Professional Documents
Culture Documents
org
From
Clicktivist
to Activist
Taking caring
to another level
I flights in the history of aviation.
18
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22 8 6
www.AdventistReview.org | November 21, 2013 |( 1 0 47 ) 23
Publisher General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists®, Executive Publisher Bill Knott, Associate Publisher Claude Richli, Publishing Board: Ted N. C. Wilson, chair; Benjamin D. Schoun,
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29
13
Lauded by
Adventists Society
Humane
8
coming again.”
was writing overly lengthy congregation.
Building Bridges
14
Willing Hearts
26
David Manzano
accounts many paragraphs On the other hand, my Harriman, Tennessee
long on the deaths of people other church has never had
of no particular station in any kind of public affirma- The Prophetic
life. Fed up with his wordi- tion of my ministry, nor have Rendezvous of 1844
ness, the editor threatened, I ever received any kind of »»Elijah Mvundura’s “The
“One more obit like this and gift for Clergy Appreciation Prophetic Rendezvous of
you’ll be fired!” Month, at Christmas, or my Following the 1844” (Oct. 17) is one very
The reporter’s next assign- birthday. I know that I’m Message difficult article to read. I
ment was to write about a appreciated because I hear it »»I’m writing in regard to found that the language
death in a hotel. He reported from an individual member Arthur Chadwick and Ingo
it this way: “John K. Brown now and then, but it’s never Sorke’s cover article “What
looked up the elevator shaft been done in a public way. on Earth Happened in 1844?”
of the Jones Hotel today to It’s amazing how different (Oct. 17, 2013). It is well doc-
see if the elevator was on its one congregation can be umented what occurred to
way down. It was. Age: 46.” from another. Perhaps your those believers who had
Thereinafter the editor article will inspire more responded to God’s pro-
had no problem with the churches to express their phetic words found in Daniel
reporter’s obituaries. appreciation to their pastors. 8:14. Another question is:
Brevity, yes, but that’s not Name Withheld What was our omniscient
our biggest problem. It is God doing by the message
merely opening our mouths The Adventist Church He sent to earth as presented
to speak a word for God’s Is Intentional in the tenth chapter of Reve-
truth “in season.” »»I love that the Adventist lation, for it describes the
Herbert Ford Church is intentional in its experience of those who
Angwin, California planning. I love that its embraced the prophetic
intentionality leads to strate-
”
reading it without needing plain, modest apparel with-
to have a Thesaurus at my out reference to the fashions; as well!
fingertip. Maybe a second or should our tables at all times
third reading will help clarify be set with simple, healthful —Betty villarreal, West Richland, Washington
it more. food, avoiding all luxuries,
Janice Schnurr all extravagance; should our
via e-mail houses be built with becom- These are topics and ques- can get God in my life. I’ve
ing plainness, and furnished tions that need to be dealt read parts of the Bible again
Allure of the Church in the same manner, it would with. Thanks for being brave and again and never really
»»Jimmy Phillips’ article show the sanctifying power enough to tackle them. understood it. But now I will
“Allure of the Church” (Oct. of the truth and would have Beatrice Neall be able to read a section of
10, 2013) has started a train a telling influence upon Ooltewah, TN the Bible then
of thought. As I think of the unbelievers” (Testimonies for see what
life of Christ, the lives of the the Church, vol. 5, p. 206). Still Reading White has
apostles Paul and Peter, and Does self-denial and self- »»I’ve been a reader of the Ad- written about
the lives of our early Sev- sacrifice cause people to be ventist Review since my college it. I can now
enth-day Adventist Church sad-faced and joyless? It days (1953-1958) as copies understand
pioneers, I notice this: Their didn’t seem to do that to were available on the moni- what I’m reading and how I
lives were characterized by Jesus, Paul, or Peter—or tor’s counter in the dorm can relate it to my life.
self-denial and self-sacrifice. Ellen White. lobby. I would pick one up as Thank you so much for
It is crucial to realize that Donald E. Casebolt copies of The Youth’s Instructor showing this awesome way
self-denial and self-sacrifice, College Place, Washington were placed in each room by to me, I can now understand
which are also frequently the Friday monitor. God’s word and share it with
mentioned in the Spirit of Theological Articles I loved the Review then, and others better.
Prophecy writings, apply to a »»Thank you for your recent I’m still reading it. I’ve been a Amber B.
host of things, from luxury magazine editions contain- subscriber for many years. Niles, Michigan
cruises to personal adorn- ing articles on theology Thank you for this
ment, men’s toys, tickets to dealing with 1844, 1888, and magazine.
commercial sporting events, other issues that have Lydia Valido
elaborate homes, and fancy divided the church for many Waipahu, Hawaii
cars. generations. I refer to the We welcome your letters, noting,
There are people having topics of “last generation Understandable as always, that inclusion of a letter
trouble putting food on the holiness,” “universal legal »»Thank you for printing in this section does not imply that
table, or who are struggling justification,” and the nature Andy Nash’s “No One Close: the ideas expressed are endorsed by
to send their children to our of Christ’s humanity. (Actu- The Finest Adventist Author” either the editors of the Adventist
schools. There are AIDS ally, the human Christ was (Sept. 19, 2013). This article Review or the General Conference.
orphans and famine victims not like Adam either before has shown me how I can Short, specific, timely letters have
in Africa. These people could or after the Fall. He was compare Ellen White’s writ- the best chance at being published
benefit from our self-denial unique.) ings to the Bible to see how I (please include your complete
address and phone number—even
“
with e-mail messages). Letters will
be edited for space and clarity only.
Brevity, yes, but that’s not our biggest problem. It is Send correspondence to Letters to
merely opening our mouths to speak a word for God’s truth the Editor, Adventist Review, 12501
”
Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD
in season. 20904-6600; Internet: letters@
adventistreview.org.
—herbert ford, Angwin, California
Go Ask Erica
Jack and Marcia stand beside the shepherd at the sanctuary
door, eyes alight with holy joy, hair still damp from the still waters of the baptistry. Erica, not quite
4 and resplendent in her favorite purple dress, dances around them excitedly, knowing only that
something big is happening and that she and her parents are at the center of it.
The line of church members greeting the newly baptized couple at the exit is deliberately slow.
This isn’t a moment to be rushed. The congregation hasn’t witnessed the baptism of an undivided
family in six years, and there is—even though this is an Adventist church—an unmistakable
mood of celebration.
******
Jack and Marcia take the off-ramp from the interstate on their way to the Saturday “Price-
Buster Day” at the Eastfield shopping mall. Erica, suddenly alert, points excitedly out the rear
Bill passenger window as the Camry passes within hailing distance of the modest brick church. “Are
Knott we going to Sabbath school, Daddy? Are we, are we?” she squeals in anticipated delight. “It’s been
so long, Mommy. And I wonder if my favorite lamb is still there—you know, the one with the
brown nose? Why don’t we go there anymore?”
******
It is the least-acknowledged fact of our life together, the topic we would rather not discuss.
Fully 25 percent of those who join our fellowship by baptism or profession of faith have disap-
Each edition peared within the first 12 months of membership, taking with them their hope, their joys, and
gifts the Spirit intended us to have.
shines with “It’s just the price of doing the Lord’s business,” someone says in explanation. “You win some;
you lose some. It’s that way in every human enterprise.”
clarity and “No church bats 1,000 percent,” another quickly adds. “It’s not our fault that they fell away
from faith and stopped coming to church. They probably never really understood what they were
grace. doing in the first place. Being an Adventist isn’t always easy, you know.”
All of which seems remarkably clear-eyed and sensible, unless your name is Jack or Marcia—or
Erica. So long as we continue to congratulate ourselves on the fact that most of the flock is still
intact, we will not sorrow overmuch when some wander off and get lost; when wolves pick off the
stragglers or the doctrinally unsure; when chairs go empty and woolly lambs remain unloved in
the Kindergarten room. We did the best we could.
Really?
Among the ways of caring for the newest members of the church is a highly effective way of
bringing all that Adventism has to offer to their mailboxes every week. For 15 years, thousands
of generous Review readers have been sponsoring a one-year subscription—36 faith-filled, hope-
inspiring issues—to those who have just joined this movement. Each edition shines with clarity
and grace—with news, and Bible study, and stories of God’s everyday salvation.
The New Believer plan takes your $15 gift, matches it with gifts from other ministry partners,
and helps thousands of the “youngest” members of the flock find their feet in those challenging
first months. Those who experience that kind of steady, strong support through this magazine
and from fellow members invariably stay.
One hundred dollars blesses six; $500 blesses 33. One thousand dollars keeps the equivalent of
a small church—67 new believers—safely in the fold.
Not those we win . . . but those we keep. That’s how the Shepherd counts His sheep.
Send your gift of any size in the attached envelope by Christmas, and we’ll send you a KEEP HIS
SHEEP lapel pin to wear with joy—and commitment. Send a love gift of $100, and we’ll send you
a copy of Bradley Booth’s new book, Showers of Grasshoppers and Other Miracle Stories From Africa, to
thank you for your caring.
Are these new believers worth it?
Go ask Erica. n
REACCREDITED: La Sierra University recently received a three-year accreditation from the Adventist Accrediting Association.
Seventh-day Adventists world- urged Adventists worldwide to join him The ADRA Philippines office owns
wide are rallying support and prayers in in “special prayer” for those in the cen- water purifiers, deployed to provide
the wake of what is likely the Philippines’ tral Philippines “who received such a potable water to devastated communi-
worst natural disaster, and one of the devastating blow.” Wilson also led a ties, officials said. A technical support
most powerful recorded typhoons to prayer service for the victims during a team from ADRA Germany is expected to
ever hit land. large rally in Manila on Saturday. assist in the implementation of this
Super Typhoon Haiyan barreled “Certainly this is the time for the Sev- purification system.
across the central islands of the archi- enth-day Adventist Church to show ADRA Philippines is planning to send
pelago beginning November 8, flatten- Christ’s compassion and power to help an appeal for donations to regional
ing entire towns with 195-mph rebuild lives,” Wilson said in a statement ADRA offices around the world. Needs
sustained winds and a massive storm from the Manila International Airport. are “overwhelming,” a news release
surge more often associated with a tsu- ADRA aid crews have been on the from the office said. Emergency funds in
nami, news reports said. ground in the Philippines since last the country are dwindling because of a
With cell towers toppled, widespread week, tracking the typhoon’s antici- series of recent disasters, including
power outages, and roads clogged with pated path and poised for rapid assess- October’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake.
debris, communication—especially to ment, ADRA officials said. Philippine president Benigno Aquino
remote rural areas—remains “very chal- Moises Musico, ADRA program officer declared a “state of calamity” in the
lenging,” according to a situation report and emergency coordinator, stationed in country on November 10. Philippines
from the Adventist Development and Bohol before the typhoon hit on Friday, officials estimate that at least 10,000
Relief Agency (ADRA), the church’s immediately left to assess destruction in people may have died in the storm. If
humanitarian arm. northern Cebu. “The damage we are see- confirmed, it would make Typhoon Hai-
“We are still trying to connect with ing so far is huge and scattered. . . . We yan the country’s worst recorded natu-
our people, pastors, church members, are expecting huge numbers of dam- ral disaster.
and loved ones in the hardest-hit areas,” aged homes and displaced residents,” The Adventist world church expects
said Adelaida Ortilano, ADRA Philip- Musico said after an initial assessment. to contribute funds to relief efforts, Wil-
pines office coordinator. ADRA’s emergency management team son said. As news of the super typhoon
General Conference president Ted N. is focusing on northern Cebu, Bohol, spread, Seventh-day Adventist congre-
C. Wilson, in Manila for the church’s and Iloilo, where aid workers are pre- gations around the world already began
Southern Asia-Pacific Division year-end paring to distribute shelter, food, and a response. In Vancouver, British
meetings when the typhoon struck, clean water. Columbia, Canada, the Vancouver Fili-
pino Seventh-day Adventist Church held
a special prayer service November 9, and
was visited by local media.
“Most of my family is there where the
photo: Moises Musico/ADRA Philippines
photo : M oises M usico/ADRA P hilippines
■ ■WORLD CHURCH
Annual Council Ends With Flurry of
■ ■WORLD CHURCH
Ten Years On,
Adventist
Church’s Hope
Channel Claims
Global Victories
New Philippines channel
launched during Annual
Council report
PHOTO: Brandan Roberts /A NN
Thus was born a campaign to get about 46 cents U.S., every Sabbath for the “When I first saw that [video] clip,”
100,000 of the Philippine’s 1 million Sev- next five years. It is to this campaign that Thorpe said, “I wept. This is the vision
enth-day Adventists to pledge 20 pesos, pedicab driver Magaad is donating. of taking the gospel to the cities.” n
■ ■north america
Kenyan Adventist Wins NYC Marathon’s
Women’s Section
Also, Colorado Adventists raise funds for vulnerable children
Lilacs
The sun set slowly a dve n tist l i f e
As the teardrops spilled on Soun d B i te Our children, Judy and Jimmy, were the first grand-
Lilacs she caressed children in the family. My two brothers, Bill and Roy,
In trembling hands.
Theirs had been a marriage to “Anyone can be a were visiting around Christmas and wanted to hear
their prayers at bedtime. At that time, there were two
remember, important things on the children’s minds: our big yel-
A love affair grown sweeter with the
years.
member. But it low cat that had sore, frostbitten ears, and my hus-
band, who was a smoker.
As she pictured sun-filled, glory-morned
tomorrows. mitment to clapped their hands over their mouths until the prayer
was over and they could laugh.
They would see the Master they both
Jesus Christ to
—Genevieve McIntosh, who submitted this prior to
loved passing away in 2012, was from Pensacola, Florida
Together, and would share more com
be a disciple.”
mon joy—
Of things God has prepared
For those who love Him all the way to —Pastor Hal Butman, Berkeley
a dve n tist l i f e
death Springs, West Virginia
And wait with patience We are looking for brief submissions in these
For His blessed return. categories:
—Ritchie Worley, Smithfield, North Carolina Sound Bites (quotes, profound or spontaneous)
Adventist Life (short anecdotes, especially from
the world of adults)
Camp Meeting Memories (150 words or less)
Jots and Tittles (church-related tips)
Please send your submissions to Give & Take, Ad-
ventist Review, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring,
MD 20904-6600; fax: 301-680-6638; e-mail:
marank@gc.adventist.org. Please include phone num-
ber, and city and state from which you are writing.
Dear
Father . . .
A letter marking a changed life
14 ( 1 0 3 8 ) | www.AdventistReview.org | November 21, 2013
BY SYLVIA RENZ
My dear Father, felt good about them. You know me: I The next morning my brothers pulled
When you hold this letter in your was never satisfied with being medio- me out of the cistern. They were still
hands, you will have already greeted my cre. I wanted to reach the very top, and angry. They wanted to get rid of me. For-
brothers and will have heard that I am you mostly supported me in this. The tunately, they did not kill me, but sold
still alive. I know it must be hard to second dream went too far, you said, me to traders. Father, please do not
believe. You saw my coat, ripped and but I did not make it up. It came to me, punish my brothers. They did not know
splattered with blood. You thought I was unbidden, but not undesired (sigh). Yes, what they were doing. They wanted to
dead—torn to pieces by a wild animal. I admit that I was arrogant and vain. But, hurt me, but God used it to shape and bless
But the blood on my coat was not mine. thank God, life has taken care of that. me. After all, that’s what really counts,
A little lamb died, and I am alive. My *** isn’t it, Father?
heart bursts with joy over the thought of How long has it been? Twenty-two The slave traders treated me like live-
seeing you again. I have longed to see years? You also have probably never for- stock. They tied my hands and dragged
you for many years. I wish you would gotten that day. You sent me to look for me along—no use weeping and wailing.
come to me with the whole family. I have my brothers. They had roamed far, seek- They made camp for the night quite
already prepared everything for you: ing fresh pasture for our sheep. After close to our tents. I was so hoping that
houses, herds, stables, and apartments not hearing from them for a long time, one of our shepherds would come along
for the shepherds. Everything is ready, you got worried. I got lost on the way, so and see me. He would have set me free,
and your new home will be in the best it took me a few days to find my broth- and I would have returned to you
part of the country, in Goshen. ers and our herds. immediately. But no! None of our peo-
If you still doubt the news, please step ple were to be seen.
outside your tent. You will see a carriage Then our path led through the moun-
with Pharaoh’s coat of arms. It’s my car-
riage I have sent to you, so you may
I have traveled tains of Seir. Your brother, Esau, lives
there and requires a toll from all the
travel comfortably to Egypt. Lose no time to you so many traveling caravans. But his soldiers did
in departing, because the famine will
last another five years, and I do not want
times in my not recognize me. At first I was bitterly
disappointed and thought God had for-
my family to suffer any longer. Come to thoughts. gotten me. But now I know: I needed to
me in Egypt, and I will take care of you, come to Egypt. And you will also under-
because I am at the source of food. stand why I had to come here.
Father, you must be shaking your head The very sight of me made them ***
right now. Let me explain to you what angry. Maybe they thought I was spying In Egypt one of Pharaoh’s officers
has happened in the past years. on them. I had done it often enough, bought me. Potiphar was the captain of
*** and now I am sad about it, because it the royal bodyguard. He had a big house
But first things first: please forgive my created a wall between us. and many slaves. At first I was given
brothers. I forgave them long ago for But now this wall has been torn humble jobs to do. I took great pains in
what they did to me. Forgive them as down, because we are reconciled to one doing them well. Father, I thank you
well. We were all young and foolish another and have forgiven one another. that I learned to work at home. You
then. They allowed anger to take control So I plead with you: forgive them also. For- taught me to do tasks thoroughly and
of them. They saw your great love for give them for lying to you. They broke conscientiously. And I have felt every
me and were jealous. I was immature your heart when they told you I was day, every hour, that God is close to me.
and boasted with your love, as if I were dead. In reality they dumped me into a I did all my work with God watching
better than they were. Remember, you dry cistern. I thought that would be my over me, and I was successful. Gradu-
made me that special coat with long end; the walls were so steep—I never ally, I gained the trust of my master.
sleeves. It was truly fit for a prince, and I would have been able to get out on my Potiphar promoted me to his personal
wore it with pride. But I didn’t realize own again. That night in the cistern was assistant and left me to manage his
the pain it caused my brothers. They felt terrible! My only consolation was in entire household.
second-best. seeing the stars. They shone unwaver- It was an exciting time! In Potiphar’s
Steve Creitz © www.goodsalt.com
Do you remember the two dreams? I ingly upon me, and I felt as if they were palace I met famous Egyptians, military
dreamed that my brothers’ sheaves calling to me: Do not be afraid. Above the commanders, and officials, because every-
would bow down before my sheaf, and starry sky is a living God. Do not be down- one with name and rank was Potiphar’s
that the sun and moon and 11 stars cast. God sees you. God cares for you. Ini- guest. I stood quietly in the background at
showed me reverence. I didn’t know tially, however, it didn’t seem as though these feasts, but my ears and eyes were
then what those dreams meant, but I God cared. wide open. I learned about politics and
“This Gospel”
Again and again Scripture authenticates itself, giving us more
reasons to trust it, even the parts that present a reality so much grander than the narrow parameters a
rationalistic twenty-first-century worldview easily allow.
The text in question is so familiar that we often overlook the powerful validation of faith it presents.
Speaking with His disciples a few days before the cross, Jesus opens to them world events leading to the
Second Coming. Amid it all He says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world
as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14).
Reading the text now—with Christianity having more adherents than any other faith, and a presence
in most every country—we can easily forget what a bold, even daring prediction this was when spoken,
or decades later when recorded.
For starters, when Jesus made that prediction, what was the status of the “this gospel,” not in
terms of being spread into “all the world” but in terms of simply being understood? At that
point, who but the Godhead knew the plan of salvation? Even those who might have had an
inkling about what the sacrifices pointed to surely didn’t expect a crucified and risen Messiah.
One powerful argument in favor of the resurrection of Jesus is that no one would have con-
cocted the story of the resurrection, because no one expected a crucified and risen Mes-
siah, especially one dying as atonement for the world’s sins. Then, even after Jesus gave
His followers 40 more days of instruction, some would ask before His ascension, “Lord,
are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6), which shows that
“this gospel” wasn’t fully understood by those He called to spread it.
Also, how many were believers in Jesus when He first spoke those words? Perhaps a few thou-
sand Jews throughout the Jewish nation and some scattered Gentiles, an insignificant number in
contrast to the world’s millions. When Jesus made that prediction, Judas hadn’t yet turned Him
in, nor did He yet face the reaction of His followers at His arrest: “Then everyone deserted him
and fled” (Mark 14:50). Hardly an auspicious beginning of a movement whose message was to be Cliff
heralded worldwide.
Besides the wrath and opposition from other Judeans, the early church would soon be hated, Goldstein
hunted, and persecuted by Rome, the greatest power the world had seen to that time. In the
ensuing centuries the empire tried to eradicate this Jewish sect arising from the troublesome
province of Judea. When Rome couldn’t eradicate Christianity, it co-opted it instead, and “this gospel,”
with scattered exceptions, all but vanished for more than a millennium. And unless you call the Crusades
or the attempted forced conversion of the Jews (often under the threat of death) “evangelism,” the gospel
hadn’t made a whole lot of progress outside the European continent in the sense of fulfilling Jesus’ bold
first-century prediction about it.
Then, of course, with the Protestant Reformation “this gospel” was rediscovered. But it took a few more
centuries before the great missionary movements began to spread it worldwide. Today Christianity in one form
or another is the world’s largest religion, and its adherents can be found in most every country. Seventh-day
Adventists have established work in 209 of 233 countries recognized by the United Nations, making the church
perhaps the most widespread Protestant denomination in the world. And though many areas that need mission
work remain, with today’s technology it’s not hard to imagine “this gospel” being proclaimed everywhere.
Again, think back almost 2,000 years ago with Jesus, surrounded by a handful of followers in a world that
not only had never heard of Him, but was often hostile when it did. Nevertheless, He made an exceedingly
implausible prediction that, though taking long centuries, is coming true. We have been privileged in seeing
a prediction all but fulfilled, which earlier generations of Christians would have had to take only as a great
leap of faith.
Thus with all the other solid reasons for belief in Jesus, we can add Matthew 24:14, powerful evidence for
rational, twenty-first-century minds regarding truths that go far beyond rationality itself. n
Clifford Goldstein is editor of the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide. He is also featured on the Web site 1844made
simple.org.
From Clicktivist
BY JANELLE COLLINS
M
aybe you’ve seen
them—those Facebook
posts beseeching view-
ers to read a story or
look at a picture. Most
of the time the photo or text evokes
empathy, and for a moment we are
moved to action—to donate by clicking
here or to offer a quick prayer before
scrolling further. Some causes even
send donors gift boxes that include
such items as T-shirts and bumper
stickers. Awareness and activism, how-
ever, are not synonymous concepts.
In a time of information overload,
most of us are aware of the suffering
millions of people experience, both
locally and globally. While there are
some who have become comfortable
with the idea that texting a $10 dona-
tion to a humanitarian organization
will suffice, Adventist young adults
today are taking the great commission
of “Go ye therefore” to heart.
P hoto : Courtesy of Luther W hiting
to Activist
Today’s youth aren’t
sitting on the sidelines.
explore other fields you may never have con- * Sources: www.unitedway.org/take-action/benefits-
sidered. If you’re thinking about a career of-volunteering and www.worldvolunteerweb.org/
change, volunteering can be a perfect open- resources/how-to-guides/volunteer/doc/benefits-of-
volunteering.html.
ing to see what else is out there.
I
HIGHE
t happened 50 years ago this month: National Tragedy
perhaps one of the most wrenching Now, on a crushing Friday afternoon,
flights in the history of aviation. Swindal had to take off from Dallas
for the worst two-hour-and-eighteen-
Air Force One minute flight of his life. The last hour
Jim Swindal was the pilot of a Boeing on the ground had been pure agony for
707 with the tail number 26000. The Swindal and everybody else: a hot, per- Jackie Kennedy was one of the few
Secret Service called it “Angel,” but most spiring delay while Lyndon Johnson who did participate. “Three years in the
of the world knew it simply as Air Force waited for Texas judge Sarah Hughes to White House,” Manchester states, “had
One. It was John F. Kennedy’s flagship air- drive out to the airport and swear in the given [Jackie] an abiding respect for her
craft, loaded with elegance and $2 million new chief executive. There in the tail husband’s office. She understood the
worth of high-tech hardware. It featured area of Air Force One was a large coffin, symbols of authority, the need for some
offices equipped with electric typewriters, a Britannia model, solid bronze. Kenne- semblance of national majesty after the
and carried subscriptions to 15 maga- dy’s bullet-riddled remains were in it. disaster, and so she came.” In the
zines and five daily newspapers. Its presi- Kennedy loyalists and Johnson staffers famous black-and-white photo by Cecil
dential bedroom, catering to times when filled the plane, sick to the soul as they Stoughton of Johnson being sworn in,
the chief executive had to cross many time grappled with painful tragedy and awk- the widow of John Kennedy is standing
zones all at once, included a special bed ward transition, as one administration right next to him.*
with a mattress designed for Kennedy’s ended and the other one began, in the
bad back. sticky humidity of the 707 with the dis- Flight
Colonel Jim Swindal had already logged connected air-conditioning. Then at 2:47 in the afternoon, CST, Air
some 75,000 miles on Air Force One in a William Manchester’s standout book, Force One lifted off from Love Field. Just
little more than a year since its commis- The Death of a President, helps us focus: three hours and nine minutes earlier
sioning. He was dedicated and loyal, both Who should participate? Who should be the plane had touched down for a victo-
to the presidency and to this thirty-fifth in the picture as Lyndon Johnson is rious parade. Spirits had been high; cel-
president, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Ear- sworn in? LBJ had already expressed in a ebration and sunshine and confetti
lier in 1963 he had flown his hero to Ger- general announcement to the whole were in the air. Now nothing but dark-
many for the president’s famous “Ich bin plane: “If anybody wants to join in in the ness and tears.
ein Berliner” speech. swearing-in ceremony, I would be happy Air Force One is the most secure plane
and proud to have you.” But Swindal in the world. Every trip is exceptionally
and many others were simply too grief- guarded in terms of its flight path. The
stricken to join in. Their president was plane zigs and zags, taking unorthodox
lying in the box. routes for utmost secrecy. On the ground
22
EST FLIGHT EVER flight, and not even Swindal’s breath-
Soaring higher than taking 41,000 feet. But a trip that lifts us
free from every last trace of this world’s
Air Force One ugliness and hate, a trip beyond the
stars. Jesus promises us, “In my Father’s
Secret Service agents track its every move; from it all. He wanted to lift him higher house are many mansions. . . . I go to prepare
people stationed in unmarked cars along than he’d ever been before, remove him a place for you. And if I go and prepare a
the route visually confirm its passage from the pain of earth, the danger of bul- place for you, I will come again, and receive
overhead. And this flight carried the dead lets and snipers and angry posters and you unto myself; that where I am, there ye
body of the former president and also the cruel editorials. And so he did. In all his may be also” (John 14:2, 3, KJV).
new president. There was no backup, no life, Kennedy had never been so far above Paul knew much about assassinations;
vice vice president. And 26000 had no earth before; the 707 roared toward the in fact, his own life ended tragically. But
military escort for this trip. On the stars, climbing at the incredible rate of in 1 Thessalonians he writes about how
ground below, the Pentagon put Air Force 4,000 feet per minute. Swindal didn’t we’ll soon be lifted up, caught up in the
bases on standby alert, with pilots level off until they were at 41,000 feet, clouds. And then we’ll head out for a
“belted in and ready to go.” approximately eight miles above the celestial journey that takes us far beyond
Captain Swindal had to fly that plane car- scarred world and its miserable Friday. the clouds, to a city that’s the capital of
rying the dead body of his hero. It was the universe. To a city that’s home. It’s a
November, with early sundowns. Flying west long, long way away, and frankly, we
to east to Washington, D.C., Air Force One
was quickly immersed in shadows and then
What a flight want it to be a long, long way away from
earth and sin and death and the endless
in darkness that made the gloom more
unbearable. “It was the sickest plane I’ve ever
that’s going rows of tombstones at Arlington
National Cemetery. God’s angels will
been on,” Mac Kilduff, a Kennedy advisor, to be! gather His children together from the
told people later. But no one seemed to feel it four winds of heaven and lift us up to
as did the captain. Manchester writes: “No meet our Lord in the air (see Mark
aircraft commander had ever been charged Flight—Again 13:27). “And so shall we ever be with the
with so grave a responsibility, yet he won- Fifty years later, our world is just as Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17).
dered whether he could make it to Andrews. horribly scarred and miserable. It still Shout “Hallelujah,” friend of mine.
He was near collapse. ‘It became,’ in his harbors assassins and hurt of every What a flight that’s going to be! n
words, ‘a struggle to continue.’ ” kind. Hate is as cheap as the Internet.
Swindal had clearance to take his Leaders fall to bullets or scandals. Ter- * Quotations from William Manchester, The Death of
a President (London: Pan Books, 1967).
beloved president home at 29,000 feet, a rorists obliterate our tallest buildings
pretty standard level even today. Flights and slaughter our most innocent David B. Smith is the author of
often climb up to these levels to avoid infants, loved ones, and friends. We Finding Waldo and Rachel Marie,
turbulence. But with all that ache in his keep visiting more hospitals, attending stories set in his home country
heart, and with the defiant skyline of more funerals, and standing in more of Thailand.
Dallas just behind him, with all the cemeteries than we ever wanted to. We
hatred of people, the cities, and angry need a Swindal flight. Lonnie Melashenko is a
civilizations just below him, spreading Except that what God’s Word prom- revivalist for the Columbia
out in all directions, Swindal ises is infinitely better. Not Dallas to Union Conference.
wished he could take his Washington, D.C., not a Boeing 707, not
beloved president away two hours and eighteen minutes of
Married, but
Alone on the Sabbath
Living with an
BY KATHERINE CAREY
A
manda is a member of a
unbelieving spouse
suburban Seventh-day Ad-
ventist church. It’s Sabbath
afternoon, and she’s
stretched out on her living
room couch reading the Adventist Review.
In the background, her husband, Kevin,
watches an international golf tourna-
ment on television. She sits with her
back to the screen, aware of who is win-
ning because of Kevin’s occasional com-
ments. But she stays immersed in her
reading despite the continuous chatter
of the sports announcer. This is a typical
after-church Sabbath for Amanda.
Ironically, she is reading an article on
Sabbathkeeping. She finds it both amus-
ing and frustrating, because most of the
advice does not fit her life with Kevin,
her unchurched spouse. For 15 years
Amanda has attended church alone—
one of the many “church widows” in an
average North American church. But she
has sisters all around the globe.
We don’t know the percentage, but a
large number of Adventists are married
to nonmembers, and most of them are
women. Although the principles pre-
sented in this article apply to husbands
as well as wives, it will primarily
address women. Church researchers tell
us that the majority of Adventist mem-
bers are women, limiting the number of
men available for marriage.
For such women Sabbathkeeping is a
challenge. It’s most difficult in cultures
in which the female is viewed as having
less equality in the marriage relation-
ship. She may be subject to the whims
and needs of her husband to the point
that Sabbath is like any other day.
Should she refuse to serve him, her life
Andy Nash is a professor and lay pastor. He’s leading two tours to Israel next summer. Contact him at andynash5@gmail.com.