Pastoral Thoughts

Joseph and Jesus

2011-11-22T18:56:00.000-08:00

Joseph and Jesus Parallels

1. Both Born Through Miracles

a. Joseph - Rachel couldn't get pregnant Gen 30:22-24

b. Jesus - Born of a Virgin - Matthew 1:18-23

2. Beloved of the Father

a. Joseph - Coat of Many Colors Gen 37:3

b. Jesus - Beloved of the Father, Glorious Light Robe

3. Sent by the Father

a. Joseph - Sent to Check on the Brothers. Gen 37:13

i. Jacob: Aren't your brothers in 'shechem.

ii. Response: I will go.

b. Jesus

i. Father: Isn't mankind in trouble?

ii. Response: I will go!

iii. Hebrews 10:5-7 - Lo I Come!

4. Both were Shepherds

a. Joseph Genesis 37:2

b. Jesus: The Great Shepherd of the Sheep of God

5. Both went to Egypt...in their youth...to avoid being killed.

a. Joseph - as a slave. - Travels

i. In Canaan

ii. Into Egypt

iii. Out of Egypt...to Caanan to bury father

iv. Back to Egypt

v. Bones out of Egypt

b. Jesus - as an infant....Went to Egypt

i. Came out of Egypt Again.

c. Jesus - Bigger Picture

i. In Heaven

ii. In Earth (Egypt) - Land of Slavery

iii. To Heaven...Resurrected...

iv. To Earth - Second Coming

v. To Heaven....with the Captives.

6. Both Began Life Work at 30 Years of Age

a. Joseph - Genesis 41:46

b. Jesus - Luke 3:23

7. Both Lives Affected by Dreams

a. Joseph

i. His Own Dreams

ii. The Butler/Baker Dreams

iii. Pharaoh’s Dreams

b. Jesus

i. Joseph's Dreams

1. Take Mary

2. Leave Bethlehem

3. Safe to Go Home

8. Both had visions about the future

a. Joseph: His Brother's Bowing to Him

b. Jesus: Matthew 24 - the future of his "brothers" - Israel/Church.

9. Both were hated/Despised by their brothers.

a. Joseph - Genesis 37:8

b. Jesus - Matthew 13:55-57

c. Jesus - hated by his countrymen.

10. Both were conspired against...to death

a. Joseph - Genesis 37:18-19

b. Jesus

11. Both motive for the sale... was for personal gain

a. Judah - What profit is it to kill him?

b. Judas - What will you give me to hand him over?

12. Both were sold for a slave's price

a. Joseph - 20 pieces of silver

b. Jesus - 30 pieces of silver.

13. Betrayed by Judah/Judas

a. Joseph - Judah...suggested the sale Gen 37:26

b. Jesus - Judas Iscariot

14. Both were tried to be freed by a weak leader

a. Joseph - Ruben Genesis 37:21, 29-30

b. Jesus - Pilate

15. Both had people tear their garments over them.

a. Joseph: Ruben - Genesis 37:29

b. Joseph: Jacob: Genesis 37:34

c. Jesus: Caiaphas, in the trial.

16. Both wore valuable garments

a. Joseph: Gen 37:3 Coat of Many Colors.

b. Jesus: Valuable...so it was gambled for.

17. Both were stripped of their garments

a. Joseph - Genesis 37:23

b. Jesus - prior to the cross.

18. Both have their garments bloodied...and given to another.

a. Joseph - Genesis 37:31, 32

b. Jesus - in Gethsemane...his own blood

c. Jesus - put his robes back on...after the floggings.

d. Then...another was presented with that robe.

19. The Goat Blood

a. Joseph: Coat Bloodied by Goat Blood

b. The Passover Lamb - from the sheep or goats Ex 12:5

c. Jesus: The Lord's Goat, Lev 16

d. Jesus: Blood of the Covenant on the Cross!

20. Both descended.....to a very low point

a. Joseph - slave, prisoner....

b. Jesus...human, death, cross death -

21. Both had dealings with two prisoners

a. Joseph...butler and the baker Genesis 40:4-5

b. Jesus Matthew 27:38

22. "Remember Me"

a. Joseph asks the Butler to remember him...and he finally did. Gen 40:14, 23

b. Thief asks Jesus to remember him...and he will.

23. One of those prisoners was bad and the other turned out friendly/good/saved.

a. Joseph - One convicted/executed, one helps him later.

b. Jesus - One: Curses Him. One: Remember me.

24. Both thrown into a Pit

a. Joseph: Genesis 37:24

b. Jesus - Into a Tomb.

25. Implication - 3 days and 3 Nights in the Pit.

a. Joseph: ? Jewish Legend

i. Passage of Time from Time Joseph left father....

ii. Until Brothers Return with Joe's bloody tunic....

b. Joseph: 3 Day Sequence for the Butler and Baker Genesis 40:12, 18, 20 "On the Third day..."

i. Restoration on the 3rd Day!

c. Joseph: Put Brothers in Prison for Three Days Genesis 42:17

d. Jesus: 3 days and 2 Nights.

e. One wonders if Jesus knew he'd be in the tomb three days and three nights...because of Joseph's Story. - Usually over looked.

f. Lots of Other 3 Day Events in the Bible

i. Jonah in the Fish

ii. Esther: Fasting for 3 days.

iii. Joshua 2 - Spies told to hid in the mountains 3 days.

26. Judah Disgraced for Not Doing Their Duty

a. Jesus - Genesis 38 - The Whole Story of Tamar -Judah Fails!

b. Jesus: Israel disgraced for the Rejection of Jesus Messiah. Judah Fails!

27. Both Were Victorious over Strong Temptations

a. Joseph - Potipher's Wife....several times - Gen 39

b. Jesus - Satan's Temptations Matthew

28. Persecuted by False Witnesses

a. Joseph - Potipher's Wife

b. Jesus - The False Witnesses of the Trial - We heard him say this.... Matthew 27:12-14

29. Both highly exalted

a. Joseph - Right Hand of the King of Egypt

b. Jesus - Right hand of the Father, Enthronement of Jesus!

30. Both Get a New Name

a. Joseph - Zathanathpeneah -

b. Jesus: Name No One Knows.... Rev 3:12

31. Both Get Married!

a. Joseph - Azanath - daughter of a pagan priest Gen 41:45

i. Children become Tribe - Manassah

b. Jesus - The Gentile Bride = The True Israel

i. Children: True Israel

32. The Son's Names

a. Manasseh - Forget

b. Ephraim - Fruitful

c. Jesus: Cause us to

i. forget the affliction of sin....

ii. and be fruitful in the Lord's work.

33. "Bow the Knee"

a. Joseph: This was the herald's command Gen. 41:43

b. Jesus: Every knee shall bow to him. Phil 2:9

34. "Do What Ever He Tells You."

a. Joseph: Genesis 41:55

b. Jesus: John 2:5

35. Both Miraculously Fed the World

a. Joseph through 7 years of planning in the plenty

b. Jesus...through 7 loaves and 2 fish

c. Jesus...through him being the bread of life.

36. Both are Wise and Capable

a. Joseph - The Tests were Brilliant

b. Jesus - Wise and Capable. Testing Humans Differently

37. Both Test their Brothers

a. Joseph - The Tests: Money, Brotherly Affection

b. Jesus - Tests the Heart Change.

i. Investigative Judgment!

38. There is only proper one response in the Judgment

a. Judah - Genesis 44:16 - There is nothing we can say...what can we speak? How can we justify ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants. We're all your slaves."

b. Us - We can plead nothing....other than our great sin. God has found out our iniquity. God has paid the penalty for our iniquity.

39. Judah - Internal Type of Jesus

a. Lion from the Tribe of Judah - Revelation 4/5

b. Judah: Genesis 44:18-34 - You'll be enslaving me!

c. Jesus - The Substitute - I'll take your place!

40. Both Weep as they Forgive those who Wronged Them

a. Joseph: Genesis 45:1,2

b. Jesus: Triumphal Entry

c. Jesus: in Gethsemane

41. The Reveal

a. Joseph: To His Brothers

b. Jesus: To Disciples, Resurrection Morning.

42. Both Offer Forgiveness to their Persecutors

a. Joseph: Genesis 45:1-14,

b. Jesus: Father Forgive them...they don't know what they do. Luke 23:34

43. Both...those who plotted his death...bowed before him.

a. Joseph: Brothers Bow...3 occasions

i. Visit 1 - Genesis 42:6

ii. Visit 2 - Genesis 43:26

iii. Confrontation: Genesis 44:14

b. Jesus - Every knee will bow

44. The Supper!

a. Joseph

i. Gen 43:16 - Slay and Make Ready

ii. Gen 43:24 - Foot Washing

iii. Gen 43:31 - Serve the Meal

iv. Gen 43:33 - Seating Arrangement

v. Gen 43:32-34 - feasted and drank freely

b. Jesus - Last Supper

i. Make Ready

ii. Foot Washing

iii. Serve the Meal - Bread and Wine

c. Jesus - Next Supper

i. He's making it Ready

ii. Foot Washing

iii. FEAST!

45. Both Say "I will provide for you."

a. Joseph: Genesis 45:11

b. Jesus: John 14:1-3 : I go to prepare a place for you.

46. Both made mention of their bodies after death.

a. Joseph: Don't leave me here. Take me with you. Genesis 50:25

b. Jesus: The son of man will rise again.

c. Jesus...rose and went to the heavenly Canaan.

d. We...ought to make mention of our bones...to Jesus.

e. When you it's time to go to heaven...please take my bones.

f. And Jesus shouts back... "I will not just take your bones...but your sinews, your muscles, your stomach, your heart, your teeth, your tongue, your brain. I'm taking all of you to glory...Alive!)

47. Both Accomplish a Great Deliverance

a. Joseph: Genesis 45:7

b. Jesus: Remnant Preserver on the Earth. Keep you alive...Salvation. Hebrews 2:3

48. Fitting Ending Words to the Great Controversy

a. Joseph - Genesis 50:19, 20

i. What was meant for evil...God meant for Good.

ii. To Bring about this result....

iii. Preserve many people alive.

iv. Don't be afraid. I'll provide for you.

b. Jesus

i. What Satan meant for evil...God has meant for Good.

ii. To bring about this result - you in heaven. Safe. Fed. Secure.

iii. To preserve many people alive!

iv. Don't be afraid.

Found on CNN

2011-10-27T06:39:00.000-07:00

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is being confronted with what it's stance will be on the issue of homosexuality. The issue is coming or already here. The church I love is already split on so many issues: women in ministry, drums in church, religious drama, coffee, etc.

I found the following on CNN...and though I didn't read it all...it is a good overview of the issue for our day that is staring my little branch of the Christian church right in the face.

My Take: Why Christians are embracing their LGBT neighbors

Editor’s note: Ross Murray is director of religion, faith and values at GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

By Ross Murray, Special to CNN

America is embracing its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens. Don’t believe me? Just look at the progress being made in faith communities.

The Christian church was once considered the final holdout for those who oppose equality for LGBT people. Staunch believers could gather in worship with people who thought just like them to hear sermons affirming the anti-LGBT beliefs they held in common.

For those of us who identify as LGBT, church was a place of fear and secrets. We had to figure out how to hide ourselves or how to find a more welcoming community.

But that is changing.

Although there is still a variety of scriptural interpretations, an increasing number of Christians are reading scripture and understanding that God’s design for the world includes LGBT people. It follows, good Christians believe, that if God made them, then I am called to love and support them.

Whole Christian denominations have accepted and embraced the reality of LGBT believers within their ranks and in their leadership. Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, the United Church of Christ and Unitarians have formally accepted LGBT people within their denominations.

Even within denominations and faith groups whose policies don’t fully welcome LGBT people, there are growing numbers of people who have learned to love and accept their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters.

The Public Religion Research Institute found this year that as many as 71% of Catholics in America support lesbian and gay people, even up to the point of civil marriage, despite the Roman Catholic hierarchy telling them otherwise.

Of course, there still are Christian groups who work actively against equal protections for LGBT people and their families.

Indeed, as more Americans get to know and love their LGBT neighbors, the messages and vocal misinformation of anti-gay activists become even more shrill.

And yet more and more Christians are now living out the message of 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”

How did this happen? More Christians now know someone who is LGBT. They probably even know someone from their church. There are countless faithful Christians who identify as LGBT.

These are folks who have found their faith in God to be stronger than the opposition of vocal anti-gay activists.

These LGBT Christians have shared their lives and their stories that build up love and break down fear, leading to tangible progress, especially with young people.

According to the Public Religion Research Institute, there is at least a 20-point gap between those ages 18 to 29 and those ages 65 and older on every public policy measure in the survey concerning equality for gay and lesbian people, with younger Americans gravitating toward equality.

Even Christian-identified young people increasingly support protections for lesbian and gay people, the same survey found.

Those who oppose equality can call it what they like, but the reality is that we are living in a society that has learned how to value LGBT people as they would others.

That attitude doesn’t rely on fear or lies, but on caring relationships and trust. It lives out the apostle Paul’s wish for the Corinthians that someday we will know fully, even as we are fully known. It is a biblically informed reality that is helping to make the world a better place.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ross Murray.

Oh, To Be Like Jesus

2011-10-26T05:58:00.000-07:00

We all want to be like Jesus, and yet we so often fall short. Recently I saw a list, and thought I’d modify it and add to it…by reflecting on the many differences between Jesus’ ministry and my own.

Jesus of Nazareth * Pastor Kris Widmer

Born in Bethlehem * Born in Loma Linda

Son of the Everlasting Father * Son of my father, who died in 2007

Baptized in the Jordan * Baptized in a baptistery

Walked on Water * Often "skating on thin ice."

Rebuked the Wind * Wears a windbreaker

Changed Water to Wine * Changes Water into Lemonade

Welcomed Strangers * Is occasionally strange

Cursed a fig tree * Kills house plants

Fed 5,000 people * Attends potluck, dish in hand.

Saw Nathaniel under fig tree * Sees the world through CNN

Healed servant at a distance * Can use the remote control

Prayed, instead of sleeping * Sleeps, instead of praying.

Stomped the serpent’s head * Has a snake as a pet

Cast out the darkness * Relies on a night light

Gave sight to the blind * Worked at blind camp

Raised a man, dead for 4 days * Planned a funeral in 4 days.

Overturned the money tables * Sets up foyer tables.

Anointed with costly perfume * Wears cheap cologne

Cast demons into pigs * Believes pork is of the Devil

Friend of tax-collectors * Was audited in 2003

Cleansed lepers * Has changed dirty diapers

Stands at the door and knocks * Got locked out of own office

Observed the Widow’s mites * Picks up pennies in parking lots.

Was falsely arrested * Was “unfairly” ticketed for speeding

Preached a Sermon at Olivet * Preached a sermon, all of it!

Died on a cross * Is occasionally cross

Saved the World! Serious!* Watched the World Series

As you can see, I still have a long ways to go in my Christian life. I fail miserably at the goal of being like Jesus, in many more serious ways. That’s why I need to hang around other sinners in the church, so I can set a good example of being a poor example…and perhaps be an encouragement to others who are trying to muddle along through life too.

So…be gracious to yourself and those around you. Nobody’s perfect.

I can’t wait for the day when Jesus will come and change this flesh and blood into perfection.

Be Positive and Encouraging,

O. Kris Widmer

Pastor

First Person Sermon

2011-10-24T17:05:00.000-07:00

Last Sabbath, I had the joy of preaching in the "First Person, Dramatic Narrative Homiletic Form", which is just a technical term for "Role Play" Sermon or "Story" Sermon. For the brief moments of a sermon, instead of talking about the Bible...one gets to see the Bible come alive...hence my working title for these sermons as "Bible Alive."

For 27 years, I've had the joy (and sorrow) of working at the craft of writing and presenting these special forms of preaching. Rather than the usual "three points and a poem" type of sermon, these sermons draw in the listening into the Bible story through the verbal material that is story in content and from the perspective of the Bible Character.

The first sermon I can remember writing is one that I still do. Nicodemus, on the morning of the Sabbath, when Jesus lay in the tomb. It continues to be one of my favorites, one that I've preached many times to this day. At first, these sermons were delivered behind the pulpit in a suit and tie. Later, in 1993, through the encouragement of friends, I added the costume element to the sermon form.

To date, there are are over 50 first person dramatic narrative sermons that I've had the joy of presenting...at least once.

Last Sabbath, October 22, 2011, I had the joy of doing a "History Alive." For the first time, presenting a historical character, this time being Hiram Edson, a person from the early days of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It was such a blessing reading, writing, figuring out the different scenes that suggested themselves, buying costume elements at Goodwill stores, selecting songs to sing during the presentation, and finding the props needed to tell the amazing story of "The Great Disappointment." The Morning After.

For this presentation, rather than working alone, I included 3 of the youth of my church as well: Robell Nyirendah, played the part of the Daniel 2 Image, Emil Samuel played the part of King Nebuchadnezzer, and Augustin Cordaba-Chang played the part of Daniel. They did a fantastic job being the "eye candy" illustration while "Hiram" preached his revival "sermon" within the sermon.

I praise God for the successful creation and presentation of this message, and for a wonderful facility to present such worship offerings to God and the church...and for a wonderful church family that values creative...out of the box...ministry.

Love to All

Stuck in the Mud

2011-03-21T12:47:00.000-07:00

This morning when I drove up the driveway to the church, on of the large trailers, loaded with construction parts and tools, etc., was leaning over on it's right side toward the roadway. With all the recent rains, the front support had sunk down in the softened earth. The rear wheels too had caused a depression up to their axles. It was stuck in the mud, and the crew would spend most of the day getting it out.

Some people are like that. Stuck in the mud. They can't seem to get going in a productive direction. They are held fast by results of the storms of life, paralyzed into inactivity. Some are stuck in the past ways of doing things, and they can't seem find away to get up with the times of today. Some are stuck in their mire of seriousness, and they can't find time to smile and be friendly. Some are stuck in the muck of spiritual coldness, and they can't make it to the warmth of the Lord.

So next time you're at church, and someone looks at you funny or criticizes something you do or someone you love...remember. There are many people at church...yes church too...who are just stuck in the mud.

Pray that God's crew of angels will somehow and some way find the time to help them get unstuck...and make sure that you don't fall into the same pit.

God Bless You.

Regarding the Earthquake, Tsunami, etc.

2011-03-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

Permit me a few words of theological reflection about the recent earthquake and tsunami destruction in Japan. We have all been shocked and amazed at the 9.0 quake, the resulting tsunami wave and even the nuclear plant crisis that are affecting our global economy and creating a sense of fear in the hearts of humans world-wide.

Some people say it’s a sign of the end of the world. Our Adventist heritage leads us to say such things about every world event – disasters that are natural or man-made. And indeed the earth is growing old, like a garment filled with holes (Isaiah 51:6). However, Jesus said in Matthew 24 that when we see natural disasters, and he specifically mentions earthquakes, we should not get too excited or finalize our end time chart…for “the end is not yet” and “it’s just the beginning of earth’s ‘birth pains.’” vs 6-8

In the same way, we can’t conclude that Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans is the judgment of God upon that city’s wanton sensuality and drunkenness or the Haiti Earthquake is God’s wrath visited upon a nation filled with voodoo. If these conclusions were accurate, then San Francisco should have certainly been hit with another city-destroying quake in the years since 1906…and the Loma Prieta doesn’t count!

I am certainly not a scoffing skeptic that says “Don’t get excited. All things are of natural processes. All things continue this way since the beginning of the world.” Such a sentiment is found in 2 Peter 3:4.

The Bible describes a time when God destroyed the world with THE flood (Noah), and mentions some times when God destroyed individual geographic locations (Sodom, Jericho), but these are few and far between.

It seems from 2 Peter 3:7…that the earth and even the surrounding heavens are “reserved” unto the destruction of fire. I’m not sure God’s intent is so much to destroy parts of the earth a little at a time…but to do it all at once…at the end.

If one concludes that this disaster is an intentional act of God’s wrath…than one must also conclude that all disasters, including 9/11 are acts of God’s wrath. And one must also conclude a destroying forest fire or a tornado are the same. One must even conclude that burst water pipe (while you are on vacation) or even an individual house fire are also acts of God’s wrath.

God can’t both be loving, having died for the sins of humanity and then delaying the end of all things and the coming of the Christ so that more people can be saved…and be the vengeful destroyer, vibrating islands here and there inflicting pain on humanity just to get there attention.

So what is the lesson in tragedy? I have found great comfort in Luke 13:1-5. Jesus draws a lesson from two horrible events - the man-made deaths of temple worshipers and the unfortunate victims of a tower collapse. His point: When you see disaster(s), remember that life is short…and you should repent and be right with God.

Don’t label it a sign of the end. Don’t add another item to your prophetic chart. Just repent. Don’t pray for God to rain his judgments on another wicked city…for perhaps someone are praying right then for God to rain down judgment on YOU…and in mercy God ignores their prayers!

As Valentine Day Approaches

2011-02-01T15:39:00.000-08:00

Love

The concept wasn’t thought up by St. Valentine or by some mythical cupid with wings and arrows. It wasn’t even something that man though up, back in the distant past.

No. Love is a God idea. “For God so loved the world...”

For God so loved the world that God created it in the first place. God looked out over the billion of spaces in space and said “Here shall be this planet.” It shall be amazing. It was out of love that God made this world...and us on it.

For God so loved the world that God warned the first couple to stay away from the one spot they could be tempted by the leader of the rebellion. “Stay away from there and you’ll be fine. Trust me.” It was out of love that God sought to preserve the perfection God has made.

For God so loved the world that God came looking for the newly naked pair of sinners, and listened to them as they hurled accusations at each other. God loved them enough to go looking for them, when their sin separated themselves from God and each other. It was out of love that God looked in those bushes.

For God so loved the world that God shared shared an immediate promise of The Redeemer. “He shall bruise your head, Serpent.” It was out of love that the Lamb was as good as slain.

For God so loved the world that God choose Abraham and Sarah to be a special missionary people, to share God’s message and to be the tribe of the Messiah. It was out of love that God said “Leave Babylon...and come to the land I’ll show you.”

For God so loved the world that God gave The Son to come into our world...to show us what God’s love is like. Serving. Listening. Healing, Helping, Teaching, Confronting, Humbling, Dying. It was out of love that Jesus came.

Do you love God? Than you MUST love your fellow man. It’s required and not an option. “The one who says he loves God...and doesn’t love his fellow man, makes God to be a liar.”

And your love for others must be the same: Giving, Smiling, Forgiving,

Love. It’s a God thing.

Happy New Year

2011-01-03T23:33:00.000-08:00

Hope you have a great new year....but you probably won't.

Sorry to be a bit depressive...but that's the way it goes sometimes.

Take for instance the Bramham family. Accident 2 hours before 2011 started. A father killed. A wife and kids in mourning. Sad.

And my own mother. December was marked by blockages of her circulatory system. It's prime symptom is a toe that is in jeopardy of being amputated. January 2 found her in the operating room, getting 7 incisions on her right leg in a fem-pop procedure to bypass clogged tubing.

I hope you have a happy new year...but if you chances are it won't all be happy.

So just be aware of that face...and roll with the punches 2011 throws at you.

Saving the Best for Last

2010-05-24T17:18:00.000-07:00

Sabbath I had one of those special moments in ministry that will not be soon forgotten.

I had the privilege of doing a baptism and a wedding...all in the contest of the same morning worship service.

Dianne Marsala was baptized during the first moments of the service...and then she went off to the Ladies Lounge with her friends to get all dressed up.

The service went on as normal, and none were the wiser except for a few people in the know. When I got done with the sermon, I paused, and Debbie started the Wedding March. The happy couple made their way down the aisle, and took their places...then I introduced the family that had come to be part of the special day, followed by inviting the best man and matron of honor to take their places.

After they said their vows they exchanged rings...and then I surprised them with a unique unity ceremony - CHAINS.

Prior to the service, I had painted two 12 link sections of a chain - one pink and one blue. I had also purchased a padlock to join the two chains in the service. And this couple had quite a history...they both had been married before...and they both had been married to each other before! But God has worked a miracle...and brought them back together.

As a symbol of God bringing them together...it all fell into place when I was at Lowes picking out the chain and spray paint. The lock manufacture: Master. How cool was that. The Master was indeed the one who had brought them back together and would keep them together.

(Click Picture for a Bigger View)

After telling the couple that the keys to the lock would be thrown into the Sacramento Delta later that day....I pronounced them man and wife...then they kissed...and we all left church together.

What a fantastic surprise for the congregation...and a wonderful testimony to God's goodness and grace.

The sermon that day was on the Wedding of Cana...and truly God had saved the best for last.

Lucy Thut

2010-01-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

Sister Lucy Thut passed away on December 28.

Her services are at Higgins Mortuary on A. Street in Antioch.

Viewing/Visitation Tuesday, Jan 5 3:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Funeral: Wednesday, 11:00 a.m., with burial and reception to follow.

Christmas 2009

2009-12-11T06:51:00.001-08:00

I'm enjoying the Christmas season.
I mapped out a series of Christmas sermons, that will span a 6 week period.

John the Baptist
Revelation 12
The Christmas Angels
The Watcher: Do You See What I See?
?
Pilate's Christmas Carol

It's So Awesome that Jesus came to earth to be our savior.
We should sing and praise the Lord.

Trip to MN

2009-10-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

This next week we care for some unfinished business.

It had been my father's wish to place a tomb stone on the grave of his sister Eldina. She lived for only about 6 months in 1920, and never met her next two siblings, Sister Ellen and Brother (My Dad) Elmer.

Well, this next week, my Mother and I will drive from MN to ND to place that tomb stone. It's about a 1400 mile trip, but will be a good experience.

The Jewish idea is that you are never really dead if people remember you...so Eldina will live on in our hearts...and we shall visit and mark her "grave" or close to it in that cemetery. No family member has been there for years...but there will be people there tending to her grave this next week...US.

Arthur "Duke" Greene Eulogy

2009-10-07T18:36:00.000-07:00

Arthur “Duke” Greene
December 30, 1948 -– October 4, 2009

Arthur Greene, known to his family and friends as “Duke”, was born on December 30, 1948 in Atlanta, Texas. He passed to his rest on Sunday, October 4, 2009. He was 61 years, 9 months and 4 days old.
Duke is survived by his wife, Monica Greene and their son, Jordan Greene of Concord, CA.

He also is survived by his mother; Clora Greene, who lives in Michigan, and by three siblings: Barbara Greene of Stockton, California; Michael Greene and his wife Delphine of Saginaw, Michigan and Vickie Davis and her husband Doug of Stockton, California.

His survivors on Monica’s side of the family are Monica’s parents: R.B. and Elisabeth Shelton of Michigan and Monica’s siblings: Martina Currie of Southfield, Michigan; Michael Shelton and his wife Dana of Detroit, Michigan; Matthew Shelton and his wife Patsy of Van Buren Township, Michigan and by Marcia Shelton of Bonn, Germany.

Duke is survived by 15 nieces and nephews and 9 grand-nieces and grand-nephews and by his many church and community friends and co-workers.

_____

Duke was born in Atlanta, Texas; and moved to Saginaw Michigan when hw was 4 years old. It was in his childhood, that Duke fell in love with Jesus. His first contact with the Adventist church was Vacation Bible School, and eventually he was baptized at the age of 13. His whole family eventually followed him in faith and fellowship with the church.

His high school years were at Buena Vista High School in Michigan, and then he went on to the University of Michigan. He had a 4 year scholarship, but only spent 2 years at Michigan. He went on to studies at Andrews University, and graduated with a BA in Theology in 1970.

In 1975, Duke took an interest in a particular work associate. For 2 years Monica and Duke dated and discussed the world and life…and love. They were married on November 23, 1977. God blessed them with loving union that celebrated 31 years last fall.

In 1982, they moved west; living first in San Francisco, and then for the last 19 years in Concord.

God blessed them with a son in 1994 when Jordan Shelton Greene was born. Duke loved being a father, and had lots of prior experience, being a caring uncle to all his nieces and nephews.

Duke’s working life saw him serve as a teacher in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He also worked for the Better Living Centers and ran a food co-op. Later on and most recently, he founded and managed group homes for developmentally disabled clients. He started “Circle”, a group of 3 homes for developmentally disabled adults.

Duke was very creative. He wrote plays and songs, and was incredibly well read. He read all he could in the areas of philosophy and religion. If you wanted to have a deep conversation, Duke would be the person to have it with! He was a serious Bible student, and studied the Bible every day.

He also was interested in not just watching movies…but analyzing them. He especially loved History and Drama.

He was generous and funny, and compassionate with others. He was a true intellectual. He received great joy in knowing and serving God, spending time with his son, and don’t forget…Disneyland!

He taught Sabbath School, and would even preach the morning sermon on occasion.
Duke had always been healthy - one of his activities was body building and taking care of himself. But in April of this year, he was diagnosed with Leukemia. He went to UCSF and spent a month as an inpatient, receiving chemotherapy.

At the end of August, a bone-marrow donor was found, and things seemed to be looking up. But in Early September, he developed a lung infection, and spent the last month in the hospital in Walnut Creek. His family and close friends made daily visits to his bedside. He was placed on a ventilator, to give him a chance of recovery. His body didn’t respond to the treatments liked we all had hoped and prayed; and he died of cardiac arrest on Sunday, October 4.

The Resurrection of Jesus gives hope and comfort to us in this hour of grief, knowing Death was defeated at the cross, and by the empty tomb. Because Jesus’ tomb was empty, we know Duke’s grave will one day be empty too…as he is given life again by the Life-giver with Jesus returns to earth.

Our lives have been enriched because we have loved and have been loved by Duke Greene. He was a sensitive, patient, kind and loving Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, and Friend! We trust him to the arms of Jesus, who will judge him with mercy and love and grace.

His passing leaves a hole in the world and hole in our lives. We are looking forward to seeing him again on Resurrection Day! May God bless us all with His comfort and peace this hour…and until He comes.

Lovingly Prepared by the Greene Family, with Pastor O. Kris Widmer

Benjamin Astudillo

2009-07-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

Services are pending for the death of baby Benjamin Astudillo.
He was born on July 3 in Martinez, CA
He lived for just 41 minutes.

Keep his mother Claudia and his entire extended family in your prayers.

Life Sketch for Shamus Curry

2009-07-08T13:38:00.000-07:00

Rememberance Service will be held for Shamus Michael Curry III
Antioch Seventh-day Adventist Church
2200 Country Hills Dr., Antioch, CA 94509

July 9 at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will follow at Union Cemetery in Brentwood, CA

Shamus Michael Curry III
August 13, 1980 - July 3, 2009

Shamus Michael Curry III was born on August 13, 1980 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He passed away on Friday, July 3, 2009 at his home in Tracy, California. He was just 1 month and 10 days from his 29th birthday.

He is survived by his wife, Wendy (Leone) Curry of Tracy, California and by their baby daughter, Caitlynn Anne, born on June 22, 2008.

He also leave behind his mother, Susan Zimmerman and her husband Dan of Brentwood, California; his brother, Steven Curry of San Ramon; his in-laws (Wendy’s parents) Steve and Jeannie Leone and by his brother-in-law Michael Leone all of Tracy.

He is survived by his grandmother and great-aunt, Arlene Richter and Jean Mauro of San Ramon, and by his Uncle Ted Richter and his wife Maria of Discovery Bay, CA and by his Aunt Karen Richter of Los Angeles, California.

He is survived by two nephews: Jonathan and Jake Richter and by the many members of his step-father’s family - the extended family of the Zimmermans.

His father, Shamus Michael Curry, Jr, preceded him in death in 1984 in an auto-accident, when Shamus the Third was just 3.5 years of age.

+++

Shamus was the first of two boys born to his parents. He started life in New Jersey, but soon moved to California, at the age of 6 months. His brother Steven knows that his brother was 1 year, 4 months, 3 days older than him.

The family moved to Northern California, and moved among the communities of Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Brentwood and Tracy. Shamus went to elementary school at St. Philips Lutheran School, then on to Wells Middle School, and went to High School in Dublin, where he graduated with the class of 1998.

He worked for Raleys as a 16 year old boy, there for about 5 years. After High School, he took a few classes in fire suppression at Los Positas College in Livermore, but additional school wasn’t for him. He went to work for Staples, working his way up in just 7 years…from being a stock clerk to being general manager of the Tracy store. He became the go-to guy for the upper managers, after they saw his organization abilities, awesome people skills and positive attitude. He was summoned to work at several area stores when they were under-performing.

In 2004, through a mutual friend, he met Wendy. She was a woman he wanted to pursue! One of his first dates with her was in his step-dad’s car… “borrowed” without asking.

During their first month together, Wendy spent two weeks in Italy. Their romance was blossoming quickly…and at a cost. Wendy recalls that she ran up at least $500 in phone charges during that time of immediate separation.

Shamus had sent a stuffed animal with Wendy on her Europe trip. It was a “Pink Monkey”, and Wendy took it to bed with her each evening.

Their friendship developed over the next several years. They traveled together to Hawaii, Monterey, San Diego, Rancho Mirage and other favorite locations. In December of 2004, they bought a house together, and enjoyed fixing it up just the way they wanted it.

On June 16, 2007 they took their marriage vows at the Ruby Hill Country Club, and honeymooned in the Caribbean – in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He was romantic and attentive to doing crazy things, with his friends and for his girl. He was pressed for time and wanted to propose to Wendy before she took a trip to Las Vegas. Because no local jeweler could meet his need for a ring in time, he took off with Ken Wu to Los Angeles to make his purchase in a part of town that Ken describes as a ghetto!

Shamus loved food. He had many favorite restaurants, including Crustaceans, Simply Fondue and Vick Stewarts in Walnut Creek. He had strange food choices which he would enjoy with his brother and his best friend Ken Wu, and other more normal food choices to enjoy with Wendy.

Shamus loved to shop…especially at Costco. Wendy says that their house was basically decorated and furnished from Costco. He knew most of the employees at his local store.

He was a people person, with a big heart for friends and family. He had a big heart, and loved to play the host for family events. He insisted that he host Christmas at his house, and would put up many festive decorations for the season.
He loved life and loved to laugh, and loved to be the life of the party. He enjoyed locking out his friends when they were outside in the hot tub, and other little jokes.

He also loved things clean. His family says that should he have gotten a tattoo, it would have been the name DYSON, the vacuum company. He was constantly vacuuming, or cleaning off the counters or straightening his daughter’s toys. He was a meticulous neat nick!

Shamus loved the family pets: He enjoyed the company of Sienna, a dog, bought just after he and Wendy met, and cats Webster, Winter and later Jasmine, a gift for his birthday. He was one of the few in the family that could play with Winter, who was known for being feisty, and was known for drawing blood.

He loved children too. He loved his young nephew, Jake; and was delighted when he became a father 6 days after his first anniversary.

In November 2007 (as they celebrated the marriage of Shamus’s Mom, Susan, to Dan Zimmerman) Shamus and Wendy were pleased to announce to their family that they were pregnant! A baby was on the way! But, while celebrating with Susan and Dan in Hawaii, Shamus had some severe headaches. Three days after they returned from Hawaii, Shamus was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

He fought it every way he could: Operation, Radiation, Chemotherapy. In fact – 6 different types of chemotherapy. He did O.K. for a while, but the tumor was fast growing. Still, he never complained or questioned the unfairness of it all. When asked how he was doing he would change the subject…or say “I’ll be fine.”

In the past two months, just before infirmity started to set in due to the tumor, he was able to travel with Wendy, Caitlynn, Susan and Dan to visit some of his favorite places on earth: The Turks, Palm Springs and Monterey, as well as enjoy the celebrations of his anniversary and Caitlynn’s 1st birthday.

Shamus loved God, and was anointed for divine healing of his illness. We believe that God loves Shamus, and has forgiven his sins, through the blood of Jesus.
Shamus loved and believed in Jesus as his Savior. He knew his future was secure in the arms of the One who will come in the clouds of glory.

Our lives have been enriched because we have loved and have been loved by Shamus Curry. He has been a Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Nephew, Cousin, and Friend!. We trust him to the arms of Jesus, who will judge him with mercy and love. Our lives were enriched for having known him. His passing leaves a hole in our lives. Today, you too are invited to place your hope in Jesus, and to also be ready for the resurrection of the dead and the restoration of all things.

Lovingly prepared by the Family, with Pastor O. Kris Widmer
Printed: July 8, 2009

Current Prayer Needs

2009-03-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

Hilltop Christian School - Pray that God will bless the efforts of our task force and ultimately bring us an increase in enrollment.

Derek Lewis - Living with Cancer. Intensive chemotherapy was begun, but was stopped because he was not tolerating it well. He is home now.

David Sarkar - Comfort on the death of his eldest sister in Bangladesh. He and his daughter have traveled there for funeral services. Pray for traveling mercies and a safe return.

Darrel Carson - His mother, Zelda Carson, passed away in Redding. The family is gathering in Fortuna this weekend for memorial services. His father passed away in the summer of 2007.

Bob Neufeld - living with cancer. He is the brother of Antioch members Victor and Elisabeth Neufeld.

Christina Lott - Lost her job last week. Pray that God will provide new employment in this difficult economy.

Mary Fua - continuing rehabilitation from her recent hospitalization and illness.

Sermon Series

2009-02-26T12:28:00.000-08:00

This weekend at church I'm starting a series of sermons called "Amazing Grace, Amazing Graciousness." We'll be reminding ourselves from the Bible how gracious God has been us...and hearing his call to be gracious to those around us.

Featured in the series are the lyrics to "There's a wideness in God's Mercy"...one of my favorite hymn texts.

I like these especially

For the love of God is broader
Than the measure of man’s mind;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.

But we make his love too narrow
By false limits of our own;
And we magnify his strictness
With a zeal he will not own.

So let's get acquainted with the Real God from the Bible
The God and Father of us all...the God of Grace.

I hope these messages will be a blessing.

Fingernails

2009-02-25T21:12:00.000-08:00

I read a story and saw this picture of a woman in Utah. She obviously has been working on her nails for a long time.

But this month, they were broken off in a car accident. She's going to be O.K. but she'll have to start over on her manicure.

Reflecting on this, I realize that it must have been hard for her to do much over the years. My guess is she is NOT a court recorder or a massage therapist or a heart surgeon or a dentist. She likely is not ballerina or a traffic cop or a dog groomer.

It does beg the question. What does she do? Perhaps the answer is "not too much." Perhaps she is a professional fingernail grower.

My prayer today is that we will keep our hands ready to do meaningful work, and not let them become show pieces, good for nothing

Facebook Notes

2009-02-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

I've been on Facebook for 12 days now...going on 13. In that time I have connected with 360+ friends that I know or who know me. Some are close and some are distant friends, but it's an amazing thing.

I've been on MySpace for 3-4 years...and in all that time I have amassed 38 friends. I think I'll keep this account...but not do much with it.

Facebook...in my adult opinion is much easier and more beneficial for the person looking to stay in touch with their sphere of influence.

A Gift from God

2009-02-20T08:32:00.000-08:00

My dear wife, Debbie, and I just returned from enjoying a gift from God.

Last November, we won an overnight stay at the Gaia Hotel in Anderson. We had taken 5 cans of food to the "Turkey Trot" as part of a canned food drive. We received 5 raffle tickets and were thrilled that 2 of our tickets were winners. (We never win anything, you understand.)

One of the prises was this overnight stay.

It had to be used in the next several months, so we made plans to use it during this transition time when Debbie is mostly in Redding and Kris is mostly in Antioch.

The hotel is a GREEN hotel. It has environmental friendly systems and is supposed to have a very small carbon footprint. Our stay included one night in a suite and dinner for two, as well as the included continental breakfast.

The evening meal was delicious, and would have cost $70 had we paid for it. It was in the Swan Lake Bistro. Appetizer Bread, Salads, Entrée, A shared Desert and one drink. We left a tip, and that was the only cash expended for the stay.

That evening, we took a soak in the hotels saline based hot tub. The water was nice and warm, and it felt really good. There were two fountains in the inner area between the three room hubs and the convention center/office/bistro.

The room was spacious.
The bed was very comfy.
The company was exquisite.

We give God praise for this gift from heaven that we could enjoy together and reconnect as a married couple.

We highly recommend that married people continue to date and take mini-honeymoons. We've been doing it for 26 years, and have no plans on quitting.

Facebook

2009-02-12T20:39:00.001-08:00

I just signed up this weekend on facebook.com. Look for me there. Thanks

Mountains

2009-02-03T22:14:00.000-08:00

It struck me the other day, as our family transitions to Antioch, California...that I've lived near mountains all my ministry. Such is the beauty and ruggedness of Northern California.

Ukiah - Cow Mountain
Hayfork - Hayfork-Balley
Lakeport - Mt. Knocti
Deer Park - Mt. St. Helena
Redding - Mt Lassen and Mt. Shasta
Antioch - Mt. Diablo

And we're all on our way to Mt. Zion.

Welcome to Antioch

2009-02-02T20:42:00.000-08:00

Wow...what a weekend!

It was both stressful and exciting. Who isn't stressed going to a new school or a new job for the first day. Well on this day, our family said "Hello" to our new church family, the Antioch Seventh-day Adventist Church.

We got to our hotel Friday evening, to find flowers and the bulletin and newsletter. (Thank you, Preston and Rose).

The next morning found us arriving early for Sabbath School and Church. The music was awesome, led by a praise band, United in Christ. What a ministry in the church! The worship service continued, with a litany of "Pastoral Installation" led by Elder Mark Woodson, the executive secretary for the Northern California Conference. He introduced our family...yes all 4 of us...Tim came down from PUC for the day (Thanks, Tim) and then there were welcome comments from key church leaders.

The sermon was about Trusting God in the Transitions, lessons from the attitude of Joseph to his brothers...one of forgiveness and grace, and recognizing that God was behind and in all the events of his life. God blessed in the message, and after church we all sat down to a fantastic planned meal. YUMMY!

Then Preston Fletcher, the head elder and I went out to make a hospital visit. One of our elders wives is in ICU...Please pray for Mary. Then he dropped me off at the hotel, where I got to spend a few minutes with Tim, before he left to return to PUC.

Later...about 4:30 we stopped by for another home visit. My long time friend and brother in ministry had had an operation, and we popped in for a visit and prayer.

Then it was on to Vespers at church, where United in Christ led in more singing, then I read my "Cats" poem and sang the song based on Daniel 2 that my Bible teacher, Bill Millard, wrote when I was in High School.

After vespers, there was a "get acquainted game" where I was asked by the members whay my favorite hobby was. I gave three different answers, (Poetry, Golf and ???) and someone finally won a prize for filling out all their blanks. I didn't have a chance...as I was too busy signing other people's forms...and not getting my own signed.

Then there was a 20 min board meeting that I attended, where we discussed a use agreement with a church group called "The Gathering." They want to share the use of our facility, and we hashed out a few details.

Then it was a supper put on by the home and school - Haystacks. Then there was gym night, and Rebekah and I played Basketball.

We crashed into bed at 10:30. What a day. Stressful? Yes. Fun? Yes. A Blessing? Yes.

Thank you, Antioch Family for the wonderful welcome day.

Your Friendly Announcer

2009-01-11T19:00:00.000-08:00

Over the past few basketball seasons at our school, I've started announcing the starting lineups...and now doing a little play by play during the game. I play a little music here and there...and try to make it an event.

I've had a microphone in my hand ever since I held a stick and a rope as a toy microphone when I was a child. I've always been "the announcer" in high school and college and beyond.

I guess it was fate and God's call that would put before a microphone each week in the pulpit...announcing for God.

Thanks Lumberjacks...for letting me support the team in this way.

"For your dining pleasure...go get some pizza in the entry way..."

Farewell

2009-01-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was quote a day...as we said good bye to the Redding Church Family.

We were in the foyer for 40 minutes after church, so when we got downstairs..there was no food left for us to eat. We visited for a while...then went home for hotdogs. I then made a brief hospital visit on a member of the Hayfork church, and went home to decrompress for a while.

Six o'clock came quickly, and there were 150 or so members in Smith Hall. It was packed and stuffy, but lots of fun. I hadn't hugged so many people since my wedding! I didn't eat much there either. Something about my stomach doing flip flops.

It's a hard thing to say good bye. I had told the congregation I wouldn't say good bye...just see you later.

There were lots of tears through out the day...and I haven't fully analyzed the source of them...other than they come from having loved and been loved.

I'm very lucky to be so fortunate to be part of a church family.

Thank you Redding for 9 wonderful years. Thank you to the other churches in the area that have also supported us in ministry to the school, church and community. We are better people for having sojourned with you.

Love

Pastor Kris Widmer

Thanksgiving List

2008-11-29T09:17:00.000-08:00

Here is our annual list of 100+ things we're thankful to God for.

Try doing your own.
List specific things that you are glad God has blessed you with.

Thanksgiving List
1. God
2. Salvation in Jesus
3. The Cross
4. The Hope of the Resurrection
5. A Home in Heaven
6. Grace
7. The G Chord
8. The Bible
9. Drip Watering Systems
10. USB Thumb Drives
11. Poetry
12. Paper
13. Creative Thought
14. Talking it out
15. Flashlights
16. Pets
17. Carpet Cleaning Services
18. Latex Paint
19. Water Based Primer
20. Paintable Caulk
21. Drop Cloths
22. Realtors
23. Generous People
24. Air Travel
25. David and Susan Woods
26. Maranatha Volunteers International and “Mission Stories”
27. Safe Travel
28. Smiles
29. Laughter
30. Leaf Rakes
31. Knife Sharpeners
32. Mixing Bowls
33. New Recipes
34. Calculators
35. Cell Phones
36. Sleeping Bags
37. Doctors
38. Secrets
39. Having a Job
40. America
41. Clocks
42. Photocopiers
43. Singing
44. Baseboard Molding
45. Hardware Stores
46. Homegrown Anything
47. Sharing
48. Sleeping In
49. Winning Raffle Tickets
50. Successful and Safe Mission Trips
51. Ron and Anu Kedras
52. Medicine
53. The Removal of Slivers
54. MP3 Audio Technology
55. Digital Cameras
56. Rubber Gloves
57. Telephones
58. Rentable Storage Space
59. Curbside Trash Collection
60. PVC Pipe
61. Anointing Oil
62. Prayer
63. Creative Thought
64. Thank You Notes
65. Police
66. Firefighters
67. Paramedics
68. The Desire to Give
69. Book Ends
70. Strike Anywhere Matches
71. Slippers
72. Pumpkin Butter
73. Interstate Highway System
74. Rain
75. Blogs
76. Bible Studies
77. Putts that go in
78. Drives that are straight
79. The Story of the Prodigal Son
80. Apple Boxes
81. Beach Combing
82. The incredible edible egg
83. Sunflower Seeds
84. The Turkey Trot
85. Accomplishing Goals
86. Gas Cans
87. People who stop to help
88. Gloves
89. New Possibilities
90. Glue
91. Air Powered Tools
92. Door Mats
93. Marriage
94. Another Year
95. House Painters
96. All Ten Fingers
97. Library Privileges
98. Google Maps
99. Adhesive Bandages
100. Snow
101. Sheet Protectors
102. The ability to change
103. Losing 20 pounds
104. Basketball
105. Baked Potatoes
106. Food Traditions
107. Indian Food
108. Club Soda
109. Twinkle Lights
110. Wooden Spoons
111. Hot Herb Tea
112. Cornstarch
113. Yogurt
114. Text Messaging
115. Blue Tooth
116. Human Diversity and Differences
117. Polenta
118. Weather Stipping

Indian Dinner for World Missions

2008-11-27T17:17:00.000-08:00

On Sat. Night, November 15, we hosted an East Indian Dinner at Church as a fund raiser for the mission fund at our church. (Rebekah will use some of the funds for a mission trip next summer.) We had bread, curry, dahl, rice pudding, lassi drinks, rice. It was pretty good food, considering the cooks were a bunch of third generation immigrant Germans.

We are so blessed to be part of a generous church. The meal was a social and financial success.

Thanks to all for coming and for your support of

OKW

Transition Talk

2008-11-27T17:07:00.000-08:00

We are in the middle of our transition to new responsibilities at the Antioch Church. There have been complications along the way..with Debbie's job particularly. She was fired and then rehired at FULL TIME. In all our years of marriage, she has only worked full time for 2 years, while we were at the Seminary...and I was a full time student.

Our house went on the market on Friday, and we shall see when it sells.

We are in a difficult spot and the length of our transition is being a bit problematic. It will stretch on for another 6 months at least. It's very complicated and I have lots of mixed emotions about everything. Am I glad to be leaving? No. Am I glad to be arriving? yes. Do I like packing? No. Am I sad that my current house has dropped 100,000 dollars in the past year. Yes. Am I glad that I can buy a house much cheaper in our new community? Yes. Am I looking forward to the change? Yes. Am I sad to be leaving the friends I've enjoyed for the past 9 years? Yes. Am I looking forward to new friends in our new community? Yes.

So you see...lots of mixed emotions and anticipations mixed with sadness.

I've finally come to the opinion that God will be with me whereever I am...so I'm glad that as we move to Antioch...God has already been there, will be there to bless our ministry in that church...and will work out the details along the way.

So...praise the Lord.
Jan 10 is now the final sermon day at Redding, and Jan 31 will be our welcome Sabbath at Antioch.

That's how it is in life....one day on the calendar...when it finally arrives brings many changes.

Change on!

Kris Widmer

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

In spite of the sorrow in my world the last couple of weeks, (The deaths at Pacific Union College and the deaths of my friends Bob Buller and Bruno Teichman), we still have much to thank the Lord for this holiday season. God is still God and the promises of the Word of God are still true.

I am currently typing this in Marysville at Thanksgiving with Debbie's Family. This morning started in Redding with Debbie and Rebekah doing the Turkey Trot run on the River Trail. There were many members of our school and church community in the race. In fact, the runners that placed 2nd and 3rd overall were recent alumni of Redding Adventist Academy.

After going home for a dip in the hot tub and shower and breakfast, we drove the 2 hr and 15 min drive to my sister-in-law's house for our feast. We are thankful to be able to be together, and to enjoy traditional recipes and a few new ones. The pecan buttermilk pie we made turned out pretty good actually.

I haven't had the time to work on my list of 100 things that I'm thankful for this year..but I'll work on that this weekend and post it here soon.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday and a good December. Visit the stable this Christmas, see the Christ come again to our world...and be in wonderment once again.

Fondly

Pastor Kris

Rebekah Widmer on Maranatha Mission Stories

2008-10-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

You can see the interview that my daughter, Rebekah Widmer had with Dick Duerksen at Maranatha.org or follow the link below.

Maranatha Video of Rebekah Widmer

Or you can order Episode 65...and have the whole thing!

It is exciting to see the final verse( "Go Ye...") used in the interview on the installed stained glass window in the new church at Antioch California. That will by our new home and new parish starting in 2009.

Enjoy

Pastor O. Kris Widmer

Angels Watchin' Over Me

2008-10-03T15:02:00.001-07:00

This week my sermon text is Jacob and the time he wrestled with a man/angel/divine being.

Jacob saw angels on at least three occasions.

Genesis 28:12
He saw the ladder to heaven with angels going up and down. What a comfort to him and to us too to know that any place on earth, God can lower a ladder, and the angels have access to help and comfort. We are never alone in this world. If you think God has abandoned you, open your eyes of faith to see a convenient door to glory and the angels that are coming and going in their duties for YOU.

Click on the Picture to see it BIGGER.

Genesis 32:1
He saw angels of God accompanying him on the journey back to confront Esau. Ellen G. White in Patriarch and Prophets says that these angels were in two groups and were his protection. When he was trembling in fear over what Esau might do to him, God allowed him to see the heavenly guard that God has sent along. Don't worry or fret - God's angels are on duty for YOU too.

Click on the Picture to see it BIGGER.

Genesis 32:24
He wrestled with the Man (Jesus?) all night. And the Bible says that by morning, It's a powerful thought to think that Almighty Christ contoled his supper natural strength, and allowed Jacob to have the upper hand. vs 25 "When He (the Man)saw that He did not prevail against him (Jacob, He (the Man) touched the socket of his hip..." Picture the pre-incarnate Christ in a head lock saying "Uncle." Wow! "Let me go!" he said. "I won't let you go...unless you bless me!" What a statement! The lesson for us is to hang in there with God...and demand the blessing he has for us too.

Thanks God for Angels.

The Ointment Appointment

2008-09-27T07:28:00.000-07:00

A dear friend of mine and also a mentor preacher, John McVay recently presented a message at Loma Linda University Church called "The Alabaster Disaster." It makes memorable the moment where a woman went shopping for an extravagant gift for Jesus.

I am working on a poem that tells this story in meter and rhyme, but it has been in process for about 3 years...and isn't done yet.

Since the poem is still percolateing, I give to you the wonderful introduction to "The Alabaster Disaster." It was used today as the opening for a communion message. Enjoy. Pastor Kris Widmer

* * *

She moves carefully, almost suspiciously, through the growing light of dawn chasing early morning shadows as they flee narrow streets. She has walked streets before...but not in this part of town. She had been a lady of the night...now she is a woman of the day. Formerly, she would have be in bed all night, but not wink of sleep. In her former life, she would be just ending her long night of work in these dawning hours...just about now... but she is no longer a hopeless whore. She has stepped out of the darkness...into the light.

Her steps seem, at once, determined and hesitant. We catch a glimpse of her face now and again through her long shawl and we see the face of an attractive, even a beautiful woman. Her face, though, is marked by more trauma than time, more yearning than years. The first rays of the morning sun strike the tops of the olive trees and cue the songbirds. They begin to sing and she becomes more serious in her search. She stops, reads a sign on one establishment. She moves down the street a bit and pauses at another.

Finally, she seems to find what she is looking for. She opens the door in a specific shop, she enters and she moves up to the counter. There on the counter is a large brightly polished brass bell with a thick leather handle. She reaches out for the handle and pauses and waits for a moment, thinking the shopkeeper might appear. He doesn’t, and so she does finally reach out and takes the big bell and rings it ever so gently.

And, out from the back of the shop bustles the shopkeeper, cheerful and rotund. In this part of the world, the first transaction of the day matters a great deal and he is hopeful that it will be as large as it is early. And so he bustles forth.
His ebullient joy gets a little sidetracked as he looks across the counter and sees a woman dressed in very plain peasant garb. But, he summons his courage and decides to make the best of it, steps up and says, “Ma’am, how are you this beautiful morning? It is delightful to have you in my shop, what can I do for you?”

“I’d like to buy some perfume.”

“Oh, well, Ma’am, if perfume is what you need, you have come to the right place.”

He reaches beneath the counter and he pulls out a small wooden box and places it on the counter for her and begins to describe its qualities.

“Ma’am, in this small wooden box there is the essence of crushed rose petals, harvested from the banks of the Jordan River. Mass produced for public consumption. It is a lovely scent. Please enjoy.”

She reaches forward, carefully takes the little box, removes the top, wafts the aroma toward her, enjoys it for a moment, sets it back down, puts the top back on the box and asks, “How much is it?”

“Oh, Ma’am, for you, today, because the sun is shining; because my mother-in-law has gone to Jericho, for you today, today, special price, five dollars.”

She holds his gaze and asks, “Do you have something a bit more expensive?”

Oh, he hadn’t expected this, looking at this woman, but he puts the small wooden box beneath the counter and this time he brings out a plain metal box. And he begins to describe it to the woman.

“Ma’am, this understated, but beautiful metal box contains an infusion of Springtime Daffodil and Iris imported all the way form Damascus, in Syria. It is a wondrous scent. Please enjoy.”

And she does so. She pulls the little box toward herself. She takes the top off, she wafts the aroma toward her and she luxuriates in it for a moment. She puts the top back on the box and moves it a little towards the shopkeeper and asks, “Sir, how much is it?”

“Ma’am, you understand that ours it the finest perfume shop in the land, and you understand that our merchandise is manufactured and imported at great expense. You did ask for something more expensive. Ma’am, for you, today, I will sell you this lovely box for 100 dollars.”

He reaches forward knowing what will happen next, knowing that he will take this metal box, put it back beneath the counter, and he will take out that small five dollar wooden box. It will look better to her now, and she will purchase that one. And so he reaches forward. He takes the box, that plain metal box and is putting it beneath the counter when she asks, “Sir, do you have something just a bit more expensive?”

Something begins to get worrisome at this point. He’s growing a little uneasy about this transaction, but he is being sucked into the vortex of this drama that is unfolding before his counter and so he reaches beneath his counter and pulls out a silver box, with a little clasp. Ever so carefully, he places it there and begins to describe it.

“Ma’am, you did ask for something more expensive and more expensive this is. This box comes to us from Arabia. It comes by camel caravan. Inside is an ancient formula, a mixture of balsam and cardamom. It is the gift, Ma’am, of a lord for his lady.”

She looks at the shopkeeper for permission. He nods. She reaches forward. She takes the beautifully tooled silver box with the little clasp. She opens the clasp and moves the top back, and wafts the wondrous ancient formula toward her, luxuriates in it for a moment, puts the top back, holds the shopkeepers gaze and asks, “Sir, how much is it?”

“Ma’am, for you today, 1000 dollars.”

She takes her fingers and stirs within the folds of her garment and the shopkeeper can hear coins clanking against one another. She removes her hand and holds his gaze and asks, “I have a bit more money than that, is it possible that you have something a bit more expensive?”

At this point, risk management issues come to mind, the keeper is concerned about security, and so he asks, “Ma’am are you sure you have money?”

“Yes, I have money.”

And so he bustles from behind the counter. He goes and opens the door, looks both ways down the street, and then he double locks the door, and he moves back around the counter. He notices that his palms are going clammy. “Ma’am, I have another treasure, it will take me a moment.”

So, he goes into the back of his shop and he brings out something in a wonderful piece of fine linen and sets it on the counter. He opens the linen, and there it is, a thing of true beauty, a beautiful gold vase. Pure symmetry and loveliness, gold. It has a wonderfully tooled stopper and this time he reaches forward and removes the stopper, wafts the aroma toward her and she enjoys it for a moment as he explains that it is imported from Rome, from the banks of the Tiber River. “It is the extract and the essence of saffron and cinnamon. It is the gift of a king for his queen.”

“How much is it?”

“For you today, Ma’am, Special Price as you open my shop for the day. 2,500 dollars.”

His blood pressure increases yet more dramatically when she asks, “Do you have something just a bit more expensive? I have to know, is this the best that your shop can offer?”

FIVE: “Well Ma’am, I do, but you must understand that this final treasure represents most of the wealth of our family. We have saved over years and years to possess this wondrous artifact. You are alone?”

“I am alone.”

“You do have money?”

“I have money.”

“It will take me a few moments,” and he disappears yet again.

When he reappears after some absence, he comes to the counter and he is carrying a beautiful piece of crushed velvet. He peels back the corners and there, standing like a starry galaxy against the black night sky, is a gorgeous alabaster jar of precious ointment.

With reverent tones he explains to the woman that this alabaster jar was imported from India. “In it is myrrh with a hint of marjoram It is the gift of an emperor for his empress. It is an extravagant gift. You cannot,” he says, “enjoy a sample of this scent. For you see, once it is used, the jar is broken. You cannot use part of this gift, you must use it all at once.”

“How much is this perfume?” she asks.

“Ma’am. There is nothing finer in the entire Mediterranean coastlands. I cannot let it let it leave my possession for anything less than 10,000 dollars.”

He is stunned, as she reaches into the folds of her garments. She collects the clinking coins hidden there. She proceeds to count them out on the counter and place them in stacks of ten. “I believe this should be enough. I’ll take it.”

The transaction is completed. He has made his first sale of the day. He has made the sale of his lifetime. She looks at him. He nods. She wraps up the treasure in the velvet and tucks it in the folds of her robe. She slips out into the streets of the city. No one, no one, would guess the treasure she holds.

She bides her time. She plans and schemes, her reconnaissance is accurate and true. She listens for reports on his itinerary and her moment finally comes - An appointment for her ointment.

Luke’s story is wonderful, and inspiring, a case study of one who gets it, one who understands the charms of Christ.

A story of Jesus....
It’s a different foot washing story.

It’s a story where his feet are not washed …at first…

But then…
It’s the story where Jesus’ feet are washed....

Toes and Tears and a Treasure.

Albion Weekend

2008-09-22T21:32:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a wonderful trip to Albion, CA.

We meaning Debbie, Rebekah, Stephanie H, and myself.

We were invited there to speak for the weekend to the Annual Retreat of the Lakeport Church. This was my second trip to speak in this wonderful location.

I was specifically asked to present some of the Bible Alive, First Person Narrative sermons that I do. I presented Joseph (of Nazareth), The Soothsayer (Daniel 2), and the man from the pool of Bethesda.

In between presentations, we had the most wonderful food and most wonderful fellowship.

Sabbath afternoon found us at the beach, enjoying the clearing skys and the nearly wind-free afternoon. The sun came out and provided nice wading weather for humans and pelicans. There was a harbor seal enjoying fishing near the beach. It was a memorable afternoon.

Andrew - Wading Expert

After sundown vespers, we had a wonderful campfire sing, with me strumming on a borrowed guitar. The evening closed with table games in the cafeteria, playing a home made version of SEQUENCE with ROOK cards!

Sunday morning, we paddled up river in kayaks and canoes. There we saw 4 seals in the channel, and Cormorants soaring over head.

The weekend was awesome, and even more so with the remodel of the facilities. Volunteers and Visionaries from PUC have worked to upgrade the cabins. Each one has it's own shower and toilet now in the room. The rooms have new flowing, dry wall and paint. They are sooooo comfortable now...and clean. Kudos to the hard work. And thank you.

Where is Antioch, You Ask?

2008-09-13T06:33:00.000-07:00

The Antioch Seventh-day Adventist Church will be our new parish starting in January, and our new home when ever our house in Redding sells, and we can locate there. Hopefully certainly by June of 2009.

It is in Contra Costa County and is a city nestled along the Southern edge of the Sacramento River Delta. (See, I'm not moving far...I'm just moving down river!) It is next door to the cities of Pittsburg, Oakley and Brentwood. And has nice views of Mt. Diablo.

Here's a map, showing it in relation to Oakland and Walnut Creek (The Conference Office Area) [Click on the map to make it bigger]

Timothy is excited that it is 15 min from the BART station in Pittsburg, and will make transport to San Francisco and SFO airport very easy and convenient.

Like Abraham of old...we are a pilgrim people

Reassignment

2008-09-12T22:20:00.000-07:00

This last week at our board meeting, it was announced that I have accepted reassignment with the Northern California Conference. There is a need to reduce 6 pastoral budgets in the current budget year, and there is also a need for change.

The conference executive committee has voted to suspend the normal process of church interviews, and as a result, churches and pastors are not being given as much freedom of choice in their selections as has been the case in the recent 20 years or so.

Don't worry, we are not alone. There are about 30-40 of my pastoral compatriots also planning a relocation move.

Don’t worry, we are not upset. We see the hand of God in all this and are content with knowing God has our best interests at heart. We were praying about a move in location after our daughter graduates from High School in June 2009 anyway, so for God to move us 4 months early, I think that’s a pretty providential answer to our prayers. We’d been praying that God would move us at a time when it would have the most positive and least negative impact on our children, and God has certainly heard those prayers too.

Are there many people in Redding we will miss? Absolutely. One can’t be in a community for 9 years and not forge lasting, deep and meaningful friendships. We will miss you.

Now for the details. We are moving to Antioch, California and Pastor Ron and Marylin Cook are leaving from Antioch to Redding. It is a direct pastoral switch. Ron loves Pastoral Ministry and Adventist Christian Education and will be a good fit for the Redding Church. Our family wishes him all the best as he locates here. We will benefit from all his leadership at Antioch, not the least of which is a new school and a nearly completed church sanctuary campus. The transition will take place in January 2009.

That’s all for now. Please keep us in your prayers as we, like Abraham of old, depart for a location we know very little about. Remember we are all pilgrims, and heaven is our ultimate home. Please pray for our house to sell in a timely manner and at a fair price, and that God will iron out all the nagging details of not only our move, but the moves of my brother pastors in this part of God’s earth.

Love Forever,

Pastor O. Kris Widmer

Prayer Need

2008-08-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

I ask you to keep the family of Mark and Kay Juarez in your prayers. Just a couple of weeks ago, Marks niece committed suicide. Just as the family was dealing with this sadness, another tragidy has occured.

Just yesterday, Aug 6, a shooting took place at the home of Kay's son's girlfriend Shasta. The ex-boyfriend of her mother came to the home shot Philip and Shasta, then threw a flamable liquid on the mom (Patty) and set her on fire. He also shot and killed Patty's best friend, who happened to be up for a visit from the Bay Area. He then turned the gun on himself, inflicting a fatal wound.

Philip and Shasta are in the hospital, recovering from the wounds made by the .357 gun, and Patty is at the UC Davis Burn Unit in Sacramento.

Please keep this family in your prayers.

Pastor Kris

For what it's worth I'll insert the text that was in today's paper.

2 slain at apartment
Three other victims listed in critical condition
Two people are dead and three others were in critical condition Wednesday after a shooting inside a Hartnell Avenue apartment.
Redding police Capt. Peter Hansen said officers responded to the Creekside Village apartments about 7 a.m. after receiving several 911 calls from victims inside and from their neighbors.
When officers arrived, they heard screams and shots fired, Hansen said.
"I heard five of them (gunshots), then a sixth later on," said Harry Steen, a 64-year-old resident who lives two doors down from the apartment.
Patricia Haggard, whose face and upper body were blackened by burns, came out of the apartment shortly thereafter.
Hansen said Haggard was burned when she was doused by some sort of flammable liquid and set on fire.
Haggard was taken to the University of California at Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Hansen said. She was listed Wednesday in critical condition.
Neighbors said the trauma the 56-year-old woman underwent extended well beyond her burns.
"She looked like a zombie," said Nancy Bennett, who lives four apartments away.
Officers rushed in before the SWAT team could arrive, and found a dead man and a dead woman inside.
Another man and woman, later identified as Phillip Lampella, 28, and Shasta Maw, 27, both of Redding, were inside with gunshot wounds, Hansen said.
Maw is Haggard's daughter. Lampella is Maw’s boyfriend, Hansen said.
Both were in critical condition Wednesday afternoon at Mercy Medical Center in Redding.
Maw suffered a gunshot wound to her lower torso. Lampella had a gunshot wound to his shoulder.
The identities of the two fatally shot victims were not immediately released. Hansen said the identities likely would be available today.
The weapon used in the shooting, a .357 magnum revolver, was found inside the apartment, Hansen said.
“We’re about 99 percent certain the suspect is one of the deceased,” Hansen said. “It appears he confronted several subjects in the apartment and then shot himself.”
Hansen said a chain of events in the shooting likely would be released today. Since the surviving victims were in intensive care, it’s been difficult at best to gather any information from them about what happened Wednesday morning, leaving the burden solely on police crime scene investigators.
It appears that some sort of domestic dispute led to the shooting, Hansen said.
Haggard in June filed for a temporary restraining order against a man named Kenneth Gary Alfred, alleging domestic violence, electronic Shasta County Superior Court records show.
A non-jury trial had been scheduled for Tuesday, records show.
A message left at Alfred’s Palo Cedro area home wasn’t returned Wednesday evening.
Bennett and others at the complex said Haggard was the primary tenant, but her daughter and her boyfriend had been staying at the apartment with her in recent days.
As Haggard receives treatment for her burns, her two dogs, one of them a dachshund named Pippen, are in the care of neighbors.
“That’s her life — her puppies,” Bennett said.
Clearly terrified, with its tail between its legs, the dachshund scampered out of the apartment through a door left open by crime scene investigators.
Bennett and other neighbors were allowed behind the police tape to coax the dog out from under a Redding police crime scene van.
The dog, shaking in the arms of neighbor Christie Katt, was carried to her apartment to be reunited with the other dog.
About a half-dozen police cars were parked in front of the apartment complex. Yellow crime scene tape blocking the entrance was pulled down about 9:30 a.m.
The commotion drew area residents like John Stein, 47, out for a look. He and a group of neighbors watched from across Hartnell Avenue.
The irony, he said, was the night before, neighbors met for National Night Out, an event designed to promote community involvement to lower crime rates in neighborhoods.
“It’s pretty crazy,” he said.

Pray for David A

2008-08-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

David came by the church this afternoon. He was walking, and had quite a story to tell. I simply listened. He said his wife and her sister had been killed by a drunk driver in January, and he was having a hard time of it.

He made a good choice in refusing to be sexually seduceed by one of his wifes friends living in Red Bluff, but now he was stuck here. I told him he'd done the right thing, and our church would be willing to help him get back to Michigan, where his daughters were and where he has a small business. Bus fare is $230, but that's why we have community services money...to help people in need.

He said he didn't want charity...and that listening was enough. I gave him a little of the food that was in the frig down stairs, and a couple large glasses of ice water.

We had prayer and then I gave him $20 and took him to the bus station. He said he'd be O.K.

I don't know if he was scamming me, and that really doesn't matter if he was.

Pray for his journey...and for him to make it home...where ever that may be.

Welcome Kiana Ruth Waltman

2008-08-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

She's Here.

Keith and Jenni Waltman (And big brother Joshua) have been expecting an addition to their family for the past 9 months. She arrived on August 1, 2008 at 1:37 in the morning. 8 pds, 6 oz, 21 inches. Mom and baby are due to go home on Sabbath afternoon.

Welcome Little One!
You are already loved by a large community of friends and family!

Local Fires

2008-07-14T13:01:00.000-07:00

For the last 3 weeks, the residents of Northern California have been breathing unhealthy air from the many brush fires that are burning in our drought stricken land. The day the "Motion" fire near Shasta Dam flared up, I went out with my camera to catch a few pictures.

Many afternoons the sun has hung in the sky as a large red dot, and the half moon has also appeared red. The temperatures last week were also unbearably hot. 115 F.

The firefighters of our state and nation that have answered the call have been in our thoughts and prayers as they work in these difficult conditions. Also many of our church friends that have had to evacuate their homes that are in the path of flames.

It reminds one when the world will burn up at the end of the thousand years.

VBS...Romania Style

2008-07-10T10:12:00.000-07:00

The mission trip to Romania is in full swing. There are medical supplies being delivered, homes being improved and VBS meetings being conducted. In short...people being loved in Jesus name.

Who knows what will the be the eternal results of just 2 weeks of service. We know nothing we do will return to us void...so it will be exciting to learn in heaven what was accomplished!

May God bless the remainder of this exciting trip. We can't wait to hear the details.

Pray for Jerry

2008-07-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

I got a call last night from Jeanie Sindorf. She said her son, Jerry, accidentally severed most of the 4 fingers on his right hand on a job site on Wed, July 9. His work associate got him to the hospital in Weaverville, then by ambulance on to Redding, and then a flight to Stanford in the Bay Area.

Reattachment of his fingers was attempted by a hand specialist. He should have been surgery most of the night.

Pray that they were able to save his fingers and the usefulness of them. Pass the word along also

Romania Report

2008-07-10T08:12:00.000-07:00

Several of our church members are in Romania this week, sharing Jesus love by endeavoring to fix up some homes of the very poorest in the village. There is much prejudice against Seventh-day Adventists there, but practical love, expressed in building or improving a home can go along way.

And by the looks of the smiles on the children...it's working.

They all return on July 17. Please pray for their mission to be effective, and a safe return for all.

Stephanie and the children.

Pastor Kris

Pastoral Changes

2008-06-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

There are many changes taking place in the Northern California Conference this summer. There are about 10 teacher and 8 pastoral positions being eliminated through retirement, attrition, redistricting and reassignments.

One change announced at the June board meeting was the transfer of the Shasta Lake Bible Fellowship from the administration of Pastor Kris Widmer, to the administration of Pastor Jim Crabtree.

Pastor Jim and Judy Crabtree have been in the North State for over 10 years, and come with a wealth of friendly ministry for Jesus. They will be a wonderful asset to the ministry of the church. They are no strangers to the Redding community, as Judy works in town during the week.

Pastor Crabtree will now be responsible for a two church district, combining his attention with the Mt. Shasta church and the Shasta Lake Bible Fellowship.

Pastor Widmer's last official sabbath at the Shasta Lake Bible Fellowship will be July 12.

In the News: Prayer about Lower Gas

2008-06-30T14:26:00.000-07:00

In line with the council to pray without ceasing and to pray about all things...we pass along this item.

Prayer at the pumps

By Aaron Brilbeck
Posted: Friday, June 20, 2008 at 5:08 p.m.

TOLEDO -- Turning to a higher power - to lower gas prices.

Members of the Toledo First Seventh-Day Adventist Church are holding a prayer at the pump vigil, asking God to solve the high gas price problem.

"Bush can't solve it. McCain and Obama can't solve it. We're going to have to turn to God," said Rocky Twyman, the vigil's organizer. "...Because we believe prayer is the answer to any problem in life. I believe this is the way God is telling us to stop depending on ourselves and trust in him," Twyman added.

"We as Christians are at least trying to do something. We're trying to be faithful to what God's calling us to do. We're not just dismissing it saying, well, that's irrelevant," said Mike Fortune.

People gassing up around the worshippers say it couldn't hurt. "I'm praying right along with them. Because I miss my dollar gas," said Angela Rollison.

The church members are not making any predictions, though, about how much they expect gas to go down. But they do have faith that their prayers will be answered.

The church is also planning a 12-hour prayer vigil, starting Friday at 7 p.m. at the Toledo First Seventh-Day Adventist Church on West Sylvania Ave.

Life Sketch for Nadine Seltzer

2008-06-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

Remembering Nadine Seltzer
She was Tanya Enriquez' mother.

Nadine Joy Seltzer

May 8, 1929 - May 20, 2008

Nadine Seltzer was born on May 8, 1929 in Hinsdale, Illinois. She passed to her rest on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 in Redding, California. She was 79 years and 12 days old.

She is survived by her only child; daughter, Tanya Enriquez and her son-in-law Chris of Redding, California and by their three boys, her grandsons. Ryan, Alex and Jacob Enriquez.

Nadine is survived by three brothers: Sheldon Seltzer and his wife Annie May of Buchanan, Michigan; Bruce Seltzer and his wife Shayne of Roseville, California and Randy Seltzer and his wife Sarah of La Canada, California. Her sister, Nancy Bylard passed away a year ago, in February of 2007.

She also is survived by two aged uncles, the brothers of her father. Forrest Seltzer who lives in Southern California and Charles (Chick) Seltzer and his wife Mabel of Paradise, California. Nadine also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins in her large extended family.

Nadine was eldest of six children born to her parents, Harold and Paula Seltzer. She was a paternal twin, but her baby brother died just one day after birth. They were both very, very small; having been born premature. Paula, Nadine’s mother, looked forward to the day when God’s angel would place that little boy back in her arms.

Nadine had a difficult childhood. For a while they found a place to live above someone’s garage in La Grange, Illinois. They got to live there for “free”, but her father did work in exchange for the rent. The family relocated to Southern California, in 1936, during the height of the Great Depression.

When she was just a small girl, her family joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Somehow they scraped up the money to put their children in church school. Nadine was in an eleven member class at Glendale Adventist Academy, with her brother Sheldon, and with H.M.S. Richards Jr. He was her class president! Nadine liked to follow the ministry of her friend through the years, in his work as Director and Speaker of the Voice of Prophecy.

She graduated High School in 1948, and then went on to Glendale College, where she earned a degree in Art.

Nadine had a variety of employments through the years – She worked at a soda fountain, and at a hospital as a nurses aid, she was a cartoonist partner with the artist that drew Sweetie Pie, a popular daily panel that appeared in national papers in the 1950’s and 60’s. Occasionally Nadine would ink the artwork, but mostly she wrote the quippy caption. Once when Nadine and her mother were out to eat, Paula insisted on pointing out the panel in that days paper to the waitress. “The woman who does this is my daughter….See!” Nadine never wanted attention for her labors, but her proud mom insisted she get some credit.

As the eldest in the family, when Nadine started work; she helped to provide needed money to the family household. Her father was a house painter, and in the Depression it was either feast or famine…mostly famine. She would use her income to pay bills and buy food and other needed items. So in 1965, when Nadine was 36 and pregnant with her only child, it was natural for her to find a home base with her parents once again.

Nadine became a mom to Tanya. Oh, how she loved her daughter. And So Did Grandma and Grandpa. They were a household. Tanya says that her Grandpa spoiled her (Don’t all Grandpa’s!) and her Grandma took daily care of her from the age of 6 months, because Nadine needed to work.

Nadine worked for the City of Los Angeles for about 10 years, as a typist in the court house during those years, and she lived in La Crescenta. Tanya says she enjoyed a great childhood; with not only her mother’s love, but the loving care of both sets of grandparents in her life. There was lots of family togetherness. Their house was the place everyone came for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Grandma Seltzer was the cook and Nadine put the special touches on the home, making sure it was decorated. Nadine didn’t go to church much, but when Tanya and Harold and Paula came home from the Sabbath service, Nadine made sure that the lunch table was beautiful and delicious.

In 1976, Nadine and Tanya moved to Paradise. No other family, as yet, lived in the area and Grandma and Grandpa wanted to live in the “country.” Tanya was in elementary school, and Nadine made sure her daughter received a Christian education, through 12^th grade.

When Tanya was in 9^th grade, Nadine was in a very serious accident. She just didn’t show up when she was supposed to. She had wrapped her little V.W. around a tree and was sure the car was about to blow up, like in the movies. With a compound fracture of her left arm and a broken pelvis and left ankle, she somehow managed to crawl out of the wreckage, and was laying off the road, in the dark, not visible to any passing car. But God knew she was there. He arranged for a man to be looking for his dog in the driving rain. Tanya says “I don’t know who he was. He could have been an angel, for all I know. I don’t know if he found his dog…but he found my mom.” Nadine had a long, slow recovery, but recover she did! She was blessed with 30 more years of life! Today we praise God for this miracle.

When the Paradise Adventist Church had a series of meetings, Nadine attended them and came in contact with God’s forgiving grace. She started attending church regularly at the Upper Ridge Seventh-day Adventist Church. She sought to be faithful to God in her stewardship, so she started returning tithe, and even kept a record in a notepad of the little bit extra tithe she would put in, to catch up for all the years she wasn’t able to give to the Lord.

Nadine was quiet and shy, but she was active in the church. Prior to her illness, she would come home from church and make notes, or read some of the passages from the Bible or Ellen White that had been mentioned during the pastor’s sermon. She had a deepening and growing faith.

When her parents were in their decline of life, Nadine took care of her parents. What a blessing she was to her parents and to her siblings. They all knew that Mom and Dad were getting the best of care, at home, from Nadine. It was her father’s wish that he never go to a nursing home, and Nadine’s loving care made sure he never did. After Harold passed, Nadine worked for others as a caregiver in the Paradise community.

Nadine loved to be a grandma. When Tanya was living in Santa Rosa, Nadine would drive the 4 hours down for a visit. Nadine was in the hospital for the births of all three of her grandsons and cherished them immensely.

About 10 years ago, Nadine herself was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She managed it pretty well at first, and was able to live independently for a long time. She would run errands for the neighbors and functioned very well in the community. When Tanya moved to Redding, it became evident that Nadine needed greater care, and couldn’t live on her own. The natural thing to do at the time was for Nadine to move in with Tanya and her family. But that only lasted for a while, as Nadine needed around the clock care. She moved to a wonderful care home, where vegetarian meals were provided for her and birthdays were celebrated. She had her own room, and could sleep late. It was a perfect situation for everyone!

On top of Parkinson’s and its accompanying dementia, A couple of years ago Nadine was diagnosed with cancer of the jaw on a routine dental visit. She had a difficult operation and recovered from this as well. It definitely was the right treatment, and the doctor was amazed at her good recovery.

On May 8, Nadine celebrated her 79^th birthday with Tanya at the convalescent center. In the next two weeks, Nadine gradually slipped away. The day of her death, she was anointed with oil by her pastor for God’s peace and grace to fill her soul. As Nadine had been beside her daughter in life, so now, Tanya was beside her mother at death. Her calling and election with God is sure, and we place her in God’s mighty arms.

Nadine has entered the temporary sleep of death. Soon, Jesus will come and call her forth to everlasting life in heaven and on the earth made new. It is the reality of the truth of the resurrection of the dead that gives hope and comfort to us today.

Our lives have been enriched because we have loved and have been loved by her. She has been a Daughter, Sister, Mother, Grandma, Aunt, and Friend! She enriched the lives of so many people and she will be truly missed. We place our hope in the resurrection and the reunion that awaits us all in heaven. May God bless us with His comfort and His peace this hour.

Lovingly prepared by Tanya Enriquez, along with Pastor O. Kris Widmer

New Blog

2008-06-03T10:27:00.001-07:00

Visit a new blog about our Mozambique Adventure
http:\\mucapanemoments.blogspot.com

O. Kris Widmer

Board Meeting Note

2008-06-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

It was announced at simultanious board meetings at Redding, Shasta Lake and Mt. Shasta that the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has redistricted the pastoral assignments of the pastors of these churches.

Mt. Shasta Church (69 Members) and Shasta Lake Company (31 members)will share the pastoral services of one pastor and the Redding Church (420 members) will resume being a one church district.

This transition will happen sometime this summer.

It has been my joy to serve the Shasta Lake Bible Fellowship company, and to witness first hand the birth of a new church fellowship. I will be praying for the continued success of the ministry of this group of dedicated members who seek to reach out in Jesus name.

Need Prayers

2008-05-31T06:55:00.000-07:00

I need prayers for the delivery of our passports for our missiontrip.
The Mozambique Embassy has had them for 30 days. They promised a 10 day turn around...then delayed that.

3 more mail delivery days...and we will miss our flight to Africa.

Sadness and panic are setting in. We are trying to be joyful in God...and trusting Him in all things.

Pray for us.

Sandra Sindorf Life Sketch

2007-12-11T09:07:00.001-08:00

This is a first for me, posting a life sketch of a church member on my blog. If you access it, leave me a comment and let me know.

Sandra Jane (Lott, Rogers) Sindorf

June 3, 1936 – December 5, 2007

Sandra Jane (Lott, Rogers) Sindorf was born on June 3, 1936 in Susanville, California. She passed to her rest on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 in Redding, California. She was 71 years, 6 months and 2 days old.
She is survived by her husband, Ron Sindorf of Redding, California and by the 7 children of their blended family: Her daughters; Shelly Rogers of Redding, California; Kendra Lee and her husband Grover of Medford, Oregon; and by one son, Barry Rogers and his wife Kelly, whereabouts unknown.
Sandra also is survived by Ron’s four children: Katherine Canto and her husband Matthew of Redding, California, Karen Scott of Shasta Lake City, California; Kurt Sindorf of Avenal, California and by Carol Sindorf of Suisuin City, California.
Sandra got to be a Grandma to 8 wonderful grandchildren: Madison and Nathan Lee; Heather Canto, Cory Canto and Heidi Sindorf; Nick and Jenny Scott ; and Cody Sindorf. She leaves 3 great-grandchildren: Jamie Canto, Dillon and Taryn Sindorf.
She also leaves behind a brother-in-law in Fred Sindorf (Ron’s Brother) and his wife Mary of Klamath Falls, Oregon and 3 current or former sister-in-law’s: Shirley Ann Boyd (Ron’s Sister) of Redding, California; Valerie Perkins (her brother Jack’s former wife) of Roseburg, Oregon and Alice Rogers (her first husband’s sister) of Portland, Oregon. Sandra also is survived by many nieces and nephews on both sides of her family.
+++++
Sandra was born on June 3, 1936. She was the youngest of two children born to her parents, V.D. Lott and Anna Lou Alexander. She had an older big brother, Jack Lott. He preceded her in death some years ago, passing away at the age of 56 from Leukemia.
She spent her childhood in various places in the state of California, including a brief stint as a small girl in Redding. Ron says he met Sandra at that time. He was best friends with Jack Lott, Sandra’s brother. They were very mature 1st or 2nd graders at the time Of course Ron would not have noticed Sandra then – she was a cootie-filled, kid-sister - and probably only about 3 years old at the time.
Sandra later went to Modesto Union Academy and took some college courses at San Jose State. About the age of 22, Sandra married Raymond Rogers. And who should be the best man at the wedding but…Ron Sindorf, the groom’s close friend. Ron and his first wife and Sandra and her first husband would visit in each other’s homes on occasion during the 9 years Sandra and Raymond were married. They had three children together. Life was good.
But then tragedy struck Sandra’s home. Raymond was operating heavy equipment and grading a steep slope, when the machine did the unthinkable. It rolled over, killing Raymond. Sandra instantly became a single mom of three children, and a widow at the age of 31.
4 years went by, and Sandra worked hard to keep her children’s tuition paid at the local church school. She didn’t know it, but soon Ron was single again. They got to talking, one thing let to another, and 6 months later they tied the knot. July 22, 1972 was their special day! They created a love for each other that has endured the ups and downs of the next thirty-five and a half years.
Shortly after they got married and set up housekeeping in Redding, Ron was working hauling heavy equipment in California and Oregon. They bought a small pick-up, outfitted it with the lights and flags necessary to be a pilot-car, and Sandra was hired on as the driver. They would make the delivery, then Ron would load the little truck on the low-bed trailer, and Sandy could enjoy a long nap all the way home! They worked together this way, sometimes putting in 16 hour days, for 3 years, and then Sandy still worked as a pilot car driver for O’Hare Construction for another 4 years, until 1979.
Later, Sandra worked in the front office of two local dentists: Dr. Heinrich and Dr. McDonald; then she worked for 4 years as a teacher’s aid at Juniper School.
Sandra loved the craft and art of quilting. She made many full size quilts and “dog blankets” (small quilts) that she would give to family or use around the home. One of those quilts kept her warm upon her death bed.
Sandra was also a wonderful cook. She also loved to find new recipes and try them out. She had a special fondness for anything with chocolate!
Sandra loved and supported her church. Her mother was active in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and Sandra joined as a young girl. For years, she was active in Sabbath School, both with the children and the adult divisions. She was head deaconess, and in charge of the hospitality dinners for visiting guests and for receptions after funerals. She helped with the logistics of pictorial directories, phone calling; the list goes on and on. If something needed to be done, Sandra would help to do it.
Attending Redwood Camp Meeting with friends was a fixture event for many years. She enjoyed the many meetings, and the evenings in the camp with a set of dominoes, playing Mexican Train. Sandra was a skilled player. At home through out the year, there were many Saturday nights with friends playing table games and enjoying the smiles and laughter of this social time.
In retirement, Ron and Sandra hit the road again. They traveled extensively, with two trips to Alaska, two trips across the width of Canada, The Eastern States, Arizona, Oregon, etc.. Ron remembers a trip where the odometer said they traveled 12,500 miles in 3 months.
The last 4 years have been the hard years: the shock of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis; the grief that this brought; the loss of physical ability and mental acuity. It’s been hard. It’s been hard on her, it’s been hard on Ron and the rest of the family. But that’s the way life can be - Hard. You take the good and the bad. It has been a testimony of marriage commitment and human love to see Ron, day after day, love and care for his wife Sandra. 35 and a half years ago they said “Till death do us part.” And now that day has come.
Today we recognize the fact that her “departure” leaves an empty place, a void, in life and heart. But we also give God praise that death has brought an end of Sandra’s disabilities and suffering. For Sandra, death has come as a good thing. It’s time for her to rest. She had 26,117 days of life. The last 1,460 of them (4 years) were not pleasant. The next day she’ll enjoy…will be awesome. The next thing she will know, with be seeing Jesus as she rises from her grave…to everlasting vigor and vitality.
Sandra has entered the temporary sleep of death. Soon, Jesus will come and call her forth to everlasting life in heaven and on the earth made new. It is the reality of the truth of the resurrection of the dead that gives hope and comfort to us today.
Our lives have been enriched because we have loved and have been loved by her. She has been a Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandma, Aunt, and Friend! She enriched the lives of so many people and she will be truly missed. We place our hope in the resurrection and the reunion that awaits us all in heaven. May God bless us with His comfort and His peace this hour.

Lovingly prepared by Ron Sindorf, along with Pastor O. Kris Widmer

Sandra Sindorf

2007-12-06T10:42:00.000-08:00

Sandra Jane (Lott, Rogers) Sindorf passed away on December 5, 2007 in Redding, California. She was born on June 3, 1936 in Susanville, CA.
Arrangements are with Allan and Dahl, Palo Cedro.

Graveside Service and Burial has been set for Friday, December 7, 2007 2:00 p.m. at the Millville Cemetery.

Memorial Service as been set for Saturday, December 15 at 3:00 p.m. at the Redding Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2828 Eureka Way in Redding, California.

Her life sketch will be posted here when it is written in it's final form. Her relatives and friends can then access it via searches on Google, etc. This will be instead of being published in the local paper, which now charges $150-300 for printed obituaries.

Polar Owl

2007-11-25T17:20:00.000-08:00

Isn't God good to make beautiful creatures for us to enjoy.
I love all the things that live in the cold climates of this earth. That includes the beautiful Polar Owl..

Thanksgiving Weekend

2007-11-25T17:15:00.001-08:00

I hope you had a nice thanksgiving weekend. It was nice to have Tim home this week and a change of pace from the normal school routine.

Sabbath was a blessing. I was up at Shasta Lake for the whole day. It was a special treat to enjoy Sabbath School and Church there. Don Talkington and I played our guitars and it was fun. After church we had a nice potluck, and then Debbie and I headed up to Weaverville.

We needed to be there for the 4:30 p.m. memorial service for Cheri Robertson. She was a dear friend to our family and former parishioner of our Lewiston church. There were over 100 people at the memorial service, and I was asked to read my poem "All Things New" again. There was lots of food at the after meal.

I hope you have a good week, as we look forward to Christmas.

Obituary for Cheri Robertson

2007-11-19T15:58:00.001-08:00

One of our dear friends from our pastorate in Hayfork/Lewiston days has passed away in Redding.

Cheryl Lynn Danforth Robertson was born on August 29, 1944 in Spokane, Washington. She passed to her rest on November 18, 2007 in Redding, California after a brief illness.
She lived for the last 7 years in Weaverville, and prior to that for 33 years in Trinity Center. She took a year of college, but had a long and fulfilling career as a home maker, wife, mother and grandmother. She also was “mom” to many kids that adopted her as their own.
She loved to garden, paint, scrap-book, sew, embroider…and most of all cook.
She was married to Jim Robertson in the Chapel of the Roses in Pasadena, CA September 12, 1965. They have shared the past 42 years together, enjoying all that life has to offer.
Cheri is survived by her husband, Jim Robertson of Weaverville, CA; daughters Leanne Robertson of Clinton, OK and Amy Robertson of Weaverville, CA and by her only grandchild Samaiya Robertson (8 mos) of Weaverville, CA. She is also survived by her parents, Chet and Leona Danforth of Eagle Point, OR and by two brothers; Mike Danforth and his wife Kathy of Hoodsport, WA and John Danforth and his wife Araceli of Buena Park, CA.
She was a lifelong member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Services are under the arrangement of Allen and Dahl, Redding and will be conducted on Saturday, November 24 at the Weaverville-Trinity Lakes Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1771-A Main St. Dress informally and colorfully!

Elmer A. Widmer Obituary

2007-11-19T11:28:00.000-08:00

This appeared in a publication of Loma Linda University
Thought I'd repost it here.

O. Kris Widmer
Elmer's Son

Former public health department chair dies after short illness

Former chair of the department of environmental and tropical health, and associate dean for the School of Public Health Elmer A. Widmer, PhD, died earlier this year.

Dr. Widmer was born near Dodge, North Dakota, on April 17, 1925, and died on February 20, 2007, in Lakeport, California.

Dr. Widmer earned his doctorate in zoology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, in 1965, and a master of public health in parasitology and laboratory practice from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1974.

He was the fifth child born to his parents, who were German-Russian immigrants to the United States. His father’s family arrived in New York in 1901.

Dr. Widmer graduated from Union College, Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1951, and took a job teaching public school in nearby DeWitt.

He married his wife of 54 years, Eunice Mae Olson, in December 25, 1952.

Dr. Widmer is survived by his wife, Eunice; his children, daughter Andrea Barker of Turlock, California, and son, Kris Widmer, of Redding, California; five grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many colleagues and friends.

Gratitude List 2007

2007-11-19T10:21:00.001-08:00

A tradition in our home is to list 100 things we are thankful for. Here is my own list so far. I'll do another list with my wife in the next day or so.

100 Blessings: 2007

1. The hope of the resurrection of the dead.
2. The life of my father.
3. The 80+ letters my father wrote me over the last 8 years.
4. Reconnecting with long lost family.
5. Church volunteers who serve meals after a funeral.
6. Smiles
7. The Bible in my own language.
8. The Bible in my modern language.
9. The Reality of God
10. Cell Phones
11. USB Memory Chips
12. Power Point
13. Colored Markers
14. Music that touches my heart.
15. Online Shopping for anything: This time, funeral flowers.
16. Interstate Highway System
17. United States of America
18. The United States Flag
19. Firefighters
20. Digital Photography
21. Prayer
22. God’s Grace and Forgiveness
23. Starting Over
24. The Telephone
25. Email
26. Remote Controls
27. Computer Concordances
28. Backhoe Operators
29. Cement Contractors
30. People who can fix lawnmowers.
31. Sod Farms
32. PVC Pipe
33. The satisfaction of a job well done.
34. The body’s ability to heal.
35. Lawn fertilizer.
36. Smiles
37. Thank You Notes
38. Flowers
39. Tooth Paste
40. Dental Floss
41. People smarter than I am.
42. Exercise Equipment
43. Poetry
44. Electric Lights
45. Scissors
46. Glue
47. Sheet Protectors
48. Refrigerator Magnets
49. The Three Hole Punch
50. People who live and participate in church with a grace orientation.
51. Old Family Recipes
52. New Recipes
53. Mail Service
54. Pencil Sharpeners
55. Tissues
56. Flashlights
57. Bible Prophecy
58. The safe return of my daughter from Ecuador.
59. Moments of Inspiration
60. The Wedding Vow
61. Laughter
62. Family History Stories
63. Green Bean Casserole
64. Free, Wireless Internet
65. Church Family
66. Pain Pills
67. A Warm Bath
68. Sunshine
69. Rain
70. Old Records
71. Leaf Rakes
72. Square Point Shovels
73. Picking out something you need, and finding it is on sale at the checkout.
74. Chewing Gum
75. Doodles
76. Soap
77. The Sabbath
78. Word Processing
79. Philanthropists
80. The ability to be generous.
81. Seltzer Water
82. Calendars
83. Morticians
84. John 3:16, 17
85. Indoor Plumbing
86. Anesthesia
87. Home Cooking
88. Home Town Buffet
89. Being Alive
90. Central Heating
91. Pictures of Bible Stories
92. Salted Sunflower Seeds
93. Cool Shade
94. Cold Water
95. Warm Blankets
96. Hot Chocolate
97. Pathfinders
98. Having most of my “marbles.”
99. Printed Bible Studies
100. Love

In Memoriam

2007-11-19T10:10:00.000-08:00

It's been kind of a brutal year emotionally, and I've lost many people dear to me.

I will type a list of the people that I have known that have died this year.
Ryan Simpson
Garrette Jones
Elsie Coleman
Elmer Widmer - my father
Ben Straub
Randy Penland
Dyann Buonocore
Mark Blue
Mariposa West
Shirley Latal
Beverly Saylor - mother of a dear friend
Neville Gordon
Tabitha Petrescu
Sheila Delaney - mother of a dear friend
Wave Griffiths
Jeannie Naylor
Tom Adams
Earl McLaughlin
Harry Young - My Uncle
Fred Waltman's Brother
Tiffany Taylor's Uncle
Lynn Mallery
Harley Clendenon
Cheri Robertson

No wonder I weep at times!

All Things New

2007-11-18T09:04:00.001-08:00

Here is a poem I wrote some time ago. I read it for a memorial service for Mr. Harley Clendenon on Sabbath, November 17 at the Palo Cedro Seventh-day Adventist Church. Several persons asked for a copy after the service, so I thought I'd post the text on my blog. I hope it will bless you. Feel free to share it with others.

All Things New
Elder O. Kris Widmer

First Printing 5/22/2005, Updated and Printed 11/17/2007

Reflecting on the present suffering of Mrs. Doris Tonn.
Two operations for ocular tumors have taken her eyeballs, and therefore her vision.
In love and care for Mrs. Tonn, and the many others who are waiting for…all things new.
Mrs. Tonn died in 2006

Read publicly at the funeral of Mrs. Phyllis Sample in 2005
and Mr. Harley Clendenon in November 2007

When Jesus comes in glory
There’s something grand He’ll do.
He’ll fix all of our problems,
As He’s making all things new.

New mountain and new river
New creature and new tree.
But I’m really looking forward
To some brand-new parts for me.

And brand-new parts for you!
You’re prob’ly missing some.
And even if you’ve got them all,
They’re prob’ly out of plumb!

“Old age is not for sissies.”
There’s times it is no fun.
We’re usually greatly altered
When a surgeon’s scalpel’s done.

Our final office visit
Is planned for outer space.
The Good and Great Physician
Has agreed to take your case!

He is a wonder worker
In every specialty,
With a friendly “grave-side” manner,
And His services are…free.

Some people need a hand or foot,
Perhaps a leg or arm.
It could be from Thalidomide,
Or injuries on the farm.

Perhaps it was an illness
Or perhaps it was the war.
So many people cope with less
That what they had before.

Perhaps you need new fingers
So your reach is full extension.
Perhaps you need new features
That I should not here now mention.

Perhaps you need new eye-balls
So again you’ll have your sight.
God plans to give you new ones
That will sparkle with delight.

Perhaps you need new kidneys
The two you had, went bad.
(I speak of several friends I’ve known,
And also my dear Dad!)

God will fix the big things.
And the smaller things as well.
Perhaps you need new ear-drums
Or your parts that taste and smell.

Up there, they won’t be broken
Your nose will work just fine.
And your nerves will send new signals
Down your perfect, brand-new spine.

Perhaps you need a Pancreas,
Or perhaps a healthy Lung.
God will give you what you need,
They’ll stay…forever young.

Perhaps your problem’s mental.
You’ve Alzheimer’s in your brain.
Well, at the second coming
You’ll be perfect, right-as-rain!

Here’s a message to the youth,
“You too will get your scars.”
Perhaps you’ll slip a disk or two,
Need a rod in your lumbars.

We all are getting older,
However long we live.
And it really is desirable
To the “death” alternative.

But that don’t make it easy.
Some days it is the pits.
When Sciatic nerves are burning,
And your fake knee gives you fits.

Remember that this body
Will not take you to God’s bliss.
And any part of you gone bad,
Is nothing that you’ll miss.

For in the resurrection,
On that glad and happy day,
The God of Restoration
Will come, and have His way.

He’ll smooth out all your wrinkles
And He’ll give you back what’s gone.
And then they’ll light the candles
And He’ll shout “The Party’s ON!”

“Come here, my precious children,
Leave your problems in the dust.
I know this will be different
But you’ll like it, you’ll adjust.”

We’ll gather round God’s throne,
The broken ones transformed.
The blind shall start sight-seeing.
The cold folk, finally warmed.

The deaf shall hear the overture
To “Moses and the Lamb.”
As amputees clap rhythm,
Stompin’ feet.! Wow! What a jam!

The dumb shall start to speechify.
The lame will take a stroll.
Then, all the “partial people,”
Will at last, be finally…whole.

When Jesus comes in glory
There’s something grand He’ll do.
He’ll fix all of our problems,
As He’s making all things new.

Update

2007-10-24T23:23:00.001-07:00

Thought I'd log on and say Hi.
I thought I'd use this more that I do...but well anyway.
I'll try better and publicize the blog better too.

Offering for Chebwai

2006-12-04T11:24:00.000-08:00

The offering on Sabbath for the Chebwai Adventist Schools was $1355. I will send this gift this week and 4 soccer balls to the school with Mrs. Betty Indai, who will be leaving for Kenya and Chebwai/Wubuye on December 11

This Sabbath

2006-11-29T17:47:00.000-08:00

Eye to Eye with Chebwai
At Redding...I will share about a Sabbath I spent in Western Kenya
It was a great day, and very memorable.
There are huge needs there at a school. They could use sponsorships for 100 AIDS orphans in the community, that would given them a Christian education.

Come see the pictures

Update

2006-11-03T21:21:00.000-08:00

Just a note of God's creatures...the Carson's inform me that their little chihuahua dog gave birth to two puppies today. We were there for the birth of the second one. Nature is pretty amazing. The little mother and the two puppies are doing fine. Updates, both voice and pictures were sent to family via cell phones. Pretty neat.

Redding Adventist Academy

2006-09-07T09:12:00.000-07:00

School is off to a good start. We have 168 students at our opening enrollment. At least that is the last that I heard. There is a good spirit, and we are happy to have so many students.

I just received a check for our worthy student funds at church. Some people give a little bit each month, some people give one sum all at once. Little by little we will meet our goal of $15,000 to help needful families in our church afford their tuition.

Thank you for your gifts to God, through the church. God uses that money and blesses others in very practical ways.

Africa

2006-08-16T15:11:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Kenya and Rwanda.
Debbie, Rebekah and I preached an evangelistic series in Rwanda with
27, 28, 92 baptisms at each of our sites.

Then we set off on Safari. We saw all the major animals of Africa, with the exception of a Leopard.

38 days is a long time to be away from home and family here.
it's good to be back.

Ten Commandments

2006-06-12T16:35:00.000-07:00

We are continuing a sermon series at church on the Ten Commandments. We just covered the 3rd and 4th commandments, and it provides an opportunity to highlight each commandment from a New Testament perspective. We are saved by Grace through faith...but saved to obey Jesus as not only Savior but as LORD. The Commandments are still God's standard of right and wrong living. This Sabbath I will cover Commandments 5-7.

A handout, with selected Bible text given there, provides an opportunity for people to take the main sermon home with them, and study some more certain Bible passages.

The Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5

Graduation

2006-06-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

RAA Academy Graduation took place over the weekend of June 2-4. There was a good number of graduates for our small school, and about 50% of the class come from families from the Redding SDA Church. We are proud of them all, and our family had a special interest in this years graduation as our son, Tim was among the class.

One graduate, Peter, received a nice scholarship from the school, because of his being a national merit finalist. It was the most anyone could rmember a student receiving. Over $10,000. Congratulations, Peter. Good Luck to you.

RAA Graduation - 8th Grade

2006-06-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful evening we just had at our school. We had 18 graduate from 8th grade. It was a wonderful service, and only 2 hours long. The gym was packed with family and friends, and we celebrated their accomplishements. A highlight of the meeting was Dr. Warren Ashworth, grandpa to graduate Jesse Haddad, performed Pomp and Circumstance on his ukele and his whistling lips.

Next up....the high school graduation weekend. That is a special appointment for our family, as well as our community. Our son is graduating this year, and very involved in the weekend festivities.

Fred Sindorf Update

2006-05-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

Update on Mr. Sindorf...
He fell onto cement, and broke his shoulder, ribs, back and has head injuries.
He had an operation in Boise, ID and is in ICU.
Please keep him in your prayers....and his dear wife, Mary.

Thanks

Redding Adventist Academy

2006-05-25T20:52:00.000-07:00

What a great evening I just had!!!

I was at our school's Elementary musical. It was "King of the Jungle" The theme was about a jungle adventure, where a group of children took a field trip with their teacher. A "father" played by one of the 6th grade boys, learned the lesson of being in touch with God the creator of all life.

It was a fantastic program.

If you are looking for a good Christian school and private education program for your children, check out your local Seventh-day Adventist school. It's the largest Protestant school system in the world.!

Happy Days...

2006-05-24T23:54:00.000-07:00

This weekend Steve Arrington will speak for Church and Vespers: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. He has a wonderful story to tell, and is currently leading short term mission trips to Fiji. (It's a hard location, but someone has to work there...)

We are continuing a new sermon series at church...the Ten Commandments, touching on two commandments a week. Seventh-day Adventists seek to teach the world the truth of the Gospel of Jesus, in that we are not saved by our works, and we are not saved without works. Our works of obedience spring from a heart of love for God, powered by the Holy Spirit dwelling within. So...the ten commandments are God's standard for obedience, including the 4th commandment (The seventh-day Sabbath on Saturday)

This weekend...we will have a special renewal of wedding vows for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. What a nice way to celebrate 25 years of marriage. We wish them renewed love and committment to each other, and every marriage joy.

The first weekend of June will find our son graduating from high school. What a mile stone. Congratulations, Class of 2005. Enjoy the festivities of a graduate near you.

Prayer Needs

2006-05-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

Please pray today for Mr. Fred Sindorf.
We have word that he fell while on a Maranatha project in Idaho.
The Report is that he broke his back and has head injuries. He is in surgery
on Wed 5/24. Pray that all goes well.

Thanks

My Face

2006-05-21T22:47:00.000-07:00

Greetings to you, friend.
This pic was taken Oct of 04. I shaved my mustashe off on a recent mission trip...but other than that I look the same.

Opening

2006-05-21T22:20:00.000-07:00

Just got back from our Northern California Conference Constituency. It was a fairly routine meeting, but it was conducted in a timely matter. It was the first meeting anyone could remember that got out at lunch, with no after meal meeting. I left Angwin about 2:30 p.m. and then headed for home. It's been a long day...but I just set up this blog. I will try this for a while and see if it is helpful in the life of our congregation.

God bless you

Pastor Kris