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Continue in prayer

On Wednesday March 13, Colorado (including where I live) experienced an epic blizzard. In the space of 10 minutes, the weather deteriorated from a moderate cool rain to a raging blizzard. At my house, we got about 1.5 feet of snow with 3 - 5 foot drifts. Wind was a sustained 50 - 60 mph with gusts up to probably 80 mph for 12 hours. We lost power for 25 hours; which was kind of a big deal since we are on a pump rather than a municipal water system. No power, no water. People just across the street from us are still out of power. The temperature in our house fell to 50 degrees. Thank goodness our home is very well insulated. Nonetheless, the only warm place in the house was right in front of the fireplace. It was a real adventure; but it was only 24 hours. We talked about what it would have been like if it had been a week or two; and the temperature stayed below zero the whole time. It would cease being an adventure and become an ordeal - especially in bitter cold. We learned some valuable lessons: 1. Keep several cases of bottled water around. 2. Have a stash of candles (including holders for them); or several battery operated LED camping lanterns handy. 3. Have LOTS of batteries for the lanterns. 4. Have extra batteries, a car charger, and/or a solar charger for your cell phone. 5. Have a several day supply of food that needs no preparation or can be eaten cold. Our choice for this storm was PB&J and sardines on crackers (and donuts). 6. Keep vehicles in good running condition and full of gas in case you need to scramble or if gas stations can't pump. 7. Stay in touch with family and neighbors in case anyone needs help. 8. Have a first aid kit and fire extinguisher. 9. Have a stash of cash to pay for stuff if power or internet is out and credit cards/checks won't work. 10. Have faith, pray, and sing worship songs. 11. Have baby wipes to wash with. Really handy if you can't use water. There is a day coming when we may need survival skills and tools (including persevering faith) until Jesus comes. It doesn't say anywhere in the Bible that "God helps those who help themselves"; but it's not a bad idea to be ready.

Besides Sojourner Truth, there is another connection to Mrs. White. Victoria Woodhull's running mate was Frederick Douglas who was a personal friend of the White's and who may have become a Seventh-day Adventist. We do know that he had children who were Seventh-day Adventists. We do not know how Douglas and the White's met, but there is some very strong circumstantial evidence. When the Whites were in Rochester New York and getting the publishing work started, there was a publisher there who helped them. Our records do not give the name of that publisher. However Frederick Douglas happened to have been a Publisher in Rochester NY at the time. He was very friendly towards Millerites and allowed Rochester's Millerites wait on the roof of his building. He encouraged them and helped them with the great disappointment and was always willing to give Millerites a helping hand.

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:8-10 Sometimes, you can't see yourself as well as you are seen. It helps to have a friend that will show you the correct paths.

Basic theme: The Seven Last Plagues (Rev 15-16) The changes to this week’s Teacher’s Edition of the Adult Sabbath School Study Guide (known popularly as the Sabbath School Quarterly) for January to March 2019 were generally small and improved on my work. I will review the changes that were interesting or substantive. There were several […] The post Revelation Teacher’s Quarterly, Week 11, March 9-16 Analysis of Changes Made in the Editorial Process for the Teacher’s Edition appeared first on Jon Paulien's Blog. View the full article

Have to agree 100% B/W!!

Powerful passages. I remember when he came to AUC for week of prayer, and I ate lunch with him one day. The week included a Sabbath afternoon debate with our New Testament Professor, Dr. James Valentine. Sadly due to work I was not able to attend all of it, nor have I been able to find a copy of it. The most memorial part of what I heard was several times Des would reply to something James brought up, that he had a hard time fitting that verse into his theology. Our professors were strong critics of him and equally strong of the so called "Historic Adventists" which has ended up having a strong affect on my approach to scripture. The Spectrum article by William Johnson really hits home, where he would say that he is right. Our AUC professors pointed out that Dr. Ford was an expect in the teachings of the reformers and a fantastic New Testament Theologian. They said that his biggest problem is that he would speak with equal authority in both the fields of his expertise and in the fields that he did not have expertise. They pointed out that where he got into trouble was in the fields outside of his expertise. Our Old Testament professor said "If I was to speak with the same authority on the New Testament as he does on the Old Testament I'd be in just as much trouble." He also said that Ford could be reinstated if he would only say things like "I don't see how the Investigative Judgment fits, but that is more of an Old Testament idea and I will leave that to the Old Testament professors" and to just focus on what he indeed did know.

Discerning of spirits ?

This is based on the claims of one person, with a barrow to push. The rape rate in Sweden is about 40% lower than that in the US, and rape is much more broadly defined under Swedish law. The claims about FGM and child marriage are equally far from what reality actually shows. The bottom line is that all the premises of this person's suggestion are false, so the suggestion itself should be given no credence.

Yes, frequently when I'm reading in her writings and thinking similar thoughts that you have expressed, I stop and say to myself "No!!" Then I pray and say, "What about me? Show me what I need to see for myself."

I have a growing sense of the value of the Testimonies for the Church. I see much criticism of Sister White and her visions. But one thing kinda stands out. While many are haggling over prophecies and her correctness of them, her letters to individuals seem to be a far greater proof of her ministry. How can anyone peer into the heart of others and spell out for them their private sins and defects of character? The descriptions of the character flaws in many of her letters to individuals are amazing. I believe that superficial things of a person's life are the things that we have the least in common with others. The private things and the deepest emotions and ideals can be the things we have most in common with others, although we may not often share them. This provides a basis for publishing these letters because they are situations that are shared by many. I have to confess that when I started reading some of these letters, I am thinking, "Boy, I know who needs to read this!" and later, " Yeah, this would be very good for that person to read." These are the moments when the Spirit taps you and reminds you that you are reading these for your self. So, now, letters that have a "strange" resemblance to myself, I am jotting down the list. Perhaps thru saving the list of articles and other computer magic, I will end up with one large file (book) called "Testimonies for B/W Photodude"! This will be a private edition, you understand! Perhaps some are jealous that they were not singled out! I am picking up in my reading that self examination is far more important than what the king of the north or whereever is doing. These letters were not meant for voyeuristic peering into the lives of others. They are for "our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come." Again, learn from others.