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Christian Friendship aa Te ess enger ‘TO KNOW CHRIST — HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM — MAKE HIM KNOWN ee ay AY HIS GLORY SHALL BE SEEN UPON THEE Pasadena — On January 9, three souls tetitied that faith in Je Sus Christ makesliferich nd full~it ives a purpose to life and fnekes it worth living. Bapized were Vernet Friesen, Lar- Frine Spnes and Jon Hi. Wernette Friesen was raised in Nebraska. Although bap- tized ati, Vernet fll that she ad not made a deep and per- sonal experience wih Jeus Christ at that ime. She began to earn ore about Jesus wil in mses traning and in contacls wi Christians st Yucaipa, in Pasadena, and oer places in California, By the summer of 11, he was convinced that she Should be baptized again; tis ime on the bess of repentance, Conversion and dediation of her life Yo the service of Christ Sensing the Spirtof God among Christians n snd around Pasa: dna, where she worked as a Fegstered nurse, she requested baptism among our people ‘Lorraine Spin began to sek Christ before she moved to Richland, Wash where ste lived with er husband, Davi, ard children, When the family moved back othe Los Angeles area, the call 0 God became stronger and she heard Him call more frequently. Nelghbors would ak is she was a Christan a her Feply was,‘ but my busband i.” Tis bothered er, and she Fealy wished she could say, "Ye," bt she had not ily com mtd erie fo Christ. She began to pray, snd God answered fer prayers and gave her peace. Sonn id, a rancher fem Hanford, Calif, bas known what God wanted hi to doa is ie( 70 years), bit was never gute sie ive himself completely. He apoke with tears in is eyes tow God nad called hn many times: Once, when his wife was aut he promised God he would serve im, bt somnchow Shin was unable to fall the promise until now. A serious ae dent several years ago also prompted him tolisien to God. Now he has confessed peace with God, and at long lst sable est fy ofthe miracle which God bas wrought in his fe His family nin reece with him nis mew fait ‘South Akron — “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” ‘We thank the Lord that He is still calling man unto Him from their sinful life to a joyful new life in Him. The weekend of February 12, we heard the testimonies and witnessed the bap- tisms of three more souls who repented and gave their lives unto Him, ‘Justine Kovaes told that ber parents were baptized when she was 15 years old. This turned her bitter as she thought the family could no longer do things together as they had previously done. Later, college took her the ways of the world, though she continued to come to church. Still, she did not heed the Lord's, call, She went to Windsor for a baptism which made her very sorrowful and depressed for the weekend. She knew she was not ‘a child of God, Justine started to repent, but didn't yield herself ‘completely. She went to the Banff Retreat at which time the thought of traveling by plane made her realize that restitution ‘must be made and herself given fully tothe Lord. After Eastern Camp she talked to the ministers and elders, and trials con- tinued with the old nature creeping in often, yet because of the firm belief of wanting to become a child of God, her wish was ranted. “Maureen Kovacs, Justine’s younger sister, also was brought up to know right from wrong. She wanted to taste the world to see what it had to offer, but found nothing worthwhile there. Go- ing away to college for a year, she seemed to forget everything she had been taught and became mean and rebellious towards her parents. After she left school, the Lord knocked on her heart several times, but she turned Him down. Then, while on vaca- tion in 1970, Maureen realized how much her parents loved her, and soon as she arrived home she asked their forgiveness. Knowing she couldn't continue in sin, she opened the Bible and read in Matthew 7:84, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, a ‘ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for every- ‘one that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be ‘opened.” She got down on her knees and asked the Lord for for- _giveness and peace, and in His own time He gave it to her just as He had promised. Where she had nothing to live for when she ‘was depressed and burdened, following restitution, she now has perfect peace. Barbara Hunyadi knew for the past several years that she hhad to repent for her sins. Being reared in a Christian home and knowing what was expecied of her did not give her the strength to make restitution and confession. She went back into the ‘World, and everytime there was a baptism, she would stay home and babysit, After many unsuccessful attempts to correct her ‘own way’, she prayed that God would take over. Through much prayer and asking others t0 pray for her, she found grace to ‘make restitution and was blessed with the peace that passeth all understanding. Rochester, N. Y.—We were richly blessed the weekend of Janu- ary 29-80, when we witnessed the baptism of Patti Toth, Patti fell the cal of God two years ago and was convicted of her sinful life. She had a desire to serve the Lord, but tried to change her life in her own strength. Not until attending Western Camp last year did she fully yield herself to Christ, and can now testify of His peace within ‘Many visitors were present with us from Akron, Barberton, Syracuse and Ontario, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And | they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10: 27, 2 Pasadena’s new converts, John Hild, Lorraine Spinos and Ver- nette Freisen with Elder Brother Stephen Burcar. A Purpose For Everything Washington, D.C. —Bro. Chuck Flanigan from Columbus led us, ina diseussion on our purpases in life during the afternoon song, service on February 20, Chuck based the discussion on Colos- sians 1 which sums up our purpose and walk in life. Christ had ‘been hidden to the people of old, being known only as prophecy bt today we can know Him because He lives in us who are be- lievers. In verse 20, Paul says, ‘To whom God would make ‘known what isthe riches ofthe glory of the mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christin you, the hope of glory.”” Our purpose is to reflect that glory in all its richness by relying, on Him in everything we do to allow His power to be evident. ‘We tend to thinkin bounds — short range, such as next week ‘or next month. God wants us to dwell on a broader scope than that — to eternity. We tend to set our goals according to our shortsightedness of God's power.God wants us to come to Him in small things as well as big things. The more we rely on Him. {or small things, the more experienced we become in exercising ‘our faith and experiencing His power. In turn, He will occupy ‘more and more of our lives. The more Christ controls our lives, the more we will learn to live in close communication with Him, and the more He can use our lives to reveal His glory“... that in all things He might have the preeminence” (verse 18). Letus take an example from Job. God showed him that man can do very little without God. Job recognized this, acknow!- edged it, and lived accordingly. Knowing how great God is, Should strengthen us and give us inspiration to go to Him in even, the small things in our lives. To those who would limit God, He says, "Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct Him?” (Job 40:2) Moments Of Awareness So much of life we all pass by With heedless ear, and’ careless eye. Bent with our cares we plod along, Blind to the beauty, deaf to the song. ‘But moments there are when we pause torest ‘And turn our eyes from the goa's far crest. We become aware of the wayside flowers, ‘And sense God's hand inthis word of ours. We hear a refrain, see a rainbow’s end, Or we look into the heart ofa friend. We feel at one with mankind. We share His griefs and glories, joy and care. ‘The sun flecks gold thru the sheltering trees, ‘And we shoulder our burdens with twice the ease. Peace and content and a world that sings ‘The moment of true awareness brings. Page? NO CHRISTIAN IS GREATER THAN HIS PRAYER LIFE ‘The church has many organizers, but few agonizers; many who pay, but few who pray; many resters, but few wrestlers; Na ‘many whoare enterprising, but few who are interceding. People who are not praying are playing. ‘Two prerequisites of dynamic Christian living are vision ‘and passion, and both of these are generated in the prayer clos- et, The ministry of preaching is open to a few. The ministry of praying is open to every child of God. Don’t mistake action for unction, commotion for creation, and rattles for revivals, ‘The secret of praying is praying in secret. A “‘worldy Cristian will stop praying and a praying Christian will stop worldliness. When we pray, God listens to our heartbeat, Hannah's “lips” moved, but her voice was not heard (I Samuel 1:12-13) When we pray in the Spirit, there are groanings which cannot be uttered ( Romans ‘Tithes may build a church, but tears wil give it if. That is the difference between the modern church and the early church ‘Our emphasis is on paying; theirs was on praying. When we hhave paid, the place is taken. When they prayed, the place was shaken (Acts 4:31) In the matter of effective praying, never have so many left ‘so much to s0 few. Brethren, letus pray. Musical Notes His praise shall continually be in my mouth ico Rivera — Our choir presented a program at last Family, ‘Night, The songs we sang were: Holy Is the Lord; Meekness Is Virtue Gracious; To Me Free Grace Has Been Accorded; Where Heleads ll Follow; and Did You Think To Pray’ EASTERN CAMP. . . 1971 si “By faith, Abraham was called to go and he obeyed. His reward was the promised land... city. Our reward if we obey is Heay- ‘en our city, thenew Jerusalem.” Genesis 12:1-3 ‘Just as Abraham bad forsaken everything, including his family, we must likewise forsake all. Abraham was permitted to take along Lot, but later suffered because of him. Sometimes we keep something when we repent, and we must suffer until we get ridoofit ater. Abrabam had the faith to take the lesser when he fd Lot separated. Ts this our faith today? ‘Are we allowing our children todo the things we ourselves ‘wouldnt do? Because parents are responsible forthe welfare of Uhele children, they must be examples to them, The church will gothe way parents and believers do in their own homes. We cite experiences our parents made. Do we do the same for our chil dren? We must know what is going on about us so we can be ware ofthe problems and cope with them. We need good lead. ership in Romes and churches, so we must read the Bible and Study to show ourselves approved. We must watch so we do not water-down our faith, our doctrine. ‘Faith was instilled into Ou fathers, beginning with Adam, It was imputed to Abraham unto righteousness because he be- lieved, Faith is increased by our nearness to God . . by our obedience to Him... by our tials of faith and reliance upon Him for deliverance ‘When Abraham was asked to offer his son, he obeyed with- cout question. Down through the ages, individuals and nations wwere ost because they disobeyed God, saying they were human ‘questioned and reasoned and went on their human way. Our iaithis imited by human reasoning and by sin. Faiths very im portant $omuch so as to ring about ether eternal life or death for us! Christian Friendship Messenger & In Times Like These . . « EASTERN CAMP 1 believe all of you have noticed the sign behind me and have read the words ont. Someone told me a secret which I Twould not keep. There is something about the color ofthe sign — you will notice ithas a gray background, That was purposely ‘mde gray. It denotes the uncertainty of the times in which we live —neither black nor white — the twilight zone, You will no- tice the letters are in bold relief, standing out against the gray — the presence of al color which is black, which the Bible terms, “Sblackness of sin.” In ies like these itis prevalent among us. But you will note the white edging. He said that denotes the real ‘ode in the world in which we live. AS I sat and pondered the Sign, something els inspired me. The siver lining is toward the east — its growing, coming from the east, not diminishing to the west. In times like these, it is hard to understand the situa- tions around us. You hear people talk about the good old days, and you almast wish you lived in those days because of times Ike these, Wehave a fellow at a punch press inthe factory who has a ‘calendar with Currier & Ives prints of the 180s on it. 1 asked him once: “Charlie, do you suppose you and I were born too late?” He sai, “Yes, Ithink so.” The Lord chastised me fr that statement. No, we were born in times lke these, brothers and sisters, and we were rebora for times like these. ‘There always was sin inthe world — i just took on different shades of color, perhaps. But I never forget the astonishment then at a parent-teachers meeting Leona and 1 attended not long ago — where there were perhaps 200 parents — and 20 ‘young people on @ panel (black and white) who were trying to ‘come toa understanding with eachother because schools in the ‘sty had been clased because of violence that had erupted be- tween blacks and whites. The attitudes of the people present ‘were most revealing tome. A litle white girl said: "I'm afraid ‘of you who are black.” Another black girl said: “What did I ever {do personally to you?” The answer: "Nothing." “Then why be afraid of me?” was the continued dialogue. We found students asking their counselors and parents pointed question, and fi- nally one parent got up in indignation and said: T don't know ‘what is wrong with you kids, You don't have it any worse than tre did when we were young.” She was wrong, and I felt inspired to tll her so inthe presence of the 30-plus people. The people ‘who live in times lke these are living in the Worst times known to man. ‘One little black girl said: “The day will come when every thing will Burn.” Right away, somebody picked up the chant and remembered the headlines on Watts, Chicago and Washington, D.C. They spent the next half hour trying to find out from that tue giet what kind of hatred would make er think that way. 1 said to Leona: “There is alittle girl who doesn't mean at all ‘what they are trying to make her confess to. There i a lite girl ‘who reads her Bible and is talking about the end times.” So as not to cause disorder, the "was ended by the chairman. I Said {wanted to talk tothe litle gir, Already the lack counse- lor had her on the side, asking: “What makes you feel that ‘way’ She couldn't convince the man that there would be an end toall this. ner childlike way (she was a junior in high school), she sai atone time the world was destroyed by water, and this time it will be by fire — “Soon,” she said. The counseor, sha ing in is shoes, said: “Young indy, don't tell me this is going to happen tome.” commented to her: “I want to ask you a ques- tion, Do you mean that the Lord is coming, and that all his will finally be put to amoke and ashes when He takes His own to be with Him?” Yes, thatis what mean,” she replied. Nobody un- ‘derstood that child, Because nobody was thinking ofthe glorious part of times lke these. They derided this child from one end to the other — both her race and ours — but I noticed the frustra- tions. She said: “We have nothing to look forward to until He March, 1972 ‘comes again.” I asked: “What do you think the Lord wants you ‘odoin the meantime — throw up your hands and go down in de- ‘pair? She asked: “What does He expect us to do?” know her life knew nothing but degradation and frustration. The Lord ‘said: “Occupy until I come.” Do something until I get back. ‘Make life as pleasant as possible for those around you. Work to- ‘gether for the good of man. In times lke these — troubled "There was a time in the Bible that I think was most similar to the times in which we live, We live in an age when young ‘people are more intelligent than they have ever been. It isn't like ‘used to be when our dads would say: “Don't do that,” and we refrained. That was good enough then, but young people today are taught to question everything that is said. We had better ‘have a good scriptural answer forall of it. With that, they will ‘not argue. Listen to what the Apostle Paul said to an ivy league ‘culture that was most similar to ours in his discourse on Mars Hill (Acts 17:22) Paul, I believe, was the most able tool that God could have used in this time. A man who was probably more versatile than ‘any man God could have found. He knew the law; was probably ‘one ofthe best educated men of his day. He knew ancient history ‘well, which he displayed in his discourse to the Greeks who still ‘remembered the glory that was Greece — who still recalled that the wisest statements recorded in the world had been made by Grecians like Aristotle and Archamedies. You probably remem ber these names if you studied physics and history. Yet, in all their wisdom and in all their knowledge, they did not have a sat- isfaction in their hearts. Even as the hails of learning supposed- lyare to teach things that will increase knowledge of the people, we still find a great ignorance among the people about things that really matter. The theological schools today evince the ‘gross statement, “God is dead.” We see many bumper stickers in these days. Ifinally saw one that to me was worthwhile. It ssid: “My God isn't dead, I'm sorry about yours." In all this wisdom and all of this learning, man still has not come to the ‘knowledge of himself. That is his problem. The tragedy of it all is the disrespect that runs rampant inthe world today is not the fault of those who are creating all the commotion, It is primarily the fault of that which preceded them — those whose lives did rot speak what the mouth said. If the hippies have anything right about them, itis in the fact that the society in which they hhave been brought to live is hypocritical. It has said one thing and does something else. We cannot expound to the fullest the tragedy of professing Christ and not possessing Him; of going ‘out to evangelize and bringing religion into the world and not be- ing religious and evangelical in our hearts — that isthe problem of the world today. ‘When the father of Communism tried to decide whether or not there needed to be a godless concept, how do you suppose he ‘made up his mind? He went from Russia to western Europe — Italy, Spain and France — to where Christianity was emitting, and he eame to this conclusion: If those who name the name of ‘Jesus Christ don’t have the virtue of the Man Himself, then ob- viously He never existed, and he went back and became atheis- tic. That's right. The greatest thorn in the flesh today is that particular concept, that ideaology, perhaps. What was wrong with Christianity? It beeame a form of something and the power of it died. That's what's wrong with so- ciety today. The children are running to and fro, trying to get their bearings. They are a product of a society of parents who thought the most important thing was to give John, Henry and Sally those things that their own parents couldn't afford. So dad worked first shift, mom worked the second, and John, Henry and Sally shifted for themselves. Now all of « sudden, parents can't understand why the children don’t respect them. That ‘came out at the PTA meeting, too. One mother said: “I don’t un- continued on page 8 Pages

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