August 2020

from the Grants Pass Seventh-day Adventist Church

Pastor: Charles Byrd Newsletter Editor: Melissa Derfler rainbowvalley12@gmail.com

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Pope Francis, Two Beasts, & the MarkOur Part in the Restoration of HealthPrayer Ministry: God Will Carry YouNow the Rest of the StoryRafiki’s Brush With DeathPope Francis, Two Beasts...(cont’d)Family Portraits: Betty TetzlaffMessage BoardKid’s Corner, Book ReviewAugust 2020 Church CalendarPastor’s Page: Iron Sharpens Iron

In this issue...

Pope Francis visited America September 22-27, 2015. On September 24, he spoke to a joint session of the U.S. Congress—the first time a Pope has done so. On September 25, he addressed a United Nations gathering in New York City—an event reported to include the largest gathering of world leaders ever. On September 26, he spoke in Philadelphia at The World Meeting of Families. Media coverage was massive. Shockingly, Bible prophecy also reports, “All the world marveled and followed the beast” (Revelation 13:3). Does this prediction have anything to do with the man in the white suit? Revelation chapter 13 describes two beasts—the first

rising out of the sea (13:1), and the second ascending out of the earth (13:11). The second beast finally enforces the “mark” of the first beast (13:16,17) during earth’s last crisis… Concerning the first beast, John wrote:

“I saw a beast rising up out of

the sea…” Revelation 13:1 Who is this beast that figures so largely in God’s last book?... The beast rises from the sea (13:1), looks like a lion, bear, and leopard (13:2), has ten horns (13:1), a mouth speaking great things (13:5), makes war on the saints (13:7), and achieves global influence (13:7). Daniel chapter 7 talks about the exact same things, describing four beasts

rising from the sea (7:1-3), a lion, bear, leopard, and dragon-like animal with ten horns (7:4-7), a little horn with eyes like a man (7:8), a mouth speaking great things (7:8), which makes war on the saints (7:21). Most scholars agree—both Protestant and Catholic—that Daniel’s little horn is the same as the beast in Revelation 13:1. Each has a big mouth and makes war on God’s saints. Here’s a key question: What is a beast? … The Bible provides the answer. An angelic interpreter told Daniel, “The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon the earth” (Daniel 7:23). Thus a beast is a kingdom. Period. The four beasts are four kingdoms. Daniel was living during the time of Babylon (7:1), and in fact, a winged lion was a symbol of that ancient power. Most scholars agree the lion represented Babylon, followed by Persia, then Greece, then Rome. Rome fell in 476 AD

Pope Francis, Two Beasts, and the Devil’s Deadly Mark

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Our Part in the Resoration of HealthThe Restoration of James White Many years ago [1865], while my husband (James White) was bearing heavy responsibilities in Battle Creek, the strain began to tell on him. His health failed rapidly. Finally he broke down in mind and body, and was unable to do anything. My friends said to me, “Mrs. White, your husband cannot live.” I determined to remove him to a place more favorable for his recovery... While on the journey, Willie (Mrs. White’s son) tried to put the bits into the mouth of one of the horses, but found that he could not. I said to my husband, “Put your hand on my shoulder, and come and put the bits in.” He said that he did not see how he could. “Yes, you can,” I replied. “Get right up and come.” He did so, and succeeded in putting the bits in. Then he knew that he would have to do it the next time, too. Constantly I kept my husband working at such little things. I would not allow him to remain quiet, but tried to keep him active... Lead the patients along step by step, step by step, keeping their minds so busily occupied that they have no time to brood over their own condition.

Physical and Mental Activity Encouraged

Often brethren came to us for counsel. My husband wanted to see no one. He much preferred to go into another room when company came.

But usually before he could realize that anyone had come, I brought the visitor before him, and would say, “Husband, here is a brother who has come to ask a question, and as you can answer it much better than I can, I have brought him to you.” Of course he could not help himself then. He had to remain in the room and answer the question. In this way, and in many other ways, I made him exercise his mind. If he had not been

made to use his mind, in a little while it would have

completely failed. Daily my husband went out for a walk. In the winter a terrible snowstorm came, and Father thought he could not go out in the storm and snow... Putting on the boots and starting out, I tracked a quarter of a mile in the deep snow. On my return, I asked my husband to take a walk. He said he could not go out in such

weather. “Oh, yes, you can,” I replied. “Surely you can step in my tracks.” He was a man who had great respect for women; and when he saw my tracks, he thought that if a woman could walk in that snow, he could. That morning he took his usual walk. In the spring there were fruit trees to be set out and garden to be made. “Willie,” I said, “please buy three hoes and three rakes. Be sure to buy three of each.” When he brought them to me, I told him to take one of the hoes, and Father another. Father objected, but took one. Taking one myself, we began work; and although I blistered my hands, I led them in the hoeing. Father could not do much, but he went through the motions. It was by such methods as these, that I tried to cooperate with God in restoring my husband to health. And

oh, how the Lord blessed us. I always took my husband with me when I went out driving. And I took him with me when I went to preach at any place. I had a regular circuit of meetings. I could not persuade him to go into the desk while I preached. Finally, after many, many months, I said to him, “Now, my husband, you are going into the desk today.” He did not want to go, but I would not yield. I took him up into the desk with me. That day he spoke to the people. Although the meetinghouse was filled with unbelievers, for half an hour

I still remember the day, now over 37 years ago, when my husband came to the little SDA church in Murphy, Oregon to tell me there had been an accident. Although 37 years have passed, I still tear up as I recall the day my father was severely injured in a propane explosion at his home in Long Beach, California. He died less than 24 hours later as a result of his injuries. As I look back on that experience I believe it was only God who carried me through. I was a baby Christian, but God had already prepared me for the tragedy of my life that was to shake me to my very core by bringing me to this church. I can’t explain how God does it, but He gives sanity to insane situations, He gives peace when there is only chaos and He carries us when we are ready to fall. He is our unfailing Father. And that day He carried me.

I could not refrain from weeping. My heart was overflowing with joy and gratitude. I knew that the victory had been gained.

Rewarded for Persistent Effort After eighteen months of constant cooperation with God in the effort to restore my husband to health, I took him home again. After his recovery, my husband lived for a number of years, during which time he did the best work of his life. Did not those added years of

Prayer MinistryGod Will Carry You

Today there are many in our congregation who are struggling with unexpected tragedies and situations that wrench our hearts. In addition to our local heartaches

the state of our world seems to be spinning out of control. My thoughts to all who are suffering, to all who are stressed - your Heavenly Father loves you. He understands whatever you are going through and He is bending over you saying look up my child, I will carry you through. Friends, this world is waxing old and is groaning under the weight of sin, but don’t give up no matter what satan will put you through. God has made a way of escape. It will all be worth it in the end. And soon and very soon, Jesus will rescue us from this world

of pain and sin and take us to the mansions He is preparing for us in heaven, where there will be no more heartache and tears. I am looking forward to that day. May God be with you my friends and as Henry Martin would say, I want you (all) to be my neighbors in heaven.~Donna Griffith, Prayer Ministry P.S. If you would like someone to pray with you, please call me or one of the others on the prayer ministry team (Gloria Wilson, Darla Day)

usefulness repay me many fold for the eighteen months of painstaking care? ...God will work wonders for every one of us if we work in faith, acting as we believe, that when we cooperate with Him, He is ready to do His part... 2 Selected Messages 306-308}

Avoid gloomy thoughts I saw that my husband should not suffer his mind to dwell upon the wrong side--the dark, gloomy side. He should put from him saddening thoughts and

saddening subjects, and be cheerful, happy, grateful, and should have a firm reliance upon God and an unshaken confidence and trust in Him. His health will be much better if he can control his mind. 3SM 280.3} “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.” Phil 4:8 ~ John Mauro

Health Corner, continued from previous page

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It was a sunny but not hot evening at Grayback Campground. Dave and Debbie Crick and I had gone for a walk on one of the hiking trails along the rippling creek. We were eating our dinner when we heard music coming from the campsite beside us. As I listened carefully, I could hear someone playing their guitar and singing Gospel songs. The wheels in my brain started turning. I had brought some Great Controversy books with me as well as a booklet, Never Give Up. I had prayed just that morning that I would be able to give away at least one. Who me? Couldn’t be! I don’t have the nerve to do that, but I was compelled and even eager. Dave, Debbie and I finished eating, cleaned up our mess and decided to go for a walk – starting with the music camp site. I boldly went up to the wife (Donna), of the man playing the guitar. I told her that I noticed she was a Christian and I had some books I thought she would enjoy. I showed her the Never Give Up book, a small collection of short stories of people who didn’t give up. Before I could say anything about the

Great Controversy, Donna pointed to the book and said, “A lady just stayed at my house for a month who was reading that book. This lady was elderly and homeless and said she was a Seventh-day Adventist. I explained to Donna

that the book was a commentary on the history of Christianity and end time events and she could have the

book for herself. She excitedly

accepted it. Dave, Debbie and I left and went on our walk. When we returned, Dave and Debbie talked to her again and learned that Donna was working out some problems. Her husband and kids had gone home and she had time to contemplate. I knew I could

Now the rest of the story...

help her so I went over to visit and ended up talking to her for quite awhile. The next day we helped her break camp, talked to her some more and invited her to the Gateway Church. She was aware of Cowboy Church and she said she either knew Chuck Austin or knew of him! What are the chances that Dave picked this particular campground for us to camp on this particular day and we all wanted this particular camp site? This was definitely Divine Providence and we all felt so blessed to be used of God. Praise God! But how is this the rest of the story? The reason I had the Great Controversy books is because when I was at home preparing to pack my clothes in my small suitcase, I saw the books in there that I had never emptied out after selling them last year to help the Pathfinders go to the International Pathfinder Camporee. When I saw them, I decided to take 3 books with me and asked God to help me give away at least one. God honored that request. And now you know the rest of the story. ~Gloria Wilson4

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Rafiki’s BRush with death Much has happened since the April newsletter with my introduction of Rafiki Mureramanzi, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who has lived in a refugee camp in Rwanda since 2012. The mid-March closure of schools by the Rwandan government because of the corona virus has lasted much longer than the two weeks originally expected. In May, the country opened up enough that adults could go outside the camps to purchase food and needed supplies, but it was determined that schools would remain closed (except for online classes that lasted until mid to late June) until September. Rafiki was able to negotiate with the United Nations officials in charge of the Kigeme refugee camp for a classroom with electricity in a school just outside the camp so he and the other students supported by the Center for Online Evangelism (the Rwanda Project/Project Caleb) could have reliable electricity and could continue with their online university studies and online English studies with Richard Carrigan. That classroom availability was short-lived, however, for by the end of June the government had taken over the school building to quarantine people who might have Covid-19. Rafiki and the other students continued to try to find other resources to allow them to complete their studies. In addition, they sought to focus on a spiritual connection while working to improve their English language skills and at the end of June or early July, Rafiki and a few of his classmates attended the Grants Pass Sabbath School class led by Donna Griffith on Zoom. (I also recently learned that in the pre-corona virus pandemic days Rafiki taught a Sabbath School class for theology students at the church he attended near the Adventist university in Kigali.) Then came July 15. Several people in and near the refugee camp were diagnosed with Covid-19, and the Kigeme camp was placed on lockdown for 15 days, with a decision to be made July 29 as to whether the lockdown will continue or be lifted. No one is allowed out of the camp, and police are stationed around the camp to ensure the lockdown orders are obeyed. The United Nations has to deliver food to the refugees in the camp. While this is a discouraging change in his situation, Rafiki remembers

how God has led in the past and continues to trust in Him. During our July 20 weekly meeting via WhatsApp, Rafiki shared more of his past with me. When he was 14 or 15 years old (about 2008 or 2009) and living in the DRC, he had first-hand experience with the violence plaguing the DRC. One day rebel soldiers belonging to the Coalition of Congolese Patriotic Resistance (PARECO) came into his classroom in a Protestant school in the DRC and started

to take out one of his classmates. The boy ran and the soldiers shot him in the back, killing him. Sometime after that, Rafiki went to his family farm (just over a mile from his home) to plant potatoes. He was approached by PARECO soldiers who told him he had to go with them and carry their things. He did as he was told, but unbeknownst to him about a half mile down the road one of the soldiers placed a couple of bullets in Rafiki’s pocket. Not long after that, the rebel soldiers asked Rafiki what he had in his pockets and after he responded “nothing” they proceeded to pull out the bullets the soldier had planted in his pocket. They started beating him and accusing him of being a spy working for a rival militia, and accused his father and brother of being spies and working for the rivals also.

As they traveled toward their destination they passed some people who knew Rafiki, and who then hurried to find his mother and tell her what they had seen. All of them thought Rafiki would be killed and they’d never see him again. Rafiki was praying constantly and was asking God why He was letting this happen to him. Rafiki was also convinced that he would be killed, but somewhere along the way that conviction changed to a calm assurance that he would live—a peace that could only have come from God. It grew late and started to rain heavily. About 10 pm they were 3 miles from Rafiki’s family farm. They found a small church in a village and went inside to shelter. The soldiers talked of their plans to kill Rafiki. A PARECO officer and his wife were with the soldiers that day and had done nothing to stop the beatings, but the wife had seen the soldier plant the bullets on Rafiki. Rafiki had suspected the soldiers but said nothing out of fear they would make him suffer more when they killed him if he said anything. However, at the church when the soldiers were preparing to kill Rafiki, the officer’s wife contradicted their story, and accused the soldiers of lying and of being the ones who had placed the bullets. With the hope that someone was on his side, Rafiki also told the officer of his suspicions. The officer believed his wife rather than the soldiers and as he then beat the soldiers they confessed to what they had done. The officer finally told Rafiki he was free to go or stay there until the rain stopped. Rafiki wisely said he wouldn’t stay and although it was about 11pm, he ran through the dark back home and was reunited with his mother and family. Rafiki believes God heard his prayers and compelled the officer’s wife to tell the truth, saving his life. Rafiki Mureramanzi has experienced the truth of God’s promise that “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me.” (Psalm 23:4) Please pray for Rafiki, his classmates, and all the Congolese refugees living in camps in Rwanda, that the Kigeme camp will open up again and that the students will be able to return soon to school. Pray that God’s purpose for sparing his life and helping him and his family to flee to Rwanda in 2012 will become clear as Rafiki seeks to do His will. ~Linda Wagner

and was divided among these ten primary nations: Vandals, Heruli, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Anglo-Saxons, Suevi, Burgundians, Lombards, and Alemanni. Prophecy clearly predicted “the little horn” would: 1) Rise out of the fourth beast, or Roman Empire (7:7, 8) 2) Rise among the ten horns, in Western Europe (7:8) 3) Have eyes like a man, or human leadership (7:8) 4) Have a mouth speaking great things (7:8) 5) Make war on the saints (7:21) Thus we have Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, Rome’s division, and then the little horn that is the same as the first beast in Revelation 13, of whom it is written, “All the world marveled and followed the beast” (13:3). Who is this horn or beast? …Millions of reputable Bible-believing Protestant Christians like Martin Luther (Lutheran), John Calvin (Presbyterian), John Wesley (Methodist), Charles Spurgeon (Baptist), and Matthew Henry (world-famous Bible Commentary author) interpreted the highly-symbolic first “beast” of Revelation 13:1-10 to be the religious-political system (not Catholic people) of the Roman Church, led by popes… What about the second beast—a lamb-like beast rising from “the earth”—described in Revelation 13:11? Does it have anything to do with the United States of America? Let’s explore this. God’s Word predicted:

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth,

and he had two horns like a

lamb and spoke like

a dragon.” Revelation

13:11… Thus John saw a great nation rising into power. From where? “Out of the earth,” predicted the prophet. In Daniel 7, all four beasts “came up from the sea” (Daniel 7:3). What does “the sea” or water represent? Prophecy provides the answer. A holy angel confirmed:

“The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues.”

Revelation 17:15 True to both prophecy and history, ancient Babylonia, Persia, Greece and Rome all arose from the midst of a sea of peoples in Europe and the Middle East. Not so with the Revelation 13:11 creature, which comes from the earth. Thus Revelation 13:11 points to a mighty nation rising out of a sparsely inhabited wilderness area. “I saw another beast coming out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb.” Each word is critical. The primary Lamb of God

is Jesus Christ. “Like a lamb,” indicates that this out-of-the-earth nation would have lamb-like or Christian features. Significantly, its “two horns” have no crowns, whereas the first beast’s ten horns do have crowns (Revelation 13:1). Crowns represent kingly power. Thus Revelation 13:11 depicts a new nation, with gentle, lamblike, Christian features, rising out of a sparsely inhabited area, led by a government without a king. Are the pieces coming together yet? Only one nation today fits every prophetic detail: The United States of America. Here’s a shocker: The latter portion of Revelation 13’s prophecy teaches that the lamb-like beast (USA) will cooperate with, and even promote, the “worship” of the first beast (Papal Rome). God’s prophecy declares:

“And he” (the lamb-like beast) “exercises all the authority of the first beast (the sea beast) in his presence, and

causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” Revelation

13:12, emphasis added Get it? In Revelation 13:12, the second beast honors the first beast, contributes to its worship, and both beasts work together near the close of time. Think soberly for a minute. For nearly 1,000 years, the Roman Church dominated Europe as a church/state combination. No one questions this. But America is different. It has “two horns [without crowns] like a lamb,” indicating a democratic-type government that promotes lamb-

like, Christian freedoms. But finally, as a global crisis looms, both beasts work together toward a global “solution”—which eventually becomes “the mark” of the beast (see Revelation 13:16,17).On June 18, 2015, Pope Francis’s monumental encyclical on “climate change” was released by the Vatican. On the very same day, President Obama issued a press release from the White House stating:

I [President Obama] welcome His Holiness Pope Francis’ encyclical, and deeply admire the Pope’s decision to

make the case — clearly, powerfully, and with the full moral authority of his position —

for action on global climate change … I believe the United States must be a leader in this effort … (The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, June 18,

2015, emphasis added). ... The Holy Bible predicts that during Earth’s darkest hour a sinister deception called “the mark of the beast” (see

Pope Francis, Two Beasts, and the Devil’s Deadly Mark, con’t from cover

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Revelation 19:20) will be legislated by earthly governments as a misguided solution to a global crisis. Finally, “no one may buy or sell except the one who has the mark” (Revelation 13:17). Those who settle into this delusion—after being earnestly warned by a loving Creator to reject the devil’s deadly mark—will reap the just “wrath of God” (see Revelation 14:9-11), and be doomed forever. Sound serious? It is. Keep reading. What is this mysterious mark? 1. The “mark” is mentioned eight times in the book of

Revelation (13:16,17; 14:9,11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4). 2. Those who receive this “mark” are “deceived” (Revelation 19:20). Thus the “mark” must be highly deceptive. 3. The “mark” comes from “the beast.” Thus we must correctly interpret who the beast is. 4. The “mark” involves false worship, for the Bible says, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark …” (Revelation 14:9). 5. By contrast, the Bible urges God’s people to “worship Him that made heaven and earth …” (Revelation 14:7). 6. Only those who “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12) will avoid the mark (verse 11). 7. The “mark” is received in two places: the “forehead” (mind) or the “hand” (actions)—which are the exact two places God seeks to write the Ten Commandments (see Deuteronomy 5:6-21; 6:8; Hebrews 8:10; 10:18). Thus those who wholly trust Jesus as their Savior, worship the Creator, and have God’s law written within them, will avoid the deadly mark. This is what the Scripture says. Back to the beast. As previously established in Part 1, for nearly 400 years—from the 1500s to the 1800s—millions of Protestant Christians … interpreted “the beast” to be the religious-political system … of the Roman Church, led by popes. Thus the “mark of the beast” comes from the Roman Catholic Church.Does the Roman Church have a mark? Indeed she does. Put on your spiritual seat belts. According to official statements from Catholic sources, Rome considers Sunday—a day which the Bible never sanctifies as a special day of worship—to be a mark of her authority. See for yourself:

Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change [from the Bible Sabbath to Sunday] was her act … And

the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical authority in religious things.” C.F. Thomas, chancellor of Cardinal

Gibbons, in a letter dated November 11, 1895.

By contrast, the Ten Commandments, “written with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18), identify “the seventh day” of

the week (Saturday) as God’s holy rest day, not Sunday, which is simply “the first day of the week.” The fourth commandment thunders:

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy …the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.

… For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them,

and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it”

Exodus 20:8–11, emphasis added If you study history carefully, you will discover that the Roman Church led the charge away from the biblical Sabbath and over to Sunday (“the day of the sun”), partly because of compromises with pagan sun worship, and partly due to hostility against Jews—which was then rationalized with the crowning argument that, after all, Jesus rose on Sunday. But remember, the book of Revelation clearly states that those who “worship” the Creator (Revelation 14:7) and “keep the commandments of God” (Revelation 14:12) won’t get the mark. Now don’t miss this: the only one of the Ten Commandments about the Creator is Number Four, which commands us to keep “the seventh day,” which is our Creator’s original rest day (see Genesis 2:1-3). Amazingly, the book of Revelation predicts that Rome’s “mark” will someday be globally enforced by law. Impossible! you may be thinking. No, it isn’t. In Pope Francis’ June 18, 2015, encyclical recommending solutions for the problem of global “climate change,” the Pope declared,

“Sunday, like the Jewish Sabbath, is meant to be a day

which heals our relationships with

God, with ourselves, with others and with

the world” Praised Be, Section

237, emphasis added Believe it or not, Sunday closing laws have already been pushed or enforced to various degrees in Germany, Hungary, Greece, Poland, Chile, Fiji, Argentina, Brazil, and in other countries. News articles favoring Sunday legislation have also been recently reported on Fox News, CBS, CNN, The Guardian, Associated Press, and Time magazine. As Planet Earth falls apart, and as millions of desperate eyes look to the Pope for guidance, you can expect such agitation to increase, until finally, Sunday will be legislated worldwide. Prophecy predicts it. You’ve been warned… Read Revelation 14:6-12 as if your life depended on it. As you do, you will discover that the real issue is trusting Jesus, worshiping the Creator, and keeping God’s law. Jesus Himself is our Creator (see John 1:3,10). He Himself is “Lord of the Sabbath” (see Matthew 12:8). It was our Creator Himself who died on a cruel cross for our sins and waywardness in breaking His Holy Law (see 1 Cor. 15:3; 1 John 3:4)—including the Sabbath commandment. The bottom line is: who will you follow during earth’s final crisis? Will it be Jesus Christ, our loving Creator, or the beast?That choice is up to you. ~White Horse Ministries, Pastor Steve Wohlberg

Pope Francis, Two Beasts, and the Devil’s Deadly Mark, con’tinued from page 6

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When Betty was born

in Southport, England, she joined

three older sisters in her family. While still a baby,

Betty’s family moved to Chile and she was raised in South

America, later moving to Argentina for a time and living in Buenos Aires. She grew up speaking English at home but learned Spanish at such an early age that she doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t bilingual. She is still fluent in Spanish today. Betty’s parents separated when she was quite young and her mother supported her four girls by working as a housekeeper on large sheep ranches that were owned by wealthy English corporations. The family lived on the various ranches, but since Betty’s mother might only work for a year or so on any one ranch, they moved many times. There was a period of about three years, however, that they lived on the island of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire), which is jointly owned by Chile and Argentina. Betty’s schooling suffered during her elementary years as a result of the family’s frequent moves, but since she enjoyed reading, her self-education progressed to the point that she was able to finish high school with her class. Something that Betty loved while

growing up was animals. There were always horses on the ranches where they lived and Betty became an experienced horseback rider. At the age of eighteen, Betty decided to leave Argentina, where she and her mother were living at the time, and come to the United States to live with a married, older sister. She arrived in Southern California and began working in various office jobs until she obtained a position with the Disney Corporation, where she stayed for the next twenty-six years, until her retirement. Betty married a few years after coming to the U.S. but, when her marriage ended, she raised her two young children on her own. Betty’s family belonged to the Catholic Church when she was growing up and they attended Mass regularly. But as she grew older, she began questioning some of the different practices and doctrines, as there were things that just didn’t make sense to her. One day, she determined that she would ask her priest to explain some of these things to her. So she made an appointment to go see him. When he was unable to give her any satisfactory answers, she walked out and never returned to church again. She was disillusioned with religion but still searching for something, though she wasn’t sure what it was.

One day, she happened upon a radio program by Roy Masters (the Foundation of Human Understanding) and she was intrigued with what she heard. She began listening regularly and was soon following the practices he outlined, even coming up to his ranch in Grants Pass for a vacation one time with her daughter. When she retired from the Disney Corporation, she decided she would move to Grants Pass so she could be more involved with this particular organization. She followed the teachings of this charismatic man for about 10-12 years. But eventually she realized that this was not what she was looking for and left the group. About two years after leaving Roy Masters, while watching television one day, Betty came across Better Life TV. She enjoyed the programs that she saw there and began watching several of the preachers, Doug Batchelor being one of her favorites. It wasn’t long before she realized that this was what she had been looking for and she wanted to belong to this church. It all made sense to her and she could hardly wait to find out where the church was. She attended on the very next Sabbath and met

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Family Portraits, cont. from page 8

Pastor Chinn, telling him she wanted to become a member. It was only a short time before she was baptized by Pastor Clark as she had a good understanding of the teachings and doctrines already from watching many sermons on BLBN. She immediately became involved in various ministries of the church, including being a deaconess, working in Dorcas, and helping at the school and the Veggie Store. She enjoyed the opportunity to get to know most of our church family over the years. She became a member in March of 2000, and she still says, over twenty years later, that joining the Seventh-day Adventist church was the best decision she ever made in her life! ~Ginny Frost

Dear Church Family, We are sending prayers of gratitude and praise to our Heavenly Father for the complete healing of my brother-in-law, David, from Covid-19. It started with a runny nose and slight fever. Three days later, body aches so bad, my sister couldn’t touch him. Six days later, it hit his chest and he had trouble breathing and speaking. That is when he finally let my sister take him to the ER. She thought it was pneumonia. Two days later, they got the call that he tested positive for Covid-19. Even though his breathing was shallow, they would not admit him into the hospital because his vitals were good. They sent her home with instructions on how to care for him. Two days later, she took him back to the ER. His breathing was worse and he could barely grunt as a way to speak. She was worried that she wasn’t doing enough to help him. Again, his vitals were fine, so they assured her she was doing a great job. No need to admit him. Continue the Tylenol to keep the fever down, and monitor oxygen levels. They told her “This is a terrible disease and you just have to let it run its course.”

So she took him home and continued to care for him. It was very scary and exhausting, but she told me that she could feel the power of everyone’s prayers. And thank you Lord, for your tender mercies towards us. Sincerely, Larrie De La Vega and David & Michelle Coolidge

Dear Church Family, I want to thank everyone who sent condolences via cards, texts and phone messages and especially for your prayers. They have been invaluable in helping me through this very difficult time. I am so blessed! I know God is beside me and guiding me through this valley. Your caring and comfort is reassuring. Darla, thank you for your daily Scriptures. Bless you all and thank you again. ~Kerri Dobbins

Galina’s friend, Larisa, is looking for a small house, cabin, studio apartment, or a place for an RV trailer in Grants Pass. Please call Galina at 541 441 1149 or Larisa at 541 226 6500.

I have been in Rogue River with my husband Tim for 10 months now. Please pray for my new church and friends at Grants Pass, and our for parents Orley & Milly Ringering, and their 8 children, 14 grandchildren

and 2 great grandchildren. Thank you! ~Beth Ringering

The Lord has put me in situations where I have opportunities to speak for Him. With every new RN and CNA, the conversation drifts so I have had a chance to speak a word for Jesus. Thank you church family for your continued prayers for my recovery, and also for my husband. ~Rosalie Hurd

Please pray for Steve King, who is home from the hospital after suffering from a brain bleed that caused seizures. You may remember Steve now lives in Reno and is a dear friend from many years ago.

Please pray for Don Wills. He is currently in the hospital in Medford, and Robin is not able to visit him due to the reported viral outbreak at the hospital.

Havilah and Kareah enjoy baby goats at Sabbath School (before Covid 19)

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Ingrid GruenheidBetty HamblinDavid HamblinRuth HamblinJoney & Dahnn HaningHarry HansenButch & Pam HelwigFran HolderVirginia HumeDr. Frank & Rosalie Hurd

Thoughts & PrayersGary JonesDennis KambergSharon KarenSteve KingDelbert & Alice LewisJerry & Zola LewisDarlene LoewenHenry MartinCathy McGinnisMarvin McKillipRita McMullen Molly MourningOur School Chuck Painter Melvin PartinJessica RaeRon RauIsrael RushLance SchmidtMel SmithJoy StewartYvonne TooleyRinann UtegEthel WattsDon WillsBLBN

Catherine BellStan BishopCathy BoveeJoyce CasperMildred Chaney Larry DayArtur & Tulia De CarvalhoSylvia CraryPatty EsquivelTodd & Connie Frye Tom FullerDennis GallegosBeth Greer

Conversion Testimony of a Former Catholic Priest

As a child, Chiniquy memorized scriptures at his mother’s knee and developed a deep love for God. Becoming a priest, he wanted des-perately to place full trust in his “church”, but was hit by waves of

Book Review

doubt as his “church” claimed adher-ence to the Gospel, yet violated it at every turn. His jealous superiors falsely accused him, but Abraham Lincoln, a young lawyer from Illinois, defended him and saved his reputa-tion. Chiniquy proves that it was the Jesuits who later killed Lincoln, and explains why. Finally, after twenty-five years as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church, his bishop demanded that he give up his precious Bible, and pledge blind obedience to the “church”. After a dark night of struggle, he emerged gloriously saved, and led almost

the entire Catholic population of St. Anne, Illinois, to trust in Christ alone. Here is the finest work ever writ-ten to show, from the inside, what Catholicism really is. You will feel Chiniquy’s broken heart for Catholics, even as he clearly refutes Catholi-cism’s errors. Now, abridged from the 1886 edition, it is even more read-able than before! I read this book and it is very eye opening! You can order your own copy (Google it) OR download this book for FREE at whitehorse-media.com, OR listen to it online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz1mL0ILSmg

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As Iron Sharpens Iron

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“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.“ Proverbs 27:17 NIV

Have you ever heard of a “sharp” business man? In a positive sense, it is talking about someone who is quick of perception and comprehension and, as a result, quick to respond to an opportunity to make a profit. If you can do that honestly and with integrity, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, Jesus told a parable about that very thing. Check it out in Matthew 13:44. This guy goes and sells everything he owns to get enough money to buy a field. Why? Because he knew the wealth hidden in the field was worth far far more! Sharp. So, let me be a tool in God’s hand to sharpen your perceptions and comprehensions. Why? Because I just found one of those really profitable opportunities that can make you truly rich – that is, if you take advantage of it. I found it in Our High Calling page 18. “Every gift He [God] has given to us, when returned to Him, receives His blessing, that it may have increased influence in the work of God.” How much of a blessing do we receive? The same paragraph says, when we give Him our talents in the service of saving souls “we are doubling them.” If you could invest $100,000 and receive in return $200,000 you’d think you’d scored pretty big. So, God

invests in us. He gives us talents of wealth, organization, and special abilities. Then He asks us to give them back to Him in service for His eternal kingdom. When we do so, He takes those gifts and doubles them. Example? OK, God asks Moses to give Him his shepherd’s rod (see Ex. 4:2-5). That rod, totally surrendered to God’s service now becomes the “Rod of God” (Ex. 4:20). It becomes a tool in the hands of God to become a snake eating up

the “rods” of the Egyptian magicians (Ex. 7:12). It becomes a tool of judgment bringing plagues upon Egypt (Ex. 7:20; 8:5, 16, 17; 9:23; 10:13). But not just

judgments and

plagues, the simple staff

becomes a tool of amazing deliverance (Ex. 14:16; 17:5, 6, 9-11). So, I ask, “What’s in your hand? What are you going to give the Master for His service?” Some money? Most all of us could do that.

What about our influence, inviting others to get involved? What about our talents donated freely to His service? That combination built the Tabernacle in the desert (Ex. 35:20-22; 36:5, 6) which brought the very presence of Jehovah into their midst (Ex. 40:34, 35). And that my friend, is the biggest blessing of all. In fact, that is the ONLY way to actually find true happiness. “It is in a life of service only that true happiness is found.” {HP 229.2} When we are serving God, seeking to save others for eternity, God is able to double His blessings in our lives and make our service truly remarkable, even miraculous. We are involved in many local mission projects right here in Grants Pass. We’ve also chosen to engage in three World Mission projects. What have you personally done? What are you doing? You can’t just surrender a little

of this, or a touch of

that. It takes a full and complete

surrender. To take a piece of steel and turn it into a

harvesting tool, it must go through the fire, it must take the blows of the iron hammer. Sounds

a bit harsh and violent, I know, but allow me to push the bellows bringing to your heart the Holy Spirit, to strike a blow with the hammer of truth that prepares you for His service. Then you’ll see God use you for His glory and thus hasten His return. ~Pastor Charles Byrd12

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