UPDATES Everything is going relatively well throughout our circuit. Our greatest challenge continues to be the health needs of our members. I made you aware of many of them last time and their needs remain. I finally had an opportunity to have some what of a "down day" after a couple of weeks of constant activity. First time, I've been able to spend the day at home in the office for about two weeks. Nice feeling and always plenty to do right here in serving you. I will be in Dallas, Texas from Monday till Wednesday of next week for Festival Coordinator's Meetings. When I come back, I hope to get a lot of "good visiting in" both in Redlands as well as San Diego. I have some good news to pass on to our San Diego members. Our Local Church Council approved the purchase of new chairs with arms) that we hope to have in place in the early Spring. This will truly assist in upgrading our facility. Redlands already has a wonderful facility to meet in ---so--- as we move forward both congregation's facilities will be condusive quality worship environments Starting this Sabbath: Both congregations will be utilizing our official new hymnal as our Songleadier and Accompanist copies came this week. REMINDERS San Diego: Young Adults Bible Study at 1 p.m. this Sabbath San Diego: We will commence with our ABC Series on 1 John (45 minutes after services) Redlands: You can look forward to having two guest speakers from San Diego this coming Sabbath: Mr. Chris Coser and Mr. Jim Cowell. I also have handouts for you from last week's study. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT Being gone next week, I will probably not have time to offer a full Updates and Reminders. So allow me now to share some thoughts with you as we approach President's Day and offer some reflections on one great man that God placed into our national history at a specific time. You might say in paraphrase fashion---"for who knows whether he came to the kingdom for such a time as this?(Esther 4:14) I speak of Abraham Lincoln and would like to share the entry of February 12th from Leroy Brownlow's Today is Mine Journal. It is entitled: "A Wise Ruler" Abraham Lincoln's own words bespeak his greatness. His love for the common people: "God must be a lover of the common people, or he would not have mad so many of them His honesty: "If, in your judgment, you cannot be an honest lawyer, reslove to be honest without being a lawyer." His commitment to right: "I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have." His compassion and foresight: "I believe this nation cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. His resolution: "..that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.." His trust in God: : Without the assistance of the Divine Being...I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail!" Here then, are some thoughts to consider: "Select a discerning and wide man, and set him over the land"--Genesis 41:33 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such s fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers"--Exodus 18:21 A Happy and Prospering Sabbath to each of you, Robin and Susan