3 But those who proclaim God ’ s message speak to people and give them help , encouragement , and comfort . 4 Those who speak in strange tongues help only themselves , but those who proclaim God ’ s message help the whole church . 1 Corinthians 14 : 3,4 Good News

20 To the law and to the testimony ! If they do not speak according to this word , it is because there [ a ] is no light in them . Isaiah 8 : 20 NKJV

“ Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven ’ s storehouses where are stored the boundless treasures of Omnipotence . Prayer is talking to God as to a friend .” Ellen G . White

Mr . Rene Noorbergen continues his introduction about Ellen G . White . Who was she ? Was she really a prophet as some call her ? “ Was she really a prophet ? By comparing her life and work to that of the ancient prophets and by using the tests of the ten criteria true prophets hat to meet , many are convinced she was , even though she actually never boastfully laid claim to such distinction . Her introduction to a direct involvement with the prophetic power was marked by a simple dignity , when , during a quiet moment of prayer , she felt taken up into heaven and brought into the presence of the heavenly host . “” as inquiries are frequently made as to my state in vision and after I came out ” she once commented , “ I would say that when the Lord sees fit to give me a vision , I am taken into the presence of Jesus

and the angels , and am entirely lost to earthly things . I can see no further than the angel directs me . My attention is often directed to scenes transpiring upon earth . At times , I am carried far ahead into the future and shown what is to take place . Then again I am shown things as they have occurred in the past .”

“ During her lifetime , on numerous occasions , the question was asked whether she regarded herself as a prophet , and the answer was invariably the same . “ Why I have not claimed to be a prophet ?” she would reply . “ It is because in these days many who boldly claim that they are prophets are a reproach to the cause of Christ , and because my work includes much more than the word “ prophet signifies .”

“ Exactly how much more she explained in the 25 million words she penned during her productive years , words now safeguarded in a vault of the Ellen G . White Estate office in Washington D . C . Among the manuscripts held there are those of the 37 books she wrote and published during her lifetime , and those of the 32 books published since her death , complied from unpublished or out of print material . So tremendous is the appeal of her writings that some of her books , all hardbacks-ha ve been sold in the missions , and have been translated into more than 100 languages .

“ Taking her writings as an aid to a deeper understanding of the Bible and to prophecy in general , it becomes

quite apparent that the years ahead will be wrought in more controversy and hate than any other period in recorded history . Yet — and this is undoubtedly her strength — she not only forecasts the events but she also points the way to escape from the final tragedy humanity is preparing for itself .

“ After having witnessed in vision the final events shaping the last climactic battle of the ages in prophetic form , she described the outcome thus : “’ The great controversy is ernded . Sin and sinners are no more . The entire universe in clean . One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation . From Him who created all , flow life and light and gladness through the realms of illimitable space . From the minutest atom to the greatest world , all things , animate or inanimate , in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy , declare that God is love .’”

“ And to acquaint man with the events that will move him to his unavoidable destiny , she relayed her visions .”

No doubt there are many people who will dispute the facts about this woman . You will find them in the internet . People especially from the Seventh-day Adventists who have turned their backs on their former faith have written many books against her in effect , to sum it all up , a liar . But her life and all of what she has written , in health , in science , education , and guidance for the church and

family will bear her up as a true messenger of God , because how could a woman who had barely finished third grade could write up to 25 Million words , 37 books and thousands of manuscripts from which are compiled 32 books unless she is guided by the Holy Spirit ? Read her book , Education , Steps To Christ , Counsels in Diet and Health , Great Controversy , etc . and you will see for yourself the wisdom that was given for everyone especially her church people . For the next few articles excerpts will be taken from Mr . Noorbergen ’ s book for more specific information . King Jehoshaphat once said , 20 “ So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa ; and as they went out , Jehoshaphat stood and said , “ Hear me , O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem : Believe in the LORD your God , and you shall be established ; believe His prophets , and you shall prosper .” 2 Chronicles 20 : 20 NKJV

For questions and Bible Studies , call , Ben at 604 581 1278 , Junjun at 778-927- 8040 , Stanley at 604-700- 3053 and Pastor Leomar Macaraig at 604 928 3579 . The Abundant Life Seventh-day Adventist Church meets at the City Center Church on 13062 104th Avenue , Surrey on Saturdays . All are welcome to attend .

For the nest 2 Sabbaths , July 28 and August 4 , the church will be closed as the members will go to the BC Camp meeting in Hope , BC . You are invited to attend .

Fr . Jerry M . Orbos , SVD

The story is told about a maid who was scolded by her employer , who caught her watching television when she got home . The maid ’ s response was , “ Ma ’ am , at least I was doing something .”

In today ’ s Gospel ( Mk . 6 : 30- 34 ), Jesus invited His disciples to come away by themselves to a deserted place , and rest a while . They were so busy ministering to so many people that they did not even have the time to eat . The body needs rest . So does the soul .

We are often under pressure to do , to act , to perform , to achieve , to function , and to be productive . Many of us live busy lives . Many of us live fast and loud lives . If we do not slow down , quiet down and rest , sooner or later we will break down , burn out and fall sick .

I am writing this column from the hospital where I ’ ve been confined since July 16 . I underwent a videoassisted thoracic surgery ( VATS ) last July 17 , spent one night at the ICU ,

and have been in my regular room since July 19 . My 64-year-old body needed rest , repair and restoration . Thank God for the power of prayer , and for the talent and skill of angels with stethoscopes and all involved in the medical profession .

When sickness comes , it ’ s time to really listen to what our body is saying , but more so , to what God is saying . So many lessons and realizations these past days , and thank God , they are not yet too late for the learning . The very first realization is the reality of death , but more so , the reality of God as we face death . We all will die . Sooner or later , we all will meet our God someday . We believe in a merciful and loving God .

Sickness makes us rest a while , and death makes us rest in peace . Between these two , given the chance , may we still have the opportunity to become better persons , and do whatever mission we still can do .

The usual three- to four-hour

operation to remove the upper lobe of my left lung took about eight hours for Dr . Tony Ramos . He and Dr . Nelson Bambalan were very careful and thorough in their mission to search and destroy my cancer cells . Dr . Ramos said he prayed so much to Mama Mary to help him all throughout the procedure . He even promised Mama Mary that he would pray the rosary every day . The procedure “ VATS ” ( video-assisted thoracic surgery ) can now be also called “ MATS ” ( Mama Mary-assisted thoracic surgery ) for Dr . Ramos .

At the ICU , I was told to press a blue button whenever I felt pain . I pressed it once , but no one came . I must have pressed it four times more , but nothing . Finally when the nurse came , I asked him what took him so long ; he said I was connected to a PCA ( patient controlled analgesic ) machine that released a dose of pain reliever every time I pressed the button . No wonder I was getting groggy . Imagine if , in my impatience and frustration

, I pressed it even more !

To be helpless and to be dependent on God is a lesson we learn well and fast . But for some of us , to be helpless and to rely on the help of others is something we don ’ t quite learn . Sickness makes us realize that we need others , and that we need one another .

There is always a stretch in our journey where no one , not even those who are closest to us , can accompany us , much as they want to . Going through a CT scan machine , or waking up alone in a cold recovery room or lying down in an ICU bed , or looking at the blank walls of a hospital bed , makes us realize that , in those moments , it is only God who stays with us . Yes , He will not leave us alone . A moment with the Lord : Lord , help us to learn to slow down , stop and rest a while . Amen . ( jorbos @ inquirer . com . ph )