Grace Notes February 2025

FEBRUARY 2025

Full Color Online Edition:

Editor Notes

by Max Hammonds

ecause of Pastor’s temporary absence from this B column, I take this opportunity to introduce you to the theme for our February Grace Notes: “Hearts of Love.”

The expression of the theme was obvious and easy, but the intention was to explore the meaning of “hearts” and “love” in all the diverse perspectives our various columns afford.

You can quickly understand the intention of some stories and presentations; others may challenge you. Accept the challenge to discern where each writer is going with our theme.

However, this theme is not a new one. A Heart of Love long ago created a heaven where angels lived and served God, the Heart of Love. When a covering angel nearest to God, Lucifer, decided he would be like god and run the universe by his own methods, this did not change the Heart of Love. God did not destroy this challenge to His authority; the angels would not have understood. Since no immediate “bad” resulted from Lucifer’s choice, destroying him would appear arbitrary. The other angels would serve God out of fear.

To demonstrate His Heart of Love, God created our globe and its environs. Realizing he did not have power like God to create, Lucifer rebelled anyway, insisting on his own plan of governance. With his heart of deception and control, Lucifer deceived many of the angels about the character of God and about his intentions. When he had convinced one-third of the heavenly host that God did not have a heart of love and was controlling them, they joined him in rebellion. Still the Heart of Love did not destroy those who had chosen unwisely. Instead, God removed them to the earth to allow the faithful angels to understand more clearly the character of the heart of rebellion that motivated the rebels.

The two inhabitants of our earth, Adam and Eve, given the authority to rule and care for the earth, were also tested for loyalty. The rebels were confined to one small spot, a tree of knowledge that humans should avoid knowing. Adam and Eve, having the power of choice, were warned to stay together and stay away from that place. But Eve was deceived by Lucifer into doing what God had said not to do.

And Adam, not wanting to lose her, followed her wrong

choice, loving her more than he loved God. Lucifer had succeeded in deceiving them both. By his control over them, he claimed the right to usurp their rule and control of earth as his own territory.

Even then the Heart of Love did not destroy the humans or the rebel angels. The inhabitants of heaven were still unclear in their understanding of the character of Lucifer and of God. They still did not comprehend the inevitable results of Lucifer’s plan to rule the universe. The humans of earth had not seen for themselves this inevitable result – destruction and death.

Thus the history of the earth and its inhabitants unfolded before the entire universe. Gradually a full demonstration was revealed – the results of Lucifer’s plan to deceive, divide, distract, disrupt, disfigure, demoralize, and destroy God’s crowning creation – the human race and their beautiful earth.

Throughout this history, certain individuals rejected Lucifer’s path, choosing to follow and abide with God. Early followers, despite their occasional missteps, walked with God, including: Seth, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob – later named Israel – and Joseph. This abiding line included Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Samuel, David, Ezekiel, and Josiah. A series of prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Micah, Zachariah, and Malachi – continued to foretell the plan of the Heart of Love, the coming of the Son of Man who would reestablish the human right to rule earth.

This long chain of the faithful created a human path for the coming of the Heart of Love Himself. The Word, a member of the Godhead, joined the human race (as Jesus), suffered the attacks and temptations of Lucifer as a human, and ultimately died as a human to carry the sins of all humans through God’s process of forgiveness and reconciliation (illustrated in the sanctuary.) Those humans who choose to believe in the mission of Jesus and enter into His mission by abiding and “walking” with the Heart of Love through heart change and character transformation by the Spirit will receive the same reward as the earliest followers of God – eternal life.

The death of Jesus convinced the angels to choose the Heart of Love and reject Lucifer. The crisis of the End of Time and the Second Coming of Jesus will convince all humanity of this same choice. But only some will follow the Heart of Love and make that choice. Only then can God destroy the rebels and their rebellion and cleanse the universe of Sin. As you read this issue, let your heart be drawn and convinced to follow the Heart of Love.

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Health Ministry

by Jean Davey

he Health Ministry at the Arden Seventh-day T Adventist (SDA) Church plays a vital role in its mission to provide both biblical and science-based information, helping members and the community take charge of their health. This ministry also creates opportunities for individuals to get involved and make a positive impact. Over the past year, the ministry has been led by Johann Torres.

Johann and his wife Yahaira’s passion for health and nutrition began shortly after their marriage in 2008. Yahaira first encountered the Wildwood Health Program, also known as the Medical Missionary Program, and decided to pursue the six-month training. As Yahaira immersed herself in the program, Johann’s interest in health topics deepened. However, due to his work commitments, Johann believed he couldn’t join her in the training.

A surprising turn of events occurred in the fourth month of Yahaira’s training when Johann was unexpectedly laid off from his job. He saw this as a clear sign from God; an opportunity to equip himself in health ministry.

With newfound time, Johann registered for the program in the following semester. By the beginning of the following year, Johann and Yahaira had the privilege of joining a mission trip to Zimbabwe. There, they trained a group of 30 individuals on topics such as Christian living, massage therapy, nutrition, hydrotherapy, and more. The culmination of their training was a rewarding health expo for the local community.

After returning to South Florida, Johann and Yahaira remained committed to putting their health training into practice. God opened doors for them to lead health trainings at two local churches, and they formed a team to organize multiple health expos throughout the South Florida community in the years that followed.

Although Johann’s career is in the area of information technology, due to his passion for health, he was nominated to serve as the Director of the Health Ministry at the Arden SDA Church. Though initially hesitant—since his desire

was simply to help rather than lead—he knew he could not refuse God’s calling. Yahaira, who currently works as a nurse at Pardee, also contributes to the ministry's efforts.

Last year, one of the standout events hosted by the ministry was “Cooking at Its Funnest” with Chef Mark Anthony. Johann anticipated around 80 attendees but was pleasantly surprised when over 120 people showed up. Chef Mark presented a dynamic talk on nutrition and healthy eating, and attendees had the opportunity to sample various dishes. The event was a resounding success.

In 2023, Johann also participated in a program called “Dinner with a Doctor,” led by Dr. DeWayne Butcher.

Picture by Pen Braister-Sturgis The program spanned Picture by Pen Braister-Sturgis throughout multiple months featuring health professionals discussing important health topics while providing a healthy dinner for attendees. This initiative was another way the Health Ministry engaged the church and community.

In April 2024, the ministry introduced the "5-Minute Health Nuggets."

These brief but impactful segments aim to provide essential health information to the congregation, empowering them to make healthier choices and develop sustainable habits in their daily lives. The topics are shared by health professionals or the health ministry director.

Additionally, Johann attended an outreach retreat at Nosoca Pines, where he had the opportunity to learn from Dr. David Derose about a program called Timeless Healing Insight. This initiative allows church health ministries to partner with the program and offer free health resources to their communities. One of the key programs, 30 Days to Better Health, addresses crucial topics such as stress management, diabetes, heart disease, and more.

Looking ahead to 2025, Johann hopes to build a team of health enthusiasts to partner with him in expanding the health ministry. He has seen firsthand how the health message opens doors to reach people, and he is eager to organize a health expo at the Arden Church. Johann is inspired by the belief that “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people,” and it is his prayer that this ministry continues to grow and touch lives.

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Hearts of Service; Hearts of Love

by Max Hammonds

W

hat makes for a successful church? What is the underlying force that makes it grow and thrive? Let’s take a trip to a church in Arden, North Carolina, a church built on a knoll on Airport Road, a “light on a hill” it likes to say. It’s a reasonable and clever aphorism, but what is the truth behind the claim?

All Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) churches have the same general organizational structure. All use the same church manual. But not all have the driving force that makes them thrive and grow. Let’s visit that “light on a hill” church to see if we can discern that force that is so prevalent in its midst.

We drive up the rather steep approach to the imposing buildings, the church and fellowship hall (boldly designated as Community Life Center (CLC) in large letters) attached to each other by a sheltered walkway. It’s a Sabbath morning at 9 o’clock, before most of the members have arrived, but several cars are already here. Let’s go inside to see who arrived so early.

From the foyer door we see Heath Betchley, head elder, ramrod straight and business-suit attired, in the sanctuary, standing in front of the platform podium. He is talking with Pastor Eric Bates about something that’s happening during the church service today.

Heath has a paying job as district manager for Wendy’s Restaurant chain. But on Sabbaths and several times a week he can be found here at the church as an ex officio member of several committees: finance, building, church worship. He doesn’t get paid for these hours of service; he volunteers his time.

As we look around the foyer, we spot Angela Woehlcke folding bulletins at one of the two greeter podiums. Angela is a relatively new Adventist convert who brought along her heart for service when she joined the church. Every Sabbath she arrives early to check on those who work under her in the Greeters Ministry. Angela has a full life of serving others outside the

church, but she is here early every Sabbath to make sure this ministry is staffed or covers the staffing shortage herself.

Helping her is Sara McCord, Terence Walsh, and Larry Cottrell. Larry has a full time job as a nurse, Terence has his weekly work, and Sara is a full-time mother of three and a very busy real estate agent. (She manages her own personal ministry – Girls of Faith Dolls, as well as functioning on the worship committee and a member of the Editorial Advisory Group – and writing for – Grace Notes). All of these and some 12 or so others volunteer to rotate through the Greeter schedule because they love meeting people and welcoming visitors.

Someone else is here early, but to see them we will have to walk a bit to the right, open the door, and peer up the stairs into the audio/visual cubicle. Bruce Davis and his son Brent are busy setting up and checking out the mikes, the lights, and the streaming equipment for today’s service. Bruce is retired from electronic technology maintenance and repair. Now his full time job – unremunerated – is to head up the A/V staff, serve as church treasurer (a time-consuming position), and be the resident electronics maintenance person – along with several others who also possess this skill set. Audio-visual people are more than technicians throwing switches. They are concerned that people, in the sanctuary or at home on live stream, can see and hear what’s happening during the worship service.

Upon hearing a door open, we turn about to find Sheila Berger and Juanita Miles conversing about the Sabbath School Study Guides in the closet where these assets are kept.

Juanita is a retired nurse and assists with the Master Guide Class for Pathfinders (a position that requires years of study and experience). Sheila serves on the Social Committee and as director for the group who decorate the church for drama presentations, seasonal occasions, and Vacation Bible School (Her private life is busy, including working as a masseuse).

But on Sabbaths, they are here, voluntarily checking the ordering calendar, preparing the materials, and compiling the attendance count for various Sabbath Schools.

Time is passing and those who teach in the lower divisions of Sabbath School are hurrying to arrive before the children do. Shelly Maskelony (teacher at Captain Gilmer Grade School) and Andrew Tryon (who runs his own interstate architectural firm) push past us on the way to the Earliteen room.

Scott Cronin (chaplain at the VA Hospital in Asheville) with guitar in hand and three sons in tow rushes for the Primary Room. His wife Summer is headed for the Kindergarten Room where she and her assistants – four of whom are under 20 years old and

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are learning how to teach young children – have spent hours decorating to the theme for the quarter and do so to a new theme every quarter.

(What are these young people learning about serving in a church?)

We follow Scott and Summer down the East Wing hall to the Music Room where Tom Arany (who works at two part-time jobs and writes for the church’s news magazine, Grace Notes) teaches an Adult Sabbath School Class. Several people are already there patiently waiting for him.

On returning to the foyer, we notice a new truck in the parking lot that was already there when we arrived. Someone else was here early. Turning, we hear coming up from the lower level Josh Belanger, head deacon (and full-time nurse anesthetist). This must be his week to open the church, on Sabbath and for other events this week.

He organizes the deacons’ work as well as any construction work on church property or at someone’s home. Recently, when Hurricane Helene shut down the hospital and other businesses, Josh organized the chainsaw crew, spending several days getting fallen trees off people’s homes and access streets in the local area. All were volunteers.

It’s almost 9:20. Some Sabbath School members are arriving in their rooms. And most teachers are ready to begin. Outside Jeff Viar is walking from the parking lot to the church to teach the Young Adult class, and John Fritz is heading into the CLC to teach the Youth class. Both are physicians with busy practices, but they have found time somewhere in the week to voluntarily prepare interesting material for their class members. Jeff ’s wife Angie is in the kitchen with her mother, Cynthia Dobias, discussing and checking the decorations for the potluck meal being held after the church service. And John’s wife Elle follows him where she will find other members of the Women’s SS class who are helping her plan the Women’s Retreat in April.

Following her are DeWayne and Patti Butcher hurrying through the CLC entrance to his Sabbath School class where he or she will teach an adult class.

DeWayne has the only SS class that hosts Zoom members (from several States) as well as a large contingent of in-person class members. DeWayne and Patti are retired but their church responsibilities and evangelistic

activities – local as well as overseas – suggest anything but a life of ease. DeWayne leads the Outreach Committee which oversees, organizes, and coordinates all the outreach ministries of the church. Patti is an elder with major “shepherding” responsibilities for a contingent of church members. She is, by her office, on the Board of Elders. Both by their offices are on the Church Board and the Outreach Committee.

Pen and Jerry Braister-Sturgis are also heading downstairs to check on the preparations they made over the last two days for another trek this afternoon to the newly homeless people in the River Arts District and Swannanoa River basin where more homeless people were created by the Great Flood of ’24. Since retiring recently from his insurance business, Jerry is even more involved with Pen multiple times a week in caring for the street homeless in Asheville and the newly homeless from the hurricane and flooding ravages.

In the far corner of the foyer Marji Truckenbrodt is talking with Josh Belanger about basins and towels. That’s what Heath and Pastor were discussing; this must be Communion Sabbath. Marji is the head deaconess (serving on Grounds and Finance Committees) who with the head deacon (Josh) organizes the Foot Washing stations. She was here last night helping Catherine Assiongbon-Foly, one of her assistant deaconesses, set up the communion table that is draped in the front of the sanctuary.

Then we hear music coming from the sanctuary. As we peek in the double doors, we hear beautiful piano music and see David Ruiz practicing his special music for today. He and his wife Isabel both have full time jobs, but they have voluntarily taken on a huge project as leaders of the Literature Evangelism outreach. They have organized and are leading the delivery of the prophetic book “Great Controversy” to 18,000 homes over the next 6-9 months.

More people are coming through the doors of the church, many dozens more people who have a heart for service. A heart for service – what does this mean? It’s people who are passionate about doing a great job at their assigned tasks because they are passionate about what they do. They care deeply that the task voluntarily undertaken succeeds to the best of their ability. But something else drives that passion, something deeper than a desire to do a commendable job at their task. A heart of love for the people they serve is the force that drives their heart of service.

Love has its origins in the God of the universe who is Love.

These people are responding to His love, reflecting His love with love for the people they serve. The job well done is a reflection of their heart of love. This is the secret to the success of churches such as the Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church – a heart of service driven by a heart of love.

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28 Fundamentals #11:

Growing in Christ – The Heart of the Problem Pawpaw (Albert Groot, mentor to his grandson) was staying with his daughter in her Michigan home through the winter. He wanted to be closer to his older grandson, Mark, home on break from his college freshman year in engineering. Pawpaw has his own small suite with access to his favorite spot, the family room and large fireplace.

Mark sat opposite his grandfather, staring into the fire, his hot chocolate cooling on the table near his elbow.

Pawpaw closed his book and studied his grandson for several moments. “Mark, you have the uncanny habit of ignoring perfectly good food and beverages when you are ruminating over a problem. What’s the difficulty? Calculus?

I remember when you struggled to learn your times tables.”

Mark looked up, shaking his head and chuckling goodnaturedly. “You always know, don’t you.” He sat forward in the big armchair. “No. Not school.

Not on break.” A deep breath. “I’m trying to work out what to say to my roommate at college. He’s a new Christian, you know. He gave his heart to Jesus at the Week of Prayer meetings. Now he wants to know what to do next. He’s asking, ‘Is there more or what?’”

Pawpaw’s mouth twitched a small smile, anxious to speak, but resignedly waiting for Mark’s further comment. When Mark was silent, he asked, “So, what did you tell him?”

“I said, yes, there’s more.” Mark looked up at his grandfather. “But I wasn’t sure how to explain it.”

“Well, that is a big topic. Now that Jesus has assured my salvation, what do I do?” Pawpaw nodded his head knowingly. “And most Christians don’t know what’s next.”

His mouth twitched again. He raised his hot chocolate to his mouth, looked over the rim of his cup. “Do you know what’s next?” He sipped the hot liquid carefully, watching his grandson.

“I do, Pawpaw. We’ve talked about this before. I’ve experienced it myself.” Another big breath as Mark sat back.

“But how do I explain it to him?”

“Only one way to be a witness, Mark. Tell your own story.” Pawpaw took another sip. “What happened to you?

What did we talk about?”

Mark stroked his upper lip with his thumb, thinking intensely. “I was fifteen when I was baptized. And I remember spending the next three years trying to be good and keep all the commandments.” Mark smiled at the painful memory. “Then, I came to you and we talked. You explained how Martin Luther did the same thing, beating himself, denying himself, struggling and never succeeding – until he discovered what Paul had learned many centuries before – Romans 1:16, 17: ‘The just shall live by faith.’

“But your friend – at school, what’s his name?”

“Stuart.”

“Yes, Stuart. He’s already expressed his faith in Jesus.

What’s next? What did you learn to do?” Pawpaw prodded.

“Stuart – I mean – I learned that I needed to trust the promise of Jesus to send us a Helper who makes it possible for us to keep the commandments.” Mark sat forward again, emphasizing his words with his hands, leaning into his explanation. “It’s in Ezekiel 36:26, 27 – about taking away our stony heart – that’s the stubborn heart – and giving us a heart of flesh – that’s a soft heart of surrender. Then verse 27 says this done is ‘by the Spirit.’” Mark stopped; his right hand paused in mid-air. “But I don’t remember what’s next.

Help me remember, Pawpaw.”

Pawpaw considered what to say, what clue to give. “How do we always respond when God makes a promise? The Holy Spirit is God, too, you know.” When Mark still looked confused, Pawpaw added, “Like Abraham in Romans 4:21?”

Mark smiled in recognition. “We believe Him. We believe that what God promises, He is well able to do. Always by faith, Pawpaw.”

Pawpaw sat back, smiling.

“Just as we responded to the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice, we respond to the gift of the Holy Spirit’s power – by faith.” Pawpaw paused before proceeding. “After the promise of the Spirit’s power, comes a command . . .”

Mark brightened; his hand came up. “I remember now. The Spirit says to focus on Jesus as in a mirror, because by beholding, we become changed. We can’t change ourselves.

Only the Spirit can transform us – like in Romans 12:2 – and change our heart.”

“The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart, Mark. The Christian cannot make any headway until the heart is changed.” Pawpaw was thinking aloud, reaching a conclusion. “But before we continue, I need some sleep.

And you need to finish your hot chocolate.” Pawpaw smiled.

“Can we continue this tomorrow?”

“Sure. No school work. I’m on break.” Mark reached for his mug as Pawpaw retired to his room.

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Xerxes and Esther: Part XIV s soon as he finished parading Marduka though A the thoroughfares of Shushen, shouting about all the honor Khshayarsha wished to bestow on this pestilential Jew, the Hamana wrapped himself in a cloak, covering his own head in embarrassment and shame.

Thinking the darkest of thoughts he hurried home where he would just have time to prepare for Queen Esetare’s second banquet. Hopefully Khshayarsha would be too distracted to ask about the acclamation of Marduka. The Hamana had no wish to speak about this uplifting of his enemy, temporary as it might be. He did not want to look weak or foolish before the king or queen during this second meal together.

Nevertheless the Hamana grumbled to his own wife Zeresh about the events of the day while he fumbled with a new turban, then tied a matching sash around his most ornamental robe. Disappointingly, neither she nor his supposedly wise augurs were as encouraging as they had been last time. In fact, they added more discouragement to a day that had already been both humbling and infuriating. The hours had passed so quickly, that while Zeresh was still talking to him, members of the king’s eunuchs arrived to escort the Hamana to Queen Esetare’s second banquet.

“Hurry,” they urged him. “Time grows short.”

Once more, Esetare gave the perfect banquet. Of course, we had been planning every detail since Khshayarsha had extended his scepter to the queen. In turn, the king rightly understood that something—as yet unexplained to him—lay behind the invitations and all the careful preparation involved for each of Esetare’s two soirees.

I stood quietly at the edge of the room, watching to ensure that every element was in place or on time. One

moment I nudged a maid to carry out her pitcher. The next I ordered a young eunuch to light some lamps around the room so they would be burning when twilight fell. The scene must be set for Queen Esetare’s final, dangerous, desperate request.

Once again, just as at the end of yesterday’s meal, Khshayarsha finally set down his cup, and a look of curiosity glinted in his eyes: “Not once, but twice, my Queen, you have laid this sumptuous table before us and honored us in your house. I sense there is some matter of great portent behind your hospitality, and recall that I have had occasion before to be grateful for your knowledge, even for my very life. Tell me now, my Esetare, do you have some opportune counsel for me or some timely request? I trust you and will grant your petition, even to half my empire.”

Now was the moment. I saw Esetare take a deep breath as she turned to the king. I remembered her three days of fasting and prayer, and in my own heart, I silently asked her God to grant her wisdom as she spoke and the favor of Khshayarsha as he listened to her request.

“Make him believe her,” I thought. “May the Hamana be caught off guard. May the king see the truth upon the Hamana’s face and not by swayed by any sly excuses he may make.”

Esetare’s beautiful face was solemn as she faced Khshayarsha: “My request is simple. Oh, my king, if I have truly found favor in your eyes and if it seems good to you, I ask for my life and my people.”

The king’s brow furrowed and he looked at Esetare for clarification.

“Your majesty, my people—and I with them—have been sold.

We are sold out to be destroyed and killed, fully annihilated.

Oh, Khshayarsha, even if we had been sold for slaves, I would have kept quiet, for that would not be a great enough matter to trouble the emperor. But I do petition you for our very lives.”

“What is this?” said Khshayarsha. “You once warned me about an attempt on my life. But now someone plots to harm you, and thereby threaten me again? Will these attempts on the king and his family never end? Who would be so foolish as to buy and sell the life of my queen? Where is he? Who will fill his heart with treachery to do such a thing?”

Esetare stretched out her hand and pointed.

“Your majesty, my attacker and enemy is this man, one who has betrayed your trust, who turns your gifts of authority to his own lethal ends. It is none other than this evil Hamana!”

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Update on Heart Disease I

n 1927, the American Heart Association began tracking and reporting the disease and mortality statistics about heart disease. Since 1921, heart disease was the #1 killer of Americans. In the intervening 100 years, that one fact remains unchanged despite the remarkable advances in the treatment of cardio-vascular disease (CVD). In 2023, 785,000 Americans died of CVD. This broad category includes: coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure (HF), heart arrythmias, hypertension (HTN), peripheral vascular disease, chronic kidney disease and failure, venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism. All of these are included in the latest Update on Heart Disease published in the journal Circulation, Vol. 149, Issue 8, 20 February 2024, available for free from the American Heart Association.

Since 1950 the death rate from CVD has fluctuated but steadily decreased downward by 60%. However, since 2010 the trend is upward.

The good news is that most of the contributing causes of CVD – smoking, cholesterol, physical activity, hypertension, diabetes, sleep, weight control, and dietary choices (Life’s Essential 8) have been steadily improving.

Smoking incidence has steadily declined. In the 1940’s in the American adult population, the smoking rate was 40%. This has declined to 11% in the 2020’s. The nicotine in cigarettes and e-cigarettes – vaping – raises heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels and interferes with blood sugar control. In high school students the vaping rate – nicotine inhaling – has increased to 14.1%, and many adults are turning to vaping to quit cigarettes.

For most people in the 1920’s, exercise was not a problem.

In the 21st century, many people are sedentary in their work and their leisure activity. Only 24% of adults are actively achieving the goal of 150 min./wk. of moderate cardioexercise or 75 min./wk. of strenuous exercise.

Cholesterol control has generally improved. The average total cholesterol for women has improved from 197 to 189 mg/dL and for men from 195 to 185 mg/dL. The target is 180 mg/dL or lower, but because of statin usage and some dietary changes, the target is coming into view.

The recommended amount of sleep is 7-9 hours. In general, most adults are sleeping 7.6 hours on work days and 8.2 hours on free days. Adequate sleep contributes to stress control which impacts all the other elements of CVD. High blood pressure (hypertension – HTN – at or above 140/90) has remained unchanged over the decades. In 2017 in the adult population, the rate of HTN was 46.7% and in 2023 was 50.4%, generally, half the population. And half of them don’t know they have HTN. And the half that do, don’t control it adequately – at or below 120/80. Again, HTN affects and is affected by the other elements.

But now we come to the bad news, the main reason why the trends of CVD have recently increased: dietary choices, weight control, and blood sugar management, specifically, Type II diabetes.

In the 1980’s, with an uptick in CVD deaths, the medical community was fighting to control blood fats, cholesterol and triglycerides, with medicines and dietary information.

People were told to stop eating foods containing cholesterol and saturated fat. The campaign worked. Saturated fat and cholesterol foods decreased. Transfats disappeared. The CVD death rates began to abate.

But . . . the fats gave food flavor and mouth feel. The commercial food industry said, “What can we put in food that will satisfy that craving?” The answer: sugar – which was also addictive. And added sugar began to appear everywhere, especially in foods labeled “lite.” The calories were reduced by half but the results were disastrous.

In 1990 no state in the US had over 15% obese people. Ten states had less than 10% obesity. In 2010 no state was less than 20% obesity. 36 states had populations of 25% obesity. 12 states were greater than 30%. In 2023, 71% of the population of the US is overweight (Body Mass Index greater than 25) or obese (Body Mass Index greater than 30).

In this same thirty years, a new disease appeared – Type II diabetes. In the 1920’s, diabetes was a disease of young people who died.

In the 1970’s diabetes was classified as juvenile diabetes (genetically caused in people younger than 25) and adult onset diabetes (in people over 30). Now adult onset has become Type II diabetes and occurs four times more often than Type I diabetes (juvenile). A new epidemic of overweight people, developing hypertension and Type II diabetes, was labeled metabolic syndrome. And the CVD death statistics began to rise.

In short, the recent change in dietary choices to more sugared foods and driven by fast availability or taste rather than healthfulness has led to an alarming increase in CVD disease and death.

Review Life’s Essential 8. Discover where you can improve your risks for CVD. The secret for most of these elements is a matter of choice – your choice.

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Kimbia

by Tom Arany

skills. They also envisioned a Christian library, exercise room and lecture hall for Bible-based courses, and some clinical health assessments and treatment within the scope of their nursing skills and equipment. Beyond these beginnings they considered opening a battered women’s shelter and possibly a foster orphanage, a second hand clothing “Dorcas Room,” and arranging for scheduled physicians’ clinics.

All of this would require an extreme amount of elbow grease, energy, and time to repair the wood structures, windows, and deteriorated campus. They would need to clean up the accumulation of dirt and debris, evicting the wasps, bats, and other creatures that had learned to call the facilities home. Their motto was Mark 10:27: “With God all things are possible.” In addition, equipment in the way of kitchen facilities, refurbishing their existing river boat and tractor, dock repairs, and medical aids would be needed to achieve their goals.

They were on track to achieve many of the initial objectives and hoping God would send additional manpower to get the property spruced up when disaster descended.

Almost certainly due to arson, in the late Fall of 2021, their frame structure family home was set afire. Without fire-fighting equipment the entire building was lost, along with the entirety of their personal belongings and any equipment garaged under the home. This precluded their simply moving into another dilapidated structure. They had no equipment to work with or personal items to sustain their needs. With sadness they left the property to regroup elsewhere. Since then they have worked wherever God has opened a way. But their heart is along the river in Guyana, the father’s home country.

Correspondent’s Note: In 2008-9 student mission trips were organized from Fletcher Academy in Fletcher, NC to help add improvements to the gardening program to help Kimbia School become more self-sufficient. High tunnels were constructed, irrigation was installed, the tractor already there was improved with front loader and back hoe attachments, and a three bottom plow was provided. Banana plants and papaya, avocado, and citrus trees were added through later financial donations.

At the time, Fletcher Academy was considering adopting Kimbia School as their sister school but with the change of academy staff that vision was lost.

Kimbia School graduates are among those continuing to serve in Guyana and several other countries of the world.

This project needs replacement of lost structures and equipment, temporary help and semi-permanent staff.

Community relations are strong. The school presence invigorates the local church. The influence of the proposed lifestyle center is inestimable. For more information about workers or financial assistance, contact: Brother Mark: watchmanonthewaters@gmail.com or Tom Arany at the Arden SDA Church.

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A Faithful Heart

by Max Hammonds

n Ezekiel 14:14, three men are mentioned as having I “righteousness:” Daniel, Noah, and Job. Further in Job 1, the description of Job’s righteous lifestyle is laid out in minute detail: every prayer, every generous impulse, every concern for the welfare of his family and many others who crossed his path. By the standards of his day – and ours – Job was a righteous man so far as mankind can achieve it.

Therefore, Job was not expecting trouble. Job was not inviting trouble. Nevertheless, trouble found him. Within one day (or so it would seem in Job 1) Job’s world collapsed, touching his life in every direction, challenging his faith to the utmost. Job’s response (to the calamities caused by the enemy within the parameters set by God) was a statement of profound faith: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” His response was the sigh of a grateful heart – for the blessings received and the blessings taken away. Job accepted the Lord as the source and final arbiter of blessings.

A faithful heart is not the occasional, momentary appreciation of a beautiful sunrise nor the grateful reception of good news about an unsolved situation. A faithful heart is an attitude that recognizes God as always having “plans for [our] welfare and not for calamity to give [us] a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11) despite the appearance of immediate circumstances. A faithful heart is not a Pollyanna worldview in multiple shades of rose; it is a worldview of a reality beyond the immediate situation, to a confidence in God’s promise to “not leave [us] or forsake [us]” (Joshua 1:5).

A faithful heart is a passionate expression of trust in the God who loves us and compassionately cares for us – in all circumstances. That’s why God calls us to “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18).

Job was experiencing the most profound, abjectly horrific circumstances. Yet his faith did not waver. He maintained his worldview of trust in God. Then the came the second blow from the enemy – physical pain and suffering. Then the third blow (also from the enemy, as

the voices of good-intentioned friends can sometimes be): blame heaped upon Job as the probable cause of his own losses.

Job complained. He wanted to discuss his situation with God, to go to court with God to express how what was happening to him was totally unfair – to which God did not immediately respond. He argued with his friends about his guiltlessness, rejecting all sense of reasonableness in his situation.

Job was not patient. Job was anything but patient. But his heart was faithful. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15). Job walked with God “by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). His faithful heart clung to the God he could not see, despite his circumstances in the world he could see.

The first five weeks of this year are gone. The New Year’s resolutions have been forgotten. The “peace and joy” of the holidays have collided with the stone-cold realities of work assignments, home responsibilities, health issues, and the uncontrollable, increasing calamities – the world as we see it. How do we deal with the world of our realities? How do we find – like Job – the faith to cling to the God we cannot see?

The moral processing center of the human mind is “the heart,” that place where God placed our basic moral value system – the choice to love and care for others vs. to love and care for ourselves (Micah 6:8 vs. 1 John 2:15). Each individual choice weakens or strengthens our “heart” to consistently choose to love and care for others.

Each choice develops into thoughts and ideas that play out as actions.

If left to our own strength, our hearts will gradually weaken and shift to love and care for ourselves, despite our best efforts (Matt. 15:18, 19). But if we choose to follow God – as Job did – every day, by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ezek. 36:26, 27) our hearts will follow His choices and strengthen our resolve.

These repeated choices and strengthening resolve coalesce into a “worldview” based on trust in God and His method and played out as love to God and love to our fellow man (Matt. 22:37-40).

This worldview based on trust in God can withstand any temptation, any looming problem, any calamity of life. Like Job, we might not understand, we might not agree, we might complain or weep or argue. But we never vary from a complete trust in the God who holds us in our pain, leads us in our uncertainties, and never allows “temptation beyond what [we] are able” (1 Cor. 10:13).

Like Job, we will have a faithful heart.

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Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church Is a Safe Place to Grow.

Our family focus this month features new member Beth Mason. Beth joined the Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church in December 2024.

Beth was born in Olney, Maryland and grew up in Frederick, Maryland. She has one younger brother who lives in Florida.

She went to public schools through high school. Then she received her AA (Associate of Arts) degree and became a Veterinary technician and worked in both animal clinics and emergency animal hospitals in Maryland and California. She did several mission trips with Maranatha while living in California.

During these trips, she was introduced to Union College’s IRR (International Rescue and Relief) BS (Bachelor of Science) degree program. She then attended Union College in Nebraska and received her B.S. in International Rescue and Relief Pre-Physician’s Assistant. After Union College, she joined the Army and served for 8 years and was deployed to Afghanistan during her service. After her year in Afghanistan, she worked at Walter Reed Hospital as a pediatric nurse. When the earthquake in Haiti happened, she volunteered with Doctors without Borders and the Army’s ACT (Army Career Tracker) program and served there helping those in need.

Eventually, she left the Army for civilian work.

Beth met her husband Brian – who was also in the Army – through friends when she was in the military. They attended a Renaissance festival, started dating, and got married in 2016.

They have two children, Genevieve (Evie) who is six and Alexander (Xander) who is five.

Beth has lived in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Texas, and California. She was in Texas and Oklahoma while in the military and was in California for five years. Beth was introduced to Mauldin, S.C. because her grandparents lived there.

Both of her grandparents recently passed away at the ages of 98. When they went to the funeral, Beth’s husband Brian fell in love with the area, and they both agreed it would be a wonderful place for their children to grow up. Also, it was much less expensive to live in South Carolina.

Beth did not grow up in a church. However, when visiting grandparents, she would attend their church. One grandparent was a member of the Assembly of God Church and the other Seventh-day Adventist Church. She took classes during college to learn more about religion and the Bible. She discovered that Seventh-day Adventists (SDA) followed the Bible more accurately and began to take interest in the SDA Church. She became a member of the Arroyo Grande SDA Church in California around 2004. She started a Zoom bible study group in 2019 with the close friends made from the young adult group during her time in the Arroyo Grande Church. This group still meets every Tuesday night.

Beth’s hobbies are gardening, hiking, camping, traveling and crocheting. She also loves to bake and enjoys cooking. She has traveled to Italy, Switzerland, Nicaragua, Hawaii, Bahamas, Peru, Honduras, and was stationed in Kuwait and Afghanistan while in the military.

She decided to visit the Arden SDA Church since her friend Katy Anderson was a member. She really felt it would be great place for her family to learn about God and be a part of God’s loving family. She attends the Sabbath School class taught by Josh Belanger.

We are so happy to welcome Beth Mason to the Arden SDA Church family!

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Our Purpose is, by God’s Grace, to reflect His character in our community, to demonstrate a quality of life that will attract all to be reconciled to Jesus Christ, and to encourage people to become His loving, maturing disciples.

Grace Notes Editorial Staff: Max Hammonds ...............................................Editor Chris Small.................................................Columnist Jean Davey..................................................Columnist Max Hammonds ..................Reporter & Columnist Pen Braister-Sturgis ..................................... Reporter Sara McCord ................................................. Reporter Dan Reynolds ............................................... Reporter Arizona McCord ............... Reporter & Proofreader Chris Small ..................................... Special Graphics Jim & Carolyn Sullenberger ................Proofreaders Nolan Darnell ........................ Mailing Management Shirley Wallstrom ...................Circulation Manager Whitney Barron .................................Layout Design Comments, suggestions and praises are always welcome. Please email or contact the church office.

Services each Saturday morning: Sabbath School Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service, 10:45 a.m.

Location: 35 Airport Road, Arden, NC 28704 Located on Highway 280, (Airport Road), 1.5 miles east of I-26 exit 40, and a quarter mile west of Highway 25.

Church Office: Office Manager: Whitney Barron Telephone: (828) 684-6700 Email: office@ardenadventist.org Website: www.ardenadventist.org Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs.,10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Arden Adventist Pastoral Staff: Senior Pastor: Eric Bates, D. Min. Email: ebates@carolinasda.org Associate/Youth Pastor: Rich Maskelony, M .Div. Email: rmaskelony@carolinasda.org Grace Notes is published monthly by the Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church. Subscription is free by calling or emailing the office. †Do you have questions about what Adventists believe? Would you like to become a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Would you like to study the Bible? You are invited to attend a Pastor’s Bible Study Class. Please call for location and time. All are always welcome. † Disclaimer—The contents of Grace Notes, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained in this magazine of the Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church are for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider, who is knowledgeable and experienced in the use of specific medical or Lifestyle Medicine interventions, or about questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay in seeking it, because of information published in this magazine. Neither Grace Notes nor the Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church recommend or endorse any specific tests, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned in published articles.

Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

If you have a medical emergency, call your healthcare provider or 911 immediately.

THE EAGERNESS OF LOVE December 4, 2024 An old regulation from the era when most people traveled by train included this puzzling requirement: “When two trains approach a crossing both shall stop, and neither shall go ahead until the other has passed by.”

The long-ago rule is, of course, a prescription for neither movement nor change. But it sounds just like the ways we all behave when we find ourselves in conflict with someone: neither of us will move until the other has moved first.

Nations face off with arsenals of bristling armaments; religious groups invoke mutual condemnations for differing beliefs; spouses live in icy tension, waiting for the other to thaw.

In His mercy, God didn’t wait for us to move first. “God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Rom 5:8). Before we ever had a righteous thought or even wanted to be reconciled to God, Jesus offered Himself as the initiator, the peacemaker, the One who would move first.

Grace always moves first. God doesn’t wait for our apologies or repentance to step forward with forgiveness and embrace. The love and joy we crave is always moving toward us. When it reaches you, receive it. And stay in grace.

—Bill Knott

Recipe of the Month Stuffed Bell Peppers

Cook time: 60 minutes Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS: 4 large, square red, yellow, or green bell peppers (about 1-1/2 pounds total) 1 Tbsp – Olive oil 1 large garlic clove, minced 2 Tbsp – Minced onion 2 dried red chilies ½ Cup – Diced tomatoes, peeled and seeded 1 can black beans (15.5 ounce) 2 cups – Cooked Rice ½ Cup – Water

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 375°F. Wash peppers and cut off tops ¼ to ½ inch down. Remove seeds; set tops aside.

Put peppers in a baking dish. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic and onion with dried red chilies until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, beans, and brown rice. Mix thoroughly.

Spoon mixture into prepared peppers and put tops back on. Add ½ cup water to the baking dish. Cover and bake until peppers are soft, about 45 minutes to an hour.

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Bible Bits and Pieces

From the bits and pieces below, build words in the familiar Bible verse. The words are split into two parts. Words with an even number of letters are split evenly. Words with an odd number of letters are split with the extra letter beginning the second half of the word. Each bit or piece is used only once. Where is this scripture found in the Bible? _______________________________________ Y NESS HA OU DR I ASTING VED VE LO AWN OU WI ING VE HA LOV A LO EFORE TH VE Y KIND EVERL N WI THER I TH __

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__ __ __ __ __ __ __ – __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ .

(Do this puzzle with the children you love. Let them learn this amazing verse.)

(Jeremiah 31:3)

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Arden Adventist

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GRACE N TES A Magazine for Sharing God’s Love In Our Community

Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church 35 Airport Road Arden, North Carolina 28704 (828) 684-6700 If you no longer wish to receive Grace Notes, or if your address has changed, please contact us.

What if all Adventist Churches and Schools in North America started praying together for the Holy Spirit?

What if we all acknowledged our need for Him, asked God to do what He said he was going to do, and equipped our minds to receive the Holy Sprit during the later rain?

T H R E E T H O U S A N D P R O C L A M AT I O N I N I T I AT I V E S This is the essence of Pentecost 2025.

Join us as we usher in Pentecost 2025 with our annual 10 Days of Prayer event.

Where? Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church Community Life Center When?

January 1-10 at 7pm

How?

We will focus on how to pray as we look at the Lord’s Prayer.

What?

We will also include a modified prayer walk,

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“Since this is the means by which we are to receive the power, why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer petition to God.” Acts of the Apostles p. 50