Weekly News and Inspiration for Seventh-day Adventists

REVIEW
January 8, 1987

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HOW NICE IS SPICE?

Friendship Evangelism __^___^_ Changes made in one paragraph of my article "What Mission Means to Me" (Nov. 27) tend to obscure my intended meaning. The three parts of mission are proclamation, service, and fellowship. But this fellowship is not to be enjoyed only with those like us, in the comfort of our own environment. Missionary fellowship, the oft-forgotten facet of mission, must be extended to those whom we wish to reach. Showing warmth and caring, sharing ourselves and our food, with joy and generositythis is mission of the highest order. In fact, we may find that in stressful times like these, fellowship is a way of ministering to souls and may be the most effective part of mission. Some may call it "friendship evangelism ''; whatever the name, it works! NANCY J. VYHMEISTER Manila, Philippines The Hungry ______ "A Tale of Two Countries" (Nov. 6) plucked my heartstrings. Our son spent one year in Africa as a student missionary, and our daughter a term in the Cambodian refugee camps. When they returned to the streets and grocery stores of the U.S.A., they felt utter disgust with the obesity of our citizens and the overladen shelves of delicacies. The lunchroom supervisor of one of our SDA elementary schools told of daily sorting lunchroom garbage barrels and filling trays full of perfect fruit rejected by students carrying lunch pails. Who of us has not seen the academy and college cafeteria trays discarded with volumes of food sufficient to lay out a banquet for the hungry? Let's stop the waste! MARY WOODS Randolph, New York
The author implies a comparison between the U.S.A. and Sodom, quoting Ezekiel 16:49. We may be overfed, but the rest is certainly not true. Whenever Americans hear of a need because of disaster anywhere
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in the world, we rally to fill that need in abundance. I strongly dislike waste also, but which is the greater evil: wasting food and things by producing an overabundance of good for our people, or wasting people by producing an overabundance of them with no provision for their feeding and no hope of a decent quality life? I think the finger has been pointing in the wrong direction! LLOYD HANSEN Oroville, California

the fruits of the soil may be for children or adults, there is nothing spiritual about your cartoon of a boy in an attitude of worship (or horror!) in front of a dinner plate!

ERIC A. BEAVON Salem, Oregon

El Centinela Re El CentineJa (Nov. 27). The editor who revived it under that title in 1919 was my father-in-law, Ernest R. Johnson, of diminutive stature and giant dedication. A Week of Prayer __________ Scandinavian-American farm boy, he discovered, and fell in love with, I wonder if there is some way each the Spanish language at Union Colfamily that receives the REVIEW only lege, under the tutelage of Leon once a month could get the Week of Caviness, son of George, founding Prayer REVIEW for that month. editor of EJ Mensajero de Ja Verdad. ALTA L. DEVITT At Panama Canal Zone, during Mitchell, South Dakota five arduous years starting in 1921, Elder Johnson soldiered away at his Vegetarian Values editorial desk without a single vaca"Vegetarian Diet" (Nov. 20) pro- tion break. One pair of shoes sufvided useful information, but the ficed for that sedentary quinquenslant was negative. It told parents nium! Predictably, accumulated what not to do. Now how about a strains broke his health; but back in positive article that gives ideas the United States he recovered and about what to do? I feel sure the devoted another half century to examples of adequate menus would Spanish-speaking ministry, survivbe helpful. CONSTANCE TIFFANY ing well into his ninetieth year. JOHN O. WALLER Baroda, Michigan Berrien Springs, Michigan I wish to protest vigorously against the cover illustration for Sermons "Vegetarian Diet," used again I enjoy church sermons as far as inside on page 18. However good the message goes, but even though I may be a bit hard of hearing, my ears are very tender. You speakers who Coming in the have forceful voicesplease don't yell or use a microphone. Talk to me ADVENTIST REVIEW as you would in my living room or softly, as I know Jesus did when He January 22 Children and spoke to the people. Stress EDITH SAWDY When Jesus Lansing, Michigan Cleared His Desk January 29 How Small Colleges Are Letters should not exceed 250 words and should carry the writer's name, address, Surviving and telephone number. All will be edited February 4 Four-Part Series to meet space and literary requirements, on Mission but the author's meaning will not be to the Cities changed. Views expressed in the letters do not necessarily represent those of the The Meaning of editors or of the denomination. Address the Heavenly letters for this column to Editor, ADVKNTIST Ministry of Christ REVIEW, 6840 Eastern Ave., NW.. Washington, D.C. 20012.

ADl/ENTIST

REVIEW
January 8, 1987
General paper of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Editor William G. Johnsson Associate Editor Myron K, Widmer Managing Editor Jocelyn R. Fay News Editor Carlos Medley Assistant Editors Eugene F. Durand Deborah Anfenson-Vance Administrative Secretary Corinne Russ Editorial Secretaries Jackie Ordeiheide Edith Wilkens Art Director Byron Steele Designer Dennis Ferree Marketing Thomas Kapusta Ad Sales Jeff Biumenberg Subscriber Services Larry Burtnett Consulting Editors
Neal C. Wilson, Charles E. Bradford, Wallace O. Coe, D. F. Gilbert, Robert J. Kloosterhuis, Kenneth J. Mittleider, Enoch Oiiveira, Calvin B. Rock, G. Ra!ph Thompson

Jesus pays, p. 8
EDITORIALS

"Summit meeting," p. 12
HEALTH

How good? p. 14

4 The Christlike Life

The editor introduces a new feature category for the Adventist Review. by William G. Johnsson

14 How Nice Is Spice?

Condiments, herbs, and food flavorings may taste good, but are they all good for us? by Kenneth I. Burke and Ann Burke
THEOLOGY_________________

4 JRF
It's goodbye again. And we really hate to see her go. by William G. Johnsson

16 What the Gift of Prophecy Means to Me

Without Ellen White's prophetic leadership the Adventist Church would not have become what it is today. by Kenneth H. Wood
NEWS_____________________

Special Contributors

5 The Art of Waiting

Waiting is an annoyance, a fact of life, and nothing new. But it has value. by Myron Widmer
THE CHRISTLIKE LIFE_________

Kenneth H. Wood, Robert H. Pierson, George W. Brown, Gerald J. Christo, Ottis C. Edwards, Bekele Heye, Edwin Ludescher, J. J, Nortey, Jan Paulsen, Walter R. L. Scragg, Joao Wolff

Africa-Indian Ocean Editions

Editor, Inter-American Edition Editor, Adalgiza Archbold

South American Editions

Editor, R. S, Lessa, Portuguese; editor, Rolando Itin, Spanish How to Subscribe Subscription prices; US$27.95 for 40 issues, US$36.20 for 52 issues. To place your order, send your name, address, and payment to your local Adventist Book Center or Adventist Review Subscrip tion Desk, Box 1119, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741. Single copy, 90 cents U.S. currency. Prices subject to change without notice. To Writers We welcome unsolicited manu scripts. Notification of acceptance or rejection may be expected only if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Address all editorial correspondence to 6840 Eastern Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. 20012. The Adventist Review (\BQN 0161-1119) is published 40 times a year, each Thursday except the first Thursday of the month. Copyright v, 1986 Review and Herald Pub lishing Association, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. Sec ond-class postage paid at Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. Postmaster: send address changes to Adventist Review, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Bible texts credited to NEB are from The New English Bible. V The Delegates of the Oxford University Press and the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press 1961, 1970, Reprinted by permission. Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New Interna tional Version. Copyright 1978 by the International Bible Society. Used by permis sion of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Texts credited to RSV are from the Revised Stan dard Version of the Bible, copyrighted 1946, 1952 '0 1971, 1973. COVER BY MAUREEN TIERNEY Vol. 164. No. 2

8 The Danger of Being Right

Jesus didn't have to pay the Temple tax. But He did. First in a series of Stories About Jesus . by Gordon Bietz
ADVENTIST PEOPLE

6 Newsbreak 19 Worldview
Shelter for homeless. Missionary Book of the Year. DEPARTMENTS______________

12 The Day I Met the President

An Adventist teenager's "summit meeting" at the Polish "White House." by Kimberly Kuzma

2 10 11 21 23

Letters Children's Corner Adventist Scrapbook Bulletin Board Reflections

COMING NEXT WEEK

4 "What My Black Students Taught Me," by James J. Londis. To grow in our interracial relationships demands that we see and acknowledge our prejudices. " "Adventists and the Movies," by Miriam Wood. Dear Miriam's reader survey reveals a wide variety of Adventist opinion and practice regarding theater attendance. "How Jesus Treated the Outcast," by Morris Venden. This is the story of a man who raised the roof and got let down by his friends.
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EDITORIAL

HE CHRISTLIKE LIFE
e desire only a simple explanation of how we may become Christlike," a young man wrote to us some time ago. I believe that the great majority of Seventh-day Adventists of all ages share his concern. We want to live victoriously over sin; we want to be like Jesus; we want to show forth His goodness and love in these climactic days of earth's history. So we are excited about a new section that begins in the ADVENTIST REVIEW with this issueThe Christlike Life. We will run this category intermittently in the magazine, usually serializing several articles on a particular aspect of the Christlike life, such as prayer or personal Bible study. We want the articles to be practical, close to life. The Lord doesn't call us to a life of contemplation in a spiritual Shangri-la. He calls us to live the Christlike life in the midst of cares and struggles, among workmates who may not profess Him, with the worries and perplexity of family living, in the face of trials and pain. We hammer out the Christlike life on the anvil of everyday existence.

What a Mission!
To demonstrate to a dying world the compassion of Jesuswhat a mission! To be His hands and feet, His eyes and ears, His voice lifted up in words of tenderness, forgiveness, and hopewhat an ideal! To accept that "a Christlike life is the most powerful argument ... in favor of Christianity" (Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 21)what a goal!
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But this ideal is so exalted that we will quickly fall away in discouragement unless we remember: First, we must receive Jesus as our substitute before we take Him as our example. We seek to be like Jesus, not in order to win His favor, but because we know His saving love. We desire to walk in the footsteps of the Master who paid the price of our sins on Calvary's tree, setting us free to be His sons and daughters. Second, we live the Christlike life by looking to Him rather than to ourselves. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith," writes the apostle (Heb. 12:2, NIV). If we look at ourselves, we either become discouraged because we are so far from the Pattern, or we pride ourselves on how much better we are than someone else. Only as we look away to Jesus can we reflect His likeness. And so the ADVENTIST REVIEW commences its new category on the Christlike Life with a series of five articles about Jesus. Each will take one incident from the Gospels and reflect on its meaning for Christians today. As you read Gordon Bietz's article, which commences this series on page 8 of this issue, spend a thoughtful hour in contemplation of the life of Christ (see The Desire of Ages, p. 83). Let your imagination go with Him as He illuminates Peter's mind on the meaning of the Temple tax. "I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints,

to grasp how wide and long and * high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Eph. 3:17-19, NIV). -WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON c

J RF
daughter of Massachusetts, Jocelyn Ruth Fay combines Yankee industry and faithness with superb organization. Her attention to detail and penchant for scheduling made her the obvious choice for the ADVENTIST REVIEW'S managing editor. She has served with distinction. When the Review and Herald Publishing Association moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, four years ago, the editorial office, which remains in Washington, B.C., faced a new situation. Largely through Jocelyn's efforts, we have worked our way through the problems of getting out the REVIEW each week with the printing establishment more than 60 miles away. Again, as we came up to the New Orleans General Conference session, when the REVIEW became a daily, going to press each night with the previous day's news, Jocelyn's

T, HEART OF WAITING
foresight and hard work were invaluable. Working in conjunction with the Review and Herald, she laid plans months ahead that enabled us to maintain schedules for production of the REVIEW. The General Conference session had hardly ended when we plunged into redesign and refocus of the magazine. As the face of the new REVIEW emerged, methods and schedules that had been in place for years had to be abandoned. Again Jocelyn brought the ADVENTIST REVIEW through its teething period. Jocelyn's ministry at the ADVENTIST REVIEW has been a blessing to thousands in other ways. She wrote down-to-earth, practical editorials; she supervised articles on Adventist people and singles. Further, her own growth in this office encouraged many women. Beginning her work as editorial secretary, she advanced in turn to editorial assistant, editorial associate, assistant editor, and finally managing editor. Now, after 13 years, she is moving on. The Yankee is going west, to become communication director of the Southeastern California Conference. With the many invitations she has received in recent years, we knew the day inevitably would come when she would find it time to leave. Nonetheless, we shall miss her as a friend and a colleague. I shall remember her best as a person whose word was sure and whose work was always complete. ave you ever had to wait for someone for a long while past your meeting time? Almost nothing annoys me more than to be forced to wait for someone who comes late. What nerve, I say. How could he be so thoughtless or bumbling as to arrive late, if at all, and make me wait! And the annoyance becomes worse if the person doesn't even think to apologize or give a good reason! Yet, periods of waiting aren't new. Consider these people who were forced to wait: Noah and his family waited 120 years until the floodwaters came and proved to the unbelieving mockers that Noah's word was from God. They waited seven days shut up in the darkened ark until the first droplets of rain fell. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years from the first promise of a son and heir to the birth of Isaac. Jacob spent a night of fearful waiting and struggle before he received the desired words of blessing from his heavenly messenger. Moses waited six days on top of windswept Sinai before God, who had called him up there, even spoke to him. The children of Israel waited more than 400 years in Egypt before God called them forth to the Promised Land. And they wandered for 40 years in the barren Sinai desert before they received their promised inheritance. The Israelites spent 70 years in Babylonian captivity before being allowed to return to their homeland. Christ's disciples waited a bewilWILLIAM G. JOHNSSON dering three years before they fully

understood that Jesus had not come to help the Israelites throw off the Roman yoke of bondage. Mary and Martha waited four days for Jesus to come and heal their brother Lazarus. Jesus lay in the tomb three days before coming forth to a joyous reunion with His friends and the hosts of heaven. Pioneers of our church waited in 1844 for the consummation of all things on earththe second coming of Christ. And the people of God who go through the coming time of trouble will be called upon to endure trying times until Jesus breaks through the darkness. We too are in a waiting period waiting for Jesus to come! With prophecies fulfilled, time spans completed, nothing now stands in the way of Christ's return, except the time appointed by God. Waiting periods. Do they have any value? Yes. They compel us to reaffirm or deny our belief in what is coming. They cause us to attach value to the coming event. The more we value it, the longer the wait seems. And even the more we dread it, the longer the wait seems. They allow us a time to changeto change or reaffirm our beliefs and practices. They give us time to discover something new. And they afford time for us to share our lives with others. - MYRON WIDMER
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MEWSBREAK.

WORTH AMERICA.
New Technique Successful at WAH. Cardiologists at Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, Maryland, report the successful performance in early December of a newly developed cardiac procedure. Called balloon aortic valvuloplasty, it involves inflating a small balloon inside the heart's aortic valve in order to stretch and unblock it. The procedure corrects a condition called aortic stenosis, in which one of the main valves of the heart is obstructed. Usual treatment for this condition is openheart surgery to have the valve replaced. Below, nurses Barbara Christensen and Rita von Ahn assist cardiologist Fayaz Shawl. They are watching a monitor that shows them they have placed the balloon in exactly the right positionthe center of the aortic valve. The patient remains awake and is not anesthetized for this nonsurgical procedure, which takes from one to two hours.

Project SAFE Progresses in Southern Union,

Local conferences and institutions in the Southern Union Conference have raised nearly $4 million for their educational endowment program, Project SAFE, Student Assistance for Eternity. The 10-year program is expected to raise $28.2 million. So far, Southern College has raised $3.2 million dollars and five local conferences have raised $400,000.

Garden Grove Mayor Honors Adventist Church.

Garden Grove, California, mayor John Cannon recently gave the Garden Grove church the city's 1986 Community Services Award for the church's commitment to the community. The church operates a handicapped ministry, a Breathe-Free program, a summer day camp, and a retirement club. Also receiving the award was the Crystal Cathedral. Walla Walla Student Wins. Karlyn Bond, a sophomore music major at Walla Walla College, recently won the Washington State Wurlitzer Collegiate Artist Competition at Washington State University. Bond will compete against finalists from five Northwestern states this month in the association's regional competition in Billings, Montana. Glendale Medical Center Recognized. The Juvenile Justice Connection Project recently honored Glendale Adventist Medical Center's Adolescent Care Unit. The unit also received awards from the city and county of Los Angeles, according to Barbara Bostwick, public relations coordinator. More than 1,000 young patients, ages 13 to 18, have been helped through the hospital's program for the treatment of alcohol and drug abuse since the care unit opened in 1982. Canvasback Begins Maiden Voyage. The Canvasback, a medical mission ship, began its first voyage on December 18. Canvasback volunteers will bring free dental and medical treatment to Marshall Islanders, according to Jamie W. Spence, Project Canvasback executive director. For 5 years more than 200 volunteers have donated 67,600 hours to build the mission vessel. Correction. The December 18 Newsbreak reported that 51 Portuguese members in Boston had formed a new company with 350 members. Three hundred fifty is the total membership of the four Portuguese companies in the Southern New England Conference, not the membership of the newest company.

SC Students Have a Homeless Thanksgiving.

Some 32 Southern College students spent their Thanksgiving holiday break in New York Citylearning about the homeless. Ed Lamb, professor of social work,

organized the annual trip, according to Doris Burdick, public relations coordinator. The students assisted the Salvation Army in feeding New York's street people on Thanksgiving Day. Two tons of turkey and dressing were served to 3,000 people during the day, Lamb said. Each participant earned one credit in sociology. Tackling Tough Issues. "Self-Love Versus SelfEsteem," "Togetherness and Separateness," and "The Meaning of True Community" were among the topics discussed during a seminar cosponsored by the Washington Institute of Contemporary Issues and Washington Adventist Hospital on November 10. More than 1,200 visitors crowded into the Departmental Auditorium in Washington, D.C., to hear author M. Scott Peck (left) speak on the topics. Peck is best known for his book The Road Less Traveled.

technology students exposure to computerized, hightech cars. Says Boyson of the car, "Its electronics are state-of-the-art."

WORLD CHURCH:
South Philippines Gets First Revelation Seminar. G. S. Ondap, South Philippine Union publishing director, conducted the first-ever Revelation Seminar in the South Philippines at the Maguindanao Hotel in Davao City. Approximately 100 students, professionals, businessmen, and workers participated in the seminar. About 75 percent of the participants received certificates, and eight people were baptized, according to M. U. Donato, South Philippine Union treasurer, reporting at the Far Eastern Division's annual meeting.

South African Teachers Hold First Convention.

About 200 Adventist educators representing primary-, secondary-, and college-level schools in the Southern and South African unions convened for their first teachers' convention at Sedaven High School, in South Africa, December 10-14. Dr. George Akers, General Conference education director, lectured on the mission and philosophy of Adventist Hospitals Praised. The December issue Seventh-day Adventist education. of Vegetarian Times featured Adventist hospitals in an article on hospital cuisine. The article, titled "How Not Membership Boom in Haiti Brings Problems. In a to Go Hungry in the Hospital," praises Adventist letter dated December 2, Jose Figueroa, Inter-American hospitals for the variety of nonmeat entrees they make Division secretary, predicted that by the end of 1986 available to patients. pastors in Haiti would report the baptism of 8,000 In the article author Lucy Moll says that one way persons during the year. Total membership in Haiti is vegetarians can deal with the problem of cuisine is to go more than 115,000. to one of the 57 hospitals owned by the Adventist Health Figueroa writes that this growth has "created the System. "[Adventists] embrace vegetarianism as part of problem of church space for these converts." Hundreds their health philosophy," Moll said. of congregations in Haiti meet under the shade of mango trees, he writes, adding, "We hope that there will be at NAD Ingathering Report3. The Iowa-Missouri, least enough trees for the new congregations that are Indiana, and Ontario conferences recorded the highest being formed and that they will provide not only shade Ingathering gains in the North American Division the but the needed protection when rain comes." sixth week of this year's campaign. As of December 13 these conferences posted gains of $30,497.78, $22,658.03, and $16,290.75, respectively, as CHURCH CALENDAR compared to the same period last year. Total funds collected for the division amounted to $5,106,805.26. Jan. 10 Liberty magazine Emphasis Week starts This represents a $328,276.57 (or 6 percent) decrease Jan. 17 Religious Liberty Offering from 1985. Jan. 24 Health Ministries Day Jan.26 Ministry Professional Growth Seminar starts in Princeton, New Jersey. For more informaFord Donates $26,000 Car to AU. Ford Motor tion call (609) 392-7131. Company has donated a 1986 Lincoln Town Car to the Andrews University auto technology program. Jack Jan. 29 Ministry Professional Growth Seminar starts in Orlando, Florida. For more information Boyson, AU's director of corporate and foundation call (305) 896-6611. relations, says that its current value, according to local car dealers, is about $26,000. Feb. 21 Christian Home and Family Altar week starts A functional prototype, the Lincoln basically consists Feb. 28 Listen magazine emphasis starts of a 1986 body with 1987 and 1988 parts that Ford is Mar. 14 Adventist World Radio Offering testing. According to Boyson, this car will give auto Mar. 21 Adventist Youth Day
ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1987

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STORIES THE CHRISTLIKE LIFE- AB( H T

JESUS i

THE DANGER OF BEING

RIGHT

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house,

Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxesfrom their own sons or from others? " "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus

said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."Matthew 17:24-27.*

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:BY GORDON BIETZ:

hile we must not sacrifice principles of truth, we need not force controversy.

magine yourself driving along the highway at 55 miles per hour. Glancing in your rearview mirror, you see a car come up behind you very fast. Before you can even think about moving into the other lane, the other driver is riding your bumper and flashing his high beams. You think about staying in your lane and even slowing down, but better judgment prevails, and you pull over. The driver zooms past you, accelerating to at last 90 miles per hour. Five miles down the road you see him againparked on the shoulder in front of a car with flashing red lights. Sure enough, a policeman is giving him a ticket, and you gloat as you drive past. You may even be tempted to toot a little hello on your horn.

The righteously robed, recently washed church leaders gather in a circle one day, discussing once again what they might do to trip Jesus. On previous occasions they had stuck out their collective tongue, stretching it like a foot, clumsily seeking to catch Jesus looking the other way. But when the encounter was over, invariably they, rather than Jesus, stumbled. What would they do this time? A young, nattily dressed lawyer suggests a plan.

Trick Question
"We have been aiming at the wrong target," he says. "When you wish to capture the leader, you start by getting to the men who surround him. We need to confuse His followers and place questions in their minds. To avoid suspicion, let's have the Temple secretary, the one responsible for the Temple tax, ask one of the disciples why Jesus doesn't pay the Temple tax." "Oh, yes," another in the group responds as he catches the vision. "If He pays the Temple tax, He admits He is not a religious teacher. If He doesn't pay it, He will appear to be disloyal to the Temple." So with cynical smiles they lay their plot, selecting Peter for the hook. "Peter! Doesn't your teacher pay the Temple tax?" inquires the Temple tax collecting secretary later that day. Peter, impulsive Peter, not thinking through all the issues and not wanting Jesus to appear disloyal to the Temple, quickly replies, "Why, yes, He does. Sure, He pays the Temple tax." After this confrontation, Peter goes into his house to Jesus, perhaps to verify that Jesus had paid the tax. As Peter comes through the door, fresh from the heat of the confrontation, Jesus speaks first. "What do you think, Simon?" He

Smug Satisfaction
Have you ever gloated? Have you ever had a sense of smug satisfaction when you were right and someone else was wrong? The religious rulers at the time of Christ were accustomed to feeling right, to gloating. They had answers for every question, and reasons for every argument. They lived their lives using Talmudic arguments to make a watertight case for their religion. Those religious rulers frequently felt as I feel when I drive by the driver of the fast car with the policeman standing there, giving him a ticket. They frequently felt as I feel when I read an article on a religious cult and get smug as I see the author tie his religious beliefs into Gordian knots. Now, it is important to be right. The alternative to being right would be to be wrong, and that is obviously not something to be sought. But it is also dangerous to be right. For being right and knowing it tempts one to self-satisfaction. Jesus understood that. Consider the following incident.

asks. "From whom do the kings of earth collect duty and taxesfrom their own sons, or from others?" Peteras always, quick to respondreplies, "From others." "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus says to him. So before he asks his question, Peter receives his answer. Because of Jesus' spiritual claims (He is a prophet), He is exempt from the Temple tax. What is Peter to do now? And then Jesus says, "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch, open its mouth, and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." Jesus explains why He is exempt from the tax and then tells Peter to pay the tax "so that we may not offend them." If he knows he is in the right, Peter is not afraid to offend someone, even if that might mean calling fire from heaven down onto a Samaritan village or cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant. But Jesus tells Peter not to offend them. Jesus is right, but He chooses not to make an issue out of it. Jesus is rightas alwaysbut He does not flaunt it or gloat. The lesson Jesus wants to teach is as much for Peter as it is to keep the slippery lawyers a few steps further away from nailing Him to a cross.

From Right to Righteous

So what is the lesson here for us and Peter? Simply this: Be careful when you are right, for there is something dangerous about being right. Being right can create a selfish sense of superiority. It can lead to righteously robed lawyers manipulating religious words and texts with their legalese. When being right is more
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eing right can create a selfish sense of superiority.

important than being sensitive to human needs; when holding to right church policies is more important than people; when being right is more important than being righteousthen we have traded the good news of Jesus for the bad news of His enemies. Jesus was right! He was not obligated to pay the Temple tax. "But so that we may not offend them," He had Peter go and pay it. He chose not to hasten His trip to the cross by making an issue of something when it wasn't necessary. Jesus didn't sacrifice principle; He simply avoided controversy. So while we must not sacrifice principles of truth, we need not force controversy either. We must be careful when we are right. We have the right church, the right day of worship, the right diet, the right schools, and we believe the right things. But there is danger in being right. Paul knew of the danger. He knew it meant nothing to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols. He could eat it with a clear conscience. He was right. Others, whose consciences were bothered by eating such food, were wrong. But Paul did not use his freedom to hurt people. "Be careful," he said, ". . . that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. ... If what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall" (I Cor. 8:9-13). When Jesus sent the disciples to do evangelism, "they were to enter into no controversy with the people as to whether Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah; but in His name they were to do the same works of mercy as He had done" (The Desire of Ages, p. 350).
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With regard to our situation today, we are to enter into no controversy with the people as to whether the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the true church; we are to enter into no argument as to whether the Sabbath is the right day of worship. But in the name of Jesus we are to do the same works of mercy as Jesus did. That is not to say there was no time for the disciples to discuss Jesus as the Messiah. Nor is that to say that we should not discuss the Sabbath truth. But we need to keep in mind that "rightness" grows from Jiving as Jesus lived, not simply believing right things. "Righteousness" comes from lives of service. It is one thing to believe right doctrine. It is another to allow right doctrine to be a wall, rather than a bridge, between us and others. It is one thing to be right. It is another to use

"rightness" as a ticket to superiority. There is nothing so obnoxious as a ^ religious superiority complex. Be careful of the feeling of being right. The more you need to prove to others that you are right, the less your ability to prove your love to them, h Being right in the theory is a long way from being right in the practice. Being * right in the doctrine is a long way from , being right in the life. Being right is a long way from being righteous. D
*Scriptural quotations in this article are from the New International Version.

Gordon Bietz pastors the CoJJegedaJe church in ColJegedale, Tennessee.

CHILDREN'S CORNER-

ngrid blinked back the tears and swallowed hard. She felt bad that Mother and Daddy had gone home from church without her. Instead, the Andersons took her home with them because the next day Mother would have to go to the hospital for an operation. Daddy would have to work, so there would be no one at home to take care of her. Ingrid understood all that, but she still felt sad. The Andersons had a lovely house in the countrymuch nicer than the dingy, drafty, old house where Ingrid and her parents lived. But it wasn't home. Though they tried in every way they could to make her happy, nothing the Andersons did could make Ingrid stop missing her parents. Every day she longed for them more and more. Sometimes she

HOME I

hardly felt like eating, even though the Andersons served delicious meals. Finally the day came when she went home. Daddy was there. He cooked a big pot of oatmeal on the old stove. The pJip-pJop of boiling oatmeal sounded like music to Ingrid's ears. She didn't even mind not having raisins or honey or cream to pour on it. Daddy was there, and Mother was home and would soon be well. And that was all that mattered to Ingrid. That's the way it is when we let Jesus come and live in our hearts. It doesn't matter how poor we may be, or how many troubles, hard times, and disappointments we may have. With Jesus in our hearts we can be happy. And how good it will be when Jesus comes to take us home with Him. Heaven will be a beautiful place, with many wonderful things to do and see, to touch and taste. But the best part of all will be being with Jesus.

-JEANNE B. WOOLSEY-

ADI/EIMTIST SCRAPBOOK.

1887YEAR OF EXPANSION
BY JAMES R. NIX y 1887 the Seventh-day Adventist Church had grown from an estimated 3,500 members (at the founding of the General Conference in 1863) to 23,111. In this one year membership increased by more than 10 percent to 25,841. The church had sent Elder J. N. Andrews to Europe as its first official overseas missionary in 1874. By the beginning of 1887 we had 1,019 members outside the United States. This figure would almost double to 1,822 during that year, while the number of official overseas missions more than doubledfrom three to eight. The number of overseas workers also nearly doubled during the yearfrom 26 to 50. January 7,1887, marked the passing of John Byington, first president of the General Conference (18631865); August 16, 1887, saw the birth of William H. Branson, who would grow up to become president

antagonist, trying to destroy the church that he had helped to build. Within a month of the July 1887 Reflecting church growth in the arrival of the first missionaries in western part of the United States, South Africa, a baptism was held the annual General Conference sesand a church of 21 organized at sion took place in Oakland, CaliforBeaconsfieldthe first Adventist nia in November, the first of 10 church officially organized south of times that G.C. sessions have met in the equator. California. Several "firsts" for the In North America the church church occurred there, as the 70 expanded westward. During this delegates elected secretaries for year Adventists built the Fresno, education, home missions, and forCalifornia, church, largest of any eign missions. They also estabdenomination in that city at the lished an International Publishing time. Elder William Healey held Committee and, for the first time, tent meetings in San Diego, which printed a General Conference Daily resulted in the building of a church. Bulletin. Another church also began in PhoeIn Europe the first camp meeting nix, in the Arizona Territory. met in June at Moss, Norway, folThe final defection of Elder D. M. lowed by the European Council Canright took place in February Meeting attended by Ellen G. White, 1887. Formerly a prominent evan- who lived in Europe from 1885 to gelist and member of the General 1887. Conference Committee, Canright Some of the best news came in left and became a Baptist minister. January of 1887 when State Senator He spent the rest of his life as a bitter Robert H. Crockett, grandson of the legendary Davy Crockett, introduced legislation into the Arkansas General Assembly exempting Sabbathkeepers from state Sunday laws. These laws had become a problem for Adventists in the state, with some having been jailed. Although this did not end blue-law problems for Adventists in the South, it did ease the situation in Arkansas. Church membership fairly exploded during the years following 1887 as a result of the mission expansion that year. A century later, the church prepares for another explosion as its Harvest 90 outreach The General Conference officers during the 1887 expansion were, from left to gathers steam.
right: George I. Butler, president; Uriah Smith, secretary; and A. R. Henry, treasurer.
Sponsored by the Heritage Room, Loma Linda University Libraries. (43) 11

of the General Conference (19501954).

ADl/EIMTIST PEOPLE___

An Adventist teenager's "summit meeting" at the Polish "White House"

The August 28 REVIEW carried a And I'm pleased to accept it on behalf Newsbreak item headed "California of the Polish people." Adventist Meets Polish President." Here is the rest of the story from the Portentous Letter viewpoint of 17-year-old Kimberly Little did I realize what it means to Kuzma. meet a head of state or what the ' y family and I waited political issues are in a socialist excitedly in the Rose country when I wrote a letter four Room of the Belveder months earlier asking for a meeting Palace, the Polish with the general or his staff. "White House." SudIn preparation for a family trip to denly two doors swung Poland, where my father was born, we open to reveal General Wojciech read news of an economic depression Jaruzelski, the president of Poland, in that country, owing in part to who greeted us warmly. worsening relations with the United Before being seated, I addressed States. Dad said this was unusual, him: "One hundred years ago the since relations between these two people of France gave the Statue of countries have been excellent hisLiberty to the American people as a torically. I wondered if a 17-year-old sign of their friendship. I would like to girl, though politically naive and present this miniature Statue of Lib- without diplomatic training or experierty to you as a token of friendship ence, could make a difference. Since between the American and Polish professional diplomats hadn't been people." very successful, perhaps a youthful "Miss Kimberly," the general and more direct approach might break responded through his interpreter, this bottleneck. "this is a thoughtful gift. Its symbolic Three months later the Polish govvalue is recognized the world over. ernment sent me an invitation to meet

THE PRESIDENT

The Day I Met

with General Jaruzelski. The day before our appointment my family and I went to the Warsaw government offices for a briefing session. The head of the Polish cabinet, an aide to the president, and a member of the foreign service (who served as the interpreter] explained to us that our meeting with the general was the first visit he had ever had with an American family. It would be a private meeting with no press present until afterward. This briefing lasted three and a half hours, as we were apprised on the current situation in Poland and given an opportunity to discuss our concerns and the issues that would be brought up at our meeting with General Jaruzelski. On the long-awaited day I looked out over the city of Warsaw that had been reduced to broken bricks and ashes nearly 50 years ago. That the Polish people rebuilt their capital from almost nothing really amazed me. Now, what could I do to help them rebuild their relations with my country?

BY KIMBERLY KUZMA:
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Almost before I knew it, I found myself seated next to the general. As he smiled I felt the tension drain from me. His courteous, pleasant manner put me at ease. The general thanked me for writing such a sincere and wise letter. He then provided us with a brief history of Poland and explained that his country lagged in economic development because of the vast destruction of industry, housing, and people during World War II33 times greater than that of Great Britain. In fact, more than 85 percent of Warsaw was completely demolished! Jaruzelski explained that the United States has many employer/employee disputes, but these seldom, if ever, affect relationships with our government. Generally speaking, in Poland, the government serves as the employer. With no middleman to take the brunt of employee dissatisfaction, such problems affect the worker/government relationship. Hence the relationship between the Polish people and the government remains a complex and sensitive issue. We sensed a general feeling of apathy from the many people we met on the street, in stores, and on tours. The government realizes this, and in cooperation with a large number of worker organizations, is seeking to make improvements. From talking with these people, we received the impression that conditions in Poland are better now than at the time martial law was imposed. The 30 Protestant denominations in Poland and the Catholic Church (which accounts for about 85 percent of the Polish people) enjoy freedom to assemble, preach, and print religious materials. The government radio stations broadcast mass, as well as one of the Protestant services, every Sunday. Each Polish citizen is guaranteed a job and provided with free medical care. Mothers receive a three-year maternity leave. Education, including books, is free to all. Jaruzelski expressed that both of our countries have made mistakes in the past. But today is a new day. Let's forget the past, he offered, and move
ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1987

V^Aur 400 members in Warsaw considered our visit with the President a providential happening.
ahead based on what is happening in Poland now. I smiled when he said that trying to heal Polish/American relationships was like throwing peas against the wall. No matter what Poland does, he felt, just bounces back, and nothing seems to happen. The Polish government would like good relations but feels frustrated, wondering what else it can do to restore its relationship with the U.S. to previous favorable levels. The general indicated that Poland's slow economic progress causes a greater dependency on the Eastern Bloc countries. He hoped that Poland, with its historical close relationship with the United States, could form a unique bridge to other Eastern Bloc countries, specifically the Soviet Union. considered our visit with the president a providential happening. We were evidently the first Adventist family to have this privilege. Our experience served as an encouragement to them, boosting their already high sense of mission regarding what can be done in Poland to advance God's work. I was surprised to learn that the Polish Adventist Church enjoys religious freedom as never before. In the past few years it has grown significantly through the publication and sale of Adventist literature, religious broadcasting, and religious meetings and youth rallies. Following coverage on Polish TV of our visit with Jaruzelski, journalists from three Polish newspapers interviewed us. They wondered what had Heart Team Possibilities prompted me to write the letter and The subject of greatest interest to me what I could do upon returning to the in our discussion was that of a United States to improve relations possible visit of the Loma Linda between our countries. University heart team to Poland. The What can a 17-year-old do? I can president seemed quite knowledge- attempt to contact appropriate U.S. able about the Baby Fae case and government officials, but I suspect asked about the current status of that more can and should be done. I infant heart transplants. He wanted to am still searching for ideas and asking know if a foundation could be identi- God to open doors. fied that would help pay for the As I reflect back on this experience I expenses of the heart team to work have to pinch myself: Did it really with the physicians in Poland. happen? And then I look at General As we stood up to leave, Jaruzelski Jaruzelski's signature on the back of embraced each of us warmly, saying the photograph of our family standing that he considered us his personal next to him, and I know it did. friends and hoped we could come and I don't know what God has in store visit him again. Once again the doors for my life, but I now read with more opened, and we received presents meaning the biblical story of Esther beautiful bouquets of roses for my and reflect on the words "And who mom, sister, and me, and personal knows whether you have not come to gifts for each of us to remind us of our the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14, RSV). D trip to Poland. The next day, Sabbath, we met with the Adventist church in Warsaw and Kimberly Kuzma is a freshman in the shared with our 400 members high- School of Business at Andrews Unilights of our Friday meeting. They versity.
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HEALTH-

pice. The word conjures up images of ancient temple incense, rich Oriental gifts, little satin sachet bags, food at Alvaro's Restaurant, or Grandma's pumpkin pieall intimations of pleasure. What many people do not understand is that spice also carries intimations of discomfort, even illness. Like every other good gift of God, we may use spice to our hurt, especially as an article of diet. On the spice shelf at the supermarket we find condiments, herbs, and flavorings of many kinds. These fall into four main categories: acid, sharp and biting, blunt and aromatic, or bitter. An examination of sharp or biting flavoring agents should heighten our awareness of the effects of some of the seasonings we use. Some researchers have come up

with what appear to be genuine benefits of these spices. They increase the flow of saliva with its amylase, which helps change starch to sugar. They help to clean your mouth. Taken in a specific way, they diminish blood pressure and stroke frequency.' But other research information gives us pause. Black pepper comes from a family of tropical plants fPiperaceaej having aromatic, pungent, and irritating qualities. By removing the seed coat, black pepper can become "white pepper," which is added to light-colored foods. This white pepper has the same characteristics as the black. People in the United States use so much pepper that this country now imports approximately one fourth of the pepper consumed worldwide. In the 1950s researchers indicated that pepper has inflammatory, ero-

Compared to natural flavors, that is

sive, and acid-secreting effects on the stomach.2 Although we have known for some time that black pepper is a gastric irritant, later research has brought additional problems to view. Pepper contains safrole and tannins, both known carcinogens. Add to these piperidinetransformed by the body into a potent carcinogen during transit through the gastrointestinal tractother possible carcinogens similar to safrole, and high levels of tumor-promoting terpenes, and you have a potent combination.

:BY KENNETH I. BURKE AND ANN BURKE

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eople in the United States consume one fourth of the world's pepper.
Researchers also have shown that pepper alters the genetic material in certain bacteria.3 Such alterations are associated with the development of tumors, benign or malignant, in animals and man." An amount of black pepper equivalent to the average daily human consumption placed under the skin of mice increases pancreatic, liver, skin, and lung tumors.5 anise, sassafras oil, mace, nutmeg, California bay laurel (not all bay leaf), cinnamon leaf oil, camphor oil, and wild ginger. 4. Eat slowly. Notice the subtle flavors you've been missing. 5. Persist. 6. Be patient with yourself. Appetite can be trained, but it takes time. Someday, sampling a peppery stew in a restaurant, you may frown and exclaim, "Too hot!" Then you'll know that you've gone beyond the adjustment period. You've survived the change of a dietary habit! Meanwhile, perhaps you've rediscovered the flavor of walnuts and raisins in your cookies, of apple in your apple pie. You may conclude, to your astonishment, that the natural flavors of food are even nicer than spice! D
REFERENCES 1 J. S. Pruth, Spices and Condiments: Chemistry, Microbiology, Technology (New York: Academic Press, Inc., 1980), pp. 44, 45. 2 M. A. Schneider et al., "The Effect of Spice Ingestion on the Stomach," American Journal of Gastroenterology 26 (1956): 722. Pruth, pp. 195197. 3 ]. M. Concon, T. W. Swerczek, and D. S. Newburg, "Potential Carcinogenicity of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)," Antinutrients and Natural Toxicants in Foods, ed. R. L. Ory (Westport, Conn.: Food and Nutrition Press, Inc., 1981), pp. 359-371. 4 B. N. Ames, "Identifying Environmental Chemicals Causing Mutations and Cancer," Science 204 (1979): 587. 5 Concon. 6 Toriola F. Solanke, "The Effect of Red Pepper (Capsicum frutescens) on Gastric Acid Secretion," Journal of Surgical Research 15 (1973): 385-390. 7 S. Abraham et al., "Mutagenic Potential of the Condiments Ginger and Tumeric," Cyaologia 41(4) (1976): 591-595. 8 C. H. Van Etten and I. A. Wolff, "Natural Sulfur Compounds," in Toxicants Occurring in Foods (Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Science, 1973), pp. 211-214.

Gastric Problems In addition to black pepper, various kinds of hot pepper of the genus capsicum cause a variety of gastric problems.6 Red pepper causes erosion of gastric cells. The main component of red pepper and chili is an irritating compound called capsaicin, a substance detected by taste even when present in an amount equal to one part per million parts of water. The sweating and salivation noticed when eating it are caused by reflex action on pain fibers in the mucosa of the mouth. Although more convicting evidence exists for certain sharp spices than for others, the list of suspects goes on. A high incidence of kidneystone formation occurs in native Fijians and Australians who frequently eat spices, curries, and pickles. Ginger causes effects much like radiation.7 Mustard irritates the stomach lining, produces allergies, and contains substances that promote goiters.8 Undoubtedly other spices or condimentseven some outside the "sharp and biting" categorywould prove unhealthful under scrutiny. For example, safrole, a carcinogen found in black pepper, also appears in star
ADVENTiST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1987

Natural Flavors Though we must avoid the extreme position of labeling every flavor enhancement as bad, we would do better to enjoy the natural flavors of foods and use nonirritating substances to vary those flavors. As Christians, we realize that God wants us to be healthy. Knowing that body and mind are closely related, that spiritual health is affected by physical wellness, we glorify Him best in good health. This conviction should spark our interest in diet in general and in spices in particular. A conscientious person can become so concerned about health, however, as to become ill! One may impose dietary convictions on family and friends in such a way that Christian "light" becomes a glare. We can worry so much about sugar and spice that we're afraid to "eat with sinners" as Jesus did. In that case, we need a gentle reminder from the apostle Paul: "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink" (Rom. 14:17). With this in mind, those interested in eliminating harmful spices from the diet, might consider a few suggestions: 1. Begin now. 2. Expect a period of adjustment. (You have become accustomed to that pepper in your potato soup, that mustard on your corn dog.) 3. Try a new cookbook with some simple recipes. Alter some old recipes.

Kenneth I. Burke, Ph.D., R.D., teaches in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Loma Linda University. His wife, Ann Cunningham Burke, is a frequently published free-lance writer. This article is provided by the Department of Health and Temper- ( ance of the General Conference.
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THEOLOGY.

________MY

FAITH,

MY

LIFE______

THE GIFT OF PROPHECY MEANS TO ME

Without prophetic leadership the Adventist Church would not have become what it is today.
The Gift of Prophecy. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10). he early part of the past century saw the worldwide awakening of a deep interest in Christ's second advent. In the United States the central figure in this awakening was a New York Baptist, a farmer-turnedpreacher, named William Miller. Through careful study of Bible prophecy, Miller ultimately concluded that on October 22,1844, Jesus would return to this earth. Thousands flocked to his meetings, believed his message, and became part of the Millerite movement. When Jesus did not come on the expected date, the movement split into three groups. From one of these groups developed the Advent Christian Church; from another, the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Advent Christians sprang from the majority group; the Seventh-day Adventists from a small minority. Today the Advent Christian membership is about 30,000, mostly in the United States and Canada. Seventhday Adventists number approximately 5 million, with members in nearly every country of the world. Years ago F. D. Nichol had a quiet conversation with an aged Advent Christian leader who had heard of the amazing growth of Seventh-day Adventists. In the course of the conversation he said to Nichol, "Your church leaders . . . have been wiser men than ours. They saw the need of a publishing work and started it, the need of medical work, of educational work, and of a great mission program. They also saw the need of a close-knit organization. And so today you are strong and growing fast, while we are not." Nichol replied, "No, my dear brother, I don't think that is quite an accurate statement. Our leaders were not wiser men than yours, nor more far-visioned. . . . But we had in our midst a most singular woman. She marked out what we ought to do in the different branches of our work.... We accepted her counsel and direction, for we believed she had visions from God. That is the reason we have this

WHAT

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ZY KENNETH H. WOOD:
ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1987

marvelous organization and why we have grown." Spirit and Scripture The presence of Ellen White, blessed with the gift of prophecy, has been a major factor in making the Advent movement what it is today. Of course we must also give due credit to the distinctive message of Revelation 14 that Adventists proclaim. But to debate whether that message is more important to our church's success than is the gift of prophecy is like debating which came first, the hen or the egg. If early Adventists had not been deep students of Scripture, they would not have discovered the truths that made it possible for God to restore the gift of prophecy. And if the gift of prophecy had not been restored, the remarkable unity of His disciples would have been difficult to achieve; the church could not have preached its message with the same certainty; and the movement could not have grown as it has. Because the early Adventists accepted the principle of "the Bible and the Bible only" as their source of divine truth, it was but a short step for them to accept the gift of prophecy as manifested through Ellen White. The logic of this position was explained as early as 1870 by J. N. Andrews. He argued that although Scripture teaches man's whole duty toward God, if one truly accepts Scripture, he must accept the role Scripture assigns to the Holy Spirit. According to Andrews, that work included reproving people of their sins, making them new creatures in Christ, filling their hearts with the love of God, and leading them into all truth. "It is plain," wrote Andrews, "that those who reject the work of the Spirit of God under the plea that the Scriptures are sufficient, do deny and reject all that part of the Bible which reveals the office and work of the Holy Spirit. . . . The Spirit of God gave the Scriptures. But it is plain that it did not give them for the purpose of shutting itself out from all participation in the work of God among men."

lod did not stop communicating VJTc with His children when the apostles laid down their pens.
The presence of the gift of prophecy in the church, as one of the gifts of the Spirit, is in full harmony with the teachings of Scripture (1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4). Those Christians who recognize and accept the gift, far from denying the Scriptures, thereby show their absolute faith in them. Indeed, the Scriptures foretell that the end-time church will not only proclaim the judgment hour message, it will "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 12:17). And what is the "testimony of Jesus Christ"? The "spirit of prophecy" (Rev. 19:10). Commenting on this, former General Conference president W. A. Spicer declared, "It fills the heart with awe to see in prophecy and history the rise of this Advent movement.... It is the work of the living God before our eyes! . . . With the rise of the movement there came also the gift of the Spirit of prophecy to open to us in a special way the truths of Holy Scripture, and to direct and guide us in a special way in these critical closing days. . . . Our pioneers, unaided, could no more have brought out and built up such a movement than could Moses and Aaron, of themselves, have brought Israel out of Egypt and led them over the wilderness journey those 40 years." In her writing and preaching she urged church leaders to move forward, to establish institutions, to develop a world vision. She unmasked false leaders. She encouraged struggling sinners to look to Jesus. She set forth principles and practical instruction to guide not only the church but every person who seeks to know Jesus and follow Him. She gave practical counsels on health and nutrition that have become ever more timely. As a member of the remnant church I am grateful for the special help God has provided the Advent movement through Ellen White's ministry. God foresaw that the cause of truth would need special help in meeting the challenges of the last days, and He provided that help through the Spirit of prophecy.

A Personal Gift The gift of prophecy also means a great deal to me personally. Through my childhood and teenage years, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me in a special way as I read the writings of Ellen White. Her descriptions of lastday events, especially Christ's second advent, stirred my heart with an overpowering desire to be ready to meet the Lord. The voice that spoke to me through her writings was the same voice I had learned to recognize in the Practical Instruction Holy Scriptures. And that voice still speaks every Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Ellen White continually exalted God's time I read Ellen White's writings. Word and called attention to its This means a great deal to me, for it claims. She helped unlock the mean- reassures me that the God of the Old ing of Scripture and helped unite and New Testaments still lives, reigns, God's people upon its meaning. She and speaks. He did not stop comkept the church from foundering on municating with His children when the rocks of false theology. She the apostles laid down their pens. Further, the way Ellen White relates pointed out sin, and ever called for to the Bible means a great deal to me. revival and reformation.
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She continually points to Scripture as trustworthy, as providing all the knowledge we need to lead us through to the kingdom. She declares that "the Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the revealer of doctrines, and the test of experience" (The Great Controversy, p. vii). Mrs. White's complete faith in biblical history strengthens my own faith. Her writings bring Scripture to life as no other writings do. When I read her descriptions of biblical places and events, I feel as if I am eyewitness to the scenes described. Her account of Creation increases and reinforces my confidence in the Genesis record. When I read her description of Noah's flood, the event as set forth in Scripture becomes reality. Outside of the Bible no other literature so fully satisfies my soul and strengthens my faith.

I find it inspiring to observe Ellen White's attitude toward both the Advent movement and its leaders. Perhaps no one was better informed of the weaknesses and failures of those with whom she worked. But in spite of their faults, Ellen White maintained confidence in her fellow workers. She never lost confidence in the ultimate victory of the Advent movement, notwithstanding the problems and challenges it faced. Filled with faith, she always encouraged the brethren to press forward. She believed wholeheartedly that in His own time and way God would provide the power to spread the three angels' messages to earth's remotest bounds. Her faith, as set forth in her writings, has helped give me an unshakable faith in the Advent movement's final triumph. Parents love their children, and because they love them they provide both necessities and special gifts. I like

to think of the gift of prophecy in this light. God loves His earthly family. He knows that His children who live just before His second advent will be called to face the full wrath of the dragon. And so in love, He has provided a special gift, an inspired messenger. With awe and gratitude I contemplate the amazing love and wisdom of God in giving us this great gift. Its value has been incalculable. From my own experience I can testify to the truth of the statement, "Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper" (2 Chron. 20:20). D Kenneth H. Wood is chairman of the board of the Ellen G. White Estate and for mer editor of the ADVENTIST REVIEW.

OUR LOSS
" It is fair to say the church is experiencing numerous losses [of youth]the record books tell us this.... The problem is so immense it's difficult to address."
Les Pitton, North American Youth Leader To Catch a Star, Part IV Adventist Review, June 26,-1986

OUR GAIN
"Sermon ideas, youth talks, etc., have come to me from my reading of INSIGHT.... You are the glue that has held many of our youth together.''
Dan Snyder, Letter to the editor Insight, Nov. 1,1986

The New INSIGHT

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WORLDVtEW.

"Barn Raising" Provides Shelter tor Homeless

MFI's largest public project in NAD is completed

he percussion of construction rang out on the early-morning air in Lincoln, Nebraska, as a multitude of hammers turned the dream of a new People's City Mission into reality. From September 22 to October 17, more than 200 volunteers from various professions helped complete the $1.3-million, two-story, 22,000square-foot facility. The new building will enable the People's City Mission staff to prepare and serve 100,000 meals a year and to provide housing, clothing, medical care, and counseling for 25,000 homeless men, women, and children. Recruited by Gerry Harris, president of the Light of Life Foundation, the volunteer workers took orders from three Adventist builders in Lincoln: Calvin Krueger, Charles Henkelmann, and Marlyn Schwartz. All three men belong to Maranatha Flights International (MFI), the organization that coordinated this project. According to Maranatha, this is the largest public project it has ever undertaken in the North American Division (NAD). Other members of Maranatha Flights came in to help at various times, but the main support came from the community. During the first week a local grocery store provided three meals a day for the workers, in a vacant warehouse near the site. Jointly sponsored by all denominations in Lincoln, the People's City Mission has served the homeless in the same location since 1907. In recent years the small building downtown has become overBy James Fly, communication director of the Mid-America Union.

crowded and unsafe, necessitating relocation and a new building. Joan Hawley, a member of the Piedmont Park church in Lincoln, stated this was her first Maranatha project and she loved it. Ralph Crisp, a retired training instructor for General Motors in Omaha, Nebraska, has served on several Maranatha projects. A Meth-

odist and a member of the Gideon Society, Ralph has an Adventist friend who interested him in Maranatha Flights. He declared, "I've seen miracles on this project. A tractor they were using to lift roof trusses broke down. I just happened to have an extra alternator in my car and fixed it." Lewis Johnson, an Adventist con-

In just three days volunteers from Marantha Flights International raised the frame of the new $1.3 million, two-story, 22,000-square-foot mission building.
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tractor from Dickinson, North Dakota, who supervised the completion of the project, thinks Maranatha Flights members are special people. "We donate our time, which is so much more valuable than money." Swinging hammers side by side in a worthy cause drew the Maranatha members and community residents into a close bond of fellowship that generated respect and mutual concern. A number of the homeless men sheltered by the mission, most of them alcoholics and drug abusers, worked on the project. As they did so, their self worth and confidence improved dramatically. "In many cases it's the first chance anyone has given them to work under the influence of loving leadership," said Johnson. Steve Janovec described the building of the new People's City Mission as a barn raising. And it wasa beautiful barn raising that benefited not only the People's City Mission but everyone involved.

Maranatha Flights International Upcoming Projects

Maranatha Flights International is a lay organization that provides short-term mission opportunities, primarily centered around construction projects. MFI needs both skilled and unskilled help. Listed below, you will find some of the future projects. You are welcome! For information about becoming involved on these and other projects, contact Maranatha Flights International, Box 68, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103. Jan. 25-28 Feb. 2-15 Feb. 1-7 March March April May27-Junel2 Aug. 2-20 Aug. 21-23 Orlando, Florida. Project: Philipino-American church. Mexico City. Project: church. Dominica. Project: church. Jalpa, Tobasco, Mexico. Project: church. Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. Yap and Palau, Micronesia. Projects: Mission house and church. Dayton, Washington. Project: church. South Lancaster, Massachusetts. Project: AUC student housing. South Lancaster, Massachusetts. MFI National Convention

Irish Mission Reports Gains, Lays Plans to Meet Challenges

eautiful Belfast, nestled in Ulster's lofty emerald hills, furnished the setting for the 1986 triennial session of the Irish Mission, held September 12-14. In addition to 51 delegates, special guests attending included past British Union Conference president Harold Calkins, present president John Arthur, union treasurer Basil Powell, union secretary Don MacFarlane, Adventist Book Center manager Bill Kitchen, Voice of Prophecy (VOP) director Keith Taylor, and session speaker David Marshall, Stanborough Press editor. .Today this legendary land bears the unmistakable scars of sectarian terrorism. Barricaded neighborhood fortresses, fringed with barbed wire, verify that tragedy still stalks the land. But a stone's throw from
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whitewashed walls displaying "No tradition. To break with one's ProtSurrender," license plates from estant or Catholic birthright invites North and South mingled peace- misunderstanding at best. Session discussions confronted fully within the Adventist church the nagging dilemmas of member parking lot. Mission president Watson South- emigration and worker turnover. cott challenged the delegation to Nevertheless, tithe increased by 28 establish a "spiritual undergirding" percent and assets greatly for the session and announced that increased, though offerings were a full day would be invested in down and local budgeting stands in seeking God's guidance. need of attention. In other mission fields seeds may Plans presented at the session blossom liberally, relatively unhin- included 10 percent annual growth, dered, into hundredfold harvests. one Bible study a week by each But Irish souls, like potatoes, are member, a doctrinal instruction planted, nurtured, and dug up one class in each church, development by oneusually after a prolonged of a fund for newspaper outreach, season of personal labor. Maga- mobile displays on Adventist hiszines, VOP cards, health seminars, tory and health message, more and newspaper articles have all youth involved in ministry, 25 perbeen used to reach the public. New cent of the members active in witexperiments include Lifestyle Med- nessing, 100 percent Sabbath school icine seminars, mass mailings (100,- and church attendance, visitation of 000 cards brought 925 responses), members by local church officers, a Radio Dublin programs, and mobile 10 percent annual tithe and offering displays to arouse interest. increase, more Family Life and The 41 additions reported repre- Revelation seminars, four more litsent stories of heartbreaking sacri- erature evangelists, and continued fice. Irish converts defy a powerful mass mailing projects.

BULLETIN BOARD

1987 Missionary Book Appears on Television

To New Posts
Regular Missionary Service
Glenn Ray James, returning to serve as director, Communication and Public Affairs and Religious Liberty departments, Far Eastern Division, Singapore, and Ruth Eveline (Gaggin) James left September 5. Richard Brian Leonard, to serve as industrial arts teacher/maintenance man, Lower Gweru Adventist Secondary School, Gweru, Zimbabwe, Karolyn Sue (MeClanahan) Leonard, and two children, of Bismarck, North Dakota, left July 30. Evelyn Mariani, returning to serve as associate professor of music, Montemorelos University, Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, left September?. Robert Lee McChesney, returning to serve as teacher, Business Department, Mount Klabat College, Manado, North Sulawesi, Utara, Indonesia, Marja-Leena (Raunio) McChesney, and two children left July 23. Novella Evelyn McWilliam, returning to serve as administrative assistant in treasury, Far Eastern Division, Singapore, left October 7. Paul Henry Musgrave, returning to serve as teacher, Industrial Education Department, Taiwan Adventist College, Taiwan, Republic of China, Bonny (Wheeler) Musgrave, and two children left August 14. Murvin Dale Nicks, returning to serve as science teacher, Pakistan Adventist Seminary and College, Faroogabad -Mandi, Sheikhupura, Pakistan, Carol Fay (Anderson) Nicks, and two children left August 24. Clifford Geoffrey Patterson, returning to serve as field secretary, Eastern Africa Division, Harare, Zimbabwe, and Ruby Joyce (Moore) Patterson left August ?A. Charles Edward Proud, to serve as manager, Uganda Printing Plant, Kampala, Uganda, Ruth Ann (Campbell) Proud, and one child, of College Heights, Alberta, left September 28. Anthony Adelio Rockwell, returning to serve as ADRA/health director, South-East Africa Union, Blantyre, Malawi, and Bernardine (Kruger) Rockwell left September 29. Karen Jane Saarinen, returning to serve as elementary teacher, Maxwell Adventist Academy, Nairobi, Kenya, left August 27. Byron Lewis Scheuneman, to serve as treasurer, South China Island Union Mission, Hong Kong, Sharon Louise (Snyder) Scheuneman, and one child, of Angwin, California, left October 24.
Terry Lynn Schneider, returning to serve as cardiovascular X-ray technician, Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, Hong Kong, Rhonda Susan (Trunkey) Schneider, and two children, left August 20. Douglas Bradley Scott, returning to serve as press manager, Qasid Publishing House of Seventh-day Adventists, Lahore, Pakistan, Barbara Jean (Pyke) Scott, and one child, left October 20. David Arlyn Skau, returning to serve as physician, Penang Adventist Hospital, Penang, Malaysia, Janis Lynn (Palmer) Skau, and two children left August 5. Alfred Gene Smith, to serve as elementary school teacher, Africa-Indian Ocean Division, Abidjan, Riviera, Cote d' Ivoire, and Onitta Mae (Williams) Smith, of Kapaau, Hawaii, left September 30. Merton Edmund Harold Sprengel, returning to serve as chemistry teacher, University of Eastern Africa, Eldoret, Kenya, and Julia Lea (Walther) Sprengel left September 14. Jerry Lynn Sterner, returning to serve as ABC/HHES coordinator, East African Union,

lmed on location." It Is Writen's George Vandeman hopes this will attract a large nationwide audience to the TV miniseries beginning January 18. New footage from East Germany, England, Holland, and Switzerland will highlight the weekly telecasts. "For years we've dreamed of preparing an extended series on the Reformation experience," explains Vandeman. "By combining this priceless location footage with studio interviews involving key Christian leaders, we've attempted to demonstrate how God has used different church groups to rescue truth neglected and lost through the centuries." The result is an innovative eightpart semidocumentary that warmly praises many Christian groups. "Individual programs are titled 'What I Like About the Lutherans,' 'What I Like About the Baptists,' and so on," says Vandeman. "We also share our appreciation for the contributions made by Methodists, charismatics, our Jewish friends, and the Catholic Church."

George Vandeman speaks in front of an old English church where John Wesley once preached Methodism.

Bridge Builder
The new Pacific Press book based on the telecast messages has already been designated as the 1987 Missionary Book of the Year. Billed as a gift that "builds bridges of understanding," the book will be offered at the conclusion of each week's episode. The final two chapters share how God also has used the Seventh-day Adventist Church to contribute to the Reformation process and how our denomination has attractively combined the many truths recovered by the featured groups. It Is Written's assistant director, Gary Eldridge, recalls the East German filming tour: "We visited sevADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1987

eral key Reformation locations: Wartburg Castle, the monastery at Erfurt, and the Castle Church in Wittenberg, where Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door." Months of negotiating paved the way for the film crew to tape the needed footage. "We taped a piece in Leiden, where Pastor John Robinson delivered his farewell message to the soon-departing Pilgrims; and also a segment in Switzerland, where Ulrich Zwingli, a pioneer of the Baptist Church, ministered for many years," recalls Eldridge. "Then, finally, a session of filming in London, where Methodist leader John Wesley added much to the Reformation." Studio material will be blended with the location footage and interview segments, then packaged for station use. In addition, videocassette copies will be released to all Adventist Book Centers. "This has become more than an It Is Written project; it's a major church effort," explains Vandeman. "I pray that the series and the missionary book will enable our church to reach out in a new way to these many groups in the body of Christ."

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Nairobi, Kenya, Martha Faye (Whitford) Sterner, and two children left August 31. Robert Alien Sundin, returning to serve as payroll accountant, Eastern Africa Division, Harare, Zimbabwe, Kathy Anne (Connors) Sundin, and one child left October 12. Arlyn Carlyle Sundsted, returning to serve as educational/health and temperance director, West African Union, Accra, Ghana, and Judith Lucille (Wade) Sundsted left September 17. Rosemary Villeneuve, returning to serve as office secretary, Eastern Africa Division, Harare, Zimbabwe, left October 12. Barry Herbert Wecker, returning to serve as health director, Africa-Indian Ocean Division, Abidjan, Riviera, Ivory coast, Alberta (Pumphrey) Wecker, and four children left August 27. Daniel Lynford Williams, to serve as director, Juba Mission, Juba, Sudan, Hyacinth Patricia (Smith) Williams, and three children, of Berrien Springs, Michigan, left September 30. (Ted) Norman Clair Wilson, returning to serve as secretary, Africa-Indian Ocean Division, Abidjan, Riviera, Cote d'lvoire, Nancy Louise (Vollmer) Wilson, and three children left October 19. James Hudson Zachary, Jr., returning to serve as ministerial secretary, Far Eastern Division, Singapore, and Norma Jeane (Rowe) Zachary left September 30.

Marshall Islands, of Yuba City, California, left September 15. Judith May (Verlo) Jamison (Special Service), to serve as food service consultant, Taiwan Adventist Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, and Robert Alien Jamison, of Keene, Texas, left October 13. William L. Lubke (Medical Elective Service), to serve as medical assistant, Penang Adventist Hospital, Penang, Malaysia, of Redlands, California, left October 1. Philip Alex Pritel (Special Service), to serve as physician, Bangkok Adventist Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, of Vancouver, Washington, left November 12. Lydia Charlotte (Lottie) Ziprick (SOS), to serve as administrative secretary, New Gallery Centre, London, England, of Loma Linda, California, left November 12.

Deaths
EVARD, Rene Louis Nicolasb. Oct. 25, 1927, Geneva, Switzerland; d. Sept. 11,1986, Chicago, 111. In between completing his master's and doctoral degrees, he served as professor and chairman of the Physical Science Department at Union College (Lincoln, Nebr.), In 1971 he went to Loma Linda University, where he was associate professor of biochemistry. Since 1975 he was associate dean of admissions of the School of Medicine. Survivors include his wife, Mary; and two sons, Henry and Dwight. GANT, Julian Carroll b. Nov. 27, 1895, Liberal, Kans.; d. May 21, 1986, Loma Linda, Calif. A 1928 graduate of the College of Medical Evangelists (Loma Linda, California), he worked for New England Memorial Sanitarium and Hospital (Melrose, Massachusetts) and was medical director of Madison Sanitarium and Hospital (Madison, Tennessee). In 1977 his wife, Anita Davis, died; he married Vivian Berdan in 1979. Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Florene Bratton, Heather Arden, Gretchen Simpson, and Norma Jean Cruson; three stepchildren, Leonard Berdan, Don R. Berdan, and Darlene Hamersough; ten grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. PATZKOWSKI, Johanna M.b. Apr. 30, 1890, Gittersee, Germany; d. Oct. 23, 1986, Los Gatos, Calif. She served with her husband, who ministered for 40 years pastoring German churches in New York City, Detroit, Denver, Chicago, Buffalo, Baltimore, and Irvington, New Jersey, and English churches in Maryland and New Jersey. Survivors include two sons, Jack M. Patt and Albert J. Patt; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. ROTH, John Ellsworthb. April 9,1937, Panama City, Panama; d. Nov. 17, 1986, Takoma Park, Md. He worked for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference for one year before serving in the U.S. Army. In 1962 he began working as an accountant for Risk Management Services of the General Conference. There he worked in underwriting, became legal counselor, and was working as associate executive director at the time of his death. Survivors include his wife, Arloine; one son, Brett J.; one daughter, Arloine Yvonne; his mother, Alice; and one brother, Arthur. SCHUBERT, Amerab. Dec. 9, 1898, Santiago, Chile; d. Oct. 10, 1986, Loma Linda, Calif. She was the daughter of the first Seventh-day Adventist ordained minister in Chile. For 46 years she served with her husband, Walter, in Chile, Argentina, and the South American Division, where he was the division president. He was an associate secretary of the Ministerial Department and a field secretary of the General Conference. Survivors include one

Volunteer Service
Gwynne Angela Baldridge (Special Service), to serve as assistant girls' dean/teacher/Bible, English, Palau Mission Academy, Koror, Palau, of Montgomery, Alabama, left October 19. H. Marvin Baldwin (SOS), to serve as financial consultant, Adventist World Radio/Asia, Agat, Guam, and Rose Marie (Fellabaum) Baldwin, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, left September 24. Orley Berg (SOS), to serve as pastor, Bangkok Adventist Hospital Church, Bangkok, Thailand, and Olive Berg, of Oakhurst, California, left November 6. Susan Josephine Bether (Senior Dental Clerkship), to serve as dentist, Emkhuzweni Health Center, Swaziland, of Fallbrook, California, left July 19. Clyde Raymond Bradley (SOS), to serve as pastor/chaplain, Korea Servicemen's Center, Seoul, Korea, and Eleanor L. (Koch) Bradley, of Gilroy, California, left September 29. Thomas Victor Craig (Special Service), to serve as surgeon/physician, Andrews Memorial Hospital, Kingston, Jamaica, Elin (Kvalen) Craig, and one daughter, of Hagerstown, Maryland, left October 1. Laurie Josephine Furgason (Special Service), to serve as teacher, English Department, Japan Missionary College, Isumi-gun, Chiba-ken, Japan, of Colton, California, left September 1. Albert Victor Gilbert, Jr. (Special Service), to serve as construction worker/evangelist, Progreso Vocational Health Institute, Orange Walk Town, Belize, Central America, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, left September 26. Carl William Goransson (Special Service), to serve as evangelist, Ecuador Mission, Guayaquil, Ecuador, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, left November 5. Kevin Daniel Grussling (Special Service), to serve as teacher, Palau Mission Academy, Koror, Palau, Western Caroline Islands, of College Place, Washington, left October 5. John Walter Grys (AVSC), to serve as assistant pastor Geneva Seventh-day Adventist Church, Geneva, Switzerland, of Chicago, Illinois, left October 21. Emanuel Pete Heinrich (Special Service), to serve as optometrist, Guam-Micronesia Mission, Majuro,

daughter, Dora Buller; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. THIM, Elvab. April 24, 1904, Media, Pa.; d. Sept. 26, Florida. She served for 31 years as a teacher in the East Pennsylvania and Florida conferences. Survivors include four stepchildren, Margaret, Ethel, William, and Robert; and one daughter, Patricia. WELCH, John Thomasb, Dec. 12, 1912, Chatham County, N.C.; d. Oct. 17,1986, Clearwater, Fla. After starting as a literature evangelist in 1941, he became publishing director of the Alabama-Mississippi Conference and later publishing director of the Southwestern Union. He served in the Carolina, Kentucky-Tennessee, Texas, Nebraska, and Potomac conferences and was division director for the Christian Record Braille Foundation. Survivors include his wife, Catherine J.; one son, Steve Thurman; one daughter, Cheryl Rogers; three brothers, Milton, Ernest, and Ralph; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. WENDELL, Harold Urbaneb. June 26, 1900, Fairview, N.J.; d. Sept. 16, 1986, Sonoma, Calif. From 1924-1926 he was treasurer of Southern New England Conference. He taught at Atlantic Union College, was business manager and registrar from 1926 to 1943. As a CPA, he was in private practice from 1943 to 1980, and during that time was treasurer of the town of Lancaster, Massachusetts. Survivors include his wife, FTorence; one brother, Franklyn; eight stepchildren, Florence Presley, Charlotte M. Ertelt, Doris Maher, Kenneth Wendell, Arlene Dewey, Lucille Mclntyre. )oanie Mauth, and Eunice Douglass; 14 grandchildren; and 24 greatgrandchildren. WILSON, James Orvilleb. May 3, 1895, Avoca, Ark.; d. Oct. 24, 1986, Greeneville, Tenn. He was publishing secretary for the North Texas Conference before his pastorate in the Burma Union Mission. There he served for 19 1/2 years and later for 7 1/2 years. He taught in the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference and at Atlantic Union College. In 1953 he became president of the Israel Mission, where he served for 2 1/2 years before pastoring in the Carolina Conference. Survivors include his wife. Lillie; four sons, John, Morris, Harold, and Eugene; three sisters, Katherine Tewell, Velma Benson, and Juanita Wilson; two brothers, Robert and Ben; 12 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.

Literature Requests
Ghana
Adu Acheampong Joseph, Home Health Education Service, P.O. Box 727, Sunyani, Brong-Ahafo, Ghana, West Africa: Signs, Adventist Review, Our Little Friend, Picture Rolls, visual aids for children, Spirit of Prophecy books, evangelistic and Sabbath school helps, projector, public-address system. Boateng Agyenim Kofi, Subin Valley Seventhday Adventists, P.O. Box 3178, Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa: Bibles with study guides, Spirit of Prophecy books, Smoke Signals, religious records, music, cassette tapes, evangelistic filmstrips, child evangelism materials. Alex Korsah, Ghana Education Service, P.O. Box 25, Wenchi, Brong-Ahafo, Ghana, West Africa: Bibles, Picture Rolls, Signs, Adventist Review, Spirit of Prophect and devotional books. Pastor Paul M. Djikunu, SDA Mission. P.O. Box 61, Mampong, Ashanti, Ghana, West Africa: Literature, cassettes, Spirit of Prophecy books, used Picture Rolls.
ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 8, 1987

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REFLECTIONS

MY CHILDREN, GOD'S
CHILDREN
Can we see Him in the third row on the left side, eagerly craning His neck to see His first grader lay Baby Jesus in the manger? Can we see Him in the principal's office, subdued, pained, as His child comes face-to-face with the 'T^he old school gym at Beacon M. Union Junior Academy stirs up a curious childhood memory. There we held our annual Christmas program, the event of the year. The seventh and eighth graders watched with condescending amusement as adoring parents of the first and second graders admired their offsprings' performance onstage. How funny, we thought, snickering smugly among ourselves. Why should adults strain for a better glimpse of the children they see every day at home? This immature adult behavior seemed embarrassing. We vowed that when our day should come, we would bring greater dignity to the human race. What was so special, anyway, about having your own children? But when I gazed at my firstborn child for the first timenot onstage, but in the arms of my wifesomething like scales fell from my mind's eye. Suddenly I realized why parents make such a fuss over their children. My child had opened a window for me into the heart of my parents. And then a window opened for me into the heart of God. If God is the mother hen scurrying about to gather her brood under her wings (Matt. 23:37), if He is the father anxiously awaiting the return of a lost son (Luke 15:20), then maybe we ought to take more seriously what it means for God to have children of His own.

y child opened a window for me into the heart of God.

fruit of foolish wickedness? Can we see God standing in the shadows as the real parentwatching, listening, hopingwhen our children (or someone else's) almost drive us crazy? Even adults are still children somebody's children. And God's children. Recently my parents celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. We all came home and were children again; for parents, whether heavenly or earthly, never forget their offspring. I'm a big boy now with teenage children of my own. But I still remember the nightly ritual of being tucked into bed, the family worships, the lively gooseberry fights with my brother as we chased each other

around trees and through the bushes. Great fun it was. And now, full of meaning. In a sense, each of us could carry the playground warning sign "Caution: Children at Play." Children are especially vulnerable, we say. We kiss their scraped knees and mend their broken toys. But adults have their "childhood diseases," toocrashed friendships, wounded pride, even hungry stomachs. We need to find ways to kiss the "scraped knees" of children grown big. In His vivid parable of the judgment, Jesus taught that service to others constitutes service to Him (Matt. 25:40). Reflecting on my own family ties, I have rediscovered that other dimension: serving others means serving God's children. Maybe that is why Jesus called all of His followers "little ones" and promised a special reward to anyone offering a cup of cold water to such (Matt. 10:42). I like it when someone is nice to my children. God likes it, too, when someone is nice to His. D AJden Thompson is vice president of academic affairs and provost at Walla Walla College in Washington.

:BYALDEN THOMPSON:

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