January GN '24

A Baptism in a Blow-Up Swimming Pool?

New Beginnings in the Philippines. . .

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

According to Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” The change of the human heart is the greatest miracle; the choice to give the heart to Jesus is the beginning of a new life. But, the efforts of God’s workers—His hands and feet— are extensive and intensive as they organize, administer, and staff the multiple evangelistic efforts that create the opportunity for individuals to make these choices.

place with concrete floor and roof. Such venues were needed to accommodate the large number of people averaging 150+ people attending each site every night. By their previous Bible studies, the people attending were prepared to make their decisions.

Despite sounding like a relatively easy task, Satan was prepared to cause trouble. On the night Patti presented the topic, “Baptism,” the spiritual warfare began. When DeWayne and Patti arrived at their site, the lights were flashing on and off, on and off.

DeWayne and Patti Butcher (left below) experienced these choices and changes again as they participated in two evangelistic efforts in the Philippians in September, 2023. Pastor Dan Smith (right, a friend from DeWayne’s days at Hinsdale Hospital) was the organizer of this year’s trip to Bacolod, Negros Occidental, and Taytay, Luzon Island, in the Philippines.

These meetings and the busy schedules they entailed kept DeWayne and Patti running constantly. They arrived in Bacolod on Thursday, September 7, settled into their living quarters, and quickly prepared for three presentations: the first meeting on Friday evening and two meetings on Sabbath. DeWayne presented the health talks and Patti delivered the evangelistic presentations for the scheduled eight days of meetings, one of ten sites running simultaneously.

However, the workers at this event included more than the presenters. For two months prior, bible workers had been studying with people known to be interested in making this most important decision of their lives. In addition, conference workers from the Negros Occidental Conference drove the presenters to their respective sites, for DeWayne and Patti a trip of 45 minutes out and back each night. The conference workers also prepared the meals and translated the presentations into the local dialect (there are more than 1,000 dialects throughout the Philippines.)

The presentations at each site were not held in the local church, but a short distance away at a large open-air meeting

Having experienced these disruptions at other meetings, Patti knew what it was and who was behind it. The lights stayed on during DeWayne’s health talk. But when Patti began, the trouble began. She said a prayer, “Lord, this is your meeting” and continued to preach her topic. When the microphones went garbled, she kept on preaching. When the lights went out, Patti’s computer continued to function on battery, although there were no slides showing on the screen. But Patti kept on preaching.

Every person in the audience with a cell phone was prepared. They turned their cell phones on flashlight mode and pointed them toward the platform. The platform was lit up by the faith of the faithful. And the lights eventually came back on during the call for a decision.

During this week, DeWayne had his own intense work. He was presenting the health talks at the evening meeting, and a five-day Week of Prayer at the local Adventist hospital in the early morning before breakfast! This required some very long days for him.

The Sabbath following the last Friday presentations was baptism day. The morning service was presented in the Central Philippine Union College Church which seats around three thousand, but 8,000 people viewed the service by closed circuit television in multiple rooms on campus.

Continued on page 11>>>

From the Pastor’s Pen GrAce N TeS

“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; though art mine.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43: 1, 2

There is something significant that we all sense with the coming of a new year. I believe that’s why New Year’s resolutions are so popular. There is a sense of wrapping old things up, venturing into the new, embracing the hopeful, and possibly a little worrying about the unknown.

This month’s key verse is one that ministered to my heart at a time of great uncertainty and therefore one that I love to share with others. In it, God talks to His people, the Israelites, as they begin a journey. After years in captivity, they rejoiced at the freedom to return to their homeland. But to get there, they would have to travel a long distance.

Their travels would look quite different from ours: no planes to catch and no trailers to haul their stuff. No Buc-ee’s to stop at for nourishment and respite. So, you can imagine the challenge this nation would face when they found themselves standing in front of hot deserts, deep waters, or difficult rivers. Men, women, children, livestock and all their belongings would have to find a way through these physical obstacles.

Though we may not come upon an actual river or blazing wasteland in 2024, we will likely encounter something this year that mimics a rushing current or suffocating smoke. Notice how our key verse says, “When you go through deep water. . . . When you go through rivers of difficulty. . . . When you walk through the fire of oppression.” Isaiah 43:2 NLT When. Not if.

The nation of Israel was guaranteed to encounter all of these on their journey, and I think we can count on it too. So, let’s prepare for it, shall we?

Typically, when we think of preparing for coming events, we think of gathering stuff together. A coming storm spurs us to purchase generators, fuel, water, and food to see us through. Prepping usually means to gather or amass stuff, and in these cases that is good. However, when I contemplated the uncertainty of the coming year, I purposed to get rid of all the extra, unnecessary things that weighed me down; the things I absolutely could live without and would ultimately free me up to follow God wherever He chose to lead me. We all have extra stuff. Sometimes in our physical surroundings. Sometimes in our spiritual ones. To face the troubles sure to surface, we need to get rid of the extra.

When the water is deep, your feet can’t feel the bottom, your body is tired, and the other side is still so far away. That one thing you don’t need could be the one thing that drags you under.

Of course, no matter how prepared we feel, we’ll never be able to conquer our troubles alone. God didn’t just warn of potential problems ahead, He included promises to stand on in the midst of them.

God promises that when you go through the waters, He will be with you. When you go through the rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up.

The beauty of this passage is that God not only gives us these hopeful promises but He tells us the foundation for them. “But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you, O Israel, the one who formed you says, ‘Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.’ ” Isaiah 43:1 NLT.

Do you see it? God pronounces over you—yes, you— “I made you! I designed you in my mind just how I wanted you to be, and then I made you with my very own hands. And, then He says, “Don’t be afraid because I have paid the ultimate price to win you back.” He calls you by name (He intimately knows you) and He says, “You are mine!”

Beloved child of God, you belong.

I don’t know what 2024 will bring—maybe the biggest blessings we have ever received or maybe the greatest trial. But, as we head into a new year, let’s start this one prepared. Let’s get rid of the extra stuff that only encumbers, so that when we face the trials of life we will stand. Undaunted by deep waters. Ready for rivers of difficulty. Fearless in the face of the fire.

These promises are based not upon who you are and what you have done. God clearly says that it’s because of Who He is—“For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:3 NLT

In the midst of uncertainty, He is certain. He never changes. Move forward with hope and courage.

reflections reflections A Stone in the Pond. . . The Story of Adam

Mediumheight. One hundred-sixty pounds. His tousled brown hair, broad shoulders, and youthful demeanor belied his frame of 52 mature years. With an easy gait, he walked the tiled hallways of the Medical Care wing at Peermont Memorial Retirement Home. His eyes searched the walls for 265 on the numbered placard. At the end of the hallway he found his quest. He pushed open the slightly ajar door and entered.

Adam was eight years old when he came to live with Rose and Tim. They were foster parenting two brothers, six years old and eighteen months old, but their hearts had room for another child. Charlotte, their seventeen-year-old foster daughter, was in high school, but Rose and Tim were lovingly involved with the youngsters.

Adam knew from prior experiences that the assumptions about foster-home care were true. He had been treated badly, relegated to second class status, and frequently treated as a household servant. Adam held no hopes that this home would be any different.

same facility where she resided.

Accompanying Rose during one rehab session, Sonja noted the name tag on one of the other therapists.

“That’s an unusual last name,” she remarked to the young woman. “Is DeGroe your family name?”

At first, Adam retreated to the area near his bed, venturing out only for meals and required activities, like an evening activity that Rose and Tim called “devotions.” Rose read a story from a book she called “the Bible.” Then Tim would act out the story, usuall taking the parts of animals or a bad guy, with the kids playing various characters. But Tim always played the bad part in a silly way. Then Tim and Rose did something called “prayers” for each child, putting them to bed with a kiss on the cheek.

Adam was shocked. He waited for attitudes to change, but they never did.

Adam had never heard about Jesus. He did not know who this Jesus was or what He did. But over the weeks and months, he learned that he could count on Jesus to care for him, that he could pray to Jesus and that Jesus would hear his prayers and would help him personally.

Twelve months later, Rose and Tim moved to Florida to care for aging parents. The foster children, including, Tim, were placed in other homes. Rose and Tim tried to keep track of the kids. The two smaller boys successfully returned to their mother. Charlotte, now eighteen, returned to her family as an adult and soon married. But they never knew what had happened to Adam.

Tim died of pneumonia in the COVID pandemic. Rose recovered from her bout of COVID, but developed a weakened heart. She moved into an assisted living facility in Ohio to be near her sister, Sonja. Rose’s life went well until she fell and broke her hip. The doctors replaced her fractured hip with an artificial joint and Rose began rehabilitation in the

“No, it’s my husband’s name,” she said with a smile.

Rose turned from her therapy session. “Did you say DeGroe? I had a foster child named DeGroe.” Her memory went back to another time. “His name was Adam.”

“That’s my husband’s name.”

“Was your husband ever a foster child?”

“I’ll ask him.”

As the quiet stranger pushed open the door, Rose’s pale, round face peered out of the pillows that tenderly cradled her head. She had developed pneumonia after the surgery and her heart was failing. Sonja, sitting by her bedside, looked up.

“Yes. May I help you?

“Hi.” He turned his gaze from one sister to the other. “I’m Adam.”

“Oh, my.” Rose’s eyes came alive. “Is it really you, Adam?”

“Yes, Aunt Rose. It’s me.” He approached the bed, touched Rose’s hair, leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead. He pulled a chair close to the bed and gently held her hand.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t find out what happened to you.” Rose’s eyes glistened with wetness.

“I will tell you what happened.” He stroked her hand carefully. “I was sent to another foster home where they beat me. And then to another home, not that bad, but not like you and Uncle Tim.”

“We loved you so.” It was all Rose could say.

“I know you did.” He smiled and nodded. “You taught me to know Jesus because you showed me what love is. Something I had never known. Even though I was in some bad places, I knew what love was and I never forgot. It kept me going.”

“What work do you do, Adam?” Sonja asked, almost sure of the answer.

“I work with under-privileged children.” But his eyes never left Rose’s face. “You and Tim are responsible for making me the man I am today.” After a few minutes and a few more words, he leaned forward and hugged Rose. “I just wanted you to know that you showed me what love is.” Then he stood and left the room.

Rose turned her tear-filled eyes to Sonja. “I didn’t know what happened to him.”

“But now you know,” Sonja said, covering her with a warm blanket.

Five days later, Rose died. But her love lived on. . . in a man named Adam. *based on a true story *

Adventist World Radio (AWR)

World Missions Stories of In the Middle of War . . .

Onthe morning of October 7, we awoke to the news that war had broken out between Israel and Hamas. Just a few days before, we had received a glowing report from our new AWR radio station in Nazareth, which recently began airing programs in Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Palestine, and beyond. Pastor Wisam Ali had shared that 300 Arab families in the West Bank were studying the Bible, plus 28 others in the Gaza Strip – and 1000’s more were listening to the programs.

In early August 2023, our radio station received a phone call from a devout Muslim who had found a bottle with one of our radio flyers inside. It contained a link to our radio station and to two prophecy series. The man, his wife, and their ten grown children began listening to our radio programs and watching both series.

We knew nothing of this until the man called the station to say he and his family had accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! But they still had a lot of questions, so Pastor Wisam suggested they compare everything they heard with what was in the Bible. They were amazed that everything in the series was indeed in the Bible. They called our radio station again, requesting that Pastor Wisam visit them and share more truths.

In the West Bank, Pastor Wisam met with them. He said, “With tears of joy they announced that they were definitely convinced that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and the Savior of the world.” Then they asked Pastor Wisam to stay and eat with them.

During dinner, one of the daughters said that a few months before, she’d had the same dream three times: A man stood on a white cloud with light shining from his face. He told her he was calling her family to follow him, and in her dream, one by one, her family members obeyed his command and stood on his right side. She was standing alone, undecided, wondering who this man was. She asked the man, “Who are you? Why do I need to follow you?” But every time, before she could receive an answer, she awoke. She said, “I had always been a strong believer in the Allah of Islam, but I had so many questions that, as a Muslim girl, I was not allowed to ask. We had been taught to have a blind faith in Allah. I prayed but felt empty. I was sad and felt lost, like God was far away. That’s when I had the first dream of this man surrounded with the glorious light. I was confused. I didn’t know who he was, but I felt peace in my heart. I prayed day and night asking God to show me the way. Today I can tell you that after following the prophecy series, I am sure this person I saw is Jesus Christ, and today I want to tell you that He is my Lord and Savior.”

Pastor Wisam studied the Bible with the family several times. The mother of the family embraced the wonderful new truths she was hearing, and wanted to share them with her mother and brothers. But they were not happy when they heard of her new beliefs. They said, “ If you accept Christ as Lord, you and your family will no longer be welcome in our homes.” When [I] asked her how she felt, she replied, “ Nothing in the world will make me change my mind, even if the cost of following Jesus ends my relationship with my mother and brothers, even if it costs my own life. I’d rather have Jesus that anything else.”

Pastor Wisam has lost all contact with the 28 families in the Gaza Strip, but he’s still in contact with the 300 families in the West Bank. Many are ready for baptism, but everything has been put on hold and travel has become impossible. Even the internet connections are bad, making communication more difficult.

Our radio station in Nazareth continues to be a beacon of light amid the hopelessness of war and destruction. If what happened to this Muslim family and their daughter is any indication, we know that God Himself will “hear their cry and save them,” because “He is near to all who call on Him.” What a wonderful promise! And to think it applies to anyone, regardless of culture, birth, or country. As we approach the time of the end, God’s Spirit is searching all over the world for those who will stand firm for the truth.

Beginning in 1971 in Portugal, broadcasting on shortwave to Europe and USSR in 10 languages, AWR has expanded to shortwave and podcast broadcasts, covering every continent in over 100 languages. In addition, AWR supports local mission stations and projects, Bible and Godpod distribution, multi-country digital evangelistic outreach, and yearly mega-city evangelistic efforts.

Adventist World Radio

12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 awr.org

by Jean Davey

TenArden Adventist in Ministries Action

Days of Prayer began in the Adventist worldwide church in 2012. It was modeled after the biblical account of Pentecost, when Jesus’ disciples gathered in an upper room for ten days to wait and pray for the Holy Spirit. It will be held this year on January 10 to 19. According to the Revival and Reformation Adventist website the themes for this year are as follows:

January 10—Less is more January 11—The Danger of being busy for God

January 12—The blessing of waiting January 13—The freedom of a focused life of simplicity January 14—Focusing on things that matter in our prayers January 15—Grit, passion, and perseverance

January 16—The value of being kind

January 17—Practicing an attitude of gratitude January 18—The blessing of the Sabbath January 19—Be rich in what matters—be more analog.

The Arden Adventist Seventh-day Adventst Church has been conducting the 10 Days of Prayer for much longer than the world wide Seventh-day Adventist Church. Some Arden church members remember having it as far back as the 1990’s. The meetings were held in the Sanctuary at first and, after the Community Life C enter was built, they were held in the Seminar room. In the past there was a theme, and whoever came to prayer meeting would pray for what the theme was that night. Then there was an opportunity for anyone to pray for what was in their heart.

In 2023, Charlene Ingulfsen, Prayer Meeting Coordinator, changed the way the meetings would be conducted. In addition to the world wide prayer theme and personal prayer requests, prayers each night were said for the different sections of our church and for the programs and leaders that take place in that area. Everyone was invited to attend each night, but it was asked that if you were involved in the particular ministry being prayed for, that you would attend that night. When that part of the prayer time was to begin, Elders would lead those

participants to the section of the church and pray for those ministries. There were 10 different sections of the church that was prayed for during the duration of the 10 days of prayer. The church members really liked this format, so this same format will take place for this year’s 10 Days of Prayer for the Arden church and the schedule will be January 10-19, 2024.

Charlene Ingulfsen says the goal of the Arden church’s 10 Days of Prayer is “to acquaint members to the benefit of prayer. It becomes more personal for each person at our church. It is also a good way for the Arden church members to begin the new year.”

Here are a few testimonies from previous years: From the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church “I have never felt the Spirit of God in this way before”. (Frank B.)

From Arden church member Max Hammonds, on hearing someone else’s testimony: “A person who had attended 10 Days of Prayer at Arden for several years responded during the comments session one night, ‘I always knew that God loved the rest of you. Tonight, for the first time, I understood that God loves me.’ There were many tears of understanding and hugs shared that night.”

From a quote by Ellen G. White taken from the tendaysofprayer.org website which was written by Dr. Frank Hasel: “We must not only pray in Christ’s name, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This explains what is meant when it is said that the Spirit ‘maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered’, Romans 8:26. Such prayer God delights to answer. When with earnestness and intensity we breathe a prayer in the name of Christ, there is in that very intensity a pledge from God that He is about to answer our prayer ‘exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.’

Ephesians 3:20”, Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p 147.

As we begin our new year, let the Holy Spirit guide us in every way, in every thought, in every action, and in every word spoken according to His purposes. As a church family, let us be led by Christ’s words, action and life.

If you have a prayer request, come join with our Intercessory Prayer group which meets every Tuesday at 9 am. Or fill in the information below, cut out and send to:

Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church, 35 Airport Road, Arden, NC 28704

You may email your request to: prayer@ardenadventist.org or contact us on our website at www.ardenadventist.org and click on the Ministries heading.

My Prayer Request: _______________________________________________

LIFeST yLe FOcuS

New Beginnings for a New Year

by Max Hammonds, MD, MPH, MHA

At this time of year the news is full of the making and breaking of resolutions. The news is also full of health topics—the faddish, the fun, and the foolish. Everyone wants to lose weight, to begin an exercise program, to improve their heart health, to make themselves more attractive, and to increase their longevity. And the number of programs and pills sold by gurus and entrepreneurs is legion. What is the truth? Is there a quick-fix formula? Is there a magic pill? What programs really work? How can the healthful intentions of the New Year last beyond the first three weeks?

ABSOLUTE RULE #1: There is absolutely no magic pill and no quick fix for any unhealthful situation that has taken years to develop. As suggested by multiple government investigations and actions taken against diet pills and programs, magic pills and secret solutions do not work, are a waste of time, and are frequently dangerous.

ABSOLUTE RULE #2: Unlike shirts sold at the beach, one size does not fit all. Many individuals will have some specific nutritional challenges like food allergies, food intolerances, and individual likes and dislikes. Many people have specific disease problems—heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and physical disabilities—which limit their ability to participate in various modalities of healthful living. Cultural or ethnic limitations like clothing choices and ethnic or cultural taboos may require some individuals to modify programs that lead to obtaining and retaining excellent health.

ABSOLUTE RULE #3: Do not start a program that must end in two or three weeks. True health modifications must be practiced for at least six to eight weeks to become a permanent part of the lifestyle. Avoid strange diet or food combinations, unusual exercise devices, pills, or tonics. Do not reach for a product; reach for a lifestyle. Change that is not permanent is not change at all and will not give lasting results.

So, where do we start? What are the foundational stones of a personalized program of good health? What are the absolute rock bottom basic steps to a healthful lifestyle and an enjoyable longevity? Here are ten simple steps that, if made a permanent part of the lifestyle, will lead to good health.

Step #1: One helping! Whatever the choice of food to be eaten—ethnic, faddish, fast food—take only one helping on a normal-sized plate. And then STOP!

Step #2: Eat breakfast! Start the day in the same way as an automobile trip begins, with a full tank. The first meal of the day consisting of whole grains, fruits, and healthful fats will hold us for four to five hours without the need for pick-me-up snacks or caffeine boosts.

Step #3: Regular, well-balanced, colorful menu! Whatever the mealtime schedule, whatever the meal being eaten, eat at the same time every day—and only at that time each day. Eat a wide variety of colorful foods. Avoid a totally white, gray, yellow, or brown plate of food. The nutrition is in the color, where the vitamins, minerals, and fiber are.

Step # 4: No snacks! No junk food! Which means don’t eat between meals (see step #3). Snack food and junk food is generally full of simple sugars and saturated fat, and generally almost devoid of fiber. Food calories without nutrition are called “empty” calories. If we are attempting to maintain ideal weight, we don’t need “empty” calories that pack on pounds without nutritional benefit.

Step #5: Exercise! Exercise regularly, consistent within your health limitations. Choose an activity that is fun and appealing and do it regularly. Share it with a friend so that each can encourage the other in its regularity and intensity.

Step #6: Regular sleep time! Whatever the work schedule, sleep at the same time every time, and for an adequate time. The body establishes a circadian rhythm for the schedule being established, even if that schedule is different than the sunrise that usually sets our rhythm. Don’t confuse the body by sleeping at different times.

Step #7: Drink water! Just as an automobile does not run on corn syrup or caffeine, neither does the human body. Almost every chemical reaction in the body requires a water environment. And all of the transportation mechanisms of the body require a water environment. Even organic compounds (water insoluble) are given carrier molecules for water transport. Add water and mix well.

Step #8: Don’t do risky activities! Activities that lead to high risk for age and ability are to be avoided. Activities that lower risk are to be encouraged. Activity—both mental and physical—is one of the two most effective health-promoting things we can do for ourselves.

Step #9: Connect with people! Connecting with people is the other activity of the two most effective health-promoting activities. Connect in church, join a book or game club, sing in a choir, connect or re-connect with your family of choice. We were not created to be alone.

Step #10: Pray! Just like a good neighbor, God is always there. Talk to Him; learn to trust Him (this takes practice). These ten steps apply to all people in all parts of the world. If practiced regularly, they will bring about the radical improvement in health that we all desire. Make a permanent change for your health. Start a new beginning.

Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from violation of the laws of health. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained. Unhealthful conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected. Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and reestablish right conditions in the system. —The Ministry of Healing, page 73. Editor’s Note: The sole purpose of any health information provided by Grace Notes is for information only and is not intended to recommend or assist in self care, or to be a substitute for diagnosis and/or treatment by your personal physician. Please see Disclaimer on page 11.

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Xerxes and Esther: Part III Stories of Ancient History. . .

by Chris Small

OfVashti, O Reader, rumors abound, but facts are scarce.

Even the royal records of the king, Khshayarsha (“Shah-yarshah,” who is Xerxes to the Greeks and Ahasuerus to the Hebrews), are vague. Perhaps none but Vashti herself could fully say why she—and not Amestris, the first wife of the emperor—was hosting the noble women in the harem while Khshayarsha and his Satraps feasted in the Apadana, and why she would not or could not appear before her husband and his stately guests. Certain it is, that, had the day’s entertainment begun, Vashti would rightly not wish to be degraded to the level of a dancing girl, rather than one of the primary wives of the king over many kings, a principal queen of the Persian empire.

Whatever the true reasons, Vashti’s refusal sent a shock wave through the Apadana. Khshayarsha had put down rebellions in Egypt and Babylon, and was even now gathering support for a new Greek invasion which would punish the Ionian revolt and its supporters, such as the cunning, cutthroat citizens of Athens. Khshayarsha could not, at this critical moment, countenance a seemingly rebellious spirit within his own harem. What kind of message would that send to his Satraps, nobles, and military leaders? He must appear in control within his own palace estate at Shushen; this shame made him look weak, just at the same time he was trying to mobilize for war with the Greeks.

“According to our law, what must be done with Queen Vashti, who refuses to obey the call of her king?” Khshayarsha immediately inquired of his seven chief advisors, the seven ranking princes of Media and Persia: Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan.

Memucan framed his reply: “Not only has the king been shamed, but all the Satraps and peoples of the vast Persian empire. All wives will now disdain their husbands, and every Satrap and royal official will also be greatly shamed.”

In a way, this episode shows the great fragility of Persian society and the unbearable responsibility of the king. One small decision may lead to unspeakable shame, effecting both great alliances and the smallest weave or household in the fabric of the empire’s society. All reflects upon the king, a burden which might crush one not aided by Ahura Mazda, the one great god. Surely it would not be treason to say that even Khshayarsha sometimes seemed staggered by events, but it was his duty to rise above every difficulty, to retain honor, and to govern and guide

the empire to stability and greatness.

“If it pleases your majesty, issue a royal decree, recorded in the unchanging laws of Persia and Media, that Vashti will reap the consequences of her decision,” suggested Memucan. “As she refused to enter the presence of Emperor Khshayarsha, bringing shame and disorder, now may it be written that she will never again enter the presence of the king. This will be to her shame and will restore order and honor by serving as an example to the empire. Vashti must be replaced and her royal position filled by a woman better than she.”

This counsel seemed, both to Khshayarsha and to the other six princes, most likely to restore the careful balance which had been broken (though whether by Vashti or by Khshayarsha’s own ill-timed order, it is left to a judge greater than me to determine). A decree went out to all the land, and Vashti, caught in a situation not entirely of her own making and now losing her queenship, was never to see the face or figure of her husband again. One can only speculate upon what grief must have been felt by the former queen and even by Khshayarsha himself. If the king felt it, he must never display it, or the decree and the lesson would lose its force for the empire. Now he must present a bold face as he gathered support, rebuilt the army, assembled a new navy, and prepared for the conquest of Greece, the land of the Hellenes, to revenge the shame brought upon his father Darius and the Persian army upon the plain of Marathon.

The matter of a new queen who would replace Vashti was set aside for the time being, as the four-year preparations for war came to a head, all-consuming for Khshayarsha and his councilors. Within a year and a half, Khshayarsha left Persia for the far reaches of his empire: He would marshal his forces in Lydia and Phrygia, preparing soon to cross the Hellespont or Dardanelles, the narrow strait separating Asia (leaving behind the sprawling Persian empire) from Europe (and setting forth upon the conquest of Greece). Would Khshayarsha win undying honor and glory for Persia, or were unfavorable and inauspicious omens warning of catastrophe to come?

Author: Chris Small teaches Bible and Adventist History at Fletcher Academy. He and his brother Loren were the primary writers and producers of the documentary film “War in Heaven, War on Earth: The Birth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church During the American Civil War.”

Notes:—* The idea of a personal narrator here is fiction, but all the other events and individuals are mentioned in the Bible and/or in other historical records.

** Not the Darius of Daniel 5-6 who ruled over the province of Babylon for Cyrus beginning in 539 BC, but rather Darius the Great who ruled the Achaemenid Empire from 486-465 BC.

*** Some of the detailed information is from Encyclopaedia Iranica article on Susa in the Achaemenid period.

Chris Small is an Adjunct History & Religion faculty member at Fletcher Academy. He writes from his home in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

by Max Hammonds

Understanding Christian Metaphors: Ambassador TheLongView

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

Today we take up the word ambassador. Mr. Tolman spoke while arising from behind his desk. “I asked you to find where the word is used in the Bible. What did you find?

Todd’s hand shot up. “Paul uses it in 2 Corinthians 5:20. He tells us all to be ambassadors for Christ.”

“That’s the scripture I gave you last week.” Mr. Tolman’s mouth twitched a small smile. “And what did Paul suggest that we do as ambassadors for Christ?” Todd wrinkled his brow. Mr. Tolman looked to the others for a response.

Betty finally answered. “Ambassadors represent someone of power and authority. They stand in the place of that powerful figure and speak the words that the power figure would say. Paul then demonstrates how the ambassadorship works by making the appeal on behalf of Christ: asking us to be reconciled to God.”

“That’s what an ambassador does. He or she speaks for the authority figure they represent. Thank you, Betty, as always.” Mr. Tolman thumbed through his Bible. “But this word, ambassador is hard to study in the Bible. It isn’t used much, is it?” He looked up at the class.

“No, sir, it isn’t.” Corrine spoke while looking at the notes from her study. “It’s used twice in Isaiah, but in a negative sense, sort of. In Isaiah 30, the ambassadors of Israel were in Egypt trying to get help from the Pharaoh, instead of from God. In Isaiah 33, the ambassadors, who tried to get peace for the land, have failed.”

“But even in their negativity, what have we learned about ambassadors?” Mr. Tolman waited again. “This is hard, I know. It’s not explicitly stated.” He paused. “Where do the ambassadors get their power to speak? What if the ones they speak for are not powerful?”

Rick looked up from his papers, a light in his eyes.“If the person or country he represents is not powerful, the ambassador has no power. The power, uhmmm, the effectiveness of his words comes from the person with power, not from the ambassador.”

“And we must never forget that truth as we function as ambassadors for Christ.” Mr. Tolman came out from behind his desk. “The person with power is the boss. The ambassador works for the boss, not for himself.”

“That takes a lot of humility, doesn’t it?” Jenny, who seldom spoke with reserve, was suddenly thoughtful.

“That’s an interesting word, isn’t it, Jenny? Humility.” Mr. Tolman was taken aback for a moment with her unusual display of insight. “Who are some of the people in the Bible who were ambassadors for God, who displayed this characteristic of humility?”

The class was caught off guard by this unanticipated question. Pages of the Bible were turned; notes referred to by all except Betty, sitting quietly, looking at Mr. Tolman.

“Well, what did you find?” He watched the class expectantly. “Abraham was an ambassador for God.” Rick spoke slowly. “He spoke for God to those around him. And He spoke to God—even bargained with God. But he never forgot who was in charge. And he learned to follow God’s instructions, to the letter.”

“An excellent example, Rick. Thank you.” Mr. Tolman observed Armon struggling with a thought. “Armon, do you have someone in mind?”

“Uh, yes, sir, I do. But I’m not sure.”

Taking Mr. Tolman’s smile and nod as permission, he haltingly continued, “Daniel was certainly an ambassador—for Babylon and then for Persia. Oh; and for God, too. Yes?”

“Very good, Armon. Yes, especially for God.” Mr. Tolman turned to the class. “And Daniel demonstrated two characteristics that are essential in an ambassador. And they are . . . ?”

“He always checked with the boss before speaking,” Todd said aloud what he was thinking. “Oh, sorry.”

“No problem.” Mr. Tolman laughed. “Daniel checked with his authority figure at least three times a day. He never spoke on his own authority. He chose his words carefully. Because he knew Whom he represented. But there is another characteristic that even his enemies grudgingly acknowledged. Which was ? Daniel 6:4 will help.”

Todd found it first. “They weren’t able to find any faults in his life.”

“Excellent. Daniel’s personal life was exemplary. People always watch ambassadors to see if they are living examples of the country or the person they represent. But we’ve missed two more ambassadors who displayed tremendous humility while seemingly having tremendous power in their hands. Any guesses?” Mr. Tolman waited.

“Moses seemed to have the power of miracles and Joseph certainly held the reins of government in Egypt.” Betty spoke with confidence. “Yet neither one thought of himself as in control. They represented God as His ambassadors.”

Mr. Tolman took a deep, satisfied breath. “Ambassadors for Christ know they work by the power of the Holy Spirit; they check with the Boss constantly; they are aware that their lifestyle must always be representative. And most of all, even when given amazing abilities or great authority, they work in humility. They know they are not in charge.

Assignment: Describe a time when you were an ambassador for Jesus, mentioning at least two of the characteristics from today’s discussion. Class dismissed.”

Max Hammonds is a retired anesthesiologist, writer, health lecturer, musician, and sailor, and writes from his home in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

by Jean Davey

FAMILy FOcuS

Our Family Focus this month features Dixie Maldonado, who joined Arden Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1992.

Dixiewas born in Richmond, Virginia, but was raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and is an only child. She was raised as an Adventist and attended Tidewater Junior Academy in Virginia through the eighth grade. She and her family then moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, and she attended an Adventist school there. After another move to Gastonia, North Carolina, where there were no Adventist schools, she continued her education in public schools which made her appreciate Adventist schools even more. After attending Academy Days at Mt. Pisgah Academy in Western North Carolina, God provided a way for her to attend in 1991. She graduated from Mt. Pisgah Academy in 1994.

Dixie continued her education and earned an Associate of Arts degree from Asheville-Buncombe Technical College. She attended the University of North Carolina and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. She graduated from Florida Institute of Technology with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA).

She worked for the YMCA and later was a Group Home Manager working with boys who had drug addictions. She began working at McDonalds in Asheville, North Carolina, but moved to Greenville, South Carolina, in 2016, after finishing her MBA degree in hopes of finding more opportunities. She stayed with McDonalds, received a promotion there and was with this company for fourteen years, working in various positions. She has been working as a Uber driver in Greenville since 2017 and has a 5-star rating with them.

Dixie was married but is divorced now. She has two daughters: Clarissa who is twenty-one and recently married, and Kaitlyn who is twenty-six years old. Dixie is ordained to perform weddings and she officiated at Clarissa’s wedding!

Dixie’s hobbies include drawing, crocheting, and she enjoys reading. She also speaks Spanish and hopes to use this language on a mission trip some day. She has always wanted to go on one but has never had the opportunity. While she was in high school, she was on the gymnastics team and traveled to the Virgin Islands to perform there. She also enjoyed running when she was in grade school and received awards and trophies for her running skills.

Dixie joined the Arden Adventist church in 1992 and both of her children were baptized here. She has been a member of DeWayne Butcher’s Sabbath School class since she joined the church and has appreciated the wonderful friendships she has developed with other members of the class over the years. She also became a very close friend of former Arden members Gail and Doug Bremner. Since living in Greenville Dixie attends the Arden Sabbath School on Zoom on most Sabbaths and enjoys the prayer meetings led by Max Hammonds.

We are so happy to have Dixie as part of the Arden church family!

Jean Davey is retired from the University of South Carolina, where she worked as a computer programmer in the Payroll, Budget and Human Resources Departments. Jean writes from her home in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

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

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:

Gailon Morisette Editor & Graphic Design

Max Hammonds Assistant Editor

Ann Marie Bates

Chris Small

Jean Davey.

Max Hammonds .

Pen Braister-Sturgis

Columnist

Columnist

Columnist

Reporter & Columnist

Reporter

Jim & Carolyn Sullenberger . . . . Proofreaders

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: Monday through Thursday 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. †

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

In the afternoon everyone filled the viewing stands in the swimming facility on campus to see the baptism of over 1,200 new believers. Fifty-six of those baptized were from Patti and DeWayne’s site with similar results from the other eight small sites. Pastor Dan’s larger site on the college campus—which hosted 1,500 people each night—provided the rest of the 1,200 baptisms.

The next five days were a calm respite for Patti and DeWayne. The Central Luzon Conference held a workers’ meeting in Manila at which DeWayne gave only one presentation: “Why Give Health Talks in an Evangelistic Series?” Then he demonstrated a 15-minute health talk that

can be modified to fit almost any cultural setting around the world. Patti and DeWayne especially appreciated these days of rest, because over the next eight days their world was totally reversed.

During their second evangelistic series in the Philippines, everything was just the opposite of what they had experienced in Bacolod. They stayed at a luxurious resort with beautiful rooms and vegan food—Dr. Tam’s Health and Wellness Center, in Antipolo. However, their presentation site was in Taytay, a government district about 45 minutes away, in the middle of the worst of the slums surrounding metro-Manila. Seven churches had gone together to set up Patti and DeWayne’s site, which would become a church plant with twelve church members committed and prepared to be the leaders of the new church.

in traffic, and a 32-yearold professional (who had never translated before) worked, with the help of his wife, for both DeWayne and Patti. He did so well, he continued to translate for DeWayne while the pastor translated for Patti for the rest of the week.

The platform was a short, rickety affair on broken concrete pieces. The podium was a table, partially covered by sound equipment and lots of wires. The site was on a broken concrete slab with tarp tents overhead and several bare lightbulbs. Eventually, 200+ people filled the ubiquitous plastic chairs each night.

Again, the Bible workers had done their preparations for two months prior. Although the people were not quite so anxious to respond to the call for a decision to follow Christ, twenty-three individuals came forward to make their com-

On their first visit, from their drop-off point in Riviera, DeWayne and Patti walked another two blocks down a dark, dirty alley. Patti was visibly upset. DeWayne asked, “Are you okay?” “No. I’m scared,” was her reply. “If God is here, then, it’s okay for us to be here, yes?” She replied, “Okay.” From then on, Patti was “okay” with her very unusual surroundings—dogs, cats, and chickens in cages lining the alleyways and people living in the most rudimentary shelters on the streets and in the alleys.

The wiring for their site was not completed until half an hour before the meetings began, but by evening all was in readiness, except for the translator. The pastor was caught

mitment. As in Bacolod, on the Sabbath after the last Friday night meetings the conference pastors baptized—in a blowup swimming pool—around 240 individuals from all the small sites in and around Taytay. And Pastor Dan baptized around 250 from his bigger site in Manila.

All totaled, from these large, intense activities and many other small sites and churches, around 2,500 people made their commitment to follow Jesus in baptism during the month of September. However, their new life in Jesus began with the work of hundreds of people from the Philippines and from the United States—2,500 new beginnings for the New Year.

GrAce N TeS