Forty six people gathered in Denmark recently for a conference that focused on the topic of peace (“shalom” in Hebrew) in accordance with the priestly blessing voiced in Numbers 6:24-26.
The sermons at the conference expounded different aspects of God’s gift of shalom, leading into small group discussions where personal stories were shared concerning how God has granted his peace in difficult situations.
A highlight of the conference was the blessing of a one year-old girl.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
On November 24, most of us in the U.S. will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day (other nations have similar celebrations at various times of the year). Reflecting on this annual holiday, comedian Phyllis Diller joked, “My cooking is so bad my kids thought the purpose of Thanksgiving was to commemorate Pearl Harbor!” While her humor always makes me laugh, I’m glad the Thanksgiving meals we’ll soon be enjoying will be gourmet affairs, not catastrophes.
Thanksgiving helps us remember what we’re thankful for (both great and small), then extend that gratitude to God and others. Perhaps, like me, you find yourself thankful for more things each year. The more we understand who Jesus is and who we are in him, and the more we appreciate the relationships he gives us in union with himself, the more we will be inclined to practice what the famous British Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon refers to in the following quote as thanks-living:
I think there is a better thing than thanksgiving: thanks-living. How is this to be done? By a general cheerfulness of manner, by an obedience to the command of Him by whose mercy we live, by a perpetual, constant delighting of ourselves in the Lord, and by a submission of our desires to His will.
Thanks-living, which flows from “an attitude of gratitude,” is the result of God’s grace. The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. Considerable research confirms how important it is to express (and thus cultivate) gratitude toward others. A few years ago, the Harvard Mental Health Letter summarized some of that research. Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California, Davis, and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami conducted a study in which they asked participants to write a few sentences each week, focusing on particular topics. Here is a summary of what they learned:
One group wrote about things they were grateful for that had occurred during the week. A second group wrote about daily irritations or things that had displeased them, and the third wrote about events that had affected them (with no emphasis on them being positive or negative). After 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. Surprisingly, they also exercised more and had fewer visits to physicians than those who focused on sources of aggravation. [1]
In a related study, Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, had 411 people write and personally deliver a letter of gratitude to someone they believed had never been properly thanked. The result was an almost immediate increase in the happiness of the letter writers.
This research confirms the wisdom contained in the Bible. Many of the Psalms mention the importance of being thankful, and the apostle Paul exhorts Christians to give thanks “in everything… for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV). Practicing thanks-living leads to both spiritual and physical health. Conversely, being unthankful is characteristic of those not living in communion with God as noted by Paul in Romans 1:21 (ESV): “They did not honor him as God or give thanks to him.” As we live in union and communion with God, we cannot help but be thankful.
In Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer [2], C. S. Lewis helps us see how being thankful is woven into a life of worshipping God. He notes that when we give thanks to God we often focus on what God has done for us—all his blessings, especially the gift of redemption through the atoning work of Jesus. But sometimes when we turn to God with thanksgiving, we begin to realize that the reason God does all that we are thanking him for is because of who God is. It’s at this turning point in our thinking that our thanksgiving goes deeper, turning into adoration. In adoration we are thankful not so much for what God has done for us, but for who God is—for that is why God does what he does!
Being thankful is one thing. But knowing Who we’re thanking leads into true thanks-living—a life of worship, fellowship and communion with the Triune God: Father, Son and Spirit.
I’m grateful every day of the year for each of you, and for your faithfulness to our God. I pray blessings upon your celebrations of Thanksgiving whenever and however they come your way.
Thankful to God for everything,
Joseph Tkach
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[1] http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/in-praise-of-gratitude
[2] C.S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, Letter 17
We were saddened to learn of the recent death of retired GCI-Philippines pastor Jeremiah Ortiguero. Here is a tribute to Pastor Jerry from Eugene Guzon, GCI-Philippines National Director.
“Pastor Jerry,” as he was affectionatly known, was one of the longest-serving ministers in the Philippines. Jerry’s father, Pedro Ortiguero, planted our denomination in the Philippines in 1962.
Jerry was in the United Arab Emirates visiting family when he suffered a stroke and was hospitalized. He died peacefully in his sleep on November 14 at age 71. He is survived by five siblings, five children (and spouses), and fourteen grandchildren.
Jerry’s death brings great loss to us in the Philippines where he served the church for a very long time (including several years after he retired). We thank him for an inspiring legacy of living and sharing the gospel, of fatherly love, passion for God and service to God and our members. Though he had his share of life’s pains and challenges, his hope in Christ prevailed. He had a big heart, which continued to beat for God and people until he was called home.
We join Jeremiah’s family in grateful praise to God for a servant who finished well. We say affectionately to him, “Thank you Pastor Jerry for everything! You are dearly loved and highly honored.”
Jesus said… “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)
Please continue to remember the Ortiguero family in your prayers.
On November 19, GCI member Arthur (Trey) Carlisle will be one of the My Hero honorees at the 12th International Film Festival & Multimedia Awards Ceremony held in Santa Monica, California. Trey is the son of GCI members Dr. Arthur (Jr.) and Hariett Carlisle, and the grandson of GCI members Arthur (Sr.) and Eula Mae Carlisle (Arthur, Sr. is an elder).
At the ceremony, Trey will be receiving the Emerging Artist Award. In announcing the award, the My Heroes Project noted this:
In the 8th grade, Trey Carlisle made a vow to fight injustice by telling important stories. Over the past four years, he has produced award-winning documentaries that speak out against violence and discrimination. He is a passionate voice for positive change in the world.
About a year ago, Trey was featured in local news reports for his work in the community, including helping disadvantaged kids. Here is a video that highlights some of what Trey has been doing:
On YouTube at https://youtu.be/KQNiOS6HBro.
This update on ministry activity in Liberia is from GCI Mission Developer Kalengule Kaoma.
I returned recently from Monrovia, Liberia, where I officiated at the funeral of GCI Liberia National Director, Robert T. Browne II (pictured at right).
The funeral service was held in GCI Liberia’s main church hall in Gardnersville, Monrovia. The hundreds of mourners included friends, relatives, pastors from neighboring churches, Christians from various churches, and community and political leaders. Robert touched many lives. He will be missed.
On Sunday October 30, I met with church leaders and their families (pictured below) from our four GCI congregations in Monrovia. The meeting looked at the future of GCI in Liberia. These leaders are eager and willing to continue working with GCI. After prayer and examining a few scriptures about leadership transitions, we sought God’s guidance by asking the leaders whether Pastor Robert had left anyone in position to continue in his leadership role. Robert’s widow, Deddeh O. Browne, had been designated to succeed her husband and the leaders were happy with this transitional assignment for “Mother” Browne, as they call her.
Bishop Davies, one of the leaders who worked with Bishop Browne, attended part of the meeting and commended the GCI Liberia leadership team for accepting Mrs. Browne (pictured at right) as the successor to GCI Liberia national leadership.
I plan to return to Liberia in the first quarter of 2017 to affirm Mrs. Browne’s leadership, and to continue working with the leadership team there. The pastors there are young and inexperienced, though they have lots of zeal and energy and are willing to work. Please pray for them all.
Here is a hand-written thankyou note to me from the Liberian leaders:
Some time ago we requested prayer for Deben Sam, our ministry partner in Kathmandu (capital city of Nepal). Deben had been hospitalized due to various symptoms that could not be positively diagnosed.
We thank God that Deben is now at home recovering, though he still suffers from occasional dizzy spells and ringing in his head. His doctors have advised him to minimize his time on the computer and phones so that he gets complete rest.
Please continue to pray for Deben’s complete healing.
The November edition of GCI Equipper provides resources to help congregations and ministries prepare for the upcoming Advent-Christmas season. Here are links to the five articles in that issue:
From Greg: Humanizing humanity
Greg Williams reminds us of a central truth of the Advent-Christmas season: Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, has humanized our humanity.
Advent-Christmas celebration resources
Here is a series of GCI-produced Advent videos and other resources to enhance your worship in the upcoming Advent-Christmas season.
Use Christmas for outreach
Heber Ticas offers tips about how a congregation can use Advent-Christmas as an opportunity to connect with unchurched people.
Sermon summary: God’s “one and only”
Lance McKinnon’s sermon celebrates the Incarnation of God’s “one and only” Son, who has included us with him in the “bosom” of the Father.
Kids Korner: Use Christmas to teach kids about Christ
Ted Johnston notes how children’s ministers can use Christmas as a “teachable moment” for showing kids how much God loves them.
Thanks for your prayers for Joanna D’Costa, wife of GCI-India Pastor Joseph D’Costa.
We thank God that Joanna has recovered fully from the stroke she suffered in early September. She was able to attend the church’s recent family festival in South India near Mysore, and is now back at work, doing, as Joseph put it, “What she does best – teaching French!” Joseph said that she is also focusing on improving her general condition and health; and that “Our God is truly a great healer who brought her from near death to life.”
GCI Mission Developer Rod Matthews provided this update on our ministry in the nation of Nepal.
Not long ago the Nepalese government had been targeting Christian pastors who run orphanages—accusing them of teaching Christianity to the children to convert them from Hinduism. Several pastors were arrested and the children in their orphanages removed. Our ministry partner there, Deben Sam, had requested our prayers about this persecution. Last month we were relieved to hear that the government of Nepal had changed and a new alliance between Maoists and the Nepali Congress Party had come to power. The new Prime Minister, Pushpa Karmal Dahal of the Maoist Party, has taken no further action to arrest pastors as before. However, we understand that there is a developing political and social environment against Christianity and all religious conversion. While the three main political parties espouse support for a secular state with religious freedom, each has notable leaders whose personal agenda is for the reinstatement of a Hindu kingdom.
Deben Sam continues to ask for our support through prayers for his ministry through the Himalayan Gospel Church and his work in supporting orphaned children and those whose remaining parent cannot support their children. Each summer, the Himalayan Gospel Church takes a Mobile Bible School (MBS) to the rural villages of this mountainous country (see pictures above). This event, lasting several days, is hosted by a local congregation or Christian group and is a highlight for those who can attend.
This year, with Deben having been unable to travel due to his illness, the MBS was conducted by his brother-in-law, Raju, and the Kathmandu congregation’s Pastor Joseph. So far, seven locations have been served by the MBS and Deben mentioned that if circumstances permit, they will try to fit in another four or five before winter. From these MBS locations, about 12 students will be chosen to attend the Himalayan Bible School in Kathmandu starting in February each year and lasting three months. During that time, intensive classes are held for six days each week, before the students return to their home areas to apply what they have learned in the service of the local church, and in evangelistic efforts in their local areas.
A movie currently in production will bring to the screen Paul Young’s best-selling book, The Shack. The movie (with the same title as the book) will be released in select U.S. theaters on March 3, 2017. To learn more about the movie, click here.
