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I am in my 80's and in reasonably good health. My brain is still active, even if it is somewhat diminished. I have reasonably good physical health. However, I am having problems with my vision. I receive regular eye injections, which were not on my list of things that I wanted do in life. I am aware that my published posts may contain typos that I have not seen. I work on it, but I have not resolved the issue. I have decided that I will not let that stop me from posting. God does not require perfection. If there is anything of value in my posts, God will use them despite my imperfections. Gregory Matthews

David–Eulogy R: ‘090624b David Milton Matthews began life in 1972. His Father, Gregory was a Seventh-day Adventist congregational pastor, and his mother, Sharon, would later become a Licensed California Marriage and Family Therapist. His middle name honored his maternal Grandfather who spent his life working for the California Department of Corrections, as a Correctional Officer. At birth, David joined his older brother, Gregory # 4. As was typical for the denomination of his parents, David moved several times in Virginia during his early years as his Father began to pastor larger congregations. A major change in David’s life came as his Father moved from congregational ministry to becoming a full-time U. S. Army Chaplain. That change resulted in a move to Ft. Ord, in Central California. This resulted in the family living near maternal relatives in the Sacramento area and other relatives living in the Modesto area. That was a positive change which was enjoyed by all. While David was living at Ft. Ord, a major change came in his life. His parents decided to separate. His mother moved to Sacramento to be near her relatives and to begin graduate schooling. His Father continued on as an Army Chaplain. Both parents shared joint custody of David and his brother. Over the next years David traveled between locations in the United States, Asia and Panama as visits ranged from short periods of two weeks to longer periods of thirteen-months. After several years as a single parent, his Father married a woman, also named Sharon, who gave David and his brother freely of her love. Christopher later joined this family as David’s younger brother. It was characteristic of David for him to want to earn money. In one visit with his Father, David began working for the apartment manager on the first day of his visit. On another visit with his Father in New Jersey, he made the acquaintance of the son of a Colonel. One Halloween evening they went out to have some fun. It ended with the Military Police escorting him back to his Father with a full report of his fun activities, which had included smashing pumpkins sitting by people's front doors. Later in life David decided to follow in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather and he applied to the California Department of Corrections to train at the Academy. He was accepted in 1996, graduated and was assigned to The California State Prison, Sacramento, located in Folsom, California. He retired in 2022. In the year 2000, David married Denice, the love of his life. She brought a daughter, Tiffany, into the marriage. David came to deeply love her as a daughter. With the passage of time, Alayna was born, and David had two daughters whom he deeply loved. He felt good about the accomplishments that both daughters had made in their lives. In our society today, every family has stress points. David and Denice were united and met them together. As David, shortly before his death said to his Father, there is no daylight between Denice and I as to how to handle issues as they arise. As a Correctional Officer, David held high ethical standards. On one occasion he witnessed a prisoner being mistreated. It was investigated and David told the truth. Administrative and criminal convictions were obtained and the Governor of California awarded David the third highest Department of Corrections medal, for his cooperation in this matter. On another occasion, while driving to work, David noticed a fire in a nearby apartment building. He stopped, entered the building and began to awaken and evacuate the people living there. In 2017, the Department of Corrections awarded him the Gold Star, it’s second highest award, for heroic deeds under extraordinary circumstances in saving the lives of those people. David enjoyed frequent trips going exploring, camping and fishing with family, friends and cousin Jeff. In brief, David lived a full life of giving himself to others, and loving all of his family. He both loved and was loved. His life was cut short well before his time. He is deeply missed by the many who knew him.

Like bonnie1962 I can't fathom the heartache and pain either. My brain scampers for words to put together for you Pastor Matthews but I know anything I could say would fall infinitely short. Your Family and your Son will be in my wife and I's prayers.

Some of the old timers here, like me, can remember a time when their grandparents were alive. Mine lived with our family when I was about 6-10 years old for my mother's side, and from around 19-23 for my father's side. My mother's parents were amazing by today's standard. He was a former supervisor at GM, throughout the great depression. He taught me things and was very smart. His vocabulary was extensive. Using words I never heard of. He was born around 1890 I believe. He was alert right up to his death in his 80's. I never saw him drink or smoke. My fathers, father, was interested in baseball. Every week he would receive a small publication of the game from the previous weeks. He knew the statistics of every player. His children would test him, and he always had the answer. He knew the "at bats", RBI's, everything. On hundreds of players. This was in the 60's and 70's. This was before television. He lived to be 94. Smoked occasional cigars until in his eighty's. I never saw him drink. I don't remember any of them taking any medicine. There was no Alzheimer's then. But today, we have videos converted from film, of life in the 1960's and 1970's . There are not many candid interviews of ordinary people back then, but enough that we can understand the culture. Ordinary people from this time were smarter and more knowledgeable than people in their age group today. Few ordinary people went to college in the 60's and 70's . Yet they had a great understanding of social dynamic, life skills and very different values. People were thin back then. The people have changed so much in my lifetime. They have changed so much in the last 50 years. There is even a big change in the last 10 years.

* The word of God is always true. Sometime, it is partial and incomplete. In addition, we may not correctly understand it. * God used Ellen White in the development of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. * God used Ellene White to urge people to turn to what we commonly call the Bible as the source of ultimate authority as to what God wanted us to know. * Ellen White, in her humanity was imperfect. Her spirituality grew, and changed, over the years of her life. She probably never fully understood what God was communicating to her. * It is clear to me that that modern Adventists of today, often misunderstand what she said, and often mis-use her writings. * Her writings were often sensitive to the time, culture and the circumstances of the person to whom she was writing. With that in mind, one cannot always apply what she said to one person in that same manner to someone today. None of this detracts from her leadership and the value of her ministry to us in our development.

Biden signed several bills to rename federal buildings. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community clinic in Lynchburg, Va., will now be known as the Private First Class Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic. NOTE: For those who do not know, Doss was a Seventh-day Adventist conscientious objector medic during WW II, who was awarded the Medal of Honor. He has also been the subject of some movies, such as Hacksaw Ridge.

November 4, 2024 One aspect of David's personality was to play down the issues when he did something that was right. As I have stated, he was awarded the 2nd and 3rd highest medals from the Department of Corrections. He typically dismissed those as simply doing what was right. In regard to the evacuation of the burning building, he sometimes dismissed that by stating that people had left the building prior to his arrival. I will point out that the Department of Corrections would never award the 2nd and 3rd highest awards without fully investigating the incidents and discovering the truth. David told me that when he arrived, some people had already left the building. But, he then entered the burning building to discover others who may have been sleeping and needed to be wakened and evacuated. Yes, he did not do it all. In addition, another Correctional Officer also stopped and assisted in the evacuation of the burning building. That person also was recognized with an award. NOTE: A decision has been made to have services for David, by his wife, on February 2025, at a local SDA Church, but conducted by a pastor of the church that she attends. It is expected that the Department of Corrections will provide full honors.

SDA Video Services: Many SDA Congregations are providing video services for people unable to attend. One such is the Gracepoint SDA Church in Northern California. It uses "youtube" to host its services and it keeps its services available for about 6-months. It also broadcasts live each Saturday at 11:10 AM. To access its services, click on the link below. Then click on one of the following links: * Home: This i sthe home of the Gracepoint congregation. It contains links to videos and other information related to the congregation. * Video: This is the home of videos for the past six months. * Live: This is the location of a current live service. * Playlist: Videos are listed here that are not listed elsewhere. https://www.youtube.com/@GracepointAdventistChurch/streams NOTE: All people are welcome to view the videos. They are watched by people as far away as Iceland, as well as in other nations.

The agenda for the upcoming GC Session runs for some 94 pages. The link below takes you to an artice on the agenda and also includes a link to the actual agenda. https://atoday.org/exploring-the-2025-general-conference-session-agenda/

He was the Roman Catholic Preist in the TV Series MASH. The following article suggests that he has something to say to us today. https://atoday.org/the-faith-of-father-mulcahy/

Excellent article! I loved that show and definitely William C's role in the show!! Even though this was a comedy it did keep the religious/spiritual aspect free of making religion a joke!!!

Today, May 26, 2025, is Memorial Day that reminds us of those who have fought in war. The following book informs on a number of people who served in battle as Conscientious Objectors. Several of the mentioned people were Seventh-day Adventist. https://www.amazon.com/Conscientious-Objectors-War-Vietnam-Forgotten/dp/1682832600

Those who wish to purchase this from Amazon may do so at; https://www.amazon.com/Glory-Exploring-Ellen-Whites-Visions/dp/1479618152/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1V11FAF5MO95&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.U3EgVpa8-lQVmO0kXzIhiw-5dLkh2vhoRNWKyKkX2XKhN3oBtqoJZ2tVHV5mN3j0V-8syCZ9Qs8Vbd2XdmJ0XMAqY-RGPC7U1ydh1b57ZigOmT3Ys-9r1xnn_DkV3pgxWa02Obc1MJSvCDhs-byEoZgpU7kWLjXfnEq0vy6JqAIxPMe3tz2VPhG_cH4WMpCTBoPDa1dOGOfiuAu1DjHxNjKKYzwRvIfRnaQR-WLk6Io.6ZXOKMY4PJcnYpta0w7dhE-o4HMViTRWi-dIFBwhGuc&dib_tag=se&keywords=Glory+Glory+Glory+Ellen+White+book&qid=1748262780&sprefix=glory+glory+glory+ellen+white+book%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-1 Amazon sells it for $34. I am unable to find our much about it. However, it does seem to have some academic credentials.

In a study of the writings of Ellen White, it must be remembered that she did not say or write everything that it is claimed that she said or wrote. The following is a listing of a few statements that cannot be proven to have been said or written by her. https://ellenwhite.org/faq/151

In the following article, a SDA administrator comments on his experience as a 15-yearold in talking to a U.S. political leader who was both Roman Catholic and a Democrat! https://spectrummagazine.org/views/a-democrat-a-catholic-and-a-revelation/

This is so stupid. I am so disgusted. Absolutely no VALID reason for keeping those figures under their hat. Every day, it's something new. 🙄

On Sunday’s lesson in the Sabbath School quarterly titled “Images from Marriage” (April 12-18), it ends with, “Here are three principles for marriage. First, forgive your spouse, however undeserving, just as Christ forgives us, however undeserving. Second, accept your spouse, faults and all. Third, just as Christ put us before Himself, put your spouse before yourself. How could all three of these gospel-based principles help us not only to understand how God relates to us but also to help any marriage?” See: https://atoday.org/rare-disclaimer-from-sabbath-school-quarterly-addresses-domestic-violence/ For comments on the above see: https://www.facebook.com/AToday.org/posts/pfbid02tMHATRmm9LMaFXTiZchoa9LC66YXnipbr3EwfkkPXHdFTE5jiFViwKhMjwK5whPjl

I have posted the following comment to the article on Ted Wilson:

What if: * We have nothing to fear related to the judgment, as our salvation is assured, and we may trust in that? * The judgment is actually related to God, and His justice in granting we sinners salvation? * In this judgment, so to speak, Saten says Ralph is a sinner, you have the record, and you cannot fairly grant salvation to Ralph, and condemn me. * God says yes, here is the record. through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and the ministry of Christ, all sin has been removed from Ralph. He is free from rebellion and rebellion will never rise again in Ralph. * Therefore, I am fair in granting eternal life to Ralph and to admit him into that life in close association with me/

Allison Barr is a scholar who has written two books on the role of women in Christianity. A book on Biblical Womanhood in 2021 and another book on Becoming the Pastors' Wife in 2025. This second book has been reviewed in the following article by the wife of a SDA pastor, which may be read from the following link: https://spectrummagazine.org/culture/books-film/the-pastors-whore-a-review-of-barrs-becoming-the-pastors-wife/

Medical Aid In dying (MAID): is an issue that troubles some people. The Seventh-day Adventist Research Institute has published the following article that addresses this issue. https://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/Reflections-89-January-March-2025.pdf#page=2 NOTE: I have not formulated an opinion on every aspect of the above article. I list it because I suggest it is helpful in understanding and considering this current issue.

Luther Warren is an interesting early SDA leader. He was born in 1864 and died in 1940. The following article is taken from the SDA Encyclopedia, and the photograph in that article shows him wearing a clerical collar. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=7AD1

Do you understand why they are being ordained? They are being ordained because the Constitution of the Union Conferences gives the Unions the right to determine who should be ordained. IOW, in those Conferences the General Conference does not have the right to tell them that they cannot ordain women. From that perspective, they are not in rebellion. Rather it is the General Conference that is in rebellion.

This is an old post, but I thought I would join in. To me, there is a big difference in being involved in a war and joining the service. I was never in the service. At the time when I was 18 there was a war on, and I was afraid of being injured, not killed. I knew a lot of guys brothers who we injured. I was not an Adventist till many years later. I later learned the on 20% serve on the front lines, 80% are logistics. The one regret I have is that I did not at least try to join the service. I think a few years of taking orders and obeying, would have been good for me. And the benefits are terrific. I know a guy from a family that could not afford to send him to college. He joined the service as a diesel mechanic. Served his time and got a great job after.

One of my basic understandings, is that God uses imperfect people to do His will. I do not expect perfection in myself, in the leadership of the SDA Church, in the members of the SDA Church. I do not expect perfection in the other leadership and members of the Christian community. I can believe that God has given imperfect organizations a specific task, mission, ministry to perform in a specific time and place. I do not exclude other Christian groups from such. God is a God of truth. If I am to be faithful in representing Him, I must also acknowledge truth, wherever it leads. It is from that perspective that I removed my previous post. It contained factual errors. It is in the same sense that I believe that you are an honest person, Gustave. Let no one misunderstand me, I do not believe that Gustave is correct in all that he states. We have our differences, but I am OK in engaging in civil discussions of them. It is from that perspective that Club Adventist exists: To engage in civil discussions of our differences. With 22,000,000 SDA members, we are not solely able to provide the witness to the world that God wants to be made. God has to be using others, on some levels, at the present time, to do what God wants done. In many ways, the Church of God on Earth today is made up of Christians of very diverse backgrounds. That is actually SDA teaching.

Why do people remain members of the SDA Church? In the following article, James Coffin opines on this subject. https://spectrummagazine.org/views/adventist-boomers-why-they-leave-why-they-stay-part-2/

I've never heard of such a thing. For the most part, most of the folk in my SS class are quiet, as are the other classes as well. Even pre communion, hardly anyone has a testimony to tell. You act in church as you feel you need to in order to praise God and help others. That can be as little as a few smiles to some who might need them. God bless you. I'm sorry this happened to you.

The popularity of the man accused of murdering a CEO is deeply disturbing. The murder itself is not a surprise. We have had mentally unbalanced people doing murders for some time. But the making of him into some kind of hero, is deeply disturbing.

The Center of SDA Doctrine: The following article suggests that the doctrinal center of Adventism may not be what we think it is. https://spectrummagazine.org/views/adventisms-least-present-present-truth/

If zombies or aliens land and go after us, we should all head to Costco. It has big walls, cheap food, and bathrooms. Additionally, zombies cannot get in without a membership. Our new Plan A should be to go there if they land close to us. Make sense? I hope you have a membership.

Thank you. We live in a world gone wrong and that may be painful. God is with us. May the Lord be with you as you continue to experience the death of your wife.

yes very much so our beautiful stories must be shared no matter how painful😶 my heart is glad you have a place here 🥰 again my deepest sympathies

i am so sorry this happened to you and your son and your family so sorry😭

Congregatlional Pastors: In general, SDA pastors are centrally paid by a Conference and not by the congregation that they serve. In recent times, this has somewhat changed with local congregations in the U. S. hiring a locally paid person who may pastor along with the Conference pastor. The Oregon Conference has recently undergone major financial stress which has resulted in reductions in pastoral staff. The following article reports on the efforts of the Medford congregation to fund a local-hire pastor. https://nwadventists.com/news/2024/10/medford-church-welcomes-crowdfunded-pastor

Christian Voting is examined in the following short article. https://spectrummagazine.org/views/columns/faith-in-an-election-season-2/

Your priest seems to agree with my position that salvation is a choice that we make as to whether or not we will spend eternity with God.

I recently heard a Priest at my Church say that God doesn't force anyone to do anything and at death God simply gives us "what we love most". If what we love most isn't God, well.... This is a tough teaching - how many of us without exception can say (and live out) that we love God more than our wife, children, etc. Makes me think.

In short: The so-called investigative judgment is a judgment of God, and not of you and I. It comes from a perspective that there is a universe of created beings who have not sinned against God and are aware of the rebellion of Satan and what has happened on Earth. The questions that need to be resolved are these: Has sin been removed from those on Earth who have been granted the right to spend an eternity with God? Is there a danger that sin might arise again in the person of one of those people whom God had granted the right to live in eternity with God? Is God just in saving some and not others? Properly understood, the investigative judgment presents God as righteous and just to all intelligent created beings, including us.

Christian Universities in the United States were recently evaluated. Andrews University scored as #4, in the listing of 311 Christian Universities. For more detailed information on this, see: https://www.niche.com/colleges/andrews-university/

America's Prophet: In the following article, Cliff Goldstein suggests that someone other than Ellen White is, America's Prophet. See: https://adventistreview.org/perspectives/columnists/americas-prophet/ In the distant past, I have often not favored Cliff Goldstein's published views. In more recent times, I have occasionally thought highly of his viewpoint. On this one, he has struck a home run. The lesson to me, I guess, is: We should never allow our preconceived bias to affect our evaluation of where a person is now. I found the following to be of special interest:

Mental Health: The Voice of Prophecy had developed a series of meetings, to be held in connection with a local congregation which are designed to inform the community on issues of mental health to include resources available to people in need of such help. While I do not have an in=depth knowledge of this program, I appears to me to be of great value. The following links will further inform. https://nwadventists.com/news/2024/08/washington-churches-connect-communities-over-mental-health https://mindfitevent.com/index.php?pagename=mfit-2024-host https://www1.discoverycenters.com/mfit-2024-webinars/

One does not know what is in the mind of a person at their death. All we know for certain is that the Holy Spirit is continuing to work for their salvation. The Biblical example is found at the Cross. Two criminals were at the point of their death. One responded to the HS, and will spend eternity with God. The other exercised his choice to refuse the offer and to cease to exist. God is good. The Holy Spirit works forever to bring us to salvation. It is only our free choice that keeps us from spending eternity with God.

Adventist Families: In the following article, the fiction of the typical Adventist family is examined. It is well worth reading. https://atoday.org/the-search-of-the-perfect-adventist-family/

I was really so sorry to read this. As the mother of four sons, I cannot imagine the pain and heartache for your wife and yourself.

Sheila Jackson Lee was a devout SDA. The following is a 13-minute video of the speech given at her funeral by Kamala Harris, which was attended by other high figures in U.S. politics. She had been a member of Congress for almost 30 years.

We have a few places locally that have single use restrooms. Seems to work fine most of the time. A couple places locally have had unisex, men/women restrooms. Not sure why there needs to be such a problem with this. I am not a big fan of Target but I would be a little more prone to shopping there now after they started getting slapped down pretty good and threatened with boycotts for announcing all patrons and staff could use the bathroom of their choice. It sounds as if all Target stores will have men/women/unisex. I would hope once the unisex bathrooms have been resolved that it have an effect on schools and competitive sports