showing the attack, the crowds, individuals running, hanging the flag over the Pentagon wall, etc. The sound track is entirely choral music by John Rutter, for those of you who know who he is: The Lord's My Shepherd, Loving Shepherd of My Sheep, etc. It always makes me cry when I see it.) I'm looking forward to praying with other Christ-followers for our nation, our world, and our walks with Jesus on this night. Looking back is futile if we have no meaning for today. I praise Jesus for giving us new life and giving us meaning and a reason to live. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Colleen | ||
| Jerry (Jerry) |
Ah! John Rutter! I have been in many chiors where his works have been performed. As I said another way in another post: Learn from yesterday Live for today Look forward to tomorrow It is interesting how many times catastrophy and impending catastrophy has driven some to do it this way: Distort yesterday Disregard today Dread tomorrow Terrible as it was, the number of dead on 9-11-2001 was no more than a minor skirmish in the Civil War. That does not confort anyone who lost a loved one. However, we must realize that the world is full of blessings and curses. It has been before, is now, and likely always will be in the future. It is good to grieve and reflect It is good to laugh and enjoy. God is with us in our sorrow and our pain. God is with us in our triumph and our joy. God is with us in our anger and our bliss. Praise be to His glorious name. Jerry | ||
| Dennis (Dennis) |
BOGUS 9/11 ART EXHIBIT In the August, 2002 Issue of the SDA Mid-America Outlook (Union paper), they report: "...The Gift of Prophecy Art Contest was sponsored jointly with the Ellen White Estate and Southwestern Adventist University. Submissions were judged on ACCURATELY depicting a subject from the writings of Ellen White." "Paula Albright was awarded the first prize of $1000 dollars in the 18-30 category for painting which was inspired by passages in Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9. Her paintings will be exhibited at he Meadows Faller at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas, and at the offices of the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Silver Spring, MD." The painting by Paula Albright shows Ellen White lying on a bed in vision with the American flag draped over her body and the World Trade Center on fire with smoke rolling out of the buildings from the jet airliners that crashed into them. Many SDAs claim that the September 11, 2001 WTC attack was a fulfillment of Ellen White's vision found in Volume 9 of the Testimonies, pp. 12,13. Although the official Ellen White Website has gone on record by correctly stating that the WTC attack was NOT depicted in any of her visions, this Art Contest revealed created a painting with the opposite message. Apparently, the White Estate has no burden to correct this false portrayal of their prophetess. They want her be considered relevant and contemporary--even if dishonesty enters the scene. Is the White Estate really going to hang this painting, which they admit is not true, on the walls of the SDA headquarters? If they do, we will be able to see their dishonesty anew. Remember the "heavy Bible" kept in the White Estate vault? It used to be hauled around, in a car trunk, to various academies to "prove" that Ellen White was a prophet. How about the myth stated on her grave plaque claiming she had 2,000 visions? Obviously, this World Trade Center painting is another myth and collectable needed to bolster the faith of the deceived. Dennis J. Fischer | ||
| Lydell (Lydell) |
Dennis, I can only think of a one word response to that.....GAG! Our church's memorial service last night stressed the reasons why we should take time to remember what happened. The most important reason was because it is a reminder to Christians that we are here to be salt and light to the world. If we don't stay salty, we won't be available and equipped and ready to help others when the tragedies happen. We had a video also, Colleen. I believe the title of the song with it was Trust You. It talks about trusting and praising God no matter what happens, and ends with the line "and when my world is shattered, and it seems all hope is gone, still I will praise you Lord." I love that song. As Jerry pointed out there are so many things in this world that have happened that involved huge numbers of dead. I think of the tragedy of the flu epidemic back in the early 1900's. I think it is especially true in our country that we have become accustomed to the idea that war can't touch us on our home turf. Yet here it was. And I think that has been a wake up call to many. And should be most especially for the church. But we do see and hear so much of what you pointed out Colleen. Just this amazing attitude that we mustn't call evil by it's name. And that is a message that Christians have to be confronting as well. It's satans not subtle attempt to teach the world that "you are okay, you don't need God". We have been reading a book called The Islamic Invasion, by Robert Morey, that is a real eyeopener. He lays out so clearly with the facts that the god of Islam is clearly NOT the God we as Christians worship. Instead, Allah is the 7th century moon god of Mecca simply repackaged by Muhammad, and definitely not a peaceful religion. (As one of my husbands former Saudi flight students responded when asked to explain the emblems on his countries' military patch. "The eye is the eye of allah." And what does the sickle represent? "We will cut off the head of the infidel who refuses to believe in him." Folks, the Saudi's are NOT our friends! | ||
| Jerry (Jerry) |
That is, indeed, very sad, Dennis. I saw this reported in Robert Sanderís September newsletter two days ago. When you combine this with the changes the General Conference made to the ìRevelation Seminarsî it gets even sadder. Go to this link. http://www.maucsda.org/outlook/Aug_02/Aug_02_c.pdf Look on page 21 or so, you will see veiled references and images to 9/11/2001. While not as explicit as the painting, it is an obvious connection. The new title, Hope for the Homeland, is another deniable connection. This is not surprising, just sad. | ||
| Jerry (Jerry) |
Oops. wrong link. That is for the painting. Here is the seminar link. http://www.jesusdied4me.com/page4.html | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
My goodness, Dennis! Just the thought of EGW with a flag draped over her body seems so incongruous! How amazingóthat particular painting winning an award for accuracy. Just when I think I'm no longer amazed, I get amazed all over again. You're right; it will be very interesting to see if they really do hang it at the GC. Our service Wednesday night was inspiring and challenging. We ended by breaking into small groups and praying for the victims' families and the president and world events. I'm thankful that God never leaves us. Colleen | ||
| Richardjr (Richardjr) |
Thanks, Colleen for your observations. I have felt the same way towards our nations reaction to Sept. ll, 200l. There has seemed to be an emotional hype placed on the events without an realistic closure. Perspective has been lost. Like the person said, what about the lost of life in the Civil War or the flu outbreak in the l900's? It almost seemed like it was a new thought to some people that there is such a thing as evil in our world. Organizations are using Sept. 11 as a rallying point to hype their product. Two days ago I received in the mail the latest copy of the Columbia Union Visitor. The issue was devoted to the one year anniversary of Sept. 11. Two weeks ago I received a DVD from the NAD president on the Adventist response to Sept. 11. It was a 4 hour presentation. The DVD was sent to all Adventist pastors. I have not been an Adventist pastor for 37 months. The flag draped around Ellen White speaks for itself. My wife and I attended the Sept. 11 service at the East Hill Foursquare Gospel church in Gresham, Or. It was an inspiring and encouraging service emphasizing the sovereignity of God and His amazing grace. Thanks Colleen and Richard for your website. | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Richardjr, It's good to hear from you! We've missed you. I'm glad to hear you had a good service at Foursquare Gospel Church. With prayers for you and yours, Colleen | ||
| Dennis (Dennis) |
ELLEN WHITE PASSAGES? Have any of you noticed, that in the Mid-America Outlook quotation I posted on September 11th, the author of the article refers to the writings of Ellen White as PASSAGES? Sadly and cleverly, they are attempting to equate Scripture with the uninspired writings attributed to Ellen White. Of course, their comparison strategy is nothing new, but I had never seen the term "passages" used before. Dennis J. Fischer | ||
| Jerry (Jerry) |
No, I had not noticed. I guess my vision was obscured by the steam billowing out of my ears as I fumed about the general concept. Well, I guess we should be grateful that we have not seen her letters called Epistles and her books called Gospels . . . yet. |
