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Celebrating Creation and Our Sweet Redemption
Sponsored
by the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the Sweet Redemptive
Crusade International, a major thrust of the Pentecost and More evangelistic
emphasis was launched, about three weeks ago, under the Big White Tent at
the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center. Our hearts have been strangely warmed,
and we have been spiritually refreshed as we listened to Evangelist J.
Wilmoth James present the claims of the gospel with power and conviction
each night. And today, the first Sabbath celebration at the tent, we welcome
the new believers who have joined us in celebrating the creative and
redemptive power of God.
God is Our Creator It
was because of His incomprehensible love for us that God created the earth
and everything on it in six days. On the seventh day He rested to establish
the Sabbath as a memorial of creation. This was to be an example for all
mankind to follow. Every time we rest and worship on the Sabbath, we
acknowledge God as our Creator. He also established marriage, a union
between a man and a woman, as a divine institution. Therefore, it is with
joy that we gather under the tent on God’s Holy day of rest to give Him the
praise and the glory for making us in His image and giving us dominion over
the earth. But as a result of man’s disobedience, the image of God in him
was distorted, and his dominion over the earth was compromised.
Sin Separated Us Sin
also resulted in man’s separation from God and from one another. Thus, “the
special privilege of constant (face to face) communication with the Creator”
was lost. And this loss of the basis for true self-worth and true fellowship
increased the problems in human relationships. Therefore, “pessimism,
loneliness, and meaninglessness” entered the human experience. So for more
than six thousand years mankind has been faced with the dilemma of sin and
its penalty (death). But because of God’s love for us, He provided a way of
escape for all who will accept His plan.
Christ Died to Redeem Us
Although God does not want anyone to die the final death, somebody had
to pay the penalty for sin; for Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is
death; but (God be praised) the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord.” It is clear that the only way to restore the relationship
with God is through Christ; for He paid the penalty for sin. John 3:16 says,
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
This has been the message of the Sweet Redemptive Crusade. Christ died to
redeem us, and He wants to restore His image in us. However, He will not do
it against our will.
We Must Decide to Accept
His Salvation My Brother, my Sister in Christ, to be saved, you have to
accept Christ’s offer of salvation. The Bible says, “Now is the day of
salvation.” Do not put it off for another time. You are not promised
tomorrow or any other time. So say “yes” to Jesus. Don’t delay! Be baptized
today! - Dr. John Carey, Editor
An Open Letter to Members Dear
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Kind Christian greetings. I applaud
you for your participation in the Sweet Redemptive Crusade. God has been
blessing the campaign with His presence on a nightly basis. We praise God
for the Christ-centered messages
and the
positive responses to the plain preaching and teaching of the Word.
We request your continued
prayers and support as we continue to lift up Jesus. Continue to bring your
guests and encourage other members to attend the meetings. The messages are
an inspiration to All who attend.
Parents, please do your best
to supervise your children and ensure that they are under the tent,
especially during the evening services. The Lord will reward your efforts
as you work diligently to care for the “little darlings” and teenagers He
has given you. May you have a spirit-filled Sabbath. -
Sweet Redemptive Team
Handling
Conflict, Preventing the War Are you angry, enraged,
frustrated, irritated, fed up, just about to explode? Before you do
anything you will regret for the rest of your lives, stop and think; and
continue to read this article. Too many Bahamians are allowing frustration
and anger to build up to a boiling point that leads to an eruption that
seems uncontrollable. That’s a myth. But you don’t feel that way, it is
real for you. Why? It is real because you have lost hope, or you feel
disenfranchised so long by society or significant others around you that you
resort to violent conflict. Here are a few tips to help prevent violent
conflict.
1.
Understand your feelings about conflict. Recognize what causes you
to get angry or enraged. What are the trigger points? Are they words you
hear, behavior of others, and tone of voice, facial expressions, or other
emotional responses? When you know what pushes your buttons, you can
improve your control over your reactions.
2. Make
a commitment not to become violent. If it is your goal not to become
violent (which it should be) then make a commitment not to let anything or
any feelings dictate to you. Do not lower yourself to the expression of
others around you. Give yourself a pep talk: “I will not do this.” “I
will not explode!” “I will not become a victim of a violent society.” “I
will not allow anyone to make me feel less of a person.” “No matter what
any one says, I am special. I will not get angry and get violent.”
3.
Listen with your heart. To avoid getting violent, go beyond the
words being used by the one who seems to be trying to get you irate. In
fact, discipline yourself to respond to what seems to be the intent of the
speaker and not how the speaker is saying it. Yes, this calls for
self-control, lots of it. Pay attention to what you are going to say.
You will discover that often when you respond to what the person actually
said and not how the person said it, you will do better. That is called
listening with the heart and not just with the ears. When someone says, “I
hate you!” or “Get your stupid self from my face!” put on the brakes on
violent behavior, and think what you will do next. Maybe the person has a
poor self-image and wants to step on top of you, trampling you down to the
ground. If you keep silent, move away, or calmly respond with the words:
“Let’s talk about it;” or “I understand you are angry, so let’s plan to talk
about it when you feel less tensed.” By using these and other similar
statements, you avert potential violence.
4.
Important Tips. Developing good communication skills is important.
This allows you to resolve issues before they become problems. When you are
dealing with an intense moment, you should:
- a. relax
- b. keep your voice calm
- c. use the “I” statement that
emphasizes how you feel, rather than blaming the other persons.
Instead of yelling, “You always . . .,” “You don’t care . . .,”
try saying “I feel . . . , “ “I am sad . . ....” The “you” word
causes people to be defensive. The “I” word cause us to focus on
our feelings and not the feelings of the other person.
- d. ask first, not demand. Instead of
saying, “Get away from me,” try asking, “Would you please leave me
alone right now?”
- e. stop repeating your point over and
over. That can irritate people. State it clearly once.
I believe that violent crime
can be reduced in our country when people learn how to handle their own
intense feelings and when they have a positive self-image. I call on
churches, schools, and other organizations and professionals to have image
building seminars, parenting seminars, and conflict resolution workshops.
The more we can empower people to take control of their lives the happier
they will be, and we will be preventing the war. - Pastor Barrington
Brennen, Family Ministries and Counseling Services Director
The Hour of
Gospel Music at the Mary Ingraham Home continues weekly on
Sabbaths from 4 to 5 p.m. Today, the Gambier Church is expected. Next
Sabbath, the Good News Church is scheduled.
SAT
Schedule The final sitting for the SAT Academic year of 2007 -
2008 is Sunday, May 4, 2008. All fees and applications should be submitted
to Bahamas Academy on or before March 25, 2008. All interested students
from both private and public schools are invited to apply. - Denise Johnson,
Guidance Counselor
Sabbath
School and Personal Ministries Workshop On Sunday, April 6, 2008
at 9 a.m – 12 noon at the Hillview Church. All Sabbath School & Personal
Ministries directors, assistant directors and secretaries are kindly asked
to attend this very important Seminar and Workshop. - Pastor W. T. Adderley
Men’s
Retreat 2008 "The Year of the Adventist
Man" July 25 and 26, 2008. Plan to be there.
New-Born
Adventist Men’s Retreat in South Andros. If
you were recently baptized, plan to be a part of a special weekend retreat
of New-Born Adventist Men. More information coming soon.
Single
Adults Retreat Coming in July. This retreat will be for all
singles age 25 and older who were never-married, widowed, divorced, or
single parents. It’s going to be great.
Children’s
Production Tomiko Williams of the Maranatha Church is putting on
a production entitled “Noah, the Ark, and the Flood” April 27, 2008. She is
inviting all young persons (ages 5-12) who are interested in being a part of
this production to come to practices on Sundays at 9:30am to 11:30am. The
production needs a total of 110 children.
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Pastor Baraka Muganda |
Pastor Balvin Braham |
Masterguide
Camporee Update Our World Youth Director,
Elder Baraka Muganda, and Pastor Balvin Braham, Associate Youth Director of
the Inter-American Division are officially confirmed to be in attendance at
the West Indies Union Pathfinder/Master Guide Camporee to be held in Camp
Verly, St. Catherine Jamaica from July 21st to 28th, 2008. Over 500
international delegates from various parts of the United States, Canada and
Trinidad will be in attendance. Another 3500 are expected from Jamaica,
Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Turks and Ciacos Islands. They are all very
excited about the camporee and are just ready to begin. Are you?
Our very own Pathfinder Band
will be out in full force. We are looking for a delegation from the Bahamas
conference of over 100 persons. Parents, Pathfinders and Masterguides, time
is of the essence. You don’t want your Pathfinder to be left out from a
once in a lifetime opportunity. Registration fees and forms are due now.
Contact your local club director or the Youth department of the conference.
Urgent, Urgent,
Pathfinder/ Masterguide Camporee Meeting All Pathfinders/ Masterguides
who have registered for or are planning to attend the West Indies Union
Camporee in July of this year are asked to attend a very important meeting
on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at Grant’s Town. It is a must that
all attend, as important information will be shared. Please bring your
travel documents/passports along with you to the meeting.
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Sun Sets Today at 6:16 p.m.
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Sun Sets next Sabbath at 6:19 p.m.
