Operation Global Rain

Hello!

I was reading a book about the 1840s Advent movement, called “The Midnight Cry”. I was particularly impressed with the way the movement progressed, even in the face of oposition. It seemed to thrive on bad press! The established churches were increasingly cold to the message of the Millerites, yet their numbers continued to grow, and invitations for speakers came in from new areas. People were willing to risk their reputations in order to hear Millers ideas about the coming of Christ.

I draw the conclusion from this, that the work of the third angel’s message does not depend so much on favorable conditions, as it does on the working of the Spirit of God. Maybe God has given us an object lesson about our impending experience in the movement of the 1840s. It seems that the sense - rather the firm conviction - that Jesus was coming in the next few years was vital to the Millerites progress. Until we are convinced that Jesus will come in the next few years, I don’t believe we will have the experience that we call the latter rain. I believe that a powerfull sense that the end of all things is at hand will provide the urgency that will characterize the final work.

I am on my way to such a conviction right now. I have heard many people, from evangalists to common laymen, say that they believe that we are the people who will live to see the lord come. I want to study the connections between the Advent movement and the Loud cry to see what I can learn.

God bless!

Eric Huffman

Is the Book of Ester a Special Message to the Formal Seventh-day Adventist Church Today?

Esther means star. We often think of the star of Bethlehem this time of the year. How often do we think about Esther, the Queen of Persia?

Esther served a most important mission for the saving of her people. Not only was she instrumental in saving the faithful few, the remnant, those truly being God’s own people. She also helped saving those who were merely professing being a child of God.

Today we see a star or stars as the preferred symbol on many a flag and upon many a military mission. May the two stars be compared?:

1) Esther, the Star of the bible, and

2) a man or a woman identifying with the star(s) of the State(s)?

Does God have a message for the formal Seventh-day Adventist Church similar to the message brought to Esther the Queen via her first cousin Mordecai? Is there in existence today any power, any group or anyone having similar aspirations as did Haman? Is there anyone wishing to destroy God’s very own people, God’s very own church? Is there anyone today wishing to destroy the Seventh-day Adventist people?

Are there any plans being laid today for the destruction of God’s very own people? Are any such plans being brought before the most powerful and influential political leaders of today? Are there any plans today for enforcing the Sunday laws that’s been on the books for so long? Has Pope Benedict made any statements to that effect recently? He has, has he not?!

Recently someone sent me a link to some not so subtle plans that remind me of Haman’s suggestions to King Ahasuerus:

Est 3:8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.

Est 3:9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.

I believe that in a very real sense the formal Seventh-day Adventist Church is legally married to the State we know of as District of Columbia and Washington DC. The marriage license is perhaps not known as such, but is known instead as the General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists and is registered as such under the State of Maryland and also under the District of Columbia. Accordingly, just as in a marriage contract between husband and wife, all property of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, not necessarily excluding its membership (as quite clearly delineated in the SDA Year Book (cf. the first few sections of the Year Book as revised at the GC in Toronto!)) is now under the trusteeship of Washington DC. Who is the stronger party in this marriage? Which one of them is to be considered the husband? Which one is the wife? Or are they both women? What is the nature of this relationship? In biblical terms: How is this relationship best described?

What seems to me even more worrisome, however, is that a similar relationship is being entertained between a great many, even most, of the individual members of the church and the State. Indeed, from my point of view, in a very real sense, our formal church, individually as well as congregationally, is as truly wedded in matrimony to the State as was Esther to King Ahasuerus of Persia.

Interestingly too, I find that in not a few instances, it appears as though just as Esther enjoyed a very favored relationship to King Ahasuerus so also at present our beloved SDA church is enjoying a very favored relationship to various State governments throughout this world. Perhaps, as with Esther, this situation has come to pass for a very particular purpose?

Est 4:14… Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Indeed, isn’t there also a cousin like relationship between various factions within our church body which is reminiscent of the following words?:

Est 4:3 And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

Est 4:4 So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.

Accordingly, would it be out of place for me at this time to reiterate the very words of Mordecai who was being seen as an eye sore sitting at the gate of the king?:

Est 4:13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.

Est 4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Is there anyone within the formal Seventh-day Adventist church membership that is willing to do as Esther did? Anyone willing to risk something, even his or her life, for the sake of all of our people?:

Est 4:15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

Est 4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Now, what was the very beginning of Esther’s rise to becoming the King’s bride and the Queen of the nation? Was it not the failure of certain parties in power, the King and the Queen, to recognize and respect each their responsibilities for guarding the the sanctity of their own as well as each and every family regardless of all appearances? (Cf. Esther 1:7, 9, 12, 15-18.)

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And the Lord said: Read “The Broken Blueprint” for yourself!

And the word of the Lord came to me, and the Lord said:

- Read The Broken Blueprint by Vance Farrell!

-Why Lord, should I read that book?

And the Lord said:

-Did you ever stop to think and consider why your beloved church is falling apart and why your families are falling apart? Did you ever consider implementing my words to you: “Remember!… Remember on the Sabbath Day, the last day of the week! Look back and consider what is happening to you and yours right now in your very own church, and why! Are you allowing me to constantly cleans you, purify you, refine you, sanctify you, and keep you holy? Are you staying in tune with my time and with my time cycles such that you and I will actually both be at all the places where I have arranged for us to meet for our dates? Are you keeping yourself pure for me? Or are you seeking the approval and accreditation of another power and authority? I have a love message for you in the book The Broken Blueprint! That’s why!

-But Lord, someone I really trust and look up to and who told me that he read the book said…

And the Lord said:

-Did I ever tell you to listen to anyone else before me? Did I ever tell you that you do not need to read the book for your self? Didn’t I tell you to read and to heed my words directly to you regardless of what anyone else is saying? Did I ever tell you that anyone else’s impression of this or that is more important or more correct than the impression I am giving you directly when you truly turn to me, seek me in prayer, and study my words until you ever more fully understand my words for your self? Didn’t I tell you?: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me!” Thou shalt have no other authorities before or besides me! Who do you wish to be your owner and master?: The ones that I point out to you in each particular? Or, the ones you vote into your offices to be your government? Who do you trust to protect you and for keeping you and yours alive? Me, the creator and sustainer of all life? Or that which contaminates life, complicates life and your relationships, destroys health, happiness, and life, and which is perfected only in death and eternal non-existance? Have I not given you forever and while you are yet alive the power and the freedom to choose between me and another, between coming to me or going away from me? Have I not made it clear to you that the choice is yours and yours alone? Have i not made it clear to you that you cannot walk in two opposite directions at the same time? Do you wish to be with me in my Kingdom or do you not? I love you. I long for you. I miss you when you are not near me. I wish for you to share with me all the blessings I keep creating for you. Please: “Remember…” to study for ever more my broken blueprint!

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Jericho Walkers to Assist Club Kids

This year we will have those we have been praying with for the last 10 weeks to visit our booth on Oct 31. As I mentioned in the chat room last spring, our head elder had a wild idea this time last year. WE set up a booth in front of our church on October 31 and gave Trick-or-Treaters a church paper, and a treat and an offer of a free Christian book. Of course to get the book they had to put the name of the child, address, and age. WE delivered the books (not cheap ones) the next two weeks. It was as wildly successful as it was expensive and we have reaped long term benefits. We insisted on delivering the books directly to the children. Other kids in the areas we went to asked for books also. With their names on new cards we willingly added them. These children were invited to our monthly children’s church and the VBS extravaganza. One sixth grader is now attending church and prayer meeting. Daniel also has helped us know where the kids are in the neighborhood and he goes with us in our door-to-door work for kids. As many of us do not have much needed bilingual skills this help is invaluable.

WE needed an identity seperate from the specific programs of a given year and more kid-speak than our official church title. We have now named our kids’ ministry (we are informed it is not cool to say children’s ministry) Club Kids. This year for Halloween we are doing the animal balloons that were so successful last year( that we stumbled on when our other treats ran out). My husband also has a source for free helium so we will give out some of those. Our take-it-to-their-home gift will be a box of things that include an invitation to a creation pageant at our church including a tableau in each of the SS rooms for each day of creation week. Fortunately our church is well-suited for moving people along a route. We will include of course a nugget about the Sabbath in the last room. Then a snack.

Pray for us as we seek to find ways to reach our community.

Shining

What is the prerequisite of the rain of the Holy Spirit?

After Jesus ascended to Heaven, His disciples went back to Jerusalem. The Bible says, “And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying….These all continued with one accord, in prayer and supplication. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty)…” (Acts 1:12-15) Then what happened? “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.” (Acts 2:1,2)

Before the Spirit was poured out all the disciple were engaged in prayer and supplecation to God. What were they praying for? “Not until through faith and prayer the disciples had surrendered themselves fully for His working was the outpouring of the Spirit received. Then in a special sense the goods of heaven were committed to the followers of Christ.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, 327)

Do you, my friend, believe in the inspiration of the Spirit of Prophecy? Don’t be afraid to test it. The Bible itself says that we should “Test all things;” and to “hold fast what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21) Compare all things with the light of Scripture and hold on to what can stand in that light. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God….” (1 John 4: 1-3a)

So the Spirit of Prophecy points out that the disciples surrendered themselves to God’s working through faith and prayer. They did not have to beg God to send His Holy Spirit. They already had the promise of God. But they did have to prepare to receive it! They had to, through faith and prayer, be surrendered to God. What does that mean? When we surrender, what are we doing? We are letting go of our own self. Our opinions, our habits, our sins, all must be surrendered. When the Spirit is really dwelling in you what will you do? Let’s see what the Bible says! “But the fuit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control….” (Gal. 5:22,23) Whoa!!!! And that’s not even talking about the latter rain! That’s talking about our daily walk with God right now! Because we can possess the Spirit now, but the latter rain is what will give us the special gifts to finish the work of God in these last days. Have you ever seen a church that possessed the Spirit according to Galatians 5:22, 23? I would love to be a member of that church! When there is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control among a group of people, what do we call that? That’s unity!!!! That’s “one accord”!

Is our church in one accord? Be honest! I don’t think so! So, according to scripture, are we even ready for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? No! I’m afraid we aren’t.

When you look at our world church today, does unity look very promising? We have the liberals against the conservatives, differences between self-supporting and conference, and within every body there are members against members. That is not unity! That is not peace! There were 120 disciples all together in one accord! It’s hard enough to get two people to agree on anything, let alone one hundred and twenty! What a task we have before us!

So, what is it that brings us that unity and peace so we can really be ready to receive the Holy Spirit? Let’s go back to the Bible. Romans 5:1 says that when we have been “justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Just Christ.” When we believe that God justifies us, or looks upon us as if we have never sinned, we have peace with Him! Justification is just a big word for saying that we are made right. So when I choose to believe that God has made me right with Him, then because He has made me right, there will be peace between us!

What about peace between our brothers and sisters in the church? Christ is our example, right? So if He sees us as if we have never sinned, are we supposed to follow His example, and look upon our brothers and sisters just as if they have never sinned? Yes! Now, can you imagine a church where every member has this attitude toward his brother? It sounds beautiful doesn’t it! But we can only accomplish this new attitude toward our brother if we have by faith accepted God’s gift of Justification for ourselves! It is an individual work. I must not expect my sister to make this decision. I must focus on my spiritual life. If she knows the truth, I must let the Holy Spirit convince her of it, and leave it at that!

So, what are the prerequisites for recieving the latter rain?

-Total surrender to God’s working through faith and prayer

-Unity; being in one accord through justification by faith.

Please, consider this! Pray about it. Study it. Remember that all things must be tested. The only way you will know if this message is right is by testing it with God’s word!

May the Lord bless you all abundantly!

The Eighth Day - A New Biblical Year…

I get extra blessings every now and then. Extra Sabbath blessings. Extra Sabbaths. Extra days for coming together with others and for having “a holy convocation…” Except I don’t always find any others with whom I can share the these extra Sabbaths the way I am used to with the regular weekly 7th day Sabbaths. :,)

Today at sunset, at the end of the Fifth Day of the week, “Thor’s day night,” was the beginning of the biblical Eighth Day that follows upon the completion of the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, which began exactly one week prior. On that First Day of the Feast of Tabernacles God blessed me with having the opportunity to share a wonderful outdoors experience with two Seventh-day Adventist brethren high up in the San Bernardino mountains far back in areas rarely used except with four-wheel drive automobiles. It was a first for me. What scenery! Driving of narrow ledges of four-wheel-drive paths on awesome cliff sides that seemed almost perpendicular walls several hundred feet tall… Seeing one of the worlds largest Lodgepole Pines in a far away area above Big Bear Lake… Feeling the heat of the rising full moon in the cold of the night… Sharing thoughts and lessons learnt from each other’s bible pursuits… Praise the Lord who has made us all! Praise the Lord who holds the title to my name and to all that goes with it! Praise the Lord for trusting me to take some responsibility for a few important things of His, “my” name, “my” body, “my” things…! Praise the Lord for being there for me to tell me what to do and what not to do in each particular! Praise the Lord for giving me these extra Sabbaths Days! These little extra steps towards ultimate freedom and sovereignty under none but Him alone!

Praise the Lord for giving me another biblical year, a new biblical year, after the end of that Feast of Ingathering which concludes and ends the biblical year!

Praise the Lord for giving me an extra Sabbath, the Eighth Day, at the beginning of this triple beginning: A new day at the beginning of nightfall, a new lunar cycle, and a new biblical year!

Happy 2024! Happy 5928± !

What do we do next?

What is the next step toward the Latter Rain experience? I think we should identify the next link in the chain of events that we can all work on and promote together. Perhaps the OGR website could be used for this too. Is it personal Christ likeness? Is it unity? Somebody help me figure out the very next step we have to take.

Supposing that substantial unity among Adventists is required before the Latter Rain movement can proceed, what steps need to be taken to achieve that? If we are waiting for the present state of things to simply change all by itself, we may all die of old age here in this world. What practical things can each person do to make this happen? I think that, perhaps subconsciously, we feel that it is always the other person that has to change his or her thoughts or actions before unity is possible, “they” have to make the first move. But if you think about it, no one thinks of himself as “they” - so no one makes a move! I heard that there was an old railroad law somewhere that said if two trains come to a crossroads at the same time, they must both stop, and neither one should start out again until the other had gone. The only person my will controls is me, and everyone else could say the same.

We are all “me’s”, so what can we do to bring about unity in this church? It won’t do to complain about others. I don’t believe that prayer alone is the whole answer. Ellen White said we have to work and pray. She had a lot to say about unity. If we could boil down everything she said on this topic into practical points, and promote and implement them, we would surely get somewhere.

Is this a good idea? Is there a better one? Let me know what you think.

God bless!

-Eric Huffman

Dangerous game

I want to ask everyone to pray for a man and his son who are coming to our church. The man married one of our church members a few years ago, and he and his son began to attend with her regularly. They were both expressing a desire to join, but didn’t feel quite ready (good enough), as they had certain bad habits, etc.

Then the woman was hit by a car and died - the woman who introduced them to God and showed them how to live. They were devastated, as you might imagine. But they continue to come occasionally, especially the father. Several of our members make a point to visit them and help them any way they can, but we need the Holy Spirit’s power to lead and to open their hearts. The son is feeling the pull of his old life and friends, and is getting himself deeper into trouble even though he knows where it can lead.

The devil is working, but pray that God will out-work him!

Thanks and God bless!

-Eric Huffman

Manny and the Bridge Boys-Update

This has been a very busy this week.

Last week we did a survey at the houses of the streets where we had prayer-walked for the last six weeks and found a number of people who were interested in studying the word. One set up a specific time to study. As some of us went to the doors some of our group walked the streets continuing to pray. If any of you have read about Manny and the Bridge boys- Manny is coming to church and a Spanish prayer meeting, says he wants to change his life. He has done time, done alcohol and drugs, all that garbage. Today Juan was at church, the first time I ever saw him sober. Thank You Jesus.

Am now studying with a woman who comes to MY house. Our first topic of study: healthful living (!!!) Her choice. I never had anyone that eager to study God’s word before. Every week, when she arrives, I get us each a glass of water and she tells how she is starting to exercise and drink water and how much better she feels. This week I suggested that she addmore veges. She is talking about joining the woman’s prayer group I attend.

There are about 20 studies going on in our church right now that I know of . One 6th grade boy, Daniel comes to SS, church and PRAYER MEETING, the only child there. He goes out with our group that invites children to our children’s church and other programs and tells our people which houses have children. Then he goes up to the door and tells them they need to come that they will enjoy it.

WE recently hired a young member who has a degree in theology from Southern to be a part time Bible worker He is studying with 16 people.

2 weeks ago we started translating our sermons to headphone radios by a person in the pastor’s study. I was asked to preach last Sab. and a friend says I have now arrived as I have been translated.

This morning at our little church school there was a call to forgive and be forgiven and the kids responded beyond our wildest hopes, especially because many of our students are not Adventist. The girls who had been at each other’s throats were now promising to watch each other’s backs, in a spiritual sense, and remind each other of their pledges if they started losing it.

At this same time we have medical, legal, financial, and social issues that the devil keeps trying to sidetrack us with but praise be to God, he is a beaten foe. Ever since the Global Rain Intensive we have seen people with more of a heart for evangelism, people who only spectated in the past.

It’s not flashy like tongues of fire or a mighty rushing wind but the Holy Spirit is on the march in our area. Are we the only ones? Surely others have things they could share here. Let us have stories to bring courage and ideas of out reach to each other. May we hear Every Faucet Flowing and see Every Light Shining.

Yours in the Blessed Hope,

Shining

Mom’s Witness in Her Old Age

Mom can no longer walk or talk with understandable words but her years of love of Adventist viewing are speaking for her.

When I went to visit my mom yesterday, her caregiver, who is Catholic, said she wants to get an SDA dish. She just takes care of Mom on weekends and wants to have the 3ABN atmostphere at her son’s home when she starts babysitting week days for him. Wants her grandbaby to benefit from our programming. Praise be to God.

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