Recently, there has been an e-mail circulating around to many of our members and pastor team which I have also received, speaking of a total financial meltdown, the declaring of martial law, the influence of foreign bankers, time to move to the country right now, "I have an inside government contact who will tell me when things will be desperate," buy gold, etc.
I was contacted by one of our Pastors and asked for a response.
Attached is a conversational response that I have sent to our pastor, and I am also sharing it with you. This is not a "for publication" response, but rather a more personal thoughtful reflection, and I am willing to let you in to my heart at this time.
If you should have thoughts or comments on this, please feel free to share them with me.


These things will happen at some point. Panic will not solve or fix these issues, or help God's people go through them. The counsel for God's people is first of all, to be tied tightly to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. And to determine to serve Christ, no matter what the externals are. The experience of Job illustrates that. He lost everything, and even his wife was urging him to "curse God and die." Yet Job clung to our Faithful Heavenly Father.

Economics cannot be allowed to drive our spiritual beliefs and values. We trust God above all else. The experience of countless Christians and SDA in other countries also testifies to us now in America, that political, social and economic issues must not be allowed to pull us away from our trust and faith in God. Trust in God, is the bottom line issue, in the last days, is my conviction!

Now to speak a little more directly to some of the issues in this e-mail.

1. America is over-extended financially as a government, as a country and as individuals. As individuals, we cannot have much effect on our government and country (financial institutions, businesses and neighbors), but as Christians and as stewards of the Sovereign Lord, we should individually "put our house in order." EGW had urged Adventist Christians to "shun debt like the plague." I believe that is excellent counsel. As a steward of God's means, I should not borrow above my means to live. Outside of a home mortgage, I would counsel Adventist Christians to immediately sit down together as a family/couple and make a plan to reduce spending on unnecessary items, and pay off all consumer debt. Credit cards, line of credit, 2nd mortgages, etc. Next or alongside of that, plan spending to be only for those necessary items. Save, save, save through regular saving vehicles and seek to have 3-6 months living expenses in a liquid savings plan. Don't give up because you don't have that or it will take too long. Begin today. Each day of implementing this plan is another day stronger. At camp meeting, we are inviting Art Randal to teach again his course on personal and family financial management for Christians. Other courses I recommend would be anything by Crown Financial, which is the group that was led by Larry Burkett, and excellent Christian Financial Counselor. G. Edward Reid has excellent materials available through the ABC, entitled, "It's Your Money, Isn't It?" which can be used in the local church as a class or seminar. It has video presentations and then workbooks.

2. Do seek God's counsel and direction daily. Proverbs 3:5,6, Isaiah 40:28-31, Luke 18:1, and many other Bible texts urge us to look to the Lord and not rely on self for the answers to the conditions around us and to the course of action we should take.
3. Panic drives panic and drives bad decisions. To just pick up and move out right now, without clear guidance of the Lord, will compound problems and issues for your family.

4. Just moving to the wilderness right now, with no clear plan for how to provide for food and shelter, will be worse than remaining where you are, until the Lord clearly indicates it is time to move. G. Edward Reid and others have pointed out the counsel from EGW that indicates that after a National Sunday law is passed, there is still a diligent work to do for the cities and people surrounding us. After a death decree is added to a national Sunday law, it is time to seek quiet and secluded places away from the centers of population.

5. When times of distress come, as they may at this time, it is a time for Adventist Christians to stand up and present Christ and Him crucified as the only hope of this world, and to present "the truth as it is in Jesus." Right now, former Adventists are earnestly publishing and promoting
A. The concept of Grace and the gospel that "does away with the law" or a portion of it. And are decrying Adventism as being "only legalism."
B. The change of the Sabbath and the non-validity of the Biblical Sabbath on the 7th day.
C. The immortality of the soul and contradicting the Biblical view of "the soul that sinneth, it shall die" or soul sleep until the resurrection.
EGW clearly indicated that in the last days, Sunday sacredness and the immortality of the soul would be the two major falsehoods that would deceive the Christian world, lead it astray, and would be used to attack Adventist Christian Biblical stands.
Right now Dale Ratzlaff, former SDA pastor is publishing a magazine and sending it to as many Adventists as he can, with these specific positions. Other former SDA pastors, leading growing churches, are promoting Sunday, disagreeing with the Biblical position on the state of the dead, and accusing Adventist beliefs as being legalism. This is clearly in line with what EGW said would happen to the Adventist position in the end of time.

6. Adventist Christians would do well to prepare for times of distress, by not only getting out of debt, and adding to liquid savings, but also holding the mindset that when the Lord wraps things up here in earth, and when conditions become extremely stressful, we will not be able to run and hide, stockpile goods and food, and quietly ride out the storm. Our trust must be in God, rather than a stockpile of gold or silver, a bunker full of food, or a stockpile of guns and ammunition to defend the food, gold and silver.

7. Instead, Adventist Christians are to be encouragers and helpers to all those around them. We are to urge people to put their trust in Jesus (John 14:1-3). And we need to be prepared to quietly assist those in need around us. Not only with prayer, but perhaps with food and shelter as times toughen.

8. Whether or not martial law is declared, and whether or not there are riots, and whether or not banks or institutions close, again, we are to turn our hearts to God, and in prayer, ask Him what He would have us do.

9. We need to remember that, in trusting in Jesus, our salvation is sure. Our future is secured. Everyone on this world will have trouble. But Jesus has overcome the world, and He is coming quickly.

10. While I could talk further about whether or not there is some financial conspiracy, something that involves the "Illuminati" or some other group of shadowy bankers and wealthy families from many generations, the truth is that we have less to fear from that, than we do from the evil one attempting to use fear to drive us to let go of our hold on Jesus Christ and every word of the testimony of Jesus in the Bible.

11. I would preach Revelation, Bible Prophecy and the call of Jesus to the world in these last days, right now. Not as something to sensationalize or scare people. But to share how the Bible does teach specifically about last day conditions and issues, and Satan's strategy -- so that we will fully rely on Jesus Christ and depend on Jesus Christ and serve only Jesus Christ. Our people would do well to know these things, but merely knowing last day events and conditions does not give a competitive edge in staying alive or financially ahead of the non-Christians. It is given to us so that our full faith and trust will be in Jesus and so that we will encourage others to make Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior and to be looking with joy for His second coming.

Let me know if this was helpful and if there are others things we can ask God for wisdom to share with our people during these days.

Blessings,
Ray



Comments received so far:

Hi Ray,
I think your response is balanced and what people need to hear. Thanks for sending this out.

Hi Ray,

Thanks for the email. I especially appreciate the point made in #10
10. I could talk further about whether or not there is some financial conspiracy, something that involves the "Illuminati" or some other group of shadowy bankers and wealthy families from many generations, the truth is that we have less to fear from that, than we do from the evil one attempting to use fear to drive us to let go of our hold on Jesus Christ and every word of the testimony of Jesus in the Bible.

Blessings,

Good Morning Brother Ray

I just received one of those magizines from Dale Ratzlaff, We need to pray for this man, not his ministry but for him, I can only imagine how many people will be duped into believing this message of the devil and turn from Gods true Law. May the Holy Spirit open their eyes before it's to late!!!

As for your letter, WELL SAID. I believe the Spirit gave you the right words to print, and I praise Him for it.

Hi Ray,

I guess I'm a little in the dark on this matter. I have not received the email you referenced. If you still have it, could you forward it to me.

Though I've not read this specific email, all of us have been bombarded over the years with this mind set. Every time something shakes the financial, natural or geo-political world, the end has come for many Adventists. Forty eight years ago JFK was THE sign that the end had come when he, the first Catholic president, was elected. So, without knowing specifics, your response was right on. Expressed clearly.

I might add that the mentality to "head for the hills" is the same mentality the disciples displayed when Jesus was arrested. They entered into their time of trouble but instead of remaining dependent on the Holy Spirit and being a good witness for Christ, they fled and their witness was one of cowardice. That's the same witness I believe this brand of Adventist gives. The concern is for self-preservation at the expense of the masses, who, without our witness, stand a good chance of being lost. That is something that Jesus nor His true followers would never condone. Converts are never made by running away from the battle.

That said, a constant "watch and pray" attitude should be the hallmark of our experience in the last days. Being educated in world affairs is prudent, along with a settled, abiding faith in the One who will see us through the darkest times of earth's history.

Blessings to you,


thanks ray for allowing us "into your heart and mind"

i must agree with most of what you say (not implying that i disagree with anything. you just wrote a lot and i read it quickly). we must stockpile our trust in Jesus - and not guns or supplies...while it is good to plan - if we have and others don't they will take from us...and what will we do shoot them>>>???

i appreciate your emphasis on responsible financial living - something our nation knows nothing about...and unfortunately the high cost of our education has caused most sda's to be in consider financial debt...
and to be encouragers and sharers...God has richly blessed our little congregation with strong financial and giving of time. we sing his praise and do long for his return...but think it exciting to live in these times...we must NOT preach out of fear but a real relational knowledge of Christ.
blessings in ministry & thanks again for your time,


Brother Ray
Thanks for the encouraging message, my prayers are with you and your family as we face these times together.
Your brother in His service


P.S. Your notes on the current events response are so timely.

God is allowing us to prepare ourselves and others, and he is faithful to us.

God bless,
Ray Hartwell

September 13, 2008

Jeanne was invited to be the Family Life Sabbath speaker at the Kenhorst Church in Reading, and I had the privilege to accompany her.

She spoke of the family tree, starting with Abraham and how his family was called to follow God. And then she shared that part of God’s promise to Abraham was that through him all families of the earth would be blessed. To illustrate the desire of God to bless our families and our family trees, Jeanne shared the “One Another” texts from the scripture.

With each text, a balloon was tied to a bare tree, until it was full, giving a visual reminder how our family tree can be filled with the scripture call of the “One Another” texts.

Adjacent to the Kenhorst Church is Reading Junior Academy.

At the end of last school year, the school installed a brand new, highly representative sign.

During the worship Service, church elder Clarence Wilson introduced Anna Keeney and her husband Leroy Kenney. Last year Anna joined the Kenhorst Church. Recently, Clarence finished presenting a Prophecy Seminar in the Keeney home to a small group. At the end, Anna’s daughter Nicole and her husband requested baptism. They will be baptized in October and join the Kenhorst church

After the worship service, I was standing next to Clarence when a young woman came up and asked Clarence if he would be willing to come to her home where a neighbor would like to study the Bible with a small group in her home. Pastor Mike McCabe has been encouraging members to share the scriptures with interested people in the surrounding community.

Another encouraging feature, was to see how the Kenhorst Church includes young people in the worship service. The son of Lee and Wendy, Josh was the piano player for the entire service, and plays very well.

Pastor Mike McCabe is doing an excellent job leading the Kenhorst Church. He has been giving specific vision for the Kenhorst Church to be a Mission Intentional Church.

I will be giving some aspects of a Mission Intentional Church in future blogs.

September 7, 2008

My Daughter Abby and I joined the Johnstown and Indiana Churches for worship. We had the privilege of sharing the Dorm Bathroom renovation project at Blue Mountain Academy.

Pastor Robert Fisher is doing a good job leading these two churches.

In October Pastor Fisher will be presenting an evangelistic meeting just a short distance form the church in a local motel banquet room.

The Indiana Church has been presenting a Cardiac Health Improvement Class (CHIP) for the community.

A retired physician is leading the health presentations.

Several college and university students from Indiana University of Pennsylvania are attending the Indiana Church and are involved in church projects.

Just recently, members of the Indiana Church went around the neighborhood close to the church and distributed free gasoline cards, in an effort to express caring, let people know about the church and make friends for Jesus.

Anchor Point Church plant - August 23

August 23 Jeanne and I joined the Anchor Church Plant, which is presently meeting in a Lions Club building in Centerport, PA.

The desired target community of Shoemakersville is where Anchor Point members would like to see a new congregation. In July, Ron Goff, lay leader for Anchor Point, the mission group made a request of the township to meet in a building in Shoemakersville. The township officials denied the request without giving a clear reason. At church this Sabbath, Ron shared that the day after the denial, he had been with his parents-in-law for their 50th anniversary. While with them, he learned the story of the “Riverwalk” in the center of San Antonio, TX, a beautiful downtown region of inter-connected wandering canals, walkways, trees, plants, stores, office buildings, hotels and restaurants that has become an attractive tourist destination, and makes center-city San Antonio one of the most attractive downtown regions in the country. When the engineer who was the architect and had the vision for the Riverwalk first proposed it to the city in 1929 no one thought is was a good idea. However, in 1939 WPA funding was offered for the engineers concept and work was begun on the Riverwalk. When the Riverwalk was completed, the engineer’s firm was the only business/office located on the Riverwalk and it wasn’t until 1946 before the second office was located there. Today, anywhere along the Riverwalk is prime real estate.

Ron’s observation to the Anchor Point group today, was that it was just one day after the township denied the Church Plant approval to meet at the location they had requested, he learned the story of this engineer who had the vision for San Antonio’s Riverwalk. Sometimes we need to be persistent, not give up, and keep continuing to work toward a goal that others may not recognized has any value. Especially, I would add, when we are church planting. Church planting is one of God’s directed way of enlarging the kingdom of Heaven. And the evil one will oppose the enlarging of the kingdom of God at every step. So, when it comes to Church Planting, let us not become weary in well doing. Let us press ahead, even if it takes years, for the vision God gives, will catch hold, and will mean the salvation of many precious souls.

Mt. Jewett and Derrick City August 16

August 16 Lynn Gatz invited me to share the worship hour message with his churches as he had to be away caring for the necessary family issues surrounding the loss of his father.

During the Service in Derrick City, several testimonies where shared about the ministry taking place at the County Fair and ending that night.

After last year’s PA Conference Equipping University, the Derrick City Church members in attendance with their pastor went home and asked God and each other what they could do together for outreach. They were led to utilized a booth at the Fair in a specific outreach way. The whole booth is filled with message books and magazines which they pass out, and which are eagerly requested. They play two CD films on large TV monitors simultaneously, one showing either Kenneth Cox, Shawn Boonstra or Doug Bachelor, and the other a CD film about Pathfinders and Adventurers from the Oshkosh camporee. Most of their Adventurer club is made up of non-church members. They also had a drawing last year and this year at the Fair to give away 2 Three Angels Broadcasting satellite receiver systems and they get a large amount of names for those. The names received are then followed up with offers for Bible studies. Before the Fair is over, the church members also give our spiritual books and materials to the carnival workers. These traveling carnival workers seemed to really appreciate that someone took time to give them personal attention.

Pictured at the Derrick City Church are: Karen Ames, Jan Graffius, Melinda Tyler and some of the youth who have ministered at the Fair booth.

ASI -- August 6 - 9

Last week, Jeanne and I attended the annual ASI convention in Tampa, FL. Here are some highlights of that we shared in:

* Over $8 million was pledged on Sabbath for various ASI mission projects, including the One Day Church building project which I will tell you more about below.

* Met with the General Manager of 3ABN and discussed ways to increase broadcast coverage in Pennsylvania.

* Served on the Board of “The Hope of Survivors”(THOS) which had its meeting Thursday morning at ASI. The Hope of Survivors (a Seventh-day Adventist supporting ministry) ministers directly to victims abused by Pastors of any denomination. THOS helps to restore and even bring back to church fellowship, women who never thought they would ever attend church again.

* Met and talked at length with Gary Gibbs, director of Hope TV, the GC sponsored TV Ministry. Pray for HOPE right now as they are close to being available to 17 million new households in the US.

* Met with the director of a NAD ministry that might have some job opportunities for students at BMA

* Heard inspiring messages by Jim Gilley, Mark Finley, Shawn Boonstra.

* Talked with Shawn Boonstra regarding a good potential for him to conduct a metro-wide evangelistic meeting in Philadelphia or Allentown.

* Attended the NAD President’s council with Don Schneider. Items discussed were legal issues surrounding church plants and conference ownership of buildings and properties, stipends and courtesy payroll issues, cost-of-living raise discussions, and the year of evangelism for 2009.

* A recently re-converted couple who have come back to the SDA Church in Vermont, were guests at our supper table, and told us that they had attend the PA Conference camp meeting this summer, and how it blessed them. They were especially excited about the Family Worship segment.

AN ASI ATTENDEE GAVE US HER PERSONAL TESTIMONY REGARDING HER LAY PASTOR-LED CHURCH

As we were attending the ASI convention in Tampa, Florida, Jeanne and I happened to sit next to Kathie Shanahan at supper Thursday evening. After we met at our assigned supper table seat, I learned that Kathie is a nurse from Vero Beach, FL. Her church is a very small church by Florida standards, about 30 attending. She was excited to tell me that one of the best things to happen to their church was to have a lay pastor! I asked her why? She said, “A lay pastor lets the church be the church. Pastors start things and ministries, but then they are gone. Now, with a lay pastor, it helps us to have to do the work. And the Conference gives us more funding for evangelism. Also, now there are more of us in the church who can preach. You can’t believe how successful it is. We had the best evangelistic series we ever had, and we are planning to do it again.”

ASI 1 DAY CHURCH PROJECT

Each day 11 new SDA church buildings are needed around the world. One pastor is wishing that his members would not have to walk more than 10 miles each way to their church building. There is a need for 400 church buildings just in this coming year alone.

ASI has started a “One Day Church” project which provides a roof and steel frame that can easily be erected on location and the local church can start meeting under the roof and finish the church building. The structure is earthquake proof. It is made of 14 gauge galvanized steel, manufactured and formed in the US, then shipped in a box/container measuring 20” x 20” x 7’ and weighing 1,240 lbs. The only tools needed for assembly in one day, on site are a drill, hacksaw and pliers. This church building will seat 150 and only costs $3,000.00 to manufacture. Shipping is very reasonable. Right now, there are matching funds available that will go dollar-for-dollar, so for every $1,500.00 contributed, matching funds will provide the rest to supply a church.

Wouldn’t it be great for a church family or SS class in PAS to sponsor a 1 Day church or to join with another PA church to sponsor a 1 Day church.

Right now there are 40-50,000 church families in need of a building that could benefit from this, with more church plants coming on line every day.

Sabbath, July 5, Jeanne and I joined with Bill and Darlene Peterson and 240-300 other Seventh-day Adventists, Romanian Embassy officials, the President of the Romanian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the Director of the SDA Romanian Voice of Hope Radio network with the Romanian members in dedicating their church building and church mission plant in Reading PA. They have purchased the former St. James Lutheran Church at 5^th and Chestnut Streets in Reading. The St. James Congregation was very happy to see another Christian congregation locate in their building, as the Lutheran Church family was not able to continue the financial costs of the building or the congregation. St. James had been a church plant from the larger Lutheran Church in Reading, in 1850, as the larger church only spoke German and there was a desire for an English speaking Lutheran church.

Romanians from across the US came to join in the dedication. Bill Peterson and I spoke a few words in the morning. Then for the afternoon service, I was asked to share the dedication message and lead out in the dedication prayer. Pastor Niculi Butoi is serving as a lay pastor of this church plant, and has been very energetically and sacrificially giving of his time and leadership.

A number of musical numbers were offered by various choral groups, violinists, pianists, vocalists and the Berks Chamber Orchestra.

Our prayers continue to be offered for this new work by our Romanian believers. For more information, see the story written by Tami Horst.




Tuesday morning, I was invited by Chuck Allen, Food Service Director at Blue Mountain Academy to offer the Devotional message for the gathered Adventist Food Service Administrators which held their annual convention at Blue Mountain Academy this year. My message was from John 6 and the feeding of the 5,000 where Jesus blessed a young lad’s generously offered lunch. I asked the gathered food service directors where they might see themselves in this story. The principal individuals were: The boy’s mother who baked the bread and packed the lunch, the young boy of perhaps 9-10 who offered his lunch, the disciples who mingled with the crowd, or Jesus who blessed and handed out the meal. Chuck had an excellent convention planned for our SDA food service directors from academies and youth camps.

Tuesday, I met with the MIC team which is led by Bill Peterson, and we worked diligently on helping our Churches and Pastor have a structure for our Churches being completely Mission Focused. One of the concepts that came out of Tuesdays meeting, was to invite 12 seasoned pastors of the PA Conference to participate in a Focus group over the next 2 weeks, to help identify any obstacles that exist in the Conference structure or the local church structure that either interfere with a pastor in their role to help the local church totally focus in mission and growth, or that slow it down. Please keep this in your prayers.

Wednesday, I had the privilege of spending an hour with the Cool Camp campers and staff while they are at the Reading Kenhorst Church this week. Next week they will be offering Cool Camp at the Reading Spanish Church and then the week after, at the Shamokin Church plant. Keith Bowman, the director, Kelsey Larrabee and Katie Paris shared with me how rewarding it is to share with the children who don’t really know anything about Jesus, and how important it is that church members connect with the families each day after Cool Camp. Two young non-SDA youth from the community were too old to attend Cool Camp this year, but since they attended last year and loved it so much, they have come back as volunteer Staff and they are doing real well. There were about 30-40 kids in attendance at Cool camp and only 3 were Seventh-day Adventists.