Announcements for October 30, 2014

Winter Family Weekend Registration

From Mark Winner: The Winter Family Weekend web page is already live at http://members.cogwa.org/wfw/. The web page gives the details about this year’s event in the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky, at the end of December. Housing reservations can be made, and that link is active on the web page as well.

We wanted to update you about registration since some are already asking about it. We will not run out of space for the activities, but registration will be delayed for a week or two. We are changing the registration process so it will run through the new database system we are implementing. Before the Feast we were working hard to get all our contacts into the system from nearly 10 different sources without duplicating them. Unfortunately, we lost some valuable time when Google Docs failed and would not save our updates because the document was too large.

We have tested the system with sample contacts, and it works well. So as soon as we can get the data into the system, we will open registration by sending everyone in our system an email invitation and a personalized link to the registration form. Due to the need for our office personnel to process the fall holy day offerings, we are not sure how quickly we can get the data imported, but we anticipate having it done in the next week or two.

Please watch your main email address for your invitation and link—or keep watching the WFW web page in case we open registration and do not have your current email address. A link will be provided to add contacts/email addresses to our system and to generate a new unique registration link.

Summary of September PCD Activity

From Cecil Maranville: Our PCD team sent out 110 replies in the month of September. We had a wide assortment of questions, ranging from an individual in Russia, who wanted to know how to become a member of COGWA, to an individual working for the chaplaincy of a sheriff’s office, who asked for guidelines on writing condolence letters.

A mother wrote on behalf of her family, explaining they found us on the Internet. They read our Fundamental Beliefs, were convicted by them and started putting them into practice. She contacted us for prayer and advice on how to proceed further.

Responding to our blog series on depression, an individual who is apparently troubled by clinical depression asked for follow-up direction. Because we do not give medical advice, we reminded the individual that one of the blogs advises that some people with this illness need to seek professional medical help.

We handled two unusual marriage counseling situations. In the first, a woman wrote that her husband accuses her of having a spirit of witchcraft and is demanding that she return to their church to be “dealt with” by the church. She wanted to know what to do. In the other situation, the contact explained that both partners have been unfaithful. One wants the marriage to continue, and the other is unsure. The one who wants a divorce asked our advice. We directed them to our published material on marriage and adultery, explained the consequences of adultery, and discussed the challenges of both a divorce and of reestablishing trust to enable a marriage relationship. 

A couple who is living together wanted to know if their behavior is acceptable in light of the fact that they plan to get married. We explained that they need to change in order to obey God’s law and to receive His full blessings. We also directed them to our publication on cohabitation.

An individual in mourning asked if there’s anything wrong with visiting the grave of a loved one. Of course, there isn’t anything wrong with doing so, but it also gave us the opportunity to express our condolences and to introduce the individual to our new booklet on the afterlife.

On a related topic, two people wrote us about the “problem” of resurrecting an individual who has been cremated. One of these wrote that when her relative had less than a day to live; the family needed the comfort that he would indeed be resurrected.

Another question about the afterlife came from a person who wanted to know if everyone who committed suicide automatically “went to hell.”

On the subject of prophecy and current events, a person asked if Islam will eventually take over the world. Another asked simply, “When will things get better?” We provided a link to our booklet on the Kingdom, which can provide encouragement and comfort!

Another person asked why Daniel was troubled by “the little horn.” And another wrote that she has a friend who claims to be a prophet. She asked several questions about prophets, so that she could understand her friend.

On a related topic, a reader asked us to explain the difference between a false pastor and a true one.

A person wanted to know if God honors the intent of people to worship Him if they believe they must attend church in buildings on Sunday. We introduced her to the truth of “the Church” not being a building and directed her to some articles on this.

A lady sent us her rote “morning prayer,” apparently wanting our approval. That opened the door for us to suggest that she broaden her approach and learn to talk to God personally. We offered her several supporting articles for her to read.

One asked why Satan has access to heaven. Directing the individual to our publications, we explained that there’s a difference between having access and having any authority there. We also showed that the time is coming when Satan will be denied access.

Another biblical question came from a person who read our article about how to know if you have the Holy Spirit. She wanted to know how many spirits a person can have. We directed her to our articles on the spirit in man and the immortal soul.

A woman in financial trouble who is convicted that tithing is a law of God that she should obey asked how she can do so in her present circumstances. Of course, this led to an explanation of faith and God’s challenge to tithe-payers to prove His promises.

A wife wrote for help arbitrating an argument between her and her husband. She wants to post our Daily Bible Verse Blog on Google+; he does not. We expressed our appreciation for her enthusiasm, but we advised her not to argue religion with her husband. She has several ways to “like” an article through social media.

After reading our material, a woman asked if kissing is permissible before marriage in light of fact that sex is not. While explaining that it is, we also explained that there are different types of “kissing”! Some are acceptable, while others are too intimate outside of marriage. A wife asked our help in motivating her husband to take them to a marriage retreat in an evangelical church program; we politely declined.

We were asked to identify Elisha’s parents in order to provide material to a woman conducting a Bible study on faith, and we were asked to provide material about the good Samaritan for another woman to use in her teaching. Neither indicated whether she was teaching men or women, but we directed them to our published material. In due time, if God continues to work with them, we will get into the subject further.

A vegan wanted us to confirm that the Bible supports this lifestyle. A woman asked us to “write a prayer” for a friend starting a business. We directed her to learn to pray personally (as we advised the woman above).

We receive the occasional “Dear Abby” type of relationship questions, such as this one: “Is there any chance that I will get back together with my ex?”

There were many more questions (one an X-rated topic that we won’t put in print!), but this provides an overview of a busy month.