Updates

The World News & Prophecy Seminar for the New England Area went very well. Mr. Melvin Rhodes and myself came in to the area on Thursday evening. We spent Friday as a day to tour Lexington and Concord which are rich in U.S. history lore. Susan and I had been to the area many years ago, but its autumn luster is always something to behold. Mr. and Mrs. Suckling were gracious hosts. Sabbath was a full day with church services and classes afterwards. I always strive to meet as many people as possible when visiting an area as such connections have a way of "returning" in years to come. We had 17 Good News subscribers attend as well. That is the part I always enjoy the most with the conversations and questions that come after the lectures are over. That usually amounts to another hour of time, but is rich in connections and relationships. There seemed to be some genuine interest from some to attend the following week. Time will tell. I think we were able to pick up some worthwhile classes for the video section of the World News & Prophecy home page at www.wnponline.org

I got a nice note from the Tabers in New Mexico. All is well and are they glad to be home! 

Reminders

Church services for San Diego will be at 10:30 a.m. this week as I will be "running the circuit." In San Diego,  we will conclude our video series on historical worship centers with a 30 minute presentation  after services on Herod's Temple.

Redlands will meet at the regular time at 1:30 p.m. 

Something to Think About

As Thankgiving comes to us this Thursday, my mind often reflects on The Pilgrims and what they chose to experience based upon a heartfelt desire for religious freedom and their quest to experience God as they best understood.  Theirs was not an easy lot. Being a pilgrim never is-----be it on the shores of New England or in the pages of Peter's epistle when he proclaims in his defining admontion found in 1 Peter 2:11--"Now beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims..."

When the English Pilgrims were seeking a sponsor to support their quest to travel to the New World they advertised themselves in this manner: "It is not with us as other men, whom small things can discourage, or small discontentments cause to wish themselves at home again."

In a short while, they would be sorely tested. In the winter of 1620 within the mixed assembly of "Saints and Strangers": 15 of 18 wived would die, 5 of 28 children would die, 50% of the sailors would die, only 5 Pilgrim families would remain intact. 

And then, when that first winter lifted; the Mayflower would take sail for England in April. Then and there on the shoreline surrounded by a remnant flock, the Elder Brewster proclaimed, "We are well-weaned from the delicate milk of our mother country!"  There would be no going back. Only forward!

The courage and dedication of our early forefathers is very similar to the same "right stuff" as discovered in Hebrews 11:13-16: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.  And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return."

Friends--Being a pilgrim is not an event to be simply trapped within a day, but a transforming experience that never ends till we stand before Christ in His Kingdom.  It is a journey that we have been invited to by none other than God the Father.

The question comes to us today-----"How well weaned are we from the delicate milk of our mother country?"  That is-----the society God has asked us to leave behind that we might be a pilgrim in His service. 

Until that day, let us draw strength from those who have gone before us-----be it in the pages of our history books or the pages of the Bible.

May your Thanksgiving Day be one of reflection, thankfulness and rich family time,

Robin and Susan