FLAME | Summer 2016

Summer 2016

Igniting a Passion for Living and Serving in Texas

Love Languages &

Family PAGE 17

Marital

Bliss A Publication of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Texas

PAGE 14

TRUSTING

FEATURE

IN TURMOIL

{Editor's Note} LOVE. AS THE FLAME CONTINUES TO EXPLORE THIS CONCEPT, we follow spring’s theme, Love Yourself, with Love Your Family. If love were a tree ring, God would be at the center. Love begins and ends with our Creator. The next ring is you. You are where He has chosen to abide. I Corinthians 6:19 and John 15:4 assure us of this fact, therefore it is important to love and care for ourselves. But it doesn’t end there. The next ring would be family.

God created the family unit. It is not good for man (or woman) to be alone; this was one of God’s first declarations. Although mostly used in reference to couples, I believe this encompasses much more than that. Our families are our closest connections. They see us at our best and at our worst. With whom are you most vulnerable? Who knows your hopes and dreams?

The family unit today has many shapes and forms. From blended families to families where grandparents, aunts or uncles play more significant roles, how members relate to each other matters. The time and effort invested in demonstrating love, helping each other out and growing together spiritually impacts our personal lives. Our environment and experiences growing up usually influence who we become as adults. Those closest to you have an incredible impact on who you are as a person, and the reverse is also true. Have you thought about the influence you are having on your family?

Take a moment to evaluate the role you are playing in the lives of your spouse, children, parents, siblings, cousins, grandparents or grandchildren. This issue helps us tap into some of those areas where we need a little nudging or inspiration. Living Faith gives some ideas to keep your cool during the summer break. Fitness has a few easy ways for getting a nutritious boost in smoothies. Find ways to polish your communication with your spouse in Family Matters. As a bonus, check out Word of Mouth and Stewardship, both of which reference one of my favorite books, The Five Love Languages.

Whatever your plans may be this summer, take some time and love your family. Really love them. Draw near to God so that your family members can see His love through you.

On behalf of the Texas Conference Administration and FLAME staff, happy reading!

{Contributors}

MAKALA JAMES is a writer and Marketing Assistant at Lake Granbury Medical Center. For the Feature on page 12, she shares the story of a young woman who found that through prayer and communion with God, one can overcome a mountain of heartache.

2 | FLAME Summer 2016

Kristina Pascual Lockhart Editor

DR. TOM GROVE is the Executive Pastor at the Arlington Seventhday Adventist Church.

On page 5, offers suggestions on how to unplug this summer and reconnect with your family like never before.

RUBER & KETTY LEAL are the Texas Conference Family Ministries Directors. On page 14, they discuss a simple conflict resolution technique to help take your marriage to the next level.

ISMAEL A. CASTILLO is the Senior Pastor of the Houston Spanish Spring Branch Seventhday Adventist Church.

In Perspectives on page 4, he talks about selflessness and its importance in marriage.

MINNER LABRADOR is Vice President for Ministries, as well as Stewardship Director at the Southwestern Union Conference. On page 17, he reflects on how love in family is enhanced by the time spent together.

In Every Issue 2 From the Editor 4 Leadership Moment 4 Perspectives 9 Partners 17 Word of Mouth 17 Stewardship 22 Calendar 23 Advent Movement

{CONTENTS}

Summer 2016 5 LIVING FAITH

16 RECIPE

Three tips for maintaining your family’s sanity through the hectic summer months.

Spark your smoothie-making imagination with these power-packed creations.

7 MINISTRIES

18 HISTORY

Big ministry, small print.

Learn more about how the Printing Department fits into the Texas Conference’s faith-driven mission.

A look back on the life of Southwestern Adventist University legend, Morris Lowry, as he celebrates his 100th birthday.

21 KIDZ KORNER Siblings often compete, argue, and annoy each other. But at the end of the day, they always have each other’s back.

8 EDUCATION The impact of Adventist education through the eyes of one of its students.

10 FITNESS

page 12

Blast in to summer with these nutrient-rich smoothie concoctions.

12 FEATURE Rehema Mahijibhai has experienced a life’s worth of hardship in half the time. With the support of a loving community and a lot of prayer, she became stronger than she could have imagined.

14 FAMILY MATTERS Relationship conflict may be inevitable, but this resolution technique can return things to normal faster than ever.

Aaron Thomas Photography

FLAME | 3 Summer 2016

Leadership Moment

CARLOS CRAIG president

ELTON DEMORAES secretary

EDWIN ROMERO treasurer

How has your family brought you closer to God? Several years ago, a study by the University of Rhode Island described the American home as the most dangerous place to be outside of riots and war. However, one of the great blessings of my life has been the companionship, the joy and the pain, and the laughter and tears that my wife, Letty, my three kids, daughter-in-law and two grandkids have shared as a family. They have blessed me in indescribable ways. I have been spiritually enriched, emotionally uplifted and intellectually challenged by them. My family has brought me closer to the Master, and I would not be half the man I am today without them!

Perspectives

Happily Ever After...

By Ismael Castillo Jr. I CAN STILL REMEMBER THE CONFIDENCE with which I approached that house. I had just graduated with a degree in theology and I was in my first pastoral assignment and would be ministering to a couple going through a marriage crisis. In my naiveté I wondered how

4 | FLAME Summer 2016

I am truly blessed as a husband and a father.

My family means the world to me. Because they are so important, I find myself praying constantly for God to bless, protect, and guide my family. The more I pray, the closer I get to Him. Like the Bible promises in James 4:8, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” The strength I need in order to carry out my responsibilities as a husband and father ultimately flows out of my relationship with God. It requires a moment-by-moment dependence on God’s Spirit.

difficult it could be and entered the house with my education and the book, The Adventist Home in hand.

I spent time indicating that mutual forgiveness was possible and that reconciliation was possible until the wife, with a wave of her hand, interrupted me. Without any expression she said, “I do not want to reconcile with my husband. I want a divorce.”

It’s been almost twenty years since that episode, and although I have had the honor of participating in the reconciliation of several marriages, I have also suffered the sadness of failing in the attempt.

Aware that there are enough resources, books, seminars and counselors on this topic, I want to add one more note to the discussion by sharing a couple of conclusions that I have learned after many experiences, including my own marriage. I hope the simplicity of the findings do not surprise you.

First, the unwanted road to happiness is selflessness. Having inherited a culture infected by sin, we constantly, but often unsuccessfully, seek personal gratification by trying to satisfy our selfishness. “If I have... If I get...” are supposedly magic phrases. However, it is precisely the road we do not want. The road that goes

One of my favorite Bible texts is found in 1 John 4:7, “Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” Words cannot begin to describe the love our family has for each other. The spiritual bond Benjie and I share with our two girls through genuine love blesses me and brings me closer to God. We consistently place God at the center of our family and we serve, pray, and depend on God in tough times together. Ultimately, we realize that it isn’t just the four of us going through life; it is five of us on a spiritual journey with God our Creator at the head of our family.

against our selfish desires is the one that fulfills the promise of satisfaction and happiness.

Matthew 7:12 and Philippians 2:3 point out that it is God’s plan to reverse the consequences of sin in us, and help us assimilate the culture of the kingdom of God characterizes with selflessness.

Second, marriage is the best school to learn and practice selflessness. Now that we have established that selflessness is the only road to satisfaction and happiness in marriage, it is time to employ it where it matters most. I think I have enough evidence to propose that every conflict and every crisis in marriage is rooted in selfishness. It is only when we genuinely and selflessly watch for the well-being of our spouse that marriage can fulfill the promise found in Ecclesiastes 9:9, “Enjoy life with the wife/husband you love.”

So, what makes the difference? In my book, it’s a firm identification and recognition of personal selfishness and the intentional implementation of selflessness. Simple? Maybe.

Necessary? Without a doubt.

Ismael Castillo Jr. is the Senior Pastor of the Houston Spanish Spring Branch Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Houston area.

Living Faith

Staying Through Summer Sane

By Tom Grove

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, summer evoked a magical feeling. Sleeping in was not only okay, but regular practice. Playing outside until it was dark was the norm and enjoying time off from school was mandatory. The ebb and flow of life during the summer took on a decidedly slower pace. And just like having a full head of hair, those days are long gone for me.

As a father, my perception now is that summers are just as full of activities as the rest of the year. There are sports league carpools, camps to pack for and vacations to take. All of that, in just a three-month period.

The promise of a lazy summer has been replaced by a frenetic heat wave that takes over our home. We have places to go, things to do, people to see. So how are we to keep our sanity through the summer break and stay connected with our families and with God? I propose three suggestions for keeping your cool over the next few months.

DISCONNECT. Take a family trip or outing with the goal of unplugging. I believe that part of the reason why our lives are so busy is that we are always plugged in. Our phones, tablets and technology are usually within an arm’s length away. And if they aren’t then we immediately go into panic mode. With a few swipes or touches, we are connected to our email, social media, text messages and the Internet. But imagine your family taking a trip where the sole purpose was to disconnect from technology in order to connect with each other. While being unplugged from technology is a truly scary thought for many, think about how you could benefit from sharing a meal with each other without the interruption of the buzzes, dings and ringtones from a phone. Consider replacing the video games with sitting down over a board game. Take a walk and look at the stars instead of sitting down at the TV. Take time off to enjoy disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with your family. A great place to start would be attending the Texas Conference Family Camp presented by the Summer Camp program from July 31-Aug 3. Visit YoungTexasAdventist.org for information and registration.

RELATE. Eat dinner together. I know connecting can be challenging during the school year with all the busyness of kids going different directions for different activities and homework assignments. However, the summer might be the perfect time to get back into the habit of eating dinner together. Use the time to find out the family news of the day, discuss current events, or even some dreams or plans you might

have as a family. Simply sitting around the table and talking gives you an opportunity to connect in the midst of a busy summer.

SERVE. Look for ways to serve. Many times summer plans are about me; me having fun, me working on my tan, me relaxing. However, it can also be about me serving someone else. It might be mowing a neighbor’s lawn without expecting anything in return or taking a few hours to serve at a homeless shelter or animal shelter (that’s right, you can take your kids to play with puppies as community service). It might be taking a short-term mission trip either domestically or internationally. Whatever form it may take, one way to keep your sanity this summer is by serving others, rather than making it about yourself.

Sadly, summer will be in the rearview mirror before we know it. We will find ourselves looking at the second half of 2016 with a new school year and holidays sneaking up on us. Take a cue from Ecclesiastes 3:12: “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.” Keep this in mind as the summer days start to threaten your sanity. And most importantly, make some amazing memories for you, your family and for the kingdom of God. Dr. Tom Grove holds a doctorate of ministry with an emphasis in leadership and is the Executive Pastor of the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church.

FLAME | 5 Summer 2016

Floreciendo y Sirviendo en el de

Floreciendo y Sirviendo Retiro de Damas

9-11 de Septiembre, 2016 » Embassy Suites, San Marcos en el

Para más información contacte a la directora de Ministerio de la Mujer de su iglesia ó a Sandy Reyes al (956) 408-8583.

de

ConfEREnCia DE TExaS DE loS aDvEnTiSTaS DEl SéPTiMo Día.

Being

Light

in a Dark WorlD Please join us

(and invite a friend or two)

for the

Women’s Ministries Retreat

SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2016 at La Torretta Resort, Montgomery, TX Our focus this year is on prayer.

Our keynote speaker will be Janet Page from the General Conference Ministerial Department.

For more information go to www.TexasAdventist.org, click Ministries, then Women’s Ministries. You may also call 817.790.2255 x2210.

Ministries

PRINTING

DEPARTMENT

From the beginning of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the printing press has been an essential tool in spreading God’s message of hope and love. The Texas Conference Printing Department carries on that original vision and provides high-quality printed material for use in a variety of ministries both within the state of Texas and beyond. Between printing jobs and deadlines, FLAME got a chance to visit with Director Mario Ledezma and get an overview of the department.

FLAME: What is the Texas Conference Printing Department?

MARIO: The Texas Conference Printing Department works with other departments, ministries, churches and organizations to provide printed materials to facilitate spreading the gospel throughout Texas and around our nation.

FLAME: What services does the Printing Department offer?

MARIO: We offer full printing services including in-house printing and production of small and large quantities of material. We offer packages for churches hosting evangelism meetings, such as postcards, flyers, banners and handouts. We can also produce church directories, church bulletins, printed material for Conference ministries and events, as well as tithe envelopes in different languages. We also have a design team that creates the artwork for the material we produce. FLAME magazine is one of the many projects they design.

FLAME: What kind of clients does the Printing Department work with?

MARIO: We serve all the departments within the Conference office, in addition to pastors, churches, other conferences, the Southwestern Union Conference and the Adventist Book Center, among others.

FLAME: Other than printing services, how else does this department serve the Texas Conference?

MARIO: We ship church treasurer supplies including tithe envelopes, offer direct mailing, media services, shipping, and receiving.

We offer graphic design services and assist

other departments with event preparation.

FLAME: How does the Printing Department minister to its clients?

MARIO: One morning, while our team was busy meeting deadlines, a prospective customer called me. The person on the other side began asking questions about a project for Bible lessons meant for Prison Ministries. It was then that I noticed she was crying. I asked if everything was okay and she told me that her son was in jail. We had a long conversation and ended up praying together. That call reinforced the fact that people are in need of Jesus and that all of us can make a difference. This is not just a job to me, this is an opportunity to share God’s love with those around me.

FLAME: How did you become involved in this field?

MARIO: While studying at the Adventist university in Montemorelos, Mexico, I helped operate the school’s presses in order to help with my tuition expenses. I gained experience in hand setting type and bindery and through that realized that it was a good tool to employ in spreading our Christian message. I continued studying and working in this field for nearly three decades in California and Arkansas. I have been at the Texas Conference for 12 years, learning how to better serve every day.

FLAME: How has this impacted your life?

MARIO: After having worked in a secular environment for most of my life, I love that the Texas Conference begins the day with worship and prayer. My staff and I go through the day with the focus of touching someone’s life through print. I’ve seen the difference that a press can produce.

Printed material such as a DVD cover, a song booklet or a well-designed pocket folder can draw people in to the content that can impact their lives for eternity. Being a part of this process has brought me closer to God, and I hope our work does the same for others.

I also have the privilege of working with a wonderful team: Madelein Terreros, Graphic Designer; Sora Yañez, Graphic Designer; Erica Manzano, Administrative Assistant; Doug Denny, Assistant and Miguel Gómez, Pressman. Together, we work to serve you.

FLAME | 7 Summer 2016

Education

Beyond Great Experiences

By Christine Ragnauth and Adrian Tufino

THIS IS MY THIRD YEAR TEACHING at Dallas Christian Academy. I attended school here when I was a young girl, and teaching here was like coming back home. I love our school, our students, our staff, and our mission. I teach fifth and sixth grade and it is definitely where I belong. Every day is a challenge, but it’s a challenge that I love. It’s an awesome opportunity to help shape the minds of my students during such a pivotal time in life!

Adrian Tufino is a sixth grader. He began fifth grade as a disorganized and struggling student, but is now one of my highest achievers.

I am proud of his progress and cannot wait to see what he will accomplish. Below is Adrian’s experience at Dallas Christian Academy.

This is my second year at Dallas Christian Academy and, so far, it has been a great experience. I feel like my learning has really changed from when I first arrived. I attended public school from Kindergarten to second grade. My sister was bullied a lot and we really didn’t like it. Some of my teachers were not nice, and they would even yell and swear at the entire class.

My parents took us out of public school and put us in a small private school in Dallas. I experienced a lot of improvement in behavior and academics, but we left because there were some changes in administration and the school was no longer a good fit. Christian education is important to my parents, so they searched until they found Dallas Christian Academy. Even though it was a little outside of their budget, they worked hard so that my sister and I could attend.

There are many things that I love about being at DCA. First, I like that it feels like you are at home and that everyone is family.

I don’t worry about trying to pray in secret because I know that I can pray anytime and anywhere. I also love Outdoor School [the annual Texas Conference week-long outing for fifth and sixth graders] and I can’t wait for all the other trips I will be able to go on during my upcoming years here.

We also have a lot of athletic opportunities at our school. We have cross country, volleyball, basketball, and soccer. I love sports so I feel lucky that I am able to play without worrying about playing on Saturday. We get to play against other Christian schools, so everyone is still friendly and respectful even if a team loses.

My life has changed in many different ways. Now I am really happy because I am around other Christians that believe in the same things I do. Teachers are different here and you can tell they care about us. Friends are easy to make because everyone is nice to each other.

Christian Education has made a big difference in my life because I am receiving a great education, while growing closer to God. I feel like I am getting closer to Him every day, and I am excited to share His love with people who may not know about it.

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In a world that seems to no longer value character, integrity and service, it is so important to instill these values into our students. Here at Dallas Christian Academy, we make it our mission to push our students past their limit academically and ensure that they feel and understand Christ’s love.

We love Him because He first loved us.

Christine Ragnauth is the fifth and sixth grade teacher at Dallas Christian Academy and Adrian Tufino is a sixth grade student at DCA. Visit DallasChristianAcademy.org to learn more about the school.

Partners

Finding the

Greater

Purpose

By Ken Finch “AND WHATEVER YOU DO, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,” Colossians 3:17.

For two years, I have watched construction on the new hospital being built just outside my office. As it nears completion, I have had many opportunities to reflect on the “what” and the “why” of this project, and how those observations cross all facets of our lives.

First, the “what.” Texas Health Huguley is building a new hospital, which will be modern, spacious and beautiful. Patient rooms will be twice as large as our current hospital. This healing environment will also include new areas for women’s services, imaging, and admissions, as well as a café, new chapel and gift shop.

Even in the busy planning and construction stages, we cannot be absorbed in the “what”—we need to keep the “why” in the

forefront of our minds. Our “why” is our mission, to extend the healing ministry of Christ.

This means we show people there’s a God who loves them through our words, attitudes and actions. With the “why” always in mind, our “what” has more impact because we are in harmony with our purpose. Our vision is to be our community’s most trusted healthcare partner for life.

When this beautiful sanctuary of healing opens in August, we will continue our “what” of patient care: starting IVs, reading imaging studies and performing surgeries, all the processes of modern health care. But why do we continually strive to provide our growing community with the best and safest healthcare?

To demonstrate that no matter who you are or what you have done, God is present, He loves you and He has the best plan for your life. We

Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ

serve each person as if they were the one we love the most.

The principle of keeping “why” at the forefront applies to much more than hospital construction. Mundane tasks like washing dishes or mowing lawns transform into loving gestures for the family when you consider their purpose. Whether it’s the routines of work or the chores at home, the why fuels the what.

Finally, as we prepare to open a new hospital that will bring glory to God and healing to His people, we thank our corporate parents, Adventist Health System and Texas Health Resources, as well as the Seventh-day Adventist Church for providing the support and prayers which make all this possible.

Ken Finch is President and CEO of Texas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South.

Fitness MMY • S M OT

BLENDS

HIES

H E A LT H

Y

O

•

YU

Smoothies and workouts have gone hand in hand for a while now. They’ve been suggested as meal replacers and an easy way to get in a couple servings of fruit. If you are a smoothie guru, unlike me, then you know the many benefits healthy smoothies can provide. But if you consider yourself a novice, then join me as we discover how to get the most out of this blended treat.

By Kristina P. Lockhart

Blending and Consistency:

1

I always blamed my crunchy, lumpy smoothies on the lack of a powerful blender. The problem persisted, however, after my husband bought me a Ninja® brand blender.

You may have heard of the wonders of Vitamix® blenders, but you actually don’t need a top-of-the-line appliance for a creamy smoothie. My mistake was always throwing together fruit and ice and expecting the best. Only recently did I learn that rather than fruit and ice, I should try frozen fruit. If one does use ice, it should be the last ingredient in the blender.

Another thing I found was that the order of items in the blender matters. Your first ingredients should be liquids like juice or milk. Second, add your base. Bases are what give your smoothies a buttery consistency. These can be yogurt, avocado or nut butters, as well as some fruit. A quick web search will give you tons of options for bases. If you haven’t added the fruit yet, now is the time. Frozen fruit first, fresh fruit and vegetables next. Dry ingredients such as nuts or seeds should go last.

Powerful Secret Ingredients:

2

This is my favorite part. Just adding a few small ingredients can make a huge difference in the health benefits of your smoothie. Most of the time, you can’t even taste them! Let’s start with fiber. Why is fiber important? Fiber can help prevent heart disease and diabetes. It can also improve digestive health. Did you know foods high in fiber are essential to weight loss? FullPlateLiving.org has a comprehensive list of foods high in fiber, as well as healthy weight loss guides and meals.

Have you heard of omega-3 fatty acids? Your body needs these fatty acids to function and they deliver some major health benefits. These are one of the “good” types of fat. Since your body can’t make them, you have to either eat them or take supplements. According to research at the Harvard School of Public Health, omega-3 fatty acids lower blood pressure and heart rate and improve blood vessel function, making them essential in preventing heart disease. Life Extension Magazine reports that omega-3 fatty acids may be effective in preventing and managing depression and cognitive decline. So whether it’s for physical or mental fitness, be sure to get your omega-3s!

Here are a few favorite ingredients and rough estimates to get your fill.

Fiber Add-ins:

Chia Seeds | 2 tbsp | 10 grams Guava | 1 cup | 9 grams Blackberries | 1 cup | 8 grams Raspberries | 1 cup | 8 grams Avocado | ½ medium | 7 grams

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Add-ins:

Walnuts | 2 tbsp | 9080 milligrams Chia Seeds | 2 tbsp | 4992 milligrams Almonds | 1 tbsp | 1893 miligrams Flaxseed Meal | 1 tbsp | 1597 milligrams Pecans | 2 tbsp | 276 milligrams

Perfect Pairings:

As classic as vanilla is to ice cream, strawberry and banana is to smoothies. If you like smoothies already, you’ve probably had this combination. For some added variety, try these ideas or check out Recipes on page 16. Don’t forget to include your favorite base and superfood add-ins!

3 10 | FLAME Summer 2016

Tangy & Tart:

Sweet & Creamy:

Cranberry + Orange Strawberry + Guava Orange + Lemon + Lime Orange + Pineapple + Strawberry Mango + Grapefruit + Orange + Ginger

Papaya + Banana Peach + Mango + Pineapple Mango + Coconut Milk + Mint Banana + Raspberry + Blueberry Raspberry + Cantaloupe + Honeydew

Keene ChUrCh CAMp MeeTIng

growIng froM The word

8th -11th

rAndy roBerTS KeynoTe SpeAKer

JoIn US for:

MUSICAl ConCerTS

We’ll have exciting daily performances by Harvest Celebration and Friends and by many more recording artists.

progrAMMIng for All AgeS

speakers and programming for teens, and very special late-night worship experience for young adult and college kids.

heAlTh And wellneSS

Onsite health screenings and health education provided by Huguley Hospital and daily fun options for aerobics and group walks.

dAIly SeMInArS

Go deeper with fascinating seminars on Parenting, Healthy Eating, Evangelism, and a special daily morning seminar by Randy Roberts on how to study the Bible.

VISIT US AT KeeneCampMeeting.com

Create a Legacy of Giving Give a Gift That Will Bring a Lifetime of Benefits With a gift annuity, you make a gift of cash or appreciated stocks to the Texas Conference. This gift can benefit the church, school or ministry of your choice, or you may make it an unrestricted gift. In return, we will make payments for life to you, you and a loved one, or another person. Each payment will be fixed and the amount of each payment will depend on the age of the person who receives the payments. After all payments have been made, we will receive the remaining value of your gift to support the ministries of the Texas Conference.

Your payments are fixed as of the date of your gift. This means that your payments will never change, even if interest rates or the stock market changes. Depending upon your gift, you may receive the added benefit of mostly tax-free payments. You will also receive a charitable deduction in the year that you set up the gift annuity.

Contact us for more information on creating a charitable gift annuity today.

Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists • Department of Trust Services • P.O. Box 800 • Alvarado, TX 76009 Phone: 817-790-2255 • Toll Free: 800-847-2792 • Fax: 817-783-2698 • Email: trust@txsda.org • www.TexasConferenceLegacy.org

A

Light in “God is faithful to His promises.

He is so loving and I am so thankful for His unconditional love.�

Aaron Thomas Photography

Feature

the Darkness

By Makala James

W

ithin one decade, Rehema Mahijibhai experienced more hardship and heartache than most people experience in a lifetime. But she didn’t let life’s challenges destroy her.

Rather, Rehema discovered that God has the power to sustain and bless, even in the darkest moments of life.

“You would never know that Rehema has experienced any difficulty,” says Derek Lazarus, pastor of the Denton Seventh-day Adventist Church. “The love of Jesus radiates through her.”

Born and raised in the Islamic faith, Rehema fell in love with a man who had a Seventh-day Adventist background. Neither felt strongly convicted toward their respective religions, so despite the extreme differences in belief their relationship blossomed. He even temporarily converted to Islam to honor Rehema’s parents. They married and then secretly turned to Christianity. It was an easy conversion.

“I wasn’t close to God,” Rehema recalls. “We went to church sometimes. I prayed occasionally when I needed something. I believed in God, but I didn’t put God first.”

Life went well. Rehema and her husband had two beautiful children: a son and daughter. Rehema also attended medical school.

Between being a parent and a student, nearly all of Rehema’s time and energy were exhausted. She felt that life was too busy for religion and God was not a priority.

Then sorrow struck the family. “We lost our daughter in 2007,” Rehema shares. “She had a brain tumor.” Devastated, Rehema and her family found comfort with local church members and friends at the Denton Seventh-day Adventist Church. Neighbors from the nondenominational Denton Bible Church shared daily devotionals and the church congregation provided encouragement, meals, and prayer. They kept in touch with the grieving family.

“It was hard,” Rehema says, “But being together with my family and friends made me feel like I could survive. Her husband was very angry with God. I was not angry because I blamed science.”

Friends regularly gathered together and prayed with the grieving family. They emphasized that although bad things happen, those circumstances could be used as an opportunity to become close to God. Rehema took the encouragement to heart, and in the midst of sorrow, she began to gain an interest in God. A community of faith surrounded Rehema, encouraging her to pray. Her faith began to build as she spent time with God. Meanwhile, her husband still harbored anger at God. After the death of his daughter, he showed little interest in prayer. Rather, he became immersed in work. In 2008, he began traveling on business more often.

Just as life began to feel normal, a second health scare threatened Rehema’s family. In 2011, five years after losing their daughter, her husband was diagnosed with cancer.

“I prayed and prayed and prayed,” says Rehema. She was ready to face this new challenge with God’s support and a new outlook on health and healing. He had a successful surgery the following year, and Rehema began to study the Bible daily with her friends.

The healing power of God seemed to be working, but he still rejected a relationship with God.

Rehema then discovered a different kind of hardship: one of heartbreak. She discovered that her husband had been unfaithful to her while traveling for work. He had misused money and abused their marriage. They filed for a divorce in 2013. With nowhere else to turn, Rehema completely surrendered to God. “Surrender to God and he will see you through,” affirms Rehema. “He can do it all. When I personally started to pray, I saw change in my life. I prayed for proof and answers to the hardships in life. My life was falling apart, but through it all I gained strength.”

Rehema and her son started attending church and Bible studies regularly. She studied Jesus’s life and His ultimate sacrifice for all humanity. Rehema also attended a semester of divorce care ministry through the Watermark Church, a nondenominational church in Dallas.

Prayer became one of the greatest forces of encouragement to Rehema. She prayed through everything. While learning more about Jesus, an Adventist family friend personally took time to teach Rehema about the Seventh-day Adventist faith. They studied together, pouring over biblical references and Adventist resources.

Rehema’s faith grew stronger as did her convictions. She continued attending church and one day decided she was ready to officially become a Seventh-day Adventist believer and member.

“Throughout life’s difficulties, I personally discovered Jesus and how great He has always been to me,” says Rehema. “I trusted in Him and His grace was lovingly bestowed upon me. His mercy was extended to me in many ways. God placed people in my life through whom He provided for my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. He provided refreshment in the most difficult experiences of my life. I surrendered my life to God and I was ready to receive Him.” On January 2, 2016, Rehema became a baptized member of the Denton Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Derek Lazarus baptized her and the church family who had already welcomed Rehema with open arms rejoiced.

Rehema had one more obstacle facing her. How would she tell her Islamic parents of her newly found Christian faith? Unsure of what their reaction would be, she turned to prayer, her trusted practice. It had helped her survive every hardship in the past, and Rehema knew God would provide now.

When Rehema told her parents, they wished her well in her new faith.“ Prayer changes everything,” says Derek Lazarus. “If we trust in God He will lead, guide, and protect.”

“God is faithful to His promises when we believe in Him, He is so loving, and I am so thankful for His unconditional love,” Rehema shares. “Psalm 23 says it all for me. God fills my cup; He refreshes my soul. God has seen me through hardships. He has blessed me with an amazingly loving and supportive son, great family and friends, and health. God is at the center of my universe and He takes first place in my life forever.”

Makala James is a writer and Marketing Assistant at Lake Granbury Medical Center.

FLAME | 13 Summer 2016

Family Matters

A Cooperative Talk Technique: » Introduce the problem.

The person who has the issue introduces the dialogue with the following statement: “Something is bothering me; is this a good time to talk about it?” If it is not a good time, confirm when to follow up.

Start the Dialogue:

By Ruber and Ketty Leal A COUPLE HAD BEEN MARRIED FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS. They shared everything and kept no secrets from each other, except that the wife had a shoebox in her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about it.

For years, he never thought about the box.

When she got very sick, he began to sort out their affairs. Finding the shoebox, he took it to his wife’s beside. She agreed that it was time he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000.

“When we were to be married,” she said, “my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll.”

The husband was so moved he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving! He almost burst with happiness.

“Honey,” he said, “that explains the dolls, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?”

“Oh, that?” she said. “That’s the money I made from selling the dolls.”

Although keeping quiet may be wise at times, conflict in relationships, especially in

14 | FLAME Summer 2016

marriage, is inevitable. In fact, what makes a relationship stronger is not the absence of conflict but the capacity to deal with conflict in a productive and healthy way. Many couples fear conflict resolution because most of their attempts have led to fighting, resentment and detachment. Instead of working on the issue at hand, they turn against each other.

Dr. Susan Heitler suggests in Psychology Today that conflict in marriage should never lead to fighting. She also argues that a zero-fighting policy makes couples far happier.

That doesn’t imply that differences should be swept under the rug. On the contrary, no-fighting policies need to be combined with solid, collaborative, win-win dialogue skills.

When conflict arises in the relationship it’s an indicator that you need to cool down and do the win-win waltz, talking cooperatively to find a solution that leaves you both feeling good.

Conflict does not have to mean fighting each other.

How do you move from “Me versus You” to “Me and You versus the problem?” Check out this practical technique to implement when conflict arises. This simple dialogue technique has helped many couples kickstart their conflict resolution and shift the focus away from fighting each other and back to fighting the problem.

» When in agreement to start the dialogue, the initiator holds a pen in his/her hand and commits to speak for three minutes or fewer. After that time is up, the pen is given to the other person and he/she talks for another three minutes. The cycle continues until all is clarified and a resolution is discovered.

Remember: Only the person who holds the pen can talk while the other person listens without interrupting.

Clarify the Conversation: » Continue the dialogue with the following statement: “It is possible that I may be misunderstanding this situation, and I need your help. First, I would like to tell you how I feel and why I feel this way. Second, I need you to tell me if you understand my concern. Third, I need to hear your point of view.” Use the pen and three-minute rule throughout the entire conversation until there is a resolution.

Ruber and Ketty Leal are the Texas Conference Family Ministries Directors. Ruber also pastors the Garland Faith Community Church. Find them on Facebook and online at BeForeverOne.org.

Bridges

Ministry of Money

By Jody Beck with Andrew Austin

THE FINANCIAL CRISIS OF 2008 left many doubtful about their financial future. The fabled “American Dream” was put in danger, and ever since then many have sought a way to recover. This has been an issue for those both in and out of the Adventist Church, and thus has the potential to be a powerful witnessing opportunity. Finances are not an aspect of life void of biblical guidance. One Texas church has decided to use that inspiration as a way to reach out to their community.

In the fall of 2014, the Financial Ministry Team of the Richardson Seventh-day Adventist Church began discussing what they could do for outreach. It was the objective of each small group ministry in the church to have an “in-reach leader, an up-reach leader, and an outreach leader” and in that way be able to serve the needs of the church members and others in the community. The finance team was much more accustomed to an inward focus (financial reporting, etc.) rather than focusing on outreach. But they were determined to find a way to reach out to their community and their church members, so a plan to have a Bible-based financial seminar took root.

Many years before, the Richardson Church had hosted Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. This program is a biblical and sensible approach to the handling of money, and was presented in a way that kept the audience interested and engaged. The finance team agreed that they should once again provide this program for their church and community. Although Dave Ramsey, a nationally recognized financial advisor, provided much of the program on video, all of the members of the Financial Ministry Team assisted in the seminar by greeting guests, keeping the register of attendees, leading break-out groups and running the audio-visual system. Both church members and guests attended, and there was positive feedback regarding the program and information provided. Karim and Michell Basaria, a young couple that attended Financial Peace University before their wedding, were able to pay off over $9,000 in credit card debt, and began their marriage without any wedding ceremony or honeymoon debt because of the principles learned throughout the course.

After meeting weekly for ten weeks, the Richardson Church held a graduation service where each person who had not missed more than two meetings received a certificate, and the book, The Great Hope, as a gift. This book is a republishing of The Great Controversy designed for sharing with a church’s local community.

The Richardson Seventh-day Adventist Church also benefited from this seminar. Shortly after the meetings concluded, the church discussed building a Family Life Center on the property, as they had long outgrown their current space for any type of fellowship or youth events. As the details were discussed regarding this project, it was decided to go forward in faith using the mortgage guidelines that were taught by the Financial Peace University seminar: at least 10% of mortgage as a down payment, monthly payment should be no more than 25% of take home pay – or in this case the church budget donations and the loan should be a fixed rate of 15 years or fewer. Within five months they exceeded the goal for the down payment and are currently in the process of building the new addition.

Finding a relatable message for both the church and surrounding community can be difficult, but doing so can help bring people together. Seminars like Financial Peace University allow people to communicate and develop friendships in an exciting new way.

Jody Beck served as the treasurer of the Richardson Seventh-day Adventist church for five years. She is a certified public accountant (CPA) and has worked in the financial services industry for 35 years. Andrew Austin is a recent Communication graduate of Southwestern Adventist University and served as a Communication Intern at the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists this spring.

FLAME | 15 Summer 2016

Recipe

Smoothie Season!

AS THE TEMPERATURES RISE IN TEXAS, so does the desire for something cold and sweet! Try out these delicious smoothies for breakfast or an afternoon treat! For an added bonus, check out the list of add-ins on page 10. These ingredients will help you get a nutritious boost from your blended beverage!

SUMMER IN A CUP SMOOTHIE For when you want something cool and fresh, whip up this healthy delight!

Ingredients • 1 1/4 cup frozen raspberries • 1 large ripe, sliced and frozen banana • 1/2 cup pomegranate juice • 3/4 cup orange juice • 3/4 cup plain almond milk Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender (liquids first) and blend until creamy and smooth, scraping down sides as needed.

Taste and adjust flavor as needed.

Add more milk or fruit juice if too thick. Add more frozen banana if not sweet enough. Pour and enjoy or make into popsicles!

DETOX SMOOTHIE Perfect for when you might have slightly overdone it at the your last BBQ or helped yourself to a few extra cookies. Detox and reset with these simple five ingredients loaded with antioxidants, fiber, folate, omega-3s and protein!

Ingredients • 1 cup frozen berries • 1 cup organic spinach or kale • 1/2 cup bananas, frozen • 1 Tbsp flax seed meal • 1 cup fruit juice (pomegranate & orange is a good combo) • Optional: 2 Tbsp silken tofu Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender starting with liquids, then tofu, fruit and the rest. Blend on high until smooth. If too thick, add a splash more juice or water. For more sweetness, add extra frozen banana. Pour into two serving glasses and enjoy.

PEACH OAT SMOOTHIE This creamy and nutritious vegan smoothie is perfect as peaches are at their peak during the summer.

Don’t miss out on this sweet and tart combo!

Ingredients • 2 ripe peaches, quartered, pits removed • 1 tbsp chia seeds • 1/4 cup rolled oats • 1/2 frozen banana • 1/4 cup orange juice • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk • Optional: 1 Tbsp maple syrup, honey or stevia for added sweetness Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender (liquids first) and let set for 5-10 minutes so the oats and chia seeds can soak. Blend until smooth. To thicken, add another quarter to half of a frozen banana. To thin, add more almond milk or OJ. Taste and adjust flavor as needed. Enjoy immediately!

Word of Mouth

LOVE is the Foundation

Review by Jessica Lozano

Reviews for books, movies, gadgets and apps that help enhance ministry and spiritual growth.

You love your child, but can you speak your child’s love language? Is your child’s behavior affected when he or she doesn’t feel loved? Do you know how to show unconditional love? These are questions posed by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell in The Five Love Languages of Children. Easy and enjoyable to read and understand, the book details five “languages” or ways that children show and need to be shown love. The authors draw on the same principles Chapman wrote about in his initial book, The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate.

Readers are encouraged to visualize their child’s “emotional tank” and understand that the tank can become depleted and will need to be refilled.

This and other simple techniques allow parents to understand their children’s behavior in relation to the “fullness” of their tank.

This may seem like common sense to some but the most valuable thing you will get from this book is how to show your child unconditional love in a way that is specific to their love language. For

example, once you understand that your child’s love language is “words of affirmation,” you will be able to effectively refill the child’s “tank” by focusing on his or her need to hear words of encouragement and love. You will be coached on how to reflect on the words you do say, and words you perhaps shouldn’t say. You will be shown the best ways to speak encouragement, praise, and love to your child.

The five languages discussed in the book are: physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and acts of service. A chapter on discovering your child’s love language will help you determine which of the five best suits your child (and there is also special advice for parents of teenagers).

At 5lovelanguages.com, you will find a free study guide (as well as other resources) that will lead you through the process of thinking of about how you and your children show love.

The principles in this book are worth reading and implementing into your life. As the authors say, “No child can receive too much appropriate unconditional love.”

Jessica Lozano is the Associate Communication Director at the Southwestern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

&Family Stewardship

Time,Love

By Minner Labrador Jr. AN IMPORTANT PART OF STEWARDSHIP IS THE MANAGEMENT OF TIME. Good stewards know that time communicates love to their families. Relationships need your investment of time in order to flourish. In his book, The Five Love Languages, author Gary Chapman names quality time as one of the principle love languages for many people.

When it comes to children, I believe that time plays a huge role in the manifestation of love.

When my oldest son was going through some difficult teenage years, my wife and I prayed for wisdom on how to help him. He had an obvious chip on his shoulder, but when

I would ask him what was wrong he would just walk away. I always invited him to join me for church programs or to join the youth at church but he didn’t care to go. He was losing interest fast and I didn’t know what to do about it.

One afternoon, I got home early and found him sitting in the family room watching television. I asked him how he was and he responded with a whole lot of attitude. After that response, I wanted to wring his neck!

Instead I went to my study and prayed for wisdom. I suddenly had an urge to change into gym clothes and go into the garage.

When I entered the garage I saw a basketball that hadn’t been used in a while. After putting air in it, I walked back into the house and gave him a chest pass with significant force. I made sure his mother wasn’t in the house before doing that. I walked out to the backyard while quietly hoping he’d follow. The basketball court hadn’t been used in some time since we were all busy with work and school. But he did follow and the one-on-one basketball began. I didn’t win game one, but I was determined to use my size against him by blocking and fouling him as often as possible.

I still lost game two. Then I lost game three.

By game four I was huffing and puffing and hoping it would end.

During one of our breaks he said, “Dad, I’ve been going through a hard time at school and at church.” Despite what I may have wanted to say, I only inquired by saying, “Really? How come? Tell me more.”

As he talked, I discovered that he viewed church as my work and that I wasn’t giving him the time he needed. After that, we began spending more time together apart from work, and our relationship began to grow.

Whenever I felt that he or his brother were disconnecting from his mother and I, we would spend time together in recreation or family projects. The love we expressed through our children’s development is still best expressed when we spend time together as a family. Good stewards remember that love is also spelled T-I-M-E. Minner Labrador is Vice President for Ministries, as well as Ministerial, Men’s Ministries, Sabbath School and Stewardship Director for the Southwestern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

FLAME | 17 Summer 2016

History

Legacy of Service

By Teresa Pritchett

TAKING IN STRIDE HIS MANY YEARS OF LIFE, Morris Lowry is as active a centenarian as can be. A frequent visitor on the campus of Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas, where he often stops at the library and audits religion classes, he is also a driving force of the religious programming at Chisholm Trail Estates where he lives.

He has dedicated his life to education, service and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. No doubt that dedication has served him well. On May 28, 2016, Lowry celebrates his 100th birthday! He is best known for his decades of teaching in the history department at Southwestern.

Since teaching his final course in 1997, Lowry has been a professor emeritus at the university.

Lowry was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1916 when Woodrow Wilson was president and the United States was still nearly a year away from entering World War I. When he was three-months-old his family left Seattle for the mission field in Rangoon, Burma—now Yangon, Myanmar. Their work there was short-lived, though. When Morris was three-years-old, his father, Charles, died of smallpox. His mother, Eva Jane, brought him and his older sister, Evelyn, to her family home in Keene to live with her mother and two sisters. Thus began Lowry’s long association with the little North Texas town.

Lowry attended Southwestern Junior College, as the school was years away from becoming a four-year institution. From there he went off to Angwin, California to earn a bachelor’s degree in religion

18 | FLAME Summer 2016

from Pacific Union College. Upon completion he traveled to Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska to take additional courses in history.

Ozark Adventist Academy in Arkansas immediately called him to teach history and biology for the 1941-1942 school year. This was the academy’s first year as a Seventh-day Adventist Conference school. Lowry’s first teaching assignment was quite an experience; he describes the campus as “very primitive” and the principal even put holes in a bucket to create a makeshift shower for the new teacher.

After one year of teaching, he went to Little Rock, Arkansas to help in an evangelistic series and from there he went to Louisiana for pastoral work, splitting his time between the Lake Charles and Alexandria churches. While there, Lowry received another call, this time from Houston, to help with a series of evangelistic meetings and after that the church in Wichita Falls, Texas invited him to be their pastor. Afterward, a visit from W.E. Shephard, president of Southwest Junior College in Keene, would change Lowry’s life. On Shephard’s invitation he returned to Keene and his first line of service.

At the time, the Adventist academy and the college were combined in the same building. Lowry taught both academy and college sections. After five years of teaching, he earned his master’s degree in history from Texas Christian University. He followed that two years later with a master’s degree in religion from Tacoma Park Adventist Seminary.

In 1958, he married Elizabeth Hainer Bentley in Loma Linda, California. They were married until her death in 2014 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Lowry retired after a teaching career spanning more than half a century at Southwestern Adventist University—the institution that changed from junior college to college to university while he was on staff.

Lowry enjoys sharing memories of the Keene he knew as a child and the changes it has undergone over the course of his life. Railroads have been removed and university buildings have come and gone, but the house he lived in on College Drive just south of campus still stands.

Lowry helps the special collections staff at the university library identify several old, unlabeled photographs. For Lowry, each photograph represented a memory, and each memory was forever etched in his mind. After 100 years, Morris Lowry is still serving.

Teresa Pritchett is the Special Collections Coordinator for Southwestern Adventist University’s Chan Shun Centennial Library in Keene, Texas.

ELDERS ENCOUNTER 2016

CONNECTED Keeping Relationships Alive with God, Family and Church

May 14 - Weslaco Church May 21 - Houston Central Church June 11 - San Marcos Church June 25 - Arlington Church June 26 (Sunday) - Tyler Church (10am –1:30pm)

From 4:00 – 7:30pm (except East Texas)

Light meal will be provided.

For information contact Rhonda Garner at rgarner@txsda.org or (817) 790-2255 ext. 2123 RSVP at www.TexasAdventist.org/elders

A Texas Conference Event Designed Especially for Church Elders and their Spouses

Save the Date!

Texas ConferenCe

Clerk’s Training Workshop

A practical training session for new and seasoned Church Clerks. Includes membership transfer guidelines, reports, eAdventist, and more!

June 12

East tExas arEa | tylEr ChurCh

augusT 28

Dallas-Ft. Worth arEa | tExas ConFErEnCE oFFiCE

sepTember 18

south tExas arEa | McallEn spanish VallEy CEntral ChurCh

oCTober 9

austin anD san antonio arEa | san MarCos ChurCh

oCTober 30

houston arEa | houston CEntral ChurCh spanish and english workshops held separately

TEXAS CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

THE

SAVE date Church Leadership Summit This year Deacon and Deaconess training included!

July 23 July 30 August 06 August 13 August 27

Valley Area Austin Area Houston Area San Antonio Area DFW Area

» » » » »

McAllen Valley Central Church Austin South Church Spring Branch Church Scenic Hills Church Arlington Church

From 4pm-6pm For information contact Rhonda Garner at rgarner@txsda.org or (817) 790-2255 ext. 2123

www.TexasAdventist.org

September 16-18, 2016 drs. clAudio & pAMelA consuegrA NAD FAmily miNistries Directors English Sessions

texAs conference And southwestern union

marriage retreat drs. cesAr & cArolAnn de leon FouNDers oF tu FAmiliA Primero Spanish Sessions

lA torrettA lAke resort & spA MontgoMery, tx

www.beForeverONe.org | (817) 790-2255 ext. 2108

Early bird raTE $198 per couple

(Includes: 6 meals, photo shoot, and materials)

savE $50

when registered by June 30

lodging $119 + Tax per night

Kidz Korner

Brotherly L ove

O TO D TUFF RED. ME S IS SO U GET BO ON E R E H DO N YO WHE YOU CAN NEED U E SOM N, BUT YO P FROM E W H L O RS. D R U N A O OTHE Y N ISSIO T FOR PERM AN ADUL

By Brisa Ramirez, Little Sister

1

ACT OUT PUPPET CHARADES

Just like classic charades, the point of this game is to act something out for another team to guess the answer. In this version, one team member pretends to be a puppet. Another team member must move the “puppet’s” arms and legs to act out the motions of the charade. No talking!

2

PLAY BALLOON TENNIS

With a friend or sibling, take turns drawing on the same piece of paper. By adding one small element at a time, you will create a fun and unexpected work of art! For an extra challenge, try to tell a story that is illustrated with each new element in the sketch.

3 4

CREATE A “LIFE SIZE” BOARD GAME Using chalk,

recreate one of your favorite board games, only much, much bigger! You get to move around the board as a human game piece. If you want to, you can even work together to create your own, new game.

CONSTRUCT A MARSHMALLOW CATAPULT Tie seven

popsicle sticks together, one on top of the other, placing a rubber band at each side. Take two more popsicle sticks and tie them together at just one end. Place the big group of sticks between the small group of sticks and connect a spoon to the top. Your construction is ready for battle!

5

HIP-WADDLE RACE

Place a large bouncy ball between you and a friend’s hips. Try to race across the room without letting the ball drop and without touching the ball with your hands.

You will need lots of teamwork.

You’ve probably heard of Mother’s Day (May 8) and Father’s Day (June 19), but did you know that there are many holidays about family? This year, Sibling Day is April 10, Cousins Day is July 24, and Grandparents Day is September 11.

I KNOW SIBLINGS OFTEN HAVE A TENDENCY TO ARGUE OR FIGHT WITH EACH OTHER ABOUT PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING. While my brother Isaí and I have had our differences, he’s always been one of my best friends. I’ve always looked up to him, and he’s always had my back. We’re only a year apart, so we’ve grown up together, experiencing similar parts of life at the same time.

When I was eleven years old, I got really sick. For about a week, I mostly stayed in bed and slept all day, barely able to eat. My brother had been planning on taking a trip with our dad, since it was one of the last weeks of summer vacation. When he found out I was sick and wouldn’t be able to do much of anything, he ended up staying home with me.

There wasn’t a lot he could do for me, and at first I was sleeping so much that I didn’t even notice he was there. But occasionally, he would bring me water to drink. Once I had enough energy, he sat with me so that we could watch TV together and pass the time until I was healthy again. Even though he couldn’t do anything to make me physically better, he still took the time to at least keep me company. It was comforting just to have someone by my side watching out for me.

He was there for me all over again when I had my wisdom teeth pulled out a few years later, sitting with me and making sure I had whatever I needed in order to make me feel comfortable.

The same thing happened again when I had surgery on my ankle just a few months ago. Whenever I needed food, water, or almost anything from another room, my brother would be the one to get it. He didn’t expect anything in return from me. He just did these things because he cares about me.

Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Friends and family are blessings from God. I’ve learned that a lot over the years, especially during the hard times.

I think it’s pretty cool that even though my brother and I argue sometimes, we always set our differences aside when one of us is going through a hard time.

After all, Luke 6:31 says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

I hope you treat your siblings (and everyone else around you) the way you wish to be treated. A positive attitude and kind actions are a great way to show others God’s love.

Do you have a story? Share it with us!

Send us your story and we may use it in the “Kidz Korner” of the next FLAME issue! Email stories, 400 words or less, to FLAME@txsda.org

FUN FACTS Until the late 1700s, the defi nitio n of the wor d fam ily included more than just relatives, but also servants of a household. In fact, the word family comes from the Latin word famulus, meaning servant.

During medieval times,

farm animals lived inside homes to provide extra warmth in cold weather. Imagine enjoying family dinner with live chickens, goats, and horses all sitting around you!

FLAME | 21 Summer 2016

Calendar

Events MAY

1-2 |

Southwestern Union Conference Constituency Session at Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church.

6-8 | Southwestern

Adventist University Graduation Weekend.

14 | Estate Planning Seminar at Brownsville Seventh-day Adventist Church.

14 | Elders’ Encounter at

Weslaco Seventh-day Adventist Church.

12 | East Texas Area Clerk’s Training at Tyler Seventh-day Adventist Church.

17-19 | Youth Fest

at Southwestern Adventist University.

25 | Elders’ Encounter at

Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church.

25 | Women’s Ministries

Leadership Training, Level 1 at Athens Seventh-day Adventist Church.

25 | Estate Planning at

26 | Elders’ Encounter at Tyler Seventh-day Adventist Church.

2016

19-21 |

s

Different place

JULY

& Young Adults making ministers for the master

16 | Estate Planning at San

Antonio Northeast Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church.

17-24 | Summer Camp: Tween Week at Shady Lakes Ranch in Cleburne, TX.

23 |

Church Leadership Summit at McAllen Spanish Valley Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.

24-31 |

Summer Camp: Teen Week at Shady Lakes Ranch in Cleburne, TX.

30 | Church Leadership

Leadership Training Level 1 at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church.

3 | Triathlon at Shady Lakes

28- Aug 8 | Amazon

JUNE

9 | Women’s

21 | Women’s Ministries

Summer Camp: Cub Week at Shady Lakes Ranch in Cleburne, TX.

Ranch in Cleburne, TX.

Leadership Training, Level 1 at San Antonio Scenic Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Ministries Leadership.

Training, Level 1 at Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.

11 | Elders’ Encounter at San

9 | Estate Planning at Eagle

1 | Women’s Ministries

Marcos Seventh-day Adventist Church.

22 | FLAME Summer 2016

Pass Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Spanish Men’s Ministry Retreat at Camp Hoblitzelle in Midlothian, TX.

Shady Lakes Ranch in Cleburne | 3701 County Road 316 C. Cleburne, TX 76031

3-10 |

Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.

13 |

Church Leadership Summit at San Antonio Scenic Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church.

SUMMER CAMP

same great EXPERIENCE!

San Antonio Durango Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church.

21 | Elders’ Encounter at

10-17 |

Summer Camp: Junior Week at Shady Lakes Ranch in Cleburne, TX.

Summit at Austin Spanish First Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Mission Trip with SMILES and the Texas Conference Youth and Young Adult Department.

19-21 |

Glad Reaper Youth Evangelism Training at Lone Star Camp in Athens, TX.

20 | Women’s Ministries

Leadership Training, Level 2 at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church.

27 |

Church Leadership Summit at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church.

27 |

Women’s Ministries Leadership Training, Level 2 at Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.

27 |

Adventist Community Services Training at Mesquite Seventh-day Adventist Church.

28 |

ACS Donations Operations Training at Mesquite Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Sunday – September 20, 2015 9:00 – 10:0 am

Leadership Mentoring for the 21st Century Woman

10:00 – 11:00 am

Creating Potential Leaders

11:00 – 12:00 pm

Jesus’ Leadership Model

Cheryl Allgood

Cheryl Allgood

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Women Mentoring Women

Shevonne Dyer

1:00 – 2:00 pm

LUNCH

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Women in Leadership in the Bible

3:00 – 4:00 pm

Equipping Leaders for Success

Cheryl Allgood

4:00 – 5:00 pm

The Nature of Relationships in Leadership

Cheryl Allgood

Cheryl Allgood

31- Aug 3 | Summer

Camp: Family Camp Week at Shady Lakes Ranch in Cleburne.

AUGUST

6|

Sandralee Mars

Church Leadership Summit at Houston Spanish Spring Branch Seventh-day Adventist Church.

28 | Dallas-Fort Worth

Area Clerk’s Training at Texas Conference Office.

Want more info?

Registration, information and more events on the Texas Conference website at TexasAdventist.org.

Advent Movement

FLAME A publication of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Texas.

EDITORIAL Publisher..............................................Carlos Craig Editor.......................................Kristina P. Lockhart Associate Editor.................................... Jason Busch Assistant Spanish Editor.................Osvaldo Rigacci Layout Design....... Madelein Terreros, Sora E. Yañez Translation Coordination.........Kristina P. Lockhart Translators......... Mariangela Busby, Jorge Ordoñez, Silverman Terreros, Jackie Martinez, Angelo España

ADVENT Employees of the Adventist Church often change leadership positions and areas of responsibility. This section is to help you keep up with who’s where in Texas.

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church Southwestern Union Conference

movement

Southwestern Adventist University Texas Conference Family Ministries Feature images by Aaron Thomas Photography

Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists P.O. Box 800, Alvarado, TX 76009 Phone: (817) 790-2255 www.TexasAdventist.org

Elton DeMoraes:

Rodney Mills:

Executive Secretary Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Ministerial Director Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

ADMINISTRATION President...............................................Carlos Craig Executive Secretary.........................Elton DeMoraes

Wirmin Alcantara:

Renee Crawford:

Undertreasurer Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Human Resources Director Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Treasurer...........................................Edwin Romero

PRINTING & MAILING Director...........................................Mario Ledezma

Tatiana Meharry: Assistant Human Resources Director Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Pressman .......................................... Miguel Gomez Designers..................................... Madelein Terreros Sora E. Yañez Print Shop Assistant............................Doug Denny Administrative Assistant...................Erica Manzano

The FLAME is a publication of inspiration and education of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. It is sent free of charge to all members of the Texas Conference on a quarterly basis.

It is our prayer that you will find the stories in these pages inspiring and empowering so that together we can share the flame of Christ’s love with those around us, both in Texas and beyond.

If you have questions or comments, please email: FLAME@txsda.org

FLAME | 23 Summer 2016

TXCSDA FLAME P.O. Box 800 Alvarado, TX 76009

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Ft. Worth, TX Permit No. 3310

Different Place

Join a team of family life specialists as they make this event an unforgettable experience for you and your spouse

Saturday night

same great

couple’s date night & dinner will be on your own!

EXPERIENCE!

Summer Camp 2016 Cub Week

►

July 3-10

Junior Week ►

July 10-17

Tween Week ►

July 17-24

Teen Week

July 24-31

►

Family Camp ►

Day Camp options available, please see website for more information.

July 31-Aug 3

Visit our website for weekend details and registration!

Shady Lakes Ranch in Cleburne

www.BeForeverOne.org

For questions call (817) 790-2255 EXT. 2108

3701 County Road 316 C., Cleburne, TX 76031

199 Early Bird (per couple) + Lodging ($109 per night + tax) For more information and registration: $

• includes three meals per person, seminar materials, and a special gift YoungTexasAdventist.org call 817.790.2255 ext. 2212 ┃ children • deadline july 15 extended to september 15 or not allowed

& Young Adults making ministers for the master