President's Post
February 2019
Matthew 22:36-40
Just a thought that has been in my mind lately:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
With this verse in your mind and heart today, I want to propose a question to all of us. Do we LOVE enough? Do we? Are we known as real lovers of God? Mankind? How about each other? Ponder that until you answer yourself truthfully. Then either be affirmed or challenged by our God as this is the greatest commandment! 1st Cor 13:13b, "But the greatest of these is love.”
“We stand in awe of the ocean, The thunderstorm, The sunset, The mountains; But we pass by a human being without notice even though the person is God’s most magnificent creation.” Augustine
18,000 people chose to leave our denomination during 2017. That is a large number! We could have a real conversation over why people leave. But I will challenge us that not one of them left feeling loved by us. Something to pray about.
Pastor Elton DeSousa
I enjoy so much bringing new pastors to our church districts. This past month I brought Elton and Janice DeSousa to our Dothan, Marianna and Troy district. The DeSousa’s were pastoring in the Illinois Conference.
I picked up John Grys our Workers Meeting speaker for our pastors at Camp Alamisco. He did a great job on leadership in the church. I have heard from several pastors on the blessing he was to their ministry.
I attended the President’s Council in Palm Springs CA this month. It’s always great to meet up with other presidents and discuss things that are going well and also challenges. Our guest speakers were George Knight and Lowell Cooper.
One slide that was shared impacted me in a powerful way:
That statement goes with “Being quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to answer.” James 1:19
George Knight taught on Grace and how we don’t emphasize it enough. Without Grace that is evident all through Scripture, but especially in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection we are just living a clean lifestyle. We must raise the banner of all that Christ did and does for us every day.
George Knight
Lowell Cooper who has just recently retired from the General Conference shared about governance and management. My take home thought from Dr. Cooper’s presentations was primarily on the leaders responsibility of keeping others focused on the mission we are trying to accomplish.
Lowell Cooper
I’ll close this month with an additional slide that was shown. The SDA world membership distribution. I think you’ll find it as stunning as I do.
Until next time,
Dave
Camp Alamisco Camp Meeting
Friday, Apr 5, 2019, 06:00 PM
Camp Alamisco Road, Dadeville, AL, USA
Bass Memorial Academy Camp Meeting
Wednesday, May 22, 2019, 06:00 PM
Bass Memorial Academy, U.S. 11, Lumberton, MS, USA
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