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In an article in the Rocky Mountain News Nuggets the Rocky Mountain Conference has announced the closing of its ABC effective at the end of 2019. * This closing is probably just one example of what is happening. We are likely to see many more such closings. * Speaking from my personal knowledge and experience, this is due in part to poor management of levels of denominational administration above that of the local ABC. * IOW, I am suggesting that this change results from more than just changes taking place in the sale of books in the U.S.

Yes, in part due to changing times. Also, in my opinion, due to poor management on levels higher than the ABC.

It's kinda sad; but with the availability of good healthy organic vegetarian food at places like Sprout's, Natural Foods, and even Kroger's/King Soopers at much cheaper prices than the ABC, it's not surprising. I will miss the turkey loaf at Thanksgiving, though! Most spiritual books I buy from Amazon rather than the ABC for the same reason. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the publishing houses close down or merge to minimize losses as well.

NOTE: To be clear: I do not blame the rocky Mountain Conference.

A lot of that going on in the denomination now.

We are due for the signs and wonders of the end of the age to begin. At least it was a bit more than the Virgen Mary on a piece of toast or the side of a refrigerator!

? Even our faith ? 1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world,? even our faith.?

The time has gone when an ABC could rely on the loyalty of the typical SDA customer. That just isn't enough. Store owners need creativity to attract customers, especially in these times.

There are websites that will examine a photo to detect doctoring of the pic. This site will give some hints without actually checking your photo: https://lifehacker.com/how-to-tell-if-a-photo-has-been-doctored-1797049627 However, doctored or not, many will believe and see it as some sort of sign. Keep in mind, Satan will pretend to be Jesus and nearly everyone will believe it. Don't think there will be a website to scan and check that one for you.

Or a burn mark on a tortilla! Wanderer - not photoshopped IMO. The image was posted on several news sites, including Fox, Accuweather, CNN, and other news sources. Google "image of Jesus in clouds" and see for yourself.

Along with the success of Amazon book sales and other internet sellers. It seems that most of the brick/mortar book stores are going under. I buy many books used and even paying shipping, I can often get a book for pennies over $4 what might cost several times over that at the ABC. And many books I want aren't even in the ABC anymore. Not to mention, my ABC is 200 miles away. They changed the name of the ABC in the Ky-Tn conference to Nourish. This helps with the confusion regarding the "other" ABC …. the Alcoholic Beverage Commission in Tennessee!

I did not feel he needs to be more specific!

In my understanding (and I may be wrong), the fundamentals are provided as a guideline for what SDA's believe rather than a mandatory creed. The Fundamentals have changed significantly over the history of the SDA Church. For example, the Fundies did not previously contain an item specifically addressing the Trinity. That being said, there are certain Biblical principles embedded in the Fundies (e.g., the Sabbath, Jesus as Savior, salvation by grace, the physical return of Jesus) that people do need to accept. I ain't no pastor; so I won't be assessing anyone's baptismal qualifications in the near future.

Okay. I'll agree that the Bible is for everyone although it is not available to everyone. However, I still can't help but think the Middle East will be ground zero as far as end-time prophecy is concerned.

I do not really need for Ted Wilson to ask for God's will to be done. That is just the only way to pray. As far as the Spectrum article, realizing it was a "copy/paste" from a church website, the reader comments really blew me away. In fact, they were to put it as mildly as possible .... really really sad. Sister White often said she trembled for our church. I wonder how she would describe her reactions if she could read Spectrum comments today. I have more than once compared this hostility for Ted Wilson to the desert rebellion of Korah. I would recommend reading the chapter on Rebellion in the Third Testimonies for the Church. Excerpts are: It is hardly possible for men to offer a greater insult to God than to despise and reject the instrumentalities that He has appointed to lead them. They had not only done this, but had purposed to put both Moses and Aaron to death. These men fled from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram through fear of destruction; but their rebellion was not cured. They still cherished their jealous hatred of the men of God's appointment and strengthened themselves in their mad course of resisting the authority of Moses and Aaron. Satan was at hand to pervert the judgment and lead them blindfolded to destruction. Their minds had been most thoroughly poisoned with disaffection, and they had the matter fixed beyond a question in their minds that Moses and Aaron were wicked men, and that they were responsible for the death of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, ... "But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord." In their indignation they were prepared to lay violent hands upon the men of God's appointment, who they believed had done a great wrong in killing those who were good and holy. Here we find a striking exhibition of the blindness that will compass human minds that turn from light and evidence. Here we see the strength of settled rebellion, and how difficult it is to be subdued. The apostle Paul plainly states that the experience of the Israelites in their travels has been recorded for the benefit of those living in this age of the world, those upon whom the ends of the world are come. We do not consider that our dangers are any less than those of the Hebrews, but greater. There will be temptations to jealousies and murmurings, and there will be outspoken rebellion, as are recorded of ancient Israel. There will ever be a spirit to rise up against the reproof of sins and wrongs. But shall the voice of reproof be hushed because of this? If so, we shall be in no better situation than are the various denominations in our land who are afraid to touch the errors and prevailing sins of the people.

I am all for children who can explain what baptism is all about being baptized. Some children can demonstrate incredible stories of faith and determination to follow Jesus. That said, I know one pastor who hasn't baptized anyone from the community in years and his only baptisms are his grandchildren. Some seem ready for baptism, but others, not so much. I wonder who is benefiting by this. I really agree with this. I am not sure the gospel message is really communicated to people new to the faith. I am not sure many in the church understand it. I feel I can say I did not understand it most of my life. I heard it said so many times to "get ready for Jesus to come." But no one really ever spent much time explaining exactly what "getting ready for Jesus to come" really meant. In fact, it is so poorly understood that Paul called it "the mystery of godliness." Seems to me it is still largely a mystery. There are not many things in this life you can depend on. One thing you can "depend on" is that Satan is not going to slack off of his mission. That includes disrupting the new life that people should be baptized into. All that said, the gospel commision has one word we do really well ... "baptism." There is another pair of words that are fairly ignored ... "making disciples."

I think there is an age when young people should decide whether or not to be baptized - probably around 12 or 13. I wonder if children sometimes get baptized because of pressure from parents, friends, SS teaches, etc. Talk about kids who aren't ready for baptism - there are probably some people much older than that who might not really be ready - especially into an SDA church. But who am I to judge who should or should not be baptized? That should be a decision between the person considering baptism and God. Besides, being baptized has never meant that one would automatically be immune to sin and temptation. I wouldn't be surprised if satan doesn't redouble his evil efforts to defeat one who was recently baptized.

I do agree B/W, but there is a Pastor/Evangelist, at the moment I can't think of his name?? I believe he's from the North West area of the country. I was listening to a sermon of his, if I can find it I'll post it, but he believes that children, if they ask should be baptized!! Not sure yet how I feel about baptizing kids. Having said that, it seems we do try to baptize kids when they get to 12/13 even if they might not really be ready and that's without an evangelist, but the local churches throughout the country??

I tend to think that President Wilson took a prudent step in a message to the church that regarded believers under duress by a foreign government. Wilson did give enough info that the situation can be prayed about because the only prayer that should be prayed is that God's will be done. There is no need for me to know more. There was another SDA list that would refuse to post info regarding governmental actions against church members under the rationale that it could blow back on people living in the situation. I suspect info people in the Burundi government are watching the world scene for more information that could expand their actions against the church. Perhaps even more church members could come under suspicion and be arrested.