Tuesday, October 25, 2011

England's ARME!!


Need I say any more?? :-)

Monday, October 24, 2011

Press Together, Press Together...

I've been reading through the book of Acts and reflecting on the life of Paul. His life, his wisdom, the miracles God worked through him, and the way he dealt with the believers is profound on so many levels. It's amazing how God could take a man that once hated and persecuted Christians (even put them to death), and turn him into someone that was so loving and such a powerful soul-winner, and that when threatened with death, was able to remain calm and steadfast for God's truth! Truly Paul's life exemplifies II Cor 5:17

"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are past away. Behold all things are become new."

Can you imagine the opportunity to work along side such a man of God? What a privilege! Many disciples must have coveted this position. Yet Barnabas is the one that had this privilege, at least for awhile.

But then something sad happened. Barnabas, his traveling companion, wanted to do something that Paul didn't feel was wise. (You can read about it in Acts 15:36-41.) Barnabus wanted to bring with them John Mark, but John Mark evidently had not been walking in the way or doing the work. Thus, Paul in his wisdom did not think this was best. In fact, judging on his reaction, he must have felt that it would actually be a hindrance to their work. There was such contention between them over this matter that they separated. At first we might think, "Well, maybe Paul was a little too harsh with Barnabas over the matter. Maybe he didn't make the wise choice there to say no, because he lost Barnabas as a traveling companion after that." However, as you read on through the Bible, it's obvious that God continued to walk with Paul and work through him in a mighty way. In fact, after their separation, the experiences, miracles, and testimony of Paul and his traveling companions go on and on. Paul is mentioned over 100 times in the Bible after they separated. Obviously, God was with Him and in a very big way. But what happened to Barnabas? Well, he's mentioned only 5 times in the entire Bible after this separation, and a couple of those times are not even in a positive reference…it sounds like he got caught up in the "dissimulation" (or hypocrisy) of the Jews and was carried away. What a sad way to end his work for God.


As we prepare for Christ's soon coming, I'm reminded of how important it is that we PRESS TOGETHER, and STAY TOGETHER! Working with the ARME Bible Camp ministries team has become one of my greatest joys, and I have come to love my teammates dearly. However, sometimes, as we are in such close quarters, and we work and travel so much together, there can be small misunderstandings or rifts that can develop. By God's grace, we've always worked these things out. So I am so thankful for that, and that although I have faults, and we all have areas of weakness, because of our unity with Christ, we can continue to work through the details of life and ministry together. I pray that we never loose this ability.


My dearest friend Kim, just sent me a reminder of what our attitude should and should NOT be towards our brother's in Christ as we work for Him, and I wanted to share that here, especially as we are preparing for another big camp. This passage of inspiration comes from the book, Testimonies for the Church, Volume 6, page 42. 


"The success of the meeting depends on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. For the outpouring of the Spirit every lover of the cause of truth should pray. And as far as lies in our power, we are to remove every hindrance to His working. The Spirit can never be poured out while variance and bitterness toward one another are cherished by the members of the church. Envy, jealousy, evil surmising, and evilspeaking are of Satan, and they effectually bar the way against the Holy Spirit’s working. Nothing else in this world is so dear to God as His church. Nothing is guarded by Him with such jealous care. Nothing so offends God as an act that injures the influence of those who are doing His service. He will call to account all who aid Satan in his work of criticizing and discouraging.

Those who are destitute of sympathy, tenderness, and love cannot do Christ’s work. Before the prophecy can be fulfilled, The weak shall be 'as David,' and the house of David 'as the angel of the Lord' (Zechariah 12:8), the children of God must put away every thought of suspicion in regard to their brethren. Heart must beat in unison with heart. Christian benevolence and brotherly love must be far more abundantly shown. The words are ringing in my ears: 'Draw together, draw together.' The solemn, sacred truth for this time is to unify the people of God. The desire for pre-eminence must die. One subject of emulation must swallow up all others—who will most nearly resemble Christ in character? who will most entirely hide self in Jesus?

“Herein is My Father glorified,” Christ says, “that ye bear much fruit.” John 15:8. If there was ever a place where the believers should bear much fruit, it is at our camp meetings. At these meetings our acts, our words, our spirit, are marked, and our influence is as far-reaching as eternity."

Isn't that powerful?

So my prayer for all of us, whether working in ministry, attending an ARME Bible Camp, or working to support and spread the gospel on any scale, let us not allow misunderstanding or dispute to come up between us. Let us, at all cost to self, press together and seek to be unified in Christ, that we, as Paul, can carry on with many more amazing testimonies of God's glory and God's work in our lives!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Seeing God's hand at the General Conference...


I still find it hard to believe how God has blessed ARME Bible Camp and the united prayer ministry over this past year. If you read my post from October 1st, you read all that God has been doing since last Annual Council and how He has opened multiple doors. It's amazing. I've just returned from this year's General Conference Annual Council 2011, and all I can say is, "God is good. He is really good! And He is at work in His church."


We had a prayer room again, where we spent many hours a day praying for our leaders and the heavy decisions they were making. We also prayed with any of them that came to visit or had a few minutes to spare. Elder Wilson even came by the prayer room for a few minutes to pray with us. What a treat that was!


Our team this year consisted of Martin and Liana Kim, Erik Kelly, my old roommate from Loma Linda, Susy Solomon (who is really passionate about prayer), and myself. We also had help from a couple volunteers from the GC - Debbie and Lazarus. As usual, the time together praying really bonded us all closely together.


Our theme for this year's Annual Council was REVIVAL and HIS WORD. Very fitting for where we are in ministry with ARME. The first evening for opening meetings, Jerry Page called me to the front and gave me the microphone to share about what God has been doing in our united prayer ministry through this last year. I didn't have long, but was able to give an over-view of the revival and reformation we've been seeing everywhere we've been. I shared a testimony from Adventist University of the Philippines, and then I asked Pastor Ratsara to share what happened last year after Annual Council in his Division. The time was brief, but I felt so blessed as God helped us know just what to say...


After we prayed together at 7pm (in honor of the 777 prayer initiative), we came off stage. Then I was surprised as Elder Page immediately started sharing about our newest "Praying for Rain: Mini Handbook for United Prayer" that we have put together to help spread the word about how to start united prayer groups. This booklet was originally written just for ARME Bible Camp attendees and our prayer room participants, but now has expanded to be a joint effort between us and the GC, as they are promoting the book as well. (They've just ordered over 30,000 from the first printing and gave away over 3,000 during the Annual Council to their delegates and leaders.) So we praise God for how He is helping us get this resource out and spreading the power of united prayer! (At the bottom of this post, I'll tell you how you can get your own copy as well!)


After this Elder Page also talked quite extensively about Operation Global Rain, a grassroots initiative started by our own Pastor Myers that thousands of churches have been part of these last several years. He showed the poster materials they had made to get the word out, as well as a promotional DVD. (You can view the Operation Global Rain promo HERE!) It's exciting to see how this is beginning to really take root within the church as a whole, and how the word is getting out. (If you haven't heard about this 10 days of united prayer - it's happening January 4-14, 2012. You can read more at: www.operationglobalrain.com)

Elder Finley has also written some additional resources to go with Operation Global Rain. You can see these, as well as our mini prayer handbook, "Praying for Rain," at the GC's Revival and Reformation website.


The meetings this time at the Annual Council seemed to be quite heavy and intense. (More so then last time I think. I think they had bigger issues to address this year as the new organization is getting into place.) Yet, we still saw God at work among the leaders, and the overall spirit and unity was amazing.

Each morning we took turns leading united prayer before the meetings began. For this we had anywhere from 20-70 leaders in attendence. God blessed. It was a blessing to hear the leaders praying even in their own languages.


However, in addition to getting to lead united prayer before each meeting, we also got to lead united prayer after the morning devotional. This was when everyone was present!!! Each morning someone important spoke…like Barry Black, Chaplain of the US Senate, Elder Damsteegt from Andrews, Shawn Boonstra, and others. Then Liana, Martin, Erik and I took turns leading each day. Since there were probably 400 present, after we explained how things were going to work and gave a brief thought focused on the power of prayer, we had everyone divide into small groups, and then we facilitated between each theme from the front, as well as led a few appropriate songs. It was amazing.  More then once, I thought I heard the angels singing in harmony with us! It was so beautiful. Afterwards, Elder Wilson even publicly thanked us. It almost made me cry. What a privilege to get to pray with God's leaders.



While we didn't have as many leaders come through the prayer room this year, I think largely due to the heaviness of the agenda items and meetings, since our presence was much more public because of the joint prayer time every morning after the devotional, we feel that the impact was greater. So God worked all things out! Many of the leaders thanked us and told us they wanted to see this unity happen in their regions. Some even talked with us about their desire to see ARME come to their conference. Also had good interaction with President of the NAD and his wife Donna. Donna came to our prayer room multiple times and was very supportive of what we were doing. So we will see where God leads. As a bonus, the morning that Martin and Liana led, they also got to share a few pictures of their united prayer travels through Asia and how God was bringing conviction to hearts everywhere they went. It was beautiful!



We saw many answers to prayer during the week, from success and unity in meetings, to health restored to those that were in need. One lady came to the prayer room and was discouraged because her brother had been thrown into prison for his faith. She was a Union President's wife from another country. We all prayed for her and her brother that God would strengthen their faith. The next day she came back with her face glowing. She told us that she had just received word from her brother that he was doing well and had already won three souls to God in prison, just since we had prayed. She was so happy and knew that God had allowed him there for a reason.


Personally, what was one of the most special aspects of this whole event, was having Liana as a roommate. Coming into the week at the GC, I was already struggling with exhaustion. Due to stress the last few weeks and many all-nighters as I was preparing posters and flyers for the event, I had not been feeling on top at all, and sleep had been difficult for me. So my first night at the GC, I slept like 10 hours. I didn't have an appointment until noon that first day, so it was fine, but still. I was literally dragging…..but I had told God I didn't just want to lead united prayer, I also wanted to have strength to pray behind the scenes as well and really see miracles happen. And because of Liana, God answered that prayer.

When she got up early to pray Sabbath morning (about 4am), I woke up too…and my mind was clear as day. So I'm like, "OK God, I'm just gonna stay up and pray!" This was like 1am West Coast time, so this was no small miracle. But this personal miracle didn't just happen that first day…God did it every day during Annual Council. And we even had time to pray together, some of the time, before we got ready for our day. It was such a blessing and helped me feel much more prepared for whatever we would face in the prayer meeting or with the leaders. Praise God for His sustaining strength!


The first miracle we saw was with how well the Friday evening meeting came together. We heard from many that it was the most spiritually uplifting and encouraging opening meeting they've had at the Annual Council in a long time. Even Elder Wilson was sooo excited about it that he even had to call and tell his wife about it on the way home. God really blessed…. 

Over the course of the meetings, there were many in leadership struggling with their health. But we saw God answer prayers in miraculous ways and sustain strength time and time again. We just praise the Lord.

Below, I'm pictured with the Wilsons. I was really privileged to get to talk with them more this time. What an awesome couple God has placed in leadership at the head of our church.


So…we just praise the Lord for how He led and is continuing to lead, and we see many more open doors before us. 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isa 55:8-11

So let us press forward, FORWARD ON OUR KNEES!!!

Click on the book cover below to get your own downloadable copy of this prayer handbook. Or e-mail us at: armebiblecamp@gmail.com and for a donation, we'll send you some hard copies. 


Monday, October 17, 2011

Something worth living for and dying for...

I don't watch spectator sports events, races or anything else along that line. Fast airplanes (unless they are helping me get to my destination) are not what make me smile, neither are race car drivers and their hair raising speeds. But I have to admit, when I saw the news about the two recent tragedies impacting the spectator sports field, I had to have a closer look.

The first tragedy affected pilot Jimmy Leeward and his airplane "Galloping Ghost." He was competing in the Reno Air Show back in September. Evidently his airplane got out of hand and galloped right into the crowd killing 11 and injuring over 70. (A friend of ours was in that crowd! I am so glad that I was not!)



The second tragedy just occurred this past Sunday, when at the Indy 500 car races in Las Vagas, over 15 cars ended up careening out of control, with parts flying in all directions. One well known racer, Dan Wheldon age 33, was killed, leaving behind a wife and two young sons, and thousands of mourning fans. The fact that it was only he that died is amazing when you watch the news videos and see the crash and pile up in slow motion. (His black car is pictured below left, just beginning to take air. He was doing over 220 mph at the time, and flew over several cars before crashing end over end and then hitting the safety fence on the side where his car was already in flames.)


What was to be a glorious day and would have given Wheldon some $2 million in earnings, if he had won, turned into a tragic wreck that shut down the rest of the races and left many of his comrades reconsidering the meaning of life. Yes, sadly, for Wheldon and Leeward, their ultimate love of racing eventually cost them their very lives.

As I sit back and consider these events, I'm reminded of a different race…the race that we are called to run.
 
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." I Cor 9:24, 25


Yes…we are all running the race for eternal life…but we are going for that incorruptible crown, not the one that will pass away. And our winning wont keep others in the race from winning…in fact, if we are faithful, it will also help others to be faithful as well. What a strange dichotomy from how the worldly racing scene works today…which is based off the principle, "Survival of the fittest and fastest!"

I don't want to cast reproach on the grief of the families represented by the men above. It is so sad, and my heart hurts for those affected. Yet their tragedy causes me to stop and think seriously. Is a gold medal or even a few million dollars really worth dying for…just to have a little fame and glory for a few minutes here on earth?? Evidently these men thought so.

I don't know about you, but if I'm going to go out in a blaze of glory, I hope it will be a blaze that will really count for eternity and bring many others to the cross. Like the blaze that John Huss died for, like the blaze that snuffed out the lives of many Waldensians, and the blaze that put a song on Jerome's lips as he went singing as a martyr to the stake. Can you imagine knowing that you are about to die for the Lord, and yet having such strength and fortitude? Only a true servant of Christ could possess such dignity.

"He [Jerome] was led out to the same spot upon which Huss had yielded up his life. He went singing on his way, his countenance lighted up with joy and peace. His gaze was fixed upon Christ, and to him death had lost its terrors. When the executioner, about to kindle the pile, stepped behind him, the martyr exclaimed: "Come forward boldly; apply the fire before my face. Had I been afraid, I should not be here." His last words, uttered as the flames rose about him, were a prayer, "Lord, Almighty Father," he cried, "have pity upon me, and pardon my sins; for Thou knowest that I have always loved Thy truth." His voice ceased, but his lips continued to move in prayer. When the fire had done its work, the ashes of the martyr, with the earth upon which they rested, were gathered up, and like those of Huss, were thrown into the Rhine." Great Controversy, p. 115.

These men weren't applauded with earthly honor or glory, but I know that God in heaven saw, and the prize He has prepared will be far greater than any earthly prize. And that's the prize I long for. It's the prize that our dear Iranian Pastor in Iran is still contending for. That's the prize that we all should be striving for…even if it costs us our very life.

So as we reflect on the short life we've been given, let's make sure we are spending it for what really matters. If we haven't chosen something worth living for, chances are that we haven't chosen something worth dying for either. The two go hand in hand…so let's make sure we are in the right race!!
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb 12:1, 2

Saturday, October 01, 2011

In just one year...


Was just reminiscing and realized that one year ago TODAY, my good friend Kim and I were sitting in a congregation in Grant's Pass Oregon. This is significant because of a conversation that we had that day. But first off, let me share a little background.

We had driven down for some meetings by Pastor Stephen Bohr. It was a beautiful day and the messages were inspiring. However, thinking we were strangers in the church, I was surprised when, during the intermission, someone came up to me excitedly. "Melody! It's so good to see you!" I didn't know the girl and had no clue how she knew me, but I tried to act happy and surprised to see her as well. She then went on to tell me how much she and her family loved their time at ARME Bible Camp, and she wanted to know when we were having our next camp in the Northwest. She went on to share how much united prayer had impacted their lives. It was encouraging and inspiring to hear. After she left, my friend Kim and I talked for a few minutes. "You know…" I told Kim, "Wouldn't it be amazing if we could take the concept of united prayer to the whole world-wide church? If the church could see and experience what we are seeing happen at our camps, what an impact it could make! This would be amazing."

Soon the meetings began again and I ceased my dreaming…but I had no idea how soon my wish would soon come true!

Two days later I received a call from Janet Page, the new Prayer Director at the General Conference World Headquarters for the SDA church. "Melody, we are having Annual Council next week where all the leaders of the SDA church from around the world come together and we really need someone to staff our prayer room. Would your team come? I know this is last minute, but this is urgent!" How could I resist such a plea?

Within 24 hours I found myself on a plane bound for Silver Springs, Maryland…and within days a team had formed, not only to staff a prayer room, but to lead united prayer for the Annual Council meetings each day. Not only that, during church on Sabbath, right before Ted Wilson gave his first presidential address to the Annual Council delegates (the Division Presidents, Union Presidents, and executive committee members that shepherd and guide the 17 million SDA members), Mark Finley interviewed me about what God was doing in united prayer. I was too naive at the time to realize who I was standing before, so it wasn't scary at all. I was just excited to share what God was doing in our lives, and excited to inspire others to be a part.

It was only after I had sat down from sharing my testimony that I remembered the dream I had expressed to Kim only one Sabbath before. I realized that in one week, God had flung wide open the doors for the message of the power of united prayer to go to the whole church. But then I realized it had been "His Dream" all along, not just mine. I was just being inspired by Him. It was almost overwhelming…



Now here I sit reminiscing about it all a year later. Since last year's Annual Council, more doors have opened throughout the world for our united prayer teams to travel and teach united prayer. Doors not only in the North American Division, but in the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division, in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, in the Southern Asia Division, East Central Africa Division, and in the Euro-Africa Division. (Some of those stories you've already read, as I've blogged about them this past year!) We've seen church presidents impacted and change the way they do business. We've seen Pastor's catch the vision for united prayer, we've seen entire schools experiencing revival and reformation, and we've seen thousands of lives impacted. There are stories more numerous than I can retell in a few brief minutes…and stories that we are still struggling to find time to upload to our united prayer testimonies page…



All I can say is, it is amazing what God can do in one year! At least amazing in our day and age…and yet I realize that this work is so much bigger than me or us, or even a few hundred dedicated individuals. What we've seen and experienced is only a drop in God's bucket. It's hardly a dent in a world full of need….

A few thousand years ago, it only took ten days. One upper room and ten days of prayer, and those disciples were able to go out and reach the entire world…not just with the power of united prayer, but with the power of the entire Gospel. They reached the entire world at that time for Christ. It's mind boggling! Yet I've often wondered, if our entire church, or even a handful, were truly willing to dedicate themselves to the same calling…to prayer….couldn't the whole world be turned upside down again?? Wouldn't the Holy Spirit fall on us as well, so that Jesus could truly come back?

I write this post as I'm preparing to return to the General Conference Annual Council for the second time. We've been invited back, and this time, we're praying that God will take the conviction of the need of united prayer even deeper with our leaders and officials. The work is happening, God's Spirit is being poured out…but we know He longs to do so much more…. 

So I ask you to pray for me and our team…(Martin, Liana, Erik, Susy) as we spend these next couple weeks at the General Conference praying with the church leaders and praying for the meetings that will continue to shape the course of our church, and the world wide Christian movement preparing for Jesus return. He is coming back soon, but we will not be ready unless we learn to fall on our faces and pray…unless we are covered by His Spirit and clothed in His righteousness. So let us pray!!!